us into his hands : he has but to strike a spark, and there is within us combustible matter in abundance, that instantly catches fire, and that, if not extin- guished by grace, will burn to the lowest hell. But when the soul is endued with righteousness, its dis- positions are altogether changed : " old things are passed away, and all things are become newa." We say not indeed that there are no remains of corrup- tion in the soul ; for the old nature still continues, and counteracts in a measure the operations of the new nature : but if " the flesh lusts against the spirit, the spirit also lusts against the flesh, and gains (not indeed without many conflicts) an ascendant over itb :" and hence the temptations, which would once have been irresistible, are repelled with indignant firmness ; as we see in Joseph, who, when repeatedly solicited to commit adultery, replied with horror, " How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against Godc?"
This then is one way in which righteousness de- fends the soul : it makes " sin appear exceeding sinful d;" and holiness to be esteemed as the perfec- tion of bliss6: and thus, by weakening the force of temptation, it enables us with success to resist the tempter.
In the next place, it turns cowardice into courage. Satan gets peculiar advantage over men by means of their carnal fears. In whatever degree men are endued with natural fortitude, their courage fails them when they are called to bear the cross of Christ. When our blessed Lord ministered on earth, Nicodemus, though a ruler and governor, was afraid to come in open day, lest he should be thought to favour his causef: nor did "the Pharisees who believed in him, dare to confess him, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of Godg." In instances without number have men who were able to brave death itself on the field of battle,
a 2 Cor. v. 17. b Gal. v. 17. c Gen. xxxix. 9.
a Rom. vii. 13. e Ps. cxix. 128. f John iii. 1, 2.
s John xii. 42, 43.