Vigilance —
[Unwatchfulness, even in a victorious army, exposes it to defeat: much more must it subject us to the power of our subtle enemy. St. Peter had experienced its baneful effects. He had been warned of Satan's intention to assault himu. He had been commanded to pray lest he should fall by the temp- tation1; but he slept when he should have been praying y. He stands in this respect, like Lot's wifez, a monument to future generations ; but vigilance on our part will counteract the designs of Satan. The armed Christian, watching unto prayer, must be victoriousa.]
Fortitude —
[The timid Christian falls into a thousand snaresb. The only way to obtain a victory is, to fight manfully; and this is the duty of every follower of Christ0. We must never give way to Satan d. We are called to wrestle and contend with hime; nor shall our resistance be in vainf.]
Faith—
[Unbelief is a powerful instrument in the hands of Satan. He excites it in us that he may turn us from the faith : we must therefore hold fast the doctrines of faith. We should not suffer ourselves to be moved from the hope of the Gospel : this is our anchor whereby we must outride the storm g. We must also steadfastly exercise the grace of faith. This is the weapon whereby we overcome the world h; and by this shall we triumph over Satan himself1.]
Application —
[Let not the ungodly despise this adversary; but let them seek deliverance from him through the Gospel k; and let the godly be continually on their guard against him1, so shall they experience that promised blessing™ — ]
u Luke xxii. 31. x Luke xxii. 40. >' Lukexxii. 45, 46. z Luke xvii. 32. a Eph. vi. 18. b Prov. xxix. 25.
c Eph. vi. 10, 13. d Eph. iv. 27. e Eph. vi. 12.
f Jam. iv. 7. Satan is not only checked but terrified, and van- quished, by the resistance of the weakest Christian.
g Heb. vi. 19. *» 1 John v. 4. * Eph. vi. 16.
k Acts xxvi. 18. '2 Cor. xi. 3. m Rom. xvi. 20.
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