25. Moreover, the Lord of necessity admonishes us to say in prayer, “And suffer us not to be led into temptation.” In which words it is shown that the adversary can do nothing against us except God shall have previously permitted it; so that all our fear, and devotion, and obedience may be turned towards God, since in our temptations nothing is permitted to evil unless power is given from Him. This is proved by divine Scripture, which says, “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and besieged it; and the Lord delivered it into his hand.”66 2 Kings xxiv. 11. But power is given to evil against us according to our sins, as it is written, “Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to those who make a prey of Him? Did not the Lord, against whom they sinned, and would not walk in His ways, nor hear His law? and He has brought upon them the anger of His wrath.”67 Isa. xlii. 24. And again, when Solomon sinned, and departed from the Lord’s commandments and ways, it is recorded, “And the Lord stirred up Satan against Solomon himself.”68 1 Kings xi. 14.
XXV. Illud quoque necessarie admonet Dominus ut in oratione dicamus: ET NE NOS PATIARIS INDUCI IN 0536C TENTATIONEM. Qua in parte ostenditur nihil contra nos adversarium posse, nisi Deus ante permiserit; ut omnis timor noster, et devotio atque observatio ad Deum convertatur, quando in tentationibus nostris nihil malo liceat, nisi potestas inde tribuatur. Probat 0537A Scriptura divina quae dicit: Venit Nabuchodonosor rex Babyloniae in Hierusalem, et expugnabat eam, et dedit eam Dominus in manu ejus (IV Reg. XXIV). Datur autem potestas adversus nos malo secundum nostra peccata, sicut scriptum est: Quis dedit in direptionem Jacob et Israel eis qui praedantur illum? nonne Deus cui peccaverunt? et nolebant in viis ejus ambulare neque audire legem ejus, et superduxit super eos iram animationis suae (Isa. XLII, 24). Et iterum, Salomone peccante et a praeceptis atque a viis Domini recedente, positum est: Et excitavit Dominus Satanam ipsi Salomoni (III Reg. XII).