Exposition on John 5, Ephesians 6 · Verses 10-11
EPHES. 6. VER. 10, 11.
Finally, my brethre…, be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that yee may be able to ſtand againſt the aſſaults of the diuell.
THe ſumme of theſe words, is an exhortation to Chriſtian ſpirituall courage and fortitude. The parts are
1 An exhortation to a duty.
2 A direction ſhewing the meanes for the performance of that dutie.
In the exhortation, conſider we the manner, and the matter. The manner is in theſe words, Finally, my brethren. Wherein note, 1 The neceſsity of the matter, which the Apoſtle exhorts vntounto: in the word (Finally) foreign, 2 The affection of the Apoſtle, (my brethren.)
1 Finally.) As if the Apoſtle ſhould hauehave ſaid, I hauehave inſtructed you in the former part of my Epiſtle, in all poynts neceſſary to be knowne and bel…ued, ſaying downe both the genera…l duties of all, and the particular duties that belong to eueryevery one in his calling, and particular place; yet is a remainder, euen this one thing, which I will now deliuer vntounto you, without which, all that hath beene formerly deliuered, will be but vnprofitable, and of no vſe. Hence we learne,
1 That though we be neuer ſo well inſtructed in the generall and particular duties belonging vntounto vsus, yet it is neceſſary that we ſhould be further exhorted to courage and conſtancy; a point which the Apoſtle obſerues in his Epiſtles, as 2 Theſ. 3.13. 1 Tim. 6.12. 2 Tim. 4.5, &c. adding exhortations to the performance of duties before deliuered.
Vſe, which we are to make, and is heere intended by the Apoſtle, is that we ſhould giuegive diligent heed to that which is heereafter to be deliuered, becauſe by it, all things before will be made profitable.
2 In that the Apoſtle layeth downe theſe things in the laſt place, bringing them vntounto the ground of h…lpe, where they muſt ſ…eke for abilitie to performe the former duties: We may hence learne, that wee hauehave no fre… wi…l to doe them of our ſelues: for heere the Apoſtle ſhewes vsus the meanes whereby wee are inabled to doe them: which note againſt the Papiſts.
2 M…b…ethren) The Apoſtle calleth the Epheſians in a ſpirituall reſpect; in regard of God, who had adopted them all for children. Heerein note,
1 The humility of the Apoſtles minde. 2 The gentlen…ſſe of his affection.
His humility appeares, in that hee makes them all equall vntounto himſelfe, 1 Cor. 3.1. For brethren, is a word of equality: ſo that although himſelfe were an Apoſtle, a chiefe Apoſtle, a planter of the Churches, a father of thouſands, and in particular, a planter of this Church, and father vntounto them; yea, (which is to be noted) though hee write to all ſorts, euen to children and ſeruants; yet neuertheleſſe, in regard of that prerogatiue that God had giuen them to be his children, he calleth them all brethren. That this is a good collection, appeares by Mat. 23.8. where Chriſt reproouing the arrogancy of the Scribes and Phariſes that tooke oth…r Titles, and magnified themſelues aboue other, bringing this reaſon, (yee are all brethren,) Heb. 2.11.
Vſe. That we take this for an example of humility, Rom. 12.16. for this humility is a vertue that commends vsus to God and man, making vsus ſociable, and keeping vsus from diſdaine and contempt, &c.
2 Hee labours by LoueLove to perſwade them to theſe duties, though hee might hauehave commanded them: as Philemon verſ. 8, 9. for brethren is a token of louelove, and this word (my) ads an emphaſis to his affection: So 1 Cor. 15.58. he calls them beloued brethre…: and ſo Phil. 4.1. Iames 1.19. and 2 Cor. 6.13. Gal. 4.10. 1 Cor. 4 14. he calls them children, all to inſinuate himſelfe, the better to perſwade them to thoſe things he aimes at.
Vſe. For our imitation, that we doe teſtifie, and manifeſt our louelove and gentleneſſe, that our perſwaſions may hauehave the more force, and be the better embraced, and like ſowre pilles couered with ſugar, the more willingly receiued. 2 Note heere the difference of the ſpirit of the world, in reſpect of Chriſt: for they ſcorne this name of brethren. So much for the manner.
The matter of the exhortation is in theſe words, Be ſtrong) which is meant of a ſpirituall ſtrength and courage.
