and his triumph was speedy and complete : and in like manner shall " God's strength be perfected in our weakness," if only we rely on him for our deliverance : were we a thousand times weaker than we are, his grace should assuredly be sufficient for us 'I.]
The petition, thus explained, is of use,
1. For caution —
[When persons are urged to watch and pray, and to abstain from those things which are the occasions of sin, they are ready to complain that we are too strict, and that we abridge the liber- ties of men without necessity. But, what can be expected, if we will frequent every scene of vanity, and mix indiscriminately with all, whether godly or ungodly ? What can be expected, but that we should drink into the spirit of the world, and be drawn into many sinful compliances? Does not every one find this to be the effect of associating with the world ? Is not a conformity to its maxims and habits the almost necessary con- sequence of such conduct ? Men, if on a field of battle, would not for their pleasure go and expose themselves where it was almost impossible to escape a wound; and yet, when their souls are in danger, they will venture any where for the sake of conforming to the world, or of obtaining some worthless gratifi- cation. But how can such persons offer the prayer which our Lord has taught us? Is it not a mockery to beg of God " not to lead us into temptation," when we are rushing into it daily of our own accord ? Know ye then, beloved, that your prac- tice should correspond with your prayers. Know, that to expose yourselves to sin is to tempt your God : yea, it is to tempt the devil to tempt you. If you would be preserved by God, you must " keep " yourselves, not your feet merely, but " your hearts also, and that with all diligence," avoiding not only sin itself, but also the means and occasions of sin.]
2. For encouragement —
[It may please God for wise and gracious ends to suffer you to be strongly tempted by the wicked one. Perhaps he may design to manifest and confirm the grace he has already given you "■ ; or to discover to you some hidden evil in your own heart ^ ; or he may design to keep you from falling into sin*, or to make use of you for the strengthening of others by a con- trasted exhibition of your own weakness and of his unbounded
mercy in your recovery'^ But, whatever be his object,
and however painful your trial may be, remember, that Satan is a vanquished enemy ^; that he cannot go beyond the limits
q 2 Cor. xii. 7 — 9. "^ Job i. 8. ^ 2 Chron, xxxii. 31.
^ 2 Cor. xii. 7. Mark the first and last words.
" Luke xxii. 32. '^ John xvi. 11. Col. ii. 15.
1318.] THE lord's prayer. 203
which God has assigned him ; and that your God is ever at hand to hear and answer your petitions. Were you called to contend in your own strength, your situation would be tre- mendous: but you are commanded to " cast your care on God, who careth for you," and to " encourage yourselves in the Lord your God." Be strong then, and fear not : " be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might :" and know that he who has taught you to look to him for guidance and protection, will " keep you from falling y," and " bruise Satan under your feet shortly^."]
y Jude, ver. 24. z Rom. xvi. 20.