run, who would not serve in such a cause; to publish the good tidings of peace, peace between
God and man, peace, where men have toiled not, but where God hath wrought all?
But what is the “preparation of the Gospel”?494 Let us hearken to what John saith, “Make
ye ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” (Matt. iii. 3.) But again there is need
also of another “preparation” after baptism, so that we may do nothing unworthy of “peace.”
And then, since the feet are usually a token of the way of life, hence he is constantly exhorting
in this language, “Look, therefore, carefully how ye walk.” (Eph. v. 15.) On this account, he
would say, let us exhibit a practice and example worthy of the Gospel; that is, make our life
and conduct pure. The good tidings of peace have been proclaimed to you, give to these
good tidings a ready way; since if ye again become enemies, there is no more “preparation
of peace.” Be ready, be not backward to embrace this peace. As ye were ready and disposed
for peace and faith, so also continue. The shield is that which first receives the assaults of
the adversary, and preserves the armor uninjured. So long then as faith be right and the life
be right, the armor remains uninjured.
He discourses, however, much concerning faith, but most especially in writing to the
Hebrews, as he does also concerning hope. Believe, saith he, in the good things to come,
and none of this armor shall be injured. In dangers, in toils, by holding out thy hope and
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thy faith to protect thee, thou wilt preserve thy armor uninjured. “He that cometh to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him.” (Heb. xi. 6.)
Faith is a shield; but wherever there are quibbles, and reasonings, and scrutinizings, then is
it no longer a shield, but it impedes us. Let this our faith be such as shall cover and screen
the whole frame. Let it not then be scanty, so as to leave the feet or any other part exposed,
but let the shield be commensurate with the whole body.
“Fiery495 darts.” For many doubtful reasonings there are, which set the soul, as it were,
on fire, many difficulties, many perplexities, but all of them faith sets entirely at rest; many
things does the devil dart in, to inflame our soul and bring us into uncertainty; as, for ex-
ample, when some persons say, “Is there then a resurrection?” “Is there a judgment?” “Is
there a retribution?” “But is there faith?” the apostle would say, “thou shalt with it quench
the darts of the devil. Has any base lust assaulted thee? Hold before thee thy faith in the
good things to come, and it will not even show itself, yea, it will perish.” “All the darts”; not
some quenched, and others not. Hearken to what Paul saith, “For I reckon that the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to
us-ward.” (Rom. viii. 18.) Seest thou how many darts the righteous quenched in those days?
494 [After having treated this part of the chapter, our author now returns to it, and supplements what he has
already said.—G.A.]
495 [“The aim of this predicate is to present in strong colors the hostile and destructive character of the
Satanic assaults; but more special explanations of its import are inappropriate.”—Meyer.—G.A.]
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Ephesians 6:14-17