verse 10; and then gives them a complete armour, which being put on, and the several pieces of it skilfully used, the wiles of Satan will be frustrated, and themselves enabled to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

1. They must be girded about with the girdle of truth. By error Satan has great advantage; how many, like children, are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine! but a judgment rightly informed and well settled, that buys the truth and will by no means sell it, has a great influence upon a Christian's stedfastness and growth in grace.

Sa

2. They must have on the breast-plate of righteousness; they must be righteous in heart, righteous in sincerity. A conscience, purged from dead works, is a better defence than a wall of brass. tan cannot so easily disquiet them that are sincere, neither is he able to corrupt them; their holiness being true, sin is hated, the allurements unto sin are contemned, and God is followed hard after.

3. Their fect must be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. They must be encouraged by that peace which

the gospel publishes, to run the way of God's commandments; and that though those ways are never so difficult and unpleasant to flesh and blood, they must hold fast the profession of their faith, and depart from evil, and go in the path that is called holy; though by thus doing, they never-so-much expose, and make theinselves a prey.

4. Above all, they must take the shield of faith, whereby they may quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Satan's temptations are darts; he does design our wounding, our pain, our death, in shooting of them and these darts may well be called fiery; they are shot from hell, and a hell in the conscience they make, if they are not quenched; but faith is a shield to repel and beat them back: Faith makes application of the righteousness and strength of Christ; and by this means, not only former wounds are assuaged and healed, but the soul is more secured for the future.

5. The helmet of salvation must cover their heads in this day of battle with evil angels. A lively hope of salvation is very encouraging both unto patient continu

ance in well-doing, and also unto suffering for the sake of righteousness.

6. The Apostle tells them, that the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, must be made use of. If this word be understood, believed, thought on, loved, stood in awe of; if it thus abide in us, we shall be strong, and overcome the evil one.

These are the pieces of the armour of God. But in this combat with the devil, is there not need of auxiliary forces? certainly there is a necessity of succour from heaven. The captain, therefore, of our salvation, must be looked unto, and divine aid continually implored and begged for. By prayer we have power with God, and power against our spiritual enemies. No wonder that the apostle enjoins "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." &c.

The text may be divided into these parts:

1. Here is a duty commanded, in the performance of which lies safety; and that is, praying.

2. The extent of this duty, it must be always, and it must be with all prayer.

3. The due qualifications of this duty, which are these following: 1st, It must be in the Spirit.

2d, It must be with watching.

3d, It must be with all perseverance. 4. It must be with a public spirit; we must pray for all saints, as well as for ourselves, since they are engaged in the

same war.

That these words may be better understood, I shall answer these several questions :

1. Is there any difference between prayer and supplication? I answer, the word which is translated prayer, does intimate we have to do with God in prayer to him we are to direct our petitions as an hearer, as an helper. The word which is translated supplication, does intimate, that there must be an acknowledgement of our own indigency and wants, and a looking to the all sufficient Lord for supply.

2. Another question is this: What is meant by praying always? I answer, the Greek phrase which the Holy Ghost useth, signifies, To pray every oppor tunity that is offered. This text gives no encouragement unto the fond sect of the

Euchites, who thought that prayer was to be their whole business: No, no; there are other duties which God calls for, and which this of prayer must not jostle out. But all those opportunities which are afforded for prayer, must be heedfully observed, joyfully laid hold on, and diligently improved. This is to pray always. It is said of Mephibosheth, that he did eat always, or continually at the king's table, 2 Sam. ix. 13. What! shall we from hence infer, that he spent day and night in nothing but eating? no such matter; but when the season of meal-time came, he was present. So to pray always, is to pray whenever prayer is seasonable.

3. A third question is, What is meant by all prayer? Bullinger refers this to the intention of the mind; saying, that in this duty, there must be all possible devotion, and intentness, and fervency of heart. But Musculus understands prayer of every sort; and indeed all kinds of prayer which God has appointed are needful, and the Lord is ready by the communications of his grace, to encourage to the practice of this duty in the full extent and latitude of it.