the trials be ever so severe, we shall still " hold fast our integrity y," and adopt the language of the same Apostle ; " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and fulfil my duty to my Godz."
This representation of " truth" is both illustrated and confirmed by the conduct of St. Paul on his first conversion to God. Till that hour, he had been walking blindly " after the course of this world," and " in the way of his own heart :" but as soon as his eyes were opened, even before he had any clear knowledge of Christianity, he desired to know, and determined to execute, the whole will of God : "Lord, what wilt thou have me to doa?" 'Thou needest only to shew me wherein I am wrong, and to teach me thy way, and I will instantly, through thy assistance, change my conduct, and devote myself to thy service : nor shall any considerations of hope or fear, ever turn me from the path prescribed by thee.' Nor was this a vain boast ; for " he conferred not with flesh and blood," but set himself without delay to " preach the faith which he had laboured to destroy b," and persisted in preaching it even unto death.
The nature of " truth" being thus ascertained, let us proceed to shew,
II. Its use and office in the Christian warfare —
Among the various parts of a soldier's armour, a "girdle" was of very principal importance; and in this view it is frequently mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. The prophet, describing the irresistible fury with which the Chaldeans should overrun Pales- tine, says, none shall be weary or stumble among them, none shall slumber nor sleep ; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed0." And our blessed Lord, who, as the Captain of our salvation, was
y Job xxvii. 5, 6. z Acts xx. 24. a Acts ix. 6.
b Gal. i. 15, 16, 23. c Isai. v. 27.