are." Now it is high time to wield the sword of the Spirit against the tempter, to meet him with the word, "The Lord knoweth them that are his;" (2 Tim. ii. 19.) and to let that suffice.

But in such circumstances some fall into grievous

errors.

One is guilty of shameful falsehood, inasmuch as he boasts of spiritual experiences which he has not really attained.

Another yields to criminal impulses, since he speaks of frames of mind, in his own case, which God alone can produce, and which he does not possess.

This man acts with scandalous dissimulation, whilst he hypocritically arrogates to himself the anointing which has not yet been granted him, even for a

moment.

That man is stained with black impurity, because he endeavours to make men believe that the works which he has done by his own act have been wrought in him by the Spirit of God.

And what abominations can be greater in the eyes of God than these?

Well may the devil insultingly laugh, when he succeeds in casting the children of God into such a sink as this.

"Cast thyself down," said Satan, and would add the reason, viz. that thereby he might carry forward the purposes and the counsel of God. And earnestly did he desire to excite in the mind of Jesus any

degree of impatience as to the slow progress of his work of redemption.

D 3

And O! how gladly would he stir up in believers the motions of impatience; how eagerly does he spur them on to self-imposed exercises, in order to perfect their holiness, and urge them to endeavour, by rapid strides, to mount to the highest step of the ladder in the attainment of their individual glory. With what importunity does he call to them to "leap down and choose the shortest way;" for the base deceiver is well aware that such a hurrying forwards is only a falling back, since it is a turning away from the throne of grace and the blood of the Lamb, and he knows that in such ways, of our own choosing, no angels will bear us in their hands, but that we shall only dash our feet against the stones, and that we shall fall into darkness, pride, and self-sufficiency.

Are they witnesses and ministers of the word whom he thus deceives? O, how doth he rejoice when they think the time long till God shall crown their labours, and how sedulously doth he cherish this impatience in their souls, and with what delight doth he cry, "Cast thyself down from the pinnacle of the temple." And with what exultation doth he look on when they obey his voice, and endeavour, with their own wildfire, to kindle the desires of the congregation, and with fleshly tumult to excite the people, so to speak, to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and whilst God doth it not, to gird themselves, to anoint and equip themselves for the war.

This is a day of rejoicing to the devil, for he knows that now at least he has succeeded, and that under such dark and earthly impulses the Holy Ghost will not make himself known.

Those by whom the Lord will execute his purposes of mercy are broken instruments, and are submissive to the will of their God, and are cheerfully led and directed by the Saviour. And this is as it should be. Violence and precipitation can effect nothing in this great work.

XII.

SATAN ARMED WITH THE WORD OF GOD.

"IF thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down." So spake the devil to Jesus-a most difficult task.

But the children of God have dared to attempt deeds of greater peril. Peter ventured, notwithstanding its rage, to walk upon the stormy sea; (Matt. xiv. 29.) and the three children recorded in Daniel, encountered the burning fiery furnace; and they suffered no injury. (Dan. iii. 27.)

In all things is it given in command to the angels of God, to bear us up in their hands. They are attached to us, as a body-guard and safe-conduct, on whose guidance and protection, in all the way in which God has commanded us to go, it is our privilege joyfully to

reckon.

Relying on that promise, Jesus might have cast himself from the pinnacle of the temple; but he did it not. And why? Because God had not expressly directed him. Scarcely was the satanic suggestion made, when probably the divine promise presented itself to the soul of Jesus. "No, thought the pure Lamb, for such selfchosen way is the promise not given," and if Satan said,

SATAN ARMED WITH THE WORD OF GOD. 61

"The Lord will give his angels charge concerning thee," our Lord repelled him with weapons taken out of the heavenly armoury of the word; "Jesus said unto him, it is written, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God;" and again was Satan vanquished.

But what is meant by tempting God? It is that which we have described, namely, voluntarily to go into danger, that God may deliver us.

To such unworthy courses would the devil endeavour to lead us, and for this purpose he has committed to memory the most striking promises of God, that he may take us by surprise. Therefore, when some word of God is presented to us, to induce us to take some daring step, let us ask, whether this word is suited to our case, and whether we also have a warrant to rest upon it in such circumstances. Thus it will become clear, who has presented to us the word, and Satan will not so easily seduce us.

If a man comes to you, and says, "Steer out into those furious breakers, and rescue a brother out of the surge, for it is written, • When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.'" (Isa. xliii. 2.) If he says to you, "Go into that house on fire, and snatch that screaming child out of the flames, for God has said, When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.'" (Isa. xliii. 2.) Do you hear a voice within you, saying, "Give to that poor hungry soul your last penny, for it is written, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'" (Matt. xxv. 40.) Then, my friend,