Because Jesus has gone before us, nothing remains as it would have been if he had never passed this way. He has conquered every enemy that blocked the road.

Take heart, fainthearted warrior! Christ has not only traveled the road ahead of you—he has slain your enemies. Do you dread sin? He has nailed it to his cross! Do you fear death? He has been the death of Death itself! Are you afraid of hell? He has barred its gates against every one of his children—they shall never see the gulf of perdition!

Whatever enemies stand before you as a Christian, they are already 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 you wear that matchless garment that renders you invulnerable to fire. The sword forged against you is already blunted. The weapons your enemy prepares have already lost their point. In the person of Christ, God has stripped away all the power that anything can have to hurt you.

Well then, march on! The army can advance in safety, and you can go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand. What shall you do but march forward to take the prey? They are beaten, they are vanquished—all you have to do is divide the spoil.

You will, it is true, often engage in combat. But your fight shall be with a vanquished foe. His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count.

"Proclaim aloud the Savior's fame, who bears the Breaker's wondrous name! Sweet name—and it becomes him well, who breaks down earth, sin, death, and hell!"