ther can we miss of it, when the things unto which this directs us,are fo fully related immediately before.For we find in both these Evangelifts, (which speak fo exactly of the time of thefe Temptations) that Christ was baptized of John; this was in order to the fulfilling the Righteoufness of his Office. As the Priests under the Numb. 4.3. Vid. Lightfoot Law when they came to be thirty years old, entred upon their FunTemple-Ser- tion, by Wafhings (or Baptizings) and Anointings: So Chrift vice and Har- (that he might anfwer his Type) beginning to be about thirty years of Age, was folemnly inaugurated into the great Office of the Mediatorship by Baptifm, and the extraordinary defcending of the Holy Ghoft by which he was anointed with the Öyl of gladness above his Fellows. To this folemn Inftalment the Father adds an hónourable Testimony concerning him; This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleafed. Immediately after this was he carried to the place of Combate. Hence we may infer,

mony.

Levit. 8. 6. 12.

Luk. 3.23.

Obf. I.

That our entring upon a fpecial Service for God, or receiving a Special Favour from Gods are two Solemn Seafons which Satan makes use of for Temptation. Often these two Seafons meet together in the same Perfon, at the fame time. Paul after his rapture into the third Hea2 Cor. 12.2,7. ven, which (as fome conceive) was alfo upon his entrance upon the Miniftry, was buffeted by the Meffenger of Satan.

Sometime thefe two Seafons are fevered; yet ftill it may be obferved, that the Devil watcheth them. When any Servant of God is to engage in any particular employment, he will be upon him. He Affaulted Mofes by perfecution, when he was first called to deliver Ifrael. As foon as David was Anointed, immediately doth he enrage the Minds of Saul and his Courtiers against him. It was fo ordinary with Luther, that he at last came to this, that before any Eminent Service, he conftantly expected either a fit of Sickness, or the buffetings of Satan. He is no lefs fedulous in giving his Affaults when any Child of God hath been under peculiar Favours, or Enjoyments: The Church after an high enterCant. S. 2. tainment with Christ, is presently overcome by a carelefs fleepy indifpofition.

Though this may feem ftrange, yet the harshness of such a Providence on God's part, and the boldness of the attempt on Satan's part, may be much taken off by the confideration of the reafons hereof.

Firft, On Satan's part: It is no great wonder to fee fuch an undertaking, when we confider his Fury,and Malice. The more

we

we receive from God, and the more we are to do for him, the more doth he malign us. So much the more as God is Good, by fo much is his Eye Evil.

Secondly, There are (in fuch cafes as thefe) feveral advantages, which (through our weakness and imperfection) we are too apt to give him and for these he lieth at the catch.

As firit, Security. We are apt to grow proud, careless, and confident after, or upon fuch Employments and Favours; even as men are apt to fleep or furfeit upon a full Meal, or to forget themselves, when they are advanced to Honour. Job's great Job 29. 18. Peace and Flenty made him (as he confeffeth) fo confident, that he concluded he should die in his Neft. David enjoying the Favour of God in a more than ordinary measure, (though he was more acquainted with viciffitudes and changes than moft of men) grows fecure in this apprehenfion, that he should never be moved: but he ac- pfal. 30.6. knowledgeth his mistake,and leaves it upon Record as an Experi

ence neceffary for others to take warning by, that when he became 4/7 1. Lt

warm under the Beams of God's Countenance, then he was apt to fall into Security. And (this it seems was ufual with him in all fuch cafes) when he was moft fecure, he was nearest some trouble, or difquiét: Thou didst hide thy Face, (and then to be fure the Devil will fhew his) and I was troubled. Enjoyments beget Confidence; Confidence brings forth Carelefnefs; Carelefnefs Inakes God withdraw, and gives opportunity to Satan to work unfeen. And thus as Armies after Victory growing fecure, are oft furprized; So are we oft after our Spiritual Advancements. thrown down.

Secondly, Difcouragement, and tergiverfation is another thing the Devil watcheth for. By his Affaults he represents the Duty difficult, tedious, dangerous, or impoffible, on purpose to difcourage us,and to make us fall back. No fooner doth Paul engage in the Gospel, than the Devil is upon him, suggesting fuch hazards as he knew were moft prevalent with our frail natures; if he had not been aware of him, and retufed to hearken to what Flesh Gal. . 16 and Blood would have faid in the Cafe. When God honoured Mofes with the high Employment of delivering Ifrael; the hazard and danger of the work was fo ftrongly fixed upon his thoughts, that he makes many excufes; one while pleading his Inability and Infufficiency; Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh? Ano- Exod. 3.1 ther while he urgeth Ifraels unbelief,and a feeming Impott.bility to

fatisfy

:

fatisfy them of his Commiffion; After that he devifeth another fhift, I am not Eloquent, in the 10th verfe. And when all these fubterfuges were removed, (Satan had fo affrighted him with the trouble and difficulty of this undertaking,) that he attempts to break away from his duty; ver. 13. Send by the hand of bim whom thou wilt fend; That is, fpare me and fend another and till the anger and displeasure of God was manifefted against him, he fubmitted not. In Jonah the Temptation went higher. He (upon the apprehenfions mentioned) ran away from his Service,and puts God to convince him by an extraordinary punishment. And when Satan prevails not fo far, as wholly to deter men by fuch onfets; yet at least he doth dishearten and discourage them: So that the work lofeth much of that Glory, Excellency, and Exactnefs, which a ready and chearful undertaking would put upon it.

