Eph. 6:10-1810Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10‑18).
In thy further Meditations, O my soul, on the Christian's " Vocation" there is yet one department which thou wilt do well duly to consider; namely-" The Christian's Warfare!' Rare qualities are needed in warriors, and great honors are heaped on the victorious: but who praises the coward? Alas, he stands at the head of the dark list of the lost, in Rev. 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8). " But the fearful"-" The fearful" here means those who are afraid to confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, from the fear of consequences. They are cowards in reference to Christ. This, in God's sight, is a sin of the meanest and blackest character; for such evidently know something of Christ and of His goodness, and yet they are ashamed of His name before men. Therefore, under the ignominious brand of " the fearful," or cowards, they are consigned to their own place in the lake of fire.
But these, being altogether unbelievers, cannot be contrasted with those who are valiant for Christ. It is only with believers that we have to do in meditating on christian warfare. Nevertheless, there are some amongst us who are but little skilled in the use of the shield and sword, and show but little courage in the day of battle. Training is necessary, with a perfect knowledge of the enemy's position, and of our own vantage ground. Therefore we invite-we entreat, all our readers, and especially our youthful christian readers, to study with us the important subject of the Christian's conflict. You are enlisted, you do wear the uniform, you ought to fight; victory is certain, the honors are everlasting; and only think of Him who is your " Leader and Commander." You will have no such opportunity of distinguishing yourselves for Christ in heaven. Lose no time then in waking up to the consciousness that you are soldiers, and that you must learn to fight. There is no discharge in this war, and no truce with the enemy.
But what of thine own experience, O my soul., in this warfare? Knowest thou well the sound of the trumpet that calls thee to battle? Art thou always ready and willing to obey the summons A false humility might lead thee to plead thine own weakness, and a would-be honoring of Christ might lead thee to plead His strength as sufficient without thee; but thou must never plead either the one or the other to get rid of responsibility. And, remember, it is more with the wiles than with the strength of the enemy thou hast to contend. This is an important consideration and one that must never be forgotten. Who can speak of his wiles, his depths, his snares, his stratagems, innumerable? These must not be underrated. We need both the wisdom and strength of the Lord to resist them; and of these the apostle here speaks.
" Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." This is the first sound of the trumpet, we may say: and to what, we inquire, does it call the saints-does it call thee? Certainly not to survey the stronghold of the enemy, or to show thee what thou hast to overcome; but sweetly to turn all thy thoughts to the Lord Himself. Before a word is said about enemies or conflicts, thou art called to survey thy strength in the mighty Lord, as seated at the right hand of God in the heavenlies. This is grace-the grace of the Lord Jesus, and like the ways of the Spirit when acting toward us for Him-" Be strong in the Lord." But this touches a high note of privilege and blessing, as well as of security and strength.. Clearly, this is the first thing to be understood: what are we to understand by the words-" IN THE LORD?"
All through this epistle the apostle speaks of the saints as seated together in heavenly places in Christ. In chapter i. we learn that God raised Him up from the dead, and set Him in the heaven-lies. In chapter ii. we learn that God, in doing this, laid the foundation of our association with Him there. In chapter iii. we are seen as a testimony to principalities and powers, that they might learn by this unity the manifold wisdom of God. In chapter iv. the doctrine of the " one body " is unfolded. In chapters v., vi., practical exhortations are given on the ground of these great truths. Hence the saints are addressed in the passage before us as " in the Lord." This is where they are for themselves in virtue of their union with Him as risen and exalted. It is the common heritage of all that belong to Christ; and their own proper place, according to the counsels of God. But here they are exhorted to use it as a fortification against, the wiles of the enemy. And this we must do if we would be victorious, and fully enjoy our proper christian privileges.
But in what way, thou mayest ask, am I to fortify myself in a heavenly Christ, against the wiles of Satan? How can lie reach me there? It seems difficult to understand the true character of this conflict.
Unless the inquiring Christian knows his position as a member of the body of Christ in the heavenlies, according to the teaching of the epistle to the Ephesians, there will be great difficulty in understanding the true character of this conflict. The portion of scripture before us is evidently addressed to such. It assumes that we have died and are risen again in Christ; that we are sitting in heavenly places, and enjoying our heavenly portion in Him. But Satan and his hosts are also regarded as in heavenly places; so that there must be conflict if we would practically maintain our position there.
It will be seen then that this conflict is not merely the mortifying of the flesh, or contending with the temptations of this world, though these, of course, have to be overcome. Neither is it, as many think, a question as to the state of our souls before God. He who has clothed us with the best robe, killed for us the fatted calf, and fitted us to be guests in His own presence-chamber, has no conflict with us. And there need be no doubts or fears as to the final results of His grace. It is really a question of fighting with wicked spirits, who deceive and reign in darkness. Hence the exhortation, "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places." (See marg.)
We are here reminded of the Lord's directions to Joshua, and of Israel's enemies in the land of Canaan. These were types of the mightier and deadlier foes with which the Christian has to fight. The Canaanites were but enemies of " flesh and blood;" we have to encounter wicked spirits in heavenly places, even principalities and powers. These titles give us some idea of their supremacy over the human mind, at least over those whom they have first blinded. (2 Cor. 4:3, 43But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3‑4).) To resist such enemies as these, we must be armed with the panoply of heaven-" the whole armor of God." Mere human wisdom and strength are of no avail in this warfare.- But it will assist us greatly to consider, first, and briefly, the character of the wars in Canaan.
