AN EXHORTATION TO MARTYRDOM. 53 to Christ,1standsagainsthim, he must needs he conquered, because Christ,whom thatman confesses,isunconquered. 3. And that I might not extend my discourse,heloved brother,to too great a length,and fatiguemy hearer or readerby the abundance of a toodiffusestyle,I have made a compendium; so thatthe titlesbeingplacedfirst,which every one ought both toknow and to have inmind,I might subjoin sectionsof the Lord's word, and establishwhat I had pro posed by the authorityof the divineteaching,in such wise as thatI might not appear to have sentyou my own treatise so much, asto have suggestedmaterialforotherstodiscourse on,— a proceedingwhich willbe of advantageto individuals with increasedbenefit. For if I were to give a man a garment finishedand ready, it would be my garment that another was making use of,and probablythe thingmade for another would be found littlefittingforhisfigureof stature and body. But now I have sentyou the very wool and the purple from the Lamb, by whom we were redeemed and quickened; which,when you have received,you willmake into a coatfor yourselfaccordingto your own will,and the rather that you will rejoicein itas your own privateand special garment. And you willexhibitto othersalsowhat we have sent,thatthey themselvesmay be able to finishitaccording to theirwill; so thatthatold nakednessbeing covered,they may allbear the garments of Christrobed in the sanctifica- tion of heavenlygrace. 4. Moreover also,belovedbrethren,I have consideredita useful and wholesome plan in an exhortationso needfulas that which may make martyrs,to cut offalldelaysand tardi ness in our words,and to put away the windingsof human discourse,and setdown only those thingswhich God speaks, wherewith ChristexhortsHis servantsto martyrdom. Those divine preceptsthemselvesmust be supplied,as it were,for arms for the combatants. Let them be the incitementsof the warlike trumpet; letthem be the clarion-blastfor the war riors. Let the ears be roused by them ; let the minds be prepared by them ; letthe powers both of souland body be 1 Some read," bravelyabidinginthefootstepsofChrist."