Twenty-Nine Lectures, Lecture 22

Twenty-Nine Lectures · Lecture 22

p. 61The two and twentieth LECTVRE of the CHVRCH.

TOuching the ſeuenth generall point propounded to bee handled in the Queſtion concerning the viſible Church, namely, of the Aduerſaries that oppoſe & ſet them ſelues againſt it, wee hauehave propounded theſe ſeuerall heads to ſpeake vntounto: Firſt, that the Church of God hath many Aduerſaries and oppoſites, ſo long as it is in this world: Secondly, what theſe Aduerſaries are; Thirdly, their dealing againſt the Church; Fourthly, the courſe and dealing of the Church againſt her Aduerſaries: And laſtly, the courſe and dealing of God to both: The two firſt points wee hauehave already ſpoken to; Now God willing wee are to ſpeake of the three laſt points.

The 3. point then, that we now firſt are to ſpeak to,The third point which is, how theſe Aduerſaries oppoſe vsus. is how the aduerſaries behaue themſelues in oppugning and fighting againſt the Church; for as in all other conflicts and encounters, It is a great aduantage for a man to know the carriage of his Aduerſaries fight: ſo in this ſpirituall conflict that the Chu…ch doth mannage againſt her Aduerſaries for the Lord of heaſts; It is a ſingular helpe to vsus, and a very needfull thing to be well acquainted with the proceedings of our enemies, to know their weapons, purpoſes, St…atagems and practices, and the whole courſe and manner of their fightings againſt vsus; for thereby wee ſhall be the better armed p. 62and fitted to meete with them at eueryevery turne, & to ward off their blowes, and defeate their enterpriſes, and to match their aſſaults, and to preuent and auoide their dangers: This was a ſingular helpe to the Apoſtle Paul, the faithfull Souldier of Ieſus Chriſt in his fight, 2 Cor. 2.11. marke the reach of the place, the Apoſtle was not ignorant of his Aduerſaries enterpriſes, he knew them well enough, and thereby hee preuented Satan from circumuenting him: And this helpe our Sauiour would hauehave all his Diſciples furniſhed withall; and therefore he fore-ſhewes, Matth 10 16, 17. their enemies dealings againſt them, that ſo they being forewarned, how their Aduerſaies would deale with them, they might alſo bee fore-armed how to anſwer them, and bee prouided againſt all their attempts; Behold (ſaith he) I ſend you as ſheepe among wolues, and ſo in the 19. 20, 21, 23. &c, verſes; our Sauiour ſtill foreſhewes the manner of their Aduerſaries dealings againſt them, the brother ſhall betray the brother to Death, and that they ſhould bee hated of all men for his names ſakes, &c: And in Matth. 24. from the 9. to the 26. verſ. our Sauiour makes a great diſcourſe to this purpoſe. And in the 25. verſe, he purpoſely ſpecifies this prediction: Behold I hauehave told you before, thereby calling on them to conſider aduiſedly of it, as who ſhould ſay, that that very prediction and foretelling them of it, were a ſufficient Caueat, at leaſt a very neceſſary helpe in their fight, againſt their Aduerſaries: And ſo in Luk. 21. from the 8. to the 19. verſe, where he firſt acquaints his Diſciples with their Aduerſaries courſes; and then teacheth them how to defend themſelues from them; where our Sauiour ſhewes plainely by his owne practice, how needfull it is to know our Aduerſaries fight, that ſo wee may wiſely and ſafely encounter them: If ye aske me what their dealings and attempts are againſt the Church? I anſwer, Of ſundry ſorts; yea, indeed of all ſorts: And therefore take p. 63the matter fully and plainely in this Obſeruation.

The Aduerſaries of the Church, Doctr. as they are great and many, ſo they doe aſſault vsus eueryevery way, they leaue no meanes vnattempted, whereby they may procure the vtter ruine and ouerthrow; at leaſt, the hurt and trouble of the faithfull: Their maine Intent is to ouerthrow the faithfull, if they can poſſibly; but if they faile in that (as the Lord keepes them from that) yet rather then they will ſit ſtill and doe nothing, they will bee doing all the miſchiefe and harme to them that they can; I ſhall not need to diſtinguiſh the courſes of Satan himſelfe from his Inſtruments, they are in effect all one; for what himſelfe doth, hee ſtirres vp his inſtruments to doe the like, and what they doe, it is not of themſelues, but by his appointment; ſo that the diſcouery of the one, is alſo the diſcouery of the other. For proofe of the obſeruation, ſee what the Apoſtle Peter ſaith, 1 Pet. 5.8. Your Aduerſarie the Deuill like a roaring lyon, goes about ſeeking whom hee may deuoure, that is to ſay, hee caſts about eueryevery way to doe vsus hurt, one ſearch will not ſerue his turne, but he ſearcheth eueryevery corner, and ſpies eueryevery aduantage, ſtill going about and ſeeking to deuoure: In Matth. 5.11. Our Sauiour giues vsus a ſufficient Intimation of their malicious diſpoſition againſt vsus, that they will not ſticke to ſpeake, all manner of euill falſly againſt vsus, and they that will not ſticke to ſpeake, if it were in their power, will not ſticke to doe all manner of euill to vsus: To diſplay the point more at large, wee will deſcend to ſome particulars: Firſt,The matter they ſtrike at. let vsus conſider the matter they ſtrike at, or the marke they ſhoote at; Secondly, the manner of their oppoſition; firſt the marke they ſhoote at, is either Religion it ſelfe, or the Perſons that profeſſe it, and indeede, whatſoeuer they doe againſt our Perſons, their quarrell is againſt our Religion, to goare that through our ſides; ſo that if wee would leaue our Religion, our Enemies would leaue to hurt vsus, Religion is their Quarrell: ſo p. 64ſaith our Sauiour, Matth. 10.22. you ſhall be hated of all men, that is true indeed,1 againſt the perſons of profeſſors. but it is for my name: Firſt the perſons that profeſſe Religion, is the marke they ſhoot at, ſee this in the example of Iob, in the 1 and 2 Chapters, ſee how Satan ſet himſelfe againſt him, in his Cattell, ſeruants, Children, wife, body, and if he might hauehave had his will, againſt his life and ſoule too; and ſee how hee muſters vp his forces againſt him eueryevery way, theeues, fire, winds, botches, wife and friends, and all at once to ouerwhelme him with an heape of temptations: In the new Teſtament wee find this true in the example of the Apoſtles, 1 Cor. 4.9. to the 13. I thinke (ſaith he) that God hath ſet out vsus the laſt Apoſtles, as men appointed to death, for wee are made a gazing stocke, &c: we hunger and thriſt, are naked and buffetted, &c: ſo we ſee how hee ſetts himſelfe againſt the perſons of the faithfull;2 againſt their profeſſion. See alſo how he ſets himſelfe againſt their profeſſion, Acts 4.18, 21. Peter and Iohn are charged to preach no more in the Name of Ieſus, and threatned if they doe: And Acts 5.18. the Apoſtles are laid hands on, and put in priſon; and in the 33. verſ. they conſult to ſlay them; and in the 40. verſ. they beate them and command them againe not to ſpeake in the name of Ieſus, what could the Deuill hauehave done more againſt the Goſpell, as things then ſtood; All theſe places both: the former and theſe latter proue that they ſet themſelues againſt their perſons and their profeſſion both: but the former are more directly againſt their perſons; the latter more directly againſt their profeſſion: So wee ſee the practices of our Aduerſaries againſt our perſons, and againſt our profeſſion, yet, here is the difference, that they oppoſe againſt Religion for it ſelfe, but they oppoſe againſt our perſons for our Religion. Secondly, for the manner of their oppoſition,The manner of their oppoſition. they doe it ſometimes openly, ſometimes ſecretly; openly, ſo did Saul Acts 9.1, 2. when he went with open mouth to make hauocke of the Church; ſometimes they doe it ſecretly,… ſecretly. that is, when either they cannot doe it openly p. 65at all; or at leaſt when they cannot doe it openly with ſuch ſafety to themſelues, and ſuch hurt and danger to their enemies; thus it was in Galat. 2.4. the falſe brethren crept in craftily into the Church, to ſpy out their liberty, that ſo they might the better bring them into bondage; we ſhall find both theſe kinds of oppoſitions, Act. 6.9, 10, 11. where certaine of the Synagogue diſputed with Stephen, and thought to hauehave borne him downe openly, but when they were not able to reſiſt the wiſdome and ſpirit by which he ſpake, then they ſecretly ſuborned witneſſes to accuſe him falſely.

