of
*" 2 Cor. iv, 4. • Luke xxii. 3. Acts v. 3.
* Eph. ii. 2. & vi. 1 1, 12. • 1 Thess. iii. 5. 2 Cor. xi. 3.
^ John viii.41, 44. ^ Rora. v. 12, 15— ip.
of that first transgression : injieriting a corrupt nature, they follow the bent of their own inclinations, and rush on blind- fold to everlasting perdition ^ " The devil has taken them in his snare, and leads them captive at his will'." Hence he is called Apollyon, and Abaddon'', as being the great and imiversal destroyer.
Nor does he relinquish his endeavours to destroy even the best of men : " he goes about, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour :" there are not any so holy, but he shoots his " fiery darts" at them, and torments them with cruel buffetings', and " desires to have them, that he may sift them as wheat :" and, were he permitted, he would soon reduce even the soundest of men to chaff.]
Let us next inquire,
II. How he destroys them —
He came into the world, and " was manifested" in human flesh on purpose to destroy them : and he effects their destruction,
1. By the virtue of his sacrifice —
[The death of Christ was a true and proper atonement for sin ; it was " a propitiation for the sins of the whole world :" and by it " he finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness™." Nor has he merely cancelled our debt, or removed our obligation to punishment, but has " abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light." " On the cross he triumphed over all the principalities and powers of hell" ;" and, " by death, over- came him that had the power of death, and delivered them, who, tlu-ough fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage"." Yes, when our final victory over sin and death shall be celebrated in heaven, to this shall we ascribe it altogertier ; " Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood p."]
2. By the operation of his grace —
[" Dead as we are in trespasses and sins, we are quickened by Chrisf;" and immediately begin in his strength to conflict with sin and Satan. The warfare we maintain is attended with many difficulties ; so that we are sometimes ready to cry out, " () wretched man that I am ! who shall de- liver me from this body of sin and death?" but in our lowest state it is our privilege to add, " I thank God through Jesus
Christ
" Eccl. ix. 3. '2 Tim. ii. 26. " Rev. ix. 1 1 .
'Epli.vi.l6. 2 Cor. xii. 7. ° Dan.ix. 24. with ver. 5. "Col.ii. 15. "Heb. ii. 14. " Rev. v. 9.
'' Eph. ii. 1.