he has many ways of
attack; sometimes he comes openly, sometimes craftily, sometimes he
tempts you, sometimes he frightens you, but whether he comes in a
pleasing or a frightful form, be sure, if you saw him himself with your
eyes, he would always be hateful, monstrous, and abominable. Therefore
he keeps himself out of sight. But be sure he is all this; and, as
believing it, take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to
stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Quit you like
men, be strong. Be like David, very courageous to do God's will.
Think what would have happened had David played the coward, and refused
to obey God's inward voice stirring him up to fight Goliath. He would
have lost his calling, he would have been tried, and have failed. The
Prophet's oil would have profited him nothing, or rather would have
increased his condemnation. The Spirit of God would have departed from
him as He departed from Saul, who also had been anointed. So, also,
our privileges will but increase our future punishment, unless we use
them. _He_ is truly and really born of God in whom the Divine seed
takes root; others are regenerated to their condemnation. Despise not
the gift that is in you: despise not the blessing which by God's free
grace you have, and others have not. There is nothing to boast in,
that you are God's people; rather the thought is an anxious one; you
have much more to answer for.

When, then, Satan comes against you, recollect you are already
dedicated, made over, to God; you are God's property, you have no part
with Satan and his works, you are servants to another, you are espoused
to Christ. When Satan comes against you, fear not, waver not; but pray
to God, and He will help you. Say to Satan with David, "Thou comest
against me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I
come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." Thou comest to me with
temptation; thou wouldest allure me with the pleasures of sin for a
season; thou wouldest kill me, nay, thou wouldest make me kill myself
with sinful thoughts, words, and deeds; thou wouldest make me a
self-murderer, tempting me by evil companions, and light conversation,
and pleasant sights, and strong stirrings of heart; thou wouldest make
me profane the Lord's day by riot; thou wouldest keep me from Church;
thou wouldest make my thoughts rove when they should not; thou wouldest
tempt me to drink, and to curse, and to swear, and