pray for those who have not your high privileges-and for yourselves remember, "that to whom much has been given, of them will much be required!" Often ask your own hearts the searching question," ON THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. Now dawns the long-expected, wish'd-for day, Unhappy men, whom prejudice beguiles, Or pass it by with cold sarcastic sneer, Or sigh to crush it in its full career: When Gabriel's voice proclaims to saints on high When borne on angel banners ye shall view When ransom'd souls from earth's remotest coast O my lov'd country! should the day appear And sound through earth, from north to southern pole, Which cheers the world with Scripture's heavenly ray! RHYMER. SERMON *.-THE FIGHT OF FAITH. 1 Timothy, vi. 12. Fight the good fight of faith. How mistaken are those, who imagine, that in the religion of Christ they have nothing to do but to rest for security on a dead faith or barren profession! How many, that are called Christians," sit all the day idle," only "folding their hands," and enjoying, in false confidence, the hope of the glorious Gospel, without once considering the work that God hath called them to perform, the duties which they have to discharge, the race that they have to run, or the conflict which they will have to maintain to the end of life, with all the enemies of God and man. From the commencement to the close of his life, the Christian hath enemies to contend with, to resist, and to conquer. Every expression that is used to describe his state, his character, and his duty, implies that he is called to labour and diligence, to holy vigilance and activity, and to "fight the good fight of faith," under the banners of the cross, all the way to Zion. The real Christian finds, through all his earthly pilgrimage, trials, temptations, and difficulties at every step of his journey. He knows, by bitter experience, the craft and malice of the enemy, the deceitfulness and of sin, and the corpower ruption of his own heart; and is made to feel and to confess, that if he but relax his efforts, remit his vigilance, or neglect his duty, his soul is in danger, and he is sure to fall. He will acknowledge the necessity of daily watchfulness and prayer for the supply of the Spirit of Christ" to resist the various and alluring temptations by which he is assailed, to overcome the wiles of Satan, of a deceitful world, and of his own corrupt " Abridged from Davy's Cottage Sermons, Vol. II. FEBRUARY 1823. heart, and to become " holy in all manner of conversation." But, there are some, who even profess the Gospel of Christ, who know nothing of the soul's conflict with the "power of the prince of darkness," its internal struggles with corruption, and its spiritual warfare with outward temptation. They even ridicule the idea of such a conflict, and consider it as a mark of enthusiastic folly, and as a proof of religious extravagance. They never knew any thing of such a conflict, and therefore they conclude that no one else ever did. They never experienced any thing of the corruption and deceitfulness of the heart, and therefore they imagine that no one else did. They never feelingly knew the power of the enemy; and therefore they believe that there is no danger to be apprehended from his power; though they are only proving, by their reasoning and conduct, that they are themselves under the influence of the great deceiver, and that they are" led captive by him at his will." Without now attending to such false notions, which at once contradict the whole tenour of the Gospel, and the experience of the wisest and best men in all ages; I shall rather call your most earnest attention to the subject of the Christian's conflict, and engage your hearts in fervent prayer, that the Spirit of that mighty God who alone can give us the victory, may now be with us, and render the word effectual to make each of us more diligent, more watchful, more successful in all our spiritual warfare, that we may so "fight the good fight of faith," as to gain the "victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." "We I. It is an arduous fight. wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, I against spiritual wickedness in high places." All the powers of earth and hell are leagued against the believer in Christ Jesus. Every effort and stratagem will be used during the whole warfare to entrap, to surprise, and to overcome the soul. We shall need all our vigilance and care, all our strength and fortitude, to stand against the mighty host of foes that will oppose our progress in the ways of heaven. Our enemies are many, mighty, and malicious At one time power will be employed; at another, craft will be tried; at another, malice will exert all its wiles; sometimes, the whole will be united to crush the soul, to destroy its hope, and to "draw it back unto perdition." Human nature, with all its powers, must fall before such powerful opposition. Reason, with all its attainments, must prove insufficient for the conflict. "Flesh and blood" alone could not "stand