Page images
PDF
EPUB

'cause, as well as those that continue, and perhaps gradually increase, in spite of all the power of medicine. Here, indeed, vain men that would be wise, again call in the nerves to their assistance. But is not this explaining ignotum per ignotius? A thing unknown by what is more unknown? For what do we know of the nerves themselves? Not even whether they are solid or hollow!

13. Many years ago, I was asking an experienced physician, and one particularly eminent for curing Lunacy, 'Sir, have you not seen reason to believe, that some Lunatics are really Demoniacs?' He answered, "Sir, I have been often inclined to think, that most Lunatics are Demoniacs. Nor is there any weight in that objection, that they are frequently cured by medicine. For so might any other disease, occasioned by an evil spirit, if God did not suffer him to repeat the stroke, by which that disease is occasioned."

14. This thought opens to a wider scene. Who can tell how many of those diseases, which we impute altogether to natural causes, may be really preternatural? What disorder is there in the human frame, which an evil angel may not inflict? Cannot he smite us, as he did Job, and that in a moment, with boils from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot? Cannot he, with equal ease, inflict any other, either external or internal malady? Could not he, in a moment, by divine permission, cast the strongest man down to the ground, and make him wallow, foaming, with all the symptoms either of an Epilepsy, or Apoplexy? In like manner, it is easy for him to smite any one man, or every one in a city or nation, with a malignant fever, or with the plague itself, so that vain would be the help of

man.

15. But that malice blinds the eyes of the wise, one would imagine so intelligent a being would not stoop so low, as, it seems, the devil sometimes does, to torment the poor children of men! For to him we may reasonably impute many little inconveniences which we suffer. "I believe, (said that excellent man, the Marquis de Renty,

when the bench snapped in sunder without any visible cause,) that Satan had a hand in it, making me to fall untowardly." I know not whether he may not have a hand in that unaccountable horror, with which many have been seized in the dead of night, even to such a degree, that all their bones have shook. Perhaps, he has a hand also in those terrifying dreams which many have, even while they are in perfect health.

say

It may be observed, in all these instances, we usually the Devil, as if there was one only; because these spirits, innumerable as they are, do all act in concert: and because we know not, whether one or more are concerned in this or that work of darkness.

It remains only to draw a few plain inferences from the doctrine which has been delivered.

ness.

̈ 1. And first, as a general preservative against all the rage, the power, and subtilty of your great adversary, put on the panoply, the whole armour of God, universal holiSee that "the mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," and that ye "walk as Christ also walked;" that ye have a conscience void of offence, toward God and men. So shall ye be "able to withstand" all the force and all the stratagems of the enemy. So shall ye be able to "withstand in the evil day," in the day of sore temptation. And "having done all, to stand;" to remain in the posture of victory and triumph.

2. To his fiery darts, his evil suggestions of every kind, blasphemous or unclean, though numberless as the stars of heaven, oppose the shield of faith; a consciousness of the love of Christ Jesus will effectually quench them all.

"Jesus hath died for you!

What can your faith withstand?
Believe, hold fast your shield! and who
Shall pluck you from his hand?"

3. If he inject doubts, Whether you are a child of God; or fears, lest you should not endure to the end, "take to you for a helmet, the hope of salvation." Hold fast that

glad word, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a living hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." You will never be overthrown, you will never be staggered by your adversary, if you "hold fast the beginning of this confidence steadfast unto the end."

4. Whenever the "roaring lion, walking about, and seeking whom he may devour," assaults you with all his malice, and rage, and strength, resist him steadfast in the faith. Then is the time, having cried to the strong for strength, to "stir up the gift of God that is in you:" to summon all your faith, and hope, and love, to turn the attack in the Name of the Lord, and in the power of his might: and he will soon flee from you.

"greater

5. But there is no temptation," says one, " than the being without temptation." When, therefore, this is the case, when Satan seems to be withdrawn, then beware, lest he hurt you more as a crooked serpent, than he could do as a roaring lion. Then take care you are not lulled into a pleasing slumber, lest he should beguile you as he did Eve, even in innocence, and insensibly draw you from your simplicity toward Christ, from seeking all your happiness in him.

[ocr errors]

6. Lastly, if he "transform himself into an angel of light," then are you in the greatest danger of all. Then have you need to beware, lest you also fall, where many mightier have been slain: then have you the greatest need to "watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.' And if you continue so to do, the God whom you love and serve will deliver you. "The anointing of the Holy One shall abide with you, and teach you of all things." Your eye will pierce through snares: you shall know what that holy and acceptable will of God is," and shall hold on your way, till you "grow up in all things into him that is our Head, even Christ Jesus."

SERMON LXXVIII.

OF HELL.

MARK ix. 48.

"Where the Worm dieth not, and the Fire is not quenched."

1. EVERY truth which is revealed in the oracles of God, is, undoubtedly, of great importance. Yet it may be allowed, that some of those which are revealed therein, are of greater importance than others; as being more immediately conducive to the grand end of all, the eternal salvation of men. And we may judge of their importance, even from this circumstance, that they are not mentioned once only in the sacred writings, but are repeated over and over. A remarkable instance of this we have, with regard to the awful truth which is now before us. Our blessed Lord, who uses no superfluous words, who makes no vain repetitions, repeats it over and over in the same chapter, and, as it were, in the same breath. So verse 43, 44, “If thy hand offend thee," if a thing or person as useful as a hand, be an occasion of sin, and there is no other way to shun that sin, "cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands, to go into hell: into unquenchable fire, where their worm dieth not, and

the fire is not quenched." So again, ver. 45, 46, “If thy foot offend thee, cut it off.-It is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet, to be cast into hell: into unquenchable fire, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." And yet again, ver. 47, 48, "If thine eye," a person or thing as dear as thine eye, "offend thee," hinder thy running the race which is set before thee, "pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell-fire; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

1

2. And let it not be thought, that the consideration of these terrible truths, is proper only for enormous sinners. How is this supposition consistent with what our Lord speaks to those who were then, doubtless, the holiest men upon earth? "When. innumerable multitudes were gåthered together, he said to his disciples, (the Apostles) "first of all, I say unto you, my friends, Fear not them that can kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do but I say unto you, Fear him, who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell: yea, I say unto you, fear him!" Luke xii. 1-5. Yea, fear him under this very notion, of having power to cast into hell: that is, in effect, fear, lest he should cast you into the place of torment. And this very fear, even in the children of God, is one excellent mean of preserving them from it.

3. It behoves, therefore, not only the outcasts of men, but even you, his friends, you that fear and love God, deeply to consider what is revealed in the Oracles of God, concerning the future state of punishment. How widely distant is this from the most elaborate accounts which are given by the Heathen authors! Their accounts are (in many particulars at least) childish, fanciful, and self-inconsistent. So that it is no wonder, they did not believe themselves, but only related the tales of the vulgar. So Virgil strongly intimates, when, after the laboured account he had given of the shades beneath, he sends him that had related it, out at the Ivory-gate, through which (as he tells us)

« PreviousContinue »