CHAPTER VII. TRIUMPH OVER TEMPTATION. THERE is a triumph over temptation spoken of in the word of God; and it is spoken of, not as something doubtful, or even attainable merely ; but as something absolutely certain, and actually attained. It is explicitly promised by Jehovah, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." Isa. liv. 16. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Rom. xvi. 20. It is confidently anticipated by persons even while in conflict with the tempter: "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." Micah vii. 8. It is actually possessed and rejoiced in: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Rom. viii. 37. The first question that here presents itself to us is,-Who are the persons to whom this triumph is secured? for that it is not secured to all, is evident from the fact, constantly presenting itself before our eyes, of such multitudes being led captive by the devil at his will. They are the children of God, or godly persons, as appears from those passages of Scripture which have been just quoted as referring to the triumph. In immediate connexion with the promise, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper," is the declaration: "This," that is, this privilege of superiority over every attack that may be made upon them,-" This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is with me, saith the Lord." The persons under whose feet the apostle declares God shall shortly bruise Satan, are persons of whom he predicates that their "obedience is come abroad unto all men." It is the church that, in her distress and conflict with her spiritual adversaries, asserts confidence in future victory, in the language, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." And when the apostle, as in actual enjoyment of the fruits of victory, affirms, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us," he is personating "God's elect," whom he declares to be justified by God, and redeemed, and interceded for by Christ, and united to Christ by a principle of love. The next question that here presents itself is, What is it that secures to these persons this triumph? for, at the same time that it is admitted that they are possessed of religious principle, which of itself, while it is in active operation, is amply sufficient to secure them against the successful attacks of Satan, it must also be admitted that, from the infirmities of our nature, and the remains of depravity which will always be found in us in the present state, the operations of this principle are occasionally suspended; when, as is awfully proved by examples, we most lamentably yield to Satan. And the cause from which we yield to Satan once, might lead us to yield to him repeatedly, until he gain a final victory over us. It seems requisite that, in order to secure to them a final triumph over temptation, the operation of the principle of holiness existing in them should also be secured to them. This is secured to them. The uninterrupted operation of this principle, indeed, is not, as we have seen, secured to them; but the general and final operation of it is. The saints may halt, but they will not turn back and walk no more with Christ the righteous may stumble, and even decline, for a season, from their path; still, however, they shall hold on their way, and be stronger and stronger. The purpose of God secures this to them. "He has chosen them in Christ before the foundation of the world, that they should be holy and without blame before him in love having predestinated them unto the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ, to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will;" but in any other case than that of their final perseverance, this purpose will become void. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ, together with the work of the Holy Spirit, secures it to them: for Christ has not only given himself for them, that he might redeem them from all iniquity, and purify them unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; but he has really sent to them the Spirit, who is actually effecting for them this redemption and purification. It belongs to man frequently to abandon an undertaking, but it does not belong to the Lord to do it. What Christ has died to accomplish, therefore, and what the Holy Spirit is actually effecting, we may reasonably expect will be consummated. "Grace will complete what grace begins, The work that wisdom undertakes, Eternal mercy ne'er forsakes." The intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of God in heaven, also secures it to them. He is there praying on their behalf, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world." Our Lord's petitions to his Father, he himself informs us, are at all times available. "I know," says he, addressing his heavenly Father, that thou hearest me always." This prayer, then, will avail: they must, therefore, persevere. 66 Their perseverance in holiness being thus secured to the saints, the strongest confidence has been expressed by some of them in it. "The |