Twenty-Nine Lectures, Lecture 20
The one and twentieth LECTVRE of the CHVRCH.
WE hauehave already ſpoken of the 6th generall point propounded to be handled, namely, of the priuileges of the Church:The ſeuenth generall head in the doctrin of the church, viz. the aduerſaries and oppoſites of it. Now we are to proceed to the ſeuenth, namely, of the aduerſaries and oppoſites of the Church: for as the Church of God is endued with many excellent priuileges aboue all other congregations whatſoeuer; So no other company in the world is more ſubiect to aduerſaries & oppoſitions, then they are; for ſuch is the condition euen of the beſt and happieſt eſtates, that can be attained to in this life, that they conſiſt of ſweete and ſower mingled together; and commonly, they which hauehave the moſt ſweete one way, hauehave the moſt ſower another: So is the eſtate of the Church, a comfortable eſtate, the beſt and happieſt that this life can yeeld, in reſpect of many excellent priuileges belonging to it; and yet no eſtate ſo maligned & ſpited at by ſo many, and ſo ſore aduerſaries, as the Church is: the wiſdome of God hath ſo framed and appointed it, as for the tryall of our patience and obedience, to ſee if wee will receiue euill at the hands of God, as well as good; ſo alſo to draw vp our louelove & affections to the meditation and deſire of a further and better ſtate in heauen, where there is all ſweet, no ſowre; perfection of good and happineſſe, without any mixture of any euill: Now the preſent eſtate of the Church being thus compounded of ſowre, as well as ſweet, of many dangers, as well as of many priuileges; It is needfull therefore, firſt, for mee to ſpeake of, ſecondly, for you to learne the one as well as the other; firſt for mee to ſpeake of them, for hee is a deceitfull Merchant, that in ſetting forth his Commodities to ſaile, ſhewes onelyonly the beſt, and conceales the worſt: So, if I ſhould acquaint you with the Priuileges onelyonly, and not with the aduerſaries too; I ſhould be a deceitfull handler of the Word and myſteries of God. Secondly, it is needful for you to learne both, that you may know what to truſt to, if euer you come within the walls of the Church, not to dreame all of priuileges and comforts; but make account aforehand, to meete with aduerſaries and croſſes, and oppoſitions of ſundry kindes: I ſpeake not this to diſmay any from ioyning to the Church (though this hath beene one ſpeciall meanes to diſcourage many) but I ſpeake this to ſtirre vp your ſpirits, and to fit and frame you beforehand for the tryalls that God hath appointed you for,This handled in 5. point. that ſo you may fight that good fight of faith, againſt all your aduerſaries: that which I ſhall ſpeake concerning this matter, I will deliuer in theſe fiue points; Firſt, I wil ſhew, that the Church of God hath many aduerſaries to oppoſe it, ſo long as it is in this world: Secondly, I wil ſhew what theſe Aduerſaries are: Thirdly, I will ſhew the dealing of theſe Aduerſaries againſt Gods Church; Fourthly, I will ſhew what is the dealing of the church, the faithfull againſt her Aduerſaries: And laſtly, I will ſhew the courſes and dealings of God, both how he carries himſelfe to the Aduerſaries, and alſo how he carries himſelfe to his Church. And hauing ſpoken of theſe particulars, I ſhall hauehave ſpoken ſufficiently of this point.
And firſt of the Firſt, that the Church of God hath many Aduerſaries to oppoſe it;…. Th… … that the Church of God hath many Aduerſaries to oppoſe it, deliuered in a Doctrine. The point offers it ſelfe in a plaine and direct obſeruation, and therefore ſo we will take it, and ſo proceed in the handling of it: And the obſeruation is this; That the Church of God ſo long as it is in this world, is alwayes incountred and aſſaulted with many aduerſaries, that ſeek to diſquiet their peace, and hinder their good proceedings; Marke the parts of the obſeruation, Firſt, I ſay, they are Aduerſaries, there is their quality, they are Aduerſaries, full of hatred; Secondly, I ſay they are many Aduerſaries, there is their number: Thirdly, I ſay, that they encounter and aſſault the Church, there is their worke: Fourthly, I ſay, they doe alwayes aſſault it, there is their diligence: Laſtly, I ſay, they ſeeke to diſquiet their peace, and hinder their good proceedings, there is their end: I ſhall not neede to make a curious Application of any proofes to eueryevery one of theſe particulars (though I doubt not, but that many of the places brought for proofe would affoord it): It will be ſufficient, that I proue the maine matter plainely and directly: Therefore for the proofe of this obſeruation, ſee it firſt in a ſhaddow, Mat. 8.24. where Chriſt and his Diſciples are in a Ship vponupon the Sea, and this Ship is troubled with Tempeſts, and ouerflowed with waues: Now although this be but a ſtory, and that there be no intendment in the place to be applyed to this; yet vnderunder this is fitly ſhadowed out the eſtate of the Church in this life: Imagine the Sea to be the world, and the ſhip to be the Church, and the tempeſts and waues to bee aſſaults and incounters, that the Church is ſubiect vntounto, and the Winds to bee the Aduerſaries of the Church; And then we ſhall ſee in this ſhaddow, the obſeruation bee plaine, that no ſhip is more toſſed in the Sea with Winds and tempeſts, hindering their courſe, and indangering their eſtate; then the Church is, beaten againſt by the aſſaults and oppoſitions of aduerſaries, troubling their peace, and hindering their good proceedings: See it more plainely in a Compariſon of Gods owne Making and applying, Cant 2.2. where the Church is compared to a Lilly amongſt thornes; Now the Lilly is a tender, yet a glorious plant; ſo glorious, that Chriſt