THE WARS IN CANAAN UNDER JOSHUA.
" Arise," said the Lord to Joshua, " go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses." (Josh. 1:1-91Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:1‑9).) Up till now, we may say, there had been no fighting.
The wilderness was the scene of temptation-the place of discipline for themselves, not of fighting with others, though occasionally they had to combat foes, as in the case of Amalek. But now that they had crossed the Jordan and received their orders, they must fight for the possession of the land. Every inch of ground would be disputed by the enemy. But they had nothing to fear from the Canaanites: God was with His people, as He said to Joshua, " As captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." He had given them the land, and accurately defined its boundaries, but specified one condition as the only principle of actual possession; " Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses."
It was only on this condition that they could possess the land, though freely given them of God. This is an important principle; note it, and see that thou understand it well. There was no fighting, strictly speaking, until they crossed the Jordan; after that, the sword was to be drawn, and ought never to have been sheathed while there was a Canaanite in the land. They had only to trust in God and be guided by His word, and victory would follow them at every step. " There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life." This was God's sure word of promise to Joshua their leader. What an honor to be thus led, and led only to triumph-to plant the foot of victory on the neck of every foe. They were never to be left, never to be forsaken; His presence in power would always be with them, and His word would be a sure guide to them. Only they were to be very strong, very courageous, and observe to do all things according to the word of the Lord. But-alas, alas, we know what happened. They failed-they sadly failed. They followed not the God of Israel, though He was in their midst as a man of war. They never took
possession of all the land which God had given to them. Nevertheless, the word of the Lord abideth sure. The day will come when in virtue of the death of their own Messiah, every man shall stand in his own lot, according to the boundaries assigned by God Himself. But now for
THE APPLICATION OF THESE TYPES.
Like Israel of old, the Christian, we may say, enters his heavenly Canaan without striking a blow. Crossing the Red Sea makes him a pilgrim and a stranger-brings him into the great scene of temptation; crossing the Jordan makes him a warrior-brings him into the scene of conflict. Thus we read in Ephesians, the great antitype of the book of Joshua; " But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, bath quickened us together with Christ, and bath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Here then we are clearly taught what God has done for us, not what we have to do for ourselves. In His " rich" mercy and " great " love, He has brought us out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, the wilderness, the Jordan, and landed us in our heavenly Canaan. But we are not raised up to these heavenly places merely to enjoy our rich privileges there; we have enemies to fight, like the people of Israel under Joshua.
It is not so difficult to understand the character of the fighting under Joshua; but what, may I ask, is the character, influence, or mode of action, of these wicked spirits? Stratagem, cunning, and lies, are their most successful weapons. They will challenge thy title, question thy fitness, and in every way dispute thy present possession of the heavenlies. Thou must know thy ground well, at every point, in order to maintain it. And to this end thou must be guided entirely by the word of God, apart from feelings-thou must know what it is to be in heaven as a matter of faith, while still on earth as a matter of fact. Thou must also understand the blessed truth of being in the presence of God in all the acceptancy of Christ, though still here in the midst of difficulties, failures, and infirmities. In short, thou must maintain, in the face of every foe, thy present title to heaven, thy fitness to be there, and thy large possessions as an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ. 1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17); Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7).
One of their most successful wiles is, to insinuate, or boldly to affirm, as the case may be, that Christians cannot enter or enjoy heaven till after they die-that their deliverance is not complete. This is one of the most subtle snares of the enemy, and by this lie thousands are deceived. He insinuates that our deliverance is not complete, either as to the law, the flesh, or the world. Hence the bondage of many. But to those who know the
truth as to their position in a risen Christ, it is a barefaced falsehood. Does not God say in His word, that we are now seated in the heavenly places in Christ; that we may now enjoy the good things of heaven as the fruit of our own country; just as the children of Israel began to eat of the old corn of the land of Canaan when the wilderness manna ceased? But, No, says the adversary, however sure you may think yourselves of heaven, you cannot be there until you die; crossing the Jordan means the act of death. Hence the falsehood of Satan has become the belief of many Christians. " We believe we shall go to heaven when we die," is the doctrine of nearly all Christendom. Comparatively few would say, " We are there already, in Christ, and who shall separate us?" Not, observe, " We hope to join Christ in heaven when we die"-though that also is true-but being joined to the Lord now, we are there already, as one with Him; hence the challenge of faith is, " Who shall separate us?" Unless the Christian is master of his position, Satan will beguile him to settle down in his lie. When we die and go to heaven our fighting days are done. We shall need no armor there, thank the Lord. The soul rests in the paradise of God, and the body sleeps in Jesus until the morning of the first resurrection.
CHRIST RISEN, THE MEASURE OF OUR DELIVERANCE.
And now, my soul, may I ask, What knowest thou for thyself of these blessed truths? Knowest thou what true christian ground is, as to thy standing in the presence of God? Faith answers, Surely the deliverance which Christ has wrought out for us is perfect. All depends on the completeness of His work. Christ risen from the dead is the measure of our deliverance: and being made the righteousness of God in Him, our title is clear to be in the same glory with Him. But as the enemy bears me such a grudge, because I am so much better off than he is, he tries his utmost to weaken my hold of the truth, to interrupt my fellowship with Christ, to hinder my enjoyment of His love, and to dim my apprehension of His glory. On the other hand, he will try hard to ensnare with present things, lawful and unlawful. These are some of the things that we have to war against. But the easiest way to victory is to hold fast the truth and walk in the light as God is in the light.
