(2.) There is this in it also, that it is not a thing in our own j^oiver, to keep and preserve ourselves from entering into temptation. There- fore are we to pray that we may be preserved from it, because we cannot save ourselves.
This is another means of preservation. As we have no strength to resist a temptation when it doth come, when we are entered into it, but shall fall under it, without a supply of sufficiency of grace from God; so to reckon that we have no power or wisdom to keep ourselves from entering into temptation, but must be kept by the power and wisdom of God, is a preserving principle, ] Pet. i. 5. We are in all things " kept by the power of God." This our Saviour instructs us in, not only by directing us to pray that we be not led into temptation, but also by his own praying for us, that we may be kept from it: John xvii. 15, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil,"- — that is, the temptations of the w'orld unto evil, unto sin, — fx roZ 'TTovripou, " out of the evil" that is in the world, that is tempta- tion, which is all that is evil in the world; or from the evil one, who
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in the world makes use of tlie Avoiid unto temptation. Christ prays his Father to keep us, and instructs us to pray that we be so kept. It is not, then, a thing in our own power. Tlie ways of our entering into temptation are so many, various, and imperceptible, — the means of it so efficacious and powerful, — the entrances of it so deceitful, subtle, insensible, and plausible, — our weakness, our unwatchfulness, so unspeakable, — that we cannot in the least keep or preserve our- selves from it. We fail both in wisdom and power for this work.
Let, the heart, then, commune with itself and say, "Jam poor and weak; Satan is subtile, cunuing, powerful, watching constantly for advantages against my soul; the world earnest, pressing, and full of specious pleas, innumerable pretences, and ways of deceit ; my own corruiJtion violent and tumultuating, enticing, entangling, conceiv- ing sin, and warring in me, against me; occasions and advantages of temptation innumerable in all things I have done or suffer, in all businesses and persons with whom I converse; the first beginnings of temptation insensible and plausible, so that, left unto myself, I shall not know that I am ensnared, until my bonds be made strong, and sin ha,th got ground in my heart: therefore on God alone will I rely for preservation, and continually will I look up to him on that account." This will make the soul be always committing itself to the care of God, resting itself on him, and to do nothing, undertake nothing, etc., without asking counsel of him. So that a double ad- vantage will arise from the observation of this direction, both of sin- gular use for the soul's preservation from the evil feared : —
[1.] The engagement of the grace and compassion of God, who hath called the fatherless and helpless to rest upon him ; nor did ever soul fail of supplies, who, in a sense of want, rolled itself on him, on the account of his gracious invitation.
[2.] The keejnng of it in such a frame as, on various accounts, is useful for its preservation. He that looks to God for assistance in a due manner is both sensible of his danger, and conscientiously care- ful in the use of means to preserve himself: which two, of what im- portance they are in this case, may easily be apprehended by them who have their hearts exercised in these things.
[3.] This also is in it, — act faith on the promise of God for preserva- tion. To believe that he will preserve us is a means of preservation ; for this God will certainly do, or make a way for us to escape out of temptation, if we fall into it under svich a believing frame. We are to pray for what God hath promised. Our requests are to be regu- lated by his promises and commands, which are of the same extent. Faith closes with the promises, and so finds relief in this case. This James instructs us in, chap. i. 5-7. What we want we must " ask of God;" but we must " ask in faith/' for otherwise we nuist not " think
126 OF TEMPTATION.
that we shall receive any thing of the Lord." This then, also, is in this direction of our Saviour, that we act faith on the promises of God for our preservation out of temptation. He hath promised that he will keep us in all our ways ; that we shall be directed in a way that, though we are fools, " we shall not err therein," Isa. xxxv. 8 ; that he \vill lead us, guide us, and deliver us from the evil one. Set faith on work on these promises of God, and expect a good and comfort- able issue. It is not easily conceived what a train of graces faith is attended withal, when it goes forth to meet Christ in the promises, nor Avhat a power for the preservation of the soul lies in this thing; but I have spoken to this elsewhere.^