Secondly, againe,2. open…ſometimes they oppoſe by ſtrong hand as Herod, Acts 12.1.2. he ſtretched forth his hands to vex certaine of the Church, and he killed Iames, the brother of Iohn, with the ſword; and when Satan doth thus oppoſe, hee is a Lyon, ſometime by fraud and ſubtilty hee oppoſeth the Church, and then hee is a Serpent: and ſo in Acts 7.19. Stephen ſaith, the Egyptians dealt ſubtilly with the Iſraelites. 3. The means or weapons wherby they fight againſt Gods Children. 1 carnall reaſons and therein.the third thing in the manner of their oppoſition, is the meanes or weapons, whereby they fight againſt Gods Church, and they are infinite, I ſhall touch thoſe onelyonly that are moſt materiall, and the firſt kinde is carnall reaſons, and theſe are the fitteſt weapons for carnall men to fight withall, and readieſt againſt the truth and the Church, as they being both ſpirituall and profeſſed enemies to fleſh and blood; See how they flouriſh with this weapon, firſt with multitude; yours 1cannot be the true Religion (ſay they) for, but few embrace it, the multitude is againſt you, and it is eueryevery where ſpoken againſt, as they ſaid to Paul, Acts 28.22. Againe, ſaith the falſe Church, wee hauehave far greater pomp and 2glory, and greater riches, Reuelat. 17.4. beſides, ſay they, you hauehave no great men to applaud you; doe any of the Rulers beleeue in him, ſay the Iewes? Iohn 7.48. Laſtly, there 3is, ſay they, no point of your Religion, either pleaſing 4to nature, or almoſt iuſtifiable by reaſon; and therefore (ſaith carnall reaſon) yours is not the true Religion, but you muſt needs be of the right way: If theſe kind of p. 66weapons preuaile not,2. Religious pretences, and herein, 1. Scriptures. 2. that they are the Church. 3. miracles. then they take other kind of weapons, and cloſe in neerer with vsus, forcing vsus with Religious pretences, and ſo ſtriuing to beat vsus with our owne weapons, they pretend that they hauehave the Scriptures, ſo did the diuell, Matth. 4.6. that they are the Church, as the wicked Iewes did, Ierem. 7 4. ſo for miracles, they pretend they hauehave them too; they hauehave the effectuall working of Satan, with all power and ſignes, and 4lying wonders, 2. Theſ. 2.9. ſo they pretend to be Abrahams 5children, Iohn 8 39. and to be Moſes Schollers and 6Diſciples, Iohn 9.28. yea, to be Gods owne ſeede, Ioh. 8.41. 7So they pretend to be Prophets, Reuelat. 2.20. yea, to be 8the Apoſtles of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 11.13. yea, and to be Angells 9of light, verſe 14. and for outward holineſſe, they will hauehave more then ordinary, as the Scribes and Phariſes 10had, Matth. 23.27. And for ſimplicity, which is the proper note of Chriſts ſheep, they will ſo cunningly pretend it, that you would take them for ſheepe of Chriſts owne fold, and they cannot be diſcerned to be rauening Wolues, till they bewray it in their workes; and therefore our Sauiour ſaith,3. more groſſe dealing. Matth. 7.15. Beware of falſe prophets, 1which come to you in ſheepes clothing, &c. And when they faile this way, then they will fall to more groſſe dealing, flattering vsus with faire promiſes, as the diuell dealt with our Sauiour, Matth. 4.9. ſuch and ſuch things will I giuegive you, if you will doe thus and thus; if this will not preuaile, they will labour to ſeduce vsus with 2lies and errors, as the Serpent did Eue, Genſ. 3.4, 5. or elſe they will labour to corrupt our ſincere worſhip of God, with inuentions and traditions of men, as the Phariſes did, Mat. 15.3. If they can preuaile none of theſe waies, then they will raiſe vp flanders and falſe reports, againſt our perſons, howſoeuer wee carry our ſelues, as they did againſt Chriſt and Iohn Baptiſt, Mat. 11.18. Our Sauiour …ame eating and drinking, and they ſay, behold a Drunkard, and a Glutton: Iohn Baptiſt came neyther eating nor drinking, and they ſaid hee had a diuell; ſo they raiſed vp falſe reports p. 67of our Religion, as they did in the Apoſtles time, Rom. 3.8. Some ſay that he taught, that we might do euil, that good may come thereof, &c. If this be not enough, they will breath out threatnings againſt vsus, as Saul did againſt the Church, Acts 9.1. If that ſerue not their turne, they will procure Lawes and Decrees againſt vsus, as they did againſt Daniel, Dan. 6.7, 8. and Letters of State, as Saul did, Acts 2.9. And their laſt, and ſoreſt and commoneſt weapon of all, is blowes, perſecutions, baniſhments, impriſonments, and all the puniſhments they can deuiſe, as their hatred is deadly againſt vsus, ſo they ceaſe not to purſue vsus to the very death: cruell blood-ſuckers they are, for when they cannot ſucke Religion out of our hearts, yet they will ſucke our liues, and our bloods out of our bodies: In a word, there is no one thing in the world, but the diuell and his inſtruments catch at it, and take hold of it as a weapon in their fury, to hurt and ſtrike at Gods children withall.