Thirdly; The Fall or miscarriage of the Saints at fuch times is of more than ordinary difadvantage; not only to others, (for if they can be prevailed with to lay aside their work, or to neglect the Improvement of their Favours, others are deprived of the benefit and help that might be expected from them) but also to themselves. A prevailing Temptation doth more than ordinarily prejudice them at fuch times. The greatnefs of the difappointment under fpecial Service,the unworthy neglect,and unanswerablenefs to fpecial Favours are Extraordinary Provocations, and produce more than ordinary Chaftifments; as we fee in Jonah's Affliction,and the Spou fes defertion.

Secondly; As we have feen the reafon of Satan's Keenneß in taking thofe Opportunities; So may we confider the reafons of God's Permiffion, which are these.

First, Temptations at fuch Seafons are permitted for more eminent tryal of the upright. On this account was Job tempted.

Secondly, For an increase of diligence, humility and watchfulnefs. If these Priviledges and Mercies will not difcourage Satan, what will? And if Satan fo openly malign fuch Enjoyments, we may be awakened to hold them fafter; and fet a double Guard upon them.

Thirdly, For a plentiful Furniture of Experience. Temptation is the Shop of Experience. Luther was fo great a gainer by this, that he became able fo to speak to the Confciences and Conditions of his hearers, that the thoughts of their hearts were manifefted by his

speaking;

fpeaking; as if he had had an Intilligencer in their own Bofoms. Hence did he commend Prayer, Meditation, and Temptation, as neceffary requifites for the accomplishment of a Minifter.

This may adminifter matter of Counsel to us in both cafes afore- Applic mentioned. If we be put upon eminent Employments, or receive eminent Favours.

First, We must not be fo fecure as to think Satan will be asleep that while, or that we are beyond danger. While we are receiving Kindneffes, he is devifing Plots, and laying Snares. With Priviledges and Mercies expect Exercifes and Hazards.

、

Secondly, in particular; We may receive fomething of advice from this confideration, in reference to both Cafes. 1. If God is about to employ us in any Service, (1.) We have little need to be confident of our abilities, or performance, when we know that Temptations wait for us. (2.) We muft not only be fenfible of our weaknefs, that we be not confident; but we must be apprebenfrue of the Strength and Power of God to carry us through, that we be not difcouraged. (3.) We muft see our Oppofition, that we may be watchful; and yet muft we refufe to give it the leaft place of confideration in our debates of Duty; left it fway us against Duty, or dishearten us in it. 2. If God be pleafed to Honour us with peculiar Favours. Then (1.) Though we muft improve them to the full, yet muft we not feed on them without : fear. (2.) We muft not stay in the Enjoyment, or play with the. Token; but look to the tendency of fuch Favours, and improve them to duty, as to their proper end.

CHAP.

ἐκβάλλεν

відь тоо

CHA P. II.

The Second Circumftance, Chrifts being led by the Spirit. What hand the Spirit of God hath in Temptations. And of running into Temptation when not led into it.

T

He fecond Circumstance acquaints how Chrift was carcarried to the Combate. In Solemn Combates and Duels, the Perfons undertaking the Fight, were ufually carried to the place with great Solemnity and Ceremony: Christ in this Spiritual Battel is defcribed, as having the conduct of the Spirit, He was led up of the Spirit, &c. What this Spirit was, is (though by a needlefs and over-officious diligence) questioned by fome but we need not ftay much upon it, if we confider the phrafe of the Evangelifts, who mention Spirit without any Note of Diftinction: (which of neceffity muft have been added, if it had intended, either his proper Spirit as Man; or the wicked Spirit Satan) directing thereby, to understand it of him to whom the word Spirit is more peculiarly attributed; (viz.) the Holy Ghost. Or if we obferve the clofe connexion in Luke betwixt that Expreffion of Chrilt's being full of the Holy Ghost, and his being led by the Spirit, it will be out of controverfy, that the Holy Spirit is here intended. Hence was it that Beza tranflates it more fully; Jefus being full of the Holy Ghoft, was led, eodem Spiritu, of the fame Spirit ; and the Syriack in Matthew doubts not to exprefs it by the Holy Spirit: And what elfe can be imagined? When in this Text the Spirit that led him up, and the Devil that tempted, are mentioned in fo direct an oppofition. He was led of the Spirit into the Wildernefs to be tempted of the Devil. The manner of his being carried thither is exprcffed by fuch words as fignify (though not an External rapture like that of Philip) a ftrong inward Motion, and Impulfe upon him. The Spirit driveth him, faith Mark The Spirit led him, faith Luke, using the fame word, by which the Scripture elsewhere expreffeth the Power of the Spirit upon the Children of God; who are faid to be led by him.

Ecnce