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all events that fall out in the world. None of the creatures are left to their own arbitrament or uncertain contingences, but under the govern- ment of a supreme providence, which is left in Christ's hands. Thus you see, though the devil's interest be held up by the combined interests of the world agreeing together to promote the idolatries and supersti- tions wherewith he hath inspired them, yet Christ is able to break and dissolve all this force and power.
Secondly, How far was Satan destroyed or his head crushed ?
1. Negatively.
[1.] Non ratione essentice, not to take away his life and being. No ; there is a devil still, and shall be, even when the whole work of Christ's redemption is finished ; for then it is said, Kev. xx. 10, ' The d(;vil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.' So Mat. xxv. 41, ' Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels/ Then eternal judgment is executed on the head of the wicked state. Sentence was passed before, and the devil feareth it : Mat. viii. 29, ' Art thou come hither to torment us before the time ? ' He was condemned before, but then it is executed upon him ; he is finally punished, and shall for ever remain with the damned.
[2.] Non ratione malitice, not in regard of malice ; for the enmity ever continueth between the two seeds, and Satan will be doing though it be always to loss : 1 John iii. 8, ' The devil sinneth from the begin- ning.' Therefore he is not so destroyed as if he did no more desire the ruin and destruction of men. He is as malicious as ever. The devil is always at the old trade of destroying souls, and watcheth all advan- tages, and observeth our motions and inclinations, to make use of them.
2. Affirmatively, it remaineth that it is ratione potentice, in regard of his power. But the question returneth. How far is his power de- stroyed ? for he still governeth the wicked, and possesseth a great part of the world. Therefore the devils are called, Eph. vi. 12, ' The rulers of the darkness of this world.' He molesteth the godly, whether con- sidered singly and apart, or in their communities and societies. Singly and apart he may sometimes trouble them and sorely shake them, as wheat is winnowed in a sieve : Luke xxii. 31, ' Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.' And in their communities and societies: Ps. cxxix. 1, 2, 'Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say : many a time have they afflicted me from my youth.'
Ans. Though he may afflict and molest the people of God, yet he cannot totally prevail over them.
[1.] There is enough done by way of merit to break the power of Sataji, or that whole kingdom of darkness which is united under one head called the devil. The price and ransom is fully paid for captive souls : ' The Lamb of God taketh away the sin of the world,' John i, 29. There need no more to be done by way of merit and satisfaction to bruise the serpent's head and to dissolve that woful work which he hath introduced into the world. Now, not only the comfort of parti- cular believers is ascribed to the death of Christ, but the success of the
256 SERMON UPON GENESIS HI. 15.
gospel over false religions ; as 1 Peter i. 18, ' Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ.' He purchased the power of re- covering souls out of their apostasy at a dear rate. Therefore, though the superstitions of the world were entailed on people by a long de- scent, yet when we go forth to preach the gospel in the virtue and value of the blood of Christ, that will work mighty wonders for the destruc- tion of the kingdom of the devil.
[2.] Christ is upon the throne, and we are under his protection ; therefore the devil cannot totally prevail as to those who have interest in him. As to single believers : John x. 28, ' None is able to pluck them out of my hand.' Or as to their communities and societies : Mat. xvi. 18, ' Upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' The gates of hell signify the power and policy of hell, for there was their armoury and their counsel. Christ expecteth their most subtle and furious assaults, but all should be but as the dashing of waves against a rock, end in foam, and shame to the aggressors and assailants. So that besides his merit on the cross, there is his power in heaven, as now sitting upon the throne.
[3.] The victory is carried on so as that our duty and trials may not be excluded.