Doct. Valour and courage, is needfull for the performance of all Chriſtian duties. This was commanded to Ioſhua, Ioſh. 1.6. Which, that it is not meant by an outward bodily courage, but of a ſpirituall, appeares by the verſes following, 7.8, 9. Dauid vrgeth this to Salomon, when he went about to build the Temple, 1 Chron. 28.10. This reſolution was in Chriſt, Luke 9.51. and in Paul, Acts 21.13.
Reaſons. This is needfull, in regard,
1 Of our owne diſpoſition, dulneſſe and backwardneſſe to Chriſtian duties: for w… carry fleſh about vsus, which drawes back… like a Beare comming to the ſtake.
2 Of the manifo…d oppoſitio… againſt vsus: for Satan is ſtill at our elbow, …ach. 3.1. 1 Theſ. 2.18. Thus when Chriſt did addr…ſſ… himſelfe to my worke: as to his miniſtery, hee wa… tempted by the diuell, Math. 4. to his paſsion; firſt Peter ſought …o hinder him, Math. 16.22. and then the diuel, Iohn. 14.30. All which were done in the Head, to ſhew what is done in the members, 1 Pet. 5.8. Furthermore, there are reproaches, diſgraces, pleaſures of this world, and troubles and the like, that ſtand in our way.
Vſe. To reprooue the ſecurity of Chriſtians, that thinke not on theſe things; and th…refore neuer ſeeke for ſtrength: whence it comes to paſſe, that although they know what is to be done, and aſſent vntounto it, yet when they come to performe many things, they doe them coldly and ſlightly, and are quickly turned away from their Chriſtian courſe for ſmall matt…rs; for a nickname: as of Puritane, &c. Much vnlike Dauid, 2 Sam. 6.22. Thus are they drawne ſometimes to do… many things, wherein their conſciences condemne them. Better it w…re for ſuch, that they had neuer giuen vp their name vntounto Chriſt; for none that are timorous, may fight the Lords battels, Iudg. 7.3. for by th…ir timorouſneſſe, they diſcourage others, diſgrace their brethren, and giuegive vantage to the diuell.
2 It is to teach vsus to get Chriſtian reſolution, to ſay with our ſelues, This is the way, and I will walke in it. And to this end, to obſerue that point of wiſedome, preſcribed by Chriſt, Luk. 14.27, 28. &c. Prou. 28.1. So much for the exhortation.
The direction concerneth the meanes whereby we come to be made ſtro…g; which meanes are two-fold.
1 Such as wee are to get out of our ſelues, verſ. 10
2 Such as wee are to get vntounto our ſelues, verſ. 11.
The meanes out of our ſ…nes, are in the…e words, (In th… L…rd) Which ſhewes that the valour and courage that we hauehave, is hid in the Lord, and from him to bee had, 2 Cor. 3.5. Ioh. 15.3. Phil. 4 13. Col. 1.11. The reaſons why God retaines all power vntounto himſelfe, are,
1 Partly for his ow…e glory, t…at …ee m…y be depended vponupon, pra…ſ…d, glorified, a…d ſought vntounto.
2 Partly for our greater comfort, that wee may b… the more bold and couragious; for our ſtrength is but finite, and ſo might wee fall away, as did Adam and the Angels; but now the ſtrength whereon wee relye, is not in our ſelues, but in God: ſo that wee may boldly reſt on this Omnipotency and Almighty power.
Vſe. for reproof of two ſorts of men. 1 Proud Traitor… that truſt to themſelues, and their own ſtrength. This is a thing euen in worldly matters and outward ſtrength intolerable: as in Goliah and Sennache…b; and wee ſee what was the iſſue of their preſumption: but much more in regard of ſpiritual… ſtr…ngth, as in Peter: for ſuch prouoke the Lord to l…aue t…em, yea, to oppoſe himſelfe againſt them: this confidence in their owne ſtrength, being a thing derogatory to his glory.
2 Of fooliſh, that b…ing weake themſelues, will ſeeke for helpe of weake mea…s: as the Iſraelites did of Aegypt, themſelues being …mpty, they ſe…ke to broken pits, and come back aſhamed: as Ier. 14.3. Thus do our ſilly Papiſts, that ſeeke helpe of creatures, of Saints and Angels; wh…r…as all the ſtrength that theſe had, was but onelyonly ſufficient for themſelu…s.
