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ESTABLISHMENT IN GRACE.

complete, he adds prayer also, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto (viz. to the Spirit) with all perseverance.

So that this duty and attainment of perseverance is not recommended to a naked professor of religion, but to a true Christian man, who knows the power of God, how able he is to strengthen by his might in the inner man.1 This experienced Christian knows the defence of his armour, even the whole armour of God; the shield of faith he hath tried, and is not unacquainted how therewith to resist even the fiery darts of the wicked; with the sword of the Spirit he knows how to make war against his soul's enemy, to the cutting down temptation, and with prayer and watching unto the Spirit, he withstands the adversary in his various assaults; and having done all, to stand.

Again, the Apostle prays the Lord to make [them] to increase and abound in love; to the end he may stablish [their] hearts unblameable in holiness before God even our Father.2

David, representing the state of the saints, is copious in this matter:-"The steps of a good man are ordered [margin] established by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way."3

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He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings; and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."4

"The righteous shall be in everlasting remem

(1) Eph. iii, 1. (2) 1 Thes. iii, 12, 13. (3) Psalm xxxvii, 23 (4) Psalm x1, 2, 3.

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brance; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord; his heart is established."1

These sayings of David are so clear to the point, there is no need of comment.

The prophecy by Isaiah, of the gospel-church, is very plain :-"All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children; in righteousness shalt thou be established."

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Now, he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."3

That men should come to be established need not be doubted, if we consider the reason of it; they are not such as resist the Holy Spirit, but receive it. God hath given them the earnest of his Spirit, and they have received it, and are sealed thereby unto the day of redemption.4

Now the whole state of the question is, whether that power which bringeth to this experience is not able to preserve therein, which I hope none will deny.

There is also a reason for their perseverance; those who attain this established estate, are they who have put off the body of the sins of the flesh,5 and put on the Lord Jesus; as they have received the Lord Jesus, so they walk in him; they are crucified to the world, and the world unto them; and it is no longer they that live, but Christ that lives in them ;9 and the life they now live is by the faith of the Son of God.

(1) Psalm cxii, 6, 7, 8. (2) Isaiah liv, 13, 14. (3) 2 Cor. i, 21, 22. (4) Eph. iv, 30. (5) Col. ii, 11. (6) Rom. xiii, 14. (7) Col. ii, 6. (8) Gal. vi, 14. (9) ii, 20.

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Oh glorious redemption, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, help many hearty travellers to attain hereunto!

But whosoever would hereunto attain, they ought to believe the attainment possible. He that desires to be cleansed of his former sins, ought to believe it possible; so, likewise, he that truly desires to be sanctified, ought to believe the Lord is both able and willing to work that blessed work in him and for him, and even until he hath attained, he ought to be pressing forward, believing in him whose power is as sufficient to complete the work, as he was to begin it.

And therefore, all you who have known a blessed progress in this work, trust in the Lord, for in him everlasting strength is,1 to help to the end all that lay hold of him. These shall be sure always to have the superintendency of this blessed Spirit, and that he will never forsake them, but abide with them for ever, and carry them from one degree of grace to another.

But wherefore should I descend to various authorities, where the Scriptures are so express; yet I am willing to transcribe a little out of Gell, upon Numbers i. 3. "The Lord's soldier must come out of Egypt, otherwise how can he be said to be redeemed out of Egypt? A price, indeed, is paid for redemption; but it profits not them who continue in their slavery, but those who come forth of it and serve their Redeemer in his wars; for being redeemed out of the hands of our enemies, we ought to serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life."3

(1) Isa. xxvi, 4.

(2) Fowler's Design of Christianity.
(3) Gell's Essay.

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"This holiness is in part at the first, when men are newly come out of Egypt. The filthiness of flesh and spirit are the two sorts of enemies against which the Israel of God is to be [making war] set in rank and file."1

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Oh! ye true Israelites! who are of the church militant-Ye young men who overcome the wicked one, ye are the true choice young men, strong and able to wage the spiritual warfare. Oh! ye veterans, ye old soldiers of Jesus Christ! who have known him who is from the beginning. There is no limitation, no stint of time for continuance in your service, from twenty years old and upwards, or above; 3 how much above is not defined."4

These wait upon the Lord, and renew their strength as trees of righteousness; 5 for as the days of a tree are the days of God's people, which bring forth more fruit in their age. Let us do so, brave soldiers! Let us fight the good fight of faith, let us be faithful unto the death (of all and every sin) and the Lord of hosts will give us a crown of life, as he hath given it unto that old soldier, St. Paul.. I have fought a good fight (saith he) I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to them also who love his appearing, 6 'Avdglede, O ye brave, valiant soldiers, quit yourselves like men.

Second. But, as I said, these blessed attainments being recommended in Holy Scripture, ought to be believed attainable, or else who will press after them?

(1) Gell's Essay. (2) 1 John ii, 13, 14. (3) Numb. i, 3. (4) Gell's Essay. (5) Isa. Ixi, 3. (6) 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8. (7) Gell.

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They who do not believe the good fight of faith possible in our day, and thereby an overcoming, will they heartily undertake a warfare against those hurtful lusts which war against the soul? Will they who believe not that by the shield of faith they may be able to resist the fiery darts of satan, will these ever be able to overcome?

Third. But let such consider, to them that overcome it is [promised] and given to sit down with Christ in his throne, as he hath overcome, and is set down with his Father on his throne.1

Let us consider, help is laid on one that is mighty, it is by him the saints overcome. Were we turned naked to make war against satan, self, or the world, the battle would go against us; but, blessed be the Lord, he is at our right hand, that we be not moved. 3 We fight under the banner of the Lamb, and it is he who fights our battles for us, and we by him, to the putting to flight the armies of the aliens.

Probably it will be acceptable to some to observe what encouragement the aforesaid author gives to the spiritual warrior.

He says, " My dear friend, let us encourage our"selves with those mighty aids we are to expect in "this spiritual warfare; for greater is he that is

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for us, than all that rise up against us. The "eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the "everlasting arms.5 Let us be strong in the Lord, "and the power of his might, for he it is that shall "tread down our enemies."6

Since, then, greater is he that is for us, or rather in us, as saith the Apostle John, than he that is in

(1) Rev. iii, 21. (2) Psalm lxxxix, 19. (3) xvi, 8. (4) Heb. xi, 34. (5) Deut. xxxiii, 27. (6) Scougal.

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