The reaſons of the point are theſe; Firſt, the ſillineſſe Reaſ. 1 and nakedneſſe and weakneſſe of the faithfull; and their condition in this life is ſuch, that they are eueryevery way expoſed, and of themſelues lie open to the danger of their enemies; ſomethings they cannot doe to defend themſelues for want of power, and worldly wiſdome, as God knowes, they be very ſimple and weake; and other things they muſt not do, for want of warrant from God, without which, their tender conſciences dare doe nothing, whereas, if they could and might ſhift for themſelues, by hooke or by crooke, as others doe, it might be a good ſafegard to them: and hence it is, that our enemies aſſault vsus eueryevery way.

The ſecond reaſon is drawne from the multitude of Reaſ. 2 their enemies, they are ſo great, and ſwarme ſo ouer all the earth, and therefore how can the faithfull eſcape, but that needs they muſt be aſſaulted eueryevery way, that which one ſaith not or doeth not againſt them, another doth: p. 68Satan is a hunter, and the wicked are his hell-hounds; and the faithfull, they are in the field of this world, like a ſilly Hare in the field, beſet about with hounds in eueryevery corner, ſo that it is impoſſible for her to eſcape them, but that ſtill he is aſſaulted; how can the faithfull chooſe then, but be aſſaulted eueryevery way.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, adde to their multitude, their malice and diligence, that they ſnatch at all aduantages, and let not any oppertunity ſlip to ſatisfie their blood thirſty malice.

Reaſ. 4 Fourthly, the enemies of the faithfull are aſſiſted by Satan continually, and very effectually, ſo that if they do lacke power, or ſubtilty, or meanes, any helpe inwardly or outwardly, hee is ready at hand to make ſupply; and when earth and hell too, men and diuells doe altogether ioyne their forces againſt Gods poore Church, what can be expected but vtter ruine, at leaſt great hurt.

Reaſ. 5 Fifthly, God permits theſe things for a time in this world, this is their very houre and power of darkneſſe, none is able either to helpe vsus, or to hinder and bridle them, but God alone; and therefore hee letting the diuell looſe on them, and giuing way to his inſtruments, they muſt needes hauehave their full force and ſtrength to attempt what they will againſt them, though yet the Lord bridles them, that they cannot accompliſh it.

Reaſ. 6 Sixthly, Is it ſo, that the faithfull may be tryed as in the fire, that if there be any blemiſh in them, it may be purged, and that their faith may appeare much more precious then Gold.

Reaſ. 7 Seuenthly, It is ſo, that the wicked may make vp the full meaſure of their ſinnes, and ſo a iuſt and full meaſure of wrath, and vengeance againſt their ſoules.

Reaſ. 8 Laſtly, It is ſo, that the Lord may glorifie himſelfe the more in the preſeruation of the one, and the confuſion of the other, Exod. 9.16.

Vſe 1 The vſes of the point are theſe: Firſt, this ſhewes vsus p. 69the exceeding great danger that the Church, and eueryevery member thereof, is ſubiect to in this world; there is no danger that can poſſibly be imagined, nor no one thing named in the world, that a man may be endangered by, that the faithfull can ſafely ſay, I am free from the danger of it; See how many dangers one ſilly ſoule was beſet withall, the Apoſtle Paul, 2 Cor. 11.26. that was often in perills of waters, in perills of his owne Nation, in perills amongſt the Gentiles, in perills in the City, in perills in the Wilderneſſe, in perills in the Sea, in perills amongst falſe brethren; he was in perill eueryevery way, and yet theſe were but dangers; beſides which, hee had many forcible and cruell blowes laid on him, as wee may ſee from the 23 to the 28. verſe, In labours more aboundant, in ſtripes aboue meaſure, in priſon more plenteouſly, in death often, &c. Many men maruell that the faithfull being ſo dearely beloued as they are of God, ſhould be ſo often foyled, that they ſhould fall into ſo many troubles, yea, oftentimes ſinfull and reproachfull euills; but if they could ſee but halfe the dangers they are in, they would rather maruell that they fall into no more, yea, that they are not vtterly ouer-throwne, and that they are not ouer-throwne by their enemies, no reaſon can be giuen, but that, Lam. 3.22. It is the Lords mercy, that we are not conſumed, and Pſalm. 124.1.2, 3. Except the Lord had beene on our ſide, may Iſrael now ſay; Except the Lord had beene on our ſide, when men roſe vp againſt vsus, they had ſwallowed vsus vp quicke, when their wrath was kindled againſt vsus; And this is a gracious and a comfortable vſe, which wee are to make of all the ſtraights, that wee are driuen to in this life, not ſo much to looke on the multitude and greatneſſe of the dangers which wee are in, but on the mercifull protection and all-ſufficient grace of God in Chriſt, that doth ſo vphold vsus, that let our enemies doe what they can, and all that may be done, yet wee ſhall not be left as a prey to be ſwallowed vp by them: In the 2 King. 6.15, 16, 17. The Prophet Eliſhae's man, when hee ſaw that they were p. 70compaſſed about with an hoſt, hee was ſtricken with great feare, and cryed out, Alas, Maſter, what ſhall we doe? But Eliſha anſwered, Feare not, for they that be with vsus, are more then they that be with them; And when Eliſha had prayed, and that the Lord had opened his ſeruants eyes, he ſaw the mountaine full of Horſes and Chariots of fire round about his Maſter: and as it was with him, ſo it is with vsus, it is a great terror to vsus, to ſee our ſelues aſſaulted and compaſſed about with our enemies, and to ſee dangers on eueryevery ſide; but let vsus looke about vsus, and ſee alſo the mercifull protection, and all-ſufficient grace of God in Chriſt, which embraceth vsus on eueryevery ſide, ſo that our enemies can no way preuaile againſt vsus, and this will be a great incouragement and comfort to vsus, againſt all the aſſaults that our enemies make againſt vsus.