prefers it before Salomon in all his Royalty; but the thorne is a ſhrubbed Plant, rough and full of Pricks: And the Church, ſo long as it is here, is a Lilly among thornes, hath many aduerſaries continually vexing it like ſo many pricking thornes in her ſides, euen on eueryevery ſide round about her. See it alſo in a Parable of our Sauiours making, Mat. 13.25. &c: where the Church is compared to wheate among Tares; as the wheate is among tares, ſo the Church is among her Aduerſaries, the ſeede of the wicked; And as the Tares hinder the growth and take away the Iuce from the good Corne: ſo the wicked diſquiet the Church, and ſeeke to hinder and keepe her downe from growing, And how long ſhall they do this? why, till the Harueſt, verſ. 30. that is, till the end of the world, verſ. 39. Then ſo long as the Church ſhall bee in this world, ſhee ſhall be encountred and aſſaulted with many Aduerſaries, that ſhall ſeeke to ſuppreſſe it, as the Tares the wheate: See it yet more plainely in a viſion, Reu. 12. which is not a bare and empty viſion, like a Dreame, but a beholding of things as in deede and truth they are; In the firſt verſ. there is a woman cloathed with the Sunne, and hauing the Mo…ne vnderunder her feete, that is the Church of God; In the third verſe there are her Aduerſaries, a Red Dragon, Red with wrath againſt the Church; there is but one Aduerſary named, but he hath many heads and hornes, that is, many complices and retinues: In the ſeuenth verſe, there is their work, the Dragon and his angels fought againſt Michael and his Angels, that is, againſt the Church; And in the fourth verſ. there is their end, to deuoure the Childe, that is, to hinder all good fruits, that ſhould be brought forth and grow vp in the Church; And this he neuer giues ouer, not though himſelfe be foyled and caſt vntounto the earth; for there hee perſecuted the woman, verſ. 13. nor yet though the woman bee carried away from him into the wilderneſſe, yet there he perſecuteth her, verſ. 14. and 15. not yet though he bee diſapointed of his Attempts, yet hee giues not ouer, but makes warre with the remnant of her ſeed verſ. 16.17. So that this place teacheth eueryevery particular the point obſerued. See it yet more plainely affirmed by the Lords owne mouth in the former teſtament, and ſet downe as an ordinance and worke of God himſelfe, Gen. 3.15. I will put Emnity betwixt thee and the woman, and betweene thy ſeede and her ſeede, he ſhall break thine head, thou ſhalt bruiſe his heele: here is a plaine oppoſition betwixt Satan and his ſeede, and the Church and her ſeede; and this is continuall; for when his head was broke by our Sauiour, Matth. 4. in ouercomming him in his temptations, but ſpecially at his death; yet ſtill he ſeekes to aſſault the Church, and to bruiſe her heele. And the ſame in effect is iuſtified by Chriſt himſelfe, in the new Teſtament, Iohn 16.33. In the world ye ſhall hauehave affliction, but be of good Comfort: I hauehave ouercome the world, &c: As if hee ſhould ſay, ſo long as you are in the world, looke for affliction, it is your portion here, to be afflicted and aſſaulted with many aduerſaries. Yet laſt of all, ſee it moſt plainely in the experience of all Ages, In the fourth chapter of Nehemiah verſ. 7.8. when Sanballat and Tobiah, and the Arabians and the Ammonites, and the Aſhdodims heard that the walls of Ieruſalem were repaired, they conſpired altogether to come and to fight againſt Ieruſalem, and to hinder them: So in Heb. 11.35, 36, 37. where the eſtate of the Church in this world is ſet downe to bee this, that many were ſtoned, many racked, others hewen aſunder, and others ſlaine with the Sword, &c. Theſe are the aſſaults and oppoſitions, that the Church is to expect in this life; So the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 49. to the 13. ſpeakes of the like oppoſitions, that the Church meetes withall in this world, that they were as men appointed to Death, a gazing ſtocke vntounto the world, to Angels, and to men, &c: made as the filth of the world, and the off ſcowring of all things: And in the 1 Theſ. 2.18. the Apoſtle ſaith, that hee would hauehave come vntounto them, but Satan hindred him: ſo that wee ſee that Satan, and his Inſtruments aſſault the Church continually, and hinder their good proceedings. So in Pſal. 2.1.2. &c. the heathen rage and the people murmure, the Kings of the earth bande themſelues, and the Princes are aſſembled together againſt the Lord and his Chriſt. And in Act. 4.27. in both theſe places Chriſt himſelfe is propounded for an example in this caſe, that ſo all that beleeue in him and profeſſe him, may know what to truſt to; Herod and Pontius Pilate, and the Gentiles, and the people of Iſraell, all were gathered together againſt Chriſt; if it were ſo with our Sauiour, it muſt needs bee ſo with all his members: If they hated and oppoſed him, they will hate and oppoſe them, for the Seruant is not aboue his Maſter: what Church euer was there in the world, yea, or what one true member of the Church, that can no by their owne experience giuegive Teſtimony to this Truth? Either in captiuity, or out of it; either vnderunder the Law, or before the Law; or after the Law: Either Apoſtles, Prophets or Patriarkes, all from the firſt to the laſt; yea Adam himſelfe in Paradiſe, ſee how hee was encountred and ouercome, and ſo caſt out of Paradiſe, which all mankind rues to this day: There is no place not ſtate, but heauen free, there, and no where but there, ſhall the Church be triumphant, there ſhee is alwayes militant, aſſaulted and fought againſt by many Aduerſaries, that ſeeke to diſquiet her peace, and hinder her good proceedings. So much for the proofe of the obſeruation: Now let vsus ſee the Reaſons of it.
