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giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not."

Moreover the Christian combatant must be so familiar with the use of his weapon, as to have it always in readiness. Only so will he be able to use it with full effect. The very words of scripture ought therefore, as far as possible, to be stored up in the memory, so that the mind may be, as it were, imbued with it, and be prompt to answer any suggestions of the tempter. Such was the psalmist's habit.

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Thy word," he said, "have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee" (Psal. cxix. 11). Well is it when the Christian is thus ever on his guard against the tempter's assaults, and able at once, in imitation of his Divine Master, to repel them by a ready reference to

some clear testimony of scripture saying, "It is written," and "I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord to do less or more."

CHAPTER VIII.

Prayer.

HE admonition with which St. Paul

concludes his description of the several pieces of the Christian armour is one of the utmost possible importance. For by enforcing, as he does, the necessity of prayer he shows how they may be all made effectual for their intended purpose. The noblest weapons could be of no use in hands too weak to wield them; in fact they

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would merely afford a richer spoil for the insulting foe. And therefore the Christian warrior must not only have an impenetrable breastplate, a blazing helmet, an adamantine shield, a well-tempered sword; cased in this armour he must have also a warrior's heart-he must be strong to contend, and skilful in battle. But how, it may be asked, is man to acquire this strength, or to attain this skill, when his own might is perfect weakness, and his own wisdom miserable folly? The answer is plain. These qualities also must be the gift of Him Who provides the weapons for His people's use, and they must be asked for in earnest prayer. For the same Lord Who rendered the youthful shepherd of Israel mighty to prevail over the Philistian giant has promised, in

respect to all things really requisite, that those who ask shall have, those who seek shall find. And just as in a battle soldier stands by soldier, foot to foot and shoulder to shoulder, so in the Christian conflict with the powers of darkness fellow-warriors must strengthen one another's hands. This is chiefly done by prayer. And hence St. Paul expresses in several of his epistles his earnest desire that those to whom he writes should pray for him as, for instance, when he says in the passage under consideration, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, and for me, that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly."