[2.] Another victory he obtained over him was by his death : Heb. ii. 14, ' Through death he destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil.' Never was such a blow given to the kingdom of darkness as then ; not to take away his immortal life and being, but his power and strength to hurt. Then was Satan disarmed , and after- wards by his Spirit Christ cometh and dispossesseth him ; so Col. ii. 15, ' And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it ; ' and Eph. iv. 8, ' He hath led captivity captive.' Upon the cross he overcame his and our enemies, and triumphed over them ; satisfying his Father's justice, he spoiled the devil of that power which he once had over the souls of men through
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the law's curse ; so that tliough the devil doth tempt bellevei-s, j'et he cannot overcome them — Non pugnd sublatd sed victoria. The devil may molest us, not totally vanquish us ; Christ will not exempt us from a battle, yet it is a spoiled adversary we fight with, he hath secured us the victory ; he may hold us in exercise, but he cannot hinder our salvation ; he may bruise our heel, but he cannot break our head. The wounds we receive from Satan may be painful, but not mortal so as to quench the life of grace ; though he foil us sometimes, yet we are kept by the power of God to salvation. A man may be bruised in the heel by divers temptations, and slip into sins thereby ; but it is but in the heel, far enough from any vital part.
[3.] He prevailed over the devil by his gospel, when he first sent al)road his disciples to the lost sheep of Israel : Luke x. 18, ' And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven;' but especially after his ascension, and the pouring out of the Spirit, when he sent abroad his disciples into the world, casting down the idols of the gentiles, under which the devil was adored : 1 Cor. x. 19, 20, ' What say I then ? that the idol is anything ? or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything ? but I say. The things which the gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God.' And he still goeth on conquering and prevailing, putting Satan out of posses- sion : Luke xi. 21, 22, * When a strong man armed keepeth the house, his goods are in peace ; but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils ; ' as he doth enlighten, reclaim, and sanctify all the elect, and subdue those lusts by which Satan ruleth in the hearts of men. If Christ conquereth Satan by his word, and by the preaching of the gospel establishing his kingdom, his word should dwell richly and abundantly in our hearts, that we may oppose the command- ments of God and his counsels to the counsels and solicitations of the devil, and look that this word that prevaileth over all the world should prevail with us also : Col. i. 6, ' This woi'd is come into all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you.'
[4.] The last victory that Christ shall have is at the day of judg- ment : Phil. ii. 10, ' That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth,' compared with Kom. xiv. 10, 11, 'We must all stand before the judg- ment-seat of Christ; for it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me.' Then ' the devil shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,' Eev. xx. 10, and all the saints, together with Christ, shall triumph over him : Rom. xvi. 20, ' The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly ; ' as Joshua and his followers set their feet on the necks of the Canaanitish kings in the cave. So that our absolute and final victory is near and sure ; God will do it, and shortly. Then we shall never be troubled more with a busy devil, all his power shall be broken in pieces. This will be a glorious con- quest indeed, and a mighty comfort and relief to us in the sharp con- fiicts we now have.
2. There are many promises that concern this warfare : promises of strength, of victory, and of the reward of victory.
[1.] Of strength, or such supplies of grace as we may be enabled to
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stand out against the powers of darkness. Pan! was buffeted with a messenger of Satan, and he knocked at the door of grace thrice, 2 Cor. xii. 7, all the answer he could get was, ' My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' This promise was particularly made to Paul, but the reason is general ; God's power is })erfected, that is, manifested to be perfect, in the weakness of the creature. It is his glory to give ' power to the faint ; and to them that have no might he giveth strength,' Isa. xl. 29, that they may rejoice in the Lord their strength. Jesus Christ, who is the head of" the church, will also be the saviour of" the body, that the glory may redound to him alone. He hath a tender sense of our danger, and is never more at work for his people than when they are most assaulted by Satan. He doth in effect say. They are undone if I help them not : Zech. iii. 1, 2, 'And he showed me Josima the high-priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan, even the God that hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ? ' And thereupon he puts forth the strength and efficacy of his mediation. Our friend in heaven, and advocate, is pleading for new grace for us. When a town is besieged, they are not left to their standing provisions, but relief is sent to them. Christ will engage and fight for us. ♦