be strengthened by an angel from heaven h, well may we suppose that he will not suffer us to pass unmolested and unassailed.]
But God has promised to " bruise him under our feet"—
[God is " the God of peace " primarily as being reconciled to us through the death of his Son : but he has this name assigned to him in our text chiefly as delighting in the social order and the personal happiness of his people. In this view he enters the lists against our great adversary, and undertakes to subdue him for us. Already has he given us an earnest of our triumph in enabling his Son to "bruise that serpent's head" upon the cross1 ; and it is a very short time that that wicked one shall retain the present remnant of his power. Though permitted to fight against us, his rage is overruled for the benefit of the saints and the glory of God : and, as when he possessed the bodies of men, his malice always terminated in his own confusion, so, in every instance, shall he be foiled in his endeavours to destroy the souls that belong to Christ. He is even now a vanquished enemy k; and soon shall the very weakest believer trample on him, as Joshua trampled on the necks of the kings of Canaan1.]
If we desire this mercy at the hands of God, we shall be glad to know,
II. The way in which we may expect him to accom- plish it — However various his dealings may be with different persons in some minute particulars, there are general rules which he will observe towards all :
1. He will increase the triumphs of his people over
Satan in this world —
[Satan gains great advantage over young Christians by means of their unsubdued corruptions, and their inexperience in the spiritual warfare. To defeat his malignant efforts, God increases the strength of his people, and gives them a deeper insight into the devices of their enemy. He clothes them with divine armour, and teaches them how to use the sword of the Spirit, and the shield of faith m. By exercise he renders them expert soldiers, and enables them to " war a good warfare." Instead of exposing themselves needlessly to danger, they are now taught to " watch and be sober ;" instead of indulging a vain conceit of their own purity and strength, they are led to
h Matt. iv. 11. and Luke xxii. 43.
1 Gen. iii. 15. and Col. ii. 15. k John xii. 31.
1 Josh. x. 24. m Eph. vi. 13—17.