The Shorter Catechism
of the Westminster Assembly
Explained and Proved
from Scripture

by Thomas Vincent

CVI. Ques. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
Ans. In the sixth petition, (which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,") we pray, That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

Q. 1. What do we request in praying, "Lead us not into temptation?"
A. in praying, "Lead us not into temptation," we request that God would keep us from being tempted unto sin.

Q. 2. How doth God keep us from being tempted unto sin?
A. God keepeth us from being tempted unto sin, either when he restraineth the devil (the great tempter of mankind) from assaulting us with his prevailing temptations; or else restraineth us from coming into those ways where temptations are waiting for us, and where we should be tempters unto ourselves. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation ."— Matt. 26:41. "Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me."— Ps. 19:13.

Q. 3. What do we request in praying, "Deliver us from evil?"
A. In praying, "Deliver us from evil," we request, that when we are tempted by the devil, or the flesh, or the world, unto sin, that we may be supported and strengthened to resist and overcome the temptations, so as to be delivered, by the power of God's sufficient grace, from fallmg into the evil of sin. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."— James 4:7. "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."— l Cor. 10:13. "There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet me. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee."— 2 Cor. 12:7-9.