Him who is " our Advocate with the Father, and the propitiation for our sins." Hence it is that all our peace must flow ; and hence we shall find a satisfac- tory answer to the accusations of every enemy : "Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died ; yea rather, that is risen again, who also maketh intercession for us."
But together with this we must cultivate love ; which indeed is the inseparable fruit of faith ; for " faith worketh by love." Whether we understand " love " as having God or man for its object, or as comprehending both, it is a good defence against our spiritual enemies. For, if we truly love our God, who shall prevail upon us to offend him ? If we " love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," " who shall separate us from him ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? No ; in all these things we shall be more than conquerors through Him that loved us." And if we love our fellow-creatures as ourselves, we shall strive to benefit them to the utmost of our power ; and account no sacrifice great, which may contribute to their welfare : we shall be ready to " suffer all things for the elect's sake," and even to " lay down our lives for the brethren."
Behold then, what a defence is here against the darts of our enemies ! Who shall be able to pierce our breast, when so protected ? We may defy all the confederate armies of earth and hell : " for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
For the protection of our head there is an helmet provided, even " the hope of salvation." Let a man have been " begotten to a lively hope in Christ Jesus, to a hope of that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us," and will he barter it away for the things of time and sense ? or will he suffer his views