A treatise on Satan's temptations - Gilpin - XXV - Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of Part 3

Required reading
A treatise on Satan's temptations by Richard Gilpin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of Part 3.

My summary
Today we begin a new section of the work which discusses the temptation of Christ.

Gilpin begins looking at the circumstances of the combat as revealed in Matthew 4:1 'Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.'

Gilpin teaches us the significance of the:
(i)  time of the temptation;
(ii) way Christ was carried into the temptation;
(iii) place of the temptation.

What grabbed me
Some great applications today.

I liked the point that Satan often tempts us when we are specially favoured by God: 'We are apt to grow proud, careless, and confident, after or upon such employments and favours ; even as men are apt to sleep or surfeit upon a full meal, or to forget themselves when they are advanced to honour-Job's great peace and plenty made him, as he confesseth, so confident, that he concluded he should 'die in his nest,' chap. xxix. 18. David enjoying the favour of God in a more than ordinary measure, though he was more acquainted with vicissitudes and changes than most of men, grows secure in his apprehension, that he ' should never be moved,' Ps. xxx. G ; but he acknowledgeth his mistake, and leaves it upon record as an experience necessary for others to take warning by, that when he became warm under the beams of God's countenance, then he was apt to fall into security ; and— this it seems was usual with him in all such cases — when he was most secure, he was nearest some trouble or disquiet. ' Thou didst hide thy face ' — and then to be sure the devil will shew his — ' and I was troubled.' Enjoyments beget confidence ; confidence brings forth carelessness ; carelessness makes God withdraw, and gives opportunity to Satan to work unseen. And thus, as armies after victory growing secure, are oft surprised; so are we oft after our spiritual advancements thrown down.'

Or in the words of Paul, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 4 of Part 3.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.