Under the things of the world we count bonours, profits and pleasures. How dangerous these are, we see every day, in the fatal experience of others, and the state of our own hearts. We need, and may lawfully enjoy a share of them, but they too often engross our affections and attention. The Chriftian is in the more danger from this quarter, because he is called to engage in the purfuit of these, and under the appearance of duty, they lead him astray. He is apt to fet a higher value upon them than they deserve, to repine under disappointment, and to be improperly elated at fuccefs; befides the temptation there is to feek them by unjustifiable ways. We cannot ferve God and Mammon. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The evil we have to fear is not from the things of the world, which are in themselves good; but from that temper and conduct which they produce in us. This leads me to mention,

Thirdly, That the flesh, by which is meant the corrupt nature, is the most dangerous enemy of all. The principle of fin is not fully fubdued in believers. This is the law in the members which wars against the law of the mind, and brings into captivity to the law of fin. Were it not for this, the attempts of Satan would be unfuccessful. Were it not for this, the things of the world would have no dangerous tendency. Every man is tempt ed when he is drawn away of his own luft, and enticed.This is the traitor within the walls, which betrays us into the hands of the enemy. Could we subdue this, we The Christian then, has to

need not fear those without. fight with himself. Remains of evil defires are fill in his heart, and strive to prevail over him.

These are the enemies, my brethren, with which you are called to contend. Let not your hearts faint on the

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view of them; but, quit you like men,-be ftrong. This exhortation implies,

First, That you banish unneceffary fears, and engage in the warfare with boldness and refolution. So much fear of an enemy as leads to watchfulness and caution, is highly useful. To defpife an enemy, is often the way to be beaten. Peculiarly in the Chriftian fight, happy is the man that feareth always. There is a fear, however, which depreffes the fpirits and hinders exertion. This ought to be laid afide. Difcouragements increase the difficulties; fmall ones are then magnified, and great ones affume a moft formidable appearance; whereas, if encountered with patience, firmness and perfeverance, those would vanish, and these lay afide their terrors. While an enemy is confidered as dangerous, he ought not to be deemed invincible. To defpair is to yield ground, and encourage an attack. It is well known what advantage this temper gives Satan over believers, and how carefully he improves it. He then haraffes them with diftreffing thoughts, horrid fuggeftions, and is only not permitted to drive them into final ruin. Believers, therefore, ought to maintain an undaunted courage and refolution.

Again, There is implied, that they fight in Divine ftrength. In themselves they are indeed weak, and wholly unequal to the conflict; but the grace of God is fufficient for them. Hear the holy challenge of the Apoftle: If God be for us, who can be against us? Trusting in his power, and faithfulness to fulfil all his promi fes in Chrift, they ought to engage with their enemies. He hath provided for them an armour which is proof against every assault. In putting on this, and managing it aright, fafety and victory are enfured.-My brethren, fays the Apostle, be ftrong in the Lord, and in the power

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of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to ftand against the wiles of the devil. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and baving on the breaft-plate of righteousness; and your feet food with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the field of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the belmet of falvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Thus we fee, that as in the ancient mode of making war among men, there were pieces of armour to protect the whole body from injury, and weapons with which to affail; fo in the spiritual warfare, believers are armed and encouraged to go forth in the strength of the Lord. It need only be added, Further, As implied in this exhortation, that they perfevere in the combat. If they withdraw, or cease their exertions, they will be overcome.-The enemies continues their hoftilities as long as believers are in this world. There is no reft or peace to them, but their whole life is a conftant warfare. Let not him, therefore, that girdeth on bie barness, boaß bimjelf as he that putteth it off. Many, alas! who feemed manfully to begin the conteft, and continued it for a time, being allured by the things of this world, or deterred by difficulties, have given it over, and returned to their former flavery. These are likely to fall a prey. He that shall endure unto the end, the fame shall be faved. Let me now mention fome motives to encourage and animate you in this warfare.

Firft, Your caufe is good and highly important. The Apostle calls it the good fight of faith. Do men in the wars of this world, boldly venture their lives when perfuaded that their caufe is righteous? Much more ought Chriftians

Chriftians to encourage themselves. They are engaged in the beft and nobleft of caufes; on the fide of God, against every thing that is 'bafe, cruel, and oppreffive. No lefs depends on the part they act than eternal happiness or misery. Do the men of this world fight for fading honours and emoluments? Is it for thefe that millions in every age have been flaughtered, and this earth covered with blood? And fhall not Chriftians contend for an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away; for a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will bestow on every conqueror?-We admire the man, who, at the head of armies, has over-run nations, and spread his conquests far and wide; we almost adore him, who nobly withstands the iron hand of oppreffion, and fuccessfully vindicates the infulted rights of human nature; but the Chriftian foldier is a more noble spectacle, a more glorious character. Though not furrounded with thofe external things which attract and dazzle the attention of mankind, yet he poffeffes more true magnanimity, and more genuine worth. The Judge of the universe approves, and exalted spirits behold him with wonder and delight. Should not then the goodness of the caufe, and the importance of its iffue, as to yourfeves, encourage and animate you, my believing friends? Mahomet promised to his followers who fell in battle, immediate entrance into a Paradife; but to you, unerring truth hath given affurance of fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

A fecond motive to animate you is, that you are engaged in the presence of many fpectators. You act continually in the fight of the great and glorious God. His eye penetrates into the inmoft receffes of your hearts. He will be your impartial judge, and from his hand you will receive your reward or your doom. How far angels

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are witneffes of our actions is not certainly known. They are, however, not uninterested in the redemption of man. At the birth of the Saviour they fang together in beavenly strains, and have been frequently employed on meffages of grace. We are expressly informed, that there is joy in beaven over one finner that repenteth; that the am gels are all ministering spirits, fent forth to minifter for them who shall be heirs of falvation. The Apoftle charged Timothy before God, and the Lord Jefus Chrift, and the elect angels.

The confideration of our being open to the view of those holy and exalted spirits, who have charge of us, and who earnestly defire our success, ought to inspire us with fortitude and resolution. Shall we behave meanly in the presence of superior beings? Shall we disgrace ourselves in the fight of heaven? Could we suppose them to feel the least uneasy sensation, what grief and shame must they fuffer on our account, when we act unworthy our character? Yea, what indignation, to fee creatures redeemed at an infinite expence, and with the most glorious prospects before them, complying with the temptations of Satan and the world, and yielding to the corrupt defires of their own hearts!

In the third place, You fight under Jefus Chrift, the captain of salvation. Are foldiers inspired by an attachment to their king? by a confidence in their leader? Surely believers may be of good courage, Jefus is the King of kings. He is the author and finisher of faith. He leads you by his example, and encourages you by his words. Will you suffer me to introduce here an example from hiftory, of the effect of the conduct and fpeech of an earthly king, before an engagement with his enemy? Or is it not fuitable, and may we not compare great things with fmall?-Henry the Fourth of France, juft before a

battle,