Vſe 2 The ſecond vſe teacheth vsus, that ſeeing wee hauehave ſo many enemies, that aſſault vsus eueryevery way, then we ſhould hold faſt by God, and cleaue ſteadfaſtly and wholly to him alone; firſt, by a liuely confidence in his truth, and promiſe, and ſaluation, with an aſſured perſwaſion that hee will neuer faile vsus, nor forſake vsus; it was Iſraels caſe, and Moſes direction, Exod. 14.13. when their enemies were behinde them, and the red Sea before them, and the mountaines on each ſide of them, and no way for them to eſcape; Moſes ſaith to them, Feare not, ſtand ſtill, and he hold the ſaluation of the Lord, which hee will ſhew to you this day, &c. and ſo the Lord did deliuer them; there wants neither will nor power on Gods part, if there be not want of our apprehending and relying vponupon it; as wee muſt cleaue vntounto God by confidence: So ſecondly, we muſt cleaue to him by prayer, for it is not enough for vsus to beleeue it, but wee muſt begge it too, wee muſt lift vp our eyes and hearts to God in humble and hearty prayer, for helpe and deliuerance, and wee ſhall hauehave it: you ſhall ſee this courſe taken, and the ſucceſſe of it both together in the 2 Chron. 32.20, 22. When Senacherib came vp with his hoſt againſt Ieruſalem, p. 71then Hezechiah the King, and the Prophet Eſaiah prayed againſt them, and cryed to heauen, and the Lord ſent an Angell which deſtroyed all the valiant men and Princes of Senacheribs hoſt, and ſaued Hezechiah, and the inhabitants of Ieruſalem, from the hand of Senacherib, King of Aſhur: thirdly, wee muſt cleaue to God by vſing the meanes that he tenders to vsus for our reliefe, either by reſiſtance, or by eſcape; if hee affords vsus meanes to fight and reſiſt, then we muſt withſtand our enemies to the vttermoſt of our power, Iames 4.7. Reſiſt the diuell, &c. If God tender opportunity by flight, take the benefit of that meanes; ſo Chriſt teacheth vsus, Matth. 10.23. If they perſecute you in one Citty, fly into another: and this did the Apoſtle Paul practiſe, Acts 9.25. hee was let downe in a basket through the wall, and ſo eſcaped form his enemies; ſo that if opportunity be offered vsus of flight, wee muſt take it, alwaies conſidering, that this is the beſt courſe for vsus to take, which God offers vsus opportunity of, and wee may be bold to wait for a bleſſing on it: fourthly, wee muſt cleaue to God, by walking with God in obedience to his will; make, and keepe thy peace alwaies with God, whatſoeuer thou doſt, keepe him thy friend, whoſoeuer be thine enemy, and this thou muſt doe by walking in his waies, and then he will giuegive his Angells charge ouer thee, to carry thee in their hands, that nothing may hurt thee, Pſalme 91.11, 12. and Pſalm. 34.7. The Prophet ſaith, that the Angells of the Lord, pitch their tents round about them that feare him, and deliuereth them; If thou feare God, and labour to pleaſe him, then thine enemies may goe about thee, againe and againe, ſeeking to deuour thee, but ſtill they ſhall finde the tents of Gods Angells eueryevery where round about thee, to deliuer thee, that they ſhould not hurt thee.

The third vſe teacheth vsus how to carry and behaue our ſelues to all things in the world, euen to eueryevery thing Vſe 3 we heare and ſee, ſurely very warily and ſuſpitiouſly, For feare left the enemy hauehave laid a ſnare in them to intrap p. 72thee, and therefore, when wee vſe any of theſe things, let vsus ſanctifie them to vsus by the Word and Prayer, and this wee muſt doe, if not for any good and bleſſing that wee expect by them, yet at leaſt, for feare of ſome euill that the enemie intends againſt vsus in them; ſpecially wee are to carry our ſelues very warily to the men of the world, euen to all thoſe that are without, take notice of them, as enemies moſt dangerous; ſuch enemies as are euer ſeeking, or ready to ſeeke thy deſtruction; hauehave little to doe with them, but euen as thou needs muſt, and ſo thou ſhalt be ſafeſt from their danger; learne Chriſts Leſſon, Matth. 10.17. Beware of men, for they will deliuer you vp to Councells, &c. and follow his example, Ioh. 2.24. when many beleeued in him, becauſe of his miracles, yet hee would not commit himſelfe to them, becauſe he knew them all: There are many more particular duties to be learned hence, but becauſe they are more naturall to the next point, we will referre them thither.

