The Whole Armor of God, Exegesis · Treatise 1 · Part 4
THE FOVRTH PART.
A repetition of the meanes.
Epheſ. 6. 13.
For this cauſe take vntounto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withſtand in the euill day, and hauing done all, to ſtand.
§. 1. Of repeating one and the ſame thing.
HEre the Apoſtle returneth againe to the ſecond part of his former direction, and repeateth in effect the very ſame things which he deliuered in the 11. verſe: namely, how we may keepe our ſelues ſafe againſt the forenamed enemies.
We may not thinke that this his repetition is vaine and idle:Why wee are againe and againe called vponupon to put on armour. for he was guided by Gods holy Spirit, who doth nothing in vaine. Note what Ioſeph ſaith of the iteration of one and the ſame thing to Pharaoh in two dreames, aGen. 41. 32.The dreame was doubled the ſecond time, becauſe the thing is establiſhed by God, and God haſteth to performe it. Many good reaſons may bee giuen why here the Apoſtle thus repeateth his direction, as, to ſhew,
1 That what before he had deliuered, was vponupon very good aduice deliuered: not raſhly, ſo as he doubted whether he might ſtand to it or no, but ſo as he dares auouch it againe and againe, as being an infallible truth, which he alſo knew to be a truth.bGal. 1. 8. 9. Like to that thundering denunciation of a curſe againſt all that ſhould preach another Goſpell, which he laieth downe twice together.
2 That it was a needefull, behoouefull, and profitable truth: a moſt ſoueraigne and neceſſary meanes to keepe vsus ſafe: neceſſary for vsus, in regard of our owne inabilitie to ſtand faſt without it; ſoueraigne in regard of the ſufficiency of the meanes, which can and will (being rightly vſed) keepe vsus ſafe.cPhil. 3. 1. Marke the reaſon why it was not greeuous to the Apoſtle to write the ſame things, euen becauſe to them to whom he wrote, it was ſafe.
3 That naturally wee are backward and ſluggiſh in vſing this armour: therefore hee thought it not enough once to vrge the point, but againe preſſeth it. ThusdPro. 2. 1, &c. & 3. 1, &c. Salomon oft repeateth diuers exhortations. So Captaines when they ſee their ſouldiers loath to arme when there is great need they ſhould arme, will call vponupon them again and againe to arme.Vſe 1. Weighty points oft to be vrged.
Miniſters may here learne, as iuſt occaſion is giuen, to call their people to the remembrance of weighty points, eſpecially ſuch as they obſerue their people moſt backeward vntounto. It is not ſufficient once to hauehave deliuered ſuch a point, but againe, and if neede be, againe it is to be vrged. The Apoſtle hauing propounded Chriſt a patterne of patience to the Hebrewes, becauſe he was a moſt worthy and perfect patterne,cHeb. 12. 3. he calleth themfforeign. againe to conſider him. Thus ſhall Miniſters ſhew that they make a difference betwixt points of leſſe or greater need; and that they hauehave reſpect to the good of their people.
Obiection. Many will ſay that Miniſters want matter, and therefore repeate the ſame things.
Anſwer. The very ſame may be obiected againſt the repetitions vſed by the Prophets, by Chriſt himſelfe, by his Apoſtles, and other faithfull and able Miniſters. But let Miniſters ſee that they doe it not vponupon idleneſſe, but iuſt cauſe, and then need they not feare ſuch cauils.
People muſt heere learne patience, not to ſnuffe,Vſe. 2. Patiently heare the ſame things oft. or be diſcontent if they heare the ſame thing againe, which before they heard. This impatiency argueth ana2. Tim. 4. 3. itching eare, which cannot endure a repetition of any thing, and if ſheweth that they hauehave more reſpect vntounto the eare, thē to the heart:bNum. 11. 6. like the Iſraelites, which had more reſpect to their outward taſte, then to their inward nouriſhment, and thereupon loathed Manna becauſe they had ſo often taſted of it. This maketh people get them an heape of Teachers.2. Tim. 4. 3.
In particular concerning the preſent point in hand,Vſe. 3. This point of the Armour of God a weighty point perſwade we our ſelues, that it is a point worthy to be attended vntounto with all diligence, and to be obſerued with good conſcience; that ſo we may giuegive the more earneſt heed thereunto, and not let it ſlip. HaueHave we alſo an holy iealouſie and ſuſpition ouer our ſelues, fearing leſt wee ſhould bee too careleſſe in vſing theſe meanes for our ſafety, yea, too incredulous in beleeuing the good vſe and benefit of them. Therefore rouze we vp our ſelues: for where the Spirit is moſt earneſt in vrging a point, we muſt be moſt heedefull in marking it.
