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Were we left wholly in its hands!
(J. C. Philpot, "The
Salted Sacrifice" 1862)
"No temptation has seized you except what
is common to man." 1 Cor. 10:13
There is not a single sin ever perpetrated by man
which does not lie deeply hidden in the recesses of
our fallen nature! But these sins do not stir into
activity until temptation draws them forth.
Temptation is to the corruptions of the heart, what
fire is to stubble. Sin lies quiet in our carnal mind
until temptation comes to set it on fire.
Temptation is to our corrupt nature, what the spark
is to gunpowder. Have you not found this sad truth:
how easily by temptation are the corruptions of our
wretched heart set on fire, and burst into every kind
of daring and dreadful iniquity?
In temptation, we learn what sin is . . .
its dreadful nature,
its aggravated character,
its fearful workings,
its mad, its desperate upheavings against God,
and what we are or would be,
were we left wholly in its hands!
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation." Matthew 26:41
"Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117
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