to the advancement of his own praise, and to the edification of his own people. To him who keepeth promise for ever, be glory in the church, through Chrift Jesus, world without end. Amen.

THE

TRIUMPH, &c.

;

WHERE

a

THERE there has been war,, a triumph supposes battle to have been fought, a victory to have been obtained, and the great rejoicings of the conquerors upon this occafion. The Christian has his matter of triumph, but it is spiritual. It is always in Christ, the captain of his falvation. So it is written"Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ." The apostle is speaking of his A 5 preach

preaching the gospel. He carried the sweet favor of Jesu's name from place to place; but it was not always received as a joyful found, nor welcomed, as it deferved. He met with great oppofition. The Holy Ghost witnessed that in every city, bonds and afflictions awaited him. As these abounded, grace did much more abound. For he was carried on through perfecutions, imprisonment, stoning, whipping, perils of various kinds, fuffered for Christ, and Chrift made him victorious over them all. He not only enabled Paul to conquer, but also made him more than conqueror-he was the bleffed instrument of pulling down the strong holds of fin and Satan, and of setting up in the world, that kingdom of Jesus, which is flourishing to this day, and which will triumph

umph to eternity. A poor weak man had all the Roman empire against him, but he did wonders. Through Christ strengthening him, he went on conquering and to conquer: And to Christ he gives all the glory; acknowledging t' the gofpel, his preachin , and the fuccess of it, was of God, theexcellency of the power was of God. "Thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Chrift." He, for us men, and for our falvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate, that as our furety he might live, and die and conquer for us. It was to the everlasting honour of his grace and mercy, that he would engage in this war, and undertake to deliver his people from the tyranny of their enemies. They were in bondage to fin-fold under fin

enslaved to diverse lusts and pleafures-living according to the course of this world-according to the prince of the power of the air, the wicked spirit, who now worketh effectually in the children of disobedience. These tyrants were leading t captive at their will, hoping fou to have them delivered over to death, and then to everlafting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. In this miferable state, under fin-under condemnation, we all were-guilty and helpless-not only without any means of deliverance in our own power, but without any defire of it, being tempted to dream of liberty, while we were tied and bound with the chain of our fins, and fancying that we were free,