THE CHRISTIAN ARMOUR.
To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine.
How admirable is the candour and frankness of Christianity! In other systems and pursuits it is usual to conceal difficulties and dangers, and to exhibit nothing, openly, but prospects of advantage. Not so the Captain of our salvation, and those who had learned of him. They call for self-denial, engage in a life of conflict, and glory in having the cross to bear. Like an experienced general, the apostle, having rallied his fellow-soldiers to the onset, reminds them that they had to contend against no ordinary competitors: not against flesh and blood, (q. d.) not against themonly, orchiefly, but against beings who were originally of a higher order, andeven now, in their fallen state, are powerful, crafty, and malignant. Whether we consider their nature, their number, or employments, they are formidable adversaries to man.
Their nature.They are wicked spirits, who once were in the presence and in the service of God; but "they kept not their first estate;" having fallen by rebellion, and being reserved for the judgment of the great day, they, like their prince, are "going about seeking whom they may devour." Still they are angels that excel in strength, whose wisdom is corrupted into cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Beingspirits, they are invisible, and tempt without being tired. Were they seen, they might be shunned: were they flesh and blood, they might become weary in their work; but these "rulers of darkness" have continued the work of wickedness ever since they were cast down from the heavenly places.
Theirnumberalso renders them a terror to the children of men; and although under restraint, they are permitted to unite their counsels and force against us. If, in the days of our Lord, seven had entered the person ofoneunhappy sufferer, andlegionsintoanother, we may conclude the gross number greatly exceeds that of the human race.
The devil and his angels are represented as a king and his subjects; whence we may infer that they act in concert, and that, whilst they sow discord among men, there is an awful concentration of power and of policy amongst themselves.
Their usurpeddominion, and constantemployment, are often referred to in the holy Scriptures; and not an instance of extraordinary degradation of character, of disaster of condition, but is traced to the influence of the wicked one, who is emphatically called the "ruler of the dark ages of this world." He blinds the mind—hardens the heart—leads captive at his will—resists the prayers of the saints—stifles the cry of the sinner—and (as in the case of Job) puts forth a dreadful power by the destructive elements of nature: and were it not for the restraints of divine Providence, and the operations of grace, the history of man would be a record of continual crime, and consequent misery.
We are here particularly admonished to "stand against the wiles of the devil." Open violence might excite alarm, especially were it understood from whence it proceeded; but secret stratagem has proved more successful, both in drawing men into sin, and preventing their return to God.
In presenting temptation, he diligently studies human character, and, observing the weakest side, and waiting the unguarded moment, obtains advantage over us without awakening suspicion.
Thus, in the case of Eve, the only thing she could desire in Paradise was more knowledge; of Judas, more money; and of Ananias, more honour; and for these objects, Satan, by his wily representation, induced the first to eat the forbidden fruit; the second, to betray the Lord of glory; and the third, to lie unto the Holy Ghost.
Hence the proud, the passionate, the polluted, the timid, and the melancholy, are easily approached through the medium of some common failing, or constitutional infirmity; and no one suspects that a devil is near them, till the iniquity is committed: and the deed once done, the tempter laughs at their calamity, and becomes their tormentor. The same policy may be observed in theseasonsselected by him to ensnare and overthrow the unwary. As a cunning adversary considers when the troops are fatigued, scattered, asleep, or intoxicated; so the devil assaulted the Saviour when alone, after fasting forty days, and just before his crucifixion. As the pirate and the robber pass by and spare the empty vessels, and the poor, but watch for those that return laden with treasure; so this malignant foe resisted Joshua at the throne of grace, sifted Peter as he descended from the mount, and sent his messenger to buffet Paul when he had been caught up into the third heavens. His wiles may be also seen in theinstrumentsemployed: they are such as have authority, influence, or reputation; so that a man's deceiver shall be among his friends, "and his foes those of his own house."
The artifice of this great adversary is not less manifest inthe means employed to prevent our return to God. Like a strong man armed, he keeps his palace,and his goods are in peace; and to secure the captive, he more frequently has recourse to fraud than to force, and succeeds rather by stratagem than by strength.
To prevent alarm, he will suggest every mitigating circumstance respecting their guilt; represent that it is an easy matter to repent and obtain mercy at the last moment of life; or, if he cannot compose the alarmed conscience with such opiates, he will change his course, and represent their sins as peculiarly aggravated; their case as singular and desperate; their day of grace as past; and that, having committed the sin against the Holy Ghost, it is in vain for them to repent, or expect forgiveness! Thus, from the pinnacle of presumption, he will precipitate them into the gulf of despondency. Were it in his power to prevent it, there would be no more joy in heaven at the repentance of a sinner, and the light of hope, on earth, would be extinguished for ever.
Nor does he rest with having misrepresented the character and condition of the sinner to himself; he will distort and conceal the true character of God: at one time representing him as too merciful to punish any one eternally for such faults as theirs; at another, that the insulted Majesty of heaven meditates vengeance, and his holiness and justice would be dishonoured if their multiplied and heinous offences were forgiven; diverting their attention from the peculiar discoveries of the gospel, he will, as in the conflict of our blessed Lord, bring the Scriptures themselves to confirm his wicked suggestions, and, by a false application of difficult and detached passages, hide from us the divine perfections, as harmonizing and glorified in our redemption by Jesus Christ.
One other stratagem may be mentioned, which, for the subtlety of its nature, and the frequency of its use, requires especial notice. Satan will often transform himself into an angel of light, and by means of some popular minister, or talkative professor, promise a speedy growth in divine life, but, in reality, willdivert from all proper thoughts of God, and of themselves. He will draw the young convert into some matter of doubtful disputation, either of doctrine or discipline in the church. He will either explode some important truth, or carry it into an improper extreme, turning spirituality into mysticism, or liberty into licentiousness. Having thus entangled the inexperienced in some labyrinth of error, Satan cares not, if, under a profession of religion he can but lead away from the simplicity that is in Christ; and substitute for the spirit of the gospel a spirit of pride, and of discord, in which all the angry passions find their element, and the souls of men are lost for ever, amidst furious contentions about religion. "Where-fore, take unto you the whole armour of God." Seeing you are placed in circumstances that will require the faithful use of every part of it, see that nothing be wanting to your steadfastness.
The armour is chiefly of the defensive kind, by which we may maintain our standing in the Christian warfare.
There is an "helmet" for the head, a "breastplate" for the heart, "shoes" (or greaves) for the feet, a "girdle" for the loins, a "shield" that may be moved for the defence of every part that may require it, and a "sword" by which deadly wounds may be inflicted on the enemy. Of these we cannot now speak particularly, but shall hereafter, if God permit.
We close with three observations:—1. There is no preparation for the back: hence we are to understand that we are to face the foe; and should any think to flee for safety, they expose the unprotected part to the enemy, and become an easy prey. 2. No direction is given for those who shall use this armour aright, and yet be vanquished: from which we infer that such a case cannot occur. This is an armourof proof, which never has failed, and, if used in the strength of the Lord, is sure to be effectual. Let the Christian army know that Satan, with all his power and subtlety, shall never finally prevail against them. Thus armed,their head shall be preserved from error, their heart from iniquity, and their feet from falling. 3. This is expresslyGod's armour, and we can receive it at the hands of no one but the Captain of our salvation. As, when God decreed the destruction of Babylon, we are told that "the Lord opened his armoury, and brought forth the weapons of his indignation;" so, when Christians are called to fight the good fight, to resist Satan, and overcome the world, a suitable armour is provided, and we are directed to put it on, that we may war a good warfare,—
"Till, crowned with victory, at his feetWe lay our laurels down."
J. E.Clapham.