And the firſt and chiefe Reaſon, is the Iuſtice of God Reaſ. 1 vponupon the Serpent, for when God ordained that Enmity betwixt the Serpent and his ſeede, and the woman and her ſeede, Gen. 3.15. hee was in a courſe of Iuſtice, as a Iudge inflicting; this is a puniſhment vponupon the Serpent, becauſe he ſeduced our firſt Parents: So that howſoeuer theſe oppoſitions light heauily and iuſtly on the faithfull, yet it hits them onelyonly, as it were a by-blow, for their chaſticement; the maine ſtroke is inflicted on the Serpent and his ſeede, as their deſerued puniſhment.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, Satans Spite and Enuy againſt good men, and good things, is another Reaſon of it; It is hee that ſtirrs vp and blowes all theſe Coales, as after ſhall bee ſhewed: It is gall and Death to him to ſee either good men, or good things proſper; And therefore he bends himſelfe againſt them with all his power and might.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, the church, and the men of the world hauehave contrary mouers; the world hath fleſh and Nature to be their mouer; the Church hath grace and the ſpirit to be their mouer: And ſo they hauehave contrary wills, the one ſet vponupon good, the other wholly vponupon euill: and ſo alſo they hauehave contrary Ends, the Church aymes at Gods Glory, and at the Kingdome of heauen; the wicked at their owne pleaſures and profits, and they tende to hell; and therefore of neceſſity there muſt bee a perfect oppoſition of the one againſt the other in all their Courſes, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Galat. 5.17. the fleſh luſteth againſt the Spirit, and the Spirit luſteth againſt the fleſh and theſe two are contrary.
Reaſ. 4 Fourthly, It is the nature and condition of the good to bee croſſed and oppoſed, and it is the nature and condition of the wicked to trouble and vexe and hurt and fight againſt him that is more righteous then himſelfe.
Reaſ. 5 Fiftly, Chriſt is a Signe to bee ſpoken againſt, Luk. 2.34. and therefore they that profeſſe and beleeue in him, cannot but be mightily oppoſed, not onelyonly, becauſe they are members of a militan… head; but alſo for that very cauſe, becauſe they profeſſe and beleeue in him.
Reaſ. 6 Sixtly, It is ſo, for the Triall of the faithfull themſelues, and of their faith; Firſt of the faithfull themſelues, ſo ſaith the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 11.19. There muſt bee Hereſies euen among you, that they which are approued amongſt you may bee knowne; And ſo the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 4.12. thinke it not ſtrange concerning the firy Triall, which is amongſt you to proue you. So likewiſe, theſe oppoſitions are for the trial of Gods graces in vsus, of our louelove to Ieſus Chriſt, whether wee louelove him vnfaignedly and meerely for himſelfe, or for our owne eaſe and good and ſafety; for, if we louelove him not for himſelfe, but for theſe, then when theſe faile, our louelove will faile too: So alſo it is for the triall of our Faith in his promiſes; to ſee whether we will ſtill build and reſt vponupon them in all our Croſſes, with all manly Confidence, when in outward appearance it is vnlikely, that they ſhould bee performed and ſtand: So it is alſo for the triall of our Patience, to ſee if wee will quietly endure all Croſſes and oppoſitions, and ſpeaking againſt of Sinners, and all manner of euill dealings for Chriſts ſake. Laſtly, it is for the triall of the corruption that is in vsus; For commonly many corruptions breake out of our hearts in theſe oppoſitions, as wee ſee in Iob, who was a Iuſt and vpright man, and yet we ſee in his afflictions, what a Sea of corruption burſt out of him. Theſe are the Reaſons that the Church hath ſo many aduerſaries and oppoſits.
