I. The thorax. of armour, devised for the protection of the upper portion of the body. It was, in fact, used as the sole body armour of the ancients, under various forms, for many ages. Among the Egyptians, who manufactured the thorax, and who are supposed to have been the inventors of it, it was made of linen, several times folded, and quilted in such a manner as to resist the point of a weapon. Other nations, also, used these linen pectorals. Thus we find, from Homer, that the thorax of the lesser Ajax was made of quilted linen. The Persians, some have supposed, first made the thorax of metal; and others conceive that such was the principal body armour of the Hebrews.

This was the most ancient piece

II. The corselet, or short cuirass. The corselet was a waistcoat, made in various shapes, and sometimes consisting of two component pieces, which fastened to each other at the sides, and covering, one the front and the other the back of the warrior. It was sometimes plain in its construction, but more frequently ornamented with figures of common or precious metals, in wreathings, borders, the heads of animals, and various figures. The gorgon's head was affixed on the breast of the Roman corselet, which was designed as an amulet.

III. The girdle. The girdle was a part of armour on which ancient warriors set a high value. The gift of it to another, indeed, was of paramount consideration. Hence it is, that we are told, in sacred history, that Jonathan gave his girdle to his friend

David; and, in profane history, that Ajax, after contesting with Hector, presented him with the girdle he wore, as a token of future friendship. The girdle was often highly ornamented. The use of it was to keep the armour or the clothes together, as well as to receive the sword; which, combined with its defensive character, has caused sacred writers to use the terms to gird" and " to arm" synonymously.

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IV. The skirt, or petticoat. This portion of the armour of the ancients fell below the girdle, and, when used with the corslet, covered only the hips and parts of the thigh; but when used with the long cuirass, it covered the thighs almost entirely. Sometimes it was merely a skirt, but very frequently it consisted of one or more rows of leathern straps, plated with metal, and bordered and fringed, thus forming a piece of armour.

V. The long corselet, or cuirass. This piece of defensive armour may be said to combine all the various parts above described, except the girdle. When put on, in connexion with the helmet and greaves, like these several parts, only the arms, the lower part of the thighs, and the face were left unprotected.

Thus have we briefly described the construction of ancient armour; but as to what description of armour was worn by the Hebrews, we have no positive information. It is possible, that, at different periods, they may have been acquainted with all those we have mentioned, and their own may have been modified by them. Sir S. Meyrick is of opinion, however, that the He

brew sirion, which is the usual form of the word translated in our version as "coat of mail," "brigandine," "habergeon," "harness," and "breastplate," means always the thorax, and that the Hebrews derived it from Egypt. He thinks further, that in remote times it was attached to a short tunic, after the manner in which the sacred breastplate was fastened to the ephod of the high priest. His argument runs thus:- "Beneath the pectoral were belts, plated with brass or other metal, and the uppermost of them was bound upon the bottom of the tunic, which connected the pectoral with the belts, and all of them together formed a tolerably perfect armour for the front of the whole body. These belts were generally two, one above the other, and appear similar to those that are represented in ancient Greek sculpture, though in some degree higher up. This mode of arming perfectly explains the passage in Scripture where Ahab is said to have been smitten with an arrow, between the openings or joints, that is, of the belts, and between the thorax or pectoral, 1 Kings xxii. 34. The pectoral of the Egyptians was made of linen; and perhaps, anciently, that of the Jews was the same. In after times, they seem to have been covered with plates of metal, and in the New Testament we meet with the words 'breastplates of iron,' Rev. ix. 9. The military sagum, or cloak, is called in our translation a habergeon, but the original is of doubtful signification, and occurs only twice. But of whatever kind the garment may have been, it had

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an aperture at the upper part, through which the head was passed when it was put on the body. Strutt," he adds, "conjectures that it was the tunic upon which the thorax was put, and bore the same relation to the thorax that the ephod did to the sacred pectoral." Whether this opinion is correct we cannot say, but it is certain, that in the New Testament, the various passages which speak of armour have reference to that worn by the Romans.

Some of these passages which are of the deepest interest to the reader we introduce to his notice. The apostle Paul, having taken a view of the foes with whom the Christian warrior is called upon to combat, exhorts them to " 'put on the whole armour of God." And this armour he describes in the most energetic language. "Stand therefore," says he, "having your loins girt about with truth,"—that is, with sincerity and integrity in the profession of the Christian faith," and having on the breastplate of righteousness, "-which Doddridge refers to a constant regard to the practice of holiness in the sight of God, and to justice and integrity in our intercourse with the world, which, like a breastplate, will defend us against the assaults of our great spiritual opponent,-" and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" that is, with all the virtues of fortitude, self-denial, self-government, perseverance, and peaceableness."Above all, taking the shield of faith,"-the firm belief of the doctrines and promises of the gospel,"and take the helmet of salvation," the cheerful

hope of complete deliverance and eternal happiness, which, like a helmet, will, in the day of battle, cover your head from all danger, and preserve you from the fatal effects of all temptations, and from worldly terrors and evils," and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"-so called, because it is given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and because its doctrines, precepts, and promises, are the most effectual means of putting our spiritual enemies to flight.

This

armour having been put on, the apostle goes on to exhort the Christian warrior to pray always, and to watch incessantly, like soldiers; to whom it was death to be found sleeping on their posts, Eph. vi. 11-18.

This armour is also called by the apostle, "the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," 2 Cor. vi. 7; a phrase which has been conjectured by some to have reference to those soldiers who could use the right and the left hand with equal effect, as some of the ancient heroes did. Others, however, conclude, with greater propriety, that the expression refers to defensive armour, which defends the warrior on every hand with more certainty than his own skill could possibly do. The armour of the Christian, moreover, is called the armour of light," Rom. xiii. 12, which the apostle exhorted the Roman converts to " put on." This is a strong and beautiful metaphor, importing that Christians are to follow the doctrines, examples, and precepts of Christ; and to adorn themselves therewith, as with a splendid robe not to be put off; because it is the garb intended for

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