The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-10
Sermon 90 q Sermon.

Editor of TIC Times:
Sir.-VVhcr I read the caption to your
editorial in The Times of Sunday last
the ''Temptation OF Jesus. | hoped that
YOU would give US 4 reasonably saus-
factory explanation Of that difficult and
mysterious passage OF scripture quoted
bv YOU. viz: "Then was Jesus led up of
the Shirt into the wilderness to be
tempted OF the devil?''
WHAT IS it to be tempted? Primarily,
to &c tested. to be put to trial. to be
proven. Sccondarily, to- be enticed to DO
evil to be urged to commit sin, to trans
gresS i law made known to US by God.
W. can easily believe that in the provi-
dencc of Gee ii was needful for the m
correction and satisfaction of mankind
that our Saviour should be subjected to
the former ordeal
1t is irnr,s sible to believe that He
could even in his human nature, have
been tried in the latter
He Wa ,~r.ce like unto man, yet with
out sn-perfectly pure and innocent and
fec f.um that inherent tendency TO evil
inherited by all men from our first pa
rents. He was as free from even the
suggestion of sin when Il babe in the
nlanger or a boy of twelve years. asking
and answering questions of the Doctors
in the temple. or when about to COM
memo. his ministry on earth as he was
when seated or his throne in the heavens
or is now standing on the right hand of
the Father on high.
1t is rreverent Ito put it mildly to
say that our Saviour could not have sin
mel when he took on himself the form
and r.:.,rre of man. As God, He could do
anything and everything. but If we can
believe that He would commit sin we
must that instant also believe that He
y,-n. ,ll
er and be no longer an infallibie guide,
demanding our homage and worship.
Why our first parents should have been
made with this inherent tendency to sin
when the Creator knew from the be-
ginning all the direful consequences that
would proceed from the exercise of that
tendency is a mystery beyond the under
standing of the human mind Man by
wisdom knew not God
. Again, Mr.. Editor if YOU please. YOU
say For God does lead us into tempta-
ton. How do you reconcile that state
ment with this Scripture: Let no man
say when he is tempted. I am tempted
O.! God. for God cannot he tempted with
evil neither tempteth He any man.
When we pray lead us not into temp
tation' We thereby confess cur own
weakness anil our inclination to sin. We
are afraid to trust in our own strength
LIZ NIX! tItiI tiliikcill nc shameful Take
heed lest he fall" Our petition is that
lie will not suffer us to be exposed to
temptation by objects and influences
apart from ourselves and which would
appeal to our corrupt natures and which
might be too powerful for our resist
ancc.
In the same manner when we pray
Give us this day our daily bread" we do
not ask that we may receive it direct
from Heaven IL a miraculous way as
the Israelites received the mama in the
wilderness. but rather that we may be
blessed with health and strength, sum
mer and winter. sunshine and rain, with
fruitful seasons and fertile fields: and
working thus in harmony with the di-
vine will we may secure needed support
and SuStenancc.
IN the sweat of thy face thou shalt
eat bread" pronounced on man as a
curse. has. in His benehcent providence,