He looked forward therefore now to the full possession of them [A crown of righteousness means a most exalted state of holiness and happiness in heaven Nor did he doubt but that such a reward was laid him-] up for He did not however expect it on account of any merit in himself [He speaks of it indeed as bestowed in a way of "righteous" retribution But he expected it wholly as the "gift" of God through Christ-] Nor did he consider it as a gift peculiar to himself as an apostle [The "longing for Christ's second coming", is a common to all Christians feeling For them also is this crown of righteousness reserved -] INFER* 1. How does the apostle's experience condemn the world at large! [The generality are strangers to spiritual consolationsBut there is no true religion where they are not experienced Let all consider what would be their reflections, and prospects, if they were now dying Let all live the life of the righteous, if they would die his death 2. How amply does God reward his faithful servants! [Poor and imperfect are the best services that they can gender Yet how different is their state from that of others, both in and after death! Let all then devote themselves entirely to God-] If this were the subject of a funeral sermon, it might be improved in reference to the deccased and the survivors, to shew that the former resembled the apostle, and to stimulate the latter to a due improve. ment of their time. LXXVII. 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, stedfast 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 experi ence 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 Ե 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 inenSatan also uses many devices to destroy souls d He suits his temptations to us with astonishing craftHe 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 knowledge £—] He is active [The lion ranges far and wide in search of his preyAnd Satan "walks to and fro throughout the earth". He ceases not from his exertions day or night He f Ib. He is the more diligent as knowing that his time is limited1 k 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 advantage1—] He is cruel [The lion little regards the agonies which he occasionsNor has Satan any compassion for the souls which he destroys→→→ The savage animal kills to satisfy the calls of nature- men His exertions serve only to increase his own guilt and misery Yet is he insatiable in his thirst for our condemnation He is powerful lion [Feeble is the resistance of a lamb against the voracious 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→ Compare Luke iv. 13. with Luke xxii. 53. He This is strongly intimated in the word xararin, "he would swallow us up." " 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. 9 Luke xi. 21, 22. 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-] 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 b [The timid Christian falls into a thousand snares We are called to wrestle and contend with him 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 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. John xiv. 30. Luke xxii. 40. a Eph. vi. 18. d Eph. iv. 27, Rev. xii. 1-1. Luke xxii. 31. z Luke xvii. 32. y Luke xxii. 45, 46. b Prov. xxix. 25. C Eph. vi. 10, 13. e Eph. vi. 12. James iv. 7. Satan is not only checked but terrified, and vanquished, by the resistance of the weakest Christian. We should not suffer ourselves to be moved from the hope of the gospel→→ This is our anchor whereby we must outride the storm We must also stedfastly exercise the grace of faithThis is the weapon whereby we overcome the world h And by this shall we triumph over Satan himself -] APPLICATION [Let not the ungodly despise this adversary But let them seek deliverance from him through the gospel k And let the godly be continually on their guard against him So shall they experience that promised blessing"] Luke i. 78, 79. Through the tender mercy of our God, the Day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. OUR Saviour's birth, though in many respects peculiarly low and abject, was attended with some circumstances not unworthy the occasion We might mention his miraculous conception, the acclamations of angels, &c. &c. But we shall only advert to the account given in the context of his Forerunner, who was prophesied of by Isaiah-named by the angel before his conception in the womb-born in a preternatural way-celebrated by several to whom the spirit of prophecy was given after it had been withdrawn from Israel three hundred yearscommissioned to prepare men for the reception of the Saviour, and to publish the tidings in the text 1. Our Saviour's incarnation His birth is set forth under the idea of the rising sun He |