Good, and true, my soul. But in what way is " Christ risen the measure of our deliverance?" It is a matter of faith, and perfectly plain to those that believe. We were dead in sin, Christ died for sin; and we can now say, we have died with Him, or, died in His death. But God quickened us together, raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And now, being associated with Him in life, united to Him by the Holy Ghost, we are entitled, as a matter of faith, to regard the flesh as done with before God, as if our old nature had been nailed to the cross, and brought to its end there, and we received our new nature in resurrection. This is what St. Paul says in writing to the Galatians: " They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." He does not say " they are to crucify it," as if it were something to do, or something going on: but " they have done it." And it is done in the case of every one who receives a crucified Christ. Therefore it is all true to faith and in God's sight. The raising up of the twelve stones out of the bed of the river Jordan, where the feet of the priests stood, and setting them up at the camp in Gilgal, is a striking type of our being raised up with Christ, and seated in heavenly places in Him.
But all who understand the meaning of the Red Sea and the Jordan will have no difficulty on this point. The former shadows forth deliverance from the slavery of sin and Satan, the justification of God's people, and the judgment of their enemies. These blessings flow from the death and resurrection of Christ for us. But this brings the people into the wilderness, the place of sojourn; the land lies before them. The latter is a very different type." There is no rod of judgment lifted up over the waters, as at the Red Sea. When the feet of the priests that carried the ark of the covenant approached the Jordan, the overflowing waters fell back, and the children of Israel passed clean over. They now leave the wilderness, and enter Canaan; the manna ceases, and they eat of the fruit of the land. This shadows forth the blessed Lord going first down into the waters of death, and bringing us into the heavenly places. Clearly, then, the Red Sea represents Christ as dead and risen for us; the Jordan, as our death and resurrection with Rim; or, as one has forcibly said, " The grand point of the Red Sea is what Christ brings us out of, and that of the Jordan is what Christ brings us into." Bless the Lord, O my soul, thy deliverance is complete! the world, sin, Satan, death, and judgment are behind thee.
And now, having explained the allusion to the wars in Canaan, the course is clear. Buckle on thine armor, brace it tightly; put to the sword every wrong thought, feeling, desire, motive, or object, by which Satan might gain an advantage over thee. All spiritual blessings in heavenly places are thine; see that thou maintain thy possession of them in present enjoyment. And at the same time see that thou maintain a holy and consistent testimony here on the earth.
" Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Here the apostle repeats the exhortation of verse 11. His own mind is deeply impressed with the frightful array of our foes. He reviews them, and describes their position and character in verse 12. Thereupon he sounds a second alarm in verse 13. " Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God." No part must be left unguarded. The enemy knows how to take advantage of the smallest opening.
The next thing to which the apostle calls attention is, the character of the period during which this conflict lasts. He calls it
" THE EVIL DAY."
Some take this " day" to comprehend the whole period of the believer's life, or more especially his seasons of trial and suffering; but in this view we lose sight of Christ. There are others who think it refers to the entire period since Christ was crucified. The absence of Christ from the earth, the presence of Satan as the " prince of this world," and the manifestations of his power, as permitted by God, constitute " the evil day." Christ was the light of the world while He was in it, but He was rejected and crucified, and He returned to His Father. Since then this world has been again in darkness and governed by demons. Though of course God is supreme, and overrules all for His own glory and His people's good. Satan is the god whom this world worships, and the prince whom it follows. How solemn! how awful the thought! What a dreadful place this world must be! Surely we should all care less for it than we do, were this terrible fact believed. See verse 12.
God dwells in the light. How different! how blessed the thought! And His children are privileged to dwell in the light with Him; the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, having cleansed them from all sin, they have been made whiter than snow, and fitted to dwell in the light of heaven. But they have a mission on earth. They are God's light-bearers to the benighted people of this world. " Among whom," says the apostle, " ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life." (Phil. 2:15, 1615That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:15‑16).) Hence the struggle-the conflict between light and darkness -between the children of God, and the rebellious principalities and powers who rule over the darkness of this world. And hence, we may add, " the evil day." The enemy hates the light as the thief the watchman's lamp. He will do his utmost to harass and annoy the children of light. He will seek to mislead them in their path, to darken the light that is in them, by insinuating wrong views and wrong applications of the truth; and he will seek by every means to make them falsify their position, both in the heavenlies and on the earth.
This is the enemy, and these are the kind of attacks which the Christian has to meet and contend with. He has to withstand them, to resist them at every point; and having done all to stand. Having done all that a soldier can do, and however complete the victory he may have gained, yet still he must stand-the war is not over. We must maintain our ground whether in peace or in war, and be found standing, after the last battle has been fought and the last victory won.