§. 2. Danger muſt make watchfull.
BEfore wee come to the particular branches of this verſe, note the inference of it vponupon the former, which is plainely implied in theſe words,cforeign For this cauſe, that is, becauſe yee hauehave ſuch terrible enemies as hauehave beene deſcribed vntounto you, Take the whole Armour, &c. By this inference the Apoſtle giueth vsus to vnderſtand, that,
The more dreadfull and dangerous our enemies be, Doct. The more dreadfull our enemies, the more watchfull we.the more carefull ought we to be to ſtand vponupon our guard, and to looke to our defence. This is in effect the ſame that was deliuered in the beginning of the 12. verſe, wee will therefore no longer inſiſt vponupon it.
§. 3. A reſolution of the verſe.
THis verſe may be diuided and branched forth as the 11. verſe was.
The Summe of it is a Direction to inſtruct vsus how to defend and keepe our ſelues ſafe againſt the Diuell.
The parts are two. The firſt ſheweth what are the meanes of ſafety. The ſecond declareth the end why theſe meanes are to be vſed.
In the firſt he declareth, 1. What the meanes be. 2. How to be vſed.
The meanes are the very ſame which were deliuered in the 11. verſe, namely, The whole Armour of God. I ſhall neede to ſpeake no more thereof.
For vſing the meanes, the Apoſtle ſetteth downe an other word then before: there he ſaid; Put on: Here take vntounto you. Both words in generall imploy one and the ſame thing. This latter word is a compound word, and ſignifieth ſometimes,aforeign To take vp, or to take vntounto your ſelues: Sometimes to take againe, or recouer. We are ſaid to take vp vntounto our ſelues ſuch things as we hauehave not of our ſelues, and to take againe or recouer that which wee hauehave loſt or let goe. Both ſignifications may be here applied.
§. 4. Whence our defence commeth.
FRom the firſt I gather, that,
The graces whereby we are armed, Doct. 1. Our defeece is not from our ſelues.are no vertues or qualities which ariſe from our ſelues: for then it were improperly ſaid; Take vntounto you. Theſe graces are ſome of thoſe eſpeciall gifts whichaIam. 1. 17. come from aboue, which web1. Cor. 4. 7. receiue.
By nature we are borne in our ſoules as naked and deſtitute of ſpirituall Armour,Reaſon. as in ourcIob. 1. 21. bodies of outward cloathing. Reade Ezec. 16. 4. 5. &c.
Vſe If we find our ſelues deſtitute of this Armour, we muſt ſeeke it, not in our ſelues, but out of our ſelues, euen where it is to be had; and that is in the Lord: for eueryevery perfect gift commeth from the Father of lights. dIam. 1.5.He giueth it to ſuch as ſeeke it by faithfull prayer in the meanes appointed by him, which are his holy word and Sacraments. When there is newes of the enemies comming to inuade our Land, and thereupon Proclamations and Edicts ſent forth to charge all to arme themſelues: then eueryevery one that either regardeth his owne ſafety, or his Soueraignes charge, ſeeketh out armour: and to the Armories doe they which hauehave none, reſort. We hauehave the ſame motiues to ſtirre vsus vp to ſeeke ſpirituall armour.
§. 5. Of the repaire of Grace.
FRom the ſecond I gather that,
The graces which are decayed in vsus, Doct. 2. Grace decay ed, may be repaired.or ſeeme to be loſt, may be reſumed and recouered. Thus much intimateth Chriſt vntounto Peter, ſaying,cLuke 22. 31. When thou art conuerted, &c. This cannot be meant of his firſt conuerſion, which long before was wrought in him, but of his recouery. The Prophets oft call vponupon Gods people, who had made themſelues naked, and fallen off from their Lord and Captaine the Lord God, to returne againe vntounto him. Very expreſſe and direct for this purpoſe is thefReu. 2 5. charge of Chriſt to Epheſus, Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and doe the firſt workes. Pſal. 51. 10. 12.Was it not the recouery of grace which Dauid ſo earneſtly prayed for? In faith he prayed, and was heard.
