the Christian warfare. My whole trust, therefore, is in thee, Jesus, my Lord and my God. Thou hast called me to the battle; thou must fit me for it, keep me in it, and make me conqueror. All is of thee. The whole armour of God, which I have received, the saving knowledge, the righteousness and the peace, that precious faith and glorious hope, that sure word, wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust-these are the gifts of thy grace, and on thee, my Jesus, I entirely depend for the right use of them. Thou must still cover my head in the day of battle. Mine eyes are lifted up to thee, my hopes centre in thee, from whom alone cometh all my salvation. O Lord of hosts, keep me in this simple dependence upon thy word and arm, that I may exercise thy graces in fighting thy battles; and if thou art pleased to give me daily victory, I may be willing to return thee all thy glory. O faithful promise-keeping God, stand by me, and enable me to hold out, till I finish my course with joy, and my warfare being ended, I may bless thee for ever more for that peace which passeth all understanding. O! grant me this for thy mercies' sake. Amen. If this be thy dependence, if thou art standing in the Lord's strength, and trusting entirely to his armour, then consider, O my soul, thy safety in every battle. If thou go to war, calling upon thy God to be with thee and to give thee victory, then victory is certain. Thou canst not be conquered, if thou fight in faith, relying upon the orders of thy General, expecting his promised help, and waiting for it in prayer, trusting to the armour which he has put upon thee. Is this then thy defence? Dost thou pray always -begin the good fight-carry it on-and end it with the prayer of faith? Blessed be his holy name, since this is, in some measure, thy case, go on in his strength, and fear not to fight his battles, who hath chosen thee to be a soldier. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. The more. hold thou art in thy faith, the stronger shalt thou be in thy warfare: for whatever thou hast courage to do at his command, thou shalt perform in his strength. And why should a doubt arise? Hast thou forgotten that the great decisive battle has been fought and won? Immanuel stood up the great champion for his people. The almighty warrior entered the lists with their enemies, and he conquered all their hosts. He triumphed over Satan and the world, over sin and death; and he led captivity captive. Remember, he calls upon thee to share in his victory, by faith to partake with him of the spoils, and to keep the vanquished enemies daily under thy feet. He has made them his footstool, and he will make them thine. This is thy warfare. And what hast thou to fear in it? What hurt can a dead man do thee? If he has a gun charged in his hand he cannot fire it. He is not able to stir a finger. No more able is any adversary to destroy thee. Whilst thou art trusting to the complete victory of Jesus, thou wilt daily share with him in it. And the more simple thy trust is in him, the greater conquest will he give thee, because he will then receive from thee greater glory.. How should this consideration inspire thee with courage-it is for his glory that thou shouldest conquer. Thy God commands thee to fight on his side, promises 'to assist thee, has provided invincible armour; and has, in his own person, engaged and defeated every enemy against whom thou art to fight; and therefore he requires thee, in obedience to his orders, depending upon his promises and armour, to bring him glory by conquering in his strength. O my soul, hast thou not a zeal to promote the honour of thy Saviour? Is not his fame and renown very near thy heart? Dost thou not think it a privilege to be any ways instrumental in exalting his great name name? Yes, Lord, thou hast made me willing to glorify thee, Thou art my lawful king, and I desire to honour thee by following thine orders, fighting thy battles, and relying entirely upon thy promises. I would not question thy faithfulness to them, nor fear any enemy against whom thou hast commanded me to fight. I would not doubt of thy strength to carry me through the battle, or to give me the promised victory. In this faith I conduct my warfare, and I would have all my success to bring fresh glory to thee. I know that the courage which I have in the field of battle is not from nature, but from grace. It arises from the belief that I am armed with the whole armour of God, and that the enemies against whom I fight, are his as well as mine-his-whom he conquered for me and is now conquering in me--and -- all to his own praise. From hence, Lord, arises my sure and certain hope of victory. I ground it on thy word. I fight in faith. I trust to thy complete victory, and now am sharing in it. My daily victories are only effect of thine. O my algive me grace to ascribe all the fruit and mighty Jesus, the glory to thee. willing to give it It is thy due. Make me thee for the victories obtained for me, and in me. O keep me by thine almighty power, through faith, till I have fought the good fight, and won the prize. Grant me this, blessed king of saints, to thine eternal honour and glory. Amen. |