THE DEVIL DEFEATED

Among the many opposers that eminent servant of Christ, Mr. Whitefield, met with during the course of his ministry, was a Mr. Thorpe, a young man who hated the truth of God, and eagerly seized every opportunity to ridicule it. Once, he with three companions, met a number of acquaintances at a public house, and (as they said) to enliven them, undertook to mimic Mr. Whitefield. The idea was highly gratifying to everyone present, and a wager was agreed upon to inspire each of these four to excel in this impious attempt. In order that their ungodly hearers might give the prize to the most clever performer, it was concluded that each should open the Bible and hold forth the first text that should meet the eye. Accordingly, three of them in their turn mounted the table and entertained their wicked companions at the expense of everything sacred. When they had exhausted their little stock of foolishness, it fell on Mr. Thorpe to close this irreverent scene. Much elevated and confident of success, he exclaimed, as he ascended the table, “I shall beat you all.”

But oh, the stupendous depths of divine mercy! When the Bible was handed to him, it opened at that remarkable passage, “Luke 13:3, “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” No sooner had he uttered these words than his mind was affected in a very extraordinary manner — the sharpest pangs of conviction seized him, and conscience denounced tremendous vengeance upon his soul. In a moment he was favored with a clear view of his subject, and divided his discourse more like a minister who had been accustomed to speak on portions of Scripture than like one who never so much as thought on religious topics except for ridicule. He found no lack of material, no want of utterance, and he afterwards frequently declared, “If ever I preached in my life by the assistance of the Spirit of God it was at that time.” The impression made upon his mind by the subject had such an effect on his manner, that the most ignorant and profane person present could but perceive that what he had spoken was with the greatest sincerity. The unexpected solemnity of his address, instead of entertaining the company, first spread a visible depression and afterwards a sullen gloom upon every countenance. The sudden change in the faces of his associates only increased the convictions in his own bosom. No one appeared disposed to interrupt him; but, on the contrary, their attention was deeply engaged with the pointedness of his remarks; yes, many of his sentences, as he often related, made, to his feeling, his own hair stand erect.

When he left the table, not a word was uttered about the wager, but a profound silence pervaded the company. Mr. Thorpe immediately withdrew without taking the least notice of any person present, and returned home in the deepest distress imaginable. Happily for him this was his last revel. His sudden impressions proved to be genuine, and from that period he and his former friends parted company. Thus, by a sovereign and almost unexampled act of divine grace in a place where, and at a time when, it was least expected, “the prey was taken from the mighty and the lawful captive delivered.”

REPENTANCE. There is a radical distinction between natural regret and God-given repentance. The flesh can feel remorse, can acknowledge its evil deeds when they are apparent to all, and can be ashamed of itself, as Saul was of himself, but it is a repentance very quickly repented of, and at the first opportunity given it is back at its wicked work (see I Sam. 26:2). Saul had no sense of the guilt of his sin in God’s sight. None of the seven marks of true repentance described in II Cor. 7:11 are found in his behavior. Even in his professed sorrow he is self-seeking.

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