2. These, or such-like thoughts, may arise in the minds of those who begin to conceive the nature and excellency of religion. They have spied the land, and seen that it is exceeding good, that it floweth with milk and honey; but they find they have the children of _Anak_ to grapple with, powerful corruptions to overcome, and they fear they shall never prevail against them. But why should we give way to such discouraging suggestions? Why should we entertain such unreasonable fears, which damp our spirits and weaken our hands, and augment the difficulties of our way? Let us encourage ourselves with those mighty aids we are to expect in this spiritual warfare; for greater is he that is for us, than all that can rise up against us. _The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Let us be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might_; for he it is that shall _tread down our enemies_. God hath a tender regard to the souls of men, and is infinitely willing to promote their welfare. He hath condescended to our weakness, and declared with an oath, that he hath no pleasure in our destruction. There is no such thing as despite in the bosom of that ever blessed being, whose name and nature is love. He created us at first in a happy condition, and now when we are fallen from it, _he hath laid help upon one that is mighty to save_¹, hath committed the care of our souls to no meaner a person than the eternal Son of his love. It is he that is the captain of our salvation, and what enemies can be too strong for us, when we are fighting under his banner? Did not the Son of God come down from the bosom of his Father, and pitch his tabernacle amongst men, that he might recover them to the divine life, and restore the image of God in their souls? All the mighty works he performed, all the afflictions he sustained, had this for their scope and design: for this did he labour and toil; for this did he bleed and die. _He was with child, he was in pain, and hath he brought forth nothing but wind²? Hath he wrought no deliverance in the earth? Shall he not see of the travail of his soul³?_ Certainly it is impossible that this great contrivance of heaven should prove abortive, that such a mighty undertaking should miscarry. It hath already been effectual for the salvation of many thousands, who were once as far from the kingdom of heaven as we. And our _high priest continueth for ever, and is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him_⁴. He is tender and compassionate; he knoweth our infirmities, and had experience of our temptations. _A bruised reed will he not break, and smoaking flax will he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory⁵._ He hath sent out his Holy Spirit, whose sweet but powerful breathings are still moving up and down in the world, to quicken the souls of men, and awaken them unto the sense and feeling of those divine things for which they were made. He is ready to assist such weak