rticular, that evil was not an
eternal power, that wrong was not omnipotent. The Cross was the crisis
of this world's history: the prince of this world measured himself for
one final wrestle with the Son of God. Had he succeeded, evil would
have reigned; but since he failed he fell as lightning from heaven.

On this fact the Holy Spirit loves to dwell. He unfolds its full
meaning. "See," He says, "Christ has conquered for you, and in your
nature. You meet a foe who is not invincible. Christ conquered, not
for Himself, but for all who believe. The prince of this world has
been judged and found wanting. He is condemned forevermore. Only
abide in the last Adam, the Lord from heaven, and let Him abide in you,
and He will repeat through you His olden victories."

What a majestic thought is here! The world comes to us first with its
fascinations and delights. She comes to us next with her frowns and
tortures. Behind her is her prince. But since he has been cast out by
a stronger than himself, and exists only on sufferance, his most potent
bribes and lures, his most violent onsets, his most unscrupulous
suggestions, must collapse. Believer, meet him as a discredited and
fallen foe. He can have no power at all over thee. The Cross bruised
his head. Thou hast no need to fear judgment. It awaits those only
who are still in the devil's power. But thou mayest rejoice that for
thee a victory waits, the measure of which will only be explored when
thou seest the devil cast into the bottomless pit, and thence into the
lake of fire.

XIX

Christ's Reticence Supplemented by the Spirit's Advent

"I have yet many things to say unto you; but ye cannot bear them
now."--JOHN xvi. 12-15.

How confidently our Lord speaks of the Spirit's advent; not more so did
the prophets foretell His own. Repeatedly He returns to the phrase,
_When He is come_. The advent of the Spirit to the heart of the Church
on the Day of Pentecost, was as distinct and marked an event as the
advent of the Son of God Himself to the manger-bed of Bethlehem. Let
every reader of these words be sure of having taken the full advantage
of His Presence, just as we would wish to have availed ourselves to the
uttermost of the physical presence of Christ, had our lot so befallen.

I. THE THEME OF THIS PARAGRAPH IS THE INCOMPLETENESS OF OUR LORD'S
TEACHING.--For three and a half years He was perpetually pouring forth
His wonderful words; in many