Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 46
The .xlvi. Sermon, which is the fourth vppon the sixth Chapter.
11. Put vponupon you the vvhole armour of God, that ye may vvithstand all the assaultes of the diuell.
12. For our vvrestling is not ageinst fleshe and blud, but ageinst the Principalities, ageinst the Povvers, ageinst of Lordes of this vvorld, the (gouernours) of the darkenesse of this world, (and) ageinst the spirituall vvickednesses that are in the heauenly places.
13. VVherefore take too you the vvhole armour of God, that yee may bee able too vvithstand in the euill day, and stand fast vvhen ye hauehave performed all things.
14. Stand fast therfore, hauing your loynes girt with truth, and beyng clothed vvith the brestplate of Ryghtuousnesse:
15. Hauing your feete shod vvith the preparation of the Gospell of peace:
16. Taking aboue all things the sheeld of fayth, wherby you may quench all the fyrie dartes of wickednesse.
17. Also take too you the Helmet of saluation, and the swoord of the spirit, vvhichwhich is the vvoord of God.
I Shewed you this morning, why Saint Paule speaketh heere of the force and craftes of Satan, that is too wit, to wake vsus, that wee bee not taken vnwares, as it happeneth oftentymes. Therefore it standeth vsus on hand too knowe, with what manner of enemye wee hauehave too doo, that the same may stirre vsus vp too resist him. Trew it is that at the first wee myght bee abashed, by comparing our owne weaknesse with the practyzes and preparations of Satan, wherof mention is made heere. But the remedy thereof is set downe therewithall, as I hauehave touched alredy, and as Saint Paule proceedeth too shewe yit more at length. Therefore he sayeth first, that the incounter which wee hauehave too deale in, is much more harde and daungerfull, than if all the men in the world did set themselues ageinst vsus. For the force of Satan is aboue them all. And that is the cause why he sayeth, that our fyghting is not ageinst flesh and blud. By these woordes he dooth vsus too vnderstand, that wee hauehave not too stand ageinst mortall men onelyonly. It is trewe that men shall oftentymes bid vsus battell, yea and they shalbee Satans vnderlings too torment vsus. But that is not the thing that we must sticke at. For the diuel serues his turne by them too driue vsus too despayre, or too prouoke vsus too reuengment, and too make vsus grudge ageinst God. Howsoeuer the cace stand, the wicked doo neuer trubble vsus, but they bee egged too it by another, that is too say, by Satan, who ruleth them, and is their head, and setteth them a woorke, too the endes aforesayd. Therefore if wee sticke vppon men, wee forget the principall, after the manner of Dogges, who if a man doo cast a stone at them, fall too byting of the stone too wreake themselues, and regard not the hand that threw it. Euen so are wee vnpurueyed of wit, when wee thinke our stryuing is but only with men, and in the meane whyle thinke not vppon our inuisible enemye. Wherfore let vsus bethinke vsus well of the thing that Saint Paule telles vsus heere, namely that Satan is the cheef enemye that wee hauehave, yea and that it is he whom we must withstand: and although he use diuerse meanes to vexe vsus, and to turne vsus away frō the feare of God: yit must wee alwayes hauehave our eye vppon him, that we may beware of him.
