to be exercised by them, when they would put forth their miraculous powers ; and that that faith was not always at their command, but needed to be brought down from heaven, by fresh and more abundant com- munications, in answer to their prayers. The Apostles, on having a youth, who was possessed by a dumb spirit, brought to them by his father, endeavoured to expel the demon from him, but were not able. The youth was then brought to Jesus himself, who, by a word, effected that which all his Disciples together could not effect. The Disciples then asked Jesus privately, What it was that had occasioned their failure ? Our Lord told them, that they had failed through their want of faith ; a more abundant mea- sure of which was necessary, when so malignant a fiend as this was to be expelled : and that faith could be obtained only by a more particular and solemn application to God than they had used on this occa- sion : " for that kind could come forth by nothing but by fasting and prayer0."
Miraculous gifts having ceased in the Church, we shall forbear to speak of them. But the power of Satan over men has not ceased : the only difference is, that formerly he could operate immediately upon the body, by a preternatural power, without any concur- rence on our part ; whereas now he can only act on the soul, through the medium of our own corruptions, and in concurrence with our own will. But, as for- merly, it was not in the power of unassisted man to withstand his efforts ; so neither at this time can we hope to prevail against him, but by a power received from on high. This is true at all times, and under all circumstances : but there are times and seasons when he appears to have assaulted us with more than ordinary violence, and to have gained a peculiar advantage over us, through the instrumentality of some deep-rooted corruption. To withstand him then, is found more difficult than at other times ; and we can do nothing against him, without such a measure of grace and strength as is communicated to
c Compare Matt. xvii. 19 — 21. with the text.
t rV