ranged in two distinct parties, two great armies, one under the banner of the cross, the other guided by the influence of "that old serpent the Devil," waging war against "the saints of the Most High." It is not necessary to regard this warfare entirely as conducted with carnal weapons, although it appears probable that it must end in literal bloodshed and slaughter on a most fearful scale. But it is, in the first instance, a war of principles: the principle of sound religion, and dutiful obedience, on one side; of unbelief, and idolatry, and false doctrine, combined with rebellion, on the other; these two leading influences will draw all mankind after them, and divide them into distinct parties; and the contest is one of argument and invective, of intrigue and faction, of misrule and commotion, before it breaks out into open war.

Whilst all this is going on, it is of the most vital importance that we declare ourselves on the side of truth; for whilst

we hesitate, and "halt betwixt two opinions," and "waver like a wave of the sea, driven of the wind and tossed," and attempt a hopeless compromise with all sides, by means of a seeming liberality which, as it deserves, is equally repudiated by all; whilst we are acting this pusillanimous part, the agony of the conflict draws on, and we shall find ourselves pierced by the weapons of both parties. It is high time, then, it is our only hope of safety, to commit ourselves fairly in one cause, or in the other. "If the Lord be GOD, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." If the Gospel of Jesus Christ be the rule of your life, and the foundation of your hope, embrace it with all your heart, and with all your soul; avow it boldly; defend it manfully; abide by it faithfully; but, if not, if you choose rather to follow the stream of the world, "why dost thou take the covenant of the Lord in thy mouth? What have you to do with the name of Christ, the ordi

nances of His Church, or under the shelter of His house of prayer?

But since the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, and since the spiritual weapons of the Christian are peaceable endurance, and meek forbearance, how are we to prove our faith and courage in this mighty contest? Even as the Captain of our salvation proved his, as his Apostles and blessed martyrs proved theirs, by an unflinching avowal of our principles, a firm determination to do our duty, and a noble resolution to endure all extremities rather than shrink from our cause, a holy ambition that we may be counted worthy to suffer for the cross of Christ.

As yet we are not called on to suffer. No; but if we should be so called, what hope is there of those who, even now, are deterred by the most trifling interests, and the most sordid motives, from bearing their testimony to the principles which they profess, or lending their aid in the

cause which they affect to espouse? who grudge the smallest sacrifice of their time or convenience, the slightest contribution from their abundance, to promote the honour of GOD, or the salvation of men! Undoubtedly those great sacrifices of station, and property, and life itself, which evince the faith and courage of martyrs, are to be expected only from men who, in the days of their peace and prosperity, have ever been ready to "spend and to be spent" in the service of true religion and holy charity. These, and these only, are the soldiers on whom we may rely in the day of battle.

While we adopt the scriptural language in terming this contest a "battle," and in calling on the followers of Christ to arm themselves, and prepare for it, we must not be understood as recommending any declaration, nor any sentiment of hostility towards those whose principles are opposed to our own. In the most corrupt state of society, the Christian

will remember, "if it be possible, as much as lieth in him, to live peaceably with all men;" but he will not purchase even peace itself with the suppression or compromise of the truth. He takes "the shield of faith" against the " fiery darts of the wicked," and he scorns to shelter himself by the denial of his honest opinions.

We come to this point then, that in the present condition of the world, we have, as Christians, a great duty to perform, that of "confessing our Lord before men;" not the mere acknowledgment that we believe the Gospel: this calls for no courage, and exposes us to no risk; not the bare assumption of the Christian name; for this is still rather a title of honour, than a term of reproach; not this easy, superficial sort of confession; but a manly avowal of those strict, sound, and severe principles which the world always hates, which they who affect the