This

He shall give his angels charge con-
cerning thee: and in their hands they
shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou
dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus
said unto him, It is written again, Thou
shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
This second temptation was in its very
nature the opposite of the first. The
first was to distrust God's care.
was to presume on that care. In the
former case Satan wilfully excludes the
possibility of God's working a miracle
on behalf of his Son. Here he brings
forward the high probability of his
doing so. Thus does the enemy vary his
attacks that he may, if possible, touch
some part of our nature that shall be
susceptible. To give his temptation the
air of truth, and invest it as he thought
with an irresistible power, he cited
scripture in its support. The passage
cited is from the ninety-first psalm.
"The psalm contains," says Hengsten-
berg, "in representation of the truth, if
God be for me every thing else may
be against me, the expression of joyful
confidence in the protection and help of
God in all troubles and dangers. The
whole object is to bring to a right trust
in God." The same writer, speaking of
the passage Satan quotes, well observes:

were not to distrust God, inasmuch as he could sustain them by extraordinary means when ordinary ones failed. Man lives not only by bread. Everything which God's word appoints may be rendered contributory to his support. Our Lord quoted the language having in mind its original connexion. "It is not necessary," he says, "neither would it be right for me to work the miracle you dictate. I do not so limit the power of my Father as to imagine I can be sustained in no other than the ordinary way. He can support me without bread. It is not for me to prescribe to him the manner in which my hunger is to be satisfied; or to cherish such distrust as the working of that miracle would imply. God can sustain me by any method he pleases: at the right time and in the best way he will send supplies. I wait his will." The reply of Jesus is pregnant with instruction. It teaches his followers how they are to repel the adversary when similarly assailed. It encourages us to repose with an undisturbed confidence on the power, and wisdom, and faithfulness of our God. It has led many a holy man with steady step through the thorny paths of this world's trial. And when all around him seemed darkness, and the heavens above were as brass, and the enemy has taken advantage of his woe to fill with a deeper darkness his soul, the remembrance of this victory has caused him quietly to wait until through the opening sky the sun-keeping this out of view." Satan wished shine of divine deliverance has beamed. our Lord falsely to apply the scripture Remember then, brother! in all times quoted. In effect he says, "You are of thy distress, that man liveth not by sure of divine protection. It can be bread alone, but by every word that afforded. Here is a passage of God's proceedeth out of the mouth of God. word in which it is actually promised. Why then fear to cast yourself down? How admirable again is the Saviour's reply! How complete Satan's discomfiture! By another portion of divine truth our Lord expounds the one already quoted-teaches its correct ap

The account of the second temptation is thus given: "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God cast thyself down : for it is written,

"The language in both of the two verses does not apply to dangers which one seeks, but only to such dangers as meet the righteous man unsought, in his course through life. The artifice of the tempter in Matt. iv. 6, consisted in

plication-and justifies himself in abstaining from the act dictated by the tempter. "It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Moses in his use of this language taught the children of Israel that they were not to presume on the Lord's mercy, nor expect his care to protect them, if they disobeyed his commands and thus departed from the way of safety. So said Christ, “It is written, you are not to tempt the Lord. He has, it is true, promised to protect his children when they are called to pass through danger; but not when they wilfully seek danger. He will not work a miracle, simply for your gratification or mine, or deliver me because I put him to the test. There is an ordinary and a safe way of descent from this pinnacle; if I pursue that, I may expect and shall experience his care. If I madly leap to the base, I am not warranted to expect safety at all."

ease; and that for him the physical laws of God will be set aside. No man should dare to leap from the Monument hoping to alight in the street unharmed. The providence of God is a heart-sustaining and a heart-cheering truth. Trust in God is a delightful and profitable exercise. But to throw ourselves into danger with a view of testing the divine power or faithfulness, or with the idea that God will mercifully help us, is folly, madness, sin. It is written, "He will give his angels charge concerning thee." It is also written, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

The third temptation is recorded as follows:-" Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." In the other two assaults the wickedness lurked in concealment. Here it appears on the surface. Satan seems to have gained strength by resistance, or peradventure our Lord's patience made him bold, or rather perhaps we should attribute his daring to the energy of despair. He hoped to overthrow by the promise of dominion and glory. His temptation may thus be paraphrased :—

Here again we have a large lesson that demands our devout attention. The watchful care of divine Providence covers us all. The loving eye of our Father is ever open upon his children. If in the path of duty, on the omnipotent arm we may continually trust. But on miraculous interferences we must never presume. If we are called to face danger in the exercise of obedience, then is God nigh unto us. Yet nowhere are we taught to hope he will interfere for us in an extraordinary manner, when by attention to ordinary means we may secure ourselves. The captain" You have come to be the Messiah, the of a ship has no right to put to sea while he knows the ship's timbers are rotten, or a dangerous leak is unstopped, cherishing the expectation that God will prevent that ship from sinking. No man is required to rush needlessly into the midst of a neighbourhood pregnant with the pestiferous influences of some infectious and deadly malady, believing that his system will be rendered proof against the power of dis

promised deliverer. You purpose seek-
ing dominion. Here is an easy and a
speedy path to conquest and renown.
All these kingdoms have been placed at
my disposal. I own and rule them, and
give them to whomsoever I will. You
have only to fall down and render me
worship, and they are yours." Thus
did he tempt Jesus to idolatry in its
most revolting form. This was the
boldest stroke of the three.
It was

and him

only shalt thou

After our Lord's victory, angels ministered to him. What kind of aid they imparted, who can tell? There may be something more than poetry in the words of Milton, where he represents them as setting