Agein, a man myght thinke it straunge, that Saint Paule should say, that the diuelles are the principalities of the aire, the lordshippes and powers of heauen, and the princes of the world: for a man would deeme that he matcheth them ageinst God. Now although some Heretikes in olde tyme hauehave abuzed this place, intending too hauehave made as it were twoo beginnings, so as God should bee letted too maynteyne himselfe ageinst Satan, and too defend those whom be hath taken intoo his protection: yit notwithstanding if wee hauehave an eye too Saint Paules intent, this question wil bee easly resolued. And why? For heere is no talke of any power that the diuell should hauehave as it were in despyte of God too aduaunce himselfe ageinst him: for wee must rather stand fully resolued of this poynt, that the diuell is the executer of Gods iudgmentes, and cannot attempt any thing more then is graunted and permitted him.Iob. 1. b. 6. If there were no more but this text of the first chapter of Iob, where the diuell appeered with the Angelles (who are named there the children of God) to get leaue too doo mischeef: it ought too satisfie vsus throughly. Trew it is that he seeketh nothing else but too peruert and confound all things. But yit for all that, God holdeth him brydled, and executeth what he thinks good by his meanes, insomuch that when the diuelles hauehave deuyzed what they cā, yit can they not attempt any thing without Gods leaue, yea and except he hauehave ordeyned it, and giuen them expresse charge to doo this or that. Yit notwithstanding, it is not for nought that S. Paule nameth them the powers and principalities of the aire: for all this dependeth vppon the things that he will speake anon concerning the darkenesse of the world. But, that the diuelles should hauehave superioritie ouer mankynd, which is shaped after the image of God, were ageinst all reason: yea if wee had continued in our soundnesse. Had wee hild out in the state wherein God created our father Adam, it is certeyne that the diuell should not hauehave had any aduauntage ouer vsus. But forasmuch as wee bee now ouerwhelmed with darkenesse, and become thralles of our owne nature: therefore the diuell is named the Prince of the world. Wherfore let vsus marke well that Saint Paule hauing so aduaunced the power of the diuell, sheweth vsus from whence all of it proceedeth, and what is the welspring of it, too the intent wee should not thinke that the diuell hath the reynes of the brydle looce on his necke, so as hee should bee able too doo what he listeth, and God vnable too let him. Too the intent then that wee should not imagin that Gods souerein dominion is abated by any power of the diuelles: Saint Paule sayth, that their power proceedeth of this, that this world is in darkenesse. Trew it is that the Sunne shyneth vppon vsus, and the Moone also: but yit for all that, wee ceasse not too bee plunged in the dungeon of death, and too bee blynd wretches, bycause wee bee banished from the lyght of lyfe which is in God. Inasmuch then as wee bee destitute of the knowledge of him that made and fashyoned all things, and hauehave our wittes intangled in all naugh…inesse, and our reason is vtterly peruerted: therefore dooth Satan reigne ouer vsus. And so the question is dissolued which myght hauehave bin demaunded, namely how the diuelles are named the princes of the aire, and hauehave such scope in this world which God hath created. That commeth not of the originall order of nature, (as I hauehave declared alredye) but of the corruption that is happened through the fall of man: Howsoeuer the cace stand, the diuels hauehave such power ouer vsus, as wee could not tel how to withstand them, vnlesse God were both our sheeld and our wal, and serued our turne at al assayes, yea and fought for vsus at such tyme as wee can doo nothing at all. I say, wee must mark well that, and also beate downe the foolishe presumption which is so rooted in our harts, as it is ryght hard for vsus too weede it out. For wee see how men doo alwayes vaunt themselues, and woulde make themselues as Idols. But how speaks the scripture of them? It calleth them the diuells slaues. So long then as wee hauehave not Iesus Christ for our king, and his seate is vnset vp among vsus by reason of Adams fall: the diuell must needes bee our Prince, and hauehave all authoritie ouer vsus, and wee bee subiect vntoo him. Now let men make as greate brauerie as they list, and chalendge this and that too themselues: and yit notwithstanding, the thing that the holie Ghost hath spoken, must continew soothfast. For vnrepealable is the definitiue sentence that is giuen heere, that is too wit, that the diuel is our prince, and wee his subiects, hild downe vnderunder his thraldome, vntill wee bee set free by our Lord Iesus Christ,Iohn. 8. c. 36. according too this saying in the eyght of Saint Iohn, that it is he which maketh vsus free, too the ende wee shoulde depart out of the cursed tyrannie and bondage of Satan. Now seeing wee bee as wretched folk ouerthrowen, and the diuell is ouer our heads, and hath gotten the vpper hand of vsus alredye, if wee bee not reskewed after a woonderfull maner: there is good cause why wee should stoope, (as I declared alredye this morning) and distrust the strength that wee surmyze our selues too hauehave of our owne, for it is nothing else than deceytfulnesse. Also there is wherwith too quicken vp our carefulnesse, too make vsus resort vntoo God, and too pray him that he forsake vsus not, ne suffer vsus too bee giuen vp as a pray too our enemies. And finally, too make eueryevery man too streyne himself, knowing that although wee our selues doo nothing: yit dooth God woork in such wyse by vsus, as he wil not hauehave vsus too bee as blocks, but he will hauehave vsus exercyze our fayth, and too bee as men of warre, too serue him in battell, so as the stoppes that wee incounter, restreyne vsus not from keeping on our course still, but that wee outstand all the ambushes and assaults that are put too vsus. Thus yee see in effect how wee must put this text in vre.