2 For inſtruction. 1 That we learne to renounce and deny our ſelues, and for this end to labour to come to a ſight of our want of help; for if wee thinke that of our ſelues we are able to doe any thing, wee will neuer ſeeke to God: as Pſ…l. 1… 4. Wherefore we muſt endeauor to ſee our owne …, impotency and emptineſſe, how we are no…hing in our ſelues: For 1 this will be a m…anes to bring vsus to ſeeke for helpe. 2 It will be a meanes to obtaine helpe; for God ſtrengthens them that are weake, &c.
2 That hauing ſeene our owne w…akeneſſe, we then f…ie vntounto God our ſure Rocke, and then may we be ſecure of victory and conqueſt, if wee caſt all vponupon him, and ma…e him our Champion, 1 Cor. 15.57.
For our further incouragement, marke the amplification (In the power of his might.)
Some take theſe as for a cauſe, and the effect, viz. might to be the cauſe of power, power to be meant of ſtrength which is in vsus, and might to be in the Lord: as if hee had ſaid, In that power which yee receiue from the Lord. But 1 this is a curious diſtinction without ground. 2 It is the Apoſtles purpoſe here, to raiſe vp our minds out of our ſelues, to a higher power without vsus, and aboue vsus: Wherefore it is rather an Hebraiſme, and ſo it is tranſlated by ſome (his mighty power:) like as in the 1 chapter ver. 19. So that it addes an emphaſis, ſhewing this power of the Lord to be a moſt Almighty power.
Doct. That the power of God whereto wee truſt, …s a ſtrong and mighty power, able to protect and defend vsus, as chapter 1.19. a ſurpaſſing meaſure of power, as himſelfe is, ſo euer is agreeable to him, viz. infinite.
Vſe. It ſerues for our encouragement to ſtrengthen our faith, that wee may truſt ſecurely vntounto it: which is to be noted. 1 In regard of our owne weakeneſſe. … In regard of our enemies, who are many and mighty.
2 It anſwers that obiection of our aduerſaries, that blame our Chriſtian confidency, as arrogant preſumption. This were indeed ſo, if wee did relye vponupon our owne ſtrength. Such an opinion had ſome of Dauids confidency, 1 Sam. 17.28, 37.
Now followes the Direction concerning ſuch means as wee are to ſeeke vntounto our ſelues, expreſsed, ver. 11. Wherein in generall are layd down thoſe means wherby wee may bee fenced, and armed againſt our ſpirituall enemies. The parts are two.
1 A Direction.
2 Motiues drawne from the end.
In the Direction obſerue, 1 What is the meanes, viz Armour. 2 How this meanes is to bee vſed. Put it on. In the meanes note. 1 The Metaphor, (Armour.) 2 The quality of it, (of God)
Concerning the Metaphor, it is taken from ſoldier… that are among their enemies, either fighting, or looking for a combat, who for feare of being wounded, will arme themſelues; and being armed, they dare reſiſt their enemies, and feare them not: ſo Chriſtians, being the Lords ſoldiers, placed in this world, the Lords field, to fight againſt many enemies, that hauehave many weapons to wound vsus, this armour is lent vntounto them, wherewith they may bee fenced, &c. The parts of which armour are in briefe, the ſanctifying graces of Gods holy Spirit, as wee ſhall ſee hereafter.
Hence wee learne, 1 That,
Doct. The life of a Chriſtian is a warfare, 2 Tim. 2. …. 1 Tim. 1.18. Chriſtians are called ſoldiers, and their life, a fight and battell, 2 Tim. 4.7 Thoſe that oppoſe againſt vsus, are called enemies, Luk. 1.71, 74. Their tentations are called aſſaults and fights, as here, and 1 Pet. 2.11. And hence is the diſtinction of militant and triumphant Church.
Now God hath thus diſpoſed of vsus. 1 That his power might bee the more manifeſt. 2 That he might make tryall of the grace beſtowed on …s. 3 To wea…e vsus from the world, for a ſoldiers life is a hard life. 4 To make heauen the more welcome to vsus.
Vſe, is that, 2 Tim. 2.4. not to intangle our ſelues with the t…ings o… th… wo…d, o… to look… for caſe and quiet, but it …ll to pr…par… o…r …elu…s … a ſight, and to …ake heed of ſpirituall …c…rity, … th… d…uill o… a ſudd…n doe ſurprize vsus. W…e know what b…fell the people of Laiſi…, Iu…g. 18.