"Before him spread

A table of celestial food; divine, Ambrosial fruits, fetched from the tree of life; And from the fount of life ambrosial drink, That soon refresh'd him wearied, and repair'd What hunger, if aught, hunger had impair'd; Or thirst; and as he fed, angelic quires Sung heavenly anthems of his victory Over temptation and the tempter proud." Thus ended our Lord's temptation. On its issue depended the result of his advent. A failure here would have been fatal. Success here was the pledge of success to the close. Oftentimes the outset of a course decides its character to the end. So here. This triumph was the earnest of a long series of illus

tempting the Messiah too in the cha- | God, racter of his great work. The monstrous serve." impiety of this proposal was not for a moment to be endured. We are struck not only with the wisdom and point of our Lord's third reply; but also with its decision-its tone of authority-its Get thee hence, Satan." Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Here is quoted in substance the first commandment in the decalogue. It meets the case. Without paraphrase or comment its application is clear. Worship must be given to none but God. This admits of no exception. From this there can be no departure. We dare not violate a divine command. How the two adversaries seem to close as the conflict nears its end! Fiercer grows the fight. It was a terrible blow which Satan last dealt but he receives in return a thrust so deadly that he first stagger strious conquests until on the cross Jesus and then flees. All the holy energies of exclaimed, "It is finished," and tramImmanuel are roused. They unite in pled Satan under his feet. Then there one invincible power. Their undivided was a glorious display of utterance, like a voice of thunder, ter-power-a repetition before many witrifies the prince of hell. Now the an- nesses of the scenes which first transcient promise sees the dawn of its fulfil-pired in the solitude of the desert. ment. The seed of the woman asserts his power and, discomfited, abashed, covered with confusion and dishonour, "The devil leaveth him."

his divine

Satan still walks the world, but, like Samson shorn of his locks, his strength has gone from him. He is still to be watched and feared; but his power is limited within the compass of our Saviour's control. The feeblest saint relying on Jesus is secure from harm.

With two or three practical lessons from the whole subject we bring our reflections to a close.

1. Be not ignorant of Satan's devices.

Let us not forget the lesson of this last victory. Many things may say, This, and this, will we give thee, if thou wilt but fall down and worship us." Many objects may claim the heart's supreme love and the life's best service. Idolatry, brethren, is a sin that lurks in the near neighbourhood of How manifold are his arts! how well every man's heart. It behoves us well he suits his temptations to our circumto watch him; for he is a wily foe. If stances! how he perseveres in his enyou hear but the softest whisper deavours! how he varies his modes of escape his lips, be prompt and de-attack! how he clothes his temptations cisive with your reply, "It is written, in the dress of piety! There are two Thou shalt worship the Lord thy enemies it fits us well to know-Satan

"He knows what sore temptations mean,

For he has felt the same."

and our own heart. Most men stumble because they are ignorant of the deceitfulness of the one, and the devices of the other. Satan knows far more of their hearts than they know themselves; and hence they are easily overcome. Brethren! ponder that expression, "The wiles of the devil."

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able"-able not simply by power, but also by sympathy; able in a sense in which he would not have been able had he not been tempted himself "he is able to succour them

2. See the best mode of meeting tempta- that are tempted." "For we have not tion.

Resist at once, and resist with the right weapon. Wield "the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." It will always serve your purpose; you will find it mighty through God. At all times be ready with, "It is written." 3. You are tempted and often condemn yourself, confounding temptation with

sin.

Jesus was tempted, and yet he knew no sin. Temptation does not become sin till you yield to its power. It may sometimes be very difficult to discriminate between temptation and inward depravity. An intimate acquaintance with your own nature will greatly help you to decide; but do not write bitter things against yourself. Suppose not that every time you are tempted you sin; your holiest seasons are frequently those when the fiery darts of the enemy in thick showers fall.

4. You are tempted and filled with distress; you want sympathy and succour. New Park Street, London.

an high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

5. You are tempted, and often fear you will fall.

Jesus was tempted and triumphed ; his triumph is the certain pledge of yours; you are one with himself; fear not, victory awaits you. tempted brother! abandon not all hope; Cheer up, lift up thy head, for thy redemption draweth nigh. It looks not seemly in thee thus to weep and fold thine arms in despair; be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Your Leader beckons you onward to himself, and lo! a voice from the excellent glory speaks, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

CIRCULATION OF THE SCRIPTURES IN FRANCE.

THIS last year, a Christian man, on | meditate and pray alone. His path led a journey of business, came, on a him to an orchard, near the door of a Saturday evening, to a country vil- farm-house, and as he approached it he lage. The inn people were unwilling heard a voice reading. The door of the to listen to him, when, on the sab-house-as often happens in summerbath morning, he began to speak to was open, and, placing himself not far them of the gospel. Disheartened by their coldness, he walked out to seek some retired spot, where he might

VOL. XV.-FOURTH SERIES.

from it, he heard a chapter of the scriptures read in an audible voice. When the reading terminated, a general