The 4. point, how the Church is to carry her ſelfe to her aduerſaries.Now come wee to the fourth point, and that is this, namely, how the Church is to carrie and behaue her ſelfe to her aduerſaries: they muſt not cowardly lye downe vnderunder their feete, and ſuffer them to trample on them, but they muſt oppoſe againſt them, and that not raſhly, and deſperately, and preſumptuouſly, hand ouerhead, but as their warfare is ſpirituall and Religious, ſo muſt they carry themſelues accordingly in it: I will deliuer it by way of obſeruation; Doctr. take it thus: Gods Church and choſen muſt ſo carry themſelues in all their courſes againſt their aduerſaries, that they may mannage a good fight of faith againſt them, ſuch as may well beſeeme the Lords battels, and the ſouldiers of Ieſus Chriſt 1. Tim. 6.12. The Apoſtle bids Timothy fight out the good fight of faith, ſhewing vsus, that it is a fight that wee are put to, and wee muſt fight it out, and it muſt be a fight of faith; firſt, becauſe our faith is it that is ſpecially ſtricken at by our enemies, and maintained by vsus, and alſo it is the chiefe weapon and meanes whereby we fight; p. 73ſo likewiſe the fight we make, muſt be a good fight, well mannaged in eueryevery reſpect; and that Timothy might ſee that Paul chargeth no more on him, then he practiſed in himſelfe, hee profeſſeth, that hee for his part had done ſo, and taketh his death … it, as it were, 2 Tim. 4.6, 7. I am now ready to be offered, &c. I hauehave fought a good fight, I hauehave finiſhed my courſe and hauehave kept the faith, &c. And this is eueryevery mans duty, 1 Pet. 5.9. whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the faith, except wee will be deuoured by Satan, and carried quicke to hell; wee are to reſiſt, and that in faith, and it muſt be a ſtedfaſt reſiſtance, in a ſtedfaſt faith; And the Apoſtle, Epheſ. 6.10. hauing exhorted to be ſtrong in the Lord, becauſe the ſtrongeſt, if hee be not well appoined with armour and weapons, may be ouerthrowne; therefore in the 11. verſe, hee teacheth vsus, how to fight, furniſhing vsus with armour and weapons, and diſcretion how to vſe them, put on the whole armour of God,2. things to be done, that we may be able to make a good fight. &c Now that wee may be able to make a good fight of faith, againſt our aduerſaries, wee are to conſider, firſt, what wee hauehave to doe in this fight; ſecondly, bow wee are to doe it: Firſt, what wee hauehave to doe in it, and that is two things, there is a double worke to be done in this fight, defenſiue, and offenſiue, wee are 1to defend our ſelues, and to oppoſe our aduerſaries;What is to be done in it, and therein 2. things. and therefore the Apoſtle, Epheſ. 6. making mention of the weapons of our Chriſtian warfare, reckons vp not onelyonly a Shield and an Helmet, but a Sword too: the firſt 1work then to be done in this fight, is defenſiue; we are to ſaue our ſelues harmeleſſe, for wee are deare and tender to God in Chriſt, euen as the Apple of his eye, and therefore wee muſt defend and keepe our ſelues the beſt wee can, this counſell the Apoſtle Iohn giues vsus, in his 2. Epiſtle, verſe 8. Looke to your ſelues, that yee looſe not the things yee hauehave done: So likewiſe our Sauiour giues vsus counſell for our bodily preſeruation, Matth. 10.23. If they perſecute you in one City, flie vntounto another; and God hauing promiſed, that not one haire of our head ſhall p. 74periſh, wee are to vſe all the good meanes wee can, that it may be accompliſhed; It will be replyed, that our Sauiour himſelfe did otherwiſe, Matth. 26.53. hee would not defend himſelfe, though hee might hauehave had Legions of Angells to defend him; I anſwer, the caſe is not alike, for he knew it was his fathers will, that he ſhould thus yeeld, as you may ſee verſ. 54. hee did it that the Scripture might bee fulfilled; but wee doe not know this, and therefore we are to defend our ſelues, if lawfully we can; But yet, if we ſee plainely, that God will hauehave our liues, it is as great a finne in that caſe to ſeeke to ſaue them, as in the other caſe to looſe them, as wee ſee Matth. 10.39. and howſoeuer we our ſelues ſpeede, though wee doe looſe our liues, and all wee hauehave; yet, wee muſt bee ſure to defend our Faith, and maintaine our Religion; a good Souldier will looke to defend his head ſpecially, ſo muſt wee looke to Chriſt, that he and his Goſpell be defended, whatſoeuer become of vsus; ſo did the Martyrs, Reuel. 6.9. they were killed for the Word of God, The 2 worke to be done.and the Teſtimony they maintained. The ſecond work to be done in this fight is offenſiue, we muſt fight againſt our Aduerſaries, and here our firſt reach muſt be to winne them, if it bee poſſible; But if wee cannot doe this, then ſecondly, we are to ſeeke to ouerthrow them in their courſes and practices; yea, and in their perſons too, if wee hauehave a warrantable calling from God: Thirdly, wee are to ſtop their mouthes, that they may not iuſtly be opened againſt vsus; and the beſt meanes to do this, is by our holy Conuerſation, ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 2.15. that it is the Will of God, that by well doing we put to ſilence, 2 thing how it is to be done.the Ignorance of fooliſh men.

