_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.