ftructed how to manage it; particularly, in Eph. vi. 10-17. Where the Apoftle fays to them, My Brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might. Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil. For we wrestle not (only) against (the Lufts of) Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities, againft Powers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, against fpiritual Wickedness in high Places: Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil Day, and having done all to ftand: Stand therefore, having your Loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breaft-plate of Righteousness: And your Feet food with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace: Above all, taking the Shield of Faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery Darts of the Wicked. (one) And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

The Enemies, which ferious Chriftians muft encounter with, are very fubtle, very potent and very malicious. There is no avoiding them, when God permits them to affault us: We must refift, we must fight, and we must conquer them, or be overcome and perifh by them. No wonder then, that diftreffing Fears do fometimes arife in the Minds of pious Perfons.

But there are Predictions in the holy Scriptures, which may animate our Hope, excite our Courage, and adminifter Confolation to our Souls, when under ftrong Temptations.

In the 1 Cor. x. 11. it is faid, God is faithful, who will not fuffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the Temptation alfo make a Way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. A molt comfortable Prediction this! And may help

us against our Fears, and revive our Hope, when the Devil continues urging his Temptations ftrongly upon us, and we are afraid of being overcome by them.

In Rom. viii. 37. After the Apostle had mentioned fome of the Trials of true Believers, as in Tribulation, Diftrefs, Perfecution, Famine, Nakedness, Perils and Sword, he fays, In all thefe Things we are (and thall be) more than Conquerors, through him that loved us. The Words imply a Prediction, that God will not fuffer fincere Chriftians to be overcome by the Enemies of their Souls, but that through Chrift, who loved them, they fhall be made victorious over all their Adverfaries: And it teaches us to look to Chrift the Captain of our Salvation, and to depend on him for Success in our Warfare.

St. Peter fays, 2 Pet. ii. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations. Which Words plainly imply a Prediction that the Lord will deliver the Godly out of Temptations; becaufe otherwife the Declaration is no ground of Comfort to the Saints.

In Rom. xvi. 20. The Apoftle fays to the Saints at Rome, and to the Saints in all Places, and Ages; And the God of Peace fall bruife (or tread) Satan under your Feet fhortly. Here is a Prediction fignifying, that although the Saints for a while are tempted and affaulted by the Devil, yet that God in due Time, will fubdue the Devil under them, and make them victorious over him.

Thefe Promifes may well encourage us to continue a vigorous Oppofition to all his Attacks, remembring that it is faid, Refift the Devil, and be will flee from you. James iv. 7.

The Chriftian in the Day of Temptation, fhould do as the Apoftle did, when, There was

given to him a Thorn in the Flesh, the Messenger of Satan to buffet him, left he should be exalted above Measure. 2 Cor. xii. 7, 8, 9. He fought by Prayer to his Lord and Mafter, the glorious Captain of his Salvation, for Help and Deliverance. For this Thing I befought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ver. 8. And he did not pray in vain; for the Lord returned this gracious Answer to his Petition, faying, My Grace is fufficient for thee; for my Strength is made perfect in weakness.

The Grace of the Lord Jefus was fufficient to fupport the Apoftle all the Time of his Trial, and to release him from it, when it fhould be fit to do it; and the Strength of Chrift is manifest in fuftaining his weak Difciples, and in making them Conquerors over their most powerful Enemies: And what was the Apostle's Refolution upon receiving fo gracious an Anfwer to his Prayers? He tells us, faying, Moft gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities, that the Power of Chrift may rest upon me.

The Confideration that the Power of Chrift refteth upon Believers, may well reconcile them to endure Hardships in their spiritual Warfare, as becometh good Soldiers of the bleffed Jefus, and may keep them from being difcouraged, by the Thoughts of their own Weaknefs and Infirmities.

The ferious Chriftian in the Hour of Temptation, should go to the Throne of Grace, and prefent his Petitions for Support, for Help, and Deliverance.

We should look to our great Redeemer, and may fay to him, Lord didft thou not come into the World to deftroy the Works of the Devil? And didst thou not thyfelf fuffer being tempted? O pity me now, being forely diftreffed by the

Affaults

Affaults and Buffetings of Satan! For thou art a compaffionate Saviour, and art able to fuccour them that are tempted: O merciful Jefus help me, and rebuke the Devil, and command him to cease his Suggestions: Thy Grace is fufficient for me, and thy Strength is made perfect in Weaknefs; and thou knoweft my Weaknefs, O communicate Strength to me, and make the Enemy of my Soul to fly from me.

My God, the Prince of Darkness tries
All his malicious Arts;

He spreads a Mift before my Eyes,
And throws his fiery Darts.

Be thou my Sun, and thou my Shield,
My Soul in Safety keep ;
My Foes will fly at thy Command,
And Satan hide his Head.

Thou wilt display that fovereign Grace,
Where all my Hopes have hung;
I shall employ my Lips in praife,

And Victory fhall be fung.

WATTS'S Pfal. p. 34.

LETTER VII.

On the Predictions relative to fincere Chriftians, from the Time of their Death. Particularly: 1. It is predicted that at Death, their Souls fhall be made perfect in Holiness. What is communion with God, explained.

2. That their Bodies fhall remain under the Care of Chrift after Death.

3. That their Bodies will be raised to life again; and allo the Bodies of the Wicked.

4. That the Soul of every Believer at Death, will be put into another Building for its Habitation. 5. That the Souls of Believers immediately after Death, will be with Christ.

6. That the Time of the general Refurrection will be very folemn, magnificent, and awful. Of the CHANGE, that will be made in the Bodies of those, who fall be living at the Time of the general Refurrection. And that it will make their Bodies incorruptible and immortal.

Laftly. It is predicted that the Saints fhall have an Inheritance, but not be put into the Poffeffion of it, till the Day of Judgment.--A Kingdom feems to be the Inheritance promifed to them; and as fuitable to fuch an Inheritance, it is foretold, that they fhall have a Crown of Righteousness, and a

Crown