persevered with the same zeal and diligence as they exercised on their first entrance into Canaan, and pursued with unrelenting energy those whom they had been commanded to destroy, their occupation of the land had been far more peaceful and entire. And so, if we, from our first conversion to God, had maintained with unremitting zeal our warfare with sin and Satan, as it became us to do, we should have had all the cor- ruptions of our nature in more complete subjection, and should have enjoyed a far greater measure of tranquillity in our own souls. Let not any one, then, delude himself with the thought that the strength of his corruptions is a subject rather of pity than of blame : but let all know, that they are called to main- tain a warfare; that armour, even " the whole armour of God," is provided for them, in order that they may prosecute it with success; and that, if only they will " quit themselves like men," the Captain of their salvation has assured to them a complete victory. Gird on your armour then, my Brethren ; and, if your enemy has gained any advantage over you, return to the charge ; and never cease to fight, till Satan, and all his hosts, are " bruised under your feet."]
2. Of encouragement —
[The doom of your enemies is sealed n ; and, if you " go forth in the strength of your Lord," " you shall be more than conquerors through him that loveth you0." Let it not be grievous to you that such a necessity is imposed upon you. Did your Saviour himself enter the lists, and fight against all the powers of darkness till he had triumphed over them and despoiled them all; and will not you, at his command, go forth, to follow up, and complete, his victory15? Fear not on account of the strength or number of your enemies: for " they shall be bread for you ; " and your every victory over them shall nourish and strengthen your own souls. And let all animate one another to the contest. See the happy effect of this amongst God's people of old. We are told, " Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites ; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him. And Judah went up : and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their handq." True it is, indeed, that we cannot aid each other precisely in the same way that they did : but we may encourage one another, and strengthen one another, and by our example animate one another to the combat ; and may thus contribute, each of us, to the success of those around us. And it is but a little time that we have to fight : for soon we
» Deut. vii. 22, 23. ° Rom. viii. 37.
p Col. ii. 15. with John xvi. 11. <i Judg. i. 3, 4.