A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

2. Consider; God as a Judg, he may lead us into Temptation two ways: either he may act in way of Correction, to manifest his fatherly Indignation; or by way of strict Punishment. And so in respect of his fatherly Correction, God may give us up to a vexing, or to an ensnaring Temptation. He may lead the Godly into Temptation, that they may be molested and troubled; and may lead the Wicked into Temptation, that they may be seduced and led away for their eternal Ruin. There's a vexing Temptation God useth for the Correction of his own Children; and thus Paul was buffeted by Satan, lest he should be exalted above measure, 2 Cor. 12. 7. The Shepherd sets his Dog upon the strayed Sheep, not to worry him, but to lodge him, and bring him back again into the Fold: so doth God suffer his Children to be buffeted and exercised by Satan, to ⟨p. 463⟩their great trouble, but for their good in the issue; for he knoweth how to turn all these things for good. Then there is an ensnaring Temptation, by which the Wicked are entangled in a way of Sin; and so Satan, as God's Executioner, is said sometimes to blind the Eyes of Wicked Men, lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them, 2 Cor. 4. 4. and sometimes to harden their Hearts, John 12. 40. lest they should be converted and healed; for the punishment of former Sins, God may give up the Wicked to be blinded and hardened by Satan to their own destruction; which is one of the most dreadful Acts of God, as a Judg, on this side Hell.

2. Consider; God as a Judg, he may lead us into Temptation two ways: either he may act in way of Correction, to manifect his fatherly Indignation; or by way of strict Punishment. And so in respect of his fatherly Correction, God may give us up to a vexing, or to an insnaring Temptation. He may lead the Godly into Temptation, that they may be molested and troubled; and may lead the Wicked into Temptation, that they may be seduced and led away for their eternal Ruin. There's a vexing Temptation God useth for the Correction of his own Children; and thus Paul was buffeted by Satan, lest he should be exalted above measure,