The Whole Armor of God, Exegesis · Treatise 2 · Part 5 – Part 6
THE FIFTH PART.
Shooes of the preparation of the Goſpell of Peace.
Epheſ. 6. 15.
And your feete ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace.
§. 1. Of the Grace here meant.
THe third peece of Spirituall Armour is not ſo plainely and diſtinctly laid downe as the former. It will be needfull 1. To ſearch out what is that particular grace which is her… meant. 2. How fitly it is compared to that part of harneſſe which is here implied. 3. How the grace here meant is gotten. 4. How needfull and profitable it is. 5. How it hath her perfect worke. 6. What are the extreames contrary to it. 7. What wiles the Diuell vſeth to depriue vsus of it.
1. Becauſe the phraſe which the Apoſtle vſeth is ſomewhat doubtfull and ambiguous, there are many diſcrepant opinions about that which is meant thereby.
Among thoſe many, there are two which come neereſt to the point, and are implied vnderunder the deſcription of this grace, though neither of them (as I take it) be the grace it ſelfe. One is Knowledge of the Goſpell, the other is Peace of Conſcience. The former is implied vnderunder this word Goſpell, (for without knowledge of the Goſpell the ſoule cannot be ſetled. The Goſpell vntounto him which knowes it not, is no Goſpel, of no vſe at all.) The other is implied vnderunder this word Peace, whereby is meant that Peace of Conſcience, which by the knowledge of the Goſpell is wrought in vsus. But the Preparation here ſpoken of, is another grace diſtinct from both theſe; euen an effect which followeth from them both. Wherefore as the cauſes of a thing are not the thing it ſelfe, ſo neither of thoſe graces ſeuerally conſidered in it ſelfe, is the diſtinct peece of Armour here meant. The Syriach Tranſlator well cleareth the meaning of the Apoſtle, who thus turneth it; *Calceate in pedibus veſtris praeparationem Euangelij pacis. T…em. interp.Put as ſhooes on your feete the preparation of the Goſpell of Peace. VnderUnder this word Preparation then (according to the literall and Grammaticall conſtruction, which is the beſt and ſureſt) is the grace it ſelfe compriſed: for it implieth a furniture which the Goſpell of Peace procureth and prepareth: or an heart ſetled, reſolued, and prepared by the Goſpell of Peace, to goe on to God thorow all difficulties. Now the very grace it ſelfe which thus ſetleth the ſoule, I take to bee Patience: for it is without all doubt, the drift
1. Some take the preparation of the Goſpell to bee a readineſſe to preach the Goſpell, thinking that the Apoſtle alludeth to that propheſie of Jſaiah; How beautifull are the feete of him that declareth peace. Iſa. 52. 7.
Anſw. Thus this peece of armour ſhould appertaine onelyonly to Miniſters,
whereas it is cleere that the Apoſtle preſcribeth the whole Armour to all Chriſtians.
2. Other, to bee a promptneſſe to profeſſe the Goſpell, agreeable to Saint Peters counſell, Be ready (or prepared) to giuegive an anſwere; &c. 1. Pet. 3. 15.
Anſwer. This promptneſſe and readineſſe, is rather an effect of the grace here meant, then the grace it ſelfe, as we ſhall after heare.
3. Other, to bee an Euangelicall obedience.
Anſwer. Thus would it bee confounded with the former grace. For Righteouſneſſe is an obedience to Gods word.
4. Other, to bee the Goſpell it ſelfe, alluding to that of Dauid, Thy word is a lampe vntounto my feet. Pſal. 119. 105.
Anſwer. The phraſe which the Apoſtle here vſeth, ſheweth that not ſo much the Goſpell it ſelfe, as ſomthing wrought thereby, is heere meant.
and ſcope of the Apoſtle,In horum calce…mentorum fig… am▪ & illa calceamenta in Exodo praeceſſerunt, quae habere …aſcha veſcentibus imperatur, & his qui ad faciendumpiter pacati ſunt. Signū ſ…quidem praeparationis eſt, calceatis pedibus comedere, vt corroborati paſchali cibo, ſatam & horribilem poſſint eremum pertranſire. Hier. in hunc locum. to arme the Chriſtian ſouldier againſt trouble and affliction, by this particular peece of ſpirituall Armour here meant: but what grace ſo fit therevnto as patience? This was it wherewith Iob, to vſe Chriſts phraſe (Luke 21. 19.) did euen poſſeſſe his ſoule. And this is it which Saint Iames preſcribeth as a meanes to arme vsus againſt trouble, Iam. 1. 3, 4, &c. For patience is a gift of God, whereby wee are enabled to beare thoſe croſſes which God laieth vponupon vsus. Many were the troubles which the Chriſtian Hebrewes endured for profeſſion of the Goſpell: to enable them to endure all thoſe troubles, the Apoſtle ſaith;gHeb. 10. 36. They had need of patience. VnderUnder this word Patience I compriſe all thoſe firſt graces of the Spirit, whereby the Goſpell teacheth that men are prepared to goe with Chriſt into the field; as the deniall of ones ſelfe, that taking vp of ones croſſe, with reſolution to follow Chriſt. It is here called hforeign.a preparation, becauſe by it a man is fitted, prepared, and made ready to goe on in his courſe, notwithſtanding all dangers and diſtreſſes whatſoeuer meet with him in the way to hinder him. It is ſaid to bee the preparation of the Goſpell, becauſe it is the Goſpell which teacheth it, and is the cauſe thereof: nothing but the Goſpell can prepare a mans heart againſt trouble. Laſtly, this epithete Peace, is added to ſhew what the Goſpell bringeth vntounto vsus, and worketh in vsus, namely, peace to God, as wee ſhall after more fully heare. To conclude this firſt point, in briefe note, that it is the knowledge of the glad tidings of reconciliation, which pacify…ng our conſcience, prepareth our hearts, and worketh in them true ſound Chriſtian patience, whereby we are ready to march on in our courſe againſt all annoyances.
§. 2. Of the reſemblance of Patience to ſhooes.
Point 2 II THe peece of harneſſe whereunto patience is here reſembled, How fit the Apoſt…es metaphor is.is that whereby a ſouldiers feet or legs are couered: foraforeign. feete are here expreſſed, and the metaphor ofbforeign. being ſhod, implieth as much. By feet he meanes legs alſo: the peeces of armour that are proper to this purpoſe, are called greaues, or leg-harneſſe, they are alſo called ſouldiers ſhooes, and bootes. The metaphor may either be generally taken of all ſhooes, or particularly of greaues. For the generall, wee all know that the vſe of ſhooes is to keepe our feete from ſharpe ſtones, hard clods, with the like: for our feete are naturally tender, inſomuch that if we goe abroad barefoot, eueryevery hard ſtone hurteth them, eueryevery ſharpe ſticke and pricking thorne pierceth them: therefore wee vſe not to venter abroade bare…foote: If any be ſo foole-hardy as to venter, ſoone will he waxe weary, and either ſit downe and goe no further, or elſe turne backe againe. But if wee hauehave good bootes or ſhooes on, then wee thinke our ſelues well fenced, and ſo with boldneſſe and courage goe on, whatſoeuer the way be.
To apply this.Application of the metaphor. Stones, ſtickes, thornes, and the like, are not more greeuous to our bare feete, then troubles, croſſes, and afflictions are to our naked heart and ſoule. Now then this world thorow which we muſt paſſe to Heauen, being a very hard and rough way, ſtony and thorny, full of all ſorts of afflictions; if our ſoules be naked and bare, not fenced with patience, and ſo fitted and prepared well to endure all croſſes, we ſhall either neuer venter to enter into this hard way, or at leaſt not endure to hold out therin. But if our ſoules be thorowly poſſeſt with ſound and true patience, then ſhall we with vndanted courage, paſſe thorow all the troubles of this World.
For the particular (which is the rather to be conſidered,The vſe of greaues in warre. becauſe the Apoſtles whole direction is taken from warre) the vſe of greaues and leg-harneſſe, were to keepe the legs and feet from hurts and wounds, becauſe if they were wounded or broken, a man could no longer ſtand, but was ouerthrowen. Such ſouldiers as ſtand in the front of the battell, or ſingle themſelues out alone asc1 Sam. 17. 6 Goliah, moſt commonly hauehave their legs fenced with theſe. Beſides, it being a ſtratagem which enemies oft vſe,Caeſ. Comment. to ſticke the way by which they know that the aduerſe parties muſt needes paſſe, with ſhort ſtubs and pikes, ends of ſpeares, and ſuch like, of purpoſe to gall their feete and legs, and make them weary of going on; ſouldiers vſe to weare bootes, and greaues, to preuent ſuch miſchiefes. Surely the Diuell vſeth ſuch a ſtratagem againſt Chriſtian ſouldiers: for knowing in what way they are to walke to Heauen, hee ſets many prickes and croſſes therein, as reproaches, diſgraces, troubles, vexations, perſecutions, by loſſe of goods, liberties, and liues; yea, many times grieuous torments and tortures: now if our ſoules be not fenced with the preparation of the Goſpell of Peace, what hope, yea, what poſſibility is there of going on, and holding out in that way?
