fro on the earth, as presenting himself at a set time before God, in an easy familiar manner, to slander and accuse that good man, and to obtain leave to inflict suffering and calamities upon him. But the writer of the book never takes notice of any such thing afterwards; and therefore it is only to be looked upon as poetical embellishment taken from the popular idea, and to signify and teach, that evil as well as good, every thing is dispensed to his creatures by the permission of Almighty God only, and for the best purposes.

In our Saviour's time the Jews had fallen still more into the use of this heathen language, and of Satan coming and entering into men, where nothing is intended, but their own evil dispositions prompting them.

And in other instances they gave the name to particular persons, whom they would represent as enemies to God and to the gospel.

This will be found an easy clue to you for the unfolding and interpretation of all those passages where this supposed evil being is spoken of,

But as the word daCoños, devil, here used, in its proper sense signifies a calumniator, a traitor, a false accuser; therefore, in particu

lar

lar passages of scripture, where the use of this general term and expression will be apt to mislead common and unlearned readers, it would be right and proper to render it agreeably to its original signification and meaning, and consistent with what the writer or speaker intended.

Thus, where our Lord, by the foreknowledge given him by Almighty God, speaks long before of the base part which one of his own disciples would take against him, how much better would it have been to have turned it; "Have not I chosen you twelve? and one of you is a traitor, a slanderer, or false accuser?" instead of putting it, "and one of you is a devil:" which disguises and obscures our Lord's meaning, and even misrepresents him as speaking after a passionate

sort..

And so, to name no others at présent, the true meaning of the apostle would be more clearly conveyed in the passage before us, by rendering it; " Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary (the false accuser, or the informer,) goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." For it is evident that the apostle is not speaking of a great in

visible

visible evil being, but of such malignant characters, a race of men that abounded in those times, who busied themselves in espying out the christians in their private religious assemblies, and in dragging and calumniating them before their magistrates.

This is seen by the method of opposition to such attacks, which he advises: "whom resist, steadfast in the faith;" i. e. by persevering in the truth, which they had embraced on the most solid grounds, and not swerving from it to save themselves from the sufferings with which they were threatened.

c

And it is further confirmed by what he proceeds to tell them ;-" knowing," says he, or being persuaded as you are, "that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." i. e. Their case was not peculiar: they did not suffer more than others who were exposed to the like persecutions, and had finished their course gloriously in the midst of them; and they might expect the same divine support which their fellowchristians had experienced.

He then closes the whole with a suitable pious wish, or prayer ;

"But may the God of all grace, who hath

called

you!"

called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle i. e. May the Almighty and gracious Parent of all build you up on a firm and unshaken foundation of immoveable piety and integrity, whether you are to survive the dangerous trial that hangs over you, or to die under it!

The adversary, therefore, whom the apostle warns the christians at that time to resist, was not a great wicked spirit, but their heathen persecutors.

After this short explanation and introduction, I proceed to lay before you some of those useful reflections which the account of things here given suggests to us. And,

I.

How perilous were the times soon after the first preaching of the gospel.

Christians, from being taken to be Jews, as indeed they principally were at first, a nation despised and hated, and professing themselves the disciples and followers of one who had been put to the ignominious death of the cross by the Roman power, and at the same time teaching the worship every where established

to

to be false and idolatrous,-it is not to be described in what contempt and detestation they were held in general, so as not to be entitled to any of the common claims of humanity.

Not only the rabble of their persecutors, but the learned and polite would not enter into the justice of their cause, the truth of their religion, and the facts upon which it is founded; but the magistrates and their judges were exasperated against them for what should have created their admiration, their adherence to what they believed to be the most important truths, notwithstanding the heaviest tortures to force them to a denial of them, whilst they had nothing to allege against them, as bad subjects or bad men.

The only excuse to be offered for such men, is, that with all their boasted refinements and accomplishments, they were, in a moral sense, wholly blind, and had no proper idea of the one living and true God, and the honour and worship due to him, and of the excellence of a principle of virtuous obedience and regard to him in preference to all earthly things, and to life itself.

To such a degree did their heathen persecutors carry their hatred and inveteracy against

the