sake ? Avaunt, Satan, for what thou offerest me is poor, transient, delusive : whereas the blessedness of the saints, both in this world and the next, is sub- stantial, exquisite, everlasting.' Thus it was that Moses argued, when he " refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season :" and the principle that dictated the argument, was "faith1." This was his " shield ;" and the same will enable us also to repel the darts of Satan, however fiercely they be hurled, and however formidably they may come against us.
Having thus illustrated the office of faith, we pro- ceed to point out,
II. Its transcendent excellence —
Somewhat of this has already appeared : but the high encomium which the Apostle bestows on this piece of armour in particular above all others, mani- festly demands a more distinct consideration.
We may observe then in commendation of faith, considered as the Christian's shield, that its use is universal ; its application is easy ; its success is sure.
First, its use is universal —
All the other parts of armour have their distinct province, to which they are confined. "Truth" and "righteousness" defend the heart; but they are of no use at all to protect the head. But faith is univer- sally applicable to every species of temptation. Faith discerns the truth of the Gospel, and thereby is fitted to preserve the head from error : it discerns also the importance and excellence of the Gospel, and is there- fore proper to preserve the heart from sin. It is no less useful to the feet ; for we " stand by faith m," and " walk by faith11." Every step we take is safest under the guidance of faith, because it both affords us the best light, and enables us to walk without stumbling even in the dark0.
I Heb. xi. 24—26. m 2 Cor. i. 24.
II 2 Cor. v. 7. ° Isai. 1. 10. Mic. vii. 8.
i i2