---

1. In a way of distrust.

(1) Some will not believe the gospel except they see a miracle or hear an oracle. Christ representeth their thoughts (Luke 16:30).

(2) Some will not believe God's providence, but make question of His power and goodness, and care over us and our welfare, when He hath given us sufficient proof thereof.

(3) Some will not be satisfied as to their spiritual estate without some sensible proof or such kind of assurance as God usually vouchsafeth not to His people.

2. In a way of presumption; so we tempt God when, without any warrant, we presume of God's power and providence.

(1) When without call we rush into any danger, or throw ourselves into it, with an expectation God will fetch us off again.

(2) When we undertake things for which we are not fitted and prepared, either habitually or actually, as to speak largely without meditation.The heinousness of the sin.

1. Because it is a great arrogancy when we seek thus to subject the Lord to our direction, will, and carnal affections.

2. It is great unbelief, or a calling into question God's power, mercy, and goodness to us.

3. It looseneth the bonds of all obedience, because we set up new laws of commerce between God and us; for when we suspect God's fidelity to us, unless He do such things as we fancy, we suspect our fidelity to Him.

4. It is wantonness, rather than want, puts us upon tempting of God.

5. It argues impatiency — "They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert" (Psalm 106:13, 14).

6. The greatness of the sin is seen by the punishments of it. One is mentioned — "Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents" (1 Corinthians 10:9).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

WEB: When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.