imputed righteousness, his implanted grace, and of an holy conversation; armed with the whole armour of God, with the Girdle of truth, with the Breastplate of righteousness, the Shoes of settled gospel-principles, the Shield of faith, the Helmet of the hope of salvation, the inspired Sword of the Spirit, and the Artillery of all prayer; which they are to keep undamaged, and ready on every occasion. It is theirs to distinguish themselves from others; to moderate their affections and care about worldly things; to cease from their former sinful and legal labours; and with singleness of heart, with prudence, patience, submission, courage, care, and activity, to follow the Captain of their salvation, in their respective stations; to know his word; without hesitation obey his command; endure hardship; espy the stratagems, watch the motion of spiritual enemies es; improve every advantage against them; show no pity to any of them; but by means of Jesus' death, believed with application, resist Satan; crucify and kill the body of sin, with its affections and lusts. Ye soldiers of the Lamb! "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might;" encourage yourselves in your Leader, in the certainty of your victory, and the reward of your warfare. Never desert your Divine, your gracious Commander, nor his Standard of truth. Never yield to a spiritual foe; "resist the devil, and he will flee from you;" resist unto blood, striving against sin: count not your life dear unto you, that you may finish your course with joy; "fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life." Though your enemies be many, be strong, and lively; there are more with you, than with them; stronger is he that is in you, than he that

is in the world. Be then the day of war, the season of my soul.-BROWN, of Haddington.

We should go forth in the strength of the Lord, and guard against pride, and vain confidence. Let us wait upon him by faith and prayer, to give us strength and courage for our Christian work and warfare; remembering our own weakness, and the insufficiency of every creature, let us pray that God would give us help from trouble. Whatever be our strength, courage and resolution: it is he that must tread down our enemies; and if we take to ourselves the whole armour of God, and maintain a humble, believing dependence upon him, he will shortly bruise Satan under our feet, and we shall be more than conquerors through him who hath loved us. We are taught not to trust in our military preparations in times of danger and war, but in the Lord. Pride and confidence in our military strength has been too much the character of our country. We have often talked arrogantly of our soldiers and navies ; and God has often, by terrible things in righteousness, shown us the vanity of that confidence. Finally: let us often pray for one another, especially for those in danger or distress, in spiritual troubles, or spiritual desertions, in the suitable language of this Psalm, xx. 1, "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."BOOTHROYD.

The church is terrible to the enemies with whom she is to fight under the Banner of Christ's gospel and Love; having the weapons of her warfare, "not carnal,

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." So Israel was a "people saved by the Lord, the shield of their help, and who was the sword of their excellency." God did put the dread of them, and the fear of them upon the nations, under the whole heaven. who heard the report of them and trembled. The people heard, and were afraid : sorrow took hold on the inhabitants of Palestina; the dukes of Edom were amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling took hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away; fear and dread fell upon them. d The church again is said to be "terrible as an army with Banners" for the Banner lifted up, is a sign of fighting with joy and victory, as in Psalm xx. 6. "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our Banners." So Christ's Banner over her, signified his defence, and the victory which he giveth over all her enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, also the sign, that as all soldiers do camp under their own Standards, so she under the gospel, the Ensign of Christ's Love towards her; that Love wherewith Christ has loved us; wherefore some read it thus, "his Standard was Love towards me." By Love the church is redeemed; by it, "everlasting consolation is given us, and "good hope through grace."f "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us."-AINSWORTH.

d Exod. xv. 14. 16.

f 2 Thess. ii. 16.

• Numb. ii. 2.

Romans v. 5.

THE CAPTAIN OF THEIR SALVATION. h

The Saviour leads his people on,

To combat and to conquest leads ; The soldiers and their Chief are one, The fruit is theirs, and his the deeds. His royal Banner when he waves,

A shout is heard through all his host:
The arm is then displayed that saves,
The arm in which his people boast.
They shrink not from the conflict then,
Though timid and though feeble too;
His people quit themselves like men,
With confidence they meet the foe.

His arm, they know, sufficient is,
Though foes unnumbered should appear;
They know the people that are his
May follow him, and nothing fear.

They smile at danger when they see
Their Chief advance to meet the foe;

A surer pledge of victory

His presence is, than sword or bow.

At sight of him, opposing hosts

Are filled with terror and dismay; His presence quells the loudest boasts, By him his people win the day.

h Hebrews ii. 10.

And when the mortal strife is past,

The peace and joy of heaven succeed; peace that will for ever last,

'Tis

'Tis joy unmixed, 'tis joy indeed.

KELLY.