We are enjoined, thirdly, to "have our feet shod "with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. It is by the feet that men advance and make a progress in the way in which they are to go. That way is sometimes rough, sometimes miry, sometimes beset with briers and thorns. Soldiers of old were therefore furnished with a kind of armour for the leg and foot, that they might march, secure and unhurt, over all the different kinds of ground they were to meet with. Answerable hereunto is a certain " pre"paration" of mind in a Christian, to advance in holiness, and tread the path of duty, however rough with hardships, deep with afflictions, or perplexed and entangled with difficulties. For this preparation we are indebted to "the Gospel of peace." That alone can supply us with it. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the "wicked," or "the wicked one." The shield or buckler, used of old, was a piece of defensive armour, made of leather, of tough bullhides, and covered with plates of brass thick and strong: it was fastened by thongs to the left arm, and readily moved to protect any part of the body, at which the warrior perceived, or had reason to expect, that a dart would be aimed: the dart then struck the shield, was stopped, blunted, and fell harmless to the ground. Such to the Christian warrior is faith, or belief in the divine promises and threatenings, the rewards and punishments of a future state. It repels and extinguishes the fiery darts For thrown by the tempting objects around us. who would yield to a base lust, who would suffer a prospect of this world's wealth or honour to tempt him from his duty, if he saw heaven opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God holding out a crown for the righteous; or the Almighty on his throne, prepared with a thunderbolt to strike the wicked into a place of torment?-We do not see this with the bodily eye; but faith, which is "the evidence of things not seen" as yet, makes it all present to the mind's eye, and thus repels every temptation to transgress, causing the fiery dart of the wicked one to fall and go out without hurting us. Were our faith always awake and active, it would preserve us in our integrity. We never sin but when we have first suffered it to slumber: we are off our guard: "the shield of the mighty has "been shamefully cast away." The last piece of defensive armour recommended by the apostle, is "the helmet of salvation." The helmet, as is well known, was a cap of iron or steel for the head, to fence against any blows a part so very important; a part from whence proceed those instruments of sensation called the nerves; the seat of thought and understanding, and, as many philosophers have imagined, the residence of the soul herself. The meaning of St. Paul in this expression is explained in another passage, where, writing on the same subject, he says, "And"for an helmet the hope of salvation." When we have lost hope, a blow has been struck that stupefies and unnerves us; understanding perishes, and strength fails despair is to the Christian, what a stroke that cleaves the skull is to the man; there is no longer the breath of life in him. He who possesses the hope of salvation, through the power of such hope can do all things, and bear all things; because he still looks forward to the end of his hope, which will reward all his actions, and make ample amends for all his sufferings; but, that once given up, there is nothing any longer worth contending for or thinking about. The mind, turning itself on every side to seek rest, and finding none, sinks into all the wretchedness of utter despondency, and the agonizing groan of suicide is heard! Daily, therefore, cherish and invigorate your hope in Christ; pray daily to God, that it may never fail you; diligently read such parts of holy Scripture as may revive it when languishing, and re-establish it. Should you find your own meditations insufficient, consult without delay your minister, or some religious and sensible friend. A word of instruction, comfort, and encouragement from another, spoken in season, has often prevented the dreadful crime of self-murder from being committed. Evermore, then, remember to "take for an "helmet the hope of salvation ;" and put it not off, till the contest be finally over, and hope ceases by our becoming possessed of its object. To the Christian, thus armed for defence in the day of battle, the apostle recommends only one offensive weapon; but it is abundantly sufficient; "the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;" sharper than any two-edged sword fabricated by the art of man, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow ; reaching the very thoughts and intentions; subduing and mortifying evil desires and blasphemous imaginations as they arise within; confuting and silencing infidelity and error as they assault us from without. A single text, well understood and rightly applied, pierces the heart of a temptation or an objection, and lays the most formidable adversary dead at our feet. With this weapon the blessed Jesus conquered in the wilderness; by the same weapon, and no other, must every disciple of his expect to conquer in the world. And now, friends and fellow-soldiers in the Christian warfare, listen to the voice of inspiration, and be directed by one who cannot direct you wrong. Enemies of all kinds surround you; enter not into the battle unarmed: the host of darkness is in array against you; put on the armour of light to discover and survey it. Let truth be the girdle of your loins, let righteousness be the protection of your heart, and let the sandals of the Gospel of peace adorn and defend your feet in the way in which you go; let faith be your invincible shield, and hope your impenetrable helmet; and on the thigh be girded the sword of the Spirit, bright and shining, and ready for use, and to be drawn at a moment's warning. Thus completely armed from head to foot, always remembering from whence come skill and strength for the battle, fall upon your knees, as the apostle enjoins at the close of his exhortation; " pray with "all supplication, and watch with all perseverance. Then go forth; and may the Almighty go forth with |