true light; and because the empire of sin will be eternally destroyed.
Now this " night is far spent, and the day is at hand." Considering how short the time is that is allotted us on earth, this may be spoken in reference to those who are even in the bloom of life. Twenty or thirty years cut off from the short span of life, may well be thought a great portion of it : and if those years be doubled, we must say indeed, " The night is far spent." But whatever be our age, we are equally liable to be called away, and to have our time of probation cut short by death. We ourselves may recollect many, who but a year or two since, appeared as strong and healthy as ourselves, who are now no more. And though we know not whose summons may arrive next, we are sure that, in a year or two more, many (perhaps one in twenty) of us will be fixed in our eternal state.]
But this truth being so clear, we may proceed to, II. Enforce the exhortation grounded upon it —
[The idea which the Apostle's language first suggests to the mind, is, that we are attacked in our camp, and summoned instantly to arise and fight.
The generality are at ease, involved in " works of darkness ;" in works that proceed from the prince of darkness ; in works that affect concealment ; in works that lead to everlasting dark- ness and despair. From this state they have no desire to come forth. Even the godly have their " sins which most easily beset them," and in which they are but too apt to indulge security. The wise virgins, as well as the foolish, were defective in vigi- lance. But, whatever be the works of darkness with which we are encompassed, we should " cast them off," with a deter- mination never more to sleep upon the post of danger.
In opposition to these, we are required to clothe ourselves with righteousness, which, as " light," is heaven-born, and approves its own excellence to all who behold it. This, as "armour" to the soul, protects it from the fiery darts of Satan, and aids it in all its conquests. In this we are to be ever clad, that we may be ready for the battle, and not have to look for our armour, when the enemy is at. the doorb. Thus only shall we be " good soldiers of Jesus Christ ;" but thus armed, we shall be " more than conquerors through him that loved us."
Now the urgency of this duty appears strongly as it is connected with the foregoing assertion. For what is the work we have to do ? it is no less than " putting off the works of darkness, and putting on the armour of light;" a work which none can perforin, except he be strengthened by almighty
b Eph. vi. 13.