And he concludeth agein, that wee must hold our owne too resist the wicked dayes, vntill wee bee fast settled after the performance of all. Heere he putteth vsus in mynd agein, that it is not ynough for vsus too hauehave fought …toutly for a mooneth or for a yeere, but that wee must hold out too the end, yea euen all our lyfe long. For God hath set vsus in this world too maynteyne the battell vntill wee bee come too the rest of heauen. The earth then is not only as a pilgrimage too the faythfull, but also as a Camp where wee must alwayes hauehave enemies too trubble vsus nyght and day without ceassing. That is the cause why Saint Paule sayeth expresly, that wee must resist till wee hauehave finished and performed all things. And by the euill dayes, he meaneth all our lyfe, but specially (the tymes) when our lord suffereth vsus too be pinched more than ordinarie. For although God trye vsus too the end: yit doth he forbeare vsus now and then. For if he had not pitie of our weaknesse, what would become of vsus? It is trew that wee must no… take truce with Satan: but yit dooth God sometymes giuegive vsus respits, so as we bee not greeued with extremitie. The euill dayes therfore are, when there bee greate and in maner extreme temptations and tryalls, howbeeit that all our whole lyfe is comprehended vnderunder the same words. It is true that that impeacheth not our continuall happinesse, but that God taketh vsus still for his people and heritage: but yit shall there alwayes bee that euilnesse wherof Saint Paule speaketh heere. Then let vsus not make our account of an earthly paradyse heere beneath, or too reape heere the frute of our victorie, or too liue in rest: but rather let vsus assure our selues, that miseries are prepared for vsus without ceassing or number. Wherfore let vsus bee armed too abyde them, and too ouercome them. And it is no pleading ageinst Gods will in this behalf. It is verye trewe that he could handle vsus much gentlyer, and that hee could so set vsus alone by our selues, as our enemies should not come at vsus, nor wee suffer any vexation: but it lyketh him not too doo so. Therfore wee must bow downe our necks, and eueryevery of vsus buckle himself too the battell that God calleth vsus vntoo. For (as sayeth Saint Peter) it is good reason that our fayth which is much preciouser than gold and siluer,1. Pet. …. b. 7. should bee tryed. Seeing that a corruptible mettall is fyned by fyre: should our fayth which is much more excellent, bee kept from comming too his purenesse and perfection? Therfore let vsus think wel vponupon that which is sayd here, namely that wee must finish things (or go through with them.) And that is to the end that no man should cocker himself, when he hath hild his owne for a whyle, and taken greate peyne in imploying him self too Gods seruis, but that he should walk on still to the end, & put the thing in vre which S. Paul sheweth vsus in another place,Phil. 3. c. 13. euen by his own example. For although he had doone so notable things, as a man myght say, that God should hauehave hild him quite, & giuen him some rest for his oftē fyghting both by sea and by land dyuers wayes: yit notwithstanding he sayeth, he forgetteth all that is past, and streyneth, and inforceth him self still foreward, till he may atteyne too the fellowship of the resurrection of our Lord Iesus Christ. For what causeth a number too take so greate libertie, but that they think themselues too hauehave doone ynough, and may giuegive others leaue too take their turne? why not, say they? It is now a twentie or thirtie yeeres that I hauehave taken extreme peynes without ceassing, and the world hath seene my faythfulnesse, zeale, and care which I hauehave had too serue God, and my diligence in dooyng the things that my charge requyred. And theruppon they conclude, that now therefore they may well take rest. Wee must not so indent with God. But whatsoeuer wee hauehave done, wee must forget that which is behynd, (sayeth Saint Paule) and looke foreward to the thing that is yit too come, that is too wit, that wee bee not yit come to the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ, but that there are many infirmities in vsus styll, and our fayth is not yit so throughly well fyned, but that it had neede too be brought ageien too the furnace and the fyre. And therfore let vsus hold out tyll wee hauehave finished all things. And what is ment by this All? that hauing lyued in the obedience of our God, wee dye lykewyse when it pleaseth him, and according too his wyll. For it is not ynough for vsus too lyue in awe of him: but wee must also euen in our death, yeeld record that wee bee wholly his, and wee must not couet too lyue heere vntyll wee bee wery of our lyfe, but wee must alwayes hauehave one foote lifted vp too depart when it pleaseth God. So then, all is then finished, when wee hauehave lingered in this world as long as pleaseth God, and eueryevery man indeuered too lyue according too his calling, and bin pacient too the end. Finally, bee it that wee lyu…, or bee it that wee dye, and let vsus alwayes bee trewe sacrifyzes to offer our selues vntoo God, and let vsus seeke nothing but to yeeld vp our soules and our bodyes intoo Gods hand. Therefore let vsus stand fast sayeth S. Paul: that is too say, that we may be able to shew our selues before our God.
