August 24

“The breaker is come up before them.” — Micah ii. 13.

NASMUCII as Jesus has gone before us, tilings re main not as tlioy would have been had lie never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that obstructed the way. Cheer up now, thou faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ travelled the rond, but He has slain thine enemies. Dost thou dread sin? He has nailed it to His cross. Dost thou fear death? He has been the death of Death. Art thou afraid of hell? He has barred it against the advent of any of His children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition. Whatever foes may be before the Christian, they are all overcome. There are lions, but their teeth are broken; there are serpents, but their fangs are extracted; there are rivers, but they are bridged or fordable; there are flames, but we wear that matchless garment which renders us invulnerable to fire. The sword that has been forged against us is already blunted; the instruments of war which the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may safely march on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand. AVhat shall you do but march on to take the prey? They are beaten; they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe. His head ia broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be ouflScicnt for his malicious design. Your victory shall D9 easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count.

“Proclaim aloud the Sa’”iour’s fame,
Who bears the Breaktf’s wondrous name;
Sweet name; and it becomes Him well,
Who breaks down earth, sin, death, and heU.’*