in the evil day." Man alone, with all his boasted might and excellence, must fall as a prey to "the devouring lion." The conflict is, indeed, great and difficult; and, if we were left to ourselves, we must despair of success. When we consider the power and malice of the enemy, and the many and great advantages that he hath over us from a fallen world in friendship and alliance with him, from our own natural corruption, and from our own "wicked and deceitful hearts," so ready to listen to, and to yield to the suggestions of the deceiver; we must surely tremble for ourselves, and be alarmed for our own safety. Where so much is at stake, the risk so great and the loss so irreparable, it must be confessed, that to fear is reasonable. Blessed is the man who so feareth as to flee to the refuge that is in Christ Jesus for safety, and to resort to the armoury of God for the only sure weapons of defence in this arduous conflict. "Our sufficiency is of God." It is "Christ that strengtheneth" us. It is the Spirit of the Lord alone, that prepares the soul for the combat, gives courage for the conflict, and secures" us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." In this sufficiency the Christian stands prepared for every assault. In this aid of the Spirit, the humble follower of Jesus goes forward, rejoicing as he follows the "Captain of his salvation;" knowing that under his guidance and protection he shall finally triumph over all the malice and power of the enemy, and over all opposition in his way to glory. II. It is a "good fight." Some earthly contests are only evil both in their object, their means, and in their end. They are often begun from motives of wicked ambition, are carried on to the destruction of all peace and happiness, and end in the misery and distress of conquered nations. These contests are only to be traced by carnage and blood, and are discovered by the tears and lamentations of the widow and the orphan. But the Christian's conflict is a "good fight." It is begun for the good of the soul; it produces and ensures peace of mind; it ends in eternal salvation. This fight begins from a holy ambition of escaping from the cruel bondage of sin, and or serving God in sincerity and truth. It is carried on to destroy the kingdom of Satan in the soul, and to enthrone the God of glory in the heart. Its object is to conquer all sin and every evil propensity, and to give the whole possession of the soul to its rightful owner. The present effect of this conflict to the humble penitent is peace in the conscience and peace with God; and its future consequences are peace and glory in heaven. This contest leads the soul of the faithful servant of God to the acquisition and the enjoyment of true earthly happiness, and prepares it for that which is everlasting. By it the believer in Jesus obtains "durable and unsearchable riches," "more than eye hath seen, or heart conceived;" honours and titles more distinguished than the world can bestow; even a kingdom that is unfading, undefiled, everlasting, and reserved in "heaven for all" the followers of the Lamb, who have "fought the good fight of faith," and have gained the victory over sin and Satan, death and hell, through the precious blood of the cross. The fight may be arduous, the danger may be great, the enemies may be many and mighty; but, the consideration that it is a "good fight," for the glory of our God, and for the good of our souls, should arm us with fortitude and resolution to fight manfully under the banner of the cross. We are assured, that by victory alone, we can obtain the prize of our high calling. We are faithfully told, that, if we "resist the devil, steadfast in the faith," the battle must be won. For, though his power is mighty, yet our strength in Christ is almighty; and in that strength we shall be " more than conquerors through Christ that loveth us." We are warned, that if we yield, we must perish, and that we must either conquer or die. In this warfare with the " powers of darkness," the more ardent and zealous we are, the more peace and happiness we shall experience, the more successful we shall prove over all our spiritual enemies, the more good we shall secure and enjoy in our own souls, the more blessing we shall receive from the "God of all consolation," the more we shall feelingly know of the love of Christ by the communion of the Spirit, and the more ready we shall be for that "rest that yet remaineth to the people of God." This one grand and peculiar advantage attends this holy warfare: the more we fight in the strength of the Lord, the better we shall become, the more holy we shall grow, we shall" wax stronger and stronger," the happier and more heavenly-minded we shall be. Our very enemies thus become, however unintentionally, our friends. Our temptations only increase our watchfulness. The powers of hell, combined against us only drive us nearer to heaven. The daily assaults of the enemy only compel us to "live daily more by faith in the Son of God." The knowledge of our danger only quickens