We had sinned by loving this present evil world, and he came to save us from our sins. It ruled over our hearts and lives, and kept us under its tyranny, and he came to deliver us from the love and from the

power of it. Thrice happy are they for whom he thus gave himself. O my soul, read and study the everlasting honours of this great victory, and see whether thou art indeed a partaker of them? Jehovah was made flesh for his people, and, as their di vine surety, came to conquer their enemies, the world among the rest. He was in their nature, to enter into open war with it, and to overcome every temptation by which it had drawn Adam or any of his descendants from God. Thus he was to conquer the world for them; and then by his Spirit he was to conquer it in them. He began the battle with his first breath, and every moment of his life he was victorious. The world has its snares for every age and state, but he fell into none of them. His hands were clean; his heart was pure; he never lifted up his soul to vanity; he was in his in

fancy the holy child Jesus; and he grew in wisdom and stature. When he was twelve years old he was wiser than his teachers; for he sat in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. His delight was in the law of the Lord, and in this law did he meditate day and night-He saw things as they are there described in their true na ture. The world could not impose upon him. He lived above its offers of good. And he feared not the worst of its threat ened evils. When he began his ministry he fought a pitched battle, and became an eternal conqueror: the prince of this world was permitted to try every object by which the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life had seduced mankind. They were presented to Christ in their richest dress. The beauty, the pleasure, the honour, and riches of the world were set before him in all their glory. But they made no impression. They did not darken his understanding, nor influence his heart, nor

He conquered, as

And he gives them

provoke any sensual appetite. He rejected every pleasing offer; he withstood every flattering allurement. Thus he conquered the world; but not for himself. His victory over all his temptations was for hist people. He accounted their enemies his. He fought their battles. á king for his subjects. to share with him in his triumph, when they believe in him; for thus he encourages them: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good courage, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." The world is your enemy. It had you in bondage, and you could not free yourselves; therefore I came in your nature, God manifest in the flesh, to conquer it for you; and I have obtained a perfect conquest. When I have proclaimed it to your consciences, and pardoned your idolatrous attachment to the world-when IN me ye have found peace, yet still the world will be your enemy. Because I have chosen you out of it, therefore it will hate

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you. My peace will occasion and increase your tribulation in it. But fear not. Remember it is a vanquished foe. Attack it in my strength, as partakers of my victory. Fight against it, and treat it as under my feet and made my footstool. Whenever it tempts you, depend absolutely upon my conquest, and you will find my grace almighty, to crucify the world to you, and you to it.

How animating are these words! with what courage should they inspire the Christian Soldier! Although the world be his enemy, yet it cannot conquer him, and rob him of his crown. The main battle has been fought, the victory is gained, and the conqueror is already crowned in the name and person of all the redeemed. By faith he gives them their share in his victory, as it is written: "Whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." Every person who is born again by the Spirit has a new nature, spiritual and heavenly, and has new senses to exercise

about spiritual things. His renewed faculties were formed for heavenly things, as his bodily senses are for material. By faith be sees a better world than this, and surveys its beauties and glories. He has ears to hear the joyful sound of gospel grace, and to receive it. When that name, which is dear and precious above every name, is preached, it is to him as ointment poured forth: the sweet-smelling savour refreshes his heart, and exhilarates his spirits. Then he tastes that the Lord is gracious-foretastes his heavenly love, and as truly lays hold of and enjoys its spiritual blessings as he ever did of any thing material. He is created anew in Christ Jesus, not only that he may know these things, but may also partake of them -as truly now by faith as he ever will by sense; and the more he knows and the more he partakes of them, the more will he be delivered from this present evil world: "For this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." By faith we see the victory of Christ, and rest upon it, and the more safely we put our trust and confi