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I. THE DEFENCE AND RESOURCES OF THE ENEMY.

1. Idolatry.

2. Imposture.

3. Superstition.

4. Despotism.

5. Crime in its various forms.

6. False liberality in religion.

7. Corruption of religious revivals.

II. How SHALL THE ENEMY BE VANQUISHED?

1. By the judgments of heaven, in which the Son of Man will come upon the strong man armed, and take away his armour.

2. By the universal propagation of the gospel; before the light of which, idolatry, imposture, and superstition, will retreat abashed. And —

3. By frequent, and, at last, general revivals of religion; giving resistless power to the gospel, as it is preached to every creature.Conclusion:

1. There must be more faith in the Church of God.

2. There must be a more intense love for Christ in His Church.

3. There must be an era of more decided action, before the earth can be subdued to Christ.

4. For this glorious achievement, there is demanded more courage than has, in modern days, been manifested by the Church of God.

5. There must be new and more vigorous efforts to increase the number and power of evangelical churches in our land.

6. Special effort is required, to secure to the rising generation an education free from the influence of bad example, and more decidedly evangelical.

7. The vigour of charitable effort must be greatly increased.

8. The jealousies of Christians who are united substantially in their views of evangelical doctrine and religion, and who are divided only by localities, and rites, and forms, must yield, and give place to the glorious exigencies of the present day.

9. Let me add, that we must guard against the dangers peculiar to a state of religious prosperity.

(The Preacher's Treasury.)

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KJV: When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

WEB: "When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.