Vol. 2

CHAPTER XI. 503" 20. But if I with the finger of God cast outdevils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come uponyou."Wherever the reign of the devil and of self-loveceases, there God and charity must needs reign.We cannot be assured that God reigns in a soul,but only when the devils which possessed it,that is,its lusts and evil habits, are cast out, not by otherdevils or lusts,but by the love of righteousness andthe hatred of sin; which is done by the finger ofGod, namely, by his Holy Spirit.Sect. IV.— The strong Man armed. The Devilre-entering."21. When a strong man armed keepeth hispalace, his goods are in peace :"The world and the sinner are the habitation ofthe devil,until Christ take possession of them by hisincarnation and grace. We are all born under thedominion of this strong person armed ; and have allbeen his house and his possession, by being bornslaves to sin. Would to God we had never beenso by our own will, and that we had not given ourselvesto him more than once ! We cannot havetoo frequent occasions of humbling ourselves on thisaccount; and all the truths which have any relationto this matter, put us in mind of doing it." 22. But when a stronger than he shall comeupon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him allhis armour wherein he trusted, and divideth hisspoils."Blessed be thou, O my God, for that thou hastnot left this enemy in possession of ray heart, but