Nature cannot hold the word; there may be clear views of truth, but a man in nature cannot act on it. Two of the clearest tracts on the heavenly calling were written by a Puseyite before going into Rome-it was not part of the man.
Satan cannot bear the word, because it nourishes and cherishes the people of God; but whatever he can do, can you and I say, " The Word of the kingdom is mine, and I shall have my place there-when Satan's power has come to an end?"
The rapidity with which all is hastening on in a great vortex is as marked as the rapidity of present traveling, compared with that of past times. It is a fearful rapidity, and Satan is working with a fearful rapidity. What is described as thorns choking the word in Matt. 13, is at work specially now. If I value the word, it draws me within as narrow a compass as possible. I can have nothing to do with duty connected with the world. A voluntary association with it, will be as thorns that choke the word. You can testify to the distracting effect of it on the soul, and that all the things connected with it have a certain effect on the word. You may have your morning refreshment over it, and the world may come in and drive, it all out. Ah! do not tamper with anything that chokes the word. As to the deceitfulness of riches, the least possession the heart is set on, is enough to choke the word. How we see' his in persons who make a profession and have lost all freshness! Which was the happy man-Paul who said, " One thing I do," (altogether Christ's and no one else's,).or Demas?