But in what, may I ask, has the believer strength to oppose the forces of the enemy? There is but one answer to this question. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit, who abides with the Lord's people during the entire period of the Lord's absence; and, consequently, during the entire period of " the evil day;" so that He who is for us is greater far than all that be against us. Bless the Lord! What comfort, what encouragement, what strengthening of the hands to war, what certainty of victory, what security against defeat! This was thy care and love for us, O most blessed Lord! True to thy word of sweetest consolation to the disciples; " I will not leave you comfortless "-as orphans in the world-" I will come to you. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not [not being incarnate], neither knoweth him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
Knowest thou, my soul, what a good day that will be for this poor world when the Lord returns? Then it will be the presence of Christ as reigning over the whole earth, and Satan shut up in the bottomless pit. This will make all the difference. The absence of Christ now and the presence of Satan make " the evil day;" but the absence of Satan from the earth then and the presence of Christ will make "the good day "-the bright millennial day, when the whole earth will be filled with His glory. Observest thou that He says, "I will come unto you?" This may have had a certain fulfillment in the coming down of the Holy Ghost, but it can only have its complete fulfillment in the coming of the Lord Himself: as He says plainly in the same chapter, " I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." Nothing can be plainer-nothing sweeter than these words; and sweeter still the thought, He is not speaking here of glory, which will be universal, but of home, which will be special, and of the love which will characterize it forever.
Oh, shorten then, in thy mercy, most gracious Lord, " the evil day." It is a day of abounding iniquity, of increasing infidelity, of wars and rumors of wars. And a day, thou knowest, of difficulty, sorrow, and suffering to many of thy people. The whole creation awaits thy coming. " For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." Oh, then, hasten that day of glory-that long-promised holiday- of peace and plenty-of rest and rejoicing throughout the whole earth. Then the nations " shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isa. 2:44And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4).
" Come, blessed Lord! bid every shore
And answering island sing
The praises of thy royal name,
And own thee as their king
Come, come, with all thy quickening power,
With one awakening smile,
And bid the serpent's trail no more
Thy beauteous realms defile."
But to return to our text. We will now examine the different pieces of the armor of God, that we may know their uses and how to apply them; and first of all we are to have
THE LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH.
What are we to understand by the loins, the girding, and the truth, may I ask? These three things would naturally open a wide field for meditation, but as we have dwelt at some length on the nature of the conflict, we must be brief on the several pieces of the armor.
applies this figuratively to the inner man when he says, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." Thereby signifying, that the thoughts, desires, and affections, are the springs of action-the motive power of the soul; and therefore must be kept from exposure to the enemy by indulging our own will. We are only strong when kept from wandering beyond the limits of the girdle. This is of first importance to the christian warrior. The enemy has no hold on a heart thus encircled with the truth of God.
2. Girding is the application of truth to the soul-the intimate dealing of the word with the will-the movements of the heart. This is arming for conflict in a most practical and effectual way; but it must be done in the presence of God before we meet the enemy. The soldier's girdle fastens his other pieces of armor more closely to him, whereby lie is able to march and strong to fight. " Thou hast girded me with strength," says the psalmist, " unto the battle." (Psa. 18:3939For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. (Psalm 18:39).) There is also an allusion to the custom of the oriental nations, who gird their long loose garments about their loins that they may not hinder them in their traveling or working. Elijah girded up his loins, and ran after Ahab. (1 Kings 18:4646And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:46).) It is the bracing up of the affections-the whole inner man-for Christ and for the things of Christ. When the heart cleaves to the Lord, as the garments cleave to the loins under the tight belt of the girdle, the enemy cannot reach the gates of the soul.
3. The truth is a comprehensive term; but here the Spirit may refer to a line or character of truth which would be our best safe-guard against the attacks of the enemy-truth suited to the position we are called to occupy. " Having your loins girt about with truth." The soul is thus to be garrisoned with the truth. There must be no access to or egress from the citadel of the soul, unless searched by the truth. It applies to everything-to both the inner and outer man. But the chief province of truth, when used of the Spirit, is to act upon the conscience and bring it into the presence of God, where our most intimate thoughts, feelings, desires, motives, and affections, may be fairly and fully judged. " For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
Here, pause for a moment, my soul, and wonder; and well thou mayest. Mark and meditate on the depths, fullness, and penetrating power of the word of God. What a volume of truth we have in these seven words, " Having your loins girt about with truth." All that is needed for the government and defense of our inward thoughts and outward ways is folded up in these few words.
By taking heed thereunto, thou wouldst be fortified in the first movements of thy soul against the wiles of the enemy. There would be nothing to answer to his suggestions. By this piece of armor, spiritually understood, the soul is maintained in communion with God, and the enemy kept at a safe distance. Thus it was with the blessed Lord -thus it may be with thee, my soul. He is the warrior's example. " It is written," was thy strong tower, most gracious Lord. It was not in reasoning with the enemy that thou didst vanquish him; but in the perfect application of the word to thyself, and to the circumstances around thee.
As the Second Man, the Lord moved and acted according to the written word. " Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I put my trust," was the around He took and the ground He maintained as a servant, though He was a Son. He never acted on His own will. He was girt about with truth. He waited on God. If no word came, He waited still. He would do nothing without the word of God. " It is written," must precede everything. This is safe ground for thee, my soul, and this only is safe ground-" It is written." Forget it not, I pray thee: it would keep thy heart in communion with God, in the midst of all circumstances; but especially in conflict keep it before thee: engrave it on thy shield, inscribe it on thy banner, and let it be thy watchword to discern between friends and foes.
Pole-star on life's tempestuous deep;
Beacon when doubts surround;
Compass, by which our course we keep;
Our plummet-line to sound.
Our shield and buckler in the fight;
In victory's hour the palm;
Comfort in grief; in weakness, might;
In sickness, Gilead's balm.
