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NEXT there follows: "And lead us not into temptation," on which there
arises no unimportant question, for if we pray that we may not be suffered
to be tempted, how then will our power of endurance be proved, according to
this text: "Every one who is not tempted is not proved;" and again:
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation?" The clause then, "Lead us
not into temptation," does not mean this; viz., do not permit us ever to be
tempted, but do not permit us when we fall into temptation to be overcome.
For Job was tempted, but was not led into temptation. For he did not
ascribe folly to God nor blasphemy, nor with impious mouth did he yield to
that wish of the tempter toward which he was drawn. Abraham was tempted,
Joseph was tempted, but neither of them was led into temptation for neither
of them yielded his consent to the tempter. Next there follows: "But
deliver us from evil," i.e., do not suffer us to be tempted by the devil
above that we are able, but "make with the temptation a way also of escape
that we may be able to bear it."
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