Nor is this your greatest encouragement : for as soon as you have "done all" that God has designed for you in this state of warfare, you shall " stand " before God, united to that noble army that are now enjoying their triumphs in his presence. Having "fought the good fight and finished your course, there shall be given to you a crown of righteousness" and glory s; and you shall bear the palm of victory in the courts of heaven h. Then shall be fulfilled to you what was spoken by our Lord, " To him that overcometh will I give to sit down with me upon my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father upon his throne1." Only "be faithful unto death ; and God will give thee a crown of life k."
Before we dismiss this subject, we would address a few words,
1. To those zvho have never yet wrestled with this great adversary —
We hope you are now convinced, that it is not a needless labour to engage in this contest. But you may still be induced to decline it, from the idea that it is a hopeless work. But know this, that you have undertaken a task which is infinitely more difficult than this ; for, while you refuse to wrestle with Satan, you are actually wrestling with God himself. He who infallibly discerns, and rightly estimates, your conduct, says, that ye "resist the Holy Ghost1" and " contend with your Maker"1 :" and your own consciences will inform you, that you have often " fought against God," by resisting the influence of his word and Spirit11. Suppose then ye gain the victory (which is but too probable), suppose God give up the contest, and say, " My Spirit shall strive with him no longer0;" what will ye have to boast of? what cause will ye have for joy ? Awful will be
g 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. h Rev. vii. 9, 10. • Rev. iii. 21.
k Rev. ii. 10. latter part. i Acts vii. 51.
m Job xl. 2. n Acts v. 39. and xxiii. 9.
0 Gen. vi. 3.