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The second piece of armor commended to the christian soldier is the breastplate, and the metal it is to be made of is righteousness-practical righteousness, blameless conduct, a holy walk with God. This gives courage in the day of battle. It would matter little what else the christian warrior possessed if he was without his breastplate. The most vital part would be exposed to the enemy's
fire. Besides, being a center piece, it gives unity
to the whole. If a man's conscience reproaches him, and if he knows that the world would reproach him if it knew all, how can he hold up his head and face the enemy boldly? He is thinking about himself, fearing detection and exposure. His breastplate is gone, he fears the blow may fall on the unprotected part. " The righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." Psa. 11:7; 34:15, 167For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. (Psalm 11:7)
15The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. (Psalm 34:15‑16).
When the thoughts and affections are governed and kept in order by the truth, there will be a good conscience-a holy and a righteous walk with God and before men. This association of ideas seems beautifully united in Eph. 4:2424And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24): " And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness;" or, the " righteousness and holiness of truth." The truth produces both. Hence the beauty of the divine order. First, the heart; second, the conduct. Righteousness is the due attention to what we owe relatively to God and man. As says the apostle, " And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men." (Acts 24:1616And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Acts 24:16).) This is practical righteousness—a righteousness which gave the apostle amazing courage, holy boldness, when he stood up before his enemies. Holiness is rather that which repels evil-instinctively repelling that which is contrary to God. Thus the happy combination of the " righteousness and holiness of truth" forms the sterling metal of the Christian's breastplate.
And now, see that thou well understandest this important truth, O my soul. To lose a good conscience is to be robbed of thy strength in the day of conflict. Only he who has a good conscience can be bold and fearless when called to go forth and face the enemy. But need I remind thee, before closing our meditations on the breastplate, that the righteousness we have been speaking about is quite distinct from the righteousness of God, in which we stand accepted in Christ Jesus? He is our righteousness, complete and unchangeable in the presence of God; but not in the character of a breastplate. All conflict is over there. But while here we need practical righteousness for successful conflict with our adversary the devil. Nevertheless, the righteousness of God which we are made in Christ Jesus is the foundation of the other. Without the knowledge of this we should be feeble warriors, and an easy prey to Satan's wiles. He who made our peace and finished our righteousness is now in the presence of God for us. Blessed Lord, maintain us while down here in practical righteousness, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." See 2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21); Phil. 3:99And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:9); Rom. 3:21, 22; 10:3, 421But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:21‑22)
3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:3‑4).
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
We now come to the third piece of armor in the Christian's panoply. " And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." This part of the armor distinctly refers to the Christian's walk. He is to go forth in peace-shod with peace; and yet he is a man of war, and clad in armor from head to foot. The helmet covers his head in the day of battle, and the shoes his feet. And these he is to wear so long as he keeps the field against the enemy.
20G MEDITATIONS.
But in what way, may I ask, is the christian soldier to be a peace-maker? There seems in this a great contradiction. Admitted, my soul, but the contradiction is only in appearance. The most gentle Christian must be a stern warrior. And more, would I say, in proportion to his power as a peace-maker, will be his power in conflict with the adversary. Here is a point in the divine science of Christianity, worthy of thy most patient study. But now, remember the order, the secret is this:
When truth governs the heart, the conscience is good. We are bright and happy in ourselves, and peaceful in our way with others. There is integrity of heart to begin with, truth in the inward parts, consistency in our conduct, and seeking the happiness of others. The salvation of the lost, the leading of such to know Him who made peace by the blood of the cross, and the happiness of the saved, become the grand object of the peacemaker. Over such an one the enemy can gain no victory. He is unassailable. There is no point exposed. He maintains his ground. But, on the other hand, when there is carelessness as to the saving peace of the sinner, and laxity in our own christian ways, the conscience becomes bad, we are unhappy, we get into trouble, we trouble others; we are exposed to the attacks of Satan, he wounds in many places, we cannot hold up our head.
In such a case, the heart is not governed by truth. The belt, as it were, is unbuckled-the garments are allowed to fly loose. Where are the thoughts now-especially the affections? the painful results of such a course spread far and wide. Persons, families, the Church of God, are troubled. The seeds of discord grow apace, and many chief friends are separated. Satan, thou wilt perceive, has gained a great victory. But stay a moment, I pray thee. Tell me, what was the beginning of all this trouble-this shameful defeat? Just this, my soul, and mark it well; God begins with the heart, and so should we. We are to wear a girdle of truth. This is the first thing. Departure from the truth of God as our only guide exposes the mind to its own resources, or rather, to the suggestions of Satan.
Alas, we have gone out of the way. Then come excuses, explanations, and exaggerations. Practically the girdle has dropped from the soldier's loins, his breastplate is lost, and in place of being shod with peace, he is shod with dissension. One Christian out of communion with the Lord may prove a root of bitterness to many. Unhappy in himself, and vexed with himself, he is soon angry with others. Whereas, when the Christian is in communion, he is at peace with God, and filled with the peace of God, and goes out in the sweet peace of the gospel to others-to both saints and sinners.
