492 CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIZ. [SERM.XXX. tian take those opportunities to speak his mind., and shew his courage ; let himmake it appear that the meek of the earthmay sometimes resist the mighty oppressors, that the followers of the Lamb dare to oppose the wild beasts of the age, and are ready to sacrifice all that human na- ture calls dear for the service of God, or the welfare of their fellow-creatures. The heathen world may derive, some arguments from the light of reason, and some perhaps from more corrupt and selfishprinciples, to awaken their valour, and to raise heroes amongst them : But there is nothingamong all the writers of the philosophers, or the examples of their real or their fabled heroes, that can raise and support so i1- lustrious and divine a courage, as the principles and the patterns with which the gospel of Christ has furnished us whether we look to Jesus, the founder of our reli- gion, the Son of God in our nature, or to his apostles, or to the primitive martyrs, amongwhom some of the weaker sex and the "weaker age, have outshone the glory, and darkened the lustre of all the great men of heathenism. What blessed views bath the gospel given us of heaven and future happiness, to animate our zeal, and to engage -us to the boldest efforts of goodness ! What promises, of almighty power to assist usin our sacred attempts, and to bear up our spirits ! What rich and infallible assurances have we in the word of God to support our highest ex- pectations, that if we are faithful to the death, we shall receive a crown of life ! Rev. ii. 10. And Jesus our forerunner hath already taken, possession of all these prizes and glories to reward the conquerors. Shall we sink -and despond at any dark appearances ? _Shall our spirits fail us in the midst of duty, when we have so many divine motives to valour and holy fortitude ? 'Methinks there should be nothing too hard for a christian to undertake or suffer, when God and providence call him to it. I confess that flesh and, blood are frail and feeble : Animal nature overwhelms the soul with its shudderings; and forbids the execution of the bravest purposes. It, is, only grace, divine grace, that can strengthen the trembling christian, and makehim venture through dangers and death in the way to the heavenly crown.. It is this gives power to the promises, and makes the saint believe the performance: It is this sets heaven
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