The Christians Apparelling, Part 3 · Section 56
Section. 56.
There are other three affections which as good Souldiers, attend vponupon the ſpirit of fortitude in Gods Children, which the vnſound Chriſtian hath not, which in caſe of any aſſault by ſinne, are readie to fight for them; Hatred, Anger, Sorrow.
3 Hatred of ſinne.1. When ſinne firſt comes, and any euill thought or obiect is iniected by Satan, it is ſo farre from being entertained, that Gods Children, truly hating ſinne, doe preſently abhorre it, at firſt approach, and as an vnwelcome gueſt, keepe it at the doores, giuing no manner of conſent or allowance to it. Beſides, ſecondly, Anger lookes it grimme in the face,4 Anger againſt it. and ſo proues a Whetſtone to ſet an edge on their Chriſtiā courage and fortitude, whereby they, in good ſeriouſneſſe, ſet themſelues againſt ſinne, and in an holy indignation withſtand it as an enemie: ſinne ſhall not hauehave ſo much as a good looke of them. Whereas in the vnſound Chriſtian, though he ſet a good face on it awhile, yet he is not ſo truly diſpleaſed with it as hee ſhould bee, but by dallying with it, and vſing no ſterneneſſe againſt it, hee lets it creepe into him, and falls into familiarity with it. Yet thirdly, 5 Sorrow.if either by its ſtrength or their weakeneſſe and ſecurity, ſin preuaile, (as it doth ſometimes in the beſt, who yet generally are ſtrong Chriſtians) then ſuch is their ſorrow and griefe of heart, that they ſhould bee ſo negligent in Gods cauſe, and ſo regardleſſe of his glory, that they can neuer hauehave any quiet till it, like an vnwelcome gueſt, bee ſhut and put out againe; ſo long as it remaines, they account themſelues burthened, they by earneſt prayer call in the helpe of Gods grace & ſpirit, and at length get rid of ſuch ſturdie intruders; whereas the vngodly pleaſe themſelues with ſuch gueſts. &c.
And thus much concerning the true Chriſtians ſtrength in regard of the euill of ſinne, which hee withſtands.
Now of his ſtrength in regard of the euill of ſorrrow and ſuffering, which he ſtoutly, vndauntedly, and patiently indures.
4 The fourth property of the Spirit.The fourth propertie of the ſpirit, by which it may bee knowne, and by which true Chriſtiās may be diſtinguiſhed from others, is this:Which is, that it is a Spirit of ſtrength. It is a ſpirit of power, or a ſtrong ſpirit, and makes a man ſo. Now it ſhewes it ſelfe ſtrong, both in reſpect of Good and Euill.
1. In reſpect of Good: this being either Spirituall or Temporall; whereſoeuer this ſpirit of might truly is, it make and inables a man, firſt, in regard of spirituall good, to vndertake and ſet vponupon his duty, how hard or difficult ſoeuer it may ſeeme to fleſh and blood. Secondly, in regard of temporall good, to make light of, yea to diſpiſe and contemne it, in compariſon of the other.
2. In reſpect of Euill: which in 5 particulars is (if god will) to be handled in a treatiſe a part.now this is either the Authour of euill (properly ſo called) which is the Deuill; whom, and whoſe temptations this ſpirit inables a good Chriſtian to reſiſt; or euill it ſelfe. Firſt, the Euill of ſinne; which it teacheth & inables a man in ſome good meaſure to withſtand, how pleaſing ſoeuer it may ſeeme to be. Secondly, Euill of puniſhment and of ſorrow, whether ordinary Afflictions,Called, or afflictions for the Goſpell, which it ſtrengthens the good Chriſtian to indure and ſuffer, with all long-ſuffering and patience.
Which fiue particulars, becauſe I foreſee they (eſpecially the laſt) will be ſomewhat large; and ſeeing, in this Treatiſe I would not too far exced my bounds; I therefore of purpoſe, omit the handling of them here, reſeruing them to bee handled by themſelues in a Treatiſe apart, vntounto which I referre the Reader,The Spirit of Power. when it ſhall bee publiſhed which will bee ſhortly, if God will.