from day to day ; but comes away more discouraged than before. Satan, that malignant adversary, is more especially active at such seasons, and stands at his right hand to resist him. Num- berless are the stratagems which this subtle enemy uses to obstruct his progress and to damp his hopes. He represents to the believer's mind the enormity of his sins ; and intimates, that they are too great to be forgiven. He adduces them as proofs that God has not elected him ; and that therefore to seek for mercy is a hopeless task. It is on this account that Satan is called " The accuser of the brethren," because he accuses them to God, and God to them ; yea, and accuses them also to themselves, in order to bring them to despair.
We forbear to notice the outward opposition which Satan raises against them, by persecutions and temptations of different kinds, because it is of that opposition which he makes to them at the throne of grace that we are more particularly led to speak. But " he desires to have them," as he did to have Peter of old, " that he may sift them as wheat :" and if he were left without controul from a higher power, he would soon reduce them all to chaff.]
2. Their certainty of final success-^-
[Believers " have an Advocate with the Father," the Lord Jesus Christ, " who is also the propitiation for our sinse :" and through the care of this ever watchful Protector they are secured, so that " no weapon that is formed against them can prosper." In the rebuke which this Almighty Friend gives to Satan, there are two things which afford them peculiar conso- lation ; namely, the evidence which they have, that, notwith- standing all their remaining infirmities, a work of grace has been begun upon them ; and, the immutability of Him who has thus distinguished them by his grace. True, they see in themselves the fearful marks of the fire in which they have been burned, and a lamentable susceptibility of impression from fire, if by any means they come in contact with it. But from these very things a question arises in their minds, How is it that I am not wholly consumed ? If " the bush burn with fire and is not consumed," is there not reason to hope that God is in the bush ? Then I will hope, and not be afraid : for though with man it would be impossible to make use of me as a part of God's temple, it is not so with God ; for with him all things are possible; and "his gifts and calling are without repentancef." Further; whilst deploring their extreme unworthiness to serve and enjoy God, they hear the order given, " Take from him his filthy garments, and give him a change of raiment :" and, clothed in the unspotted robe of their Redeemer's right-
e 1 John ii. 1. f Rom. xi. 29.