§. 3. Of the ground of Patience.
Point 3 THe Apoſtle himſelfe in the laſt words of this verſe ſheweth how this Preparation, how patience is gotten.this fence and furniture of the ſoule, namely patience may be gotten, euen by the Goſpell of Peace: for it is ſuch a preparation as the Goſpell of peace teacheth and worketh, whence it followeth, that the Goſpel of Peace, is the onelyonly true ground of this peece of Armour.
For the better clearing of this point, I will diſtinctly ſhew,
1 What the Goſpel is.
2 What Peace is here meant.
3 Why Peace is thus attributed to the Goſpel.
4 How the Goſpel of Peace effecteth this preparation.
§. 4. Of the Goſpel.
GOſpel,1 What the Goſpel is. according to the proper notation of theaforeign. originall word, ſignifieth a good meſſage, or glad tidings: ſo it is ſometimes tranſlated, as Rom. 10. 15. How beautifull are the feet of them which cforeign.bring glad tidings? &c. The ſame notation may our Engliſh word Goſpel admit: for ſpell in ancient time ſignified ſpeech: Goſpel then is a good ſpeech. *Lat Fren. …tal. Span. &cThe moſt elegant and learned languages retaine the Greeke word.
The good and glad tidings which this word implieth, is, that Chriſt Ieſus the Sonne of God, is giuen vntounto the ſonnes of men. AndLuk. 2. 10, 11. Angel from heauen thus expounded this word; for hauing ſaid,eforeign. I bring you gla… tidings, he addeth, that vntounto you is borne a Sauiour which is Chriſt the Lord. Therefore the Hiſtories which purpoſely write of Chriſt Ieſus, declaring his Diety and humanity, his conception and birth, his life and death, words and deedes, humiliation and exaltation, &c. are by an excellency and propriety termed Goſpels, or to ſpeake as the Scots doe, Euangiles, and the penne-men of them Euangeliſts. If it bee duely conſidered into what a woe-full eſtate man by ſin had implunged himſelfe, how no creature in Heauen or earth was able to ſuccour him, what full redemption Chriſt hath wrought and vntounto how excellent an eſtate he hath redeemed vsus,Euangelium eſt mare in qu… diuinae gratiae plenitudo eſt. Amb. Hexam. lib. 5. cap. 7. it will appeare, that neuer the like glad tidings was or could be brought to man-kind then this, that Chriſt a Sauiour was giuen vntounto them; ſo that this meſſage may well be called a Goſpel or Euangile. In it is the very fulneſſe of Gods fauour manifeſted.
§. 5. Of that Peace which the Goſpel cauſeth.
THe Peace heere ſpoken of,2 What peace is here meant is our reconciliation with God. In the beginning God made man after his owne Image, by vertue whereof, there was a ſweet harmony and concord betwixt God and man; God hauing reuealed vntounto man what was his good will, pleaſing and acceptable vntounto him; man being both able, and alſo willing to doe that which was acceptable to God. But long this Peace did not laſt: it was ſoone broken, and that wholly, and onelyonly through mans default. For man wittingly ſinned againſt his Creator, and thereby iuſtly prouoked his wrath: thus came enmity betwixt God and man. Such a breach was made by mans rebellion, that all creatures in Heauen and earth were not able to make it vp. Chriſt therefore, the eternall, true, naturall, proper, onelyonly begotten Sonne of God, tooke vponupon him to be a Mediator betwixt God and man. Hee ſatisfied his Fathers Iuſtice, pacified his wrath, procured his fauour towards man, whereby God was moued to offer reconciliation vntounto man;Deus appellatur pacis quia per Chriſtum ei reconciliati ſumus, qui eſt pax noſtra, Hieron. Hedib. quaeſt. 12. withall he gaue vntounto man his ſanctifiing Spirit, to breed faith in him, that thereby man might receiue and embrace this reconciliation. In this reſpect God is called the God of Peace (Rom. 16. 20.) and Chriſt our Peace, (chap. 2. 14.) Prince of Peace (Iſa. 9. 6.) And God is ſaid in Chriſt to reconcile the world vntounto himſelfe, (2 Cor. 5. 19.) Thus through the mediation of Chriſt, God offering, and man accepting reconciliation, a moſt perfect and inuiolable peace is made betwixt them, and this is the peace here meant. As fruits of this peace there flow from it remiſſion of ſinnes, quietneſſe and comfort of conſcience, ioy of heart, willingneſſe and ability to doe that which is pleaſing vntounto God, freedome from the dominion of ſinne, from the power of the Diuell, from the euill of all croſſes, from the ſting of death, and of the graue, and from the feare and fire of Hell.
§. 6. Why it is called the Goſpel of Peace.
THis Peace is ſo appropriated to the Goſpel,3 How Peace is appropriated to the Goſpel. that it is called the Goſpel of Peace, and that in a double reſpect, Firſt, of the matter. Secondly, of the effect.
1 The ſubiect matter of this glad tidings, is the forenamed Peace and reconciliation betwixt God and man. The Goſpel firſt declared, and ſtill continueth to publiſh the ſame: neither the Law, nor any humane writings can doe this: therefore ſo ſoone asfLuk. 2. 10, 11 one Angel had declared this glad tidings, an whole troope of heauenly ſouldiers cryed outg14. Peace on earth. It was the Goſpel which declared peace tohGen. 3. 15. Adam, i& 7. 1.Noah, k& 12. 3.Abram, and the reſt of the Saints in al ages, before and ſince Chriſts time.lIſa. 52. 7. They therefore which preach the Goſpel, are ſaid to publiſh Peace.
2 It is a powerfull effect of this Goſpel, to worke Peace in them that heare it, and beleeue it. FormGal. 3. 2. in and by the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, the Spirit of Chriſt is conueyed into our hearts: in which reſpect it is called n2 Cor. 3. 8.the miniſtration of the Spirit. This Spirit firſt moueth vsus to embrace reconciliation offered in the Goſpel, and then it quieteth our conſcience, and ſo worketh Peace therein.
How admirably doth this commend vntounto vsus the louelove of God,Vſe 1. Gods louelove. and of his Sonne our Sauiour? he thought it not enough, that at firſt he made al in peace, though he might iuſtly hauehave reiected man for euer, as he did the Diuels, becauſe man willingly and rebelliouſly broake this Peace; yet to magnifie his mercy towards man, he ſpared not his Sonne, but gaue him to be our Peace, who, (to vſe the Scripture phraſe)aCha. 2. v. 16. ſlue hatred, and made Peace: yea not ſo onelyonly, but alſo gaue his Goſpel, thereby making open proclamation of Peace, and inuiting men to imbrace it. Excellently is this ſet forth in thebMat. 22. 2. &c. parable of the Kings ſonnes wedding;Luk. 14. 16. &c. if we doe as they who were inuited thereunto, how iuſtly doe we deſerue to be depriued of this Peace?
What a bleſſing is it to hauehave the Goſpel preached among vsus:Vſe 2. A bleſſing to hauehave the Goſpel. the Goſpel of Peace, ſuch acPhil. 4. 7. Peace as paſſeth vnderſtanding? Is it not an heauy curſe to want this Goſpel? this ſhould be a ſtrong motiue to ſtirre vp Miniſters, diligently and faithfully to preach the Goſpel, and to ſtirre vp people earneſtly to giuegive heed and credence thereunto, euen as they tender their Peace.
§. 7. Of the ground of true Patience.
