become a raving savage, is just as truly possessed by devils, to his
own misery and ruin, that he may sow the wind and reap the
whirlwind; that though men may speak well of him, and posterity
praise his saying, and speak good of the covetous whom God
abhorreth, yet he may go for ever unto his own, to the evil spirits
to whom his own wicked will gave him up for a prey. I beseech you,
my friends, consider my words; they are not mine, but the Bible's.
Think of them with fear;--and yet with confidence, for we are
baptised into the name of Him who conquered all devils; you may
claim a share in that Spirit which is opposite to all evil spirits,--
whose presence makes the agony and misery of evil spirits, and
drives them out as water drives out fire. If He is on your side,
why should you be afraid of any spirit? Greater is He that is in
you than he that is against you; and He, Christ Himself, is with
every man, every child, who struggles, however blindly and weakly,
against temptation. When temptation comes, when evil looks
pleasant, and arguments rise up in your mind, that seem to make it
look right and reasonable, as well as pleasant, THEN, out of the
very depths of your hearts, cry after Him who died for you. Say to
yourselves, 'How can I do this thing, and offend against Him who
bought me with His blood?' Say to Him, 'I am weak, I am confused; I
do not see right from wrong; I cannot find my way; I cannot answer
the devil; I cannot conquer these cunning thoughts; I know in the
bottom of my heart that they are wrong, mere temptations, and yet
they look so reasonable. Blessed Saviour, THOU must shew me where
they are wrong. Thou didst answer the devil Thyself out of God's
Word, put into MY mind some answer out of God's Word to these
temptations; or, at least, give me spirit to toss them off--strength
of will to thrust the whole temptation out of my head, and say, I
will parley no longer with the devil; I will put the whole matter