FOURTH DAY.

The Hour of Temptation.

AND immediately the Spirit driveth him into the

wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

St. Mark i. 12-13.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Heb. ii. 17-18.

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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.

1 Cor. x. 12-13.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into

divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 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. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

St. James i. 2-4, 12-15.

But

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

I St. Peter v. 8-10.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev. iii. 21.

ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON.

N the hour of temptation 'be vigilant.' This

watchfulness, joined with sobriety, extends to all the estate and ways of a Christian, being surrounded with hazards and snares. 'He that despiseth his way shall die,' says Solomon. We think not on it, but there are snares laid for us in every path we walk in, and in every step we take; in our meat and drink; in our calling and labour; in our house at home; in our journeying abroad; yea, even in God's house, and in our spiritual exercises, both there and in private. And meantime our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.' An alarm to watchfulness is here given, from the watchfulness of our grand adversary. Observe here his strength, his diligence, and his cruelty. His strength, a lion; his diligence, going about and seeking; his cruelty, roaring and seeking to devour.

Is it not most reasonable hence to press watchfulness? to keep continual watch to see what comes in, and what goes out; to try what is under every offer of the world; every motion of our own natural hearts; whether there be not some treachery, some secret intelligence or not? Especially after a time of some special seasons of grace, and some special new supplies of grace received in such seasons (as after the holy sacrament), thou wilt be set on most eagerly when he

knows of the richest booty.

The pirates that let the ships pass as they go by empty, watch them well when they return richly laden; so doth this great pirate. Did he not assault our Saviour straight after His baptism?

And that we may watch, it concerns us to be sober. The instruction is military; a drunken soldier is not fit to be on the watch. This most of us are, drunken with our several fancies and vanities, and so exposed to this adversary. And when we have gained some advantage in a conflict, or when the enemy seems to retire and be gone, yet, even then, are we to be watchful, yea, then especially. How many, presuming on false safeties that way, and sitting down to carouse, or lying down to sleep, have been re-assaulted and cut off! 'Invadunt urbem somno vinoque sepultam.' Oh, beware when you think yourselves most safe! That very thought makes you least safe. Be like Gideon's army, fit to follow God and to be victorious in Him, not lying down to drink, but taking of it only, as for necessity, in passing. Take our Saviour's own word, 'Take heed lest at any time your hearts be surcharged with surfeitings, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life.' These will overcharge you, and make you drunk, and cast you asleep. Oh, mind your work and your warfare always, more than your ease and pleasure! Seek them not here; your rest is not here. Oh, poor short rest, if it were! But follow the Lord Jesus through conflicts and sufferings.

A little while, and you shall have certain victory, and after it everlasting triumph.

Meantime stand watching; and if you be assaulted resist. And this resistance should be continued even against multiplied assaults; for thou hast to deal with an enemy that will not easily give over, but will try several ways, and will redouble his onsets, sometimes very frequent, to weary thee out, sometimes after a little forbearance interposed, to catch thee unawares when he is not expected. But in all, faint not, but be steadfast in thy resistance. This is easily said, say you, but how may it be? How shall I be able so to do? Thus 'Steadfast in the faith.' This is absolutely necessary for resistance. A man cannot fight upon a quagmire; there is no standing out without a standing, some firm ground to tread upon, and this Faith alone furnishes. It lifts the soul up to the firm advanced ground of the promises and fastens it there; and there it is sure, even Mount Zion that cannot be removed.' It is not said 'steadfast by your own resolutions and purposes,' but steadfast by faith.' The power of God thus becomes ours; for that is contained and engaged in the word of promise. Faith lays hold there, and there finds almighty strength. 'And this is our victory,' says the Apostle St. John, ' whereby we overcome the world, even Our Faith.'

as

Even so Faith is our victory whereby we overcome the prince of this world. Faith sets the