The vſes are theſe; The firſt vſe is matter of Inſtruction Ʋſe. 1 teaching vsus what to eſteeme of the life of a Chriſtian in this world (for that which is the portion of the whole church in generall, is alſo the portion of eueryevery member in particular) what is the life of a Chriſtian here? Surely, a continuall warfare againſt many Aduerſaries; ſo that when thou entreſt into the profeſſion of the Goſpell, know that thou entreſt into a Sea of troubles, and a world of oppoſitions; dreame not therefore of outward peace and eaſe there, for that ſtate cannot affoord it; but looke for warres and bickerings continually either within or without, either with one enemy or other; and when thou haſt paſſed one or many conflicts, do not ſit downe, and ſay, now I hope my payne is paſt, but bee ſure, that ſo ſoone as one trouble is ended, another will follow it at the very heeles. A ſtate of worldly Tranquillity and peace is a moſt dangerous eſtate, and where there is ſuch a ſtate, wee may feare, that the Diuel poſſeſſeth all in peace there, as our Sauiour ſaith, Luk. 11.27. And in Luk. 6.21, 22. he ſaith, Bleſſed are yee that weepe, for yee ſhall laugh; Bleſſed are ye, when men hate you, &c. there is the eſtate of the faithfull: but we be to you that laugh now, for yee ſhall waile and weepe: woe be to you when all men ſpeake well of you, verſ. 25.26. there is the eſtate of the Reprobate; Do wee laugh and hauehave we our pleaſure now, and doe all men ſpeake well of vsus? then certainely wee are not of the number of the bleſſed, but our eſtate is a woefull eſtate; wee muſt take this as a Rule, that to whom Abraham our heauenly Father may ſay, Sonne, remember that thou in thy life time receiuedſt thy pleaſure, to thoſe ſhall be alſo ſaid after this life, now thou art tormented, Luke 16. the Torments of hell are the end of ſuch an eſtate: but on the contrary if it be with vsus, as it was with Lazarus, that our heauenly Father may ſay of vsus, that we hauehave had our paines here; he ſhall alſo affirme of vsus after this life, as of him, but now hee is comforted; paynes are bitter here, but they are ſweete hereafter: I doubt not but Gods children hauehave many times peace here, and yet goe to heauen; and the wicked may hauehave many croſſes, and yet goe to hell: But I ſpeake here of croſſes and ſufferings that befall vsus for Chriſts cauſe, and for his ſake becauſe, wee are the Church of Chriſt; and theſe we muſt look for in this life, as Chriſt was a Signe to bee ſpoken againſt, Luk. 2.34. or a butt to ſhoot at, ſo is his Chruch, and eueryevery paricular member, and this is it wee are to looke for in this world, heere is our warfare, in heauen is our crowne: And therefore while we liue here, let vsus looke for many Adùerſaries and oppoſitions.
Ʋſe. 2 The ſecond vſe is for matter of reproofe, and that of many, for there are many that make the croſſes and oppoſition of the Church, as a ſtumbling blocke to hinder them from heauen, and to make them fall into hell: For, firſt, it keeps many from entring into the Church; what, ſay they, Shall wee enter into ſo many troubles? If they could ſeparate the Church from the croſſe, then they would be of the Church, like vntounto the high Prieſts and the Scribes, and the Elders, and Phariſies, in Matth. 27.42. that ſaid, Let him come downe from the Croſſe, and wee will beleeue in him; ſo theſe men, if yee can ſeparate Chriſt from his croſſe, they will beleeue in him: Secondly, it is a ſtumbling blocke to many to make them flie away from the Church, at leaſt for a time, ſo did the Diſciples of Chriſt, Matth. 26.56. when their Maſter was in trouble for his life, they all forſooke him and fled; this was but for a time: But many in the time of oppoſition and perſecution, fall away finally from the Church, ſuch are they that are compared to the ſtony ground, Mat. 13.20.21. that receiued the ſeed of the Word with ioy for a time, but becauſe it was not rooted in their hearts, therefore when perſecution commeth, they fall away: Thirdly, it is a ſtumbling blocke to others, that are beholders of theſe oppoſitions, cauſing them to paſſe hard and vncharitable cenſures on vsus, either ſcoffingly by way of inſultation, as they did ouer our Sauiour, in Matth. 27.43. He truſted in God, let him deliuer him now if hee will hauehave him, for he ſaid, I am the Sonne of God; becauſe our Sauiour was brought to a ſhamefull death, therefore they ſcoffe at him, and inſult ouer him, as if he were not the Sonne of God, and ſo this was a ſtumbling blocke to keepe them from beleeuing in him: or elſe it cauſeth others to paſſe hard cenſures on vsus, reprochfully taxing vsus as notorious ſinners, becauſe wee are ſo continually moleſted, as they did of our Sauiour, Eſa. 53.34. they thought him to be a wicked man, and that therefore he was plagued and ſmitten of God; and ſo in Acts 28.4. they iudged of Paul when the viper hung vponupon his hand, that hee was a wicked man; and therefore, though hee had eſcaped the Sea, yet vengeance would not ſuffer him to liue. Thus many make the perſecutions and oppoſitions of the Church as a ſtumbling blocke, to keepe them from ioyning with the Church: theſe are all here reproued.
