no other object could be gained but that of sacrificing their lives to the enemy; so it is highly necessary that believers be well disciplined for their warfare. This is the work of their leader. He engages them in his service. This is the first step to their being trained to warfare. They are naturally subjects of the prince of darkness, have sworn allegiance to him, and serve him faithfully. The Captain of salvation rescues them from the hand of the enemy, overcomes their stubborn wills, causes them renounce the service of Satan, and attaches them to himself. Thus the prey is taken from the mighty; and the emancipated vassal pledges himself to his deliverer, "O Lord, my God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over me: but by thee only will I make mention of thy name." He now instructs them in the knowledge of Satan's devices and the deceitfulnes of their own hearts, as they are in most danger from these. The wiles, stratagems, and methods of seduction, used by Satan, are not to be known but by supernatural teaching, nor rendered abortive but by divine influence. Every thing necessary to descry the danger, to fortify against it, and to enable the believer to act his part, is conferred; instruction, aid, and encouragement. This opens his lips to praise his leader. "Blessed be the Lord my strength, who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." Psalm cxliv. 1. " By thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms." Psalm xviii. 29, 34. He trains them by experience, leading them out against the enemy and exercising them. He lets the enemies form their scheme, and proceed to execute it, but he gives all necessary information to his people of the enemies' designs, and directs them how to oppose them, so as not

to be overcome. He does not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able to bear; but with the temptation finds a way of escape, that they may be able to bear it.

3. He goes continually on their head to conduct them forward in the way. As a figure of this he led the way to ancient Israel in a pillar of cloud by day, and of a flaming fire by night. In this way he conducted them safely through the Red Sea, and every step of their journey in the wilderness. That cloud was the visible symbol of the divine presence, by which they were directed and defended. Without such a leader they had lost their way and fallen a prey to their enemies. What God promised and did to Israel, he verifies still to all his sons whom he will have brought to glory. Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Gen. xxiii. 20. The way to glory is to them an ⚫untrodden path: this renders such a leader absolutely necessary. In performing this work, he puts his Spirit within them, and writes his word upon their hearts. In this way he leads them into all truth, and works in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure; he sheds a light upon their path, and directs their steps aright in the way of holiness. Faith and holiness, pursued with diligence and perseverance, lead to the possession of hea

ven.

The Scriptures are the rule of both, and the Spirit of Jesus works both in the soul, and leads them forth in exercise. They have his own gracious promise assuring them that he will do so. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 27. If left to them

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selves they would stumble in the way, or deviate from the perfect rule of righteousness; but as their leader is able and faithful," He will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble; and will cause them to hear a word behind them, saying, This is the way walk ye in it." If their work at any time. be arduous, he will strengthen them with might by his Spirit in the inner man. it, and his word may be relied on. "I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord." Zech. x. 12. Such, then, as follow him, trust in him, and wait upon him, shall renew their "strength, mount up with wings as eagles, run without wearying, and walk without fainting."

He has said

WHEN he leads them against their enemies he goes on their head. "The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and passed through the gate, and are gone out by it; and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them." Mic. ii. 13. Their leader faces the enemy, displays his skill, leads on his people, exerts his almighty power, and discomfits the foe. Such is the representation given of him. Rev. xix. 11, 14. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." Under such a leader they may advance against the most formidable enemies without trepidation, because he who leads them is on their side, and is more mighty than all their enemiss.

4. HE supplies them with every thing necessary to bring them to glory. He communicates strength to

make them adequate to every part of their work. Their work is spiritual and holy; but their souls are so weak, and corruption so strong that, of themselves, they can do nothing. Their life and strength are in Jesus their divine leader; and they are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength; he makes his grace sufficient for them, and perfects his strength in their weakness. Then they are not afraid to enter on the most arduous work, nor to encounter the greatest dangers; being convinced that they can do all things through Christ strengthening them. By virtue of their vital union to him, and the improvement of it by faith, continual supplies are conveyed to them from his fulness, by means of which they hold on their way and increase in strength. Their love to the divine law becomes stronger, their delight in it increases, and they grow more intent on keeping it. These supplies enlarge their hearts and make them run the way of God's commandments. The attempts of their enemies to seduce them from the way of righteousness, or to retard them in it, prove unsuccessful, because they make themselves strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. No dangers discompose them, no combination of enemies makes them afraid, because they know on whom they may rely for counsel and strength. "The Lord is my light," said an eminent believer, and soldier, " and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." Psalm xxvii. 1, 3. He provides all necessary armour for them; clothes them with it, and directs them

how to use it. They are therefore enjoined to put on the whole armour of God. It is complete, and if all of it is put on, and carefully used, it will prove a sufficient defence to them; and enable them to vanquish all enemies. Wherefore," says the Apostle," take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." With this armour they stand against the wiles of the devil, quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and put to flight the armies of the aliens. As a wise leader Jesus communicates to his people their supplies according to their exigencies; grace to help them in time of need; that their strength may be in proportion to their work and their trials. He holds the stores in his own hand, he knows best when and how much to communicate, and will have his people constantly to apply to him for what they want.

5. HE subdues all their enemies. These are numerous and unweariedly attempt to obstruct their way to glory: and indeed if these enemies were not destroyed, they could never reach the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls. Their leader has once subdued and completely vanquished all of them, in his own person. By and on his cross he put away sin, bruised the serpent's head, and overcame the world. This secured their destruction in respect of his people. the right hand of the Majesty on high, he till all these enemies are destroyed, and his people for ever put beyond the reach of their power. The remains of corruption in the heart are gradually mortified by the virtue of his blood, and the power of his grace. Their old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed. The Spirit has begun this work, and will not desist till he has completed it.

Seated on must reign