SERMON VII.
"And bring[1] us not into temptation."—Matthew vi. 13.
The subject of temptations is, to the spiritual man, a most interesting one: it is one in which he feels a strong personal concern. For every spiritually minded man experiences temptations, and it is necessary that he should experience them, in order that he may be regenerated. "Whosoever," says the Lord, "doth not take his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me."[2] To take the cross and follow after the Lord, is to endure temptations, as the Lord himself endured them.
The uses which temptations effect, are set forth with great clearness in the Doctrines of the New Church. Their origin and nature, also, are there very plainly shown. A consideration of this subject cannot fail to be highly instructive and useful.
It is said in the text, "Bring us not into temptation." But though it is so expressed in the literal sense, the Lord, in truth, brings no one into temptation: it is man's own evil through which he is tempted. Says the Apostle James, "Let no man say, when he is
- ↑ The common translation, "lead us," is less correct.
- ↑ Matthew x. 38.