Ʋſe. 3 The third vſe is for matters of exhortation, to ſtirre vsus vp to the practice of many duties:Sti…ting vp to many duties. Is the Church oppoſed with many aduerſaries, then we muſt learne, firſt, to fight, and to take vp armes, and to beare vp our ſelues with good ſpirit and courage againſt all our aduerſaries; the Apoſtle, 1 Cor 16.13. exhorteth vsus to this duty, Stand faſt in the faith, quit your ſelues like men, be ſtrong, &c. ſeeing we are matched with ſo many aduerſaries, wee muſt fight manfully, and quit our ſelues like Chriſtian men, for ſhall they fight againſt vsus, and that continually; and ſhall wee lye ſtill, either not fighting at all, or if wee beginne to fight, ſhall wee like cowards giuegive ouer, and ſuffer them to trample vsus vnderunder their feete? God forbid; this were not onelyonly to bring our ſelues and our ſoules into our enemies hands, but alſo to deliuer God himſelfe (as much as in vsus lyeth) and his cauſe and Religion into the hands of his enemies; If wee be oppoſed in an outward fight, as men, wee are ready to take vp armes, and to ſtrike againe, and to make all reſiſtance, where wee ſhould not; but in this caſe wee ſhould rather yeeld, and giuegive place, and not reſiſt euill, as our Sauiour teacheth vsus, Matth. 5.39, &c. Being therefore oppoſed as Chriſtians, and members of the Church, and our faith being dearer to vsus then our liues; and the Lord hauing giuen vsus an expreſſe charge to reſiſt and fight it out; why doe we not then quicken vp our ſpirits, and reſiſt euen vntounto blood, if neede require, that ſo theſe aduerſaries may not hauehave their wills on vsus. Secondly, as wee muſt fight, ſo wee muſt fight lawfully, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 2 Tim. 2 5. that is, as we muſt fight on a good ground, ſo wee muſt fight by good and lawfull meanes, when wee come to hauehave bickerings with the wicked, wee muſt not doe by them as they doe by vsus, to quit them like for like; if they wrong vsus, wee muſt not wrong them; or if they ſlander, or reuile, or ouer-reach vsus, wee muſt not doe the like by them; no, wee muſt fight againſt them by lawfull meanes, ſuch as are infallible by Gods Word; we are to deale ſo by lawfull courſes againſt them, as they doe vnlawfully againſt vsus. Thirdly, that wee may ſtriue lawfully, wee muſt put on the whole Armour of God, Epheſ. 6.11. as wee muſt fight, ſo we muſt be armed; our aduerſaries come forth armed againſt vsus, and ſhall we goe forth naked againſt them? No, wee muſt be armed too; yea, they are in compleat harneſſe, well appointed in eueryevery reſpect to hurt vsus, and yet to keepe themſelues harmeleſſe; ſo muſt wee hauehave compleat armour too, from the head to the foot, wee muſt hauehave the helmet of ſaluation, the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe the ſhield of faith, the ſword of the ſpirit, the Girdle of verity, and we muſt be ſh…d with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace. Beſides, as they are furniſhed by the diuell their captaine, ſo muſt wee by God our captaine, vpder whoſe colours we fight, we muſt put on the whole armour of God; and that this may be preſſed the more vponupon vsus, the Apoſtle doubleth his exhortation, in 13. verſe, and ſaith, For this cauſe, take vntounto you the whole armour of God. Fourthly, we muſt watch, ſo the Apoſtle cōmands vsus, 1 Cor. 16.13. and Peter, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be ſober and watch; wee muſt watch, for firſt our aduerſaries are many, ſecondly, eueryevery one aſſaults, thirdly, they watch to ouerthrow vsus, fourthly, they hauehave much craft and ſubtilty amongſt them, euen as much as the Diuell can put into them, and therefore wee had neede to watch continually, and to ſtand on our guard, and to hauehave our eyes open, and to caſt eueryevery way about vsus, to diſcouer and preuent the enemy, and to ſaue our ſelues, remembring ſtill, that the enuious man preuailed in his purpoſe againſt the good ſeed, while men were ſleeping, Matth. 13.25. that is, while they were not watchfull and wary to preuent him. The fifth duty which we muſt practice, is, that with our fighting and watching, we take all opportunities and aduantages for our owne defence, wee muſt learne of our aduerſaries, who are exceeding wiſe in doing euill: ſo wee muſt be wiſe in doing good; as they ſpie out their beſt aduantages when they are ſtrongeſt, and beſt prepared, and when it will be moſt for their benefit, and our hurt, and when wee are weakeſt and moſt vnprouided, not ſo able to make our party good againſt them; ſo muſt wee doe againſt them, ſpecially, wee muſt take ſuch aduantages as God affoords vsus in his Word, when wee read how others of Gods children hauehave defended them ſelues in ſuch aſſaults, let vsus take aduantage by their example, and ſtill in all our aſſaults let vsus lay vp ſomething for our defence, againſt another time. Sixthly, Let vsus throw away all hindrances, 2 Tim. 4.2. no man that warreth, intangleth himſelfe with the affaires of this life, &c. Souldiers carry little with them to the warre, but caſt away all that is troubleſome to them; ſo muſt wee throw away all hindrances that may trouble vsus in this fight, as the louelove of the world, and of our ſelues, and of pleaſures, yea, and if neede be, we muſt loaue father and mother, wife and children too, and throw them all away, rather then they ſhould comber vsus in this battell; wee muſt rid our hands of all things, but what neceſſity ties vsus to, that ſo we may be free from incombrances in the mannaging of this ſpirituall warfare: The Apoſtle in the 1 Corinth. 9 26, 27. propounds himſelfe for an example in this caſe, ſo fight I (ſaith he) not as one that beateth the ayre, but I beat downe my body, and bring it in ſubiection, &c. hee knew, that if hee did not beat downe his body, and ſo caſt this hindrance away, he ſhould but beat the ayre, teaching vsus, that wee muſt throw away all that hinders vsus in the mannaging of this Spirituall fight. The ſeuenth duty is, confidence in Gods louelove, wee muſt caſt our ſelues by faith vponupon the power of God, as the Apoſtle exhorts, Epheſ. 6.10. My brethren, be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and if we doe thus, it ſhall goe well with vsus in this our battell; and this faith and confidence is nor onelyonly a part of this fight, but the very victory it ſelfe, as the Apoſtle ſaith 1 Iohn 5.4. this is the victory whereby we ouercome the world, euen our faith, and in this reſpect it is called a ſhield to quench all the fiery darts of Satan, Epheſ. 6.