FRom that which hath beene deliuered of the Goſpel of Peace,4 The Goſpel of peace prepareth a mans heart againſt trouble. that maine point which we hauehave in hand, by neceſſary conſequence followeth, that the onelyonly meanes of preparing our ſoules patiently to beare all croſſes, and conſtantly to goe through all troubles in our Chriſtian courſe, is a right knowledge of the glad tidings of our reconciliation with God. dGen. 12. 2, 3,It was this Goſpel of Peace wherewith God encouraged Abraham to come out of his owne countrey, and with a patient and prepared heart to paſſe ouer all theſe difficulties whereunto he ſhould be brought. This was that glad tidings which the Lord brought toeExod. 3. 6, 7 Moſes, to fIoſ. 1. 5.Ioſhua, togIud. 6. 12. Gedeon, and many others for that very end. I might inſtance this in many thouſand examples, and ſhew how the courage and patience of the Saints, which hath beene admirable to the world, hath beene grounded on this ſure foundation the Goſpel of Peace. For the truth is, that all the Prophets all the Apoſtles, all the true Chriſtian confeſſors, and Martyrs in all ages, who hauehave endured more then fleſh and blood could poſſibly with patience beare, hauehave had their feete ſhod, that is, their hearts armed and prepared with aſſurance of their reconciliation with God: but hauing ſuch a cloude of witneſſes, I will content my ſelfe with naming two or three.
Many and ſundry were the troubles, inward and outward, by open enemies, and deceitfull friends, on Sea and land, which Saint Paul went thorow, and that with an inuincible courage and reſolution: the cauſe of all is euident to be thathRom. 8 31, 32, &c. knowledge which he had of Gods louelove to him, and of his reconciliation with God. On this ground of confidence he did after an holy manner inſult ouer all aduerſe power.iIam. 5. 11. But Iob yet ſuffered much more, and his patience was ſo admirable, that the holy Ghoſt maketh choice of him aboue all other, as a marke to behold, and a patterne to follow. What was the ground of his patience? ſurely many of thoſe diuine ſpeeches which he vttered to his wife and friends, euidently ſhew, that the knowledge of his reconciliation with God, was it which made him ſo confident and patient. There is yet another who farre exceeded theſe and all other Saints both in ſuffering and patient bearing, namely Chriſt: the aſſurance of his Fathers louelove was the ground of his patience, as appeareth both by thatkIoh 17. 24. profeſſion which he made thereof, a little before his ſuffering (ſaying vntounto his Father, Thou louedſt me before the foundation of the world,) and alſo by thoſe titles which in his moſt bitter agony he gaue vntounto God, as in the Garden▪ lMat. 26. 39.O my Father, &c. On the Croſſe,mMat. 27. 46. My God, my God.
§. 8. Of the meanes whereby Patience is wrought.
THus we ſee the truth of this point ſufficiently proued;The Goſpel prepareth our hearts by declaring. that the Goſpel of Peace, is the ground of Patience: now further conſider how it doth prepare the ſoule of man to endure. This it doth by perſwading mans mind, and reſoluing his heart of theſe two principles.
1 That nothing ſhall hurt him.
2 That all things ſhall turne to his good.
For the firſt,1 That nothing can hurt vsus. moſt ſure it is that nothing can make vsus miſerable, but onelyonly ſinne: Sinne is the very ſting of all troubles aed croſſes: ſinne is it which maketh them to be heauy burdens: this maketh trouble of conſcience to be intollerable: death and the graue to be moſt terrible: the diuell which hath the power of death to bee ſo horrible: yea, the Law of God, and God himſelfe to bee ſo full of dread and terrour. Let ſinne be remoued, and our conſcience aſſured thereof; then may we, then will we comfort our ſelues in all troubles: for then ſhall we appeare before the Throne of God, as before the mercy-ſeat of a gracious Father, and take his Law, as a direction to teach vsus how to pleaſe him. Then ſhall wee eſteeme all croſſes as corrections of the Lord for our profit, yea, as his phyſicke to purge out our corruptions, & as proofes of his graces in vsus. Then will our conſcience reſt quiet and well contented: then ſhall we thinke of death, as of a gate to heauen, and of the graue, as of a ſweet bed to reſt in, till the day of the conſummation of our eternall bliſſe in body and ſoule: yea, then ſhall wee not need to feare the diuell, becauſe he can hauehave no power ouer vsus, much leſſe hell and the torment thereof. Therefore doth aPſal. 32. 1, 2Dauid annexe bleſſedneſſe to remiſſion of ſin: ſo that bMat. 9. 2.vponupon this ground might Chriſt well ſay to the man ſicke of the palſie, Sonne, be of good comfort.
This being ſo, the Goſpel of Peace which aſſureth vsus of our reconciliation with God, and of the remiſſion of our ſinne, aſſureth vsus alſo that nothing can hurt vsus, becauſe the ſting of eueryevery thing, which is ſinne, is pulled out. If the forked tongue of an adder, the poyſonous teeth of a ſnake, the ſharpe ſting of a waſpe be pulled out, what hurt can they doe?
For the ſecond,2 That all things ſhall make to our good. by the Goſpelc We know that all things worke together for good, vntounto them that louelove God. For the Goſpel aſſuring vsus of reconciliation with God, how can we but be aſſured that he tendereth vsus as his children, and with a fatherly affection ſeeketh our good in all things which by his good prouidence he bringeth vponupon vsus.dPſal. 112. The proſperity of thoſe with whom God is reconciled is a bleſſing:e& 119. 71. afflictions are for their good: ſo is fReu. 14. 23.death and the graue:Mir… quodam modo etiam ipſum peccatum iufto in iustitiā cooperatur. Ber. in Pſal. 91. ſerm. 2. yea, I may truly ſay that the ſins of thoſe who are accepted of God, do turn to their good: not that ſinne is any way good in it ſelfe, being in it ſelfe the greateſt euill that is or can be, and the cauſe of all euill of puniſhment; but that God through his infinite power and wiſedome (who can bring good out of euill, …s at firſt he cauſed light to ſhine out of darkeneſſe) doth ſo order it: like vntounto a skilfull Apothecary, who can ſo order and temper ranke poiſon, as it ſhall proue very medicinable.
Queſt. What is that good can come from ſinne?
Anſw. 1 In regard ofhExod. 32. 3… & 34. 6, 7. God, whoſe mercy and grace is manifeſted and magnified in forgiuing ſinne: for iRom. 5 20.Where ſinne abounded, there did grace much more abound.
2 In regard of ſinners,Nonne coope ratur nobis ille caſus in bonū vnde & humiliores efficimur & cautiores? Bern. ibid. (I meane repentant ſinners, for of their ſinnes I ſpeake) it worketh in them godly ſorrow (a ſorrow not to be repented of, becauſe of the excellent fruits thereof▪ noted 2. Cor. 7. 10, 11.) It worketh alſo an high eſteeme of Gods free grace and rich mercy, a longing deſire after Chriſts righteouſneſſe, a diligent watchfulnes our our ſelues for the time to come, a Chriſtian readineſſe to beare with the ſlips and infirmities of other, with the like.
Theſe are two ſuch grounds of Patience, as all the writings of all the men in the world cannot affoord the like▪ It is the Goſpel, and the Goſpel alone, which hath made them knowne, and not onelyonly ſo, but alſo inſtrumentally worketh faith in our hearts: whereby we giuegive credence vntounto the truth of them, and with ſtrong confidence, reſt and ſtay our ſelues thereupon.
§. 9. Of the falſe grounds of Patience.
HEnce learne,Vſe 1. Counterfeit patience. that all the pretended patience of heathen men, and others which knew not this Goſpel of Peace, was but a meere ſhadow of patience: for what were the grounds therof? ſurely no much matter… as by the Goſpel is reuealed, but ſuch as mans natural… reaſon inuented, as theſe,
1 It is no part of manhood, but meere childiſhneſſe and cowardlineſſe to be impatient.
2 Sorrow, mourning, all impatiency, and the like, may much aggrauate our troubles, but can no way eaſe them or take them away.
3 Others are ſubiect to troubles: it is a common condition of mankinde.
4 There is an ineuitable neceſſity, or (to vſe the words and phraſe) a fatall deſtiny, they cannot be auoided.
5 They are not for euer to endure, but will hauehave an end, if by no other meanes, yet by death. Theſe and ſuch like may make men bold and hardy, or ſtupid and blockiſh. I may reſemble them to Opium, and ſuch like medicines which ſtupifie mens ſenſes, and make them the leſſe impatiently beare their paines, but they bring no true eaſe.
The Goſpell of peace breedeth not a ſenceleſneſſe, but kRom. 5. 3.ſuch a patience as is ſeaſoned with comfort and ioy.
§. 10. Of the manner of working true Patience.
AS wee deſire true patience,Vſe 2. How patience may be rightly grounded in vsus. ſo labour wee that it bee rightly grounded in vsus. For this end wee muſt acquaint our ſelues with this Goſpell of peace, and labour for true, ſauing, ſanctifying knowledge thereof: for the attaining whereunto,
1 The promiſes of God in his word are to bee obſerued, eſpecially ſuch as concerne our reconciliation with God, and his fauour towards vsus; asaPſa. 119. 49. 50. Dauid did. Without knowledge of Gods promiſe there can be no ſound confidence: all the ſhew that we may ſeeme to make thereof will proue but meere preſumption.
