Continue in the faith. Acts chapter 14 verse 22. Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon. He said conquest has made me what I am and conquest must maintain me. So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be Excelsior. He only is a true conqueror, and you'll be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more.

Perseverance is therefore the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage and settle down to buy and sell with her in vanity fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you and to prevent your pressing on to glory. It is weary work being a pilgrim. Come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare.

Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance. It will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service. He will insinuate that you're doing no good and that you want to rest. He will endeavor to make you weary of suffering. He will whisper, curse God and die. Or he will attack your steadfastness. What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest. Sleep as do the others. Let your lamp go out as the other virgins do. Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments. Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal. They're removing the old landmarks. Fall in with the times.

Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armor, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end.