…. 2 In that the graces of God are compared to …mour, w…e le…rn…, th… th… … ſan…tifying graces …hat God g…ues v…, are for our d…fence and ſaf…gard; whence wee …ee,
1 How needfull they ar… for vsus.
2 That this kind of armour is not for pride, but it is a…mour of proof…, for … …c…ſſary def…nce.
The quality of this armour is, that it is armour of God: that is, made of God in heauen, pre…crib…d by God in his Word▪ giuen of God by his Spirit, and ſuch armour as is agreeable to Gods natu…e. All which im…ly nothing …lſe, but that it is ſpirituall armour.
Doct. The armour wher…by we are fenced, is diuine and ſpirituall armour, 2 Cor. 10.4. This will appeare by the deſcription of the parts.
For, 1 There is no warrant to vſe any other armour.
2 No other armour will doe vsus any good to defend vsus, becauſe our enemies and their weapons are ſpirituall.
Vſe. 1 For reproofe of Papiſts, that thinke to driue away the deuill, with holy water, croſſes, &c.
2 Of ſottiſh worldlings, that feeling terrour of conſcience, thinke to driue it away with mu…icke, with company, with phyſicke, &c.
3 It teacheth vsus rightly to diſtinguiſh betweene armour and armour, and to vſe that which the Word of God doth ſet downe vntounto vsus.
Another quality, whereby this armour is deſcribed, is in this word (whole) or Compleate, foreign, which ſignifieth ſuch an armour, as is ſufficient to de…end a man, and to arme him from top to toe, ſo that hee ſhall not neede any more,.Hence wee learne, that
Doct. The graces of Gods Spirit are ſufficient for vsus, to d…fend vsus from all dangers whatſoeuer, till hee bring vsus to heauen. Hence is Scripture call…d ſufficient, becauſe it doth ſet forth vntounto vsus all thoſe graces, whereby wee are mad… abſolute and perfect, 2 Tim. 3.15, 16.
…. But many Saints hauehave beene foiled (as Dauid. Peter, &c.) the deuill hath found a hole where to wound them, and therefore it ſeemes they had no compleate armour.
Anſ. This comes to paſſe, not through any defect in the armour, but through their owne weakeneſſe, and want of skill in vſing of it, or careleſneſſe in not putting it on: yet that this armour is compleate, and no piece wanting for any part, appeares plainely in this: That all were not wound…d in the ſame place, but ſome in one part, and ſome in another, according as th…y did vſe, or not vſe their armour, for the defence of that place; but if they had beene all foiled in one part, it were a ſigne that there were a piece wanting for that part. For hereby, 1 We ſhould denie Gods prouidence, that he were not carefull to prouide all things needfull. 2 That he is wiſe, to know what is wanting. 3 That he is carefull of his children, th…s to lea… thē as a pr…y to their enemi…s
Vſe. To ſtirre vsus vp to ſeeke after this armour: as ſoldiers that being to enter into a dangerous skirmiſh, will aforehand ſ…ke where they may prouide themſelu…s of ſure armour.
2 Hauing found it, to bee content with it, to bee bold and couragi…s i… it: as Dauid was againſt Goliah, 1 Sam. 1….45. So much of the meanes.
The Ʋſe is in this, that wee muſt put it on: Which implyes 2 things. 1 That this a…mour muſt be put on.
2 That it muſt bee put on eueryevery piece and part of it. (Put on the whole.)
Hee followes the metaphor ſtill; that wee muſt doe as ſoldiers doe, who put their armour vponupon their backs, and let it not like houſe-keepers in time of peace, hang by the walles and ruſt. So by this puting off this ſpirituall armour, is meant a vſing and imploying of the graces, that it is not ſufficient to knowe were this armour is to bee had if neede bee, and where it is layd vp, and ſo to diſcourſe of it; but this puting on, is a word of action and practice.
Doct. 1 Chriſtians ought to exerciſe the graces of God, and to put them in triall and practice, Rom. 13.12. 1 Theſ. 5.8. C…l. 3 12. viz. ſhew it, let others feele that thou haſt the bowels of mercy, Rom. 13.14. viz. make Chriſt his merits, and his graces yours. Another metaphor is vſed to this end, 2 Tim. 1.6. (Stirre vp the gift) taken from fire which, muſt bee blowed, before it can burne and flame, that wee may receiue heat. Alſo another metaphor, Mat. 12.35. a man that hath great treaſure, and let it not lie ſtill ruſting and cancring, but bring it forth to the good of himſelfe and others.
