A90277:211
Of Temptation
Of temptation the nature and power of it. The danger of entering into it. And the means of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.Of temptation the nature and povver of it. The danger of entring into it. And the meanes of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.
Oxford: printed by H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. A season of great spiritual enjoyments, is often by the malice of Satan, and the weakness of our hearts, turned into a season of danger: as to this business of Temptation.
3. A season of great spirituall enjoyments, is often by the malice of Satan, and the weaknesse of our hearts, turned into a season of danger: as to this businesse of Temptation.
We know how the case stood with Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 7. he had glorious spiritual Revelations of God, & Jesus Christ; instantly Satan falls upon him; a messenger from him buffets him, so that he earnestly begs its departure; but yet is left to struggle with it. ⟨p. 118⟩God is pleased sometimes to give us especial discoveries of himself and his love; to fill the heart with his kindness: Christ takes us into the banqueting house, and gives our hearts their fills of love; and this by some signal work of his spirit, overpowering us with a sense of Love, in the unspeakable privilege of Adoption, and so fills our souls with joy unspeakable and glorious; A man would think, this was the securest condition in the world: what soul does not cry with Peter in the mount; it is Good for me to be here, to abide here for ever: But yet very frequently, some bitter temptation is now at hand. Satan sees, that being possest by the Joy before us, we quickly neglect many ways of approach to our souls, wherein he seeks, and finds advantages against us. Is this then our state and condition? does God at any time give us to drink of the rivers of pleasure, that are at his right hand, and satisfy our souls with his kindness as with marrow and fatness?
We know how the case stood with Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 7. he had glorious spirituall Revelations of God, & Jesus Christ; instantly Satan fals upon him; a messenger from him buffets him, so that he earnestly begges its departure; but yet is left to struggle with it.