against temptations depends on the grace of God: Our enjoyment of this grace depends on our application of the means afforded us.

We must take, not this or that piece, but the whole armor-not content ourselves with the observance of particular duties, or with the partial practice of religion; but possess the whole Christian temper and abound in every good work.

We must stand in the evil day-in the times which are most perilous and trying-in the times when the rulers of darkness muster their armies against the friends of truth. Such was the day when Paul wrote this epistle. It was a day of persecution-he himself was then in bonds. Godly sincerity is best proved by a steady adherence to the cause of Christ in times when it is attended with peculiar dangers.

Having done all," or overcome all, still "we must stand." When we have prevailed in one conflict, we must not put off the harness, as if our warfare were accomplished; but still wear our armor and stand prepared for another assault. "When the devil has ended his temptation, he departs," but it is only "for a season."

The armor is before us, let us take and use it.

1. The Apostle says, "Stand, having your loins girt about with truth." He alludes to the custom of the eastern nations, who, wearing loose and flowing robes, girded them about their loins, that they might not be entangled with them. This was in soldiers a necessary preparation for action. To this custom David alludes; "Thou hast girded me with strength to the battle." Paul borrows the metaphor from Isaiah, who, speaking of the Messiah, says, Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." Peter uses the same figure; "Gird up the loins of your mind."

Truth is the girdle with which our loins must be braced. By truth is intended sincerity in our Christ

ian profession, or a firm belief of, and full consent to the gospel of Christ. If we receive the gospel on the authority of man, without a persuasion in our own minds; or if we profess it for worldly ends, without a love of its doctrines and precepts, we shall easily be drawn away from it by the temptations of the world and the artifice of designing men. A rational conviction of its truth, joined with a deep sense of its importance, is our best security against apostasy in the evil day.

2. "Have on the breastplate of righteousness." This expression is also taken from Isaiah, who, speaking of God's judgment on the enemies of the church, says, "He put on righteousness as a breastplate."

Here is an allusion to the ancient custom of soldiers, who, when they were going to battle, guarded the vital part with a plate of iron or brass, or some other impenetrable substance.

The breastplate of the Christian warrior must be righteousness. This is St. Peter's advice; "Let them who suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator."-"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous; and his ears are open to their prayersand who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you.-It is better to suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." A holy and inoffensive life will prevent many injuries. It will command the reverence of bad, and the compassion of good men. will obtain the protection of God's Providence and the supports of his grace. It will preserve peace and serenity of conscience under the reproaches of a malignant world.

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3. "Let your feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Shoes were anciently a part of military armor. The giant of Gath" had greaves of brass upon his legs." "To be shod," is to be in readiness for action.

The Israelites in Egypt were to eat the passover,

with their shoes on their feet," prepared to march at the first notice. The Apostles were to be "shod with sandals," ready to go whither their master should send them. The gospel is called, "the gospel of peace," because it expressly requires, and strongly recom mends a peaceable, meek, forgiving temper. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." This peaceable disposition is a happy "preparation" for the trials of an evil day, and an excellent defence against the asperities of our Christian path. This will go on before us to smooth the rough passages of life, or attend us to guard our feet against the sticks and traps which our enemies cast in our way. Possessed of this disposition, we shall give no offence and provoke no injuries by an insolent overbearing behavior; the injuries, which we receive, we shall bear with calmness; we shall neither aggravate the pain of them by undue resentment, nor cause the repetition of them by hasty revenge; we shall not be overcome of eyil, but shall overcome evil with good. This temper is our best security against the temptations of evil spirits; for it is by means of our turbulent and unruly passions, that they gain access to our minds-it is by the indulgence of pride, wrath, malice and revenge, that we give place to them. By the wisdom which is pure, gentle and peaceable, we resist the devil and expel him from us. The peace of God ruling within us, will keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Thus secured the wicked one will not touch us. "Be wise to that which is good, and simple concerning evil, and the God of peace will tread Satan under your feet.”

4. "Above all things take the shield of faith, whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked"

A shield is a piece of light armor, made of firm wood or hard skin, and sometimes of metal, which sol

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diers anciently used in battle to defend themselves against the spears and darts of their enemies. handling it they were so expert, that they could usually guard any part of the body, at which a pass was made. In allusion to this, the Apostle directs Christians, not only to gird the loins with truth, defend the breast with righteousness, and secure the feet with the sandals of peace; but to assume the shield of faith, an instrument of more general defence, by which they will repel all the fiery darts of the wicked one. This we are to take above all things. Faith is a grace of universalinfluence. It is the basis of all Christian graces. It is the ground work of religion in the heart. On this we must build ourselves up, adding to it all other virtues.

This is the substance of things hoped for and the ev idence of things not seen. This purifies the heart and quickens to obedience. This unites the soul to Christ, and embraces the promises of God in him. This looks to God as a present help in trouble, and relies on the Holy Spirit for support in the time of need. It contemplates with joy the captain of salvation, who has overcome the world, and triumphed over principalities and pow. ers. It considers him, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, and is now set down on the right hand of God, and who has graciously promised, that they who overcome shall sit with him on his throne.

Faith thus operating is a more effectual defence against the temptations of Satan and the world, than the shields of the mighty against the darts and spears of their enemies.

5. "Take the helmet of salvation."

Or, as it is expressed elsewhere, "put on for an helmet the hope of salvation." The expression is taken from Isaiah, who, speaking of the Almighty dressed in arms to subdue his enemies, says, "He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation was on his head." God brings salvation. We ap propriate it by hope. This is our helmet.

The use of the helmet is to secure the head in the day of battle. It was of special utility in former times, when armies met and disputed the ground sword in hand. In the Christian warfare, not a helmet of brass, but the hope of salvation, must be the defence. We must fight the good fight of faith in hope that the captain of salvation will support us in the conflict and lead us to victory. We must endure temptations in hope of a crown of glory-continue in well doing in hope of eternal life-abound in the work of the Lord in hope that our labor is not in vain. In the clear view of a future world, and in the full expectation of a blessed immortality, what difficulty can discourage us-what temptation can divert us-what danger can deter us from the religious life?" Our present light affliction, which is but for a moment, will work for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory."

6. "Take the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."

The former pieces of armor were for defence :-This is for annoyance, as well as defence. The divine word is called "the sword of the Spirit," either because it is a spiritual weapon adapted to the religious warfare, in distinction from the carnal weapons used in the lit eral warfare; or because it is an instrument rendered effectual by the Spirit to slay the fleshly lusts and repel the outward temptations which war against the soul. "The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This was the weapon which our Lord used in his conflict with Satan. In his hands it was effectual: By his aid it will be effectual in ours,