Secondly, we muſt conſider in this fight, how wee muſt doe it; firſt, it muſt be done in a ſimple wiſdome, ſo our Sauiour teacheth vsus, Matth. 10 16. Behold, I ſend you as ſheepe among wolues, bee therefore wiſe as Serpents, and innocent as Doues; policy and wiſdome is neceſſary in eueryevery …ight, and …o it is in this, but let vsus take p. 75heed wee turne them not into craftes and ſubtilties, but let them bee ſuch as may come from a ſingle and ſimple heart: ſecondly, all we doe in mannaging this Battaile, muſt be done in holineſſe, we muſt ſtill be conſulting 2with God by Prayer, as Dauid did Pſal 69.13. when the wicked ſpake againſt him, hee made his Prayer to God, and Pſal. 109.4. he ſaith, for my friendſhip they were mine enemies, but I gaue my ſelfe to Prayer: Thirdly, 3it muſt be done in meekeneſſe after the example of our Sauiour, of whom the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Peter 2.23. that when hee was reuiled, reuiled not againe; when he ſuffered, he threatned not; but committed it to him that iudgeth righteouſly; wee muſt not render euill for euill, nor curſe for curſe, but contrariwiſe, we muſt bleſſe, as the ſame Apoſtle teacheth vsus, 1 Pet. 3.9. Fourthly, that we doe, 4muſt be done in pitty and compaſſion, though they hauehave no pitty on vsus, nor on thēſelues; yet we muſt pitty them, becauſe wee ſee them running to hell and deſtruction, and that Satan hath them in his Clutches: thus our Sauiour had pitty on Ieruſalem, though they were his bitter enemies, and wept for them, Luk. 19 41. and thus he had compaſſion on them that crucified him, Luk. 23.24. Father, forgiue them, they know not what they doe; here was a compaſſionate heart indeed. Fifthly wee 5muſt doe it in obedience to Gods Ordinances, as being our portion, ſo did Ierem. chap. 10.19. wee is me (ſaith hee) for my deſtruction, and my greiuous plague; but I thought it is my ſorrow, and I will beare it. Sixthly, we muſt 6doe it in zeale for the Lord of hoaſts, as Dauid did Pſal. 69.9. the zeale of thine houſe hath eaten mee vp; And ſo our Sauiour in Ioh. 2.14. when hee ſaw men defile the Temple of God with buying and ſelling, he made a whip of ſmall cords and draue them all out, and this hee did in zeale to Gods houſe verſ. 17. Seuenthly, wee muſt doe it with cheerefullneſſe and good courage, quit you 7like men, ſaith the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 16.13. Eightly, it muſt 8be done in Faith, ſo ſaith the Apoſtle 1 Pet. 5.9, whom p. 769reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the Faith; Ninthly, it muſt bee don… 10with watchfulneſſe; Be ſober and watch, 1 Pet. 5.8. Tenthly, it muſt be done in the name of the Lord of Hoaſts, that is, in his power, and in his ſtrength, Pſal. 118, 10, 11, 12, 13. the Prophet ſaith, all Nations hauehave compaſſed me, but in the Name of the Lord ſhall I deſtroy them; they hauehave compaſſed me, they hauehave compaſſed mee, but in the Name of the Lord ſhall I deſtroy them, &c. And thus he encountred Goliah in the Name of the Lord of Hoaſts, 1 Sam. 17.45. we muſt diſdaine all other matters, and ſay, as the ſame Prophet doth, Pſal. 20.7. ſome truſt in horſes, and ſome in Charriots, but we will remember the Name of the 11Lord our God; Eleuenthly, It muſt be done in the blood of the Lambe, Reu. 12.11. that is, in a true conformity to the Death of Chriſt; when they oppoſe vsus, we muſt labour what we can to be made therby cōformable to the death of Chriſt, this is the way to ouercome in the blood of 2the Lambe. Tweluethly, we muſt doe it by giuing them no aduantage, but wee muſt preuent them eueryevery way, as they eueryevery way attempt vsus; wee muſt be both able and ready to ſatisfie their carnall reaſons, and to vnmaske their religious Pretences, and to defeate both their open and ſecret practices.

Reaſ. 1 The Reaſons of the point are theſe: firſt, it is a good cauſe wee hauehave in hand, therefore let vsus not marre it with ill handling; many of the faithfull relying vponupon indirect and vnlawfull courſes, hauehave ſuffered ſhamefull foiles; but when they hauehave followed Gods directions, not one amongſt twenty, that hauehave beene foiled; therefore wee muſt fight a good fight, becauſe the cauſe is good.

Reaſ. 2 Secondly, Gods glory is the chiefe matter wee fight for, and there is no hope to get glory to God, but by good meanes, and by practiſing his owne Inſtructions.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, we ſeeke our own good and ſafety of ſoule and body, and therefore it is moſt warily and religiouſly to be laboured in, and we muſt contemne all meane… p. 77in this fight to procure good to our ſelues, except they be procured by ſuch meanes as are pleaſing to God. Reaſ. 4

Fourthly, wee hauehave a promiſe from God, of a happy victory, and of a Crowne of Glory, if we fight a good fight, and therefore let vsus not make our ſelues vncapable of it, either by neglecting any good courſe in this fight, or by practiſing any euill courſes therein.

Fifthly, This fight is for the pulling downe of Satans Reaſ. 5 kingdome, which wee cannot doe, but as wee are endued with Gods owne ſtrength, and armed with Gods owne weapons; Dauid had a ſore enemy of Saul, and in the 1 Sam. 24.5, 6, 7. wee may reade that he had a fit opportunity to be eaſed of him, if hee would hauehave laid his hands on the Lords anointed, but hee knew that was not the way, it was none of Gods courſes, and therefore he forbare it, and except wee may doe it in God, it were better not to be done at all.

Laſtly, the Crowne of Righteouſnes is laid vp for vsus, but Reaſ. 6 conditionally, that we fight a good Fight, and not otherwiſe, 1 Tim. 4.7, 8.

The vſes of the point are theſe: This ſhould teach Vſe 1 vsus in the firſt place to examine our ſelues, whether our hearts bee thus affected, & our practices thus framed in fighting the Lords battels againſt our enemies, let vsus ſee whether we hauehave managed this fight with ſimple wiſedome in holines, meeknes, compaſſion, in obedience to Gods ordināce, &c: as before we hauehave bin taught; If we hauehave failed in the leaſt of theſe, let vsus be touched in our hearts for it, as Dauid was in the 1 Sam. 24.26. when he had but cut off the lap of Sauls Garment, though he had not taken away his life, yet his heart ſmote him for this: And let vsus for the time to come labour to reforme, wherein-ſoeuer wee hauehave failed, and looke better to our ſteps euer after: But if we hauehave taken theſe courſes, and obſerued theſe directions; then it may bee a great Comfort to vsus, whatſoeuer the Iſſue be, whether wee hauehave ouercome or not; if we hauehave ouercome, how boldly p. 78may we goe to God, and giuegive him thankes for his owne victory, and not for ours, becauſe wee hauehave got it by his meanes and courſes: If they hauehave ouercome vsus, yet wee may hauehave comfort in our foiles, that it hath not beene through our miſ-behauiour, we hauehave done as God would hauehave vsus, and therefore there is good hope, that though now we be ouercome by our enemies, yet at laſt, wee ſhall ouercome them; howſoeuer we are ſure not to looſe our Crowne, becauſe wee hauehave ſtriuen lawfully, for the Crowne is promiſed to them that ſtriue lawfully, as well as to them that ouercome.

