CHAPTER III.
The third circumstance, the place of the combat.—The advantage given to temptations by solitude.
3. The third circumstance next to be considered is the place of this combat, ‘the wilderness.’ To inquire what or where this wilderness was, is not only impertinent and useless, as to anything we can observe from it in reference to temptation, but also a matter of mere uncertain conjecture; only they that would understand it of a place more thinly peopled are expressly contradicted by Mark i. 13, where it is said, ‘he was with the wild beasts;’ noting thereby a desolate and dangerous solitude, far remote from human society and comfort.
It is much more our concern to seek after the reasons of his choice of that place, or rather among those many that are given, to satisfy ourselves with what may have the greatest appearance of truth. They that think Christ hereby designed to shew the uncertain changes and vicissitudes of outward things in this life, or to point at the future low estate of his church in the world, that it should sojourn in a wilderness; or to direct those that have dedicated themselves to God to withdraw from the blandishments and allurements of the earth, with a great many more hints of instruction and document of that kind; they, I say, that offer no other, seem not to attend to the true design of the choice of this place, which notwithstanding is evidently discovered to have been done in order to the temptation.[363] ‘He was led into the wilderness to be tempted.’ The place then was subservient to the conflict, as the proper theatre on which so great a contest was to be acted. And if we shall but mind what special consideration was to be had of such a place,—a howling desolate wilderness,—we may with ease pitch upon these following reasons:—
(1.) First, It pleased God to have an eye to the glory of Christ’s conquests, when in a single combat he should so remarkably foil the devil, without any the least advantage on his part, there being none that might be the least support or encouragement to him.
(2.) Secondly, The condition of the place gave rise to the first temptation. For in that he ‘hungered’ in a barren wilderness, it gave occasion to Satan to tempt him more strongly to ‘turn stones into bread.’
(3.) Thirdly, In the choice of such a place God seems to offer Satan a special advantage in tempting, which was the solitude and danger of his present condition.
To omit the two former considerations, as not altogether so useful, further than what I shall be engaged to speak to afterwards, this last affords this observation:
Obs. 4. That solitude affords a great advantage to Satan in the matter of temptation. This advantage ariseth from solitude two ways:
(1.) First, As it doth deprive us of help. So great and many are the blessed helps arising from the society and communion of such as fear the Lord, as counsel, comfort, encouragement from their graces, experiences, and prayers, &c., that the woe pronounced to him ‘that is alone’ is not groundless, Eccles. iv. 10. Christians in a holy combination can do more work, and so have a good reward for their labour. They can mutually help one another when they fall; they can mutually heat and warm one another; they can also strengthen one another’s hands to prevail against an adversary. He then that is alone, being deprived of these advantages, lieth more open to the stroke of temptation.
(2.) Secondly, Solitude increaseth melancholy, fills the soul with dismal apprehensions; and withal doth so spoil and alter the temper of it that it is not only ready to take any disadvantageous impression, but it doth also dispose it to leaven and sour those very considerations that should support, and to put a bad construction on things that never were intended for its hurt.
Applic. This may warn us to take heed of giving Satan so great an advantage against us, as an unnecessary solitude may do. I know there are times and occasions that do justly require us to seek a solitary place for the privacy of duty, or for secret lamentations, as Jeremiah desired, chap. ix. 1, 2, or to avoid the trouble and snare arising from our mixing with an assembly of treacherous and wicked men. This is no more than care and watchfulness. But when these reasons urge not, or some of like nature, but either out of pettish discontent or a mopish reservedness, we withdraw from those aids and comforts which are necessary for our support, we do strengthen Satan’s hands against us and weaken our own.