11. Stand fast therefore, as becomes those to whom are made all those glorious declarations; _ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people_; which plainly alludes to _Exodus_ xix. 3‒4. where we find these emphatic expressions of God; _ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles wings, and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people. For all the earth is mine: and ye shall be a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation._
Now, not only _Israel_ after the flesh, but all the people of God, have a right to lay claim to, and comfort themselves with all these his glorious promises. And to what purpose did he make them? Was it not to assure all his servants, that none, how powerful soever, should be able to hurt them, as long as they continue faithful in his covenant? Nor is it possible for the whole world to hurt one that entirely relies on his promises. For he who trusts in God, doth by this faith so unite himself to the power of the living God, that thereby he becomes much stronger than the whole world, whether visible or invisible.
This precious promise of God, concerning the royal priesthood of his saints, was confirmed and sealed by the death and blood of the Son of God. _Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first begotten from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father._ Let every Christian then demonstrate himself to be one of these royal priests, by breaking through all difficulties, in true chearfulness of faith, which he is willing to give to all, without respect of persons: by fighting manfully the battles of the Lord, and pressing on for the prize of his high calling.
Let every one that hath by baptism begun to renounce the devil and all his works, entirely dedicate himself to the service of the Lord of hosts: *Let him deeply consider, with how high and holy a majesty, with how great a monarch (_who indeed, is the only potentate_) he hath entrusted his soul and body; and no more _fear them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul_. Let him think with himself how secure he is under the protection of so great a King. _He dwelleth in the secret of the Most High; he abideth in the shadow of the Almighty._ But let him also duly consider, that he is not to fight this combat by his own strength; but that the captain of the Lord’s hosts, delivering his own sword to him, will arm him with his own power, and say unto him, as he did unto _Joshua_, _I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong, and of good courage; be not afraid; neither be thou dismayed: for ♦the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest._
♦ duplicate word “the” removed
In fine, renew thyself in the daily spirit of thy mind, and draw life and nourishment from the word of God. Stir up thyself in prayer, and strengthen thyself with the company of other faithful Christians: since, _where two or three are gathered together in his name, there is Christ in the midst of them_. Thou oughtest to _stir up the gift of God_, the child-like, chearful spirit always, and without intermission, even as a fire, by constant blowing is kept up to a flame. Press towards higher degrees of faith, by pondering the promises of God, and continually exercising thy love to thy neighbour, with all singleness of heart, to the uttermost of thy power, wherever God giveth thee opportunity. For nothing conduces more to the increase of faith, than a continual exercise of it.
And if a man know himself to be naturally bashful and fearful, let him with the greater earnestness assault this enemy, and labour to keep a conscience void of offence, lest his natural fearfulness grow upon him. Let him have a care, in the beginning, not to make himself the slave of other men, especially of them that are in high places; but behave himself always as a faithful servant of God, in all discretion and humility. Or, if he has at first fallen short, let him the more now encourage himself in God, to obey him henceforth rather than man; not suffering himself to be any more shaken either by force or subtilty. He ought to lift up his head in the power of Christ, though under the hardest combat; and to make the glory of God his whole and sole end, in all he does, or leaves undone. Blessed is he that thus standeth his ground in all combats and assaults; he shall go from faith to faith, from strength to strength, and finally overcome all things with Christ.