Vſe 2 The ſecond vſe is to teach eueryevery one of vsus to labour to bee well fitted, prepared and furniſhed for this fight, eueryevery one of vsus hath a fight to make againſt our Aduerſaries, either inwardly or outwardly or both, and therfore it is needfull for vsus to prouid, and to be in a good readineſſe before hand; Reaſon teacheth vsus this, for when once wee know that we hauehave Enemies, and that they hauehave a purpoſe to inuade the land, we do preſently then get vsus more munition and weapons, and all manner of furniture needfull for our defence; Let grace then teach vsus and quicken vsus vp to be as wiſe for the Lords battailes, as we are for owne; Our Enemies are alwaies aſſaulting vsus, let vsus therfore get faith, & wiſdome, and holineſſe, compaſſion, meekeneſſe, and all manner of ſpirituall Armour, that we may defend our ſelues, and hold our owne, and ſtand faſt and ſafe againſt all their aſſaults; And that wee may be thus fitted and prouided: Firſt, we muſt be well acquainted with Gods Word, for there the Lord teacheth vsus how to fight, and preſcribes vntounto vsus, all manner of weapons, and how wee are to vſe them, and chargeth vsus to reſiſt our enemies, and encourageth vsus with the promiſe of helpe, and comforts vsus with the aſſurance of victory, this is our cheife helpe againſt our Enemies: Secondly, wee muſt marke well the courſes of our enemies, their power, malice, ſubtilty and di…igence, that thereby we p. 79may bee quickned to a more carefull and through reſiſtance. Thirdly, wee muſt obſerue our owne former experience, we muſt conſider where we hauehave been foiled before time, and there to looke better to it, and to preuent it another time; And alſo conſider where thou haſt put the enemy to the worſt, and be carefull to vſe the ſame meanes ſtil; Fourthly, obſerue alſo the examples of other of the faithfull in the like caſe, eſpecially of the old beaten Souldiers of Ieſus Chriſt, as of Abraham, Iob, Dauid, Paul, and the like; Let vsus obſerue their ouerſights and their failings, and ſhunne them; alſo obſerue their religious practices and courſes and follow them, not doubting but God will bleſſe them to thee, as hee did to them: Principally, let vsus obſerue our Captaine Ieſus Chriſt, and follow his Example as farre as wee can. Laſtly, let vsus be earneſt with God, from whom eueryevery good thing comes, that as he hath appointed vsus his Souldiers, ſo he would furniſh vsus with helpe fitting thereunto. And ſo much ſhall ſerue for this fourth point, namely, how the Church behaues and carries her ſelfe againſt her Aduerſaries.

The fifth and laſt point concerning the Aduerſaries and oppoſites of the Church, is,The 5 point how the Lord carrieth himſelfe to his Church and their aduerſaries. how the Lord in this caſe, carries himſelfe both towards the Church, and towards her Aduerſaries; for the Lord ſees and beholds all on both ſides, yea, and he works on both ſides too, though in a contrary manner, hee is for and with the Church in mercy to deliuer them; and hee is with the wicked in Iudgement to confound and ouerthrow them. Then the obſeruation is this:

Doctr. That in all the Battailes that are mannaged betwixt the Church and her Aduerſaries for Gods Truth,the Lord ſo carries himſelfe on both ſides, and to both, that he is altogether for and with the Church to helpe and deliuer them, and altogether againſt their enemies to confound and deſtroy them: ſo ſaith the Prophet, Pſal. 34.15, 16. The Eyes of the Lord are vponupon the righteous, p. 80and his Eares are open to their cries, but the face of the Lord is againſt them that doe euill, to cut off their remembrance from the earth: So in Eſa. 66.5. the Prophet ſaith, Heare ye the Word of the Lord, all ye that tremble at his Word: your brethren that caſt you out for my names ſake, ſaid; Let the Lord be glorified: but yee ſhall appeare to your Ioy, atnd they ſhall be aſhamed. And Phil. 1.28. In nothing feare your Enemies, which to them is a token of Perdition, and to you of ſaluation, and that of God: Thus God was with the Iſraelites to ſaue them; and with the Egyptians to drowne them in the red Sea, Let vsus ſee this point proued a little more plainely in particulars: God is with and for the faithfull in many reſpects.

How God is with the ſaith full in many reſpects.Firſt, as a party in the cauſe, fighting with them and for them, Reu. 3.7. Michael and his Angels fought, &c. and thus God is with his Church either inwardly or outwardly; Inwardly teaching them to fight, Pſal. 144.1. and ſtrengthning them, and comforting them, Luk. 22.43. and defending them, Pſal. 118.13. and giuing a bleſſing and good ſucceſſe to them; Or outwardly, as ſupplying them with meanes, and raiſing vp friends and Captaines and ſuch outward helpes. Thus hee rayſed vp Ioſhua and others to deliuer his Church; And ſo by miniſtring to the faithfull many gracious opportunities, either to preſerue themſelues, or to ouerthrow their enemies.

2Secondly, God is with his Church as a Deliuerer to ſaue them from the hands of all their enemies; ſo Dauid acknowledgeth, Pſal. 70.5. that God is his helper and deliuerer; And Zach. 2.8. the Lord promiſeth to bee a wall of Fire about Ieruſalem; And in the 9. Chapter and the 8. verſ. the Lord ſaith, that he will campe about his houſe, and no oppreſſor ſhall come vponupon them.

3Thirdly, hee is with his Church, as a Rewarder to Crowne them after the fight, Reu. 2.10. be thou faithfull vntounto the Death, and I will giuegive thee the Crowne of Life, 2 Tim. 48. I hauehave fought a good fight (ſaith he Apoſtle) p. 81I hauehave finiſhed my courſe, from hence forth is laid vp for mee a Crown of rhteouſneſſe, which the Lord, the righteous Iudge ſhall giuegive me that day; thus the Lord rewards & crowns vsus, and for this end, he counts al our flittings, and keeps all our teares in his bottle, and puts them all in his Regiſter, Pſ. 56.8. So we ſee, that God is with, and for his Church to defend them: firſt, as a party in the cauſe: ſecondly, as a deliuerer to ſaue them from their enemies: Thirdly, as a Rewarder, to crowne them after the fight.How God is againſt the enemies his Church many waies.

On the other ſide he is againſt their enemies, and that many waies, nay, eueryevery way: Firſt, to deride them, Pſal. 37 12, 13. The wicked practiſeth againſt the iuſt, and gnaſheth his teeth at him, but the Lord ſhall laugh them to ſcorne, &c. and Pſal. 2.4. The Lord ſhall hauehave them in deriſion:

Secondly, to defeat them, Iob 5.12. hee ſcattereth 2the deuices of the crafty, ſo that their hands cannot accompliſh that which they enterpize, Pſal. 129.1, 2. They hauehave oft times aflicted me from my youth, but they could not preuaile againſt mee: Iſa. 33.11, 12. and Chap. 8.10. take Councell together yet it ſhall be brought to nought, pronounce a decree, yet it ſhall not ſtand, for God is with vsus.

