Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 91

Temptation (continued)

He does not say, Watch and pray, that you be not tempted; but "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." It is one thing for temptation to knock at the door, and another thing to come in, when temptation enters you, you enter into temptation: take heed of that. (William Gurnall)

The Christian's safety lies in resisting. All the armor here provided is to defend the Christian fighting, none to secure him flying. (William Gurnall)

satan gives Adam an apple, and takes away Paradise. Therefore in all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose. (Richard Sibbes)

Think of the guilt of sin, that you may be humbled. Think of the power of sin, that you may seek strength against it. Think not of the matter of sin ... lest you be more and more entangled. (John Owen)

Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that reared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall fin a nest of honey within them. (John Bunyan)

The way to avoid temptation is not always to apply a salve directly pertinent to the temptation; but turn off your mind and your thoughts to some other good object, and by that time your mind is settled upon other objects, you will be easily able to meet with temptation. (William Bridge)

There can be no victory where there is no combat. The victory lieth not upon us but upon Christ, who hath taken upon Him, as to conquer for us, so to conquer in us. Let us not look so much who are our enemies, as who is our judge and Captain; not what they threaten, but what He promiseth. (Richard Sibbes)

The cause why our oppressors prevail oft against us is, because we trust too much in our own wits, and lean too much upon our own inventions; opposing subtility to subtility, one evil device to another, matching and maintaining policy by policy, and not committing our cause to God. (Abraham Wright)

satan does not tempt God's children because they have sin in them, but because they have grace in them. Had they no grace, the devil would not disturb them. Though to be tempted is a trouble, yet to think why you are tempted is a comfort. (Thomas Watson)

If God were not my friend, satan would not be so much my enemy. (Thomas Brooks)

God sometimes permits satan to assail His dear children, the more to strengthen them in His spiritual graces, and to confirm them more fully in the assurance of His love and their salvation.

For as a city which has been besieged and not saked will ever after be more strong to hold out if it be assaulted by the like danger... so those who are besieged and assaulted by their spiritual enemies will ever after more carefully arm themselves against them with the graces of God's Spirit, that they may not be overcome nor foiled by them. (George Downame)

The devil tempts, that he may deceive; but God suffers us to be tempted, to try us. Temptation is a trial of our sincerity. (Thomas Watson)

Temptations are rather hopeful evidences that thy estate is good, that thou art dear to God, and that it shall go well with thee for ever, than otherwise. God had but one Son without corruption, but He had none without temptation. (Thomas Brooks)

None can better discover satan's sleights and policies, than those who have been long in the fencing-school of temptation. (Thomas Watson)

Reading maketh a full man, prayer a holy man, temptation an experienced man. (John Trapp)


No comments:

Post a Comment