The Christian, to his latest hour, is no stronger in himself than others. He is, from first to last, like a new-born infant in its mother's arms. But, as we have already seen, he believes in Christ ; and, through the faith which is thus formed in his soul, he is en- abled to maintain his conflicts even to the end : " This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
1. From faith he derives his motives —
[He believes all that the Scriptures have spoken respect- ing the world, and all who belong to it : " It lieth in wicked- ness"1," and will finally " be condemned6." He believes, too, that a very principal end for which our blessed Saviour gave himself for us was, " that he might deliver us from this present evil world f." Under this conviction, he engages on the side of his Lord and Saviour ; and determines, through grace, that what he so desired, shall surely be effected. Hence he draws the sword, and throws away the scabbard. He will " not be conformed to this world : but will seek to be transformed by the renewing of his mind, that he may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Godg." If at any time he be tempted to taste of its cup, he puts it from his lips, as David did the waters from the well of Bethlehem ; saying, ' Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this : Is not this the blood of my Lord and Saviour, who not only jeoparded his life, but laid it down for me? I will not drink itV In like manner, if bonds and imprisonments await him for his fidelity, he will say, " I am ready, not only to be bound, but also to die, at any time, and in any manner, for my Lord's sake1." " Constrained by the love of Christ," he " wars a good war- fare," and thus " endures unto the endk."]
2. From faith he receives his strength —
[By faith he is united to the Lord Jesus Christ, as a branch to the vine ; and by faith also he receives, out of his fulness, grace, according to his necessities1. " In Christ he is strong " and invincible™ : and " through Christ he can do all things"." To the natural man the Christian's conduct is per- fectly inexplicable. He cannot conceive how a poor weak creature Uke himself should be able so to overcome all the allurements of sense, and all the terrors of an infuriated world.
d ver. 19. e 1 Cor. xi. 32. » Gal. i. 4.
g Rom. xii. 2. h 2 Sam. xxiii. 16, 17. ' Acts xxi. 13.
k Matt. x. 22. • Johni. 16. andxv. 5. m 2 Tim. ii. 1. n Phil. iv. 13.