Wherefore, laying aside these shifts and excuses, let us all set ourselves in good earnest to resist all manner of temptations: let us putout all the strength which we naturally have to this purpose, and beg of God super naturally to supply us with what we have not. Especially at this solemn time, set apart to commemorate the great conflict of our Saviour with the tempter in the wilderness, and to prepare and qualify us for such spiritual encounters. Let us lookup to the example of Christ, and remember how victorious he was over those fierce assaults of Satan; and what assurance he hath given us, that they who tread in his steps, and resolutely fight the good fight, shall be alike victorious. And whilst we resist as he did, let us be sure to use the same means of resistance, that he used, fasting and prayer: for there is no kind of temptation, but may, by the joint force of these, be cast out.To these, therefore, let us fly. These let us lay hold of, bending our knees often in private, during this season of devotion, and applying ourselves to the throne of grace, in those excellent words of the church, which comprehend in short whatever hath in this discourse been more largely delivered.
"O God, who knowest us to beset in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our natures we cannot stand upright; grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Francis Atterbury's 1711 Lenten sermon 'Temptations not irresistible', preached at St. James' Chapel, Sermon IV, Volume II, Sermons and discourses on several subjects, by Francis Atterbury (1820).
(The picture is a c.1816 watercolour of Saint James' Chapel.)
This may not be the appropriate time or place, in this day of self-shriving, examination, penitence and prayer but I wonder whether the the Revd author taks a view on whether the extreme Jacobitism of a figure like Atterbury affects their propriety and legality as a guide to the conscience of loyal Anglicans today?
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it Atterbury was perjured of his oath to George I and the Protestant succession, established by law and is perhaps best remembered as the titular leader of a conspiracy which intended to insitgate a national rebellion, backed by French troops, against his Sovereign. I also read that he died, still an attainted traitor, in exile.
What bearing, if any, might this have on how we ought to understand and receive his devotional works?
If not here then perhaps the Revd author could return to the theme in a later post.
WHA
Thank you for your comment. Yes, Atterbury abandon England for the Jacobite court. As the introduction to the collection of his sermons comments, he was an "unhappy" figure. But so, of course, were many figures in church history, in all sorts of ways. I do not think that his unwise political actions should lead to us overlook how he was acknowledged by contemporaries as an effective preacher.
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