stiW furnished for his reception^ Wherever this is the
case, he will surely, however expelled for a season, return ere long with increased power.]
On his return to them their state will be worse than ever —
[The Holy Spirit will be grieved, provoked, quenched'; and when once men are " beguiled from the simplicity that is in Christ," their minds will be more closed against the truth than ever. Their consciences will be silenced, and made cal- lous". Their evil habits also will return, and gain an irresistible dominion ; and the deliverance, which they have neglected to improve, will fearfully aggravate their final condemnation^.]
Inquire —
1. Whether ye have ever yet been delivered from Satan —
[Perhaps many doubt whether they have ever been pos- sessed by Satan ; but this alone is sufficient to prove, that they are yet under his dominion. That usurper reigns in all till he is vanquished and expelled by Jesus Christ ; and it is only in answer to fervent prayer, that the adorable Saviour puts forth his power to drive him out. Examine then whether ye have ever thus resisted Satan, and obtained deliverance from him through the power and grace of Christ.]
2. Be daily maintaining a strict watch against him —
[If he has been cast out of us, he is seeking an opportu- nity to return ; nor can he be kept away, but by constant prayer and watchfulness. Let us then guard every avenue of our hearts. Let us implore the aid of our divine inhabitant. The exertion of our own powers in dependence on the inter- cession and grace of Christ, will ensure us a successful issue of the conflict J'.]
s Many there are who embrace the Gospel, and experience its power so far as to turn them from open gross sin ; but they after- Avards imbibe false doctrines, or engage in matters of doubtful disputation ; and thus change their outward lusts for others that are still more malignant, such as superstition, pride, bigotry, intolerance. Their service is different ; but their Master is the same ; and their dispositions invite the return of Satan as strongly as the most inve- terate lusts could do.
t Eph. iv. 30. Isai. Ixiii. 10. 1 Thess. v. 19. " 1 Tim. iv. 2.
'^ 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. y Jam. iy. 7. with Luke xxii. 31, 32.
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