could never dwell upon it too much; ** We preach not ourselves," says he, " but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
It is however to the other parts of the text that we wish to draw your attention at this time : they exhibit in a contrasted view,
I. The great powers that interest themselves about the souls of men —
Satan is more earnestly occupied respecting us than we are aware of —
[The power here called " the god of this world" is most assuredly the devil. His character is put in direct opposition to, that of Jehovah ; and therefore, however august the title may appear, it must be understood in reference to him, who has shewn himself from the beginning the great enemy both of God and man. He is called the god of this world, because the whole world lies under his dominion. Not that he is the rightful governor ; he is a vile usurper, that has reduced our fallen race under his power, and exercises over them the most despotic sway. Repeatedly is he called by Christ himself, " the prince of this world ;" and by the Apostle, " the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." It is by blinding their minds that he retains his power, and makes them account that liberty, which is, in fact, the sorest bondage. Is it asked. How does he blind their minds? We answer. He has a multitude of devices, which cannot be discovered without much deep expe- rience, and much divine instruction. He puffs us up with a conceit that we know enough already ; and thereby keeps us from seeking information. He stimulates us to the gratifica- tion of our corrupt propensities, that we may have neither leisure nor inclination to attend to our spiritual concerns. He fills us with prejudice against the doctrines of the Gospel as erroneous, and against the ministers and people of God as hypocrites or enthusiasts; and thus confirms us in our natural enmity against God himself. Sometimes he represents God as too merciful to punish ; and, at other times, as too inexorable to forgive ; and thus either lulls us aleep in security, or ener- vates us by despondency. By these and other wiles too nume- rous to recount, he keeps men in his snares, and " leads them captive at his will."]
Jehovah also condescends to interest himself in our behalf —
[The God of heaven is here opposed to the God of this world ; and is described by an expression of his omnipotence