Looking at the signs of the times, and the long neglect and unnatural denial of all angelic ministration or spiritual influence, and at the express predictions of false Christs and false prophets, who shall shew signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very elect, and that when men receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved, for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie, I cannot but think there is a painful prospect of a sudden recoil and religious revulsion from the present unbelief and misbelief, to an unnatural and undistinguishing CREDULITY, when Antichrist shall appear in his latest form, with signs and lying wonders. I would therefore leave an earnest caution on the minds of my readers-Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God. The Scriptures have forewarned us beforehand, that we may not be led with the error of the wicked, and fall from our own stedfastness. away My hope is that this work may tend much to increase the watchfulness, call forth the prayers, strengthen the faith, enliven the hopes, and cheer the hearts of fellow Christians, contending with our mighty spiritual enemies, and succoured by those yet mightier angels who are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation. In the increasing intenseness of the conflict, we shall probably soon more urgently need every aid of this kind. May it please God thus to assist many in attaining that final victory which is sure to every faithful follower of Christ, for "He that is in us is stronger than he that is in the world.” Watton, Herts, July 19, 1842. EDWARD BICKERSTETH. OF EVIL SPIRITS. I. THEIR EXISTENCE AND CHARACTER. THE eternal power and godhead of the Most High are, as St. Paul tells us, invisible things, yet clearly seen and to be understood even of the heathen, by those things which he hath made. Rom. i. 20. The order and harmony of creation, the wonderful manner in which all things are upheld, preserved, perpetuated, or reproduced, appeal to the natural reason and conscience of man, bespeaking some mighty, creative, overruling hand, directed by a wisdom and knowledge to which no mortal may attain. And this recognition is all but universal. However false, however distorted, |