And in fact, he now and then succeeds with such arts, for the moment at least, to shake the whole structure of the Bible about our heads, and everything appears to totter and reel, until we at last come to our recollection.

In order to make us suspect the word of God, he not unfrequently, with lightning speed, thrusts before our eyes this or that passage, just at the moment when some occurrence in life appears to falsify it. For instance, if you are lying in despair, suffering great necessities and bitter trials, and all help seems wanting, just then he reminds you of this sweet verse: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." And thereupon with grinning mockery he asks: "Where, then, is your father? and that pity, that boasted help, where does it linger?" And what can delight the villain more than the exploit of defiling your soul with doubt, unbelief, and impatience? If you have long prayed and striven with God for some object, be it bread for your hungering children, or be it advice in bitter perplexities, or be it a little alleviation and rest in thy pains, or be it a small drop of comfort in your anguish, and do not immediately receive it, there again is the devil at hand-whispering: "Is it not written, 'Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, He will give it you?' Now, poor beggar, have you got your bosom full of God's gifts?" Thus mocks the tempter, and surely did the Lord not keep his hand on our faith, you would not be able to escape these fiery darts unscathed.

The most dangerous method in which the devil can manage the word of God, as a weapon against us, is this. He tears out individual texts from their connection, and instead of interpreting them according to the analogy of faith, he gives them to us mutilated, perverts their sense, and thus seeks to impose them upon people. Now, just here it is, if anywhere, we must encounter him with like weapons, and lead the battle against him with the sword of the word. If he says: "It is written, 'Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,' therefore, slacken the reins, let passions boil; what boots it?" then reply:

"It is written again, 'Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein ?" Again, if the devil says: "It is written, 'It is no more I that do it, but sin that liveth in me; therefore, keep quiet, and be not so anxious about your misdoings." Then give him the retort: "It is also written, 'O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death.' God's children must mourn for their sins." Should Satan say: "It is written, 'It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy,' therefore abide in the world, and enjoy its feastings and frolic, until God calls you." Then say in reply: "I know it; but it is written again, 'Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.'"

Once more, if the tempter cries: "It is written, 'Known unto God are all His works, from the beginning of the world;' therefore, desist from prayer and supplication, your lot is determined. What you ought to have you will certainly receive;" let the reply be "It is written again, 'Ask, and ye shall receive, for every one that asketh receiveth.'" Still further, if the dragon declares: "It is written, 'This is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day ;' therefore, live as you list, and do what your heart lusteth after. What has Moses to do with you? You are insured to salvation !" Then answer back: "Again it is written, 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Behold, my brethren, it is thus you can disarm the devil, and in the might of God obtain a triumph over him, and make a show of him openly.

The battle-field is changed. Quick as lightning is the Son of God snatched away from the pinnacle of the temple by the power conceded to Satan over Him, and transported to the top of a high mountain. Yet not merely in the body, but in a spiritual manner likewise did He see himself planted suddenly as

on the dizzy apex of a high tower, and suddenly there stretched out before Him a boundless prospect of unparalleled charm and dazzling beauty, in the magic mirror of a wonderful vision.

What happens? Quick as thought there appears before Him in His horizon all the kingdoms of the world most brilliantly illuminated; and all their glory, pomp, pleasures, and decorations pass before His eyes in the most fascinating images, and most captivating scenes. The limits of time and space retire; that which was distant is brought near, that which was locked up is opened, that which was covered is unveiled; and all this, as St. Luke says, "in a moment of time." An unheard of illusion it was. Like to one vast glowing picture, there lie spread out to view the most delightful realms of earth, and all around Him is displayed the enchanting panorama of its splendid cities and most princely palaces. Here was proud Rome, the victorious mistress of the world, and sovereign over a hundred kings; there, the spicy mountains of the East, and Persia's loveliest rose-gardens. Here was Ophir, with its rich mines of gold and diamonds; there, India, that wonder-land, decked in all the variegated colors of an endless spring, and traversed by streams of milk and honey. Yet, not kingdoms and cities merely, but other wonders still pass before the eyes of Jesus.

