the suitableness and all-sufficiency of Christ's righteousness to all those who trust in itd, and leads them, with holy glorying, to say, " In the Lord have I righteousness and strength e."]
He has yet further undertaken,
III. To convince the world of judgment —
He shewed to the first Christians that Satan was a vanquished foe —
[By the descent of the Spirit it was manifest, that Christ had triumphed over sin and Satan, death and hellf. By his gracious influences also, he rescued myriads from their power, and inspired them with an holy confidence, that they should finally prevail over all their spiritual enemies g.]
Thus at this day does he cause the weakest to exult over their fallen enemy —
[However active and malicious Satan is, his head is bruised11, his power is limited', his doom is fixed k. Of this the Holy Spirit assures the weak and trembling believer; and puts into his mouth, even in the midst of all his conflicts, that triumphant song1 — ]
Uses —
1. Of conviction —
[All true Christians have received the Spirit for the ends and purposes for which he is here promised. In vain then will be our orthodoxy in sentiment, if we have not this evidence of our conversion to Godm. Let us pray that the Spirit may be poured out upon us; and let our views of our guilt and weak- ness lead us to glory in Christ alone.]
2. Of consolation —
[Are we bowed down with a sense of sin? we may be sure that Christ has sent his Spirit to work that conviction in us ; and that, if we be instant in prayer, he will, by the same Spirit, lead us also to a view of his righteousness. Are we ready to despond by reason of the power of sin ? the resistance which the Holy Spirit has enabled us already to make to its domi- nion, is a pledge that " we shall be more than conquerors, through Him that loved usn." Let us only seek the Spirit as our Comforter, and we need regret no loss, no pain, no trouble, that may be the means of bringing him into our hearts.]
d ver. 14. e Isai. xlv. 24. f Eph. iv. 8. Col. ii. 15.
s 2Tim.i. 12. h Gen. iii. 15. J Rev. ii. 10. 1 Pet. v. 8.
k Rom. xvi. 20. • Rom. viii.38,89. m Rom. viii. 9. 11 Rom. viii. 37.