Two ſtrong props there be to ſtrengthen our faith in the recouery of grace.Reaſons. One without vsus, which is the Author of grace. The other within vsus, which is the ſeed of grace.
1. It is God who is the author of grace,1. God is the Author of Grace. who as in his nature, ſo likewiſe in his properties, is vnchangeable: ſo that the ſame cauſe which moued God for to beſtow the graces of his Spirit on a man,Iam. 1. 17. ſtill remaineth in him to make him renew his Spirit, and that is his mercy and goodnes, which can no more be turned from his children then the Sunne be pulled out of Heauen.Simil. A cloud may hinder the bright beames of the Sunne, yet ſtil it ſhineth, and will at length breake forth: ſo the beames of Gods kindneſſe by the cloudes of our infirmities may be kept from vsus, but ſtill there remaineth mercy in GOD, which will at length breake through thoſe Cloudes. For whom God once louetha1 Ioh. 13. 1. hee loueth vntounto the end: and in this reſpect the graces of his holy Spirit are termedbforeign gifts without repentance.
2 The ſeed of grace is notc1 Pet. 1. 23. corruptible, 2. The ſeed of grace is incorruptible.but incorruptible. d1 Ioh. 3 9.The Apoſtle calleth it the ſeed of God: this ſeed is the holy ſanctifying Spirit of God, whicheIoh. 7. 38, 39 & 4. 14. Chriſt very fitly compareth to a ſpringing well, out of which flow riuers of water of life, whereby ſupply & repaire of grace, if it faile, may be made. Nowf1 Ioh. 3. 9. this ſeed remaining in them who are borne of God, who can doubt but that which is decaied or impaired in them thorow negligence, ſecuritie, pride, or any infirmity, may be repentance bee renewed and recouered?
This highly commendeth the riches of Gods mercy,Vſe 1. The riches of Gods mercy. who contenteth not himſelfe that once hee hath well armed and prepared his ſouldiers againſt their enemies, but is ſtill ready to make repaire of that which is battered, ſhattered, or loſt thorow the violent aſſaults of the enemie, or thorow their owne negligence. One would think it ſufficient that once hee beſtowed on vsus whole Armour, euen ſuch as is ſufficient to keepe vsus ſafe, if our ſelues be not in fault. But when thorow our default any of the peeces thereof are faulty or miſſing, to make it all vp whole againe, much amplifieth his goodneſſe.
This alſo ſheweth a maine difference betwixt the Law and the Goſpell. A difference betwixt the Law and the Goſpell.'For the Law leaueth no place to repentance, nor affordeth any meanes to reſume that which is loſt, or recouer that which is decaied, but vtterly condemneth a man for that which is loſt or decaied: for it ſaith; Curſed is eueryevery one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Booke of the Law to doe them. Gal. 3. 10: But the voice of the Goſpell isaMat. 3. 2. & 4. 17. Repent, bIoh. 5. 14. & 8. 11.ſinne no more, cEzec. 33. 11.Turne you, turne you from your wicked wai…s; for why will yee die? I may in this reſpect reſemble the Law to d1 Sam. 26. 8. &c.Abiſhai, the Goſpell to Dauid: Both of them found their enemie: Abiſhai would preſently hauehave ſmote him ſtarke dead: but Dauid waketh him, telleth him in what danger hee was, admoniſheth him to looke better to himſelfe. Thus the Law ſetteth forth the rigour of Gods iuſtice, the Goſpell the riches of his mercy.
§. 6. Why the whole Armour is to be vſed.
THe ende why this whole Armour is to bee vſed, now followeth. It conſiſteth of two branches,foreign Firſt to withſtand, which implieth a fight. Secondly, to ſtand faſt, which implieth the iſſue of the fight, victory, and conqueſt: both of them amplified with a circumſtance of time, but in a differing manner. The firſt hath reſpect to the time preſent (in the euill day.) The ſecond to the time paſt (hauing done all.) In ſetting downe the end, hee alſo declareth the benefit of this Armour (that ye may be able) whereof we hauehave ſpoken on the 1.foreign verſe.
The word whereby the end in the firſt branch is expreſſed, is not altogether the ſame that was vſed in the 11. verſe. The word there vſed was ſimpleaforeign to ſtand. Here it is compoundbforeign to withſtand, or ſtand againſt. This is a word of defiance and combate, and it alſo implieth the manner of fight, which is face to face, hand to hand, foote to foote, not yeelding an haires breadth to the enemy.
