THE WARFARE.

721

The panoply of truth.

BEHOLD the Christian warrior stand

In all the armour of his God;
The Spirit's sword is in his hand,
His feet are with the Gospel shod;-

L.M.

2 In panoply of truth complete,
Salvation's helmet on his head;
With righteousness a breast-plate meet,
And faith's broad shield before him spread ;-

3 Undaunted to the field he goes;

Yet vain were skill and valour there, Unless, to foil his legion foes,

He takes the trustiest weapon, prayer.

4 Thus, strong in his Redeemer's strength,
Sin, death, and hell, he tramples down;
Fights the good fight, and wins at length,
Through mercy, an immortal crown.

722

The sword and shield.

L. M.

ARM me with thy whole armour, Lord;
Support my weakness with thy might;
Gird on my thigh thy conqu'ring sword,
And shield me in the threat'ning fight:
From faith to faith, from grace to grace,
So in thy strength shall I go on;
Till heaven and earth flee from thy face,
And glory end what grace begun.

723

The standard of the cross.
[ARK, how the watchmen cry!

S. M.

Stand to your arms, the foe is nigh,—
The powers of hell surround.
Who bow to Christ's command,
Your arms and hearts prepare;
The day of battle is at hand,-
Go forth to glorious war.

2 See on the mountain top
The standard of your God;
In Jesus' name 'tis lifted up,
All stain'd with hallow'd blood.
His standard-bearers, now

To all the nations call:

To Jesus' cross, ye nations, bow;
He bore the cross for all.

3 Go up with Christ your Head;
Your Captain's footsteps see;
Follow your Captain, and be led
To certain victory.

All power to him is given;

He ever reigns the same:

Salvation, happiness, and heaven,
Are all in Jesus' Name.

724

S. M.

Continued. Spiritual enemies to be encountered.

NGELS our march oppose,

A who still in strength excel,

Our secret, sworn, eternal foes,
Countless, invisible;

From thrones of glory driven,

By flaming vengeance hurl'd, They throng the air, and darken heaven, And rule this lower world.

2 But shall believers fear?
But shall believers fly?
Or see the bloody cross appear,
And all their powers defy?
By all hell's host withstood,

We all hell's host o'erthrow;

And, conqu'ring them through Jesus' blood, We on to conquer go.

725

S. M.

The whole armour of God.

SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,

And put your armour on,

Strong in the strength which God supplies Through his eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of Hosts,

And in his mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,
Is more than conqueror.

2 Stand then in his great might,
With all his strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God:

That having all things done,

And all your conflicts past,

Ye may o'ercome, through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.

3 Leave no unguarded place,-
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole:

Indissolubly join'd,

To battle all proceed;

But arm yourselves with all the mind
That was in Christ your Head.

726

The shield of faith.

SOLDIERS of Christ, lay hold

On faith's victorious shield;
Arm'd with that adamant and gold,
Be sure to win the field:
If faith surround your heart,

Satan shall be subdued;
Repell'd his every fiery dart,
And quench'd with Jesus' blood.

2 Jesus hath died for you;

What can his love withstand?
Believe, hold fast your shield, and who
Shall pluck you from his hand?
Believe that Jesus reigns;

All power to him is given:

Believe, till freed from sin's remains;

Believe yourselves to heaven.

727

Courage ensures victory.

Uve blood-besprinkled bands;

on your rapid course,

The heavenly kingdom suffers force;
'Tis seized by violent hands:
See there the starry crown

That glitters through the skies;
Satan, the world, and sin, tread down,
And take the glorious prize.

S. M.

S. M.

2 Through much distress and pain,
Through many a conflict here,
Through blood, ye must the entrance gain,
Yet, O disdain to fear:

Courage, your Captain cries,

(Who all your toil foreknew,-)

Toil ye shall have, yet all despise ;
I have o'ercome for you.

3 The world cannot withstand Its ancient Conqueror;

The world must sink beneath the Hand Which arms us for the war:

This is the victory,

Before our faith they fall; Jesus hath died for you and me; Believe, and conquer all.

728

S. M.

The well-fought day.

without ceasing, pray,

Your Captain gives the word ;)

His summons cheerfully obey,
And call upon the Lord:
To God your every want

In instant prayer display;
Pray always; pray, and never faint';
Pray, without ceasing, pray.

2 In fellowship,-alone,

To God with faith draw near; Approach his courts, besiege his throne With all the power of prayer:

His mercy now implore,

And now show forth his praise;
In shouts, or silent awe, adore
His miracles of grace.

3 From strength to strength go on;
Wrestle, and fight, and pray;
Tread all the powers of darkness down,
And win the well-fought day:

Still let the Spirit cry,

In all his soldiers,-Come,

Till Christ the Lord descend from high,

And take the conqu❜rors home.