If when we turn the eye inward, we discover faith in Christ, sorrow for sin, love to God, devotedness to his service, and reliance on his grace through a Mediator, and these are evidenced by fruits of holiness, we need no other evidence that our names are written in heaven:  But if there are wanting, hope is vain and confidence delusive—­Gifts, the most extraordinary, even those of prophecy and miracles are totally unavailing.  They leave us but as “sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.”

Instances of this kind have formerly occurred:  They may occur again.  It concerns us therefore to look to ourselves, and see that our hopes are not built on the sand.

REFLECTIONS.

I. The subjection of evil spirits to Christ shows the universality of his dominion:  For even apostate spirits have not, in every respect, broken from under his government.  He sets them their bounds which they cannot pass.  “Hitherto shalt thou come and no farther.”  When dislodged from a man by his order they cannot not enter a swine without his permission.  They are permitted indeed to indulge depravity, but no farther than infinite wisdom sees it; and oftentimes their malice is made subservient to the divine purposes.  While Christ had his residence on earth, they were permitted to possess the bodies of men, and his superior power was manifested in their ejection, and thereby a few species of evidence was given to his truth of the gospel—­yea they were sometimes made to confess him, when men denied him!  “I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” *

* Luke iv. 34.

In various ways God hath made use of apostate spirits to effect his holy and merciful designs.  They have been used to try the faith, and thereby fit them for glory and honor—­Witness the strange trials brought on Job!  And all served to restrain pride and depravity, and by the trial of his faith and exercise of his graces, to prepare him for a brighter crown.  They may also be instrumental in bringing sinners to repentance.  St. Paul speaks of “delivering one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus:  And of delivering men to Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme.” *

* 1 Cor. v. 5, 1 Tim. i. 20.

II.  Our subject teacheth us not to value ourselves on account of gifts, or powers.  Gifts and grace, we have seen to be distinct —­that the former are a kind of common flock, designed not so much for the benefit of the possessor, as of the public; and that a person may possess them in large measure, and yet continue a rebel against God and perish in his rebellion.

God hath wise reasons for the bestowment of gifts, and, in someway, gets glory to himself thereby.  But every talent is liable to abuse.  If any man abuse them God will require it.  Justice may be glorified, where goodness is neglected, and grace despised.