A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Now concerning this, take these Rules.

1. God's tempting is not to inform himself, but to discover his Creatures to themselves and others. Not to inform himself, for he knows our Thoughts afar off, Psal. 139. 2. that is, he knows not only the Conclusion and Event, and management of things near; but he knows the very remote preparation aforehand: he knows what kind of Thoughts we will have, and workings of Spirit. As a Man that is up in the Air, may see a River in its Rise and Fountain, and Course, and Fall of it, seeth it all at once; whereas another which stands by the Banks, can only see the Water as it passeth by. God seeth all things in their Fountain and Cause, as well as in their Issue and Event, he seeth all things together; therefore it's not for his own Information. But the meaning is, therefore doth God try us, that what is known to him, and yet unknown to our selves, that that which lodgeth and lieth hid in our Heart, may be discovered to us. That we may not be conceited of more than we have, and that the evil which before lay hid and was unseen, may be cured when it is discovered. And (on the other side) that Grace may not lye sleeping in a dead and unactive ⟨p. 414⟩Habit, but be drawn out into act and view, for his Glory and Praise.

1. God's tempting is not to inform himself, but to discover his Creatures to themselves and others. Not to inform himself, for he knows our Thoughts afar off, Psal. 139. 2. that is, he knows not only the Conclusion and Event, and management of things near; but he knows the very remote preparation aforehand: he knows what kind of Thoughts we will have, and workings of Spirit. As a Man that is up in the Air, may see a River in its Rise and Fountain, and Course, and Fall of it, seeth it all at once; whereas another which stands by the Banks, can only see the Water as it passeth by. God seeth all things in their Fountain and Cause, as well as in their Issue and Event, he seeth all things together; therefore it's not for his own Information. But the meaning is, therefore doth God try us, that what is known to him, and yet unknown to our selves, that that which lodgeth and lyeth hid in our Heart, may be discovered to us. That we may not be conceited of more than we have, and that the evil which before lay hid and was unseen, may be cured when it is discovered. And (on the other side) that Grace may not lye sleeping in a dead and unactive