Christ, Philip. John, vi. 6. And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

And thus afflictions and persecutions are in Scripture called temptations. Luke, viii. 13. They on the rock are they which when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation full away. xxii. 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. James, i. 2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. 2 Pet. ii. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.

But it is more usually taken in an ill sense, to denote such a trial as is designed to seduce and lead us into sin. So the devil tempts us. Gal. vi. 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 1 Thess. iii. 5. Lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be vain. Heb. ii. 18. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

So every man is tempted by his own lusts, James, i. 14. So God tempteth no man, James, i. 13.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Mal. iii. 15. And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Matt. xxii. 18. But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites. Acts, v. 9. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? James, i. 2, 12. My brethren, count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations. 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.

3. Q. What is the evil which you here pray against? A. That also may be taken in a double sense; and signify either an evil person, or an evil thing. In the former it may respect all wicked men, but especially the wicked one, the tempter. In the latter, not so much the evil of sin itself, as the evil of temptation to which it seems most properly to refer.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Matt. iv. 3. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread. John, xvii. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

4. Q. What then is the full import of this petition? A. I therein desire that God would neither try me himself beyond my strength, nor suffer the devil, the world, or my own flesh to do it. That, if it be his will, I may not be exposed to any great temptations at all but if for any ends of his wise Providence he shall think fit to suffer me to be tempted, that then he would be pleased graciously to strengthen and support me in my temptations; and carry me with innocence and integrity through them; and not suf fer me to be led into sin by them.

a

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Matt. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 1 Cor. x. 13. There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye will with the temptation also make a way to escape

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are able; but

that ye may be able to bear it. Heb. ii. 18. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Rev. iii. 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

* 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. Compare 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. Job, i. See passim. 1 Pet. v. 8. Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.

Psalm xxiii. 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff comfort me. 1 Cor. x. 13. There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 2 Pet. ii. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.

SECT. XLI.

Of the Doxology, or Conclusion, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

1. Q. What does the last part of this prayer consist of?

A. A doxology, or conclusion: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

2. Q. What do you mean by a doxology?

A. A form of giving glory, and praise, and honour to God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. v. 12. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. vii. 12. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God, for ever and ever. Amen.

PROOF SUBJOINED.-1 Chron. xxix. 11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

3. Q. Why was this doxology here added by our Saviour?

A. To shew us that all the religious service we pay to God, whether we pray, confess, give thanks, or whatever we do, we ought to design it all to his glory. It was also added to keep up in our minds a due sense of the reason we have both to pray to God for all the things we have before considered; and to expect a suitable return of them at his hands.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-1 Cor. x. 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Col. iii. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 1 Pet. iv. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the

ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion, for ever and ever. Psalm xcvi.

7, 8, 9, 10. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the honour due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts; O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him all the earth.

4. Q. How does this doxology shew that we ought to ask these things of God?

A. Very plainly for because God is the King of all the world, therefore he ought to be applied to by all his creatures. Because his is the power; he is able both to hear and to answer our requests; therefore of him it is most fit to desire whatsoever we stand in need of. Because his is the glory of all our religious invocation; ('tis a worship that peculiarly belongs to God, as distinguished from the creature,) therefore to him only ought we to make our prayers, and not to any other.

PROOFS SUBJOINED. Psalm xxii. 28. For the kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the governor among the nations. 2 Chron. xx. 6. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court. And said, O Lord God of our Fathers, art not thou God in heaven? And rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

5. Q. How does this doxology encourage us to hope that we shall receive what we ask of God? A. Because we do hereby profess to believe that he can ut what we desire; and the things we ask