manding influence in society; he will be respected, even by his enemies. Then let the christian, in this sense of the phrase, be "girt about with truth.”

Again being girt about with truth may imply, being armed with the principles of evangelical or gospel truth. What these principles are, must be ascertained by an exa mination of the volume of inspiration. In this is contained the record of eternal truth. There is some difference of opinion amongst men as to what constitutes gospel truth. But still there is not so wide a difference on this subject as some perhaps imagine.

These are truths, and

That there is one almighty, infinite, and unchangeable God, all will confess to be the truth. That there is one mediator between God and men, is likewise a truth acknowledged by all professed christians. That this mediator was Jesus of Nazareth, and that he was the very Christ, the son of God, and Saviour of the world. christians of all orders acknowledge gospel is "glad tidings of great joy." to be the truth. Man will exist in the future and eternal world-no christian denies this being the truth. Now, brethren of all orders, we declare to you, we solemnly be lieve that these are the great and essential articles of the christian faith; and all professing christians, of every name and order, acknowledge they are eternal truths.

them as such. The This also all confess

In things of less consequence, believers in christianity may differ a little; but in their essential points all agree as to the nature of gospel truth. Christians may disagree as to the duration of rewards and punishments, and also as to the place where rewards and punishments are administered. These things are not, however, so essential as some othIf virtue is fully rewarded, and vice punished, it is not so material when and where it is done. All confess as a

ers.

divine truth, that it is or will be done, and all believe that God will punish with as much severity as his justice and mercy require. Now you perceive that all believers in christianity agree as to the nature of gospel truth, in every thing essential; even with respect to rewards and punish

ments also.

If christians of different orders could once see what trifles they are contending about, they would hide their heads in extreme confusion. Ah! how exceedingly deficient in gospel charity are those professors who deny the christian name to many of their fellow men, although believing in all the articles of the christian faith.

Thus one part of the christian soldier's equipage is gospel truth. It would be the height of folly and presumption in me, to declare that no person can have on the girdle of truth, unless he believes exactly as I do, in every particular-mil

lions may wear the girdle, and yet no two of them have precisely the same ideas concerning all gospel truth. A belief in the existence of one supreme being--the mediation of Jesus Christ--the inspiration of the scriptures--the doctrines of rewards and punishments-and the resurrection of the dead, to immortality, (or eternal life,) constitutes, as we conceive, the girdle of truth, with which the christian is girt about--and being thus furnished, he is able to stand against the wiles of the enemy.

But there is another essential article of the soldier's equipage, viz. "The breast plate of righteousness." Says the context, "having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast plate of righteousness."

We are not to expect that any mere mortal will be found who is armed with perfect righteousness. Supreme perfection belongs to God alone. The most perfect in this world have many imperfections. The very best are often blinded

by their own failings; they are selfish, worldly minded, conceited and vain--impatient under affliction, and prone to murmur at the dispensations of providence. They are apt to be too much elated in prosperity, and too much depressed in adversity. They are not sufficiently grateful for the favors they receive from God, and are too prone to be forgetful of their dependence on him for every blessing.-They are liable to be negligent in discharging their duties to themselves, their God, and their fellow beings. In these, and ten thousand things, the failings of the most perfect appear. But still there is a certain degree of righteousness to which the christian may, and actually does attain, and notwithstanding all our righteousness may be "as filthy rags," when compared with the standard of perfection, yet the christian possesses that which may properly be called righteousness.

Righteousness, literally signifies, the doing of that which is right; and just so far as we do that which is right, just so far we are righteous. Is it not obvious to the most superficial observer, that some men are much more righteous than others? that is, they do that which is much nearer right than what is done by others.

If it were, as some suppose, a fact, that we are incapable of attaining to any thing which can properly be called righteousness, what propriety would there be in the apostle's exhortation, to "put on the breast plate of righteousness?" The breast plate of righteousness simply signifies, to do right, to deal justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly before God. Those that do these things have on the breast plate. The nearer we approximate to these things, the nearer we come to the rule of right,-the thicker and firmer will be the breast plate which we wear-and the more thoroughly will it shield us from the crafty wiles of the adversary. Let

us look, each one to ourselves, to ascertain whether we have on this heavenly breastplate.

Again: it is necessary for the soldiers of the cross, when going "forth to war" to be shod--for there are some rough places to pass over, and some thorns in the path; and without shoes, little progress can be made in combatting the

enemy.

The foe is extremely dexterous in his movements--he retreats with astonishing celerity from one place to another, and if you would overtake him, and wrest the trophies of victory from his brow, you must sometimes pursue with speed through hedges, thick set with briars and thorns,-for in such places you will commonly find the strong holds of the adversary. His camp is in the desert regions of error, and falsehood, hedged around with the sharp thorns of iniquity.

The Apostle therefore exhorts you to have "your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace! This agrees very well with the exhortation of Jesus when he sent out his disciples to preach the gospel. He sent them as sheep among ravening wolves. But notwithstanding they were to go into the company of such ferocious characters, he directed them to give unto all the salutation of peace! "Into whatsoever house ye enter, say, peace be to this house;" and "into whatsoever city ye enter, say, peace be to this city." Peace is indeed the watch-word and countersign in the grand army of the prince of peace. The gospel is a proclamation of peace; not peace where there is no peace, but peace where there is peace. "Preaching peace," says the Apostle, "by Jesus Christ." "Having peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven." Peace is to be preached through the

made

Redeemer's blood, which truly speaks better things than that of murdered Abel. The blood of Abel spoke nothing but the sanguinary wrath of man, whereas the blood of Jesus shewed forth the benevolence and compassion of a God. When the shining heralds from heaven announced a Saviour's birth to the shepards watching their flocks, they proclaimed "peace on earth." The gospel is said to be a subject which belongs to our peace. Jesus lamented over the blindness and obstinacy of the Jews, because the things that belonged to their peace were "hidden from their eyes." Thus the gospel breathes nothing but peace and good will, and those who believe it, have "joy and peace in believing."

By this standard try your opinions--square them all, ye professors of christianity, by this simple rule. Bring all your notions to this criterion. Enter into a close examina tion. Take your creeds and confessions of faith, and bring them up to this test. By this rule you may determine how far your opinions harmonize with the gospel of peace.-Ask yourselves, in view of every article of your faith, does the belief of this article give me peace? Do the best feelings of my nature acquiesce in it? Can my soul say Amen Does the belief of this give me peace and joy? If it does, it may be gospel. If it does not, it cannot be the gospel; for in believing the gospel, (or good news,) there must of necessity be peace and joy. By such a process of examination of ourselves and our creeds, we may easily determine whether we are believers of the gospel or not.

to j

The preaching of peace by Jesus Christ, appears to be the great instrument designed in the hand of God to destroy tumults, war and enmity amongst men, and bring about the reign of universal peace and harmony. Let then the sol diers of Christ have their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace." Let them declare, both far and