1 . The deceits of the heart —
[These are very deep, and absolutely unsearchable'' ; yet in a measure will God discover them to those who have truth in their inward parts. The world at large know nothing of them : " they are calling evil good, and good evil ; they put darkness for light, and light for darkness ^ and bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter^ :" " they feed also on ashes : a deceived heart hath turned them aside, so that they cannot deliver their souls, or say, Is there not a lie in my right hand*^?" They contrive to satisfy their minds that all is well with them, or at least to lull their consciences asleep with the hope that all will be well with them before they die. They have a thousand pleas and excuses which they urge in their own defence, and which they vainly hope will be accepted by their Judge. If we attempt to open their eyes, they reply, with indig- nation, '^ Are we blind also^?" Thus are they both blinded and *' hardened" through the deceitfulness of sin. But those who are really " Israelites indeed, and without guile," have their eyes opened to see what delusions they have cherished: and being thus " brought out of darkness into marvellous light," they find that promise fulfilled to them, " They that erred in spirit shall come to understanding *"." " Their eye being made single, their whole body is full of light."]
2. The devices of Satan —
[The men of this world, though " taken in his snares, and led captive by him at his will," have no idea of his agency. But he is a subtle adversary ; and his "wiles" are innumerable. He can even " transform himself into an angel of light' ;" and, when aim- ing a deadly blow at our souls, assume the garb of " a Minister of righteousness." His first device is, to persuade men that they are in no danger of the judgments they fear. If he fail in that, he will instil into their minds the notion that they have gone too far, and that there is no hope for them. If that snare do not succeed, he will draw them aside, after some points of less importance, or matters of doubtful disputation. Multitudes of false apostles has he at his command, who will gladly aid him in this accursed work"^, and concur with him in his endeavours to *^ corrupt their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ'." But, if we are following the Lord fully, he will not leave us " ignorant of Satan's devices, or suffer him to get his wished-for advan- tage over us"\" He will arm us against that adversary, and enable us to withstand him". He will give us " the shield of faith, whereby we shall ward off and quench all his fiery darts °," and be able so to " resist him, that he shall flee from usp."J
3. The
'' Jer. xvii. g. * Isai. v. 20. *■ Isai. xliv. 20. ^ John ix. ^0.
■' Isai. xxix. 24. ' 2 Cor. xi. 13, 14. '' ib.
' 2 Cor. xi. 2. ""2 Cor. ii. 1 1, " Eph. vi. 1 1 . * ib. ver. l6. p Jam. iv. 7-