3. When they are suited by the devil to a mans disposition or present condition; so was that temptation by which the devil set upon Christ, after he had fasted forty days and forty nights: Command, says he, that these ⟨p. 94⟩stones be made bread. 1It was suited to his present condition, meat for his hunger. If you offer meat to a naked man, he values it not, or clothes to a hungry man, because it is not suited to his present exigence: but if the gift you offer be suited to the mans necessity, clothes to him that is naked, and meat to him that is hungry, then it becomes acceptable. The devil doth not cast temptations at random, he is more subtle then to row against wind and tide, he knows which way the stream of our affections and dispositions runs, and he suits his baits accordingly.2 Every man (says the Apostle) is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 3It is a metaphor taken from Fishermen, who have this skill, that according to the nature of the fish, so they will suit their bait, whereby they lie in wait to deceive either the sight or the taste of the poor fish. The devil is the great fisher of souls, and makes use of such temptations which are most likely to take; he observes to what sins a mans Relations, Calling or opportunities lay him most open & obnoxious, and accordingly he lays his snare, and spreads his net. Though its true, that every man hath a principle within him suiting to every sin; yet it is as true that every man is not equally active for, or disposed unto every sin. The devil sees what sin is most predominant in man, and so he frameth a temptation suitable; He sets a wedge of Gold before a covetous Achan; Cozby an ⟨p. 95⟩harlot, before an adulterous Zimri; a fair preferment before an ambitious Absalom: he knows well, that a fit object presented is a victory half obtained. In these three cases temptations may be said to be strong.
3. When they are suited by the devil to a mans disposition or present condition; so was that temptation by which the devil set upon Christ, after he had fasted forty daies and forty nights: Command, says he, that these ⟨p. 94⟩stones be made bread. 1It was suited to his present condition, meat for his hunger. If you offer meat to a naked man, he values it not, or cloaths to a hungry man, because it is not suited to his present exigence: but if the gift you offer be suited to the mans necessity, cloaths to him that is naked, and meat to him that is hungry, then it becomes acceptable. The devil doth not cast temptations at random, he is more subtil then to row against wind and tide, he knowes which way the stream of our affections and dispositions runs, and he suits his baits accordingly.2 Every man (sayes the Apostle) is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 3It is a metaphor taken from Fishermen, who have this skill, that according to the nature of the fish, so they wil suit their bait, whereby they lie in wait to deceive either the sight or the taste of the poor fish. The divel is the great fisher of souls, and makes use of such temptations which are most likely to take; he observes to what sins a mans Relations, Calling or opportunities lay him most open & obnoxious, and accordingly he layes his snare, and spreds his net. Though its true, that every man hath a principle within him suiting to every sinne; yet it is as true that every man is not equally active for, or disposed unto every sin. The divel sees what sin is most predominant in man, and so he frameth a temptation sutable; He sets a wedge of Gold before a covetous Achan; Cozby an ⟨p. 95⟩harlot, before an adulterous Zimri; a faire preferment before an ambitious Absalom: he knows well, that a fit object presented is a victory half obtained. In these three cases temptations may be said to be strong.
- 1Mat. 4. 3.
- 2Jam. 1. 14.
- 3[Greek or Hebrew],—Metaphora à Piscat•ribus, qui inescant, & h•me captant. Beza.〈non-Latin alphabet〉,—Metaphora à Piscat•ribus, qui inescant, & h•me captant. Beza.
