ledge, that this is not the case ; but that, on the con- trary, the person who takes this step will infallibly " make himself a prey." And whence arises this ? It is chiefly owing to these two things, namely, that, in departing from evil,
1. He irritates and incenses Satan —
[Satan is " the strong man armed, who delighteth to keep his goods in peace0." As being " the god of this world p," he would have all his votaries obedient. But when one of his subjects revolts from him, and casts off his yoke, he instantly exerts himself to bring him back to his former state of vassal- age and sin. For this end he puts in motion all his forces, both of men and devils, unnumbered myriads of whom he has at his command. Every species of device he uses, to accom- plish his malignant ends. If he judges persuasion to be the most likely means of attaining his object, he will find some friend or relative to whisper in our ear, " Friend, spare thy- self." This, though in an Apostle, was the devil's work4; for, as he can transform himself into an angel of light, so can he make his ministers assume the garb of piety, and appear like ministers of righteousness1. On the other hand, does he judge that open violence will be more conducive to his end ? he will soon find a Judas to betray us, a Pilate to condemn us, a popu- lace to crucify us. That, in the instance of our blessed Lord, was all accomplished by him ; for it was " his hour, and the power of darkness8." And, as then, so still, " he worketh in all the children of disobedience," and employs them in every possible way to maintain and extend his empire in the world1. This then, in part, accounts for the fact which we have before stated. If there be a deserter from a camp, no effort is left unattempted to bring him back to the standard which he has left : and much more may we expect that one so jealous of his power as Satan is, will exert himself to the uttermost, both by fraud and violence, to reduce to bondage those who have escaped from his dominion.]
2. He reproves and condemns the world —
[It is said of Noah, that, in building an ark for the saving of his house, "he condemned the world":" and in like manner all who depart from evil condemn those who continue in the way which they forsake. The very act of forsaking them is a practical condemnation of them. But this the world will not endure : for they feel themselves reduced to the alternative, of
° Luke xi. 21. p 2 Cor. iv. 4. i Matt. xvi. 22, 23.
r 2 Cor. xi. 13 — 15. s John xiii. 27. Luke xxii. 53. * Eph. ii. 2. u Heb. xi. 7.