The eighth duty which we are taught from hence to practiſe, is the duty of prayer, this is a ſpeciall meanes to preuaile in our fight, therefore the Prophet Dauid ſaith, Pſalme 56.9. when I cry, then mine enemies ſhall turne backe; and this the Apoſtle Paul practiſed in his ſpirituall fight, when the meſſenger of Satan was ſent to buffet him, he beſought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him; and the ſame Apoſtle, Epheſ. 6.18. exhorts vsus hereunto in many termes; pray alwaies, with all manner of prayer, and ſupplication, in the Spirit, and watch thereunto, with all perſeuerance, wee muſt hauehave helpe and ſtrength, elſe wee cannot withſtand our enemies, they being ſo ſtrong, and we ſo weak; and whence ſhould we hauehave helpe, but from God? And how ſhall we obtaine it of him but by prayer? and therefore wee muſt pray alwaies vntounto God, that he would helpe and ſtrengthen vsus in our fight, and that hee would daunt and draw all good ſucceſſe from our enemies that ſo they may not preuaile againſt vsus, but that wee may preuaile againſt them, Exod. 17.11. When Moſes held vp his hand, Iſrael preuailed, and when hee let his hand downe, Amaleck preuailed; ſo it is with vsus when we hold vp our hands to God by prayer, wee ſhall preuaile againſt our ſpirituall enemies; but if wee let downe our hands, neglect this duty, this dutie of prayer, they will preuaile againſt vsus.
The laſt duty which wee are hence taught to practiſe, is patience, wee muſt poſſeſſe our ſoules with patience, holding out to the end of the fight, and being well content with our preſent portion, ſighing for deliuerance, and yet waiting the Lords good leaſure, with an expectation of helpe and comfort to all our croſſes, and a ſeaſonable and ioyfull deliuerance from all our croſſes, and a recompence in heauen, with a Crowne of glory, for all the croſſes and miſeries which wee doe heere endure. And ſo much for the firſt point; that the Church of God hath many aduerſaries, &c.
The ſecond point, what theſe aduerſaries are, and they are many.The ſecond point is; who, and what theſe aduerſaries are? Surely they are very many in number: In generall, they are all they that are not of the Church, for ſo is our Sauiours Rule, Luke 11.23. Hee that is not with me, is againſt me; The particulars are many, and therefore not eaſily to be comprehended within one artificiall diuiſion, therefore take eueryevery one by themſelues.
The firſt aduerſary or oppoſite is a falſe Church, that is, ſuch as pretend themſelues to be the Church, when indeed they are not, but are deſtitute of that which giues the true being of the Church, that is, of Chriſt Ieſus: want of Diſcipline, and ſuch like materiall points, may make an vnwholeſome, and an vnſound Church, but ſo long as Chriſt Ieſus is truely profeſſed, they are true Churches: The Turks and the Iewes are falſe churches, hauing a falſe being, becauſe Chriſt is not profeſſed by them.
2. ſort.The ſecond ſort are thoſe that are not yet admitted into the Church, and they are not onelyonly Infidells and Reprobates, which neuer were, nor euer ſhall be of the Church, but alſo Gods choſen children before their calling are bitter enemies of the Church; as the Apoſtle Paul, hee was as great an aduerſary againſt the Church, till hee was called, as the world could yeeld.
3. ſort.The third ſort of oppoſites to the Church are heretikes, they are ſuch as ſtiffely maintaine any groſſe opinion againſt the faith profeſſed in the Church; ſome ſuch there were in the Church of Corinth, 1 Cor. 11.19. and theſe oppoſites are of all ſorts, ſome are greater heretikes, others leſſe, and accordingly they are more or leſſe oppoſite; yet they are all aduerſaries, and that in an high degree, euen to the faith which is the life of the Church; at leaſt in ſuch particulars as they oppoſe. All the embracers of hereſies are enemies, but the broachers of them moſt of all.
The 4th ſort of oppoſites are Schiſmatikes,4. ſort. thoſe that make a diuiſion or rent in the Church, withdrawing themſelues from the outward fellowſhip of thoſe that profeſſe the ſauing truth, of theſe the Apoſtle ſpeakes. Heb. 10.34. that they withdraw themſelues to perdition, theſe are dangerous aduerſaries, for they doe not onelyonly make a rent in the Church (but as much as in them lies) they diuide Chriſt, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 1.13. of both theſe oppoſites, the Heretike and the Schiſmatike, it may be ſaid as the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Iohn 2.19. They went out from vsus, becauſe they were not of vsus; Now as Heretikes are oppoſite to the faith of the Church; ſo are Schiſmtikes to the vnity of the Church; and as Schiſmatikes are oppoſite to the whole Church, ſo ſpecially they are oppoſite to that Church from which they ſeparate.
The fifth ſort of aduerſaries, are Apoſtates,5. ſort. that reuolt from the faith, and fall to their old eſtate of nature and ſinne, ſuch was Demas, 2 Tim. 4.10. who forſooke the Apoſtle Paul, and embraced this preſent euill world. And this is the fearefulleſt eſtate of all the reſt, for if they ſo perſiſt (as they hardly euer recouer) they fall into the ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt, which ſhall neuer be forgiuen; of ſuch the Apoſtle ſpeakes, Hebr. 6.4, 5, 6. that it is impoſſible that they which were once enlightened, and hauehave taſted of the heauenly gift, &c. if they fall away, that they ſhould be renued againe by repentance: and Heb. 10.26. If we ſin willingly after wee hauehave receiued and acknowledged that truth, there remaineth no more ſacrifice for ſinne.
