detesting the base servitude to which he submitted under the government of Satan. These, in proportion as they are enter- tained, form a very strong rampart around his soul.
Now he cherishes also jealous thoughts, aware of the sub- tilty of his great adversary, and of the traitors which yet remain within his own bosom. He stands upon his watch- tower, and guards every avenue whereby his enemy may again approach to hurt him.
Now also he raises up grateful thoughts, magnifying and adoring that love wherewith his blessed Lord has loved him, and that grace whereby his God and Father has distinguished him ". These form a bulwark that may defy all the confederate hosts of earth and hell.
Now moreover he forms resolute thoughts. He is menaced by an ungodly world ; but he sets them all at defiance. Is he told that he shall be imprisoned and put to death for his adherence to Christ? He answers, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself'^;" " I am willing not only to be bound, but also to die for my Lord's sake^:" "Yea, if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all, and desire that you also will joy and rejoice with me^."
In short, he labours that " every thought" which can give advantage to the enemy, may be " cast down," and every thought which can maintain the authority and promote the honour of God, may be established in the soul: so entirely does Christ overcome the strong man, and convert to his own use all his spoils ^]
We may learn from hence,
\. How to judge of our conversion —
[Our words or actions are a very inadequate criterion whereby to judge: foi", though they must of necessity be good if we are converted, and a want of piety in them will incon- testably prove us unconverted, yet there may be nothing mani- festly exceptionable in them, while we are still ignorant of Christ and of his salvation. But the thoughts will form an infallible rule of judgment. " As a man thinketh in his heart," says Solomon, "so is he''." Examine therefore whether proud, unbelieving, worldly, self-righteous, and desponding thoughts are subdued within you ; and whether humble, jea- lous, grateful, and resolute thoughts are in habitual exercise. Far be it from us to say, that men are not to employ their thoughts about worldly things ; for their duties in social life absolutely require that they should do so : but, to whatever
u 1 John iii. 1. ^ Acts xx. 24. v Acts xxi. 13.
== Phil. ii. 17, 18. ^ Luke xi. 21, 22. ^ Prov. xxiii. 7.