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He fought the Lord's battles, and prospered until the whole land was subdued before him. There failed not aught of any good thing, which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Even so shall it be to the whole Israel of God. Every good soldier of Christ Jesus shall be kept safe by his almighty power, and under his banner shall fight the good fight of faith, until he attain the promised inheritance, which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them. He has taken possession of it in their name, as their surety, and not one of them can perish: for he keeps the inheritance for them, and them for it: yea, the day is hastening on, when he will present all his redeemed unto the Father. "Of those whom thou hast given me have I lost none; Behold I, and the children whom thou hast given me."

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On all these accounts it is evident, that a believer every day, and in every thing, finds matter for the deepest humiliation. He has still a body of sin, remaining corruptions, daily infirmities, and short comings. All that he has of his own abases him in his own eyes: so that his triumph is never in himself. His salvation with all its graces and blessings depends entirely upon what he is in Christ. On this foundation he may rest safely always, notwithstanding he has nothing of his own to glory in. Most of his mistakes and miseries come from his seeking to be independent of Christ-hoping to find that in himself, or in the world, which is only in Christ. Self-love is unwilling to be beholden to Christ for every good thing: it is always trying to put some confidence in the flesh: but the believer is commanded, and is taught to deny self -to put it upon the cross-and to crucify it daily with its affections and lusts. As Christ is exalted, self goes down. As Christ is beloved, self is not only denied, but is also abhorred. The prophet Ezekiel in the thirty-sixth chapter describes the very height of the experience of a great believer, who is blest with the

abundant graces of the Holy Spirit: the result of which is, Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations: not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel." Such is the genuine working of true grace -It lays the sinner low at the Saviour's feet, abased and humbled to the dust-Behold I am vile-I abhor myself, and I repent in dust and ashes. The sense of God's distinguishing and sovereign mercy brings all high thoughts of self into subjection to Christ Jesus, and teaches the believer to walk humbly with his God, ascribing all his salvation to the praise of the glory of the exceeding riches of God's grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus: that according as it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Thus it is evident, that when the believer looks backupon what he was by nature, or considers what he is now by grace, he has nothing of his own to boast of, yet even in this continual warfare between the flesh and the spirit, in Christ Jesus he may rejoice even to a triumph, a jubilee of joy. But the grand triumph is yet to come. The best glorying in the Lord here is only a prelude to it. Now we have the espousals with our heavenly bridegroom, but then the marriage will be consummated. Now we are kept waiting in hope for the crown of righteousness, but that will be our coronation day. What a day will it be! What wonders and miracles! The promises, exceeding great and exceeding precious, will then have their full and everlasting accomplishment by a faithful God, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them who have believed. When they shall see him face to face-shall be with him where he is-shall be like him, and made capable of enjoying the honours,

and riches, and pleasures of his kingdom, in their fulness of blessedness for evermore.

CHAP. XI.

The eternal triumph.

THIS is the great lesson which the believer is learning, till he comes to the end of his faith-what is promised him, and what he hopes to be at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the centre, to which all his experience tends: and while he keeps it in view, it so enlivens and animates his prospect, that come what may, he goes on his way rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. 66 Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit." And by his holy inspiration he opens the eyes of the understanding, both to understand what is revealed, and also to know the things that are freely given to us of God : for great as they are, endless as they are, the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned but he that is spiritual has spiritual senses given him to exercise upon spiritual things-he is made certain of their reality-his faith gives a substance to the things hoped for, and evidence to the things not seen-an hope that never maketh ashamed—an evidence very clear and satisfying-sometimes he can triumph in hope of the glory of God, when the Holy Spirit sheds abroad in his heart the Father's love, and bestows great joy and peace in believing. But he who is thus taught of God knows only in part. An apostle knew no more. The best of our present enjoyment is only a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. But even this little

is of such a nature, and has such efficacy, that when it is truly believed, it influences the whole man, while he looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. They are not seen by the eye of the body, but are visible by the eye of faith; so we read, "Come, taste and see, how gracious the Lord is." By this eye of faith Moses saw him that is invisible: and this sight so affected him, and had such an influence upon his heart and life, that he lived above the world with all its temptations. This is the victory that overcame the world, even his faith. The same sight still works the same effect-producing a real value for spiritual and eternal things, and forming the heart to love and to practise the apostle's rule-My conversation is in heaven, from whence also I look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

In the scripture view of our victory in Christ, there are two great points, which will take in all that is revealed of our eternal triumph, namely, The complete conquest of all our enemies and the full and eternal enjoyment of all possible good. These two truths come now under our consideration; and if we can meditate upon them under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and mix faith with his revelation, we shall have a good warrant to begin those praises, which will never end, and to sing in harmony with all the redeemed our everlasting jubilee.

When we come to the end of our faith, even the eternal salvation of our souls, our victory is described to be a perfect deliverance from all evil-from sin, from suffering. Sin has brought all pain into the world— miseries upon the body-miseries upon the soul-spiritual wickedness-numerous hosts of foes-mighty principalities nnd powers-it has armed thousands, yea millions of them for our destruction-made us our own enemies by enslaving us to divers lusts and passions,

making us the prey to earthly, sensual, devilish tempers -and as if there was not suffering enough in the world, fillling us with many imaginary fears, which occasion real suffering. At last comes the wages of sin-death with its terrors-hell with its torments. O what a deliverer! what a deliverance! Not one enemy left. They are all brought under, and subdued, to rise no more. The Captain of our salvation has vanquished them for us. His victory is the earnest of ours. His was complete so is ours. No sin, no suffering can come Indeed he suffered

near the habitation of his holiness. once for sin, but he put it away by that sacrifice of himself. By faith we have the benefit of his suffering, a conscience purged from guilt, no condemnation left, no charge from any enemy. God himself justifies, God himself sees us, accepts us, glorifies us, in and with his Son for in that day he will present us to his Father without spot of sin unto eternal salvation.

Of this blessed and complete victory over all sin, and all suffering, the prophet Isaiah had a delightful pros pect, speaking of it in these words, "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and shall come to Sion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." O give thanks unto the Lord Jehovah, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever: let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: they have as much to thank their Redeemer for, as any creature possibly can have: his ransomed were under sin, helpless, miserable, dying sinners: from this slavery he bought them with an inestimable price, and they are become his property, his peculiar people, who have through him liberty to return to God, and to serve him without fear on earth, and to bless him for giving them freedom to come to Zion, to the city of the living God, with songs of gratitude and praise: they have everlasting joy upon their heads-crowned conquerors: they have the joys

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