2:15. "Catch the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines--for our vines have tender grapes."

A solemn lesson warns that grace is a tender plant. As such, it needs to be guarded with incessant care. A similitude gives the instruction. Believers are represented as a vineyard of luxuriant fruit. But it is infested with wily and injurious foes. Destructive broods abound. Stealthily they watch to inflict vital harm. Thus the tender shoots are constantly imperilled.

The picture leads us to mark the subtleties which lurk to spoil the Spirit's work. We are here called to mark the INNATE CORRUPTION of our nature. When sin entered, terrible was the ruin which ensued! Every imagination of the thoughts became evil, and that continually. A noxious fountain was opened to send forth poisonous streams. Briers and thorns sprang up in the blighted soil. These corruptions are as the foxes in the vineyard. They are perpetually assailing the sweet fruits of grace. Let us be wise, and ever on our guard. Corruption undetected--unopposed--will kill the buddings of sanctity within, and soon render the soul a desolate and barren wilderness.

SATAN, also, ever hates, and ever plots, and ever watches to check the holy work. He is termed the old serpent. Is he not, also, a wily fox? How stealthily he crept into Eden's fair garden--with what deceitful words he enticed our first parent! With a lie he tempted and prevailed, and with daily lies he still continues to succeed. But let us meet this fox with resolute determination. When boldly encountered he will instantly depart. We know, that if we resist the Devil, he will flee from us. We know, also, that if our strength is weak against this ensnaring foe, we may call Jesus to our aid. Satan may be strong--but Jesus is stronger. The arch-enemy may have power--but Jesus wields omnipotence. Thus let us catch the fox and all his brood. The victory will be ours. We shall tread Satan under our feet shortly.

Let our eyes be open, also, to the crafty temptations of the WORLD. No fox can surpass it in treachery and deceit. It calls to an attractive walk. It makes a show of pleasing prospects; and a path fragrant with flowers. But the path is beset with every peril. It leads from God, and goes down straight to hell. It presents a goblet mantling with enticing draughts, which, sweet for a moment to the taste, prove to be deadly poison. The world checks the budding of all grace. It renders the soul an expanse of dreariness and disappointments. Let us catch this wily fox. Never let him be spared.

In this evil world, also, TEACHERS OF ERROR craftily beguile. At first they show not their true front. A pleasing mask conceals their features. They can transform themselves into angels of light. But they are murderers in disguise. They check the growth of grace--they mislead into the region of ignorance and death--to receive their teaching is to abandon Christ.

Thus numerous is the offspring of the old fox. Let all be attacked with vigilance and unsparing effort to destroy. Let each like Dagon fall to the ground. Let each like Agag be hewed to pieces. Let us, also, be on our guard against the infant brood. Their appearance may be innocent. Their power to do harm may not be obvious. But such is not the truth. They can mangle the stem of the vine--they can suck the precious juice. It is awfully true that temptations, however weak when once admitted, grow with terrible rapidity. Oh! let us watch--and resolutely crush. Let us spare not the little foxes, they will destroy the vines, which have such tender grapes.