§. 7. Of manfull ſtanding.
HEere then are two duties to bee obſerued of all ſuch as hauehave taken vntounto them the whole Armour o… God.
1 That ſtoutly they ſtand againſt their enemies, Doct. 3. Stand ſtoutly.and bid them defiance: Hereof wee ſhall ſpeake more on the firſt word of the next verſe.
2 That they giuegive no place vntounto them. Doct. 4. GiueGive no place to the enemy.This is a duty which thecChap. 4. v 27 Apoſtle in expreſſe words commandeth.dIam. 4. 7. Oft it is implied vnderunder this word that is here vſed.eMat. 4 3. &c. A worthy patterne wee hauehave hereof in the example of our Lord and Generall,1 Pet. 5. 9. Chriſt Ieſus, who ſtill withſtood Satan in eueryevery aſſault, and would not yeeld any whit at all in any of his temptations.
Our arch-enemy is both crafty as a Fox,Reaſon. and cruell as a Lyon: his craft will make him ſoone eſpie and take an aduantage: his cruelty will make him follow it to the vttermoſt.
Great is their follie who firſt yeeld a little,Vſe Great folly to yeeld a little. and then thinke well enough to acquit themſelues: they much deceiue themſelues: for after they hauehave once yeelded, they hauehave neither will nor power to ſtand, as they had before. For as Satan is ſubtill, ſo isaHeb. 3. 13. ſinne deceitfull: who once hath taſted of it, will ſcarce content himſelfe with a taſte, but will ſtill more and more hunger after it. Thouſands are deceiued therewith, and by ſmall yeeldings at firſt, at length cleane ouerthrowne. An eſpeciall point of wiſdome it is duly to conſider our owne folly and weakeneſſe together with the Diuels craft and power, how in our ſelues (without this Armour) there is no compariſon betwixt vsus and our enemies: yea, alſo to conſider the nature of ſinne, and our proneneſſe thereunto; that ſo we may reſolutely ſet our ſelues againſt all temptations, not yeelding any whit at all to any. Who almoſt findeth not by wofull experience that a little yeelding hath cauſed a great ouerthrow?
§. 8. Of the euill day.
THe time againſt which the forenamed Armour is prepared is next to bee handled. It is here termedbforeign the euill day. By euill is meant not ſo much ſinne as trouble: and day is put for any continuance of time. Some take euill day for the whole time of a mans life, yea for the continuance of this World, all which time Satan aſſaulteth vsus, but no longer.
This I take to be too large an extent of this phraſe, for in the originall there is to each word adioined an article, that day, that euill day, which implieth ſome ſet and diſtinct time; wherefore other reſtraine it to the day of a mans death: but that I take to be too ſtrict a reſtraint: there are many other daies and times wherein vſe is to be made of Armour. Wherefore in the meane betwixt both, I expound the euill day to bee that time wherein Satan ſhall any way ſet vponupon vsus and aſſault vsus, whether by outward afflictions, or otherwiſe. All his temptations tend to euil; and therefore the time wherein he aſſaulteth vsus may well be termed an euill day.
Queſt. When commeth that day?
Anſwer. It is no more knowne before hand then the day of death, or the day of iudgement. Whenſoeuer the Lord letteth looſe the raines to Satan, then is that euill day. That time wherein the Diuell depriued Iob of all he had, ſmote his body with ſore boiles, vexed him by his wife and friends, were euill daies to Iob.
§. 9. Of Satans being looſe.
IN that the Apoſtle telleth vsus of an euil day, hee implieth
There hee times appointed wherein the Diuell ſhall bee let looſe, Doct. 5. There are times where in the Diue…l ſhall bee let looſe.and hauehave liberty to aſſault vsus. This the Apoſtle expreſly foretold, ſaying,a2 Tim. 3. 1. There ſhall come perillous times. Marke the anſwere that was made to the ſoules vnderunder the Altar,bReu. 6. 10. 11. That they ſhould reſt till their brethren which ſhould be killed as they were, were fulfilled. Thereby is declared, that as they which were dead had their euill daies, ſo the liuing ſhould hauehave their euill daies. ThecActs 14. 22. Apoſtle maketh a neceſſity hereof, and putteth a muſt vntounto it, ſaying; Wee muſt thorow many afflictions enter into the Kingdome of God. As there are common times of triall for whole Churches, ſo for particular perſons. There is ſmall reaſon for any to doubt hereof, but it is a point of good wiſdome for all to looke for it. For who is there that hath not felt ſome experience hereof, and by his owne experience can verifie the truth of this point?
