But now, reader, if thou art amongst them, who takest no notice of these things, or carest not for them, — who hast no sense of the efficacy and dangers of tempta^ tions in thine own walking and profession, nor hast observed the power of them upon others, — who discernest not the manifold advantages that they have got in these days, wherein all things are shaken, nor hast been troubled or moved for the sad successes they have had amongst professors ; but supposest that all things are well within doors and without, and would be better couldst thou obtain fuller satis- faction to some of thy lusts in the pleasures or profits of the world, — I desire thee to know that I write not for thee, nor do esteem thee a fit reader or judge of what is here written. Whilst all the issues of providential dispensations, in refer- ence to the public concernments of these nations, are perplexed and entangled, the footsteps of God lying in the deep, where his paths are not known ; whilst, in particular, unparalleled distresses and strange prosperities are measured out to men, yea, to professors; whilst a spirit of error, giddiness, and delusion goes
90 ' TO THE READER,
forth with such strength and efficacy, as it seems to have received a commission to go and prosper ; whilst there are such divisions, strifes, emulations, attended with such evil surmises, wrath, and revenge, found amongst brethren ; whilst the des- perate issues and pi-oducts of men's temptations are seen daily in partial and total apostasy, in the decay of love, the overthrow of faith, our days being filled with fearful examples of backsliding, such as former ages never knew ; whilst there is a visible declension from reformation seizing upon the professing party of these nations, both as to personal holiness and zeal for the interest of Christ ; — he that understands not that there is an " hour of temptation " come upon the world, to " try them that dwell upon the earth," is doubtless either himself at present captivated under the power of some woful lust, corruption, or temptation, or is indeed stark blind, and knows not at all what it is to serve God in temptations. With such, then, I have not at present to do. For those who have in general a sense of these things, — who also, in some measure, are able to consider that the plague is begun, that they may be farther awakened to look about them, lest the infection have approached nearer to them, by some secret and imperceptible ways, than they did apprehend; or lest they should be surprised at unawares hereafter by any of those temptations that in these days either waste at noon or else walk in darkness, — is the ensuing warning intended. And for the sake of them that mourn in secret for all the abominations that are found among and upon them that profess the gospel, and who are under the conduct of the Captain of their salvation, fight- ing and resisting the power of temptations, from what spring soever they rise in themselves, are the ensuing directions proposed to consideration.
That our faithful and merciful High Priest, who both suffered and was tempted, and is on that account touched with the feeling of our infirmities, would accom- pany this small discourse with seasonable supplies of his Spirit and suitable mercy to them that shall consider it, that it may be useful to his servants for the ends whereunto it is designed, is the prayer of him who received this handful of seed from his storehouse and treasure,
John Owen.
OE TEMPTATION':
THE NATURE AND POWER OE IT, ETC.
CHAPTER I
The words of the text, that are the foundation of the ensuing discourse — The oc- casion of the words, with their dependence — The things specially aimed at in them — Things considerable in the words as to the general purpose in hand — Of the general nature of temptation, wherein it consists — The special nature of temptation — Temptation taken actively and passively — How^ God tempts any — His ends in so doing — The way whereby he doth it — Of temptation in its special nature: of the actions of it — The true nature of temptation stated.
" ■^'atch ami pray, that ye enter uot into temptation."— Matt. xxvi. 41.
These words of our Saviour are repeated with very little alteration in tliree evangelists; only, whereas Matthew and Mark have recorded them as above written, Luke reporteth them thus : " E-ise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation ;" so that the whole of his caution seems to have been, " Arise, watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." Solomon tells us of some that " lie down on the top of a mast in the midst of the sea," Pro v. xxiiL 34, — men overborne by security in the mouth of destruction. If ever poor souls lay down on the top of a mast in the midst of the sea, these disciples with our Saviour in the garden did so. Their Master, at a httle distance from them, was " offering up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears," Heb. v. 7, being then taking into his hand and beginning to Haste that cup that was filled with the curse and wrath due to their sins; — the Jews, armed for his and their destruction, being but a little more distant from them, on the other hand. Our Saviour had a little before informed them that that night he should be betrayed, and be delivered up to be slain ; they saw that he was " sorrowful, and very heavy," Matt. xxvi. 37; nay, he told them plainly that his " soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death," verse 38, and therefore ' Heb. ii. 9; Gal. iii. IS; 2 Uor. v. 21.