assurance of his presence. "Fear not, for I am with thee," Gen. xxvi. 24. Isa. xli. 10. The three Jewish youths considered him as able to deliver them, when Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to be cast into the fiery furnace, Dan. iii. 17. and therefore, like the Jewish nurses in Egypt, they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Faith will support us in the greatest dangers by this reasoning, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom. viii. 31. "He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee: so that we may boldly say (in the way of our duty,) the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me," Heb. xiii. 5, 6. Nor Heb. xiii. 5, 6. Nor yet what devils can do; "for greater is he that is in us, and with us, than he that is in the world," 1 John iv. 4.

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2. Faith proposes the divine Spirit, as directly provided to help our infirmities. Particularly for this very purpose, to inspire us with needful courage. So the apostle prays for the Ephesians, "that God would grant them to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner-man," Eph. iii. 16. that is, animated with proper courage in their Christian course. greeable to that ancient promise, Psal. xxvii. 14. "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart," that is, Maintain your trust in God, and so set yourselves vigorously to go on in the way of your duty, and you shall find his confirming grace still more to corroborate and animate you.

3. Faith represents our main enemies as already vanquished, and as having their chief power broken. The captain of our salvation hath personally overcome them, and as the head of his church too. "Having spoiled principalities and powers, (which he did by the efficacy of his death,) he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (or rather,) in himself, by his resurrection and ascension, leading captivity captive," Col. ii. 15. This is a strong encouragement, not only after his example, but under his banner, to fight the good fight against them. And to the same encouragement, he directs us himself with reference to the world and the evils of it; "Be of good chear, I have overcome the world," John xvi. 33. Hence the intention of God in sending his Son, is represented to be, "that we should be saved from our enemies,' Luke i. 71. and then, ver. 74, 75. "That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without

fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life."

4. Faith gives us particular assurance, that our trials shall not exceed our strength; either the strength we have, or that which shall be imparted, 1 Cor. x. 13. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

5. Faith sets in view greater evils to be feared from our cowardice, than can be feared from our adherence to God. Christ elegantly sets these the one over against the other, Luke xii. 4, 5. "I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do." They cannot go so far without divine permission, but it is certain that is doing their worst. "But I will forewarn

you whom ye shall fear. Fear him, (who can do that and more too ;) who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell." And this we are fairly warned will be their lot, who cowardly turn their backs, after they have seemed to engage in the Christian warfare. If we should "draw back, it must be unto perdition ;" God's soul will have "no pleasure in us,” Heb. x. 38, 39. And the fearful, who chose always to be in the rear in danger, stand in the front of those who "shall have their part in the second death," Rev. xxi. 8. One would think this necessity, and the impossibility of escaping without it, should make even a coward to fight. On the other hand,

6. Faith assures us of the certain and glorious success of our courage. That our endeavours against our powerful enemies shall issue in a full conquest. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly," Rom. xvi. 20. And though now a saint after all his struggles, may have frequent occasion to mourn over the body of death, he may be assured that God "will deliver him from it through Jesus Christ our Lord," Rom. vii. 24, 25. "And death itself, the last enemy shall be destroyed," 1 Cor. xv. 26. And unspeakable rewards shall be the prize of the conquerors. We find promises of glorious recompences, in a variety of moving descriptions, made to the seven churches of Asia, in the second and third chapters of the Revelation, but all of them assured only to him that overcometh. We strive for mastery, not as uncertain what we are to obtain by it, but for an incorruptible

crown, 1 Cor. ix. 25, 26. If we are "stedfast and unmoveable, we know that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord," chap. xv. 58. And the promised rewards are plainly declared to bear a proportion to all the difficulties and dangers we surmount,

7. Faith represents to us the noblest examples of such holy fortitude upon the same principle: all the excellent of the earth, particularly that noble collection of worthies, whose brave exploits are recorded in Heb. xi. The glorious apostle Paul himself; and above all the Captain of our salvation, who was an illustrious pattern of invincible courage in his work: He feared the face of no man in the course of his ministry; but boldly reproved sin and sinners. His enemies could not help owning it, Matt. xxii. 16. "Thou carest not for any man, for thou regardest not the person of men." He pursued his Father's business, and the instruction of mankind, notwithstanding the unwearied designs of ill men against him; which led some upon his preaching openly at Jerusalem, at the feast of tabernacles, to say with admiration, "Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing to him," John vii. 25, 26. When some of the Pharisees would have persuaded him to quit the place, where he knew his present duty lay, for fear of Herod, Luke xiii. 31, 32. "Get thee out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee:" Jesus said unto them, "Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." He neither quitted his post of service for fear of him; nor declined to send him a sharp reproof, according to his special prophetical commission, for fear of provoking him farther. But especially he shewed the truest fortitude, when he was called to bear his last testimony to the truth, and "witnessed a good confession before Pontious Pilate," sealing it with his blood. In this the apostle calls us "to look to Jesus, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him, that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds," Heb. xii. 2, 3. We are called to consider this pattern of courage, and of the glorious success of it too, to animate us to new vigour in our race.

Upon the whole,

1. Consider this grace of fortitude, as a matter of the utmost importance in the Christian life. The variety of oppositions and difficulties in our way make it necessary. We shall never make any considerable progress in the divine life without it, nor ever do much for God or our generation.

It is indeed more especially necessary in some stations; as in magistrates. Great things depend upon their vigour, when they like Asa, "take courage and put away the abominations in a land," 2 Chron. xv. 8. And in ministers, who have peculiar occasion "with all boldness to speak the word," Acts iv. 29. to "speak the gospel boldly, as they ought to speak," Eph. vi. 20. But it is necessary in every station, to resist the devil, whom we have all in common for an enemy, 1 Pet. v. 9. And to overcome the world, to which every man is obliged, and which no man can successfully do, without a vigour of resolution.

It is eminently necessary in some duties. As for instance, in reproving and endeavouring to reform sinners. But almost every duty will at one time or other require it.

It is comparatively more necessary in some periods of time and circumstances of life, than in others. As in times of persecution, or of the uncommon prevalence of sin and profaneness. But the best times on earth will furnish us with some occasions for it.

It was a proper disposition for a saint in every dispensation of the church. It was often inculcated under the Old Testament; "fear not, be strong and of good courage.' But it is eminently suitable to a saint in the evangelical state, wherein we have much stronger motives to it. For, (as the apostle says,) 2 Tim. i. 7. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." He has given us no occasion for a cowardly temper, but the greatest reason for a courageous spirit,

2. Cultivate therefore your faith, in order to the forming of your minds to holy fortitude. Frequently contemplate the establishing motives of the gospel, which are so full and apposite; and by prayer and frequent reviews of the grounds of your faith, endeavour to confirm your hope in the gospel.

3. Use all farther additional means to fortify your minds. Be prepared for the worst, by counting frequently the cost. Make clear the goodness of your cause, for which you may be called to exert your courage. Make sure of the goodness of your state, and carefully exercise a good conscience; without this, the best cause in profession will be very faintly maintained in an evil day; because the gospel so fully assures us, that an assertion of the clearest and most important truth contained in it, will not be a sufficient passport for heaven, without real goodness and a general sincerity of heart.