Besides the kingdoms of the world, the devil shows Him also the glory of the world-all that the world has of witchery and fascination whatever delights and ravishes the senses-and whatever the children of this world call their Paradise and their heaven. All this Jesus now sees lying before Him. Here, glittering palaces unbosomed amid fragrant gardens and fields; there, chariots and horses, the pomp and retinue of courts. Here, galleries of art and temples of dazzling wisdom; there, laurel crowns of fame and monuments of glory. Here, sumptuous banquets in halls resplendent with gold; there, festive crowds listening to magic symphonies and rapturous choirs of music.

In short, all-all that makes the hearts of the children of men leap in their bosoms, and the blood thrill in their veins, and the

eyes glow with joy and desire, all this rushes at once before His vision in the most vivid imagery, and God alone can tell what the pure eyes of Jesus must have seen at that moment. We may be sure no bewildering scene, no sense-intoxicating image was then left uncovered before Him by Satan.

Something like this which Jesus experienced on the summit of this high mountain, do we also at times pass through. Those especially among our brethren, who by nature are of a lively temperament, and possess an enthusiastic disposition, and a quick fancy, will be able, no doubt, to tell us something of these magic visions. People of this character are most readily approached by such snares of the devil, because their susceptible natures and ardent sensibilities appear to promise him a certain victory -and if he does conquer, he at least succeeds in winning away such people to his magic mountains far more easily than others. For the attainment of this object he ordinarily employs some external means. These means, for example, he finds in the sphere of the fine arts,—so far as they have entered into the service of the world and sin. Now it is an attractive picture; now a bewitching poem; now a sweet tone or a heart-stirring melody, by means of which he carries on his magical incantations.

Oftentimes there is needed only a few chords or some single notes, perchance of a flute, which float out from the distance, in tender vibrations scarcely audible unto the solitude of our still chamber, and the charm is at once wrought—as at a fiat of the Almighty, there lies spread out before us in a moment a whole paradise of intoxicating felicity, and, as, through the rent of some overhanging curtain, our eyes look away into an heaven upon earth. The joys of our youth, to which we had long since bidden farewell, again draw near in most enchanting pictures, and pleasures to which we, perhaps years since, had become crucified and dead by the grace of God, re-appear in the most winning forms and in the most attractive lights. Here, then, hang wreaths of perishable glory; but how lovely do they seem once

more how fascinating! There, then, are opened before us halls of worldly revelry and vain mirth; and how pleasant do they look again-those gay circles! how is the poor heart again captivated! Here, then, are unlocked to sight the brilliant assembly rooms of the fashionable world, filled with shout and song, with harp melodies and mazy dances, and there the eye wanders over flowery fields of worldly art and sweet poetic dreams.

In short, every thing beautiful and costly which the world. possesses, suddenly, as at the touch of a magic wand, bursts upon the mirror of our fancy in the most lively pictures, and scenes and forms; and however vain it may all be in itself, however nugatory and worthless, there lies upon it all a charm, a play of coloring, such beauty and enamelling, as if one were actually looking over into a paradise; and in presence of such fascinating visions the sea of sensibility, and longing, and of desire begins to heave and swell as if a storm was working in its inmost depths. It is at such moments you stand upon the high magic mountains, and the devil is showing you the kingdoms of the earth and their glory in a moment of time.

And for this reason it is, that our secular music, as it is now constituted, has become so dangerous a thing because the devil is so ready and skillful in using it to call up such seasons of sensual intoxication. In the operas and the arias, the symphonies and the concerts, of this world, the devil finds a powerful charm whereby to transfigure the vain splendor of earth. into the glory of heaven. Experienced Christians have acknowledged that they, in moments at least, through such ungodly and secularized music, have been so mightily and so irresistibly captivated by the devil, that they, like real inebriates, have for the time lamented their departure from Egypt, and envied the children of this world, if not for their revellings and banquetings, yet for their more refined enjoyments and more polished pleasures. And, it not seldom happens, that this most potent of all arts, forms one of the wings by means of which the power of the tempter lifts us to those magic mountains from whence the kingdoms of