2 The cauſe of thoſe promiſes is to bee well noted, which is GODS free grace and meere merciemercy.
3 The parties to whom they are made, are to be marked, All that ſhall beleeue.
4 The properties of ſuch as beleeue, are alſo to be noted. Of theſe we ſhall ſpeake on verſe 16.
When wee come to any that are ſicke,Vſe 3. How men may be perſwaded vntounto true patience or in any other diſtreſſe, and deſire to perſwade them vntounto true patience; wee muſt bring them to knowledge of the Goſpell of peace, that they hauing aſſurance thereof, may bee the more quiet vnderunder Gods correcting hand: bring them to beleeue that their ſinnes are forgiuen, and then maiſt thou well bid thembMat. 9. 2 Be of good comfort, and patient.
§. 11. Of the neceſsity of true Patience.
Point 4 THe fourth generall point to be conſidered, The neceſſity of patience.is the neceſsity of this peece of Spirituall Armour. Though it be compared to legge-harneſſe, which may ſeeme to be leaſt neceſſary,Simil. yet indeed it is no whit leſſe neceſſary then any of the reſt: we know that if a man be not well fenced on his legges, he may receiue ſuch a blow vponupon them, as will cleane ouerthrow him, notwithſtanding the other peeces of armour? but if the way be rough and thorny, and the man bare-footed and bare-legged, and in that reſpect dareth not marche on, what benefit reapes he by the furniture of the other parts? To let the metaphor paſſe; the gift and grace it ſelfe which now wee ſpeake of, Patience, is ſo abſolutely neceſſary, as without it there can be no hope of attaining to victory, glory, and reſt, where Chriſt our chiefe Captaine is.cHeb. 10. 36. The Apoſtle expreſly ſaith, that patience is needfull: to ſhew that he ſpeaketh of an abſolute neceſſity, hee implieth that the promiſe (meaning eternall life promiſed) cannot bee receiued without it: for he had ſheweddV. 6. 12. before, that the Saints in former times thorow faith and patience inherited the promiſe, and in that reſpect both that Apoſtle, and alſo eIam. 5. 10.Saint Iames exhort Chriſtians to follow them.
§. 12. Of the troubles whereunto we are ſubiect.
MAny troubles and croſſes muſt bee vndergone in this World,Reaſon. Many troubles to be vndergone. before wee can come to enioy reſt and happineſſe in Heauen. Note Ioh. 16. 33. Luk. 14. 27. Acts 14. 22. 2 Tim. 3. 12. Heb. 12. 6, 7. Theſe places ſhew how rough, and full of pricks the way to Heauen is.
Experience of all ages doth verifie the truth of thoſe Scriptures:Quis Sanctorum ſine certamine coronatus eſt? Abel iuſtus occiditur, &c. quaere & inuenies ſingulos aduerſa perpeſſos. Hier. ad Euſtoch. conſider the Hiſtories of Abel, Noah, Abraham, Iſaack, Iacob, their poſterity in Aegypt, in the Wilderneſſe, in Canaan; vnderunder Iudges, vnderunder Kings, and in their captiuities: conſider the liues of Chriſt, of the Prophets, Apoſtles, and other Saints; the eſtate of Chriſts Church in the Apoſtles time, after their time, and euer ſince euen vntounto theſe our dayes: it were infinite to reckon vp all the perſecutions, troubles, afflictions, and ſundry kinds of croſſes which Gods people from time to time hauehave been brought vntounto. In a word, it is as poſſible for ſheepe to …iue quiet among wolues without hurt, as for the Church in this world without trouble and perſecution.
Obiect. All ages and times hauehave not beene times of perſecution: The Church in Solomons dayes, and vnderunder the reigne of many other good Kings had great peace and quiet: yea, it is written that in the Apoſtles times, (which were moſt troubleſome times)fActs 9. 31. the Churches had reſt: ſo in Conſtantines times, and in the time of other good Chriſtian Emperours: likewiſe here in this Land vnderunder the reigne of King Edward the ſixth, Queene Elizabeth, and King Iames, who now liueth.
Anſw. Troubles in moſt peacable times.Though the Church and children of God be ſomewhile, for a time freed from outward publicke perſecutions of the Magiſtrate, or from open inuaſions of the enemy, yet not from all manner of troubles. Many are the troubles of the righteous, euen in the moſt halcion and peaceable dayes that euer were. For in the boſome of the Church (while the Church remaineth on Earth) there hauehave beene alwayes, ſtill are, and euer will be ſome borne after the fleſh, as well as ſome borne after the ſpirit, which being ſo,gGal. 4. 29. perſecution there will be, if not with fire and ſword, baniſhment and impriſonment, outward torture and torment; yet with that which goeth as neere to the heart, and pierceth thorwo the ſoule as deepely, namely, ignominy, reproach, diſgrace, and ſuch likehGen. 21. 9. Iſmaeticall perſecution.
In the moſt quiet times of the Church,iIſa. 59. 15. He that refraineth from euill maketh himſelfe a prey. Manifold iniubies doe the true Saints receiue of their wicked neighbours; they are diſgraced and oppreſſed of the greater ſort, reuiled and wronged of the meaner ſort: if they ſhould hauehave peace abroade, yetaMat. 10. 35. 36. at home, euen in their Families ſhall they find troubles enough, ariſing from their Parents, Husbands, or Wiues, Children, Seruants, Friends, Kinred, and the like. We reade of, heare and ſee the croſſes of others: eueryevery one feeleth his owne, and ſo beſt knoweth them. Shew me the man (let it be he that hath ſeemed to himſelfe and others the moſt happy) that in truth can ſay; his life hath beene eueryevery way ſo free from all troubles and croſſes, that in his owne experience he knoweth no… what they meane: If any ſhould ſo ſay, I might mor… truly ſay to his face, that either hee is of a moſt ſtupid, blockiſh, and ſenceleſſe diſpoſition; or elſe that plainely hee lieth. But ſuppoſe for the time, that it were poſſible for a man to be freed from all outward troubles, hath he none within? Is all quiet in his ſoule and conſcience? Had he neuer any griefe of mind, anguiſh of ſpirit, vexation of heart, trouble of conſcience? then neuer had he any ſinne, or at leaſt neuer any ſence and feeling of ſinne.
§. 13. Of the Authours of our troubles.
THis is thus brought to paſſe, partly by the good guiding prouidence of God, and partly by the malice of the Diuell: God both aiming at, and alſo bringing forth good thereby: the Diuell aiming at euill, but croſſed in his purpoſe.
That troubles and croſſes fall not on vsus without God,Troubles fall not out without God. is euident by many expreſſe teſtimonies of Scripture, as Iſa 45. 7.The good which comm…th from troubles. Amo. 3. 6. Iob 1. 21. 2 Sam. 16. 11. Eze. 20. 3…. Heb. 12. 6, 7. The good which God aimeth at, and effecteth by thoſe troubles he inflicteth on his children, is manifold: as,
1b2 Cor. 12. 7. The preuenting of ſome great miſchiefe and euill
2c2 Chr. 3… 12 The purging out of ſome feſtering poyſonſome ſinne.Luk 5. 17.
3dHeb. 12. 10. 11. The vpholding and keeping vsus ſafe and ſtedfaſt in the right way.
4e1 Pet. 4. 1…. The proofe and triall of ſuch gifts and graces as he hath beſtowed on his children.
That the Diuell alſo hath his hand in afflicting Gods children,Satan hath his hand in afflicting S…ints. is cleare by theſe (among many other) Scriptures, Iob 1. 9. 10. & 2. 5. 1 Chro 21. 1. Zac. 3. 1. Luk. 22. 31.
2 Cor. 12. 7. Re…el. 2. 10. That which the Diuell aimeth at herein, is tofIob. 1. 10. diſcourage vsus, and to turne vsus out of the right way,g1 Theſ. 2. 18 to hinder the progreſſe of the Goſpell, and in a wordh1 Pet. 5. 8. to deuoure vsus. The Diuell well knoweth how weake and feeble our nature is, how ſoone our fleſh is quailed, how irkeſome troubles are to vsus by nature: this way therefore hee laboureth by all the meanes he can, ſecretly and openly, by himſelfe, and inſtruments to annoy vsus.
§. 14. Of the neceſsity of Patience.
