was a duty incumbent on them: nay the meditation on such subjects has sometimes the same effect on the ministers themselves. The knowledge of the precepts, therefore, is the proper method of rendering believers "complete in the will of God, in "all wisdom and spiritual understanding," and in bringing them "to walk worthy of God unto all "pleasing;" and consequently inattention to it must proportionably produce the contrary effects. VI. Lastly, The scriptures frequently speak concerning the excellency of God's commandments in the most emphatical language; and with great earnestness exhort men "to abound in the work " of the Lord," and to be "zealous of good works :” yet many, who profess or preach evangelical truth, speak little on these subjects, except in a depreciating manner and hence additional prejudices are excited against the doctrines of grace, as subversive of holy practice. But, if the nature, use, excellency, and necessity, of good works, as the fruits and evidences of true faith, were more fully understood; and the preceptive part of the Bible, in subserviency to the gospel, were more prominent in men's discourses and conduct; such objections would be confuted: and they would "be put to "shame, who should falsely accuse" either our holy doctrine, or "our good conversation in Christ "Jesus."

ESSAY XVI.

ON THE BELIEVER'S WARFARE AND EXPERIENCE.

THE sacred scriptures always represent the true Christian as a soldier engaged in an arduous warfare with potent enemies, against whom he is supported, and over whom he is made victorious, by the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith in the Lord Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, and by obedience to his commands. Such expressions as "fighting," "striving," and "wrest"ling," with frequent and varied allusions to military affairs, imply an experience essentially different from that of those persons who never engaged in the conflict, or who have already obtained the conqueror's palm: nor can any hope, or even assurance, of victory and triumph, or any intervening seasons of peace and joy, entirely preclude this difference. The distinction therefore between the church militant on earth, and the church triumphant in heaven, has on good grounds been established; and they who do not well understand and consider it are very liable to fall into several injurious, discouraging, disgraceful, or even fatal mistakes. In discussing this subject, we may briefly consider the distinguishing principles, purposes, and desires of the persons who are engaged in this warfare: enumerate the enemies with whom especially they are called to contend: briefly mention the encouragements, supports, and aids vouch

safed them; the weapons with which they fight; and the manner in which they put on and use their armour: advert to the nature and effects of their victories: and conclude with a few hints on the peculiar experience that must result from their situation.

1. Then, we speak not in this place of the whole multitude who are called Christians, or who profess to believe the scriptures: neither do we include all who hold or dispute for the several doctrines which form the grand peculiarities of the Christian faith; nor the whole company who compose any peculiar sect or denomination, to the exclusion of others. In respect of all collective bodies, we are, alas! constrained to allow, that but few comparatively" strive to enter in at the "strait gate." A vast majority of all frequent "the broad road that leadeth to destruction," "hold the truth in unrighteousness," and, "walk "according to the course of this world." Many indeed observe Gamaliel's cautious advice, and are not openly united with those "who fight "against God:" but they aim to observe an impracticable and inadmissible neutrality, and know nothing of fighting under the banner of Christ against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and of < being his faithful soldiers to the end of their ' lives:' unless they have read or heard of it, in the form of baptism, or have been taught it from some orthodox catechism. But the persons of whom this Essay treats are those of every name, who, by " obeying the truth," have been "made

Matt. vii. 13, 14. Luke, xiii. 23-30.

"free from sin, and become the servants of God." Most of them remember the time when they" were "foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers "lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another :" but " God, "who is rich in mercy, of his great love wherewith "he loved them even when they were dead in

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sin, hath quickened them."2 Thus “being born "again, not of corruptible seed, but of incor"ruptible," they were enlightened to see something of the glory of God, the evil of sin, the value and danger of their souls, and their need of mercy, grace, and salvation. They were effectually warned to "flee from the wrath to come," and "led to repent and turn to God," to " deny ungodliness and worldly lusts," to renounce their former hopes, and to believe in Christ, that they might be justified by faith. Having been thus taught "to count all but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ," they are prepared to deny themselves, bear the cross, labour, venture, suffer, and part with all, for his sake. In this manner they have been, " delivered from the

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power of darkness, and translated into the king"dom of the beloved Son of God:" they separate from his enemies, and join themselves to his friends; they throw down the arms of their rebellion, and "put on the whole armour of God;" they deliberately enlist under the banner of Christ; and they consider his people, cause, and honour, as their own, and his enemies within and around them as equally hostile to them also. Under the

1 Tit. iii. 3-7.

2

Eph. ii. 1-10.

conduct of divine grace, these consecrated warriors" strive against sin," seeking the destruction of the kingdom of Satan, in their hearts and in the world, as far as their influence can reach; and do not, when most themselves, so much as entertain one thought of making any peace, or truce, with the enemies of Christ and of their immortal souls. Holiness, or conformity to the moral perfections and law of God, they deem their health and liberty, and sin their disease, bondage, and misery: they regard themselves as bound, by the strongest and most endearing obligations, to devote themselves wholly to the service of their God and Saviour; they esteem the interests of evangelical truth and vital godliness, as of the utmost importance to the happiness of mankind ; and they expect their present comfort, as well as their future felicity, from communion with God and the enjoyment of his favour.

But various inward and outward impediments and obstructions combine to counteract these desires, and to prevent these principles from producing their full effect; and, while they struggle to exert themselves notwithstanding this opposition, a conflict ensues, to which all rational creatures in the universe, who are not thus circumstanced, must of course be strangers; even as none but soldiers in actual service experience the dangers, hardships, and sufferings of a military life. The regenerate person as really loves God, and as really desires to obey, honour, worship, and please him, and for his sake to act properly towards his

4 Heb. xii. 4.