hands of their inveterate foe. Wherever the doctrine of the cross was exhibited, it proved " mighty through God to the pulling down of the strong holds" of sin and Satan: and at this moment, though delivered in much weakness, it is " the power of God to the salvation of many souls" ]
2. By the dealings of his providence —
[The dispensations of Providence, whether pleasing or afflictive, are all ordered for this end. His " goodness is in- tended to lead us to repentance ;" and the day of adversity to bring us to consideration. Astonishing were his interpositions in Egypt, and at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness, for the purpose of preserving his Church and people. And if we were more observant of the various occurrences of life, we should often see that his hand hath wrought gloriously on our behalf. As David, when almost surrounded by Saul's army, was rescued by the diversion caused by the invading army of the Philistines111, so have we experienced, on many occasions, God's seasonable interposition for " the deliverance of our souls"." " Whoso is wise, will observe these things ; and he shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord0."]
3. By the influence of his grace —
[All other means, if unaccompanied with a divine agency on the soul, are of no effect : the richest mercies or the hea- viest judgments serve only to harden the heart, and sear the conscience. The Gospel itself is rather " a savour of death unto death, than of life unto life," if it " come not to us in power and in the Holy Ghost." But the most trivial event shall impress the mind, and the most cursory observation pierce like a barbed arrow, when directed by God " through the joints of the harness :" it is then " sharper than any two- edged sword, and pierces to the dividing asunder the soul and
spirit, the joints and marrow " ]
This subject naturally suggests to us the improve- ment suited to it. Hear then a word,
1. Of warning — [We may not have experienced, or strongly noticed, the assaults of Satan : but let us not therefore imagine that he is regardless of us : he is only watching his opportunity to strike with more effect. When he was defeated by our Lord, he retired ; but it was only " for a season." In the garden of Gethsemane he redoubled his malignant efforts : and sooner or later he will make his assaults on us, however eminent we
m 1 Sam. xxiii. 26—28.
" See Zech. i. 18—21. and Rev. xii. 15, 16. ° Ps. cvii. 43.