We may observe also, that Satan maintains a tyrannic sway over the natural man, as over his rightful vassal. How he works upon our minds, we cannot exactly say : (for we know not how our own spirit operates upon our material body ; and therefore we must not wonder if we cannot declare how that wicked spirit operates on our spirits:) but he certainly does " work in all the children of disobedience," and " lead them captive at his will." And when the grace of God first comes into the soul, it finds us altogether under the power of " that strong man armed."]
2. Of conflict—
[The first entrance of grace into the soul stirs it up im- mediately to break its bonds, and assert its liberty. The person who is once enlightened to see what masters he has served, and what will be his recompence, is filled with indig- nation against himself for so long submitting to such ignomi- nious bondage. He first probably begins with efforts made in his own strength : but when he finds how unavailing they are, he will betake himself to prayer, and implore help from above. Now the sins to which he once addicted himself are resisted ; and the very inclinations to them are bitterly bewailed. Now he cannot be satisfied with taking his notions of sin and duty from the world, or with conforming himself to the standard which the world approves : he inquires what God's will is, and determines to renounce whatever is inconsistent with it. Difficulties he meets with, innumerable difficulties, in his new course : his indwelling corruptions, like a stream obstructed by a dam, threaten to bear down all before them : and Satan exerts himself, by various wiles and devices, to divert him from his purpose : and the world, Satan's best advo- cate and co-adjutor, labours, by menaces or allurements, to keep him under its dominion : but he gathers strength from opposition, and courage from defeat ; and resolves, that nothing but victory or death shall put an end to his warfare.]
3. Of victory —
[No person will long continue to oppose his spiritual enemies, without reaping the fruit of his exertions in victory and triumph. After he has once learned to use the armour which God has prepared for him, he finds, to his unspeakable comfort, that none of his enemies can stand before him. The world, that was once so formidable, has lost its power : and neither sin nor Satan can deceive him, as they once did. The grace of Christ is now found sufficient for him : and though he still is violently assaulted with various temptations, he is enabled to repel them " by the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit." Sometimes indeed he is ready to exclaim, " O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me ?" but soon he