they see many dishonouring their holy profession: they feel within themselves also "an evil heart of unbelief;" nor are they ignorant of Satan's devices to overthrow them. Moreover, they frequently anticipate future evils; and tremble, lest in the day of adversity they should faint. Thus do they torment themselves with anxious and desponding fears.] It is their duty, however, to "cast their care on God" [To cast their care upon any creature would be fruitless, and it would involve them in the deepest guilt. God alone is able to sustain their burthen: on him they are commanded to cast it: they must do so in the exercise of faith and prayer"; nor are any cares whatever to be excepted, "Cast all your care," &c.: none are so small but they shall be regarded, none so great but they shall be alleviated.] There is a backwardness in many, to comply with this duty. II. Their encouragement to perform it— God extends his care to the whole creation; but in a more especial manner careth for his people [He conducted the Jews through the wilderness: he interposed for them in all their dangers: he supplied their every want. Thus, though less visibly, he still regards those who trust in him. He watches over them for good: he limits and restrains all their adversaries: he sympathizes with them in all their afflictions: he imparts to them all temporal and spiritual blessings: he hears and answers all their supplications: he accounts them his most inestimable treasure1: he communes with them as his sons and daughtersTM: he takes upon him the management of all their concerns".] What encouragement does this afford us to trust in him! Our Guardian and Protector is infinitely wise°— [He knows what trials we stand in need of: he can suit all the circumstances of them to our necessities: he can overrule them for our eternal benefit.] He is possessed of almighty power— [There is no difficulty from which he cannot extricate, nor duty which he cannot enable us to discharge. Should we, for whom such wisdom and power are exercised, be anxious'?] Moreover he is good and gracious [What innumerable blessings has he already bestowed upon us! He has even given his own Son to die for us. What then can we have to fear, if we trust in him?] Above all, he is a faithful God [He has promised seasonable protection and strength t. And is not his word a sure ground of confidence"? Surely then we should be filled with consolation rather than with care.] INFER 1. How needful is it that all should acquaint themselves with God! [Gaiety and dissipation may bear up the spirit in prosperity; but God alone can comfort us in adversity. At the hour of death we shall all need Divine support. Let the careless then begin to reflect upon their state: let them provide a refuge against the day of trouble: let them follow that salutary advice-] 2. How happy would Christians be if they rightly enjoyed their privileges! [It is their privilege to be " without carefulness"." If they trusted in God as they ought, nothing could disturb them ". Hence that exhortation to joy in God-. Let the afflicted saints then commit themselves to him: let them know that duty is theirs, but events are his : let them, in the face of all difficulties, adopt the words of Joshua: let them, with Hezekiah, repose themselves on God'.] MMCCCCXIV. THE MEANS OF DEFEATING SATAN'S MALICE. 1 Pet. v. 8, 9. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith. THERE are many who deny the influences of the Holy Spirit. No wonder therefore if the agency of Satan be called in question. But there is abundant proof in the Scriptures that Satan exercises a power over the minds of men. St. Peter had learned this truth by bitter experience. In this view the caution he gives us is worthy of particular attention: I. The malice of Satan Satan is the great adversary of mankind. It was he who caused the fall of our first parents". He has exerted a similar influence over all their descendants. He still maintains his enmity against the seed of the woman'. He is justly compared to "a roaring lion." He is subtle [The lion prowls with subtilty in search of prey: this is noticed in David's description of wicked men. Satan also uses many devices to destroy souls. He suits his temptations to us with astonishing craft: he draws us into his snare before we are aware of his designs. To be acquainted with his devices is a most eminent and useful part of Christian knowledge1.] He is active— [The lion ranges far and wide in search of his prey; and Satan"walks to and fro throughout the earth":" he ceases not from his exertions day or nighth. He is the more diligent as knowing that his time is limited. He has legions of emissaries acting in concert with him. If at any time he suspend his attacks, it is but for a season, that he may return afterwards with greater advantage'.] He is cruel [The lion little regards the agonies which he occasions; nor has Satan any compassion for the souls which he destroys. The savage animal kills to satisfy the calls of nature; but our adversary reaps no benefit from the destruction of men. His exertions serve only to increase his own guilt and misery; yet is he insatiable in his thirst for our condemnation m.] He is powerful— [Feeble is the resistance of a lamb against the voracious lion: still more impotent are men before" the god of this world." Satan has a limited power over the elements themselves". The ungodly are altogether subjected to his will; nor would the saints have the smallest power to resist him, if God should deliver them into his hands P.] If we believe this representation of Satan's malice, we cannot but desire to know, II. The means of defeating it Our adversary, though great, is not invincible. There is one stronger than he, that can overcome him; and God has prescribed means whereby we also may vanquish him : Moderation [An undue attachment to the things of time and sense gives him a great advantage over us. He will not fail to assault us on our weak side; but a deadness to the world will in some measure disarm him. He prevailed not against our Lord, because he found no irregular affection in him; nor could he so easily overcome us if we disregarded earthly things. A contempt of life has been a principal mean whereby the saints and martyrs in all ages have triumphed over him.] 1 Compare Luke iv. 13. with Luke xxii. 53. m This is strongly intimated in the word karamiŋ, "he would swallow us up." n Job i. 12, 19. He is called "the prince of the power of the air.' Eph. ii. 2. 2 Tim. ii. 26. P Many who have appeared lights in the Church have been swept away by the tail of this great dragon, Rev. xii. 3, 4. q Luke xi. 21, 22. It was he who instigated Judas to treachery, and Ananias to falsehood; but he wrought by means of their covetousness, John xiii. 2. Acts v. 3. Vigilance [Unwatchfulness, even in a victorious army, exposes it to defeat: much more must it subject us to the power of our subtle enemy. St. Peter had experienced its baneful effects. He had been warned of Satan's intention to assault him". He had been commanded to pray lest he should fall by the temptation; but he slept when he should have been praying. He stands in this respect, like Lot's wife, a monument to future generations; but vigilance on our part will counteract the designs of Satan. The armed Christian, watching unto prayer, must be victorious.] Fortitude [The timid Christian falls into a thousand snares". The only way to obtain a victory is, to fight manfully; and this is the duty of every follower of Christ. We must never give way to Satan. We are called to wrestle and contend with him; nor shall our resistance be in vain1.] Faith [Unbelief is a powerful instrument in the hands of Satan. He excites it in us that he may turn us from the faith: we must therefore hold fast the doctrines of faith. We should not suffer ourselves to be moved from the hope of the Gospel: this is our anchor whereby we must outride the storm8. must also steadfastly exercise the grace of faith. This is the weapon whereby we overcome the world; and by this shall we triumph over Satan himselfi.] APPLICATION We [Let not the ungodly despise this adversary; but let them seek deliverance from him through the Gospel; and let the godly be continually on their guard against him', so shall they experience that promised blessingm-] Eph. vi. 10, 13. d Eph. iv. 27. y Luke xxii. 45, 46. b Prov. xxix. 25. f Jam. iv. 7. Satan is not only checked but terrified, and van quished, by the resistance of the weakest Christian. g Heb. vi. 19. h 1 John v. 4. i Eph. vi. 16. |