stripped of every defence ! If Satan, while yet a novice in the art of tempting, " beguiled our first parents by his subtilty," how much more will he beguile and ruin us, after so many thousand years of additional experience ! Arise then, all of you, and gird yourselves for the combat. Ye careless ones, know that ye are already " led captive by the devil at his willf;" and the more you think yourselves secure, the more you shew that you are the dupes of Satan's wiles. Ye weak and timid, " be strong, fear not ; hath not God commanded you ? Be strong, and of a good courage ; be not afraid, neither be dis- mayed ; for the Lord your God is with you, whither- soever ye gog." Only go forth in dependence upon God, and " no weapon that is formed against you shall ever prosper11." But take care that you have on the whole armour of God. In vain will be the use of any, if the whole be not used. One part left unprotected will prove as fatal, as if you were exposed in every part. But if you follow this counsel, you may defy all the hosts of hell : for " the weakest of you shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God1."
f 2 Tim. ii. 26. e Josh. i. 6, 9.
h Tsai. liv. 17. ' Zech. xii. 8.
Eph. vi. 12, 13. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this ivorld, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
IN persuading men to undertake any arduous office, and more especially to enlist into the army, it is customary to keep out of view, as much as possible, the difficulties and dangers they will be exposed to, and to allure them by prospects of pleasure, honour,