It is one thing for a criminal to tremble in his chains, and another for Satan to be overthrown. Satan will maintain his seat in the heart as long as he can, but God says, _I will overturn_, _overturn_, _overturn it_, _until he comes_, _whose right it is_; _and I will give it him_.—There is nothing Satan hates so much as light, when this comes into the mind he is discovered, his works hated, and the poor sinner votes against both him and his works, cries unto the Lord because of these oppressors, while his hope springs up in the Gospel news, that the Son of God was manifested in the flesh, that he might destroy the works of the devil, as the power of the word is felt, as grace reigns, so these keepers and strong ones bow, and like the soldiers at the sepulchre, the keepers thereof became as dead men. When the Angel of the covenant descends to open the prison doors, the poor prisoner comes forth as Peter did, from his prison, though the keepers stand at the door they are not able to retain the captive; hence the question, _Shall not the prey be taken from the mighty_? _Shall not the lawful captive be delivered_? Yes, blessed be God it is the mighty work of God the Spirit to cast down the strong holds of the devil, carnal enmity, pride, prejudice, and self-righteousness; when these are demolished, Satan has no hope of the damnation of such a soul; though the poor sinner himself cannot perhaps see his own part and lot in the salvation of the Gospel; he may still remain in bondage to the fears of death, the dread of hell; unbelief still prevails, doubts, fears, and sad despondency may still operate to keep the soul in misery, till the Holy Ghost favours it with an increase of faith, gives it strength enough to believe in his love, in his Person and in his glorious Work; then we enter into rest. This is done by believing the report of the Gospel, by believing such precious truths as these: _He shall finish transgression—he shall make an end of sin_. _He shall magnify the law_. _Blotting out the handwriting contained in Ordinances_, _that was against __us_. _Ye are complete in him_, _having forgiven us all our trespasses_. _I have loved thee_, _I have redeemed thee_. _I have blotted out as a cloud thy transgression_, _and as a thick cloud thy sins_. _He hath made to meet on him the iniquities of us all_. _The Lord is well pleased with his righteousness sake_.