Christ's apprehension.
Matt. xxvi. 53, 54. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But hoto then shall the Scriptures he ful- filled, that thus it must be?
THE Christian is by profession a soldier : he is to fight a good fight, and to war a good warfare : he is not for one moment to lay aside his armour, or to make a truce with his enemies : nor is he to be satis- fied with defensive operations ; he must carry the war into the heart of the enemy's country, and attack his strong-holds : whenever he gains a victory, he must exercise no lenity ; he must not spare one single foe; he must extirpate all without exception and without mercy : he must '' hew Agag in pieces before the Lord." But " the weapons of his warfare are not carnal :" his armour, whether for defence or assault, is all of heavenly temper; it is " the armour of God," in which he is clothed ; and " the sword of the Spirit," with which he attacks his enemies. If he be combating with a persecuting world, then especially must he be armed with love and patience. These indeed are not arms suited to our sinful nature: the fierce and vindictive tempers of men would lead them rather to repel force by force, as Peter attempted to do in defence of his Master. But Christianity dis- claims such aid : it is neither to be propagated nor