February 17

PART II.

THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

Tempted of the Devil.—Matthew 4:1.

HAVING noticed the place and time of the Saviour's temptation, let us observe III.—The character of the tempter. He was tempted of the Devil; that fallen angel, the leader of those spirits in crime, who kept not their first estate; the same malignant agent who tempted our first parents, and respecting whom, the promise relating to the woman's seed, was principally directed. His enmity to the human race was then declared, and every age in our world's history, has verified the declaration. His assaults had been directed against all grades in society, rich and poor, wise and ignorant, savage and civilized, and in too many instances with success. He had raged against the church of God; he had raised up violent persecutors; he had tried to raise its foundations, and now he assails the person of the Son of God. Knowing the dignity and power of Christ, it

G manifested the most tremendous daring and temerity in the tempter. Then consider IV.—The mode of temptation which he made use of. He tempted him to discontent and dissatisfaction with his Father's arrangements, and urged him if he were the Son of God, to make stones into bread. He then tempted him to rash and unholy presumption, by requesting him to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, trusting to the direct interposition of angelic preservation; for said he, "he shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." He then tempted Christ to idolatry, even to worship himself, promising him in reward, what was never his to bestow, viz. "the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them." Observe V.—That Satan's temptations were unsuccessful. All his stratagems were frustrated, all his attacks were repelled. And it is deserving of notice, that the word of God as the sword of the Spirit, was the instrument which Christ wielded in obtaining the victory. He invariably answered the wicked one, "It is written;" until at last the devil leaveth him, and angels minister unto him. O let us rejoice, that in human nature the enemy of souls hath been foiled. The second Adam was more than sufficient for man's dire and malignant foe. And this conquering Jesus, is the glorious captain of salvation; under whose banner, conquest, glory, and immortality, are absolutely certain.