THe point then being ſo cleare,T…lerantia moleſtiarum omnibusc in ha… vita ſubeunda eſt, tendentibus ad arborem vitae. Aug. de Gen. l. 2. that of neceſſity many troubles muſt be paſſed thorow, before wee come to our heauenly reſt, it neceſſarily followeth, that of neceſſity we muſt be ſhod and fenced with patience. The want of this grace hath beene the cauſe that many, who for a while hauehave made an hot onſet in the Chriſtian battell, at length (when they felt the hard and rough way wherein they marched, and when they found themſelues galled and pricked with the troubles which they hauehave met withall) hauehave fallen away, and refuſed to goe on any further in their Chriſtian courſe:i2 Tim. 4. 16. as they which forſooke Saint Paul.
§. 15. Of the benefit of Patience.
AS this grace is neceſſary, ſo alſo is the benefit thereof exceeding great: for if we be well ſhod therewith, no trouble will diſmay vsus, or hinder vsus in our Chriſtian courſe: it maketh ſuch burdens as ſeeme very heauy to fleſh and blood, to be but light and eaſie to be borne; and ſuch things tollerable, which naturall men thinke intollerable, and vnſupportable; yea, it keepeth vsus from being foiled and ouercome.kIam. 5. …0. This made Iob paſſe ouer ſuch grieuous aſſaults as neuer any, that we reade of, euer endured the like.
When the holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh of the victory which the Sainis hauehave gotten, he ſaith;aReu. 13. 10. & 14. 12. Here is the patience of the Saints, implying, that thorow their patience they ouercame all their troubles.
§. 16: Of the perfect worke of Patience.
Point 5 V THe counſell therefore of Saint Iames (Chap. 1. verſe 5.) is worthy to be noted; it is this, How patience hath her perfect worke.Let patience hauehave her perfect worke. The worke of patience is ſaid to be perfect in reſpect, Firſt, of the condition. Secondly of the extent. Thirdly of the continuance.
1 For the condition it muſt be true,1 It muſt bee ſound. hearty and ſound, not fained and counterfeit. As integrity and vprightneſſe is a kinde of perfection in all Chriſtian graces, ſo alſo in patience.
2 For the extent it muſt reach to all manner of croſſes,2 It muſt reach to all croſſes. heauy and light, inward and outward, home and abroad, whether they come from the Diuell, or any of his wicked inſtruments; or from God himſelfe, and his owne hand, of what kinde, quality, quantity ſoeuer they be: in this reſpect, ſaid the Apoſtle;d2 Cor. 6. 4 We approue our ſelues in much patience.
3 For the continuance,3 It muſt endure to the end. it muſt endure vntounto the end, ſo much doth theeforeign. notation of the word, which the Apoſtle vſeth, imply. To the end I ſay, not onelyonly of that preſent affliction which lieth vponupon vsus, but alſo to the end of our life: ſo as wee muſt both patiently beare the preſent, and alſo prepare our ſelues for future croſſes. In this reſpect Chriſt …aith;fforeign. Hee that hath patience to the end ſhall be ſaued.Mat. 10. 2…. Iobs patience
Among other Saints, Iobs patience had her perfect wo…ke in all theſe reſpects: Had it not beene vpright and ſound, he could not hauehave ſo ſtood againſt his friends, who ſuſpecting his vprightneſſe, thorowly ſifted him. The many trials whereunto he was brought, and his patient enduring all (for hee was ouercome by none) manifeſteth the extent of his patience: neuer any (Chriſt excepted) endured more, neuer any (the ſame excepted) more patiently endured all. The Hiſtory it ſelfe,gIob. 13. 15. his owne teſtimony, andh& 42, 7. Gods alſo, and theiIam. 5. 11. The neceſſity of the perfect woike of patience. witneſſe of his Apoſtle, doe all verifie the continuance of his patience to the end.
§. 17. Of the kinds of croſſes.
THat wee may the better apply this Apoſtolicall direction, as before in generall wee ſhewed the neceſſity of patience, ſo here in particular we will ſhew how neceſſary it is that patience hauehave this perfect worke.
This will appeare by the kinds of croſſes whereunto we are ſubiect.
1 They are not ſcar-crowes, troubles in ſhew and appearance onelyonly, but ſuch as pierce both body and ſoule, and make the ſtoureſt to ſtoupe and ſhrinke. Therefore counterfeite patience will ſtand vsus in no ſteed.
2 The number of trials whereunto wee ſhall bee brought, is vncertaine: one calamity vponupon another (as waues) may fall vponupon vsus:kIob. 1. 16, 17. 18. that which is written of Iob, how one meſſenger followed another, all bringing dolefull newes, ſheweth what may befall any of vsus. Now ſuppoſe wee ſhould as patiently beare ſome, as Iob, but yet taint vnderunder the burden of others; where is the benefit of that former patience? Some that hauehave endured impriſonment, baniſhment, and ſuch like trials, yea who hauehave beene ready to endure ſword and fire in time of perſecution, hauehave beene diſcouraged and turned out of their good courſe by reproch, and diſgrace, in time of peace: other that can patiently paſſe ouer publicke troubles, are ſo diſquieted with priuate loſſes, and croſſes at home in their families, that they are made vnfit to performe any Chriſtian duty to God, or man. Other that can well endure paine of body, ſickeneſſe and ſuch like croſſes, cannot beare vexation of mind, or diſturbance of their paſſion.
3 It is alſo vncertaine how long we ſhall be ſubiect to tryals, becauſe the continuance of our life is vncertaine. This world is the field of the Lords battell, ſo long as we are in the field, the enemies will aſſault vsus: now to yeeld before the battell be ended, is worſe then neuer to hauehave endured any at all: the glory of all our former patience is not onelyonly loſt, but alſo turned into ſhame and ignominy, andlHeb. 10. 38. God prouoked vtterly to giuegive vsus ouer.
This laſt point is the rather to be regarded, becauſe moſt faile therin: for many can endure an heauy burden, and a ſore brunt for a while, but if long it lie vponupon them, then they faint. This was it wherin the Hebrewes failed, aHeb. 10. 35. & 12. 3.for the redreſſing wherof, the Apoſtle is very earneſt.
§. 18. Of too light regard of Croſſes.
TWo extreames (whereunto we are very prone to runne,VI Point two …xtreams con…ry to patie…ce. the Preacher, and which much hinder this perfect work of patience) are noted bybPro. 3. 11. and bycHeb. 12. 5. the A…poſtle: one is, too light regard, the other is, too great feare of ſuch croſſes as God layeth on men: for ſome deſpiſe them, as matters not much to be regarded (ſo much the notation of the originalldforeign. words imply:) other faint and ſinke vnderunder the burthen of them, as if they were vnſupportable, not to be endured (ſo much alſo the notation of thecforeign. other originall words imply:) They looke not to God who ſmiteth: theſe fixe their eyes too faſt vponupon his Iuſtice and wrath. It is commonly ſtupidity of mind, or ſtubborneſſe of will, that maketh men fall into the former.Sunt nonnulli qui moleſtiam quidem ſuſtinent, caeterum fructu priuantur Ch…yſ. de Laz. con. 3. They, who are by nature ſtupide and blockiſh, hauehave not a ſpirituall ſence of croſſes, but are like to men dead drunke, (Pro. 23. 33.) they endure many troubles, but receiue no good by any trouble. Such were thoſe Iſraelites of whomhI…r 53. Ieremiah complaineth: and iExod 5 2.Pharaoh was ſuch an one. They who are of a ſtubborne diſpoſition, deſpiſe Gods corrections, askPro. 27. 22. the foole whoſe fooliſhneſſe will not depart from him, though thou ſhouldeſt bray him in a morter, &c. Such were thoſe Iſraelites of whomlIſa. 1. 5 Iſaiah complaineth: andm2. Chr. 28. 22. Ahaz was ſuch an one▪ Theſe are two dangerous rockes, at which many ſuffer ſhipwracke: two ſuch ſtumbling blockes, as cauſe many to fall, and pitch into hell. YetnStoicks. many count the firſt of theſe, (namely, ſo to ſtand out all croſſes, as not to be moued therewith) a vertue: anſwerable to this heatheniſh opinion is the practiſe of many, who profeſſe themſelues to be Chriſtians. Let publike iudgements fall on the land where they liue, as famine, plague, ſword, &c. or on cities and townes in that land, as inundations of waters, fires, ſickneſſes, &c. or on their owne houſes, their wiues, and children: are little moued, no though it fal vponupon their owne pates. If they may be freed from them, or deliuered out of them, they thinke it well: if not, they thinke it deſtiny, they muſt beare it, and ſo like beaſts, or rather like blockes lye vnderunder their burthen: thus many lye on their death beds, without remorſe, likeo1 Sam. 25. 37. Naball, whoſe heart dyed within him, and he was like a ſtone.