The ſixth ſort of oppoſites are perſecutors,6. ſort. that doe not onelyonly not regard the Church, and the truth, but they hate and perſecute it, and thoſe that louelove it, and that not in a meane degree, but for the moſt part they are bloodſuckers, and nothing will ſatisfie them, but eyther the ſoules of profeſſors, if they forſake the truth, or their bodies and liues, if they continue ſtedfaſt in the truth.
The 7th ſort of oppoſites are Hypocrites,7. ſort. or Counterfeits, ſuch as pretend Religion when as yet they affect it not ſincerely and in truth, they goe to the Church, heare the Word, receiue the Sacraments, &c. but they do it not with a ſingle and ſincere affection; If theſe be Miniſters then they are falſe Apoſtles, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpeakes of, 2 Cor. 11.13. that are deceitfull workers, and transforme themſelues into the Apoſtles of Chriſt: or if they be of the people, they are falſe brethren, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpeakes of, Galat. 2.4. that are crept into the Church, to ſpye out our liberty; theſe are the more dangerous enemies, becauſe they are ſo neere to vsus; as it is in a family, there is moſt danger by thoſe of the ſame houſhold if any of them be a thiefe, he may ſet the doores open to let others in; they are moſt dangerous, as firſt, being leaſt ſuſpected; for if wee did ſuſpect them, wee would beware of them; ſecondly, as hauing fitteſt opportunities to doe vsus miſchiefe, becauſe they know our courſes, and ſo can the more eaſily betray vsus: as Iudas knowing our Sauiours walke, was the fitteſt Inſtrument to betray the Lord of life, Iohn 18.2.
8. ſort.Eighthly, excommunicate perſons are aduerſaries to the Church, who, though they doe not voluntarily depart from the Church, as Schiſmatikes doe, yet are they worthily cut off from the Church: ſuch was the Inceſtuous perſon, 1 Cor. 5.5. theſe are in a fearefull eſtate, for they hauehave no comfort by the prayers of the Church, being cut off from the body, they can hauehave no communion with it, and till ſuch times as they repent, and are reconciled to the Church, they are to be accounted of as oppoſites, as Heathens and as Publicans.
9. ſort.Ninthly (we come to thoſe that are more ſpirituall enemies) the world, that is, the people, and faſhions of the world; the people of the world, they hate vsus becauſe wee are none of their ſociety, as our Sauiour ſaith, Iohn 15.19. And the faſhions of the world, which we are not to yeeld vntounto in any hand, Faſhion not your ſelues according to the world, ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 12.2. Theſe are dangerous enemies, and it is hard for vsus to preuaile againſt the whole world.
Tenthly, the fleſh, that is,10. ſort. the vnregenerate part in our ſelues, this alwaies fights againſt the ſpirit, Gal. 5.17. and ſeeke the deſtruction of our ſoules, 1 Peter 2.11. Abſtaine from fleſhly luſts, which fight againſt the ſoule; this is a peſtilent aduerſary which wee carry alwayes in our boſoms, and cannot poſſibly either flie from it, or cauſe it to fly from vsus, which is the ſingular miſchiefe of this enemy, aboue and beyond all others. The diuell himſelfe, if we reſiſt him will fly from vsus, but this we carry alwayes about with vsus.
The eleuenth aduerſary is ſinne,11. ſort. this is a deadly enemy to the ſoule too, the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 7.11.13. Sinne tooke occaſion by the Commandement, and thereby ſlew me: and ſinne, that it might appeare ſinne, wrought death in mee.
The laſt Aduerſary is the diuell,12. ſort. hee is the aduerſary of all aduerſaries, and the commander of all the reſt. And this being the principall opoſition of all, we will ſpeake, God willing, the more largely and particularly of it by way of obſeruation.