The Lord will hauehave all his tried:Reaſons. for ſo is his owne power, mercy, and wiſdome the more manifeſted in his Saints; and ſo are his enemies the more confounded. Beſides, the Lord will heereby make a difference betwixt his Church here on earth, and in Heauen.
Be not ſecure, as if no euill day could or would come:Vſe. Be not ſecure. this is a moſt dangerous conceit, whereby the Diuell getteth great aduantage, for thus he ſuddenly ſurpriſeth many: and yet it is the conceit of too too many; In their peace and proſperity they thinke there ſhall be no alteration, they ſhall neuer be moued: not onelyonlyaPſal. 10. 6. careleſſe worldlings, but oftentimes Gods children fall into this conceit, asbPſal. 30, 6. Dauid. Take we heede hereof, though for a while wee thinke all well, yet alwaies it ſhall not bee ſo: the euill day commeth ſooner vponupon ſome; later vponupon others; longer it tarrieth with ſome, ſhorter with others, yet it comes vponupon all: though it bee vncertaine when it commeth, and how long it tarrieth, yet moſt certaine it is that it will come.
§. 10. Of preparation againſt triall.
AS another vſe of this, marke the next point, for in regard hereof the Apoſtle counſelleth vsus to prepare againſt it: yea, he maketh mention of the euill day, as of a motiue to make vsus watchfull and carefull to arme our ſelues againſt it. Now then in that he biddeth vsus take armour, that wee may ſtand in the euill day, his counſell is, that
Preparation muſt be made before hand, Doct. 6. Preparation to be made againſt time of triall.againſt the time of triall. cIob 1. 5.The care which Iob had for his children before hand, muſt wee hauehave for our ſelues. It ſhould ſeeme that hee himſelfe looked for the euill daies that came vponupon him: for hee ſaith; The thing which I greatly feared is come vponupon me, d Iob 3. 25.&c. And this was it which made himeIam. 5. 11. ſo well endure ſo ſore aſſaults. Very carefull was Chriſt in preparing the Diſciples againſt his departure, becauſe he knew there were euill daies comming vponupon them. The laſt petition of the Lords prayer tendeth to this purpoſe.
If preparation be not before hand made,Reaſon. we may ſuddenly bee ſurpriſed and ouercome,aIudg. 18. like the people of Lat…h. But if wee be well prepared, we may well be the more ſecure.
What is like to bee the iſſue of them who put the euill day farre away from them,Vſe. Bee not careleſſe. and neuer thinke of reſiſting the euill one till hee ſet vponupon them? Many thus plunge themſelues into much miſery. The children of this world are in this reſpect wiſer then many Chriſtians: for they vſe in time of peace to hauehave their trainings, muſterings, tiltings, and many other martiall exerciſes, that thus they may bee beforehand prepared for warre.
Let vsus in the time of our greateſt tranquillity meditate of the euill to come:Vſe 2. In time of peace meditate of the euill day. and for our helpe herein, obſerue what euill falleth vponupon others, and conſider the like or worſe might hauehave fallen, or may afterwards fall vponupon vsus: and therefore thorowly examine our ſelues, and ſearch what faith, what hope, what righteouſneſſe, what ſincerity, what other good and needfull graces we hauehave in vsus, that wee be not to ſeeke of our Armour when the Diuell commeth to aſſault vsus.
Hitherto of the firſt branch, concerning the End of arming our ſelues.
§. 11. Of the multitude of trials.
THe ſecond followeth, wherein the circumſtance of Time is firſt laid downe, and firſt to be handled: It is in theſe words, hauing done all things; that is, hauing well paſſed ouer all thoſe brunts, whereunto yee ſhall bee brought, and well acquitted your ſelues.
Here firſt the Apoſtle implieth, that
Many trials are to bee vndergone, Doct. 7. Many trials to bee paſſed thorow.many aſſaults to bee withſtood, before we can looke to be free and ſafe.aActs 14, 22. Thorow many afflictions we muſt enter into the Kingdome of God. bPſal. 34. 19.Many are the troubles of the righteous. This was preſented vntounto vsus in Chriſt our head, and in all his faithfull members in all ages, in Patriarchs, Prophets, Apoſtles, &c.
