15. _And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Lead us not into temptation._ The word translated _temptation_, means trial of any kind. And so the English word temptation was formerly taken, in an indifferent sense: although now it is usually understood, of solicitation to sin. St. _James_ uses the word in both these senses; first, in its general, then in its restrained acceptation. He takes it in the former sense when he saith, [98]_Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried_, or approved of God, _he shall receive the crown of life_. He immediately adds, taking the word in the latter sense, _Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of_ God: _for_ God _cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust_, or desire, ἐξελκόμενος, drawn out of God, in whom alone he is safe, _and enticed_, caught as a fish with a bait. Then it is, when he is thus _drawn away and enticed_, that he properly _enters into temptation_. The temptation covers him as a cloud: it overspreads his whole soul. Then how hardly shall he escape out of the snare? Therefore we beseech God, _not to lead us into temptation_, that is (seeing God _tempteth no man_) not to suffer us to be led into it. _But deliver us from evil_: rather, _from the evil one_; ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ. Ὁ Πονηρός is unquestionably _the wicked one_, emphatically so called, the prince and god of this world, who works with mighty power in the children of disobedience. But all those who are the children of God by faith, are delivered out of his hands. He may fight against them: and so he will. But he cannot conquer, unless they betray their own souls. He may torment for a time; but he cannot destroy; for God is on their side, who will not fail in the end, _to avenge his own elect, that cry unto him, day and night_, “Lord, when we are tempted, suffer us not to enter into temptation. Do thou make a way for us to escape, that the wicked one touch us not.” 16. The conclusion of this divine prayer, commonly called the doxology, is a solemn thanksgiving, a compendious acknowledgement of the attributes and works of God. _For thine is the kingdom_; the sovereign right of all things that are, or ever were created: yea, thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages. _The power_: The executive power, whereby thou governest all things in thy everlasting kingdom, whereby thou dost whatsoever pleaseth thee, in all places of thy dominion.――_And the glory_; the praise due from every creature, for thy power and the mightiness of thy kingdom, and for all thy wondrous works, which thou workest from everlasting, and shalt do, world without end, _for ever and ever! Amen._ So be it! I believe it will not be unacceptable to the serious reader, to subjoin A Paraphrase on the _Lord’s Prayer_.