8. What less than this can we possibly infer from the above cited words of St. _Paul_? Who “living in _infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses_ for _Christ_’s sake, who being full of _signs and wonders and mighty deeds_, who having been _caught up into the third heaven_;” yet reckoned (as a late author strongly expresses it) that all his virtues would be unsecure, and even his salvation in danger, without this constant self-denial. _So run I_, says he, _not as uncertainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air_. By which he plainly teaches us, That he who does not thus run, who does not thus deny himself daily, does _run uncertainly_, and fighteth to as little purpose as he that _beateth the air_. 9. To as little purpose does he talk of _fighting the fight of faith_, as vainly hope to attain the crown of incorruption (as we may, lastly, infer from the preceding observations) whose heart is not circumcised by love. Love cutting off both the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, engaging the whole man, body, soul and spirit, in the ardent pursuit of that one object, is so essential to a child of God, that “without it, whosoever liveth is counted dead before him.” _Though I speak with the tongue of men and angels, and have not love, I am as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. Nay, though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing._