Exposition on John 5, Ephesians 6 · Verse 14
VER. 14.
And hauing on the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe, &c.
IN theſe words is layd downe the ſecond piece of this ſpirituall Armour, nam…ly, the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe, which m…ſt be ioyned with the former: as the particle (And) ſheweth. For verity is, as hath beene ſhewed, like ſalt. Now righteouſneſſe is that which it ſeaſons. This is the ſubſtance vponupon which that doth worke, that reſpects on…ly the manner of working. In handling whereof, wee will conſider theſe poynts.
1 What this righteouſneſſe is.
Righteouſneſſe is a holy quality wrought in vsus by the Spirit of God, whereby we do conforme our ſelues to the whole Law of God. Sometime in Scripture, this word hath relation only to the duties of the ſecond Table, but then it hath alwaies ſome other word ioyned vntounto it, that hath reference to God: as (holineſſe,) Luk. 1.75. Eph. 4.24. or it is reſtrained to that ſignification, by the circumſtances of the place, as Deu. 24.13. But when it is ſet alone, it doth reſpect the whole Law; both the duties to God, and alſo to men, Mat. 5.20. This is that which we call Iuſtice, wherby we giuegive vntounto eueryevery man his due. Now the Law ſhewes what is due from vsus to God, to others, and to our ſelues: So that it cannot be better defined, than a conformity to the whole Law of God.
Obiect. But then this is ſuch a piece of armour, as neuer any did attaine vntounto it, vnleſſe it were Adam, Eccleſ. 7.31. Gen. 1.26. the Saints in heauen, Hebr. 22.23. and Chriſt Ieſus himſelfe, Act. 22.14. Eſa. 59.17. But of others, that of the Apoſtle, Rom. 10.5. is true. There is none righteous, no not one. How then are we exhorted to put on this breſtplate?
Anſw. There is a double righteouſn…ſſe mentioned in the Scripture. 1 A Legall righteouſneſſe performed according to the rule & rigor of the Law. 2 An Euangelicall righteouſneſſe, in a gracious acceptance according to the limitations of the Goſpell. The former is a full and perfect fulfilling of the Law, in all and eueryevery point and degree thereof, by a mans owne ſelfe, Rom. 10.5. Gal. 3.10, 12.
But the righteouſneſſe of the Goſpell mitigates the ſeuerity therof, and ſets forth vntounto vsus a twofold righteouſnes… 1 Of faith, Rom. 10.6, &c. which is meant here, but in the 6 verſe, where it is compared to a Shield.
2 Of a good conſcience, which is that powerfull worke of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. in the regenerate, when by the endeauor to approoue themſelues vntounto God, by doing thoſe things that the Law requireth, Act. 24.16 Hebr. 13.18, This is heere meant, and it conſiſteth in two things. 1 The abſtaining from euill, all things offenſiue to God, and hurtfull to man. 2 The doing of good; for thoſe two muſt alwaies be ioyned together, to make vp this breſtplate, Pſal 119.3.
2 The ſecond point to be conſidered, is how fitly the grace is reſembled to the metaphor.
The word foreign heere vſed, ſignifieth that part of the body, wherein are contained the vitall parts, the heart, lungs, liuer, &c. which being wounded, there is no hope of life, from the necke to the midſt, or to the nauell. Hence is the word alſo vſed for that piece of the armour that couereth this part. The vſe then of of a breſtplate, is to keepe the vitall parts from being mortally wounded, that a man be not ſtricken downe without recouery. The ſame vſe hath righteouſn…ſſe, to keepe the ſoule, from being deadly wounded with the darts of the diuell, that the poyſon thereof doe not pierce thorow the very heart and life of grace, and quite extinguiſh it. For ſinne, and nothing elſe is that which mortally woundeth the ſoule, and puls Gods wrath vponupon vsus. Now from this, righteouſneſſe preſerues vsus, becauſe by it we doe auoyd ſinne.