Hereuppon he sheweth with what maner of Armour wee must bee fenced and furnished: that is too wit, vvith Fayth, vvith Ryghtuousnesse, vvith Truth, vvith Gods vvoord, and vvith the Gospell. Now wee must not bee curious in seeking heere why Saint Paule giueth the tytle of Helmet too one, the tytle of Brestplate too another, and the tytle of Sheeld too another. For in the first Epistle too the Thessalonians he toucheth the same doctrine briefely,1. Thess. 5. b. 8. howbeeit, without following the similitude throughout, saying, that wee must bee armed with the helmet of fayth and charitie. But he speaketh otherwise in this place. If any man would say, there is some contradiction, the doubt would soone bee dissolued, namely that Saint Paules intent heere, was not too decyfer particularly all the peeces of a Christen mans armour, but too shewe briefely that if wee receyue the meanes that God offereth vsus, and bee diligent too serue him, wee shall bee furnished of all peeces, and wee neede not feare but wee shall hauehave wherwith too withstand all our enemies, yea and too vanquish them. That then was Saint Paules meaning.
Now he setteth downe heere first of all, that wee must bee girt vvith the Svvoord girdle of truth, and put on the headpeece of Ryghtuousnesse. By those twoo woordes he meaneth soundnesse and holynesse of lyfe. Therefore whensoeuer wee heare this woorde Truth, let vsus vnderstand, that Saint Paule condemneth all hypocrisie, and will hauehave vsus learne too giuegive our selues too the seruing of God with a free hart, not with eye seruice, nor, as to the syght of the world, but with a pure & right meaning mind. And to know why this Soothfastnes, or vprightnes, & this soundnesse is put for a brestplate: it is not now needefull too trubble our selues much, as I sayde afore. For the poynt that wee must beare in mynd, is, how Saint Paul shemeth vsus, that if wee take the armour which God giueth vsus, wee shall bee sure without fayle too hauehave victorie ageinst all our enemyes. Ryghtuousnesse is matched with it: which is a trew rule whereby too walke in the feare of God, and too lyue with our neyghbours without dooyng any harme, without fraud, without malice, and without extortion, and rather too indeuer too doo one another good, according too the end too which our Lord hath knit vsus toogither, which is, that wee should so communicate with our neyghbours, as no man bee wedded too hys owne profit, but all of vsus seeke the common welfare. And no maruell now though the Diuell ouercome vsus easly, and steale vppon vsus al kynd of wayes v…wares, both Euening and Morning and eueryevery minute. For where is this soundnesse that Saint Paule requyreth heere first of all? Nay rather eueryevery of vsus flattereth himselfe, and wee thinke wee hauehave doone much when wee hauehave vsed a fewe fayre countenances, and not bin vtter rebels ageinst God, so as the world cannot vpbrayd vsus that wee hauehave bin despyzers of his maiestie. Then if wee play not the starke bedlems, but pretend some fayre showe, & make some gay countenance of religion: too our owne seeming wee hauehave discharged our dewtie very well, when notwithstanding the diuell in the meane while hath turned vsus quyte away from the soundnesse and substancialnesse, whereof Saint Paule speaketh heere. In lyke cace is it with Ryghtuousnesse. For wee would fayne content God with a little. In deede wee will confesse well ynough with the mouth, that it is reason that God should bee serued and honoured, and that wee should lyue quietly toogither, and indeuer too doo one another good. Wee will condemne Robberie, Extortion, Whoredome, Deceyt, and wrong Dealing: but yit when all is doone, wee would hauehave God too accept in good woorth, the little that he fyndeth in vsus, and too hold him contented with it. But by that meane, behold, the diuell fyndeth vsus still vnprouyded. Forasmuch then as wee open him such a gap, wee must not maruell that he getteth the better hand of vsus. And therefore it were much better for vsus too go through with our race, and too sticke too