sition be ever so precious ; or the loss be ever so severe ? had I not better pluck out a right eye, or cut off a right hand, than be cast into hell-fire for retaining them1? "Depart then from me, all ye wicked ; I will keep the commandments of my GodV
There is yet another motive that operates more strongly on an ingenuous soul than either the hope of heaven, or the fear of hell : I mean, a concern for the Divine glory. ' Has God committed to me such a sacred trust ? Is the honour of God himself de- pendent upon my conduct ? Will my fall occasion " his name to be blasphemed ;" and my stability be the means of exalting his glory ? How then shall I give way to the tempter ? how shall I so violate my obligations to God, and bring dishonour upon him, whom I ought to love and serve with my whole heart ?' Many of God's saints have found this a counterpoise to the strongest temptations3" : and it is obvious that these considerations united together, are well calculated to defeat our enemies, and to secure us a decisive victory over all.
The Scripture gives us a further advantage over our enemies by means of its rich encouragements. Not to mention the eternal rewards that have been just adverted to, the Scripture promises that God will be with us in every conflict, and beat down our adversaries before our face. " Fear not," says he, " for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee by the right hand of my righteousness y." " Fear not, thou worm Jacob, for thou shalt thresh the mountains2." Now what can withstand a man that is armed with such promises as these ? What can oppose any effectual obstacle in his way ? Are his enemies numerous ? He says, " They are more that are with me, than they that
1 Mark ix. 44 — 49. u Ps. cxix. 115.
x Gen. xxxix. 9. and xlii. 18. and Neh. v. 15. y Isai. xli. 10. ■'■ Isai. xli. 14, 15.