mon view of the subject, and reply to some objections against the views which we have presented.

1. The common view of the subject is absurd. It supposes sin to have originated in heaven. Now heaven is everywhere represented in the Scriptures as a holy, happy place, into which nothing sinful, unholy, or unclean can ever enter. To suppose, therefore, that sin and rebellion against God originated there, is absurd in the

extreme.

2. It is contrary to experience. It supposes man to be influenced to sin by a personal devil. Now no rational man, acquainted with human nature, ever felt, or imagined that he felt, any such influence.

3. It is unphilosophical. It supposes more causes than are necessary, to account for the wickedness of man. We think the fact of man's animal nature being so closely connected with his spiritual is abundantly sufficient to account for all his sin and wickedness, without resorting to the supposition that a personal devil has any concern in the matter. We have no doubt that thousands have imagined they felt the influence of such a being. So have thousands imagined they felt the influence of witches; and this fact proves as much in one case as in the other.

4. It comes directly in contact with the plain declarations of the Bible.

1st. It supposes sin to have been introduced into our world by a fallen angel. Whereas, the Bible declares that by one man, not by one devil, nor by one fallen angel; but "by one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin." See Rom. 5: 12.

2d. It supposes man to be tempted by a personal devil. But when the Bible speaks out plainly on this subject, it declares that every man, yes, every man from Adam down to latest posterity; every man is tempted, not by the devil, not by a fallen angel, but 'every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." See James 1: 14, and 4: 1-4, and Prov. 1: 10.

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3d. This theory supposes that the works of the devil will remain, and that he himself will exist throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. But the Bible affirms that he himself, and all his works, shall be destroyed. Heb. 2: 14; 1 John 3: 8. Whatever this devil may be supposed to be, then, one thing is certain; he is des

tined to be completely destroyed, together with all his works. So far, therefore, as the salvation of the human race is concerned, it is a matter of no consequence whether such a being as a personal devil has any real existence or not.

We will now notice some objections to our views. It is objected,

1. That personal pronouns are applied to the devil in the Bible, and the Scriptures frequently speak of him as a real being; and represent him as talking, acting, &c.

To this we reply, that personal pronouns are applied to many inanimate things in the Bible; and oftentimes they are represented as talking, acting, &c. The earth is personified. Job 31: 38. The heavens are personified. Jer. 2: 12, 13. The sea. · Job 38: 8, 9. Destruction. Job 28: 22. Death and the grave. 1 Cor. 15: 55; Job 28: 22. The hosts of heaven. Ps. 148: 1-5. The mountains and hills. Isa. 55: 12. The trees of the forest. Judges 9: 7-16. Wisdom also is personified. erbs, chapters 8 and 9; also, Prov. 1: 20-33. Seeing so many things are personified in the Scriptures, is it any marvel that evil, that wicked men, that the lusts and passions of men, should be personified? So far from it, it is just what we should be led to expect.

2. It is said, If the idea of a personal devil and an endless hell be given up, our preachers will have nothing to preach about. We frankly confess, we know of many preachers who, in such a case, would lose a principal topic of conversation and pulpit declamation. But then it must be confessed that, if in reality no such being as a personal devil exists, the less that is said about him the better. And if these preachers can find no better subjects to discourse upon, they had better abandon the ministry, and be silent.

3. It was remarked by a certain old lady, that the existence of a devil was perfectly clear; else how could mankind make a picture of him? We know there have been a great many pictures of the devil, and we also know that a great many pictures of things exist in the human imagination, and are even put upon paper, which have no existence in reality. Mankind are extremely fond of pictures; and perhaps some will esteem it a hard case that we should attempt to rob them of their beautiful pictures of the devil.

In conclusion we remark, that until the facts and objections stated

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in this section, against the existence of a personal devil, are satisfactorily accounted for or removed, we must continue to believe that such a being exists only in the imaginations of the ignorant, the weak, and the credulous; and that the idea of his existence ought to be abandoned by every rational man.

CHAPTER III

BIBLE DOCTRINE CONCERNING DE

MONS.

SECTION I.

All the passages in the OLD TESTAMENT wherein reference is had to DEMONS.

Deut. 32: 17. They sacrificed unto devils (demons), not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

Psa. 96 5. For all the gods of the nations are idols (daimonia); but the Lord made the heavens.

Psa. 106: 37. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils (daimoniois), and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons, and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan.

Isa. 13: 21. But wild beasts of the desert shall be there (in Babylon); and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (daimonia) shall dance there.

Isa. 34: 14. The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr (demonia) shall cry to his fellow; the screech-owl shall also rest there (in Idumea), and find for herself a place of rest.

Isa. 65: 11. But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop (daimonia), and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.

SECTION II.

All the passages in the NEW TESTAMENT wherein allusion is made to DEMONS.

1 Cor. 10: 20, 21. But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils (demons), and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils (demons). Ye cannot drink

the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils (demons): ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils (demons).

Acts 17: 18. He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods (daimonia), because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.

Rev. 9: 20. And the rest of the men, which were not killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship devils (demons), and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.

Rev. 16: 13, 14. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils (demons), working miracles.

Rev. 18: 2. Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils (demons), and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

1 Tim. 4: 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (demons).· ́`

John 10: 20, 21. And many of them (the Jews) said, He (Christ) hath a devil (demon), and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil (demon): can a devil (demon) open the eyes of the blind?

John 7: 20. The people answered and said, Thou (Christ) hast a devil (demon).

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John 8: 48, 49. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil (demon)? Jesus answered, I have not a devil (demon).

Verse 52. Then said the Jews unto him, now we know that thou hast a devil (demon). Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste death.

Matt. 11 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil (demon).

Luke 7: 33. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil (demon).

Matt. 4: 24. And his (Jesus) fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils (demons), and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy, and he healed them.

Matt. 8: 16. When the even was come, they brought unto him (Christ) many that were possessed with devils (demons): and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick.

Mark 1: 32-34. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed of devils (demons). And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils (demons); and suffered not the devils (demons) to speak, because they knew him.

Verse 39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils (demons).

Luke 4: 40, 41. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils (demons) also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ, the Son of God. And he, rebuking them, suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Luke 13 32. Go ye and tell that fox (Herod), Behold I cast out devils