thofse things where tlioii findest thyself weakest and hast been oftenest foiled. The weakest part of the citj- needs the strongest guard, and in our bodies the tenderest part is most observed and kept warmest. And I should think it were strange, if thy fabric of grace stands so strong and even, that thou shouldst not soon perceive which side needs the shore most, by some inclination of it one way more than another. Thy body is not so firm, but thou findest this humour over-abound, and that part craze faster tlian another; and so ma_yest thou in thv soul. Well, take counsel in the thing, and what thou findest weakest, watch most carefully. Is it thy head that is weak, thy judgment I mean ? Watch thyself, and come not among those that drink no wine but that which thy weak parts cannot bear, (seraphic notions and high-flown opinions,) and do not think thyself much wronged to be forbidden their cup ; such strong wine is more heady than hearty, and they that trade most with it are not found of the healthiest tempers of their souls, no more than they that live most of strong waters are for their bodies. Is thy impotency in thy passions ? In- deed we are weak as they are strong and violent. Now watch over them, as one that dwells in a thatched house would do of every spark that flies out of his chimney, lest it should light on it, and set all on fire. O take heed what speeches come from thy mouth, or from any thou conversest with ; this is the little instrument sets the whole course of nature on flame. When our neigh- bour's house is on fire, we cast water on our roof, or cover it with a wet sheet ; when the flame breaks out at another's moutli, now look thou throwest water on thy own hot spirit; some cooling, wrath-quenching scriptures and arguments ever carry with thee for that purpose, and so in any other particular, as thou findest thy weakness.
CHAPTER I. Verse 14. Having your loins girt about with truth. The apostle having ordered the Ephesians, and in them every Christian, the posture which they are to observe in fight with their enemy ; he comes now to instance, in the several pieces of that armour, which before he had commanded to them only in general. The first of which is the ' girdle of truth.'
Wherein is contained a brief explication of the words,
' Having your loins girt about with truth.' A twofold inquiry is here requisite. First, What he means by 'truth.' Secondly, what by ' loins,' and their being girt with truth.
First, For the first. What is ' truth ' here ? Some by ' truth ' understand Christ, who indeed elsewhere is called 'truth;' yet in this place I conceive not so pro- perly, because the apostle instanceth here in several pieces and parts of armour, one distinct from another ; and Christ cannot so well be said to be a single piece to defend this or that part, as the whole in whom we are complete ; com- pared, therefore, Rom. xiii., to the whole suit of armour ; ' Put ye on the Lord Jesus;' that is, be clothed and harnessed with Christ, as a soldier with his armoiu- cap-a-pie. Some by truth mean, 'truth of doctrine;' others will have it, ' truth of heart, sincerity ;' they, I think best, that comprise both. And so I shall handle it ; both indeed are required to make the girdle complete ; one will not do without the other. It is possible to find good meanings, and a kind of sincerity without, yea, against the truth. Many follow an error, as they Absalom, in the simplicity of their hearts. Such do ill while they mean well. Good intentions do no more make a good action, than a fair mark makes a good shot by an unskilful archer. God did not like Saul's zeal when he persecuted the Christian church, though he thought, no question, he did him good service therein. Neither is it enough to have truth on our side, if we have not truth in our hearts. Jehu was a great stickler against idolatry, but kicked down all again by his hypocrisy. Both then are necessary ; sincerity to propound a right end, and knowledge of the word of truth, to direct us in the right way to that end.
Secondly, What is meant here by loins that are to be girt with this girdle? The loins nuist be like the girdle. This is s))iritnal, and therefore they nuist be so. Peter will help to inteqiret Paul ; ' (jird up the loins of yoin- minds,' 1 Pet. i. 13. They are our minds and spirits which must wear this girdle, and very
OQS HAVING YOUR LOINS