280 Christ's temptation. [Ser. III.
in so good a design, in such an holy place, there could no ill happen to the Son of God, nor a better occasion be offered of showing himself to many, so to confirm the Jews in the truth of the oracle they had of late heard from heaven.
[2.] The change of temptations. Since he will trust, the devil will put him upon trusting ; he shall trust as much as he will. There he tempted him to the use of unlawful means to preserve his life, here to the neglect of things lawful. There, that God would fail him if he were still obedient to the Spirit, and did not take another course than divine providence had as yet offered to him ; here, that God would not forsake him, though he threw himself into danger. There, that he would fail though he had promised ; here, that he would help though he had not promised. That faith which sustained him in his hunger would preserve him in this precipice ; if he expected his preservation from God, why not now ? He had hitherto tempted him to diffidence, now to prefidence, or an over-confident presumption that God would needlessly show his power. It is usual with the tempter to tempt man on both sides ; sometimes to weaken his faith, at other times to neglect his duty. He was cast out of heaven himself, and he is all for casting down.
[3.] The temptation was the more strong, being veiled under a pre- tence of scripture, and so Christ's weapons seem to be beaten back upon himself. The devil tempted him to nothing but what he might be confident to do upon the promise of God. Now it is grievous to God's children, when the rule of their lives and the charter of their hopes is abused to countenance a temptation.
II. The observations.
1. Observe, that the first temptation being rejected by Christ, Satan maketh a new assault. Though he get the foil, he will set on us again ; like a troublesome fly that is often beaten off, yet will return to the same place. Thus the devil, when he could do no good upon his first patent against Job's goods and children, cometh and sueth for a new commission, that he might touch his flesh and bones : Job ii. 4, 5, ' Sldn for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.' Satan is incessant in his attempts against the saints, and is ready to assault afresh upon every occasion. Now this cometh to pass by Satan's unwearied malice, who is a sworn enemy to our peace and welfare — he still 'seeketh to devour' us, 1 Peter v. 8 ; also from God's providence, who permitteth this that we may not be careless and secure after temptation, though we have gotten the victory; for our life is a continual warfare : Job vii. 1, 'Is there not an appointed time for man upon earth ? ' The same word signi- fieth also a warfare. Man's life is a perpetual toil, and a condition of manifold temptations and hazards, such as a soldier is exposed to ; therefore we must perpetually watch. We get not an absolute victory till death. Now this should the more prevail with us, because many of God's people have failed after some eminent service performed for God. Josiah, after he had prepared the temple, fell into that rash attempt against Pharaoh Necho which cost him his life : 2 Chron. xxxv. 20, ' After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho, king
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of Egypt, came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates ; and Josiah went out against him.' And Peter, after he had made a glorious confession, giveth his Master carnal counsel : Mat. xvi. 18, ' Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church,' &c. ; and yet, ver. 23, ' Get thee behind me, Satan.' Many, after they have been much lifted up in consolation, do readily miscarry. First, he made a glorious confession, a sign of great faith ; then carnal wisdom vents itself in some counsel concerning the ease of the flesh. Oh, what need have w^e to stand upon our guard, till God tread Satan under our feet ! As one of the Koman generals, whether conquering or con- quered, semper instaurat pugnam, so doth Satan.
2. Observe, God may give Satan some power over the body of one whom he loveth dearly. For Satan is permitted to transport Christ's body from the wilderness to the holy city, and to set it on a pinnacle of the temple. As it is very consistent with God's love to his people to suffer them to be tempted in their souls by the fiery darts of Satan, so he may permit Satan to afflict their bodies, either by himself, or by witches, who are his instruments. Thus he permitted Satan to afflict Job, chap. ii. 6, 7, ' And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand, but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils, from the sole of his foot unto his crown.' The devil may have a threefold power over the bodies of men : —