divine image, after which we are renewed*. Now this, though nearly allied to sincerity, differs mate- rially from it : sincerity relates to the aims and motives of a person ; but righteousness to his actions and habits. Righteousness is that in actual attain- ment, which sincerity is in desire and purpose. Righteousness cannot exist without sincerity ; but sincerity may, and often does, exist without righte- ousness ; because (as was shewn in the preceding discourse) it may be found in blind zealots, and bloody persecutors.
The piece of armour to which righteousness is compared, is " the breast-plate ;" which was of use to defend the vitals from the assaults of an enemy. Of such importance was it to every one in the time of battle, that all, from the general to the soldier, were clad with it : nor can its importance to us more strongly appear, than from the consideration, that the Captain of our salvation, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself, was thus arrayed. The Prophet Isaiah, speaking expressly of him, says, " He put on righteousness as a breast-plate b."
In the metaphor before us, the Apostle intimates, that without righteousness we should be exposed to imminent peril, yea, to certain death : but that, if we be clad with righteousness, our adversaries will never be able to prevail against us. It is evident therefore that there are two points to be considered by us ; namely, the necessity of righteousness for our defence, and its sufficiency to protect us :
I. The necessity of righteousness —
In order to destroy us, our great adversary uses both deceit and violence ; against both of which it becomes us to be armed, in order that we may dis- cover the one, and repel the other.
Righteousness then is necessary in the first place, that we may discover his wiles.
It is said with truth by an inspired writer, that " the god of this world blinds the eyes of them that
a Eph. iv. 23, 24. b Isai. lix. 17.