304 Christ's temptation. [Ser. V.
(3.) Though this was a lie, yet here is the colour of the lie. God permitteth that nnen sometimes by indirect means become great in honour and dignity in this world ; all which are done by the instinct of Satan and his help. And evil men often succeed in their attempts, and. from hence Satan is called the prince of tliis world : John xii. 31, ' Now shall the prince of this world be cast out ;' John xiv. 30, ' The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me;' John xvi. 11, ' Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.' Yea, Paul goetii higher, and calleth him ' the god of this world:' 2 Cor. iv. 4, ^ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.' But this is by usurpation, not just right. And the devils are called, Eph. vi. 12, ' The rulers of the darkness of this world,' as the wicked consent to his empire and evil suggestions. But all this implietli but a limited and restrained kingdom ; and the devil's impudence and falsehood lieth in this, that he interprets Grod's permission for a commission, his connivance for a conveyance. Indeed, there are two lies in the devil's offer : one assertory, as if the power and glory of the world were at his disposal ; the other promissory, as if he would invest Christ in the full and peaceable possession thereof; whereas indeed he went about to divest and dispossess the Son of God of his right, or to tempt him to do a thing contrary to his kingdom ; for he knew the abasement of Christ was the way to his glory, the oause of man's happiness, and the ruin of the kingdom of the devil ; therefore he seeketh to prevent this by these magnificent promises,
[2.] The postulation or demand : ' if thou wilt fall down and wor- ship me.' Here the devil appeareth in his own likeness. Before it was, ' if thou be the Son of God ;' now it is, ' fall down and worship me.' Before he appeared as a friend to advise him in his hunger ; then as a divine to instruct him how to discover himself as the Messiah ; now as a plain usurper of God's worship. And he demands but one act of prostration, such as was given to the kings of the East ; and the Jews in that manner did worship God. There- fore this was the vilest and most blasphemous suggestion which Satan -c;ould devise, that the Son of God should stoop to God's rebel. Here we see the devil not only importunate, but impudent.
2. The grievousness of the temptation, that will appear in these considerations : —
[1.] Because it was represented in a matter grateful and pleasing. It was unnecessary to turn stones into bread, dangerous to throw him- self down from a pinnacle of the temple ; but it might seem sweet and grateful to behold the kingdoms of the world and the glory thereof ; for surely the glory of the world is a bewitching object, and would much move a carnal heart. And therefore he produceth this tempt- ing object, and sets it before Christ himself. Mark, he showed him the glory only, not the burdens, the labours, the cares, those storms of jealousy and envy which those encounter with wlio are at the top. This way did' he now choose wherewith to assault Christ. Had he really represented the world, with all the vexations attending it, the temptation had not been so great ; but he showeth the kingdoms of the world, and the glory thereof : the bait, not the hook ; he talketh highlj of small things, comraendeth what is pleasing, but hideth the
Mat. IV. 8, 9.] Christ's temptation, 305
bitter of these luscious sweets ; he offereth Christ the glory of the kingdoms of the world, but dissemblcth the cares, the troubles, the dangers. Alas I we see the best side of those that live in courts, their gorgeous apparel, their costly entertainments, their power and great- ness ; but their fears of being depressed by superiors, jostled by equals, undermined by inferiors, are hidden from us.
Therefore the temptation was dexterously managed by the devil, in that he showed him the kingdoms of the world and the glory thereof. Temptations of the right hand are more dangerous than those of the left hand.
[2.] He showeth the bait before he offereth the temptation, that the world might speak for him before he spake for himself, and prepared the mind of Christ by this bewitching object before he cometh either •with his offer or demand. And then afterwards, before he maketh his demand, he premiseth his offer : ' All these things will I give thee.' The offer is made before the spiteful condition is mentioned. Observe the different methods of Christ and Satan : — Satan maketh show of glory first, but Christ of the cross. Satan offereth the benefit before he seemeth to require the service, as here he doth first offer and then ask ; but fallaciously, for indeed he requireth a present act, but only promiseth a future compensation : ' I will give thee ' all these things. Christ telleth us the worst at first : Mat. xvi. 24, ' If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.' The issue showeth the fraud of the tempter, and the misery of those poor deluded souls who hearken to him. On the contrary, the sincerity of our Lord, and the happiness of those who obey him, will soon appear. The devil will have all paid before he part with any- thing ; no worship, no glory. But I am carried too far : my purpose was only to show his dexterity and cunning, how he sets a colour upon sin before he mentions it, by glorious promises, and the manifold pleasure and profit which comes by it,