3 The 3 point is, how we muſt put on this breſtplate.
There is no better way, than by the right practice of true repentance; for repentance is a change and alteration of the minde, and ſuch a change as brings foorth a reformation in our liues. Whence is both an vtter deteſtation and abiuration of all euil, and a conſtant reſolution to enter into a new courſe of life, forſaking all former wickedneſſe. Now where this is indeed, the diuell will not eaſily, or not at all preuaile againſt vsus. Otherwiſe, if it be wanting, our ſwiniſh and doggiſh nature will ſtill remaine; ſo that howſoeuer thoough ſome iudgement of God, or other occaſion, we may for a time leaue ſinne, yet ſhall we eaſily returne to it againe.
4 The fourth point is, What is the benefit and vſe of this breſtplate?
Surely great, and much eueryevery manner of way. 1 In regard of the compariſon of it to a breſtplate, becauſe it defends our ſoules from being mortally wounded, and thruſt thorow with ſinne: Becauſe ſuch as hauehave this righteouſneſſe, will endeauour to auoyde all things that wound the conſcience, and to doe all things that preſerue, cheere and comfort it.
Obiect. But doe we not ſee, that they who hauehave been moſt circumſpect and carefull, hauehave falne into ſinne, as Dauid, and Peter, &c? How then doth this keepe vsus from being wounded?
Anſw. It doth not keepe a man from being wounded, but from being deadly wounded: for howſoeuer they may commit ſinnes that are groſſe in themſelues, yet in them they are not groſſe ſinnes, being committed through infirmity, violence of temptation, want of watchfulneſſe, not with full conſent and deſire, &c. So that although they be wounded, yet it is not incurable at the heart.
Yea, by theſe wounds they grow the more ſtrong and ſound, increaſing hereby in greater feare and care to pleaſe God. It keepes them not altogether from ſinne, but from giuing vp themſelues to ſinne, that it doe not ſo ſeaze vponupon them, as to ſoake to the h…art, and ſucke vp the bloud and life of grace.
2 It ſerues to giuegive vntounto vsus an aſſured euidence of our ſpirituall vnion with Chriſt; from whom wee hauehave this power and this grace, and ſo is it a token of our effectuall calling, and of our eternall election, 2 Pet. 1.10. 1 Ioh. 2.29. And by conſequent, of our euerlaſting ſaluation. Which aſſurance makes vsus bold & confident.
3 By this wee get a good name while wee liu…, and when w…e are gone. Alſo hereby are wee fenced againſt all that ſha…l ſpeake euill againſt vsus, 1 Pet. 3.16. Themſelues and not wee ſhall be aſhamed, whileſt wee liue blameleſſe, Luk. 1.6. that is, giuing no iuſt occaſion of blame.
4 This is a great honour and ornament vntounto our Chriſtian profeſſion, really confirming the truth of it, when our practice is anſwerable to our profeſſion.
It ſtrength…neth likewiſe our port, whileſt by our good example wee confirme others that are our fellow-ſoldiers. And laſtly, it allureth others to our profeſſion.
5 Hereby wee ſhew our ſelues to be the Children of God: we imitate and honour our Captaine Ieſus Chriſt, who went againſt the diuell perfe…tly armed with this breſtplate; and giuegive others cauſe to honour and glorifie him, 1 Pet. 2.12.
5 The fift point to bee conſidered, is, The wiles that the diu…ll vſeth …o d…priue vsus of the moſt excellent piece of armour, knowing that ſo long as w…e are therwith armed, hee cannot pr…uaile: and this he doth, 1 by laboring to make i… of no vſe v…to vsus, & this by ſtretching and beating it out further then the metall will beare. Thus, by perſwading vsus to truſt too much vntounto it, making our righteouſneſſe a meritorious cauſe of our ſaluation: as did the Phariſes, and as doe the Papiſts, Conc. Trident. ſeſſ. 6. Can. 32.
To auoid this wile, obſerue,
1 That our righteouſn…ſſe is in it ſelfe vnperfect, …nd in regard of the imperfections and pollutions of it comming from vsus, no better then a filthy clout, Eſa 64.6. And th…refore ſo farr… from meriting ſaluation, that it rather deſ…rues damnation; and therefore the Saints hauehave alwaies deſired pardon for their beſt workes, Pſa. 143.2.
