SERM. fity, that we be temperate in all things, XIII. watchful and circumfpect. And we may

meet with oppofition and difcouragement. And as in thofe exercifes there was a crown or garland propofed to thofe who excelled, fo a life of holineffe here will be rewarded with glorie and happineffe hereafter.

These resemblances are the foundation of this comparison, and of those allufive exhortations, which we meet with in the New Teftament. The word exercife, fight, or ftrife, seems particularly to have a reference to the oppofition we may meet with in the practise of virtue. In the games alluded to there was always a contention. So are we likely to meet with things, that will try our strength, and oblige us to exert ourselves to the utmoft. Not only in times of perfecution, but in all seasons, there are difficulties attending a fincere profeffion of religious truth, and a fteady practise of virtue. Hopes of preferment in times of ease and profperity may be as dangerous, and ensnaring, as fears of death, or of the loffe of goods, in a time of perfecution. Yea both thefe temptations usually meet. The ftrictly confcientious must in moft times forego fome advantages, which

might be obtained, and incur fome inconve- SERM. niences, which might be avoided by com- XIII. pliances, not reconcilable with religion and virtue.

St. Paul therefore here requires, and earneftly exhorts Timothie, to exercise the good exercife of faith: that is, to be steadie and refolute, and hold out in the open profeffion and zealous defense of the plain truth of the gofpel, and the practife of all the duties of righteoufneffe, meekneffe, and charity and to fhun every thing contrarie to them: fo acting according to the directions of the gofpel, or the doctrine of faith, without being moved by hopes of worldly ease, wealth, honour and authority and likewise without being terrified by threats of adverfaries, and fears of any temporal evils, which he might be in danger of; as that he might not fail of obtaining that eternal life, which is proposed, as the reward of conftance and perseverance.

This exhortation is much the fame with that at the begining of the twelfth chapter to the Hebrews. With which therefore I conclude this head. Wherefore, feeing we are encompassed with fo great a cloud of witnesses; let us lay afide every weight, and the fin that

And let us run with pa

SERM. does fo easily befet us. XIII. tience the race fet before us: looking unto Jefus, the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy fet before him endured the croffe, defpifing the fhame: and is fet down at the right band of the throne of God.

11. In the next place we are to confider,
why this is called a good exercife. The
Apostle had some reasons for adding
that character. Very probably the word
is expreffive and emphatical.
fhould therefore try to difcover the de-
fign of it.

1. It is good, as it is innocent.

We

This could fcarce be faid of the exercises in the games of Greece. For, notwithstanding the many allufions to them in the books of the New Teftament, it is not the defign of the facred writers, to recommend, or justify thofe diverfions. They only intend to recommend to Chriftians that zeal, diligence, activity and perfeverance, in the caufe of truth and virtue, which they fhewed, who had a part in those exercises. But thofe perfons might not be altogether innocent in the principle they acted upon, nor in all their actions.

Their principle might be ambition or vain- SERM. glorie. And in fome of their combats the XIII. action might be detrimental to the antagonist.

But the exercise of faith is perfectly innocent. It proceeds from no bad principle. It is injurious to none. The principles, it maintains, and contends for, are certain truths, built upon fure evidence. And they have no bad tendences. The principles of the gospel infpire not men with any hurtful defigns. The actions, which they recommend, are all reasonable and beneficial, Nor are they who exercife in this exercise moved by envie, and ill-will to any nor yet by an exorbitant love of gain: nor by pride, or ambition of worldly honour.

2. It is good, inafmuch as it is worthie and important, not mean and trifling.

The celebrated contentions, to which the Apostle alludes, though in so much repute, were trifling, in comparison of this exercise of faith. They confifted chiefly in the show of bodily ftrength, and fome fkill in matters of small moment. But they who exercise the exercise of faith are employed in matters of great value. The principles, which they main

T 4

SERM. maintain, and refolutly refufe to deny, are XIII. truths of great importance. And they are

engaged in defigns and actions of much moment; governing the affections, with regard to all the fenfible things of this life, and ordering the whole of the converfation, according to the rules of right reafon. This is much more confiderable, than all the exploits of the Grecian combatants.

3. Confequently, the exercife of faith is a good exercife, as it is very honorable.

Though Chriftians were then had in contempt, and their faith was ridiculed: the Apostle calls the exercise of faith, that is, steadineffe in the profeffion of truth, and the practise of virtue, a good exercise. It is a thing of more true honour, than the combats, fo much applauded at that time, in many parts of the world. It is a thing of vaft difficulty. And it depends upon a very noble refolution and firmneffe of mind. The greateft offers, which the world can make, and the worst evils, which it can inflict, are oftentimes fet before men, to induce them to defert the intereft of known truth, and tranfgrefs the rules of virtue: and their compliance is folicited with long and tire

fome