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SERMON XVII.

ON THE SAME SUBJECT.

MATT. IV. 1.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the Devil.

IN considering farther the nature of our blessed Lord's temptation in the wilderness, I shall not recapitulate the substance of my last Discourse; but proceed, as was at first proposed, to state some of the practical improvements which we may derive from the subject.

In the first place, we may learn, from the striking example here set before us, that the best men, in their warfare with the world, may expect to meet with trials and temptations, according to their respective characters, rank, and condition in life; nor are these, however severe, to be regarded as judgments, or as any indication of our heavenly Father's displeasure; but rather as opportunities graciously

afforded us of shewing our patience and fortitude, our obedience and sincerity.

Of the virtue, that has never been called into action, nor exposed to any trial, we neither know the value, the constancy, nor the strength. Hence, the apostle exclaims, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." Some, indeed, are exposed to difficulties and dangers of the greatest magnitude; and to suf ferings, privations, and sorrows, of uncommon severity: but when, by their own earnest endeavours, aided by the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit, we see them surmounted, or borne with meekness and resignation, we may then feel, as well as understand, the truth of the apostle's declaration-" Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

Not to notice, at present, the many trying and calamitous events, which our holy Redeemer encountered, in the course of his divine ministry, we may observe, that the temptation in the wilderness presents to the mind those objects and allurements, which are most general, and which, in all ages of the world, have

had the greatest influence in enslaving the human heart;-namely, the gratification of sensual appetites and passions-the indulgence of vanity, ostentation, and spiritual pride-the enjoyment of the most extensive power, united with the highest rank, opulence, and grandeur.

Against the abuse of any of these gifts, when lawfully possessed, and against the covetous desire of them, when offered only on the sinful conditions of sacrificing, or deserting, our duty towards God and man, we are bound to guard with the utmost vigilance: and, in both those respects, our blessed Lord having set us an example in his own conduct," he is able," as the apostle observes, "to succour them that are tempted."

Let us, therefore, on the present occasion, not only look, with reverence, on the firm, unshaken principles of pious fidelity and unbounded trust, which he displayed, as far as respected his heavenly Father; but let us mark, for our instruction, the manner in which he treated the various temptations which he had to encounter. Let us call to mind the promptness and decision of his conduct-There was no long parleying, or argumentation with the adversary- no balancing of opinions,-no calcu

lation of chances, or probable effects,-nor any conflict between opposing principles and passions. On the contrary, the rejection of evil was instantaneous; but this, we may observe, depended on the previous establishment of good; and a single rule, adapted to each case, derived from the written word of God, and marking the nature and limits of our duty, was all that the Saviour advanced, and all that seemed necessary on the occasion.

Here, then, let us humbly endeavour to learn our duty, from the highest possible authority, and having had our memories stored with the precepts of divine truth, in our early youth, let us shew, in advancing life, that they do not sleep there, merely as a dead letter, or as something only to talk about; but that they are always ready to give energy to the soul, in the hour of danger, and "to help in time of need."

We may learn, also, from the subject under our present meditation, that though incitements to the omission and transgression of duty often meet us in our intercourse with the world,— especially in the house of feasting," and in scenes of pleasure and dissipation ;-yet that we are by no means exempt from temptations when alone. Those which assailed our blessed

Lord occurred, we should remember, when "he was led up of the Spirit into the Wilder ness;" and, indeed, no evils are to be more dreaded, than those which are cherished in solitude;-those which spring up in secret, from a disordered imagination, a perverse self-will, a restless, discontented mind, and a sinful indulgence of the passions. Could we trace the numberless crimes and shocking enormities, that disgrace human nature, to their source, we should find, that, before they broke out in public, they were brooded over in silence; and that the heart had been secretly tempted and betrayed, before the tongue consented to evil, or the hand could be raised to commit it.

To the intrusion of evil thoughts, indeed, we are in a great measure passive; while to the visions of fancy, and the involuntary wanderings of desire, there is no end: but let us remember, that sin consists in encouraging these, and other transitory emotions, instead of suppressing them; or, at least, of preventing them from breaking out into action, if we have not the power of instantly banishing them from the mind. Hence, our blessed Lord, always ready to make due allowance for the unavoidable infirmities of human nature, assures us, "That

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