A. That if we live in hatred when we pray the Lord's prayer, we pray for our own damnation ; Mat. xviii. 22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but until seventy times seven. Ver. 45. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their tres- passes.
Of Gods hading us into temptation.
Quest. 106. ▼ T HAT do we pray for in the sixth petition ?
A. In the sixth petition, which is, [And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil :] we prai/, that God
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. J^18
: .i'ould either leap tisjrorn being' tempted to sin, or support and de- liver us when we are tempted.
Q. 1. Why is this petition joined to the former with the copulative and?
J. Because it will be but little advantage to have former sins par- doned, and to be left to the povver and practice, to the love and trade of sin for the future ; Ezek. xviii. 26. When a righteous man turn- eth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done, shall he die.
Q. 2. What is meant by temptation ?
A, In general, a trial or probation of what is in us, or of what we will do.
Q. 3. What is meant by temptation here ?
A. Temptation to sin and wickedness.
Q. 4. How may we be said to be tempted to sin ?
A. (1.) Effectually by ourselves, and our own hearts; Jam. i. 14, 15. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin ; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (2.) Formal- ly, with an intention to draw into sin ; and so we are tempted of the devil ; 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and pro- voked David to number Israel. Mat. iv. 1, 3. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And when the tempter came to him, he said. If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (3.) Innocently, and blamelessly; and so God is said to tempt; 2 Sam. xxi v. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel ; and he moved David against them to say, Go number Israel and Judah.
Q. 5. How many ways may God be said to tempt evil ?
A. (1.) By withdrawing his grace, either common or special ; 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. Howbeit, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that Avas done in the land ; God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. (2.) By permitting Satan, and wicked men, to tempt; 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. He moved David against them, to say. Go and number Israel and Judah. With 1 Chron. xxi. 1. Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David. Matth. iv. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. (3.) By presenting occasions in his providence, which he knows will be abused to sin ; as in the fall of Adam, the hardening of Pharaoh, &c.
Q. 6. What do we beg in this petition ?
A. We beg, that we may not any of these, or any other ways, whereby the holy God may be said to lead into temptation, be led thereinto; Psalm cxli. 1. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity ; and let me not cat of their dainties, Psal. xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also froia
314 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY''s CATECHISM.
presumptuous sins ; let them not have dominion over me : Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Q. 7. What is meant by evil ?
A. Some understand of the devil, but the best meaning is sin, which is the evil of evils, and makes the devil evil,, and is the worst of evils the devil can bring upon us, and is usually so understood in scripture; Psalm xcvii. 10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil, Isa. i. 16. Cease to do evil. Amos v. 15. Hate the evil, and love the good. Rom. xii. 9. Abhor that which is evil.
Q. 8. What is meant by deliverance from evil ?
A. That if God sees meet to permit us to be tempted by Satan, and the wicked without, or by our own hearts within, to sin ; or oc- casionally, by his providence; that he will not leave us, but undertake for us, that we may not be led into sin thereby, but by his grace be made more than conquerors. Psal. li. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psal. cxix. 133. Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. According to his promise; 1 Cor. x. 13. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able. 2 Cor. xii. 9. And he said unto me. My grace is sufficient for thee ; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Q. 9. What is the first inference ?
A, That sin is the worst of evils.
Q. 10. What is the second inference.^
A. That without God's grace we can never withstand, but shall be overcome by every temptation ; 9, Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are suffi- cient of ourselves, to think any thing as of ourselves ; but our suffi- ciency is of God, John xv. 5. For without me ye can do nothing.
Q. 11. What is the third inference.'^
A. That we must do all we can to keep ourselves from temptation, and to engage the grace of God with us in temptation, by prayer, by pleasing the Spirit of God, by looking to Jesus, &c.
Quest. 197. ▼'? HAT doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us.^
A. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer^ which is, [For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever; Ame?!.'^ teacheth us, to take our encouragement in prayer from God only ,• and in our prayers to praise him; ascrihing'kingdom,power^ and glory to him ; and in testimony of our desire, and assurancCy to be heard, zee say, Amen.
Q. 1. Why is the conclusion joined to the particle For ?
A. To teach us, that therein are included arguments, or reasons to press God withal, and to prevail with him for audience.
Q. 2. But is it lawful to argue with God, and to urge him with reasons in prayer ?
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