Why God suffereth his servants to be exercised in the spiritual conflict of tentations.Why God suffereth his seruants to be exercised in the spirituall conflict of tentations.

CHAP. II. Why God suffereth his servants to be exercised in the spiritual conflict of tentations.

CHAP. II. Why God suffereth his seruants to be exercised in the spirituall conflict of tentations.

But here it may be demanded, why the Lord will suffer his servants to be thus tempted and assaulted, whereas the wicked are free from such conflicts. I answer, first for his own glory, for whereas our enemies are strong and mighty and we weak and feeble, hereby is the Lords omnipotent power manifested to all the world, by whose assistance such impotent wretches conquer and subdue such furious and puissant enemies.

BVt here it may be demaunded, why the Lord will suffer his seruants to be thus tempted and assaulted, whereas the wicked are free from such conflicts. I answere, first for his owne glorie, for whereas our enemies are strong and mighty and we weake and feeble, hereby is the Lords omnipotent power manifested to all the world, by whose assistance such impotent wretches conquer and subdue such furious and puissant enemies.

Secondly, God suffereth his children to be tempted, that so those spiritual graces which he hath bestowed upon them may the more clearly shine to his glory. For who can know whether they be Gods golden vessels before they be brought to the touchstone of temptation? Who could know the faith, patience and valour of Gods soldiers, if they always lay quietly in garrison and never came to the skirmish? Who could feel the odoriferous smell of these aromaticall spices, if they were not punned and bruised in the mortar of afflictions? For example, who would have discerned Abraham's faith, Davids piety, Jobs patience, Pauls courage and constancy, if they had been never tempted, which now to the glory of God shine to all the world?

Secondly, God suffereth his children to be tempted, that so those spirituall graces which he hath bestowed vpon them may the more cleerely shine to his glorie. For who can know whether they be Gods golden vessels before they be brought to the touchstone of temptation? Who could know the faith, patience and valour of Gods souldiers, if they alwaies lay quietly in garrison and neuer came to the skirmish? Who could feele the odoriferous smell of these aromaticall spices, if they were not punned and brused in the morter of afflictions? For example, who would haue discerned Abrahams faith, Dauids pietie, Iobs patience, Pauls courage and constancie, if they had been neuer tempted, which now to the glorie of God shine to all the world?