panoply, an armour of heavenly temper8. Clad with this, we must " go forth continually conquering, and to conquer." We must " fight a good fight," and " war a good warfare11," and " endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ1."
Thus fighting and singing must be joined together; for " the joy of the Lord is our strength*:" and then shall we be most victorious, when we go forth to battle singing the praises of our God1.]
Address,
1. Those who rest satisfied with a mere formal religion —
[What suitableness is there in such a state to the mercies we receive at God's hands ? If he take pleasure in us, should we be indifferent towards him ? If he labour to beautify us, should we take no pains to glorify him ? If he call us to holy joy, should we be cold or lukewarm ? If he command us to maintain a continual warfare, should we yield ourselves willing captives to our enemies, or make a truce with them for a moment? Be it known, that whatever the world may think of such a state, God utterly abhors itm.]
2. Those who profess to serve and enjoy God —
[Glorious indeed is " the vocation wherewith ye are called : " and well may you rejoice in it : but oh ! be careful also to " walk worthy of it11." If you profess that God has pleasure in you, take care that you are also adorned and beautified with his divine image. If you rejoice and glory in God, take care also that the sword is ever in your hand, to cut off whatever is displeasing in his sight0. Beware also lest you decline from the happy state to which you have been brought : beware lest, by cowardice or sloth, you rob your soul of its beauty and happiness, and make him your enemy, who desires nothing so much as to shew himself your friend p.]
g Eph. vi. 13—17. h 1 Tim. i. 18. and vi. 12.
1 2 Tim. ii. 3. k Neh. viii. 10.
1 2 Chron. xx. 21—23. m Rev. hi. 16.
n Eph. iv. 1. ° Matt, xviii. 7 — 9. p Isai. lxiii. 10.