The ancient Iewes were an eſpeciall type hereof. Canaan, a place of reſt and quiet was promiſed vntounto them; but before they entered into it, they went into Aegypt, and were there bondmen; from thence they came into the Wilderneſſe, where they were brought to many ſtraites and difficulties; and laſtly, many ſore battels fought, before they could hauehave reſt in Canaan.
This partly ariſeth from Gods good and wiſe ordering matters to his owne glory,Reaſons. See the reaſō of Doct. 1. on verſe 11. and his childres good: and partly from Satans inſatiable cruelty, who neuer thinkes he hath aſſaulted enough, ſo long as a Chriſtian ſouldier ſtandeth: It was a ſore blow he gaue Iob when he depriued him of all his goods, and children; a blow that might hauehave ſtrucken another cleane downe, yea, ſtarke dead: but becauſe he ſtood ſtoutly, hee lent him another blow, which was much ſorer; yea, ſtill hee laid on with all his might, till God would ſuffer him to ſtrike no longer. The like vnſatiableneſſe is manifeſted in his inſtruments: Inſtance Sauls purſuing of Dauid, and the Phariſes perſecuting of Chriſt: they were neuer ſatisfied.
Thinke not the Chriſtian combate ended when ſome few battels are fought,Vſe 1. A few skirmiſhes finiſh not the Chriſtians combat: and that thou art now out of all danger, becauſe thorow Gods mercy and power thou haſt hitherto beene deliuered; rather expect and prepare for more. No doubt but Peter thought himſelfe ſafe enough, when one maide which would hauehave betraied him was gone away: butaMat. 26. 69. &c. wee reade that a ſecond came to him, yea others alſo. Wherefore ſo long as Satan hath liberty, (which will be ſo long as wee, or any other man liueth in this World) let vsus be watchfull, and ſtill prepared for many aſſaults one after another. Many ſtout victorious Monarchs hauehave beene ouerthrowne, becauſe after a conqueſt they feared no freſh aſſault, and ſo hauehave beene ſuddenly ſurpriſed. It ſhould ſeeme that Belſhazzar was ſo ouertaken,bDan. 5. 1. 30. becauſe the ſame day that hee made his royall feaſt, himſelfe was ſlaine, and his kingdome taken by Darius.
Vſe 2 Many thinke, that by reaſon of thoſe many aſſaults which the Diuell maketh againſt them, and the many tryals whereunto they are brought,Many are oft aſſaulted, who are not forſaken. God hath vtterly forſaken them, and giuen them ouer to the power of their enemies; this then may ſerue for their comfort, and as a prop to vphold them, that God doth thus order the eſtate of his children, that many things muſt be done and finiſhed before we can looke for reſt.
§. 12. Of holding out.
THe word which the Apoſtle vſeth to ſet downe the time of conqueſt,foreign is a word of perfection, and implieth a full and finall ending of a matter: to it hee addeth a very generall particle all: foreignwhereby he teacheth vsus that,
It is not ſufficient well to begin the fight, Doct. 8. All aſſaults muſt be held out.and make a good onſet, nor yet to hold out the brunt of ſome aſſaults, but all how many ſoeuer, and of what kind ſoeuer muſt be held out, all muſt be finiſhed before we can looke for victory. Hee that ſaith all, excepteth not any at all.aHeb. 10, 32, 33, &c. This perfect finiſhing of all, is it whereunto the Apoſtle ſo earneſtly exhorteth the Hebrewes, and plainely telleth them, that yet longer they were to endure, becauſebHeb. 12. 4. they had not reſiſted vntounto blood, and therefore not finiſhed all. In this reſpect ſaith Saint Iames, cIam 1. 4.Let patience hauehave her perfect worke. This was Chriſts care,dJoh 4. 34. to finiſh all: therefore when hee was going to his tryumph, he ſaid,e& 17. 4. I hauehave finiſhed the work, &c. and againe,f& 19. 30. It is finiſhed. So the Apoſtle (g1. Cor. 11. 1. who would hauehave vsus follow him, as he followed Chriſt)h2. Tim. 4. 7. I hauehave fought a good fight, and hauehave finiſhed my courſe.