And now, understandest thou, my soul, how the Christian is both a man of peace and a man of war? Yes, not only so, but I see clearly, that unless he be a man of peace he cannot be a man of war. And hast thou also noticed that there is a special honor and blessing attached to the manifestation of this christian grace'? Has not the. Lord Himself said, " Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God?" But why? Because He is the God of peace-the great Peace-maker; and they are like Him. He gave His Son to make peace. There is nothing on which His heart is more set. Peace, my son, was the language of the father's kiss to the prodigal-the first utterance of his heart. Nothing more manifests our relation to God as His children than peace-making. " Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God."
The expression, " your feet, shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," is extremely beautiful. It gives the idea of the Christian carrying peace into every scene which He enters. What a mission-Peace! What a title-Children of God! The reconciliation of the sinner to God, and the blessings of peace to the saints, are the objects of his heavenly mission. (John 20) Should he enter a scene which has been one of trouble, he will find out the way, if possible, to make it one of peace. But should he fail, he can look to God and patiently wait on Him. His character and mission are Peace.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH.
Another piece, and another kind of armor, is now introduced -the shield of faith. It is for defensive warfare. It defends the soul from the assaults of the enemy. The first three parts, as we have seen, relate to the spiritual condition of the Christian's own soul, and to his walk. But a piece of defensive armor is needed to cover these. Each of them is constantly the aim of Satan's attacks: hence the need of the shield, that his venomous efforts may be ineffectual. "Above all," or, over all; or, added to all the rest, " taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
We have here two things for our meditation.
The exhortation; " above all, taking the shield of faith."
The argument pressing it; " wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
What then are we to understand by the shield of faith? Faith in God as unchangeable in His grace and love- a confidence in Him, answering to what He is to us in Christ Jesus. It is the full assurance of the heart in the love of God, according to the revelation which He has given of Himself. God for us, should be emblazoned on the christian shield. This is more than the faith, observe, that simply receives God's testimony concerning Christ for salvation; though founded on that, of course. It is a deep and blessed work of God's Spirit in the soul, whereby the blessed consciousness that He is for us, and that His favor is unchangeable, is maintained in the heart. This is the invulnerable shield of faith: it covers the whole man, it is over all. While this shield is raised, no arrow of Satan can possibly reach us. They all fall pointless to the ground. What a mercy, O my soul! What a 'provision of grace, to be shielded from the poisoned shafts of the foe! How dreadful to be stung in the heart, in the conscience, in the ways, by the fiend of hell! Blessed Lord! impress our souls with the importance of these words, " Above all." " Above all, taking the shield of faith." Does the apostle elevate this grace " above all" the other graces as well as " over all" the others? Enough, however, to mark its unspeakable importance. Still meditate, O my soul, on the character and uses of thy shield, and take a still wider view of what the Spirit has taught us.
How blessed to find that God is often called in scripture the Shield of His people. " Fear not," said God to Abram, " I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (Gen. 15:11After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1).) " For thou, Lord," says the psalmist, " wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield." (Psa. 5:1212For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12).) The living God is His people's shield. What rest, what security this gives! Behind His ample shield we have nothing to fear.
2. We now turn, for a moment, to the second thing: Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." The enemy's first and dreadful aim will be to weaken in our hearts this unquestioning confidence in God, to edge in by some means unbelieving thoughts, to insinuate that God is not all love, all goodness. These are his fiery darts, darts of unbelief. Especially when there has been failure; when the heart, by some means, has been turned away from God, will he drive the soul to despair if he can. He will press upon the fallen one the terrible thought that God is against him, that God has abandoned him, that there is no hope. Hence the Lord's prayer for Peter that his faith might not fail him, that he might not be tempted, in consequence of his great sin, to unbelieving thoughts of God. There is no suffering so great as the agony of despair. Those who have witnessed it in others will never forget it. What must it be to pass through it! It partakes of the torments of hell-the forsaken place -the place where hope never enters. Nothing but the shield of faith can quench the fiery darts of unbelief.
The efforts of Satan to seduce, to act upon the desires of the flesh and of the mind, are entirely different to his fiery darts. There is pleasure of a certain kind in gratifying these desires. But there is no pleasure of any kind in yielding to unbelieving thoughts of God. Despair, more or less, is the result. At the same time, his seductions, if yielded to, expose the soul to his further and hotter attacks. If we have opened the door to him in gratifying an evil desire, one may have to suffer terribly from his fiery attacks before we are restored to the confidence and peace of God. But pray, tell me, how these dreadful darts may be detected and avoided. They are truly awful to think of. Yes, indeed, my soul, they are truly awful. They are called fiery darts, because they are like a consuming fire in the soul; at least if they bring the soul to the point of despair. His great object is to darken the light of God in the soul and hide from it His love and favor. But few cases reach this point, thank God, where accomplished redemption is known. But here, prevention is better than cure; let us see how these inroads of the enemy may be prevented.
The most effectual way is being at home and happy in the presence of God. The personal knowledge of pardon and acceptance in the Beloved-of being complete in Christ, silences doubts, dispels fears, and quenches the fiery darts of the wicked. But the grand sheet-anchor of the soul is the knowledge of God's unchangeable love as He has made Himself known to us in Christ. We may, alas, for a time, become indifferent, careless, lukewarm-turn aside, fall away; but the door is always left open for our return, and no change can take place either in God's heart, or in His counsels towards us. The heart, in the calm assurance of His love, can say, I change, you change, all change; but He changes not. Circumstances change, friends change, everything around may seem changing; but there is no change in Him. Oh! what a hold this gives the soul of the living God! What peace, what joy, what repose, what happiness, and what irresistible power against the enemy! His arrows cannot reach us here. We are behind the shield of faith. Under the painful sense of failure, the heart is broken by the assurance that His love is the same, and cannot change toward us, though chastening may be necessary. But in place of doubts, or dark despair under His chastening hand, there will be the bowings and the meltings of worship.
