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Rh power of his own proprium, or selfhood, may be overcome, but not annihilated.

93. As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff, (1 Samuel xxx. 24,) is an eternal law of the Divine Order, to instruct us, that to watch over and secure the spiritual goods already attained, is equally blessed and acceptable to God, as to extend our conquests, and thus to multiply our goods.

94. It is said of Aholibah, by which is figured Jerusalem, or the church, that she shall pluck off her own breasts, (Ezekiel xxiii. 34,) denoting the destruction of all heavenly love and charity; but how few consider, that inordinate self-love, and the love of the world, perpetually lead to the commission of the same atrocity.

95. It is a remarkable instance of the Divine mercy, forbearance, and compliance, that Jesus attended to the entreaty of the wicked spirits, who besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep, but would suffer them to enter into the herd of swine, (Luke viii. 30, 31, 32; Matt. viii. 31, 32;) thus consulting and providing for the comfort even of the most infernal, so far as is consistent with the security of His own children in His own heavenly kingdom.

96. Jesus Christ, speaking of His second advent, describes it by coming in His own glory, and the Father’s, and of the holy angels, (Luke ix. 26,) to instruct us,