Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture

Commentary

It is his policy to send temptations by unsuspected hands, and theirs that have most interest in us and influence upon us.

He does not discover his design at first, but puts a question which seemed innocent: “I hear a piece of news, pray is it true?

has God forbidden you to eat of this tree?”

Thus he would begin a discourse, and draw her into a parley.

Those that would be safe have need to be suspicious, and shy of talking with the tempter.

He quotes the command fallaciously, as if it were a prohibition, not only of that tree, but of all.

God had said, Of every tree you may eat, except one.

He, by aggravating the exception, endeavours to invalidate the concession: Hath God said, You shall not eat of every tree?

The divine law cannot be reproached unless it be first misrepresented

That it is the subtlety of Satan to blemish the reputation of the divine law as uncertain or unreasonable, and so to draw people to sin; and that it is therefore our wisdom to keep up a firm belief of, and a high respect for, the command of God.

Note, It is a dangerous thing to treat with a temptation, which ought at first to be rejected with disdain and abhorrence.

The garrison that sounds a parley is not far from being surrendered.

Note, Wavering faith and wavering resolutions give great advantage to the tempter.