But the Christian soldier has armour provided for him, even armour of an heavenly temper; and through that he is enabled to sustain the unequal combat0, and to triumph over all his enemies?. Thus does he " fight the good fight of faith* ;" and thus is he made " more than conqueror, through Him that loved himr."]
But in this victory he stands alone ; as you will see, whilst I shew,
III. His exclusive claim to this prowess —
God himself appeals to us : " Who but the regene- rate ever effects this ?"
[Look through the world, and see, " Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" It must be remembered, that a mere specu- lative faith in Christ is not that which is here spoken of, but such a faith as leads us altogether to rely on Christ for every thing, and to devote ourselves entirely to his service. And now, I ask, where will you find one single person, except the regenerate believer, who so overcomes the world ? You may find some who seclude themselves from it : but they flee from the combat altogether. You may find some who retire from it in disgust : but they are overcome by it. The person for whom I inquire is, a man who lives in the world, and fulfils all his civil, social, and personal duties in it; and yet is enabled to discard all its maxims, to set at nought all its customs, to despise all its vanities, to mortify all its corruptions, and, whilst in it, not to be of it, any more than the Saviour himself wass? Where will you find one who makes the word of God his sole directory; and determines to adhere to that, in opposition to all the contempt that can be poured upon him, or the perse- cution which he may be called to endure ? Search amongst the despisers of spiritual regeneration, and see if you can find one of this character : search amongst the despisers of a life of faith, and see if you can find one. You may search all the records of the world, and 1 will defy you to find one. God himself sets you at defiance. Go, search him out : " Who is he that thus overcomes the world ? " I tell you there is not one on earth, except " he who is born of God," and " he who believes in Jesus" as his only hope. There may be found persons who fly from the world : but they do not act " as good soldiers of Jesus Christ." The people who fight and overcome, are those only who have been before described : and it is through faith in Christ alone that they maintain the conflict;
0 Eph. vi. 11. p 2 Cor. ii. 14. U Tim. vi. 12.
r Rom. viii. 37. s John xvii. 14, 10.