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the discipline of the clmrch into a temporal domination ; and all thi» supported by the blood of the saints and worldly grandeur, and the combined interests of many popish nations. And here are the ebbs and flows between the two shores of Christ and antichrist amongst us. You know by what a bloody design Hagar the bondwoman, that was cast out, sought to weaken and vaunt it over Sarah ; but the Lord broke the snare, and our foot is escaped.
[.5.] If the promised seed had not bruised the serpent's head the world had been in a worse case than it is. There is some conviction and restraint where conversion taketh not place. Consider how Satan reigneth where Christ hath not pursued him with his gospel, or where Christ hath withdrawn his gospel for the ingratitude of men. Surely there is a difference between the places where people live in the dregs of Christianity, and there where the devil is worshipped and idolatry set up.
[6.] Though there be not a total destruction of the kingdom of Satan, yet it is in an absolute subjection to the throne of the mediator. The kingdom of sin and Satan are so far destroyed as not to hinder the demonstration of mercy to the elect, and as to be subservient to the demonstration of his justice to others, who neglect or contemn the remedy offered, which is God's great design that the elect may obtain, though the rest be hardened.
[7.] That in time Christ will destroy all opposite reigns and kingdoms. He doth some sooner, others later ; but there will be an universal and absolute subjection to Christ at the day of judgment. Infernal spirits shall then bow the knee to him, Phil. ii. 10, with Rom. xiv. 10, 11, and that with Isa. xlv. 23. Then saints shall judge angels, 1 Cor. vi. 2, and the whole mystery of iniquity will then be finished and come to nothing.
Use 1, Thankfulness and praise to our mediator. The eternal God hath selected a people from the rest of the world to praise him for the- mystery of his love here in the assemblies of his people ; for ' God inhabiteth the praises of Israel,' Ps. xxii. 3 ; and hereafter, that he may have the thanks of his glorified saints for ever. Consider to this end how Satan's design is crossed and counterworked in the mystery of our redemption.
1. Satan's design was to dishonour God by a false representation, as if envious of man's happiness : Gen. iii. 5, ' God doth know that in the day that ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.' And so to weaken the esteem of God's goodness. Now in the work of our redemption God is wonder- fully magnified, and represented as amiable to man ; not envying our knowledge and delight, but promoting it by all means, even with great care and cost : 1 John iv. 8, ' God is love.'
2. To depress the nature of man, that in innocency stood so near God. Now that the human nature, so depressed and abased by the malicious suggestions of the devil, should be so elevated and advanced, and be set up far above the angelical nature, and admitted to dwell with God in a personal union, oh ! let us now cheerfully remember and celebrate this victory of Christ. Our praise now is a pledge of our everlasting triumph. This table is spread for us in the sight of our
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enemies, and we come to have intimate communion and fellowship with him at his table.
Use. 2. To exhort us to make use of Christ's help for our recovery out of the defection and apostasy of mankind. Oh ! let Satan be crushed in you, and the old carnal nature destroyed. He that so will- ino^ly entered into the conflict on the cross, though his heel were bruised, will as willingly employ the power of the Spirit to help you ; the one was in order to the other. Christ doth not only enter upon the work by conquest, but hath much to do with every individual person before he can settle his kingdom in their hearts. There is a combat between Christ and Satan for the rescue of every sinner, and we are not easily brought to change masters. Now yield to him, suffer him to save you. You look to the outward interest of Christ in the world, and you do well ; but it is easier to bring men to own a true religion than to bring them under the power of it. Christ's greatest victory is the overcoming men's corruptions and carnal inclinations, to purify their polluted souls, and to set up Christ's government in the heart, where once Satan ruled. The kingdom of Christ within us is the most excellent kingdom : Luke xi. 20, ' If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.' If once we become Christ's, we will more really care for his interest in the world.
Use 3. To show us the nature of Christ's victory, and wherein it consisteth ; not in an exemption from troubles, nor in a total exemp- tion from sin for the present.