before them to rouse them up the more. For if, he means, those in the old dispensation, who had the land as their reward, and the other things which come to a close along with this life, did so look down upon the present life and the temptations and dangers of it, what pardon should we find if we deal so languidly after the promise of heaven, and the kingdom above, and its unutterable blessings, so as not to come even up to their measure? And this he does not say indeed, but leaves it to his hearers' consciences, and is satisfied with the quotation alone. He shows too that their bodies become a sacrifice, and that we must not be disturbed or troubled at God having so ordered it. And he exhorts them in other ways besides. For to prevent any from saying that he is merely philosophizing here before having any experience of realities, he adds, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter, meaning the daily deaths of the apostles. You see his courage and his goodness. For as they, he means, when slaughtered make no resistance, so neither do we. But since the feebleness of the mind of man, even after so great things, was afraid of the multitude of temptations, see how he again rouses the hearer, and gives him a lofty and exulting spirit, by saying, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For what is indeed wonderful is this, not that we are now conquerors only, but that we are so by the very things meant as plots against us. And we are not merely conquerors, but we are more than conquerors, that is, are so with ease, without toil and labor. For without undergoing the real things, by only setting our mind aright, we raise trophies against our enemies. And with good reason. For it is God that striveth together with us. Do not then be doubtful, if though beaten we get the better of our beaters, if driven out we overcome our persecutors, if dying we put the living to flight. For when you take the power and also the love of God into account, there is nothing to prevent these wondrous and strange things from coming to pass, and that victory the most advantageous should shine upon us. For they did not merely conquer, but in a wondrous way, and so that one might learn that those who plotted against them had a war not against men, but against Might invincible. See the Jews then with these among them, and at a loss quite, and saying, What are we to do to these men? For it is marvellous indeed, that though they had hold of them, and

had got them liable to their courts, and imprisoned them and beat them, they were yet at a loss and in perplexity, as they got overcome by the very things whereby they expected to conquer. And neither kings nor people, nor ranks of demons, nor the devil himself, had power to get the better of them, but were all overcome at a very great disadvantage, finding that all they planned against them became for them. For this was a new rule of victory for men to prevail by their adversaries, and in no instance to be overcome, but to go forth to these struggles as if they themselves had the issue in their own hands. Therefore he says we are more than conquerors.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.-1 Cor. xii. 6.

THE wisdom of God being infinite and incomprehensible, he executes the dispensations of his grace upon mankind, after an unsearchable manner, with great variety, that they may be manifest that seek him with all their heart, and endure all manner of danger and labor upon his account. Some are prevented with the favors and gifts of the Holy Spirit immediately, as soon as they ask, without toil, and sweat, and fatigue; God affording them grace, not by chance, but by a wisdom that exceeds all expression. Let these who so quickly obtain the Divine grace, be sensible of the benefit and kindness that have been shown them, and of the sweetness of God, according to the proportion of grace received, without any pains of their own: let them give proof of their diligence and their conflict, and make a suitable return for those gifts, by giving their whole selves to the love of the Lord, doing his will only, and withdrawing themselves perfectly from all carnal desire.

On others, though they have withdrawn from the world, and persevere in prayer, and fasting, and diligence, God does not immediately bestow his grace and rest, and the gladness of the Spirit, but withholds the gift, that he may see whether they thought him the faithful and true God, who has promised, to give to them that ask, and to open to them that knock, the door of life; that he may observe whether they endure to the end, asking and seeking; or

whether through remissness, they fall off, not holding on to the end.

For some that receive not in a little time, are the more desirous after heavenly things; and every day adds to their former industry, and speed, and struggle, and hunger and thirst after that which is good; nothing dispirited, by the trials that are present with their souls, nor turning to impatience, or despair; yea, the more the Lord puts them upon the trial, so much the more eager, diligent, and obstinate they are, in seeking after the gift of God; being fully assured that God can not lie, who hath promised to give his grace, to them that continue to ask.

Wherefore suitably to this assurance, do they make an estimate of themselves wherein they are deficient; whether it be in labor, or conflict, or application, or any other point, and when they make this scrutiny, with all the exactness they are able, they force and urge themselves, all they can, to do what is well-pleasing to the Lord; as having this full confidence, that God, who is true, will not deprive them of the gift of the Spirit, if they persevere to the end in the expectation of him: but they shall receive the heavenly grace, while they continue in the flesh, and shall obtain eternal life.