And the obſeruation is this, Doctr. That Satan is the Grand-aduerſary, and the capitall and chiefe enemy of the Church of God, and the Generall of the field fought againſt the faithfull; all other aduerſaries are his ſouldiers, and his forces and inſtruments, Gen. 3.15. The maine enmity betwixt vsus and our aduerſaries, is from the Serpent himſelfe, as hee being the head, all other are but his ſeed, Reuel. 12.37. The red Dragon the diuell, he fought and his angells; hee is the Arch enemy, the other are but his angells: 1 Pet. 5.8. your Aduerſary, the diuell, &c. What, are there not many aduerſaries beſides him? ye…, but he is an aduerſary by way of excellency, the aduerſary of aduerſaries, he hath the rule of all the reſt, Eph. 6.12. the Apoſtle ſaith, We wreſtle not againſt fleſh and blood; Doe wee not wreſtle againſt fleſh and blood? yes, that wee doe, but they are but inſtruments, the author of them are principalities and powers, &c. The diuell and his angells, Matth. 13.28. Who ſowed the Tares amongſt the good Corne? the enuious man did it; as who ſhould ſay, whatſoeuer the meanes were, yet he was the chiefe Agent, and therefore they are called his ſeede, verſ. 38. and thefore hee is ſaid to deceiue the whole world, Reuel. 12.9. becauſe hee leads the world after him to doe his will, he it is that works in the children of diſobedience, Epheſ. 2.2. as he being the mouer, and they his engines, he their father, they his children: So that Satan is the Grand-aduerſary of Gods Church, all other aduerſaries are but his inſtruments, &c. See this proued further in eueryevery particular enemy before named; firſt, all falſe Churches, whoſe are they? the Synagogues of Satan. Reuel. 2.9. ſecondly, they which are without, not yet admitted into the Church, they are his too, they are vnderunder his power, Acts 26.18. thirdly, Heretikes, they are his, Reuel. 2.24. fourthly, Schiſmatikes are his, Iames 3.14.15. Satan himſelfe was the firſt Schiſmatike, and that in heauen: fifthly, Apoſtates are his, and Apoſtacy is by the working of Satan, 2 Theſ. 2.3.9. ſixthly, Perſecutors are his, Reu. 2.10. the diuell is ſaid to caſt ſome of them into priſon, when as perſecutors did it: And 1 Iohn 3.12. Cayne that ſlew his brother, is ſaid to be of the wicked one, that is, of the diuell, ſeuenthly Hypocrites are his, falſe apoſtles are Satans Miniſters, 2 Cor. 11.15. the diuell was in Iudas heart, Iohn 13.15. and the wicked Iewes are ſaid to be of their father the diuell, Iohn 8.44. eighthly, excommunicate perſons are his vaſſalls, 1 Tim. 1.20. they are deliuered to Satan, ninthly, the world is his, hee is the Prince of the world, Iohn 14.30. yea, he is the God of the world, 2 Cor. 4.4. tenthly, the fleſh is his meſſenger, 2 Tim. 12.7. Laſtly, Sinne is his Snare, 2 Tim. 2.26. So that the diuel erects falſe churches, poſſeſſes them that are without, inſpires Heretikes, incenſeth Schiſmatikes, ſeduceth Apoſtates, incourageth perſecutors, begets hypocrites, triumphs in the excommunicate, commands the world, and hath them in a ſtring, prouokes the fleſh, inticeth to ſinne, he imployes all and eueryevery one of them buſily and eagerly in the diſturbance of Gods people.
The Reaſons are theſe: Firſt, God himſelfe is the generall Reaſ. 1 of the Church, therefore Satan is the generall and commander of all their enemies.
Secondly, Satans outragious and inceſſant malice againſt Reaſ. 2 God and his Faithfull, to which, if wee adde his ſtrength, it is a ſufficient Reaſon to prooue that hee is the Grand enemy of the Church.
Thirdly, if there be any loſſe to the Aduerſaries, it Reaſ. 3 is his loſſe, if there be any gaine to them it is his, If they preuaile againſt vsus, there is ſo much added to his kingdome, if wee preuaile againſt them, there is ſo much detracted from his kingdome, therefore it is reaſon that hee ſhould beſtirre himſelfe, and all his Inſtruments againſt the Church.
The Vſes are theſe: Firſt, this teacheth vsus that ſeeing Vſe 1 Satan is the conductor of all theſe forces, therefore wee are to be the more vigilant and prepared and armed to reſiſt him. It is the Apoſtles owne Inference, Epheſ. 6.13. For this cauſe (ſaith hee) take vntounto you the whole Armour of God, for what cauſe? why, becauſe we wreſtle not onelyonly againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt principalities and powers, &c: verſ. 12. and 1 Pet. 5.8. your Aduerſarie the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he may deuoure, whom reſiſt (ſaith the Apoſtle): ſo that if hee bend himſelfe, and all his forces againſt vsus, we ſhould labour to bend all our forces againſt him to reſiſt him.
Secondly, here wee are taught what to eſteeme of all Vſe. 2 wicked people that oppoſe the Church, whoſoeuer thou art that troubleſt the Church, thou art no better then the Diuels ſouldier and ſlaue, he is thy maſter and captaine, and ſo the motions of the fleſh are the Diuels darts; the euill examples of the world his brokers, he ſets them all to worke. and hee ſhall pay them their wages: No meruaile therefore though Gods children are carried with ſuch a zeale againſt the wicked, for they are but diuels, as it were, and therefore our Sauiour ſaith, Goe yee curſed into euerlaſting Fire prepared for the diuell and his angels, Matth. 25.41.
Ʋſe 3.Thirdly, let vsus conſider the wonderfull power and mercy of God; here is the wonderfull power and louelove of God that keepes vsus ſo long and ſo ſafe from ſo many Deuils (as I may ſay) that are continually beleaguering Vſe 4 vsus.
And therefore laſtly, this ſhould encourage Gods children in the fight, becauſe ſo oft as wee reſiſt (I ſay not onelyonly ſo often as wee ouercome them, but ſo oft as wee reſiſt) them, and keepe them from preuailing ouer vsus; ſo many victories we get ouer the Diuell himſelfe, and ſo many wounds we giuegive to the Serpents head; but, on the contrary, ſo often as they preuaile againſt vsus, ſo many victories they get ouer vsus, and ſo many wounds they giuegive vsus: alſo let the Promiſes of God encourage vsus, that not a bone of ours ſhall be broken, nor the gates of hell euer preuaile againſt vsus.