all the influences of that life which was in Jesus, that from Him it may be in us.
The putting on of the Breastplate requires effort as well as faith, and effort will be vigorous in the measure in which faith is vivid. It should follow, not precede or supplant faith. There is no more hopeless and weary advice than would be the exhortation of our text if it stood alone. It is a counsel of despair to tell a man to put on the

breastplate, and to leave him in doubt where is to find it, or whether he has to hammer it together by hi own efforts before he can put it on. There is no more unprofitable expenditure of breath than the cry to men, 'Be good! Be good!" Moral teaching without Gospel preaching is little better than a waste of breath.
It is imperative that the Christian soldier remember always that they are marching through the enemy's country, and can never safely lay aside their armor. After all successes, and no less after all failures, we still have to arm ourselves for the fight, and it is to be remembered that the righteousness of which Paul; speaks differs from common earthly moralities only as including and transcending them all. It is, sadly, but too true that Christian righteousness has been by Christians set forth as something fantastic and unreal, remote from ordinary life, and far too heavenly-minded to care for common virtues. Le t us never forget that Jesus Himself has warned us, that except our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, we shall in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The breastplate of righteousness is our defense against evil. The opposition to temptation is best carried on by the positive cultivation of good. A bait of righteous conduct is itself a defense against temptation. Untilled fields bear abundant weeds. The used tool does not rust, nor the running water gather scum. The robe of righteousness will guard the heart as effectively as a coat of mail. The positive employment with good weakens temptation, and arms us against evil. But so long as we are here our righteousness must be militant, and we must be content to live ever armed to meet the enemy which is always hanging round us, and watching for  an opportunity to strike. The time will come when we shall put off the breastplate and put on the fine linen 'clean and white,' which is the heavenly and final form of the righteousness of Saints.