soldiers have many things to animate and imbolden them, which the Christian soldier wants. They are surrounded by multitudes, who are engaged in the same contest, and who invigorate one another by their voices and example ; but he engages alone, or nearly so, at the point of attack, and at the time that he is most pressed. They are applauded in pro- portion to their exertions, and commend themselves to the esteem of all who behold them : but the more strenuously the Christian soldier exerts himself, the more is he hated and despised by all who ought to encourage and commend him : and, instead of looking for any reward in this life, he knows that to his dying hour he has no other treatment to expect. Verily, it is not for nought that the Christian soldier is bidden to be strong and very courageous : for there is more need of a principle of fortitude in him, than in any other person under heaven.]
Let us however notice, on the other hand,
II. The encouragement which God himself affords to all who desire to serve him in truth —
As he reminded Joshua of the grounds he had for encouragement, so he would have us to consider,
1. In whose service we are engaged —
[" Have not I commanded thee ? " Yes, it is the God of heaven whose battles we fight, and in whose service we are engaged. Were it only an earthly monarch to whom we had devoted ourselves, we ought to serve him with all fidelity: what, then, should we not do for the King of kings, who has not only chosen us to be his soldiers, but has himself taken the field for our sakes, to subdue our enemies, and to deliver us from their assaults ? Contemplate Jehovah as our Covenant- God — contemplate him as assuming our very nature on pur- pose to fight our battles — consider him as submitting to death itself, that on the very cross he might " spoil the principalities and powers of hell," and "lead captivity itself captive." — This is " the Captain of our salvation" under whom we fight; and shall not that encourage us? Suppose the whole uni- verse combined against us, and issuing their orders that we shall not obey so strictly the laws of God ; what reply should we make, but that of the Apostles, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye ; for we cannot but fulfil his will and execute His commands."]
2. The pledge he gives us of his presence and support —
[" Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed ; for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest," said