TEMPTATION.
Reading edition
Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.—Matthew, iv. 1.
Lead us not into temptation.—Matthew, vi. 13.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.—Matthew, xxvi. 41.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.—I. Corinthians, x. 13.
Not thou mistrust, but tender love enjoins, That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me Firm we subsist yet possibly to swerve, Since reason not impossibly may meet Some specious object by the foe suborned, And fall into deception unaware, Not keeping strictest watch as she was warned. Seek not temptation then; which to avoid Were better! * * * trial will come unsought. Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve First thy obedience: th’ other who can know, Not seeing thee attempted, who attest? But if thou think, trial unsought may find Us both securer that thus warned thou seem’st, Go, for thy stay not free absents thee more, Go, in thy native innocence, rely On what thou hast of virtue, summon all, For God towards thee hath done his part; do thine. Milton.
When gath’ring clouds around I view, And days are dark, and friends are few, On Him I lean, who not in vain, Experienced every human pain; He sees my wants, allays my fears, And counts and treasures up my tears. If aught should tempt my soul to stray From heavenly wisdom’s narrow way, To flee the good I would pursue, Or do the sin I would not do, Still He, who felt temptation’s power Shall guard me in that dangerous hour. Grant.
And now came on temptation’s demon hour To crush the Saviour! By the Holy Ghost Constrained, within a desert’s trackless wild Alone He wandered, unperceived by eyes Of mortal; there to fathom time and truth, Redemption and the vast designs of Love. ***** Thus forty days of dire temptation leagued Their might hell-born, with hunger, thirst, and pain. Meanwhile, in thankless calm the world reposed, Life went her rounds, and busy hearts maintain’d Their wonted purpose: still uprose the parent orb, And all the dewy ravishment of flowers Enkindled; day and ocean mingled smiles, And then, meek night with starr’d enchantment rose, While moonlight wander’d o’er the palmy hills Of green-hair’d Palestine: and thus unmark’d By aught portentous, save demonian wiles, His fasting period in the desert gloom Messiah braved. Robert Montgomery.
The Tempter to my soul hath said, “There is no help in God for thee:” Lord, lift thou up thy servant’s head, My glory, shield, and solace be. Thus to the Lord I made my cry; He heard me from his holy hill; At his command the waves roll’d by; He beckon’d and the winds were still. J. Montgomery.
O trembling, learn That Peter, too, was chosen by his Lord, Admonished, and forewarned, and resolute, And sworn to persevere in righteousness; Yet in the hour of trial, Peter fell. Into temptation lead us not, O God! But with Thy hand deliver us from ill! Cockburn.
He who sends temptation, giveth Strength to meet and overcome the foe, If but to Him we pray, And in Him put our trust. Egone.