controul. If seven spirits only possess some, Legion is the name of others1".]
While he takes up his abode in them, he keeps all in peace —
[One would think that a soul possessed by him should be filled with horror ; but he contrives to divert the thoughts of men from all their spiritual concerns: he blinds their minds so that they cannot see their real state : he fills them with a presumptuous confidence that they shall do well at last". Perhaps he makes them laugh at the idea of Satanic influence. He suggests that God is too merciful to inflict eternal punish- ment, and that all apprehensions of divine wrath are the effects of superstition or enthusiasm. If at any time they are im- pressed by the word of God, he catches it away, lest they should believe it and be saved0. Thus he continually deceives his vassals, and lulls them asleep in a most fatal security.]
There is One however, even Jesus, who is stronger than he —
[Satan indeed is a roaring lion : but Jesus is the all- powerful Lion of the tribe of Judahp. Satan is the serpent that bruised the heel of Jesus: but Jesus is the woman's seed that effectually bruised his headq. Jesus vanquished him in repeated combats r, and at last triumphed over him upon the cross s: yea, and led him captive in his resurrection and ascen- sion t : nor does he exercise less power in his people than he then did for themu. His grace is sufficient to fortify us against the fiercest assaults of Satan x: nor shall the weakness of his people counteract or retard his career of victory y.]
Nor can Satan any longer retain his hold when
Jesus comes to eject him —
[Satan strove indeed to the utmost to keep possession of the bodies of men ; nor relinquished them at last without the most strenuous efforts to destroy them2. Thus will he main- tain a conflict with Jesus in their souls. If he be driven from the outworks, he will defend himself in the citadel. Sometimes he may appear for a season to defy Omnipotence itself; but in due season he is invariably overcome. His strong holds, one after another, are demolished a, and he is constrained to sur- render the palace which he can no longer keep.]
m Luke xi. 26. with viii. 30.
n Compare 1 Kings xxii. 22. with Jer. vi. 14.
0 Luke viii. 12. p Rev. v. 5. <i Gen. iii. 15.
r Matt. iv. 10. John xiv. 30. andxvi. 11. 3 Col. ii. 15.
4 Eph. iv. 8. « 1 John iv. 4. x 2 Cor. xii. 7—9.
y Rev. vi. 2. z Mark ix. 20, 26. a 2 Cor. x. 5.
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