THE HELMET OF SALVATION.
The helmet of salvation and the shield of faith are intimately connected, though perfectly distinct. The latter is confidence in what God is; the former in what He has done. The shield conveys the idea of a more general confidence in God Himself, the helmet of a more special personal assurance in the deliverance He has wrought for us in Christ Jesus. Thus, as we have seen, the one is over all, the other crowns all. Our defensive armor is complete. We can hold up our heads with holy boldness in the day of battle; we can meet the strongest enemy, or all the hosts of hell, with invincible courage; we have put on " the whole armor of God," we are covered with the strength and the salvation of God. Bless the Lord! " Complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power." What enemy can harm us, what enemy can reach us there? In the light as God is in the light, the rulers of this world's darkness will never venture there. We are raised in Him even above the angels that never sinned. Wonderful, blessed, glorious truth! May we use it for His glory, the blessing of our souls, and the defeat of our enemies!
But hast thou well considered, my soul, that our "helmet " is a known salvation? More, much more, than merely hoping to be saved at last. The enemy would soon cast down such a helmet from thy head. Well, but is it not scriptural to hope for salvation? What does the apostle mean when he says, "And for an helmet the hope of salvation?" Surely nothing can be plainer than that. True, but the apostle is speaking in 1 Thess. 5 of the hope of the Lord's coming; not of our forgiveness and acceptance. In this connection it includes glory, for which, of course, we hope or wait. Some think that whenever and wherever the word " salvation " is used, it must mean the salvation of the soul from sin and hell.
This is a great mistake, and it has been the means of perplexing many, and leading many into false doctrine. The passage referred to is extremely beautiful. " But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation." Those here addressed are the children of light and of the day-children that are walking in communion with God in "faith and love," and with the bright, farseeing eye of " hope," fixed more especially on Christ, who is coming to take us up to be with Himself in glory. This is the true and proper hope of the Christian-of the Church-the hope of her Lord's coming. We have now everything but glory. We are still in the natural body, therefore we hope, we wait for the glorious body; but not uncertainly, thank the Lord: no, " we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5:22By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2); Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21).
But there is another passage which teaches, as many say, that a known salvation is impossible in this world-that we must wait till we come to the judgment seat before we can know for certain how it will go with us. It is this, " Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Now it is said, we may work well for a while, but sadly fail in the end and come short at last.
As in the other passage, the mistake arises from not seeing the meaning of the word " salvation." To see its application the connection must be considered. Both in this verse and throughout the epistle " salvation " is regarded as a future thing. Paul himself says, " Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." This, of course, he could not be until he was with Christ in glory. Clearly then our final deliverance from conflict of every kind is implied in the word salvation " as here used. Hence Christ is spoken of as a " Savior " in the same chapter, when He comes to transform our vile bodies. " For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Here it is not merely a question of the salvation of the soul from sin, but of the body from humiliation. The mistake arises from supposing that " salvation " has only one meaning in the New Testament. Those who think so must often feel in a difficulty. For example, in Rom. 13 we read, " For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." How is this to be explained? Simply by the context. There is no difficulty. We find it spoken of in connection with "the day;" but the day had not arrived-the day of glory. But it was coming nearer and nearer every day. Hence the heart is cheered and encouraged in conflict by the Spirit's word which follows: " The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us- put on the armor of light.
What then, thou mayest still ask, is the real meaning of these words, " Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Carefully look for a moment, my soul, at what goes before, and what follows after these words. Then thou wilt find the key to the passage. Paul has left the saints at Philippi; God is with them. Not that God was absent when Paul was present, that is not the question. God never leaves nor forsakes His people. But when a father is present and doing everything for his children, they are disposed to lean on him; when he is away from them, they must think and work for themselves. Thus it was, so far, with the Philippians. " Wherefore," he says, " my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." The apostle who had labored among them was now far away, a prisoner at Rome. He was no longer present to help them with his counsel and spiritual energy. They were now cast more immediately on God Himself. Hence he says, " For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Therefore, they ought to work all the more earnestly, even with " fear and trembling," seeing God was working in them. He exhorts them to " fear and tremble," not lest they should fall and be lost, but lest they should dishonor God by any want of zeal, diligence, earnestness, or faithfulness, in the day of trial.
All hinges then, thou wilt now see, on these two things; the absence of the apostle; the presence of God. They had now to meet the wiles of the enemy without the aid of Paul's presence; but God was engaged for them, and acting in them; therefore their loss was turned into great gain. They were thrown entirely upon God for all needed help, counsel, and guidance. Nothing can be more encouraging than this passage when rightly understood. In place of perplexing and weakening the believer, it nerves him for service and warfare. What a thought, when we find ourselves engaged in such a conflict, to know that God Himself is with us and engaged for us! At the same time we must not forget that there is a deep and solemn warning in the apostle's words. As if he had said, You have many difficulties and dangers to meet and overcome in your path through the wilderness. The conflict is a serious one: you have the efforts of a mighty, subtle, and active foe to war against; and I am no longer with you to help with my counsel, to exhort and stir you up by my example; so that you must be more prayerful, more watchful, more circumspect, more personally dependent on the resources of God Himself. " For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Thus were they crowned, and so should every warrior be crowned, in the day of battle, with a known and an enjoyed salvation.
