DISC. fufficient authority, is, to all the intents and X. purposes of life, equally the object of our

affent, of our firm truft and reliance, equally the ground of action, with what we see. Founded on it's proper evidence, faith, like the dying martyr," fees heaven opened, and

Jefus ftanding at the right hand of God;" fees those who are already crowned, and "have received palms from the Son of God, "whom they confeffed in the world." They compofe a fplendid and awful circle, beholding from the heights to which their Redeemer's favour has exalted them, the conflict in which we are ftill engaged below, interefting themselves in our fuccefs, encouraging us to strive, and to perfevere, as they did, in the days of their flesh.

Conformably to this idea, and alluding to that prodigious affembly from all parts of the earth, convened at Olympia, to be spectators of the games; before whom the candidates contended, having in view those venerable personages, from whose hands they were to receive the palm, and who were

X.

immediate witneffes of their refpective con- DISC. duct and merit-alluding, I say, to these circumstances, St. Paul, in the xiith chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, places the Chriftian combatant in the midst of a most august and magnificent theatre, filled with all thofe great and illuftrious characters, enumerated in the preceding chapter, as having overcome, through the power of faith, from the beginning of the world; whofe presence fhould animate and fire him to engage in the conteft, with an ambition not to be reprehended, and a spirit altogether invincible.

You will give me leave to conclude with the paffage, every expreffion of which you are now prepared to tafte and feel, in it's full force and energy.

"Wherefore, feeing we are compaffed "about with so great a cloud of witneffes, "let us lay afide every weight, and the fin " which doth so easily beset us, and let us "run with patience the race that is fet be"fore us; looking unto Jefus, the author

"" and

DISC." and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy
X. "that was fet before him, endured the

"crofs, defpifing the fhame, and is fet down "at the right hand of the throne of God. "For confider him that endured fuch con"tradiction of finners against himself, left ye "be wearied and faint in your minds;' think of the hard and bitter conflict, through which he paffed; reflect upon his fortitude, and the promise of his grace, and be no more languid and dispirited. "Lift ¢¢ up the hands which hang down, and the "feeble knees; and make ftraight paths " for your feet, left that which is lame be "turned out of the way;" exert in the Christian race those nerves that have been relaxed, and collect thofe fpirits which have been depreffed and dejected: make a smooth and even path for your steps, and remove the impediments which would obftruct and retard your courfe.-In all the particulars that have been mentioned, and every other-if there be any other-so

RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN.

DISCOURSE XI.

THE CHRISTIAN ARMOUR.

IN

EPHES. VI. 11.

Put on the whole armour of God.

XI.

N the foregoing parts of the epiftle, Disc. St. Paul had enforced the duties refulting from the various relations of life. These are easily stated, but, as all fadly experience, not fo eafily performed. An oppofition often arifes within, excited by our own paffions; and there are still more formidable enemies, who attack us from without; endeavouring either to prevent us from forming proper refolutions, or from carrying them into exécution, when formed. Engaged as we are-neceffarily engaged-in

VOL. III.

this

DISC. this perilous warfare, what is to be done? XI. We are weak; how fhall we become strong?

We are without armour, either to defend ourfelves, or to refift and put the enemy to flight from what magazine shall we be provided? These questions are answered at large, and perfectly to fatisfaction, in the portion of Scripture, which it fhall be the defign of the following difcourfe to explain, being the portion appointed for the epistle of this day.

66

Finally, my brethren, (fays the Apostle, having finifhed his scheme of duty) be ftrong." If the fentence closed here, the exhortation would be to little purpose. He who exhorts a weak man to become strong, only mocks and infults him, unless the means are pointed out by which this change may be effected; unless the fource be discovered, from whence ftrength is derived.

"Be ftrong in the Lord, and in the "power of his might." That which was wanting,