on which it was laid11. To all such efforts he says in his heart, " Jesus I know, and Paul I know ; but who are ye ? " It should seem indeed, that men, feeling the authority of God's law, and the terrors of his wrath, should be able to effect any thing : but our arm is paralysed, and we cannot stretch it forth, unless the Lord Jesus Christ himself enable us. Hence we are told, that " what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sent his own Son to effect, namely, to condemn sin in the flesh, and to cause that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in usq." We need only call to mind the case of Peter, to convince us, that our strongest resolutions are only as tow before the fire, when we are under the influence of any violent temptation; and that, unless the Lord Jesus strengthen our faith, Satan will sift us as wheat, and manifest us to be light as chaff.]
Application —
In this subject all are interested : for though the states of men are widely different from each other, we all have to do with this great enemy, as captivated by him, or conflicting with him, or victorious over him. We will address ourselves therefore to these different classes : to,
1. The captivated —
[But where shall we find any of this description ? We read indeed in the Scriptures, of some who are " taken in the snare of the devil, and are led captive by him at his will1:" but are there any such in our day ? The idea of Satanic influence is almost expunged from modern creeds : but if we believe the Bible, we must believe that this influence still operates on the minds of men. Would we know whether it is exerted over us ? it will be no difficult matter to determine this. Are we disobedient, wilfully and habitually disobedient, to any one command of God ? it is Satan that instigates us to that rebellion8. Are we ignorant of the Gospel as our one source of life, and peace, and holiness ? it is Satan that blinds our eyes, and keeps us from beholding the light of the know- ledge of the glory of Christ4. Consult then the experience of your souls on these points : inquire into the liveliness of your faith, and the conformity of your practice to the word of God ; and, unless you have been truly converted by the grace of Christ, you will be constrained to acknowledge, that you are under the power of that cruel adversary. View then your state, and see how deplorable it is : the condition of that poor
P 2 Kings iv. 31. <i Rom. vih. 3. r 2 Tim. ii. 26.
8 Eph. ii. 2. ' 2 Cor. iv. 4.