The promiſes of reward are reſtrained to this condition,Reaſons. iMat. 10. 22.He that endureth to the end ſhall be ſaued. kReu. 2. 10.Bethou faithfull vntounto the death▪ and I will giuegive thee the crowne of life. To all thoſe ſeuen Churches of Aſia, to which Chriſt wrote, he promiſed a reward, but with a prouiſo oflReu. 2. 7. 11. 17 26, & 3. 5, 1…, 21. ouercomming He that preuaileth in ſome conflicts, and is at length ouerthrowne, cannot properly be ſaid to ouercome: ſo thatmGal. 3. 4. all which is done, is in vaine, if all be not done: For marke what the Lord ſaith;nHeb. 10. 38. If any man draw back, my ſoule ſhall hauehave no pleaſure in him. Saul fought many of the Lords battels valiantly; but he withdrew himſelfe, and the Lord forſooke him, ſo as at length hee was ouerthrowne. Was not the glory of all the former victories vtterly daſht hereby? did not the Philiſtims as much (if not ſo much the more) inſult ouer him? So will the Diuell.
Be carefull to adde conſtancy vntounto courage,Vſe. Conſtancy. if thou deſire the crowne of conqueſt; and though thou haſt done many things, yet giuegive not ouer ſo long as there remaineth any thing to be done. Doe not ſo much conſider what conflicts hauehave beene endured, as how many are yet ſtill to be endured. Regard what is to come, rather then what is paſt.aPhil. 3. 13. This was Saint Pauls mind. Many in all ages, who hauehave done many things, hauehave loſt the crowne of glory, becauſe they hauehave not done all. I would the times and ages wherein we liue, did not affoord ſo many examples of back-ſliding, as they doe. Many hauehave fallen, more are like to fall: the times are euill, men are weake, all of vsus prone to faint.
§. 13. Of the iſſue of conſtancy.
YEt for our encouragement, note the laſt word of this verſe, to ſtand, wherein the ſecond branch of the end here propounded, is laid downe. To ſtand, in this place is a note of victory: it implieth that Satan notwithſtanding all his power, malice, ſubtilty, fury, ſedulity, with the like, cannot ouerthrow them that are well armed; but as Conquerers, when all the conflicts are ended, they ſhall ſtand ſafe & ſure, euen the laſt in the field. It is here added as the iſſue of the former point, as if he ſhould hauehave ſaid; If manfully ye withſtand your enemies, at length ye ſhall ſtand as conquerers ouer them. Doct. 9. Conſtancy getteth conqueſt.The point here to be noted is this, that Courage and conſtancy bringeth aſſured conqueſt and victorie. The*In the reaſons of Doct. promiſes before mentioned intimate as much. ThatbIam. 4. 7. which Saint Iames laieth downe as the iſſue of reſiſting the Diuell, is in effect the very ſame which is here laid downe. There it is ſaid; the Diuel will flie; here, we ſhall be able to ſtand: The Diuels flight & our ſtanding do both imply a conqueſt. This was thecIam. 5. 11. end which we know the Lord made at the end of Iohs patience. Hence it is that the Apoſtled&v 12. counteth the man bleſſed that endureth tentation.
Gods honour is otherwiſe impeached,Reaſons. if they which finiſh all be not crowned as cōquerers:e1 Cor. 15. 19. of all men Chriſts ſouldiers are otherwiſe the moſt miſerable. Where then is the priuiledge of enduring? wherein lieth the difference betwixt thoſe which fight vnderunder Chriſts banner, and others, if not in preuailing? For the time Chriſts ſouldiers are cōmonly much more ſorely aſſaulted. But herein conſiſteth the difference,bHeb. 13 5. that they are neuer forſaken,c1 Cor. 10 13 that the Lord wil giuegive a good iſſue; that thogh they are broght vntounto temptation, yet they are neuer caſt into it:dPſal. 125 3. For the rodde of the wicked ſhall not reſt on the lot of the righteous.
In all conflicts hauehave an eye to this end;Vſe. Looke to the iſſue. though your enemies be many and fierce, yet feare not, ye ſhall ſtand when they ſhall flie. Patiently waite, and faint not.eIſa. 28. 16. Hee that beleeueth ſhall not make haſte: for God who alone can end the fight, ſtandeth by: he ordereth all the aſſaults, for number, meaſure, kinde, continuance, and eueryevery other circumſtance; and knoweth when and how to determine all. Therefore couragiouſly withſtand your enemies, that ye may victoriouſly ſtand. For*Viciſſe eſt aduerſari…s non ceſſiſſe. Hier. in Eph. 3. to giuegive no place to the diuell is to ouercome the diuell.