And thus do they direct their eye to the Lord, looking for him only with great desire, and ever waiting for the consolation of grace, and taking no comfort in any thing of this world. At the same time the Lord himself is already, after an hidden manner, present with them, and succors, and preserves them, and is their support. Although they have not obtained the grace of the Spirit, and the refreshment of the heavenly gift; yet let them not fear; they that take up such an intention, and endeavor, and pains, and desire of virtue, and continue in it to the end, shall of a truth obtain life, and the everlasting kingdom.

Let not therefore any of the brethren be lifted up against his brother, so as to say, I have the spiritual gift, and thou hast not. For you know not what the morrow may bring forth; or what end his will be, or what your own. But let every one, looking well to himself, sift his conscience at all times, and prove the work of his heart, what application and conflict he has in his mind towards God. And aiming at the perfect mark of liberty, and freedom from disorderly affections, let him run without intermission, never placing his confidence in any gift, or in any

act of righteousness. Glory and worship be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, for ever! Amen.

Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.-Rom. xiii. 11.

THE dead are the inhabitants, and the living are borderers upon the invisible world. Regenerate souls should ponder this with pleasure. O it is transporting to think how small a matter is betwixt them and their complete salvation. No sooner is your breath gone, but the full desire of your hearts is come; every breath you draw, draws you a degree nearer to your perfect happiness; for now is your salvation nearer than when you first believed; therefore, both your cheerfulness and diligence should be greater than when you were in the infancy of your faith. You have run through a considerable part of your Christian course and race, and are now come nearer the goal and prize of eternal life. O despond not, loiter not now at last, who were so fervent and zealous in the beginning.

It is transporting to think how near you approach the region of light and joy. O that you would distinctly consider, 1. Where you lately were. 2. Where now you are. 3. Where

shortly you shall be.

1. You that are now so near salvation, were lately very near unto damnation, there was but a puff of breath betwixt you and hell. How many nights did you sleep securely in a state of nature and unregeneracy? How quietly did you rest upon the brink of hell, not once imagining the danger you were in? Had any of those sicknesses you have suffered, been permitted by God, like a candle, to burn asunder this slender thread of life which was so near them, you had been as miserable, and as hopeless as those that now are roaring in the lowest hell. I have heard of one that rode over a dangerous bridge in the night, who, upon the review of that place, fell into a swoon, when he was sensible of that danger which the darkness of the night hid from him. O reader, shall not an escape from hell affect thee as much as such an escape would do?

2. It is no less marvellous to consider where you now are; you that were afar off are made nigh. You that were not beloved,

are now beloved. You were in the state of death and condemnation. You are now passed from death to life by your free justification. Your union with Christ hath set you free from condemnation. Die you must though Christ be in you, but there is no hazard or hurt in your death. The stopping of your breath can put no stop to your happiness, it will hasten, not hinder it: If the pale horse come for you, heaven, not hell, will now follow him; your sins are pardoned, the covenant of your salvation sealed. Death is disarmed of its fatal sting; and what then should hinder you from a like triumph, even upon your deathbed with that? 1 Cor. xv. 55. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

3. And yet you must have more room for joy, whilst you consider where you must, and shall shortly be. You are now in Christ, but in a few days you shall be with Christ as well as in him; it is well now, but it will be better ere long. Your sin is now pardoned, but not fully purged out of your natures. But in a little time you will be absolutely and eternally freed from all evil. Your present condition is in heaven, compared with your former, and your future state will be in heaven indeed, compared with your present. "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction : and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?-Rom. ix. 22-24.

Pharaoh was a

WHAT he means is somewhat as follows. vessel of wrath, that is, a man who by his own hard-heartedness had kindled the wrath of God. For after enjoying much longsuffering, he became no better, but remained unimproved. Wherefore he calls him not only a vessel of wrath, but also one fitted for destruction. That is, fully fitted indeed, but by his own proper self. For neither hath God left aught of the things likely to recover him, nor did he leave aught of those that would ruin him, and put him beyond any forgiveness. Yet still, though