any righteousness which you can attain in your own strength, will thus protect you ; or that even that which is wrought in you by the Holy Spirit, has in itself such mighty efficacy : that to which such glori- ous powers are ascribed, is wrought in you by the Spirit of God : and after all, it is not your inherent goodness, but the grace of God, that must preserve you from your enemies. Your inherent righteousness will indeed be made use of by him ; but still God must be acknowledged as the only Author of all that is done either in, or by you ; and the glory must be given to him alone.
To you who have " the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left f," we say, " Stand fast in the Lordg." Let nothing prevail upon you to lay aside your breast-plate for one moment : the instant you part with it, you are shorn of your strength, and are become weak as other men'1. "Hold fast then that ye have, that no man take your crown1." Thus shall your subtle adversary be foiled in all his attacks : he shall never be able to inflict on you any deadly wound. " Then shall you not be ashamed, when you have respect unto all God's commandments11." As "the righteousness of Christ sustained him1" amidst the fiercest assaults of his enemies, so shall you be preserved whilst fighting under his banners, and following his commands. His express promise to you is, " He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, shall never be moved111." And again, " The Lord God is a sun and a shield ; he will give grace and glory; and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly11."
f 2 Cor. vi. 7. e Phil. iv. 1. h Judg. xvi. 19, 20.
1 Rev. iii. 11. k Ps. cxix. 6. * Isai. lix. 16.
m Ps. xv. 2, 5. n Ps. lxxxiv. 11.