A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

3. Until Satan be cast out of the Throne, Christ can have no Entertainment in the Heart. The Ark and Dagon cannot sink and stand together; either the Ark must be removed, or Dagon will down upon his Face. So 2 Cor. 6. 14. What ⟨p. 201⟩Communion hath Christ with Belial, and Light with Darkness? It is impossible both Kingdoms can stand together, or both Kings be set up in the same Heart. The Marriage-Bed will admit no Partner, nor Rival. A Man must be under Christ or Satan. Until he be cast out, Christ hath no room to be entertained. Mat. 6. 24. No Man can serve two Masters: Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Look upon the Devil under that Notion, as he is Mammon, as he doth entice to Worldliness, it is impossible to serve him and Christ. Both Masters have Work enough for their Servants, and their Commands are contrary. If two Masters consent to employ one Man in the self-same Business, tho they are two Men, yet they are but one Master. But now to execute the Wills of Men which differ in their Design, and which have a several and full Interest in our Labours and Actions, it is as impossible, as to move two contrary ways at once. Well then, Mammon and Christ, Belial and Christ divide the World. It is impossible to be under Belial and Christ; both have full Work for us to do, and their Designs are contrary: So that either it must appear we have changed Masters, or we are under the Power of the Devil still. We must come out of the Power of Darkness, else we cannot be brought into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, that we may obtain Remission of Sins.

4. Satan may be cast out in part, and yet still retain a supreme Interest in the Heart. I prove it out of that Parable, Mat. 12. 43, 44, 45. When the unclean Spirit is gone out of a Man, he walketh through dry Places, seeking Rest, but findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my House, from ⟨p. 202⟩