In whatever form, therefore, the Tempter accost you, yield not to discouragement; flee not from him; but meet him boldly with this answer, "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan."

2. Christ is present with his servants in all their conflicts; present to witness their exertions, present to aid them. He himself suffered being tempted that he might be able to succour them that are tempted.* Was he with Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego in the burning fiery furnace, and will he leave you alone when tried in the fire of temptation? Whilst the disciples were tossed upon the sea, his heart and his arm was with them, even whilst he was engaged upon the mountain in prayer. Nor was he less able to calm the storm whilst alone upon the shore, than when present with them in the ship. But he graciously compassionated their weakness even whilst he rebuked it, and relieved their fears by

Heb. ii. 18.

those condescending words, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." So, brethren, be assured he is present with you in all your troubles, though you see him not, by his all-pervading Spirit, nor will he suffer the billows to overwhelm, though they may toss and terrify, you.

3. Lastly, whilst you use the armour provided for you, victory in the end is certain. The exhortation in the text implies this assurance...." that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Though the contest may be fierce and long protracted, yet you shall be enabled both to stand your ground and to keep the field. Let St. Paul's experience comfort you. It was recorded for your encouragement. "At my first answer," says he, "no man stood with me, but all men forsook me." Was his case then hopeless? No. Notwithstanding," he adds,

66

the

Lord stood with me and strengthened. me....and I was delivered out of the

* Mark vi. 50.

mouth of the lion." And mark how he regarded one deliverance as the pledge of future deliverance, yea, of final salvation. "And the Lord shall deliver

me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom."* And will not He that delivered Paul, deliver you also, if, like Paul, you fight the good fight of faith? Assuredly He will. "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it."† "The God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." He, under whose banner you were in baptism solemnly sworn to fight against sin, the world, and the Devil, has himself fought all your enemies and overcome them. And he has left this promise for the encouragement of all his faithful followers-" To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am

2 Tim. iv. 16-18. + 1 Cor. x. 13.

Rom. xvi. 20.

set down with my Father in his throne.He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."*

up:

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

We greatly underrate the importance of the miracles recorded by the Evangelists, if we view them merely as proofs of the Divine power and mission of our Lord!? Undoubtedly they are most important