Thirdly, to blinde them, as he did the Sodomites, Gen. 19.11. and as he did the Aramites, 2 Kings 6.18.

Fourthly, the Lord is againſt the aduerſaries of his 4Church, to terrifie them, Iob 18.6. The light ſhall be darke in his dwelling, &c. thus he terrified Moah, and made them ſore afraid of the Iſraelites, Num. 22.3. And thus he terrified the Aramites, with the noiſe of a great Army, and made them fly, when none purſued them, 2 King. 7.6, 7.

Fifthly, hee is ſometimes againſt them, to turne their hearts to his Church, that they ſhould be of their ſide: 5thus dealt hee with Paul, Acts 9.1. compared with the 20. verſe.

Sixthly, he is againſt them, to ſet one of them againſt 6another, to ſheathe his Sword in his fellowes bowells, as hee did the Midianites, Iudg. 7.22. and as he did the Philiſtims, 1 Sam. 14.20.

p. 827Seuenthly, to confound them, Iſay 45.24 all that prouoke him ſhall be confounded.

8Eighthly, ſometimes God is againſt them, to take many of them away, Eſa. 7.10.

9Ninthly, hee is alwaies againſt them, to puniſh them in diuers kindes; by waters, as hee did the Egyptians, drowning them, Exod. 14.28. or by fire conſuming them, as hee did the Sodomites, Gen. 19. or by an Angell deſtroying them, as hee did the Camp of Aſhur, Eſa 37.36. or from heauen, raining haile-ſtones vponupon them, as hee did vponupon the fiue Kings, Ioſhua 10.11. or by women, to be ſlaine by them, as Siſera was by Iael, Iudg. 4.21. and Abimeleck by a woman on the wall, Iudg 9 53. or by baſe creatures, to be annoyed, and deuoured by them, as hee did the Egyptians, Exod. 8.6. and the 10.13. and Herod, Acts 12.23. for, as there is nothing in the world, but the diuell and his inſtruments take aduange of it, to fight againſt the faithfull; ſo on the other ſide, there is nothing in the world, but the Lord takes aduange of it, to fight againſt them.

10Laſtly, if they eſcape all theſe things in this life, yet they ſhall be ſure, that God will puniſh them to the full, and pay them home in hell, 2 Theſ. 1.6.9.

Reaſ. The reaſons of the point are theſe: Firſt, that which the aduerſaries doe againſt the Church, they doe againſt God himſelfe; It is the Lords battell, and not ours, as Iahaziel ſaid to Iehoſaphat, 2 Chro. 20.15. and therefore he will mannage it for the defence of his Church, and the deſtruction of their aduerſaries, hee that toucheth the Church, toucheth the Apple of Gods eye, Zach. 2.8. and Ioel 3.34. the Lord ſaith to Tyrus, when they caſt lots for his people, What haſt thou to doe with me? And to Saul, Acts 9.4. when hee went to perſecute the Church, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou mee? and 1 King. 19.22. when Zenacherib railed againſt Ieruſalem, and lifted vp himſelfe againſt them, the Lord ſaith, Whom haſt thou railed on? &c. Euen againſt the Holy one of Iſrael: and in p. 83Ezech. 35. from the 3. to the 6. verſe. The Lord threateneth, againſt Mount Sier, that becauſe they had put the children of Iſrael to flight by the Sword, therefore as I liue (ſaith the Lord) I will prepare thee to blood; that which the aduerſaries doe againſt the Church, they doe it againſt God, and therefore hee will defend his Church, and puniſh and deſtroy them.

Secondly, it is his promiſe to the one, that hee will Reaſ. 2 defend them, and his threatnings againſt the other, that hee will ouer-throw them, Eſa. 43.2. When thou paſſest thorow the water I will be with thee, Exod. 23.22. I will be an enemy to thine enemies, and afflict them that afflict thee, Zeph. 3.19. I will bruiſe all that afflict thee.

The third reaſon is, Gods louelove to his Church, hee Reaſ. 3 loues them dearely, and therefore will defend them, Zach. 24, 5, 8.

The laſt reaſon is the iuſtice of God againſt his enemies; Reaſ. 4 it is a iuſt thing with God, to recompence tribulation to them that trouble his Church, 2 Theſ. 1.6. Vſe 1

The vſes of the point are theſe: the firſt is for reproofe, and firſt it reproues the faithfull themſelues, ſuch of them as are ſuſpicious and fearefull to encounter with their aduerſaries, that thinke there is no way when their enemies aſſault them, but deſolation, meaſuring things by ſenſe, and not by faith; Why, The Lord is with vsus to defend vsus, why then ſhould we be afraid though ten thouſand roſe vp againſt vsus? ſecondly, it reproues the preſumptuous aduerſaries, that thinke when they preuaile, that God hath forſooke his Church, as Pſalm. 71.11. and Matth. 27.43. or that hee doth not regard their trouble Pſalm. 94.6, 7. or that hee could not redreſſe it, 2 Chron. 32.14. Laſtly, it reproues the graceleſſe and carnall beholders that aſcribe all to the meanes, and doe not beleeue Gods hand to be all in all in defending his Church, and deſtroying their enemies.

The ſecond vſe is for comfort to the faithfull,Ʋſe 2. both p. 84in that God is with them to helpe them, and then if he be with vsus, who ſhall be againſt vsus? and to giuegive them a good iſſue, and a plentifull reward; as alſo in that God is againſt our enemies to confound them, and all their courſes taken in hand againſt vsus.

Vſe 3 Laſtly, this is for terror to the wicked; It is terror enough for them to know that God fauors thoſe whom they perſecute, much more terror is it to them to know, that the Lord is bent againſt themſelues with all his wrath and power to confound and deſtroy them; I will ſhut vp all with the Speach of the Prophet, Pſalm. 34.19. Great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord deliuereth them out of all; The troubles of Gods children are great and many, yet let vsus ſhew our ſelues to be righteous men, iuſtified by the blood of Chriſt, and wee ſhall finde it to be true, as it is in the note; that the Lord will be altogether with vsus, to ſaue and defend vsus, and altogether againſt our enemies to confound and deſtroy them.