Suffer ye now, brethren, a word of exhortation —
1. Adhere with firmness to the Lord Jesus Christ —
[Many forsook him in the days of his flesh and
many, at this day, like the stony-gronnd heavers, fall away in a season of temptation and persecution. But " be ye steadfast and immoveable," even to the end ; " following the Lord fully," and " cleaving to him with full purpose of heart" ]
2. Expect with confidence his promised blessings —
[Think of the state to which many whom you once knew on earth are now exalted in heaven : and think in how little a time you also will be partakers of the same blessings. Know, that, if ye be Christ's, all these things are yours, secured by a covenant that cannot be broken. What glory can this world give you, in comparison of this? Contemplate this: follow this : anticipate this : and you need not fear what either men or devils can do unto you.]
Luke xxii. 31, 32. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat : but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.
THE agency, or even the existence, of evil spirits is scarcely credited amongst us; but there is nothing more certain than that they exist, and act in the world. To conflict with them, constitutes a principal part of the Christian's warfare3; and to be aware of their devices is no inconsiderable attainment in Christian knowledge b. There is however a Being who is able to counteract their agency : and of this we have a proof in the history before us. Satan, the prince of the devils, meditated the destruction of Peter. Our Lord with affection and earnestness warned Peter of his designs; and, by his own intercession, secured him against his assaults. I. The malice of Satan —
Satan is the great adversary of mankind —
a Eph. vi. 12. b 2 Cor. ii. 11.