to ascertain their meaning is, to consider the occasions on which they were spoken.
When our Lord uttered the words of our text, he had been arguing against those who imputed his miracles to a confede- racy with Satan ; and had shewn, that as the whole aim of his life was to destroy the influence of Satan over men, Satan would never have aided him in such a work ; he would rather have withstood him to the utmost of his power: and conse- quently, the miracle which Jesus had wrought in expelling Satan from the demoniac, evinced his power over Satan, and his determination finally to bruise him under his people's feet. From hence our Lord took occasion to observe, that there must be the same determined hostility in his power against sin and Satan as he himself had evinced ; and that, if any of them should make a truce with Satan even for an hour, they would instantly be considered as traitors to him, and be dealt with as his enemies.
But when our Lord spake the words recorded b}' St. Mark, he had been reproving his disciples for presuming to forbid a man to cast out devils in the name of Jesus, merely because he did not associate himself with them : " Forbid him not," says our Lord: ' he is not a partisan of yours, it is true: but he is advancing my interests, as well as you ; only he is doing it in a somewhat different way. His performing of miracles in my name is a proof of his faith in me, and of his concern for my honour : and therefore, though he may not have so clear views as you, or walk exactly in the way that you would have him, yet he is to be acknowledged as a friend of mine : he does nothing against me ; and therefore must be considered as on my side.'
Thus the two passages, though apparently opposite, involve no contradiction whatever : the one shews us how to act towards the avowed enemies of Christ ; the other, how to act towards his less conspicuous friends : the one forbids neutrality ; the other bigotry, or party-spirit.']
Viewing these words then as a declaration that neutrality cannot be endured amongst the followers of Christ, we proceed, II. To confirm it —
There is a twofold warfare, which, as Christian soldiers, we are to maintain ; and to each of them does the declaration in our text apply. We must be decided and constant in our opposition to,
1. The enemies of Christ within us — [Amongst these we must number all our corrupt affections and propensities, which tend to the subversion of Christ's