A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

5. By Temptations to Sin, God morti••eth Sin; not only that Sin to which we are tempted, but others, that we may not be so heedless: When we have smarted under Temptation, we are not so indulgent to Corruption as before; we do not let our Senses nor Affections run loose; as David speaks, that he got this by his Fall, Psal. 51. 6. In the hidden part thou shalt make me to know Wisdom: O, I shall be wiser and more ⟨p. 439⟩circumspect for this all my Life. When Men have smarted, they grow more cautious; and so, by the over-ruling and good Hand of God, our Sins do us service in our passage to Heaven, as well as our Graces: And God's Children may say, they had sinned more, if they had sinned less: They are more acquainted with the Wiles and Depths of Satan, and Naughtiness of their own Hearts, and so are more solicitous.

6. To make us more meek to others; Gal. 6. 1. If any Man be fallen, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the Spirit of Meekness, considering thy self, lest thou also be tempted. We are very apt to be severe and fierce upon the failings of others. But now, when we are tempted our selves, we learn more pity and compassion towards them. Severe Censurers are left to some great Temptation, that they may be acquainted with their own Frailties: they are tempted to some Sins, to which their Hearts were not so inclinable before. Well then, that we may pity others, mourn over them, and have a fellow-feeling of their Condition, God will make us know the Heart of a tempted Man, that we may have more compassion over poor tempted Souls. Possibly that may be a part of the Apostle's sense, 2 Cor. 1. 6. Whether we be afflicted, it is for your Consolation and Salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your Consolation and Salvation. Persons in Office in the Church, they are afflicted and tempted; and it may be, have a greater measure of Afflictions and Temptations, that they may show more pity to other Souls. Therefore Luther was wont to say, Three things made a Minister, (viz.) Prayer, Meditation, and Temptation.