as of doubtful issue : we should assure ourselves, that in all our conflicts we shall be victorious, and that " Satan himself shall be bruised under our feet shortly e." Already may we look upon the land as ours, and see the crowns and kingdoms there reserved for us. There, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, we should consider ourselves as already enthroned f; and look forward with joy to the dissolution of our earthly tabernacle, in order to its erection in that good land where it shall be the habitation of God for ever and everg.]
3. That, in whatever circumstances we be, we should be determined, through grace, to " roll away the reproach" of our unconverted state —
[The reproach of the Israelites in Egypt was, that they were in bondage both to men and devils: for, whilst they were involuntarily engaged in the service of their Egyptian task-masters, they voluntarily worshipped the gods of Egypt h. But behold them now consecrated to God by circumcision, and their reproach was completely rolled away. And is not the unconverted man also both a bond-slave and an idolater ? Yes, whatever be the exterior of his deportment, he serves the world, the flesh, and " the devil, by whom he is led captive at his will : " and, whether more or less correct in his outward conduct, he " worships and serves the creature more than the Creator, who is God blessed for evermore." Now then, I say, if you are consecrated to the Lord in baptism, your duty is to rise superior to all your lusts, and to give yourselves entirely to the service of your God. You must also, in remembrance of your adorable Redeemer, be feeding continually on his body and blood, by means of which you are to be strengthened for all your conflicts, and to be " made more than conquerors" over all your enemies. " Christ our Passover being sacrificed for us," your whole life must be one continual feast, which you are to " keep, not with the old leaven of malice and wicked- ness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." It is the reproach of man that ever he was the servant of sin in any degree : and this reproach we are to be rolling away ; and, as the redeemed of the Lord, we are to be " glorifying God with our body and our spirit, which are his1." To this em- ployment I call you all. I ask you not what your engagements are in life, or what else you have to do : this I am well assured of, that there is not a person under heaven that is not called to this duty ; nor is there a circumstance that can be imagined, wherein this duty can be dispensed with. Be ye, then, upright in serving God ; and never fear but that God will be faithful in saving you.]
e Rom. xvi. 20. f Eph. ii. 6. s 2 Cor. v. 1. Eph. ii. 21, 22. 11 Josh. xxiv. 14. with Ezek. xx. 5 — 8. > 1 Cor. vi. 20.