is that, whenever called to appear before God, they should be able to give a good account of their stewardship : surely then , they can find no time to loiter. They should rather exert themselves with all diligence ; and, " whatsoever their hand findeth to do, they should do it with all their might."]
This exhortation is at once illustrated and enforced
by,
III. The particular direction with which it is accom- panied—
Believers, whatever they may have attained, are yet in a state of warfare —
[Their enemies, though often vanquished, are still ready to return to the charge : nor will they fail to take advantage of any unwatchfulness on our part : they know the places where we are most open to assault ; nor have we any security against them but by guarding every pass, and standing con- tinually on our watch-tower. Without such precautions the strongest would be overcome, and the most victorious be reduced to a miserable captivity.]
There is, however, armour, whereby they may become invincible —
[Faith, hope, and love, are the principal graces of the Christian ; and, while he keeps them in exercise, they are as armour to his soul. Faith sees the things that are invisible, as though they were present to the bodily eyes: love fixes our hearts upon them : and hope both appropriates them to our- selves, and enables us to anticipate the enjoyment of them. Having these for our helmet and our breast-plate, our head and heart are secured. In vain does Satan suggest, that there is nothing beyond this present world, or nothing better than what he offers us, or that, if there be, we at least have no part in it. These fiery darts are instantly repelled; and we determine to continue our conflicts with him, till he is bruised under our feet.]
This armour therefore every believer must put on —
[In vain shall we hope to maintain our moderation and watchfulness, if we be not clothed with this divine panoply. Every day must we put it on afresh ; or rather we must rest on our arms day and night. Nor must we use it only in the hour of conflict : we must, like good soldiers, habituate ourselves, to the use of it, even when we are not sensible of immediate danger, in order that, when called to defend ourselves, we may be expert and successful in the contest. We must be careful too that we never separate these pieces of armour ; for,