it is a perfect protection from every stroke of every enemy. He that wears it upon his heart, believing in the life and death of Immanuel, has armour proof against all weapons. If the strength of his adversaries could be collected into one arm, which was to strike one mighty blow, his breast-plate would ward it off. The armour of God could not be hurt. The soldier with it on cannot perish, but shall have everlasting life. Therefore, covered with this invincible breast-plate, he may face the stoutest foes, and attack them without fear. He may march on undaunted, " having his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

PEACE WITH GOD, through Jesus Christ, is another grace of the Spirit, which mightily strengthens the inner man. Whoever sees the truth of the gospel, and believes it, will discover God to be at peace with him; perfectly reconciled to him in Jesus; and who, out of his fatherly love, will over-rule all things for his good. In the sense of this he may go on with holy bold

ness, as the soldier did with his greaves on. When his feet and legs were armed with them, he was not afraid of thorns or briers, of rough roads, or sharp spikes. In like manner, the peace which the gospel brings, carries the Christian soldier fearless through difficulties. He will march on, conquering, if he keep on his greaves. If he maintain peace with God, through Jesus Christ, he will not be stopped by war, or trouble, or temptation. But he must remember, that to every piece of armour, faith is essentially necessary-the girdle is good for nothing without the belief of the truth the breast-plate is no defence without faith in the righteousness of God our Saviour-the greaves are no more than if the feet were covered with a bit of thin gauze, unless faith be mixed with the gospel: "Therefore, TO ALL THESE, take the shield of faith, wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." What excellent things are here spoken of

FAITH, as a grace of the holy Spirit!

When they used to fight with bows and arrows, the soldier could hold up his shield and keep himself safe: so the Christian soldier, if the fiery darts of Satan fly thick about him, by faith will quench them all. He has much combustible within him, and one spark would set him in a flame, if he had not his shield: but armed with it, and opposing it to the arrows of the wicked one, he may lift up his head with joy: "For he has the helmet of salvation," upon it. The grace here meant is

HOPE, and it is fitly compared to a helmet, which was armour for the head, and a defence for all the senses which are seated in the head. It is called the helmet of SALVATION, because it ALWAYS SAVES. It never can be destroyed. None of the senses of the spiritual man can perish in this warfare; and, therefore, it is a hope that maketh not ashamed. Hope with its helmet on

fears no blows.

It can truly say, I am

commanded to be strong, and of good

courage, not to be afraid or dismayed: for the Lord my God is with me, whithersoever

I go. Trusting to this command, hope is in wars and fightings full of glory and immortality. The Lord's orders to march for ward are the ground of hope; and this supplies him with a weapon which none of his enemies can withstand, even the sword of the Spirit, "which is the

WORD OF GOD." The Scripture is called a sword-(an offensive weapon-and it is the only one which a Christian soldier hasall the rest being for his defence,) because it is mighty, through the Spirit working by it, to cut off all opposers. Our Lord, in combat with the old serpent, defeated him with this sword. And the noble army of his followers, now crowned in glory, overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony-they held fast their confidence in the word, and with it, as with a two-edged sword, they slew the old dragon, and gained eternal victory over him. Fight against him, O my soul, with the same weapon. Keep the sword in thy hand. Thou wilt stand in need of it every moment against that subtle foe. The word is the

means of overcoming the devil, and it is mighty, through God, when heard and read in faith, and inwardly digested by prayer. The best soldier in the Lord's army, is best acquainted with the necessity of prayer: he not only believes what God says of his armour, but he also depends upon him for the daily experience of it: and therefore when he has put his armour on, in the

PRAYER OF FAITH, he calls upon the Captain of his salvation for orders, courage, strength, victory, and every thing needful: "Praying always with all prayer, and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” O my

God, teach me thus to pray. I would depend on thee, and express my dependence without ceasing: for I am sensible that without thee I can do nothing. Although thou hast chosen me to be a soldier, yet I have neither counsel nor strength for war. My foolish heart loves ease: it would have the crown, but it would be excused striving lawfully for it. I find nothing in myself that disposes me to endure the hardship of