A90277:39
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.
2. God doth it to show himself unto man, and that
2. God doth it to shew himselfe unto man, and that
1. In a way of preventing Grace; A man shall see that it is God alone who keeps from all sin. Until we are tempted, we think we live on our own strength. Though all men do this or that, we will not. When the trial comes, we quickly see, whence is our preservation by standing, or falling. So was it in the case of Abimeleck, Gen. 20. 6. I withheld thee.
1. In a way of preventing Grace; A man shall see that it is God alone who keeps from all sinne. Untill we are tempted, we think we live on our owne strength. Though all men do this or that, we will not. When the triall comes, we quickly see, whence is our preservation by standing, or falling. So was it in the case of Abimeleck, Gen. 20. 6. I withheld thee.
2. In a way of renewing Grace. He would have the Temptation continue with Paul, that he might reveal himself to him, in the sufficiency of his renewing grace, 2 Cor. 12. 9. We know not the power and strength, that God puts forth in our behalf, nor what is the sufficiency of his Grace, ⟨p. 10⟩until comparing the Temptation with our own weakness it appears unto us. The efficacy of an Antidote is found when poison hath been taken, and the preciousness of medicines is made known by diseases. We shall never know what strength there is in Grace, if we know not what strength there is in Temptation. We must be tried, that we may be made sensible of being preserved.