fact, we are really strong only in proportion as we feel our- selves weak, and look to Christ to " perfect his strength in our weakness1." We must therefore he strong, not in ourselves, hut " in the Lord, and in the power of his might m."]
3. To disregard difficulties, and even death itself, in his service —
[A soldier necessarily expects to encounter difficulties, and to expose his life to hazard in the service of his king and country. And the greater the difficulties which he has to sustain, the more he rises to the occasion ; insomuch that, if a service of peculiar danger is proposed, a whole army will vie with each other in their readiness to undertake it. Now, if this be the case with those who have enlisted under the ban- ners of an earthly monarch, shall it not much more obtain amongst the armies of the living God? St. Paul "gloried in distresses and necessities for the Lord's sake :" and the same spirit should animate us also. Indeed, at our very first admis- sion into the service of our Lord we were forewarned, that " he who loved his life, should lose it ; and that he only who was willing to lose his life for Christ's sake, should save it unto life eternal"." We must " be faithful unto death, if ever we would attain a crown of life."]
Address —
[Inquire now, I pray you, whether this Saviour be to you a friend or an adversary ? He is here in the midst of us, " and with his sword drawn," though we see him not. And to every one of us is he either a friend or a foe. There is no neutrality, either on his part or on ours. Our Lord himself has told us, " that he who is not with him, is against him ; and he who gathereth not with him, scattereth abroad0." Would you, then, ascertain whether he be a " Captain " unto you ? Examine your own hearts ; and ask, Whether you have ever enlisted under his banners by a voluntary surrender of yourselves to him ; and then, Whether you are habitually regarding his will as your rule, and his arm as your stay, and his glory as the one object of your life? These are points easy to be ascertained: and on them your eternal happiness depends. If these things be true, then will he be a " Captain of salvation" unto youp : but if this be not the experience of your souls, then you have nothing to expect, but that he will say concerning you, " Bring hither those that were mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before meq." Oppose him, and you have nothing to hope; submit to him, and you have nothing to fear, to all eternity.]
1 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10. m Epli. vi. 10. n Matt. x. 39.
0 Matt. xii. 30. p Heb. ii. 10. i Luke xix. 27-