Hence, to "gird" one's-self, became to mean the same as preparing for active exertion, and to restrain the loose and cumbersome folds of the ordinary dress was used to typify the removal or checking of any impediment to the motions either of the body or mind. So we are directed in one place to "gird up the loins of our mind”; and in another, to have our "lamps burning and our loins girded"; and again, "to put aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (or entangle) us, and to run with patience the race that is set before us," in which latter passage there seems special allusion to the lusts of the flesh. Now we are told that GOD especially tries the heart and the reins; i. e., that He demands the restraint of all these lusts and passions, which are apt to lead us astray from HIM, and requires "truth in the inward parts." He looks for it as the foundation of all religion it is indispensable not only for the perfection, but for the very beginning of real practical religion; a principle of truth and sincerity. Must it not, my Brethren, in the very nature of things, be so? Can we offer to GOD any acceptable service?-is it likely that we shall watch, and wrestle, and stand girt about with armour, and having arms in our hands, unless there be a groundwork of sincerity and earnestness within us ? How is it, I would ask, that so many go on from bad to worse, and become confirmed in evil habits and careless living? They did not start with any fixed purpose of renouncing GoD's service and living to themselves and this evil world. No; such a resolve is unnecessary; our great enemy is far too skilful nakedly to suggest such an idea to the mind; it would shock rather than encourage his victim. But it will surely come to this in the end: GoD's service, as the

law of our being, will be certainly renounced; we shall ultimately live only to ourselves and to this evil world, unless from the very commencement our "loins be girt about with truth"; unless there be some principle of sincerity on which we stay ourselves, a surrender of ourselves to GOD as His servants and creatures; a deliberate determination to do the LORD's will, to fight under His banner, and to follow HIM whithersoever He calls.

2. Next we are to have on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate is a portion of armour which is still worn by certain regiments of soldiers among ourselves. And you may perhaps, some of you, have seen a body of such soldiers advancing, the breastplates shining brightly in the sun, and may imagine with what terror they would inspire the enemy. And you may be sure, Brethren, there is nothing which casts such dismay, and consternation, and despair into the breast of Satan, as when he sees you coming against him, "having on the breastplate of righteousness," bearing before you a bold front of good works. Our light is not meant to be put under a bushel, but upon a candlestick; and when so carried before us, it glorifies God; it encourages our brethren, and gladdens the hearts of all good men; it discomfits the Devil, our common enemy. Oh, my Brethren, could we but show forth a brighter front; had we but good works, more and brighter; the armour of light, the armour of righteousness (as it is indifferently called), works seen and known of men; were we known to be a people fearing GOD; did we profess ourselves such, and proclaim boldly each one for himself, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD;" we will honour His Day and House, we will reverence

His Name, we will seek to His Sacraments. I will take no wicked thing in hand. I hate the sin of unfaithfulness; no deceitful person shall dwell in my house: I will not know a wicked person." If such, Brethren, were the language of our lips and the resolution of our hearts, and the practice more and more of our lives, then would the Enemy leave us in despair, the Angels of GOD would gladden us with their presence, and confident might be our rejoicing for eternity.

3. The Apostle directs that our "feet be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace." The mention of this precaution seems intended chiefly to guard us against those secret dangers and traps which may be laid in our path. A few Scripture references will suffice to make the meaning evident. Numerous are the allusions in the New Testament to " offences," which many among you will know is the same word as "stumblings"; and the idea is probably derived from a custom that existed in early times of attempting to render roads difficult of access to the enemy, by fixing of stakes and other snares in the ground. Another passage of Scripture, which will help to explain the expression, is the declaration of the ALMIGHTY to Eve, in Paradise, that though "the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, it should bruise his heel." We are bid then, here, I conceive, to be on our guard against the secret attacks of the Devil, as before, against those which are more open. Foiled or repulsed in one method of attack, he will surely resort to some fresh artifice or expedient: he will stoop to wound us where we are least expecting him; he will set traps and snares in our way; he will endeavour to entangle our feet as we walk on unsus

pectingly, if by any means he may be to us an occasion of falling. Here, too, then, we must be aware of him ; we must be armed even to the heel: our very feet must be shod and prepared against him. And the preparation prescribed is "the preparation of the Gospel of peace,"-by which we are to understand, I think, first, that as for all other outward circumstances, so specially for our protection against snares and temptations, will the religion of CHRIST supply our best security; and, secondly, it is suggested by the Apostle (as though by the way, and to meet a possible objection), that all this armour is merely defensive. The Gospel is essentially a religion of peace; and we must be careful in assuming this attitude of resistance of which we speak, against the Author of Evil, and evil men his agents, that we do not so take the assailant's part, so as to forget what manner of spirit we are of.

The Apostle proceeds: "Above all, taking the shield of faith.' The personal armour, if one may so speak, of the Christian warrior, in so far at least as concerns the lower part of the body, is now complete. The loins are girded; the body is protected with the plate of steel; the feet shod with brass or iron. Now, above all or over all, we are to take the shield of faith. The shield, of course, being carried in the hand, is capable of being turned every way, according as danger threatens; and its peculiarity is this, that it prevents the weapons of the enemy coming even near us to hurt us. In all these respects, it fitly typifies the power of faith. of faith. Faith in GoD is an ever ready principle, which is both the source of all religion and its crown. Have we ever so well mastered our lusts and passions; are we ever so well resolved to serve the

LORD; do we take ever so good heed to our waysover all, in addition to all, and above all, we want faith. The Devil will still seek opportunity to attack us: the Incarnate SON of GOD was not exempted from the common lot of man; yea, and he will, peradventure, reserve his sharpest arrows and most fiery darts for those whom he sees best prepared against him. Now then, Brethren, we must produce our shield of faith. However great may be our emergency, however unexpected the attack, however sore the conflict, -only let us remember Whose we are, and to Whom we shall have to give account, and look up to HIM for strength, and all the malice of our enemy will prove harmless.

Next, for an helmet, the Christian must have the hope of salvation. Hope is defined to be an assurance yet stronger than faith; and therefore is the highest place assigned it, as guarding the head. The existence of this great Christian grace cannot, it is evident, be concealed in him who possesses it. He will bear it aloft with him wherever he goes; and it will impart a boldness and confidence to his general carriage and mien, which can not be mistaken. Lastly, for a sword, the only offensive weapon that is allowed him, the Christian must have "the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the Word of GOD." This is the trusty weapon by which our blessed LORD so successfully resisted the attacks of the Tempter in the wilderness; "It is written" and so long as we take this to be our rule and guide of conduct in all difficulties, and look to God's HOLY SPIRIT for strength, we can not fail; for here will be found a remedy against every doubt, an answer to every perplexity, and power in every trial.

Such then, Brethren, is a brief sketch of the Chris