lot of His disciples. That mighty spirit who did not fear to attack Jesos himself is still going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. That mur- derer and liar who vexed Job, and overthrew David and !Peter, still lives, and is not yet bound. If he cannot rob us of heaven, he will at any rate mskfi our journey thither painful. If he cannot destroy our souls, he will at least bruise our heels. (Gen. iii. 15.) Let us beware of despising him, or thinking lightly of his power. Let us rather put on the whole armour of God, and cry to the strong for strength. '^ Resist the devil and he will flee from you.*' (James iv. 7.)
Let us mark secondly, our Lord Jesus Chriafs ability to sympathize with those that are tempted. This is a truth that stands out prominently in this passage. Jesus has been really and literally tempted Himself.
It was meet that He who came "to destroy the works of the devil," should begin His own work by a special conflict with Satan. It was meet that the great Shepherd and bishop of souls should be fitted for His earthly ministry by strong temptation, as well as by the word of God and prayer. But above all, it was meet that the great High Priest and advocate of sinners should be one who has had personal experience of conflict, and has known what it is to be in the fire. And this was the case with Jesus. It is written that He " suffered being tempted.'* (Heb. ii. 18.) How much He suffered, we cannot tell. But that His pure and spotless nature did suffer intensely, we may be sure.
Let all true Christians take comfort in the thought that they have a Friend in heaven, who can be touched