2 That all the righteouſneſſe wee performe, is but our duty: and therefo…e Adam himſelfe, in his integrity could not merit: Chriſt onelyonly did, in regard of the perſonall vnion, Luke 17 10.
3 This conceit of merit doth ſo putrifie righteouſneſſe, that it maketh it odious to God, being directly contrary to the free grace of God, and Alſufficient merit of Chriſt, Rom. 11. Gal. 2.
4 That it is only a way which the Lord hath appointed vsus to walke, to teſtifie our obedience and thankefulneſſe to God, that we might profit our brethren, and hauehave euidence and aſſurance of our faith, and effectuall calling.
5. In all workes of righteouſneſſe, let vsus compare them with the rule thereof, viz. the Law, ſo ſhall wee ſee how imperfect they are, and how farre ſhort they come of that which is required. This will humble vsus▪
2 By labouring to make vsus lightly to regard this breſtplate: and this the diuell doth diuers waies.
1 By ſuggeſting vntounto vsus that it is a needleſſe piece of armour, becauſe Chriſt hath ſatisfied all, and fulfilled the whole Law for vsus, and hath left nothing for vsus to doe; ſo that if we hauehave faith, it is ſufficient for vsus. Thu… did hee deceiue the Chriſtians in the Apoſtles time, taking occaſion from that doctrine of iuſtification by faith alone; and ſo doth hee decieue many in theſe dayes.
To auoide this, conſider, That though our righteouſneſſe be no meritorious cauſe of ſaluation, yet it is a way wherein wee are to walke; though wee are not ſaued by it, yet wee cannot be ſaued without it, 1 Cor. 6.9. Heb. 12.14. Tit. 2.12. Ioh. 3.3. Luk. 1.75. Epheſ. 2.10. 1 Theſ. 4.7. Tit. 3.14. (Neceſſary.)
2 That God hath made nothing in vaine, and therefore if he hauehave made as well the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe, as the ſhield of faith, wee are to vſe both: Yea it is certaine, that hee that hath not the breſtplate of right…ouſneſſe, cannot hold forth the ſhield of faith, becauſe hee hath no ground of any right and title to Chriſt▪ hauing not his Spirit, which manifeſteth it by the fruits of righteouſneſſe, Iam. 2.21.
2 By perſwading vsus, that it is a comberſome and toyleſome matter, a great hinderance to our honour and promotion, our gaine, our eaſe and pleaſure, &c. Thus did he deceiue Eſau, who is therefore called prophane, not regarding to be of the Church: and Demas, 2 Tim. 4.10. Thus doth hee deceiue the moſt in theſe times. To auoide this, wee muſt conſider the fruits and iſſue, rather then the preſent inconueniences. For no armour is like vntounto apparell to be worne for pleaſure. But if we hauehave an eye vntounto the iſſue, all the troubles that we can endure, are not worthy the bl…ſſed fruits that we ſhall reape of it, Rom. 8.18. 2 Cor. 4.17. Eſa. 3.10.
3 If thus he cannot preuaile, hee will obiect vntounto vsus, that it can be of no vſe, and ſtand vsus in no ſtead at all, ſeeing that all our righteouſneſſe is but droſſe and dung, Eſay 64.6. Phil. 3.8. And by this meanes he bringeth many to deſperation.
For to auoyd this wile, we are to know that howſoeuer our righteouſneſſe be ſo indeed, if either it be compared to the Law of God and his iuſtice, or taken alone by it ſelfe in oppoſition to Chriſt, yet notwithſtanding as it is a fruite of Gods Spirit, as comming from … heart purified by faith, as done by the adopted Child of God vnited to Chriſt; as it is a way wherein to walke to heauen; thus it is a matter whereby we may reape much comfort, giuing vsus an euidence that we belong to Chriſt, although it be no matter of boaſting.
