22 SERMON UPON PSALM VIII. 2.
I answer — It may be considered either (1.) With respect to Christ, the author of our deliverance ; or, (2.) With respect to men, who are the subjects of this deliverance, or the persons delivered.
First, With respect to Christ our deliverer.
1. There is enough done by way of merit to break the power of Satan, 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, and there needeth no more to be done by way of merit and satisfaction to dissolve that woful work which Satan hath introduced into the world : Col. ii. 15, 'He hath spoiled principalities and powers, triumphing over them on his cross;' 1 John iii. 8, 'For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil' Both these places show there is enough done for the benefit of particular believers, and for the success of the gospel over false religions. He hath divested evil spirits of their power, thrown them out of their temples, silenced their oracles; he hath made it publicly discernible by the success of the christian religion in the world ; he hath purchased the power of recovering souls out of their apostasy at a dear rate : 1 Peter i. 18, ' We are not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Son of God.' Well, then, the value of the blood of Christ is sufficient.
2. Christ is upon the throne, and we are under his protection ; therefore the devil cannot totally prevail over those that have an in- terest in him, either as to single believers > John x. 28, ' And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand ; '• or to their communities and societies : Mat. xvi. 18, ' Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' The gates of hell signify their power and policy; there was their armoury, and there they sat in council, Christ expecteth their most fierce and furious assaults, but all should be to no purpose, but as the dashing of the waves against a rock, which ends in foam, and the shame of the oppressors and assail- ants. So that besides his merit on the cross, there is his power in heaven, where he is to rule in the midst of his adversaries : Ps. ex. 1, ' Sit at my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.' There he is exalted, in that human nature which he had assumed, to the highest pitch of glory, majesty, and authority.
3. Though there be not a total destruction of the kingdom of Satan, yet it remaineth in an absolute subjection to the throne of the mediator. The kingdom of sin and Satan are so far destroyed, as not to hinder God's great design, the demonstration of mercy to the elect, and to be subservient to the demonstration of his justice towards others, who either contemn or neglect the remedy ofi'ered ; that the elect may obtain, though the rest be hardened : 2 Thes. ii. 9, 13, ' Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders,' &c. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and behef of the truth.'
4. Christ will in time destroy all opposite reigns and kingdoms,
SERMON UPON PSALM VIII. 2. 23
some sooner, others later ; but there will be an universal and absolute subjection to Christ at the day of judgment, when infernal spirits shall bow the knee to him : Isa. xlv. 23, compared with Phil. ii. 10, ' He hath given him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ; ' and Rom. xiv. 10, 11. The mystery of iniquity will then be finished, and come to nothing ; and the saints shall judge the evil angels, 1 Cor. vi. 3 ; that is, when they are crowned, they shall pass sentence against the evil spirits. But in the meantime you will say, We are assaulted. Therefore —
Secondly, With respect to men who are to be delivered, so Satan's power may be considered with respect to single persons, or his interest in the corrupt world.
1. As to single and individual persons ; so Satan's power over them is by reason of sin, which was introduced into the world by his subtlety and malice. Now these may be considered with respect to conversion and confirmation.
[1.] Conversion. When the reign of sin is broken, they are rescued out of Satan's hands : Col. i. 13, ' Who hath delivered us from the power of Satan, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son ; ' and Acts xxvi. 18, ' To turn us from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God;' Luke xi. 22, 'When a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted.' It is the fruit of his victorious grace. As long as sin reigneth, Satan is in peaceable possession ; for when he had lost his seat in heaven, he affected to set up a throne in the hearts of men, and to lord it over them as his slaves ; but now the reign of sin is broken, when he puts an enmity into your hearts against it. Sin dieth when the love to it dieth. All that are converted to God are possessed with an enmity to Satan and his ways, such as they had not before, when they remained in the degenerate state. They have a new heart and a new spirit ; not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God. The- natural spirit, that spirit that dwelleth in us, is the spirit of the world, the spirit that inclineth us to worldly and sensual satisfactions ; but the Spirit maketh them look after the things promised by Christ and required by Christ : 1 Cor. ii. 12, ' For we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God.' The natural spirit was a spirit that lusteth to envy, James iv. 5 ; and so the satanical spirit. But this is a Spirit of love to God and man, that maketh us to seek his glory, and the good of others. Till this Spirit be planted in us, we have not changed masters.