powerful for us, through the work of Christ; and in us, through the operation of his Spirit on our souls.
Behold its power for us ! Satan had ruined our first parents, and, with them, their descendants also throughout the whole world ; over whom he had usurped and exercised the most despotic sway. Hence he is called " the god of this world," and " the prince of the power of the air ; the spirit that worketh in all the children of disobedience*." But the Lord Jesus Christ undertook to rescue us from his domi- nion, and to establish his own empire over every child of man. And how would he effect this ? Would it be in the way of mighty conquerors, who subdue the world by force ? No ; but by giving himself up into the power of his enemies, and suffering them to put him to death upon the cross. Yes, strange as this way of conquering was, " by death he overcame him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered them who, through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage5." When he hanged upon the cross as an expiring malefactor, and was himself to all appearance subdued, it was even then that " he spoiled all the principalities and powers of hell, and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in his crossV And this one record, ' That he died for sinners upon the cross,' is the instrument which, from that very moment, has been effectual for the demolition of Satan's empire, and for the establishment of Christ's kingdom throughout the world. This one record has been a. wreapon which neither men nor devils have been able to with- stand : it has been " mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong-holds, and bringing the very thoughts of men into captivity to the obedience of Christ1." See the effect of it throughout all the Roman empire : how did all the gods of the heathen fall before it ; and all the prejudices and passions of mankind yield to its sway ! Yes, foolish as it seemed, and weak, "the foolishness of God was wiser than
f 2 Cor. iv. 4. and Eph. ii. 2. s Heb. ii. 14, 15.
h Col. ii. 15. ; 2 Cor. x. 4,5.