we must aspire after a perfect conformity to the Divine image, and endeavour to " walk in all things even as Christ himself walked."
But our duty is described in our text under some peculiar images, to which we shall do well to advert. We are supposed to be as sentinels, watching against the incursions of our spiritual foe. For our protec- tion, armour of heavenly temper has been provided : " for a breast-plate, we are to put on faith and love ; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." We might, if it were needful, mark the suitableness of these various graces to the protection of the part which they are intended to defend. But as this would lead us rather from our main subject, we content our- selves with a general view of these graces, as neces- sary for the final attainment of everlasting salvation. We must put on faith, without which indeed we are exposed to the assault of every enemy, and destitute of any means of defence whatever. It is in Christ only that we have the smallest hope of acceptance with God ; and in him alone have we those treasures of grace and strength which are necessary for a success- ful prosecution of our spiritual warfare : " He is made of God unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanc- tification, and redemption." But how must we obtain these things from him ? It is by faith, and by faith only that we can " receive them out of his fulness." This then is the first grace which we must cultivate ; for according to our faith all other things will be unto us. To him we must look continually ; renouncing every other confidence, and trusting altogether in him alone. In the fountain of his precious blood we must wash our guilty souls, or, as the Scripture expresses it, " Our garments must be made white in the blood of the Lamb." To him, under every conflict, we must cry for strength ; for it is his grace alone that can be sufficient for us ; and " through his strength communicated to us, we shall be able to do all things." let, notwithstanding all our exertions, we shall find that in many things we daily offend ; and therefore, under every fresh contracted guilt, we mut>t look to