1 345 God not the Origin of Evil. Being an additional SERMON ΤΟ Α COLLECTION O F Mr. COLLIER's Difcourfes, &c. LONDON: Printed by W. BOWYER, 1726. 1250 SERMON XII. ********** ************ ***** St. JAMES i. 13, 14. Let no Man fay when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with Evil, neither tempteth be any Man; but every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Luft, and enticed. AT LL Laws, whether Humane or Divine, fignify nothing with refpect to Government, as long as those for whom they are made, believe them impracticable: For under this A 2 3 this Perfuafion they will not only be unconcern'd at the breaking them; but never use their Endeavours, nor try their Strength, whether they can reach up to the Command or not. Now wicked Men, who can't reconcile their Affections to the Duties of Religion, are willing to fanfy themselves under this Incapacity; as if God did not proportion his Laws to the Faculties of his Creatures, but defign'd them rather as an Exercise of Authority, than a Rule of Action. And when they have once laid the Blame of their Difobedience on the Defect of their Nature, they think they are fafe enough; they imagine they have no less than the Justice of God for their Security: That he will not be so hard a Mafter, as to reap where he has not firewed, nor condemn for Impoffibilities of his own making. Now that no Man might fix himself in a wicked Life by fuch a fatal Mistake, and aggravate his Crimes by accufing God Almighty; the Apostle expreffly affirms, that God is far from placing us in an unavoidable State of Sin; that giving the leaft 6 least Countenance to it, is utterly inconfiftent with the Notion of fuch a Being. And therefore Let no Man fay when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts be any Man: But every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Luft and enticed. But because God is faid to tempt Abra-Gen. xxii. ham, when he commanded him to offer up his Son Ifaac, therefore it will not be improper to confider the Importance of the Word. First therefore, By tempting, is meant trying the Temper and Inclinations of Men, to see how they stand affected, and which way they will turn when put to the Test. Thus God dealt with Abraham in the forementioned Place; and after the Experiment commends the Steddinefs of his Faith. Now I know that thou fearest God, in that thou haft not withheld thine only Son from me. If 'tis objected, that God is throughly acquainted with the Mind of Man, and forefees how he will manage himself upon all Emergencies, and |