The Power of Satan a Main Hindrance to Ministerial Success

The active power and unsearchable subtlety of Satan are always directed against the Christian Ministry, as the engine “mighty through God to the pulling down of his strong holds.”’ This is his grand point of attack upon the Redeemer’s kingdom. Indeed we could scarcely expect, that “the devouring lion”* would quietly submit to have his prey wrested from his teeth; or that “the strong man armed” would resign his spoils without a severe conflict.

The nature and extent of his unceasing opposition are less difficult to conceive than accurately to define. It meets us however in every sphere. In the world his influence is palpable, in a general listless inattention to the word of God, and a“n immediate transition from thence into the very vortex of the world — in the awful blindness of men to the glory of the Saviour,* in their thoughtless unconcern for eternity,* and in his captivating dominion over such vast multitudes,’’ unable to” deliver their souls,” or to say — “Is there not a lie in my right hand ‘The course of this world’ (or what is elsewhere called “the lust o the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life”«) is distinctly identified with the power of “the spirit which now worketh in the children of disobedience.”’” The same enemy stirs up the natural enmity of the heart to the followers of Christj and employs with incessant malignity tongues, pens, and influence against the cause of God” — thus illustrating and sustaining his Scriptural character — as the “prince and the god of this world” — “the father of lies,” — “the old serpent, which deceiveth the whole world.”’*

In the professing church — ihls restless enemy works his artful leaven with “all deceivableness of unrighteousness;” covering his spiritual wiles with some new and pleasing doctrines, adapted to the taste of the times; and thus poisoning the bread of life by the adulteration of man’s devices. His subtlety is peculiarly marked in the accommodation of the forms of deception to the difllerent tem-

>3Cor. X. 4, 5. 2 i Peter v. 8. 3 Luke xi. 21, 22. Matt. xiii. 19.

5 2 Cor. iv. 4. Luke xi. 21. t 2 Tim. ii. 26. s jga. xliv. 20.

9 1 John ii. 16. i” Ephes. ii. 2. ‘• Compare Gen. iii, 15. Rev. xiL 17.

‘2 John xii. 31. 2 Cor. iv. 4. John viii. 44. Rev. xii. 9.

peraments of his victims. Carnal security suits with the world, and succeeds to the utmost of his desires in keeping “his goods in peace.” But such schemes would be ineffectual with a nominal recognition of serious religion. In the Church he “transforms himself into an angel of light “’ — exhibiting either the attractive idol of self-righteousness — or that most inveterate form of antichrist — the dependence on the profession of a pure doctrine.

The Apostle intimates, that the general symptoms of Ministerial ineffectiveness may be traced to this source.^ And indeed his active influence is discoverable in every point of detail. The explanation of the growth of the tares among the wheat, is — “An enemy hath done this.“^ The serpent, that beguiled Eve though his” subtlety “still” corrupts “the minds of the weak” from the simplicity that is in Christ.“^ The Ministerial hindrances from divisions and want of love among professors,* and the successful opposition sometimes made to schemes of Ministerial usefulness — aie traced to the secret operation of the same active cause.* The hypocrisy of professors within the Church,’’ — or their apostacy from her conmiunion ;* all the successive vicissitudes of her history; all the drawbacks to the full energies of our work — flow from this” fountain “of evil, continually ‘• sending forth bitter waters.”

Individual experience discloses the constant exercise of the same agency. To this source the Christian traces his subtle workings of unbelief* — his wanderings of heart in prayer“’ — his occasional indulgence of self-confidence,” spiritual pride,^^ afj worldli ness’3 — the injection of blasphemous thoughts’^ — the power of evil tempers’* — and the general commission of sin;’• — all which, according to their prevalency, are positive hindrances to the holy and blessed influence of our labours. The appalling conflict between the powers of darkness and light is therefore exhibited before us — “the god of this world blinding the eyes of them that believe not” — while the Ministry of the gospel exhibits “Christ Jesus the Lord,” as the medium, by which “God, who commandeth the light to shine out of darkness, shines into the hearts” of his people with the revelation of his ‘’ glory. “‘^ Thus, while the active agency of the Evil Spirit by his direct and instrumental operation,” is counteracting the progress of our work, we may be said indeed to

2 Cor. xi. 14. 2 1 Thess. iii. 5. 3 Matt. xiii. 24 — 28. * 2 Cor. xi. 3.

s Ibid. ii. 10. 1 Thess. ii. 18. 7 Acta v. 1 — 5. 8 Lukexxii. 3. Rev. xii. 3, 4. 9 Gen. iii. 1 — 3. lo Job i. 6. 1 Chron. xxi. 1. Luke xiii. 31.

n 2 Cor. xu. 7. 13 Matt. xvi. 23. Eph. vi. 16. is ibid. iv. 27.

1 John iii. 8. n 2 Cor. iv. 6.

‘^ ‘Homines instrumentaliter, mundus materialiter, Satanas efficienter ’ — was the pithy distinction of an old writer.

“wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”’