the soul to prayer. The very sight of an enemy only makes the believer to live in his armour, not to sleep at his post; but, every moment to stand prepared, that he may neither wound his own conscience, dishonour his Master, nor disgrace his profession. Whatever we feel, or suffer, or lose, in this conflict, is not "worthy to be compared with the joy that shall be revealed to us.' But it is also, III. A continued fight. In the contests for power in this world one battle sometimes decides the fate of a kingdom. In this world, war may be arrested by a truce; peace may follow; and a league of alliance may be lasting. But, in the contest for heaven no kind of intermission can be given to the conflict -no truce can be made with the enemy-no alliance can be formed, nor compromise can be admitted. Every day we must fight or fallevery hour we must be ready, in "the whole armour of God" to meet the enemy-every moment that we are off our guard, we are exposed to danger. There is no rest from this toil, till we rest in heaven. There is no sleeping in safety, till we sleep in Jesus." The Christian must consider nothing as done effectually, while there remaineth any thing undone." " Forgetting all that is past, he must still be pressing forward." Every day must he go forth to meet the enemy. He must watch over his "deceitful heart," his evil tempers, and his evil habits. One conflict is no sooner ended, than he must expect another. One victory only prepares the way for a second. At one time an open attack may be resisted with ease; at another, a secret snare may be successful. At one time, an outward assault may be of no moment; at another, an inward temptation may prevail. The enemy will be restless and indefatigable, like "a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." He will try every art and method to discover some weak and vulnerable part. He will suit his snares to our dispositions, circumstances, and habits. In all our ways, and in all our works, we must ever watch against the wiles of the great deceiver, and every "besetting sin." Every where, and in all possible conditions of life, we must be on our guard against his cunning devices, lest he "get an advantage over us." "Let him that now thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." We are never safe, unless in walking humbly with our God. We must not consider the warfare ended, till we are safe in the realms of glory. "This is not our rest." The conflict, however difficult, must be continued till we die. While we carry about us a "body of sin," the warfare will be uninterrupted. While we have one lust or evil temper left, the struggle will not cease. While we breathe, and there is a possibility of temptation, the victory will not be won. But, beloved, be not discouraged-fear not-remember your high calling-behold the prize -view the crown of glory-redouble your efforts-fight manfully as the heirs of salvation." The victory cannot be doubtful. Success will crown your fidelity. Glory will be your reward and inheritance. For, never forget, that it is, IV. "The fight of faith." If in this arduous conflict man had alone to encounter the hosts of hell, he might well shrink from the contest, and in despair of success give up all for lost. But, he is not alone; for, more mighty are they that are for us, than they are or can be that are against us. Nature, indeed, trembles at the power of the enemy, and reason declines the conflict. But, faith goes forth to combat and to victory, in the strength of Him who is almighty. Faith engages all the hosts of heaven on its side, and in its defence. Faith girds the Christian for the war, and secures him success in the conflict with the powers of darkness. The true Christian is armed, in this holy warfare, with armour proof against "all the fiery darts of the wicked," able to repel every attack of the enemy, and to preserve the soul safe in the midst of danger. The believer in Christ hath the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit," for his perfect security. Faith unites the soul to God in a bond that cannot be broken. Faith sees the "horses and chariots of fire" that compass "the servants of God, and fears not." It beholds "the Angel of the Lord encamping around those that fear him," and stands unalarmed. relies on the faithfulness and power of God, and thus triumphs over every enemy. By faith, the Christian" sees Him who is invisible,” sending daily supplies of grace for his various infirmities and trials, his conflicts and temptations. By faith he apprehends and enjoys the preciousness of the promise, that the Lord of mercy will not leave his people to perish; that Christ is" able to succour them that are tempted," and that he will give all "grace to help in every time of need." He knows the power and the privilege of prayer; and "by prayer and supplication makes his request known to Him" who hath promised, "Call upon me in the time of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Faith can remove mountains of difficul ties; surmount all dangers; face It |