§. 19. Of deſpiſing Gods corrections.
THe other ſort, that through a rebellious will, deſpiſe Gods corrections, are the worſer ſort: they prouoke God to ſhew himſelfe a God of vengeance, euen a conſuming fire: forpPſal. 18. 26. With the froward, he will ſhew himſelfe froward. Reade what God threatneth, (Leu 26. 18, 21, 24, 28.) and how he executed thoſe threats (Amo. 4. 6. &c.) That in theſe our dayes, men carry themſelues ſtoutly againſt God, is too euident, both by Gods dealings and mens. For God is very mercifull, ſlow to anger. What is the cauſe then that he hath of late ſent ſo may iudgements one after another vntounto this land? wee may truely ſay with Ieremiah vntounto God,qLam. 3. 12. We hauehave ſinned and rebelled, therefore thou haſt not ſpared. For man, who is bettered by the Lords correcting hand? what ſinne is left? oh beloued, let vsus take heed we prouoke not God to lay his tod aſide, and to take vp a ſtaffe, or if that make vsus not ſtoop, to vnſheath his ſword, and cleane cut vsus off,
§. 20. Of fainting vnderunder the Croſſe.
THis extreame the wickeder ſortfall into, into the other fall the weaker ſort, but the better, yea many the deare Saints of God.rPſal. 6. 6. Dauid ſeemeth, by his owne confeſſion, to hauehave fainted in his mourning: for ſuch is the feebleneſſe of our nature, ſuch our forgetfulneſſe of Gods power and promiſes, that we oft let go from vsus thoſe ſtayes and props, which the Lord hath afforded vntounto vsus, to vphold. The Apoſtle implyeth, that euen Gods children, without great watchfulneſſe, and continuall obſeruation, are very ready to waxe faint. Experience, as of all other times, ſo of ours alſo, doth verifie as much. For how is it that there ſhould be ſuch ſlackeneſſe in many, who hauehave beene heeretofore very forward & zealous, and that mens after proceedings ſhould bee ſo vnlike to their former good beginnings, but that they faint by reaſon of that hard way, and thoſe manifold troubles, by which wee muſt paſſe vntounto heauen? Great is the danger and damage of this fainting: it makes men weary of well doing, it cauſeth them to repent of the good which is done, and to turne backe into an eaſier courſe (as they ſuppoſe) and ſo to loſe all the glory of that good which hath beene done: yea, it oft cauſeth fearefull doubting, and deſpaire, and ſo maketh all the help which the Scripture affordeth to be in vaine.
§. 21. Directions to keepe men from deſpiſing the Croſſe.
VVE ought therfore to be watchfull againſt both theſe extreames,How wee may be kept from de…piſing Gods corrections. that we fall not into the former, obſerue theſe few directions.
1 In all afflictions looke (asa2 Sam. 16. 11. Dauid did) vntounto him who ſmiteth, and know that they come not by chance, but by Gods wiſe diſpoſing prouidence: and that purpoſely to breed in vsus true remorſe.
Know alſo that the Lord can adde croſſe vntounto croſſe, till he pull downe our ſtout ſtomacks, or breake our proud backes, and bring vsus to vtter confuſion. Yea, know that his wrath is as his greatneſſe, infinite, vnſupportable: on whomſoeuer it lighteth, it cruſheth him down to hell: ſo that though a man might thinke he could beare all outward croſſes, yet Gods wrath can preſſe him much more heauily.
2 Take notice of the iudgements which other men by deſpiſing the Lord, bring vponupon themſelues: this may worke vponupon thine hard heart. It is an eſpeciall point of wiſedome to be warned by other mens harmes. This was the wiſedome of the third captaine which was ſent to Eliah. 2 King. 1. 13. &c.Note the iſſue.
3 Make vſe of the leaſt croſſes, and begin ſpeedily to humble thy ſelfe. If thy heart begin to be touched, ſuffer it not preſently to be hardned againe, but more and more humble thy ſelfe. Thus will the Lord repent of the iudgment he intended, and turne from his wrath, as he did in the time of Hezekiah.Ier. 26. 18, 19.
§. 22. Directions to keepe men from fainting.
THat we fall not into the latter extreme,How we may be kept from fain…ing vnderunder the croſſe. obſerue theſe directions.
1 Caſt not both eyes on our ſelues, and our owne weakneſſe, and the weight of the croſſes that lie vponupon vsus, but lift vp one vntounto God, & vntounto his goodnes… and conſider how ready he is to ſuccour in all time of need.
2 Call to mind his manifold promiſes: both thoſe which reſpect his gracious aſſiſtance of vsus in the tryall, and his mighty deliuerance of vsus out of it.
3 Remember examples of former times, how he neuer oppreſſed thē that patiently endured his corrections.
Theſe two extreames are directly contrary to the two branches of this verſe, namely to the preparation heere ſpoken of, and to the ground thereof, the Goſpel of Peace. If we be prepared, we ſhall not deſpiſe Gods corrections: if prepared by the Goſpel of Peace, we ſhall neuer faint: that will vphold vsus, or nothing.
§. 23. Anſwer to Satans ſuggeſtion against the need of patience.
THe laſt point remaining to be handled,VII. Point. Satans wyles to vnfurniſh our ſoules. is, to diſcouer the cunning deuices of the diuell, whereby the laboreth to keepe vsus vnfurniſhed and vnprepared againſt troubles: they are many; I will diſcouer onelyonly foure of the principall, by which all the reſt may be diſcerned.
Two of theſe foure are againſt the furniture it ſelfe: the other two againſt the ground thereof, The Goſpel of Peace.
Againſt the furniture he ſuggeſteth,
1 That there is no need of it.
2 That if there ſhould be need of it, yet it would ſtand a man in no ſteed.
The firſt he ſuggeſteth before troubles come, to make them feare none, but be careleſſe.
The ſecond when they are come, to make them deſpaire and ſinke vnderunder the burden. Firſt therefore to this effect he obiecteth.
Suggeſtion 1. If ye be Gods children, what needeth ſuch adoe about preparation?What need of patience. Doe you thinke that God will not more tender and reſpect his then to ſuffer them to fall into trobles? you may well enough be ſecure and feare nothing. Thus the diuell tempteth many in their peace and proſperity: it appeareth thataPſal. 30. 6. Dauid was in this manner aſſaulted.
Anſw. Very great need.Experience of all men in all ages doth ſufficiently confute the ſubſtance of this ſuggeſtion, and plainly diſcouer the falſehood of it (asb§. 12. I ſhewed before.) Dauid, who was a while beguiled with this vaine conceit, quickly found out by wofull experience the deceit of it, and thereupon ſaith vntounto God,cPſal. 30. 7. Thou didſt hide thy face, and I was troubled. It is very likely that then the Diuell beguiled him when hisd2 Sam. 7. 1. kingdome was fully eſtabliſhed, & he had reſt from all his enemies: obſerue the hiſtory of his troubles, which came vponupon him after that, and ye ſhal find it to be a very vaine and falſe conceit.
As for the ground whereupon the ſuggeſtion is built,God in louelove and wiſdome correcteth. namely the good reſpect which God beareth to his children, know, that God is euen thereby moued to lay many croſſes vponupon them: for as he is a louing Father, ſo he is a wiſe God: in wiſdome he ſeeth that it is needfull his children ſhould be corrected: his veryeHeb. 12. 6. louelove therefore moueth him to correct them.
That we may oppoſe godly wiſedome againſt the wicked policy of our enemy,In peace be prepared againſt trouble. let vsus hauehave this furniture in a readines, euen in the time of our greateſt peace and proſperity, and ſo prepare our ſelues againſt trouble. To prepare for troubles in time of proſperity before they come, is an eſpeciall meanes to make vsus well beare them in time of aduerſity when they come. We know that death is moſt fearefull and terrible to them that leaſt looke for it: ſo are all afflictions whatſoeuer.
§. 24. Anſwer to Satans ſuggeſtion againſt the benefit of Patience.
Suggeſt. 2. ALl the patience in the world can neither preuent,In what ſteed can patience ſtand vsus? nor remoue the leaſt croſſe that falleth on man. In what ſteed then wil this furniture ſtand him?
