yielded, he advanced. In every successful temptation, Satan gains upon us, and takes a position which we ought to have kept.

With the philosophy of this subject we have nothing to do, but only with the fact itself. The Sacred Writers as much support the doctrine of Diabolical Agency, as of Divine. They make use of the same terms and phrases in the one case, as in the other. Is God said to open the eyes of our understanding? Satan is said to blind the minds of them that believe not. Is God said to work in us to will and to do? Satan is the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, Are Christians filled with the Spirit? Why, says Peter to Ananias, has Satan filled thine heart?

But, while the fact is proved, nothing is said of the mode in which his operations are carried on. We cannot think, however, that it is always done personally and immediately. This would involve an impossibility. If he were thus soliciting every individual in every part of the earth at the same time (and his work is always going on), he must be omnipresent and omniscient. But he is the god of this world; and having under him all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life; and having all the errors and the wickedness which he has introduced into our region to make use of; and such a depraved nature as ours to work upon-he has power enough to employ mediately for all his purposes. The bird need not be afraid of the fowler, if he keeps away from his gun, and his snare; for he is not in much danger from his fingers. How is the fish taken? The angler does not wade into the water, and seize it in his hand. He does not even see his prey: but he reaches it, and secures it, by a baited hook at the end of his line, and his rod yet he catches the fish; and would do the same if his instrument was a mile long.

There are many reasons why we should not

give place to the Devil. One is, because his designs are always bad. He may transform himself into an angel of light. And he may endeavour to introduce his evils and mischiefs under specious names: representing covetousness as laying up for the children; and pride as dignity; and revenge as a becoming spirit; and trimming in religion as prudence; and conformity to the world as winning others-Thus we are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. But we ought not to be ignorant of Satan's devices. We read of his depths, and his wiles-and God in his Word tears off all his disguises; and shews us at once that his aim is only to ensnare, and enslave, and rob, and degrade, and wound, and destroy. He, therefore, that yields, wrongeth his own soul, and loves death.

Another is, because the more you give way, the more advantage he has over you. It will always be found much more easy to keep him out, than to get him out. When the Moors were admitted into Spain, they staid there for more than six hundred years, in spite of every groan and effort so much harder is expulsion than exclusion.

Let us therefore avoid parleying with this enemy. He will rise in his demands with every concession. He is not to be treated with, but rejected. Let us guard against beginnings; they increase unto more ungodliness. In this down-hill course we easily proceed from evil to evil. When a person walks out in the morning clean in his apparel, he is cautious how he treads; and the first soil he contracts affects him; but the second offends less; and the fourth much less still; till he says, "It matters not now," and heedlessly dashes on. The youth is not profligate at once: but evil communications corrupt good manners. The first time he complies with a temptation he feels a reluctance, and after the crime is committed, his conscience smites him. But a degree of this is overcome by every subsequent repetition;

and the profaner of the Sabbath, and the drunkard, and the sensualist, go boldly on, waxing worse and worse. One sin naturally leads to another; prepares for another; pleads for another; and renders another necessary, either by way of finish or concealment. Thus David, to hide his adultery, commits murder; and then impiously ascribes this to the providence of God" The sword smiteth all alike !"

Another reason is, because you need not yield. You are not forced. If the Devil compelled you, he would also justify you; for there can be no guilt where there is no liberty. The motives to sin can never be so great as the arguments to forbear. What can weigh for a moment against the authority of an Infinite Being on whom we entirely depend? And what is any indulgence or suffering, compared with endless happiness or misery? Would God have enjoined upon us a thing that is impracticable? And is not his grace sufficient for us? And is it not attainable by us? Is not his promise true, Ask and it shall be given you? And in the history and experience of his people in all ages, do we not see proof of this? Have not multitudes in the same condition, exposed to the same perils, feeling the same weaknesses and depravity, been more than conquerors?

Finally, resistance is the way to success, and insures it. Hence, says God, resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Can God be mistaken? Can he deceive?-And does not every one know that persons slacken in any course or action, in proportion as they want encouragement? For hope is the mainspring of motion. If a beggar be relieved, however slenderly or seldom, he will in extremity repair to the door again-but not if he be positively and invariably refused.

Resist, therefore, stedfastly; and shew that you are in earnest and determined. For there is a heartless undecided refusal that invites renewed applicationor at leaat does not shut the door entirely against

importunity. If Satan cannot look into the heart, he is acquainted with the ways in which it shews itself; and is sure to know whether there is a latent wandering after what is professedly renounced-and so will be led to watch his opportunity, and work his

means.

But the Apostle adds, Resist him stedfastlyin the faith. There is no fighting on a quagmire. Faith furnishes the only solid, the only safe ground on which we can contend. Faith clothes us with the whole armour of God. Faith connects us with the Captain of our salvation, without whom we can do nothing; but through whose strengthening of us we can do all things

JUNE 22.-" He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria." John iv. 3, 4.

For two reasons. Because Samaria lay in his passage-and because he had in design the conversion of this poor woman. We cannot imagine an event of such magnitude in itself-for there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth; and attended with such consequences as this was-for it involved the salvation also of many of the Samaritans: we cannot imagine

that such an event was accidental. Nothing takes place by chance in our most common affairs-and is the conversion of a soul for everlasting blessedness a casualty?

In the recovery of sinners the grace of God is equally necessary and illustrious-By grace are we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast: for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. And in the conversion Jesus here accomplished, we have an example of this grace. An example of its freeness; of its gentleness; of its power; and of its effects.

Of its freeness-in selecting this wicked wretch, in spite of her unworthiness, and without her desire; and making her not only the partaker, but the instrument of his goodness.

Of its gentleness-in having recourse to no means of alarm; no violence. No angel appears with a drawn sword; no lightnings flash; no thunder rolls; no threatening terrifies. All is mercy, all is mildness: and he employs circumstances the most natural and suitable, to bring her to conviction, and to induce her to pray.

Of its power-in the victory it gained over the corruptions of her heart. If there be a moral disorder that seems incurable; or an evil capable of resisting all reasoning and motive; it is the spirit of impurity. But behold here a new creature. She is not only pardoned, but renewed; and the change wrought at once!

Of its effects-She not only believes with the heart, but confesses with the mouth. She is not only enlightened, but inflamed. No sooner has she gained good, than she is concerned to do good. Personal religion becomes social. She cannot for a moment keep from others what she has seen and heard herself What benevolence! What zeal! What urgency! What fortitude!

"The woman