3. The Use

It might seem to some, that this petition is superfluous, for what need he care for temptations, that has the pardon of his sins? But our Savior did not teach us thus to pray without special reason. 1. Because forgiveness of sins, and grievous temptations be inseparable companions in this life: which thing we find to be true, both in God's word and in Christian experience: for there is no man in this world so beaten, and buffeted with temptations, as the penitent sinner that cries most bitterly for the pardon of his sins. This is the estate that few men in the world are acquainted with. For many are never troubled with temptation, but live in all peace and quietness both in body and soul. (Luke 11:21) When the strong man armed keeps his hold, the things that he possesses are in peace. Whereby is signified, that the wicked of the world being possessed of Satan, are not a whit molested by him with any temptations: neither need he trouble them, seeing he has them at commandment to do what he will. But when a man once begins to make conscience of sin, and to sue to the Lord for pardon of his offenses, and still continues in dislike of sin and Satan: then the enemy bestirs him, and uses all means to bring that man to confusion: he offers all manner of temptations to [reconstructed: molest] him, and never affords this poor sinner any rest. Hereupon, for fear of being overcome, he must pray continually to the Lord, that he may not be led into temptation.

Here some Christian conscience may reason thus. No man is so troubled with sin and Satan, as I: therefore I am not in God's favor, but am a plain castaway. Ans. If pardon of sin and temptations go together, all is contrary. If you had no grief for sin, no buffetings of your enemies, the flesh, the world, and the devil, you could not be in God's favor, but under the power of Satan: now this great measure of the spiritual temptations, is a sign rather of God's love. For whom God loves, the devil hates; and where God works in love, the devil works in malice.

2. Secondly, this petition is joined with the former to teach us, that as we must be careful to pray for pardon of sins past: so also we must endeavor to prevent sins to come: we must not fall again into our old sins, neither must we be overtaken with new sins.