Anſw. In very great ſteed.Though it were granted that patience could neither preuent, nor remoue any croſſe, yet will it ſtand vsus in very great ſteed.1 lt enableth …s to bea…e al croſſes. For (to follow the metaphor) we know that though ſhooes and greaues make not the way plaine without ſtones, ſtubs and thornes; yet they make a man better able to treade on them, and paſſe thorow, or ouer them, and keepe his legs or feet from being galled or pricked. So patience enableth vsus well to beare al… troubles, and with ſome quietneſſe to paſſe them ouer, and it keepeth the ſoule from being pierced:2 It maketh many croſſes ſeeme lighter. Yea, it maketh great and heauy burdens ſeeme much lighter then otherwiſe they would.fHorat Leuius fit patientia quicquid corrigere eſt nefas. The heathen who were guided onelyonly by the light of nature, obſerued thus much. I hauehave my ſelfe obſerued two ſeuerall perſons lying vnderunder the ſame croſſe. What could make ſuch a difference, but this preparation of the Goſpel of peace?gPro. 18. 14. The ſpirit of a man will ſuſtaine his infirmity, but a wounded ſpirit who can beare?
Further I adde,3 It preuenteth and remoueth many. that this preparation doth preuent and remoue many ſore troubles; as anguiſh of ſoule, vexation of ſpirit, diſquietneſſe of mind, diſtemper in affections, with the like: which though they oft riſe from outward croſſes, yet they oft proue more heauy burdens then thoſe ſame from whence they did ariſe. For example, a couetous man hauing a ſmall loſſe which he might well beare, if he were ſhod with this furniture, by his diſquietneſſe of mind, and impaciency for that loſſe bringeth a much heauier croſſe vponupon him. So in ſicken…ſſe, in outward diſgrace baniſhment, impriſonment, &c. the anguiſh of ſoule which proceedeth from an impatient heart,Peior eſt …ello timor ipſe belli. Senec. often times proueth to be the greateſt croſſe. So the feare of troubles is oft worſe the trouble it ſelfe: and fretting againſt the malice of an enemy doth a man more hurt then the enemy himſelfe can. Now this furniture of the ſoule may both preuent, and alſo remoue theſe great and greeuous croſſes, as anguiſh of mind and ſpirit, needleſſe feares, fretfulneſſe, enuy, murmuring, with the like.
§. 25. Anſwer to Satans ſuggeſtion againſt Gods louelove in corecting.
AGainſt the ground of this preparation, which is the Goſpell of Peace, Satan obiecteth one while that there is no reaſon to relie on it: another while, that it procureth more troubles to them that reſt on it.
Suggeſt. Can there be peace with God while God ſcourgeth.3. Troubles are fruits of Gods wrath: to conceit any peace with God while troubles lie on vsus, is to call darkeneſſe light, and hatred louelove. To build patience on aſſurance of reconciliation with God, is to caſt anchor vppon quicke-ſands, or in a bottomeleſſe Sea. A man may better hope for life when the tokens of the plague appeare vponupon his skinne, then hope for reconciliation with God, while troubles, the tokens of Gods wrath, lie vponupon him. The aſſaults of Iobs wife and friends tended much to this purpoſe.
Anſwer. God in louelove correcteth.The ground of this ſuggeſtion being applied to the Saints, is directly falſe, and contrary to the current of the Scripture, which oft teſtifieth thataProu. 3. 12. Heb. 12. 6. whom the Lord loueth he chaſteneth. The ends which God aimeth at in correcting his children, and the fruits which anſwerably iſſue from thence (whereof we hauehave heardb§. 13. before) euidently demonſtrate, that the troubles of the righteous are no fruits of Gods wrath, but rather of his louelove. Yet a wonder it is to ſee how many are deceiued with this diabolicall ſuggeſtion; and they not onelyonly profane and wicked men, but euen deare Saints of God, while the croſſe lieth vponupon them, ascPſal 79. 5 Dauid. The reaſon is, becauſe at that time Sence worketh more then Faith. Wherefore for the auoiding of this aſſault, we muſt let faith hauehave the predominancy and higheſt rule in vsus, euen aboue reaſon and ſence: we muſtd2. Cor. 5. 7 walke by faith, and not by ſight. Faith reſteth on Gods word, and beleeueth what it ſaith, though ſence contradict it neuer ſo much. Now the word of God affirming that God correcteth whom hee loueth; if faith beare ſway in vsus, it will perſwade vsus that in our greateſt troubles God loueth vsus, and in louelove bringeth thoſe troubles vponupon vsus. Wherefore for the ſtrengthening of our faith, let vsus oft meditate ofeHeb. 12. 5 the conſolations of the Scripture.
§. 26. Anſwer to Satans ſuggeſtion of the many troubles which Gods louelove cauſeth.
Suggest. Is not the want of the Goſpell the beſt way to bee free from trouble?THe Diuell to ſhew that he careth not which way he preuaileth, ſo he preuaile any way, hath a contrary fetch. Hee will grant indeed that God ſcourgeth eueryevery ſonne whom he loueth; but with all addeth, that the more God loueth any, …he more troubles he bringeth vponupon them; and therefore inferreth, that the Goſpell of peace is ſo farre from being a meanes to defend vsus from trouble, that it is the cauſe of much trouble; and therefore the beſt way to be free from trouble, is to bee without the Goſpell of peace. Thus wasfPſa 73. 13. 14 Dauid tempted: yea, thus were thegIer. 44. 18. Iſraelites hearts hardened againſt God in Iere…ahs time.
Anſw. No verily.It is falſe that the more God loueth any, the more he ſcourgeth them: For as Gods wiſdome moueth him to correct his children, ſo his louelove moueth him to moderate his correction. Beſides, the inference, that therfore reconciliation with God is no good remedy againſt troubles, is vnſound and abſurd: for, aſſurance of our reconciliation with God, ſweetneth all troubles. But for a more full anſwere to this ſuggeſtion, note theſe foure points concerning the benefit of our peace with God in the caſe of afflictions.
1▪ That it keepeth many iudgements from vsus which fall vponupon the wicked: yea, which otherwiſe would fall on vsus.
2▪ That it alters the nature of all troubles which befall vsus.
3. That by it wee are aſſiſted and ſupported in all.
4. That by reaſon thereof we ſhall be deliuered and freed from all.
Theſe 4 cōfortable points I wil diſtinctly proue, becauſe by them al the euil ſuggeſtiōs of Satan may be anſwered.
1 For the firſt, obſerue the threatnings in Gods word,1 Peace with God keepeth many iudgements away. and ye ſhall find them made againſt ſuch asaforeign. hate God, and are hated of him. Reade the 26. chap. of Leuit. and the 28 of Deut. There Gods curſes are denounced againſt the wicked, but his bleſſings promiſed to the righteous: reade the 91 Pſal. where Dauid expreſly confirmeth this point, and ſheweth how they which truſt vnderunder the ſhadow of the Almighty, and ſo hauehave peace with him, are deliuered from many troubles. Note the Hiſtories of the Iewes vnderidolatrous and wicked Kings, and vnderunder religious and good Kings; God being forſaken by them, brought many calamities vponupon them: but being loued of theſe, deliuered them from many which their enemies intended againſt them: Yea, when generall iudgements were brought vppon the Land,cEzec. 9. 4 God ſent forth one to marke thoſe whom hee loued, that they might bee ſpared in the iudgement. The reaſon is cleare: for it is ſinne which cauſeth the moſt grieuous iudgements: Now the Goſpell of peace being a meanes to mooue God to for giuegive vsus the ſinnes which wee hauehave committed, and to moue vsus to forſake our ſinnes, and to ſeeke to pleaſe him, it muſt needs be a meanes to keepe vsus from many iudgements, which otherwiſe would fall vponupon vsus. Beſides, it keepeth vsus from a reprobate ſence, (whereunto thedRom. 1. 28. heathen were giuen, and theeActs 28. 29. Iewes after they had loſt their peace with God:) from deſpaire, whereuntofMat. 27. 5. Iudas fell; and from hell fire, whichgMat. 25. 46. ſhall torment wicked men. Theſe of all are the moſt wofull iudgements, and from theſe doth the Goſpell of peace wholy free men.
Here note what an egregious point of folly it is to feare to pleaſe God, for feare of troubles; as if a man ſhould feare to put on ſhooes, left his ſhooes ſhould cauſe ſtones to lie in his way: yet many feare to be at peace with God, becauſe it maketh men to hate, reuile, reproach, ſcorne, wrong, and perſecute them: not conſidering that Gods wrath is infinitely greater then mans. Are they not like the fiſh that leapeth out of the warme water, into the flaming fire? Or rather like ſelfe-murtherers, who to free themſelues from ſome momentany anguiſh in this world, caſt themſelues into hell torments, which is endleſſe, and eaſeleſſe?
§. 28. Of the nature of the Saints affliction.