The apostle is our noble example in all this, as well as our wise counselor. It was this helmet of salvation that gave him, when a prisoner and in chains, such boldness and energy in the midst of his enemies. Undaunted by the power of the world that was arrayed before him, he lifted up his head in the conscious enjoyment of his relationship to God, and of his resources in Him; and earnestly wished his judges and his audience were as happy as himself. " I would to God," said Paul to Agrippa, " that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." (Acts 26:2929And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (Acts 26:29).) He was not thinking about himself, he. had nothing to fear for himself; no blow from the enemy could deprive him of his helmet, it was secured by the cross and the glory of Jesus; and brightly it shone before all. This present, known salvation set him free to think about others, care for the good of others, and appeal to the hearts of others, in words of burning eloquence. Thus may we war and fight, with salvation as our helmet, through the power of an ungrieved Holy Spirit.
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
The sword is the symbol of aggressive warfare. The first three parts of the armor protect us as
to our own state; the second two are defensive, the sixth is aggressive. We have but one weapon to use against the enemy-the word of God. But if we know how to handle it, or, what is equally important, how to draw it, no enemy can resist it. Any one may draw the carnal sword, though any one may not be able to strike with it. But not so the sword of the Spirit. We can only draw it aright when guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the sword of the Spirit. That is, we must be walking in communion with God, and in the ungrieved power of the Holy Spirit, to use it either offensively or defensively. Thus the right passage will be suggested to the mind and applied with divine power. Mere human intelligence and human capacity are of no avail in this warfare. The word of God is our only but all-sufficient weapon. It baffles the power of Satan, it detects his wiles, it disables every adversary, it silences the voice of self, it brings light into the scene of conflict, and discovers the dark deceptions of the foe.
But it may be well for thee, my soul, to turn aside for a little and meditate on the Lord's use of the word when in conversation with the Jews and when in conflict with Satan in the wilderness. The former he so answered from scripture that no man durst ask him any more questions; the latter he vanquished with all his hosts and spoiled him of his goods. Oh! for divine skill to use, after the manner of our Lord, the word of God-the Spirit's sword! Lord, help us to quote the right passage and at the right time; and so to maintain our position according to the word, that the enemy may gain no advantage over us!
But the sword of the Spirit is only used actively in our spiritual warfare. Christianity is essentially aggressive in its character. It judges all that is opposed to its pure and heavenly doctrines. It wages war with the mighty empire of unbelief in its ten thousand forms. The gospel is to be preached to every creature under heaven and this side of hell. It openly attacks carelessness, worldliness, formality, infidelity, superstition, error, and vice of every kind. It assails no political body, state, or kingdom; but it storms the citadel of individual hearts and consciences, and seeks to win souls one by one to the Captain of our salvation, Christ Jesus the Lord.
When the empire of Satan is thus invaded and threatened, we may rest assured that he will leave no stratagem untried, no force unused, to hinder our progress, and to quench the light of our testimony. Hence the continual, the unending, the unmitigated warfare. But our weapons are spiritual, our victories are peace; the sharp sword of the Spirit piercing the conscience, subdues the heart, and brings the conquered soul in triumph to the feet of Jesus.
PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT.
We have now had before us the several parts of the armor of God-the panoply of heaven-that which refers to our state both inwardly and outwardly-self-judgment, governed affections, practical godliness, confidence in God, a peaceful and peace-making walk, joy in salvation, the active energy of the Spirit, both in the sword and girdle, by the word. But behind all these there is a hidden spring of power, which gives connection and strength to the whole armor, and without which all would be of no avail. It is dependence on God: a dependence which expresses itself in prayer. " Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
The strength and blessedness of this position cannot be over-estimated. In all thy meditations, O my soul, there is no point more worthy of thy closest, deepest study. It places the soul in connection with God, and in dependence on Him. Thus, remember, all thy battles are to be fought, and all thy battles will be victories. Observe for a moment the structure of this remarkable verse. It is, " Praying always "-on all occasions-habitual and complete dependence. And, " in the Spirit "- in the power of the Holy Spirit-in communion. " And watching thereunto with all
perseverance," active, vigilant. " And supplication for all saints"-earnestness, interest in others, affection which turns everything into prayer. This is the soul's strong tower—every soul's strong tower. All have not gifts for public ministry-for fighting in the front lines; but all have the privilege of thus drawing near to God, and abiding there.
The spirit of prayer in the christian warfare is like wisdom in the human mind-like gravitation in the material world. It combines, it keeps the different pieces of armor in their respective places, and maintains a mutual dependence the one upon the other. And remember this, my soul, and remember it always, whether in peace or in war. Nothing will keep thee more in the light than
praying always "—nothing will give thee a deeper sense of thine own weakness—nothing brings thee more into communion with the strength and favor of God, and nothing the enemy dreads more.
Be watchful and diligent then, O my soul, in the use of this weapon. See and avoid everything that would make thee unspiritual-that would lead thee away from God, or interrupt thy communion with Him. Thy strength lies in communion. May the spirit of entire dependence on God characterize thee as a child in the family, a member in the body, and a servant in the kingdom.
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