4 Hee hath yet a further wile, he will grant that it is needfull and of vſe: but yet wee need not be too ſtrict and carefull▪ if we hauehave ſome euidences of our faith, it is enough; the Lord will pardon, his mercy is great, &c. A ſubtill wile, whereby many are dec…iued.
For to auoyd this, we… muſt conſider the nature of righteouſneſſe, that is, that chaine which holds vsus vp from falling into hell. The linkes of this chaine are the duties of the Law: if one linke bee broken, downe wee fall into hell.
Obiection. But wee ſinne all.
Anſwer. True: but the righteous ſinne by reaſon of the frailty of the fleſh, violence of temptation, &c. yet he takes no liberty to ſinne, with full conſent, to liue and lye in it wilfully and wittingly; and therefore, 1 Ioh. 3.9 hee ſinneth not, that is, giueth not himſelfe ouer to any one ſinne.
2 Againe, we know not whether we ſhall euer turne to the Lord or no, or hauehave time and power to repent, if we refuſe to doe it, when God calleth vsus.
5 O! But be not ouer-iuſt, leſt thou be deſolate, Eccle. 7.18. Men will forſake thy company, &c.
But we muſt knowe that in true righteouſneſſe wee cannot be too ſtrict in auoyding of thoſe things that are ſeene indeed, and in doing of thoſe duties that are duties indeed. But this is meant, when wee will make a righteouſneſſe of our owne, and make more ſinnes than God euer made. No maruell then if wee be forſaken. Otherwiſe wee ſhall be ſure to hauehave fellowſhip with Gods Spirit, with the good Angels, with the Saints in heauen hereafter.
6 The ſixt and laſt point to be conſidered, is to giuegive you a view of thoſe that want this part of ſpirituall armour, and ſo lie naked to the diuell, and are mortally wound…d of him. Theſe are,
1 Atheiſts, Pſal. 14.1.
2 Machiau…lliſts, who lay this for a ground, that no man ſhould bee of ſo tender conſcience, as for Religion …ake to be hindred in any plot.
3 Epicur…s, who are wholy and onelyonly for themſelues, and ſo regard neither their duties to God nor to man: as the Iudge, Luk. 18.
But what? are there ſuch amongſt vsus? Yea. 1 Atheiſts. Wee ſhall know them by thoſe three notes ſet downe by Dauid, Pſal. 14. Which are: 1 They feare not God, ver. 1, 2. 2 They call not vponupon the Lord, ver. 4. 3 They mocke at the righteous, ver 6. Which if we apply to theſe times, we ſhall find them true in multitudes.
2 Machiauelliſts, for are there not amongſt vsus State-proteſtants, that make piety but a matter of policy?
3 Epicures, the notes of them ſet downe, Eze. 16.49. are to be found amongſt vsus.
All theſe are openly and notoriouſly vnrighteous: there are others more priuily, as,
1 Such as liue honeſtly, and ciuilly, and deale truly, &c. but yet liue in ignorāce, regard not the Sabbath, in brief, make no conſcience of the duties of the firſt table.
2 Such as will ſeeme pious and religious, but in their dealings are vnfaithful & vniuſt. If inferiors, rebellious, careleſſe in their charge: if ſuper…o…rs, &c. How can any of theſe be ſaid to hauehave on the breſtplate of righteouſnes?
Vſe of all is, to conſid…r the danger we are in, and to be ſtirred vp to vſe that helpe that God hath here prouided for vsus; and to this end,
1 To acquaint our ſelues with the word of God, out of which we may learn what is true righteouſnes, that we may be able to diſtinguiſh between it and counterfeit.
2 To acquaint our ſelues with the vſe, end, beauty, benefit, excellency and neceſſity of this piece of armour.
3 Hereupon to examine our ſelues of the time paſt, that we may be humbl…d for our former failings, that ſo our former ſinnes may not be in time to come a dart in the hand of the diuell to wound vsus.
4 VponUpon examination, to hauehave a holy reſolu…ion to enter into this way of righteouſneſſe, and therein to walk.