Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

3. This temptation was cunning and plausible, it seemed only to tend to Christs good, his refection when hungry, and his Honour and Glory, that this might be a full ⟨p. 29⟩demonstration of his being the Son of God. There is an open solicitation to evil, and a covert; explicit, and implicit; direct, and indirect. This last here. 'Twas not an open, direct, explicit solicitation to sin; but covert, implicit and indirect; which sort of temptations are more dangerous. There was no need of declaring Christs power, by turning stones into bread before the devil, and at his instance and suit: It was neither necessary, nor profitable; not necessary for Christs Honour and Glory, it being sufficiently evidenced before by that voice from Heaven, or might be evident to him without new proof: Nor was it necessary for Christs refection, because he might be sustained by the same divine power, by which hitherto he had been supported for forty days. Nor was it profitable, none being present but the devil, who asked not this proof for satisfaction but cavil; and that he might boast and gain advantage, if Christ had done any thing at his instance and direction: And in this peculiar dispensation, all was to be done, by the direction of the holy, and not the impure Spirit. I come now to the third Branch.

3. This temptation was cunning and plausible, it seemed onely to tend to Christs good, his refection when hungry, and his Honour and Glory, that this might be a full ⟨p. 29⟩demonstration of his being the Son of God. There is an open solicitation to evil, and a covert; explicit, and implicite; direct, and indirect. This last here. 'Twas not an open, direct, explicite solicitation to sin; but covert, implicite and indirect; which sort of temptations are more dangerous. There was no need of declaring Christs power, by turning stones into bread before the devil, and at his instance and suit: It was neither necessary, nor profitable; not necessary for Christs Honour and Glory, it being sufficiently evidenced before by that voice from Heaven, or might be evident to him without new proof: Nor was it necessary for Christs refection, because he might be sustained by the same divine power, by which hitherto he had been supported for forty dayes. Nor was it profitable, none being present but the devil, who asked not this proof for satisfaction but cavil; and that he might boast and gain advantage, if Christ had done any thing at his instance and direction: And in this peculiar dispensation, all was to be done, by the direction of the holy, and not the impure Spirit. I come now to the third Branch.