The Triumph of Faith

Originally Published in 1793


WHERE there has been war, a triumph supposes a battle to have been fought, a victory to have been obtained, and the great rejoicings of the conquerors upon this occlusion. The Christian has his matter of triumph, but it is spiritual. It is always in Christ, the Captain of his salvation. So it is written: "Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ." The apostle is speaking of his preaching the gospel. He carried the sweat savour of Jesu's name from place to place; but it was not always received as a joyful sound, nor welcomed as it deserved, lie met with great opposition. 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 persecutions, imprisonment, stoning, whipping, perils of various kinds, suffered for Christ, and Christ made him victorious over them all. He not only enabled Paul to conquer, but also made him more than conqueror–he was the blessed instrument of pulling down the strongholds of sin and Satan, and of setting up in the world that kingdom of Jesus which is flourishing to this day, and which will triumph to eternity.