2 FOr the ſecond;2. It altereth the nature of all croſſes. foreign. the afflictions which befall the righteous, are called chaſtiſements, and corrections, euen ſuch as tender Parents lay vponupon their deare children; to ſhew that the nature of them is altered, the ſting is pulled out, the curſe is remoued; ſo that although the originall ground of all afflictions was ſinne, and they firſt i… vengeance executed for ſinne, yet now inflicted on th… Saints, they are not vindict…ue for reuenge, but rathe… medicinable for Phyſicke: for Chriſt hath paid the ful… price and ranſome for all our ſinnes, he hath endured the full puniſhment for them, and left nothing to be by way of expiation endured of vsus.
Obiect. h2 Sam. 12. 14 Gods manner of puniſhing his childeren.The Saints are puniſhed for ſinne, as Dauid.
Anſwer. True it is that God taketh occaſion from ſinne, to puniſh his children, but not in vengeance for the ſinne committed which is paſt, but for a warning to make them the more carefull and watchfull ouer themſelues for the time to come. And herein lieth a maine difference betwixt the puniſhment of a Iudge and a Father: a Iudge reſpecteth the fact paſt; if it be againſt the Law, though the delinquent partie be neuer ſo penitent, and though there bee neuer ſo great hope of his amendment, yet hee denounceth the ſentence of Law againſt the Malefactor: but if a father be verily perſwaded that his child will neuer commit the like treſpaſſe againe, which he hath committed, aſſuredly hee would remit the puniſhment: but when hee correcteth, it is to preuent the like in the time to come.
God carrieth himſelfe as a Iudge to the wicked, but as a Father to the Saints: his corrections are for their inſtruction, not for their deſtruction. AsaHeb. 12. 10. God aimeth at his childrens good and profit in correcting them, ſo alſo hee giueth them a ſweete taſte of the good they receiue thereby, which maketh thembPſal. 119. 71. 75. acknowledge as much, and he thankefull for it; and ſo carry themſelues towards God, as a good patient towards his Phyſitian, who hath preſcribed bitter pils vntounto him: for the time he digeſts them willingly, and after he hath felt a kindly worke of them, he thanketh them.
§. 29. Of Gods aſsiſting his children in affliction.
3 FOr the third,3. By it, aſſiſtance in all troubles is obtained. c1 Cor. 10. 13 Heb. 13. 5.many faithfull promiſes hath God made to ſtand by his children, to be with them, and aſſiſt them in their ſeuerall afflictions, and neuer to forſake them. Hence is it that the Saints, to the great admiration of others, hauehave patiently endured ſuch croſſes, as many hauehave thought they would hauehave beene vtterly preſſed downe with the heauy burden of them, euen as the Barbarians looked when Paul ſhould hauehave fallen downe dead.Acts 28. 6.
§. 30. Of Gods deliuering his Children out of all afflictions.
4 For the laſt,4. And at length full freedome from all croſ…es. dPſal. 34. 19.many faithfull promiſes hath God likewiſe made to deliuer his Children out of all their troubles. Saint Iames ſetteth before vsus the iſſue of Iobs triall, as an euidence of this point, (ſaying, Yee hauehave ſeene the end of the Lord; and withall hee rendreth a good reaſon thereof,Prou 118. The Lord is very pittifull and mercifull, (Iam. 5. 11.)1 Cor. 10. 13.
Obiect. Some lie all their life time vnderunder the croſſe.
Anſw. Yet at the end of life, by death ſhall they be deliuered; in which reſpect the diuine Oracle pronounceth them Bleſſed that die in the Lord, Reu. 14. 13.for they reſt from the… labours.
Obiect. So are the wicked deliuered by death.
Anſw. Nothing ſo: they fall from one miſery to another, from a lighter to a greater, from an earthly, to an helliſh woe: ſo that herein lieth a maine difference, betwix… the death of the wicked, and of the Saints. Death thruſteth the wicked from temporall troubles into eternall to… ments: but it deliuereth the Saints from all trouble, and bringeth them to euerlaſting glory:Breuis eſt moleſtia, aterna erit beatitudo, Aug. in Pſal. 36. their miſery ſhall ſoone hauehave an end, their felicity ſhall neuer hauehave end.
Thus then wee ſee patience grounded vponupon the Goſpell of peace, to bee much profitable eueryevery manner of way.
THE SIXTH PART.
The ſhield of Faith.
Epheſ. 6. 16.
Aboue all, taking the ſhield of Faith, wherewith yee ſhall bee able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
§. 1. Of the Apoſtles manner of preſsing the point of Faith.
THe fourth peece of Spirituall Armour is more largely ſet forth, and more forcibly vrged then any of the reſt. For the Apoſtle contenteth not himſelfe with a bare exhortation, to ſtir vsus vp to vſe it, but with weighty reaſons preſſeth his exhortation, and that on both ſides, before and behind: Before, comparatiuely, preferring it to all other graces (aboue all.) Behind, ſimply, declaring the vertue and efficacy of it, (whereby yee ſhall bee able to quench, &c.) By the firſt he maketh way to his exhortation; by the laſt he knocketh it downe faſt, euen to the head, as we ſpeake.
§. 2. Of vrging matters of moment:
HEre by the way wee may learne a good inſtruction both for Miniſters and people.
For Miniſters,Matters of weight to bee preſſed of Miniſters. that they obſerue what points bee of greateſt weight and by ſome ſpeciall item and memento, to raiſe vp their peoples attention thereunto, yea, and with ſome ſpeciall euidence of reaſon and argument to inforce the ſame. Thus becauſe the obſeruation of the fourth Commandement, is an eſpeciall meanes to bring men to keepe all the other Commandements, the Lord prefixed a memento (Remember the Sabbath day) and withall vſeth many ſtrong reaſons, the more to ſtirre vsus vp to keepe it.
Thus is an expectation wrought in the hearers,Reaſons. of ſome point of moment; which will be an eſpeciall meanes to moue them the better to obſerue it, and to ponder it.
§. 3. Of giuing heed to weighty matters.
For people, that when they obſerue any one point aboue other to be vrged & preſſed, they giuegive the more diligent heed thereto:dHeb. 2. 1. foreign. for if eueryevery duty laide downe in Gods word be ſtedfaſt, that is, firme, ſure, and inuiolable; ſo as the tranſgreſſors thereof ſhall reape a iuſt recompence of reward, how ſhal they eſcape who neglect thoſe maine and principall duties, which aboue others are moſt earneſtly vrged? Let that therefore which is moſt preſſed by the Spirit and Miniſters of God, be beſt regarded by the people of God.
Obiect. This eſpeciall heed of one point will make men careleſſe of other.
Anſw. Nothing leſſe: for the end thereof is not to make vsus ſlothfull in any point, but to quicken vsus vp, and make vsus extraordinarily carefull in that which is ſo vrged. Suppoſe a maſter ſend his ſeruant of a meſſage, and giuegive him many things in charge to do,Simil. but giueth him an eſpeciall item for one, and vſeth many reaſons to make him carefull of it, doth he giuegive his ſeruant any occaſion to neglect the other? or wil a good ſeruant take any occaſion from thence, to neglect them? Such collections are made onelyonly by mans ſloathfull fleſh; they which gather them, abuſe the wiſdom & care of God to help our weaknes; they who are guided by Gods Spirit, will be otherwiſe minded, knowing that an extraordinary vrging of one point, is to make vsus extraordinarily carefull of that, but careleſſe and negligent of none.
§. 4. The Reſolution of the Text.
TWo points are to be noted in this verſe. Firſt, the tranſition, whereby the Apoſtle paſſeth from other points to this. Secondly, his exhortation vntounto the grace heere mentioned.
In his exhortation note
1 The matter thereof.
2 The motiue thereto:
That layeth downe a duty to be performed (Take the ſhield of Faith.)
This declareth the benefit of performing that duty in the laſt words, that ye may be able to quench, &c.
In the duty obſerue, the action required, (take,) and the obiect thereof: which is both plainly expreſſed (Faith) and alſo illuſtrated by a metaphor (ſhield.)
The motiue declareth the power, vertue and efficacy of Faith; which is, to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Touching this grace thus ſet downe, I will deliuer theſe points.
Firſt in generall by way of preface and preparation, I will firſt ſhew how excellent a grace it is: and then more particularly and diſtinctly declare,
2 What Faith is.
3 How fitly it is reſembled to a ſhield.
4 How it is wrought.
5 How it muſt be proued.
6 How it may be preſerued.
7 How it is to be vſed.
8 What it is the benefit, and power of it.
9 What are the wiles of the diuell to keepe vsus from it, and how they may be auoided.