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enabled you to make that timely and necessary stand, than of the stand itself. And so do I. But still, it is the stand, which shows how " grace helps in time of need." What it enables us to do and endure, is the measure of what it does for us, and the mode in which it helps our infirmities.

Do not tire of this formal advice. I would have you "strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might;" and, therefore, I urge upon you, to "take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand;" and tell you, at the same time, that this means no more than you ought to mean, when you say, that your own strength is insufficient, and grace essential, in order to your standing. I will go further and say, that the advice given in this oracle is just as kind and cheering, as when God says in another of his oracles, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." This

is, indeed, what He says to them when their "warfare is accomplished;" and the other what He says whilst the warfare is going on; but both are in the same spirit, and equal proofs of His attention to all who are engaged in the Christian warfare ! He arms the warrior, as well as crowns the conqueror; and gives grace as willingly, as He will give glory cheerfully.

Look again at the whole armour of God, in proof of this. Why; every part of it proclaims as much peace to you, as it proclaims war against sin and Satan. If you must wear a helmet, it is "the hope of salvation," not the fear of perishing. If you must wield a sword, it is "the sword of the Spirit," which is the Word of God; and by that, Christ vanquished Satan in the wilderness. If you must employ a shield, it is the faith of the glorious Gospel, not the Buckler of fasts, penances,

sackcloth, or celibacy. The Righteousness which you are bound to put on as a breastplate, is what you wish to be found clothed in, as a robe, on the last day. And what is prayer, but access to God as your Father? Yea, what is watching, but taking care of the hope, and the peace, and the joy of salvation?

Thus, doing "all to stand," is far more than

duty. To stand firm, is, to stand safe; to stand composed; to stand prepared for the issues of life or death. SHESHBAZZAR would

have said, "it is to stand as the mountains around Jerusalem, or as the cherubim on the mercy-seat; where the eye of Omniscience watches, and the arm of Omnipotence guards."

Take another view of these preservatives against falling. You want and wish for the whole guardianship of God on earth. I mean, you would not be satisfied with less, than being "kept by his power through faith unto

salvation." Such a keeping from the evil of the world, as would not keep you from being

condemned with the world, would not please you. No wonder! Should not God, then, be pleased as well as you? Ought He not to have his own way, if you wish him to save you with an everlasting salvation? You need the whole of His grace, and wish for the whole of His glory and, will you refuse to take the whole armour of God, in order to secure all this to yourself?

You feel this appeal! Do then take that armour, and take it unto yourself, and " put it on." What is the use of merely knowing, that there is a breastplate, a helmet, a sword, and a shield, by which a Christian may be able to stand? What is the use of complimenting their power as great, or their polish as splendid, or their device as beautiful? If you need them, take them: if you admire them,

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put them on. They are not like the armour in the TOWER of London, hung up to be gazed at, or to remind us of the good soldiers which Christ had in former times. He wants good soldiers still; and, as formerly, 66 women amongst them, who will not accept “deliverance "from the cruel mockings of the world, nor from the scourges of Satan, at the expense of a good conscience.

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