3. In its operations —
[Satan could only '' persuade'' Ahab ; he could not compel him ; nor can he influence any man in opposition to his own will. He is "a roaring lion;" and all before him are but as lambs : yet in prosecuting his malignant purposes against them, he destroys those only " whom he may devour," not those whom he would'^. This is a most encom-aging circumstance : for, if only we cry to God for grace to desire, and strength to do, his will, we may defy all the hosts of hell : such resistance over- comes Satan, and makes liim flee"^. No fiery dart that he can cast at us will pierce the shield of faith ; nor all his skill enable him to \\dthstand the sword of the Spirit % wdien wielded by a believing hand ]
Advice —
1. Guard against obstinacy in sin —
[A wilful perseverance in sin constrains God to give men over to their own lusts *, and to leave them in the hands of their great adversary. To what a fearful extent God will proceed against us in tliis way, we cannot even read without horror". Beloved Brethren, let me entreat you not so to provoke your God, as to bring upon yourselves this fearful curse. If once God say, *' He is joined to idols, let liim alone ^," it were better for you that you had never been born.]
2. Seek an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ —
[Christ has vanquished that great enemy of God and man, agreeably to what was foretold to man in Paradise >': in the garden, and upon the cross, he vanquished him ^ ; and he has engaged to " bruise him under our feet^" Seek then an interest in his death, to ransom you ; in his intercession, to presei-ve you ; and in his grace, to strengthen you: so shall you " be more than conquerors through Him that loved you," and shall enjoy the fruits of victory in heaven, when " the deceiver of mankind shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone" to receive the due reward of his exertions in everlasting torment^.]
1 1 Pet. V. 8. r 1 Pet. V. 9. and Jam. iv. 7. ^ Eph. \-i. IG, 17. t Ps. Ixxxi. 11, 12. Rom. i. 24, 26, 28. Isai. Ixvi. 4. 1 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12. ^ Hos. iv. 17. and ix. 12.
y Gen. iii. 15. ^ Matt. iv. 10. Col. ii. 15.
■'<■ Rom. xvi. 20. " ^ Rev. xx. 10.