The reaſon is, Becauſe all the good that comes vntounto vsus from the graces of God, is by the vſe of them. So though pearles, money, &c. bee good in themſelues, yet they bring no benefit to the poſſeſſor of them, if they be layd vp in the treaſury and be not brought forth.
Vſe. That we doe not deceiue our ſelues, boaſting that wee hauehave armour, and yet neuer vſe any: as many will ſay, they hauehave as ſtrong a faith as any, yet doe they not liue by ſence, heaping vp together, and onelyonly caring for the things of this world; and if croſſes doe come, where is their ſhield then? doth not eueryevery dart pierce them to the heart? &c.
2 To teach vsus, that whatſoeuer armour wee hauehave, to hauehave it ſtill vponupon our backes. HaueHave wee the helmet of ſaluation, that is, hope of eternall life? let vsus ſhew it, in moderating our deſires of the things of this life; becauſe wee ſtill looke for a better, Gen. 49.18.
Doct. 2 It is not ſufficient for Chriſtians to put on a piece of this armour; but all muſt be put on, that is, we muſt hauehave all the needfull & ſanctifying graces of Gods Spirit, Epheſ. 4.15, 24. We are exhorted to put on the whole new man. Now theſe graces are as members of this n…w man; wherefore, as in naturall bodies there is a proportionall growth of all members in the body, and if all the growth be in the head, or in the legges, &c. that man may be called a monſter: ſo muſt we grow and increaſe in all ſpirituall graces together, and not in one alone; for if there be all faith, and no charity, great knowledge, and no obedience, much deuotion, but little diſcretion: there is ſome corrupt humour, that thus turneth all the nouriſhment to one part.
Obiect. But is it poſſible that one man ſhould hauehave all graces?
Anſw. Yea, it is poſſible, and neceſſary: as the Apoſtle teſtifieth of the Corinthians, ſee 1 Cor. 5.7. For the Spirit ſanctifieth a man throughout: So that as a child hath all the parts of a man, though not in that ſtrength and bigneſſe: ſo hauehave the Children of God all graces, though ſome in greater, ſome in leſſer meaſure.
Reaſons, why this armour is thus wholly to be put on, are
1 Becauſe God hath made nothing in vaine; and therefore ſeeing hee hath made armour compleat, for to couer eueryevery part. and hath preſcribed it vntounto vsus, we are therefore to put it all on, becauſe he hath made it for vsus: for will not a Captaine take it in euill part, if when himſelfe hath prouided armour for all his ſoldiers, they come neuerthel…ſſe into the field vnarmed?
2 Our owne neceſſity: for if wee hauehave not on eueryevery piece thereof, the diuell will quickely finde out that part which is vnarmed, and ſo wound vsus, and ouerthrow vsus.
3 So vnſeparably are graces knit and linked together, that he that hath not all, hath none. For what is faith without righteouſneſſe, but meere preſumption?
Vſe is that ſame that Saint Peter makes, 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7. viz. to ioyne all graces together, &c.
Further, from the R…ference of theſe two ſorts of mean…s, that we are as well to … for ſome vntounto our ſ…lues, as relie vponupon tho…e t…at ar… without vsus, wee learne, that
Doct. It is not ſufficient to looke for he…pe from God, but wee our ſelues alſo muſt doe our indeauour in the vſe of thoſe m…anes … hath preſcribed, and ſo worke out our ſaluation togeth… with him, Pſalm. 119.32. Cant. 1 4.
Obiect. But how can wee thus doe our endeauour? …e are dead in ſinnes, &c.
Anſ…r. … muſt diſtinguiſh of times and ſtates. Before our conuerſion we are dead, and hauehave no ability at all: But God, wh…n he raiſeth vsus vp giues vsus life and ability, the will and the deed: for hee raiſeth vsus not like ſtockes and ſtones, as Iohn 5.21. Epheſ. 2.5.
2 But wee are not able to thinke a good thought.
Anſwer. The Apoſtle there ſpeaketh of our ſelues, as conſider…d in our ſelues without the helpe of God: And ſo likewiſe we are not to endeauour in a proud conceit of our owne ſtrength, but wee muſt ſtill acknowledge that God doth all, it is his Spirit that aſſiſts vsus, and giues vsus ſtrength to worke, and to be able to yeeld our ſelues plyable to the worke of God in vsus, ſo to confeſſe that wee liue not, but Chriſt liues in vsus.