SERM. XXXII. OR REMEDIES AGAINST ?EAR. 21 soldiers of Christ, ye have already entered the lists with all the powers alien, and are ye afraid of " man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a worm ?" Job. xxv. 6. Ye have ranged yourselves under the banner of the Re- deemer, and the Redeemer's army must fight against all the armies of darkness and their allies. Y e have set up to oppose sin and Satan, two powerful enemies, and are ye afraid to be brow-beaten by a fellow-worm, one who is weak and mortal like yourselves ? Consider, Fourthly, If ye are christians, what promises of the divine presence and helpyou have in the bible, and when the mighty God has given such divine encouragement, he chides his people into courage. Is. li. l2, 13. I, even I am he that comforteth you ; who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of'a man that shall die, andof the son of man which shall be made as grass? And forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that bath stretchedforth the hea- vens, and laid the foundations of the earth ? and hast feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as ifhe were ready to destroy ? Andwhere is the fury of the oppressor ? A generous and divine cor- dial to keep the soul from fainting ! The presence of God is an effectual support. St. Paul found it so ; for when all men forsook him, the Lord stood by and strengthenedhim, 2 Tim. iv. 16, 17. Alas ! we are poor, feeble, trembling soldiers, our hands hang down, and our faces gather paleness : But we dare to confront the ter- rors of this world, if we taste and feel such divine en- couragements. We know that a weak christian can do wonders with an almighty Saviour, and an all sufficient promise. When St. Paul had this word given him, " My grace is sufficient for thee, he could glory even in infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon him, 2 Cor. 12, 9. The little feeble man, of a con- temptible presence, could do all things through Christ strengthening him," Phil. iv. 13. And every believer has the same Almighty Helper, the same gospel, and the same promises. In the last place, consider the large and never-fading crown of glory, that awaits the conqueror at the end of the christian conflict. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of 41C} Rey. ii. 10. Consider the honour and triumph, those riches of glory, and that c3
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