our tackeling that wee stand fast. For a man shall see dyuerse that hauehave a good zeale, as farre as can bee iudged: and yit it shall bee but a blast, it will not continue. And why? Bycause wee bee not fenced ageinst Satan. And for proofe hereof, if wee followe the thing that is shewed vsus heere: it is certeyne that the promis wyll neuer deceyue vsus. For although Saint Paule exhort the faythfull too stand fast, and too hold out too the ende: yit is there a certein warrantyze included therin, that God wyll alwayes succour them at their neede, and that they shall not fynd themselues disappoynted, so they fyght styll vnderunder his banner, calling continually vppon his power, and vsing the meanes that are offered them by his word. Therfore if there bee such cowardlynesse in vsus as too be so afrayd of the diuell, that he makes vsus too tumble downe, and to start asyde, and too stray quyte out of the good way: wee must impute all too our owne rechlesnesse, bycause wee hauehave not put on the armour that God giueth vsus, but hauehave hanged them vp vppon a pin.
Afterward heere followeth, that vvee should bee shod vvith preparation too the Gospel of peace. No dout but Saint Paule had an eye to the auncient fashion of men of warre. For they wore no shooes at home, but only when they went a warfare: and that was bothe too defend them from the cold, and too saue their feete when they entred intoo battell with the enemie. It is sayd, that the Gospell serueth vsus for it. Howbeit there are twoo other woords too bee marked also, in that he addeth, Preparation, and Peace. Notwithstanding, that wee may lay foorth things in their order, let vsus note that Saint Paule allotteth too the Gospell this power and propertie of shooing of vsus, bycause that when wee bee trayned in the doctrine of the Gospell as wee ought too bee, then wee may walk (safely) through the world. For wee see how the vnbeleeuers are plundged euer head and eares in it. Those whom God hath not prepared too walk and too atteyne too the kingdome of heauen, are so snarled in this world, that they bee altoogither vnprofitable, as though they had their legges broken, and they sink themselues dayly deeper and deeper in it. Therfore there is but one only way too make vsus wade through this world, and too atteyne too the kingdome of heauen: which is, too hauehave such instruction as is in the Gospell, namely that God hauing adopted vsus too bee his children, will not hauehave vsus too dwell heere beneathe for euer, but that wee should come vntoo him, yea euen with all haste and speede, and agein, that we intermeddle not our selues with the vncleannesse of the vnbeleeuers, but separate our selues from them. Thus much concerning the first poynt.
There is also the woord Preparation, wherby Saint Paule dooeth vsus too vnderstand, that if wee hauehave the skill too aduauntage our selues by the Gospell, wee shal bee rid of all thinges that let vsus, and hinder vsus from comming vntoo God. What is it then that wee fynd there? It is, that wheras erst wee were as it wee falen asleepe, or rather doted in our pleasures and vanities: our Lord dispozeth vsus too come vntoo him. Wee hauehave seene already that all this world is in darknesse, and that as long as wee abyde in it, wee bee as it were asleepe, so as wee see no way before vsus, and doo but reele and stumble, or rather lye along in it as dead men,Esay. 59. b. 10. (as it is sayd in Esay): and if wee bee not reskewed by our our Lord Iesus Christ, we must lye snorting in it still, and wel…er euer in that darknesse. Wherfore let vsus learne too put our selues in such redinesse, as our loynes may bee girded vp (as sayeth our Lord Iesus Christ,Luke. 12. …. 35.) and our lampes bee burning in our hands, that wee may see the way by the lyght that is giuen vsus in our Lord Iesus Christ, who not without cause is named the lyght of the world. Agein,Iohn. 8. b. 12. let vsus withdrawe our selues from this spirituall drunkennes, which turneth the vnbeleeuers away from the kingdome of heauen, and holdeth them downe heere beneath, vntill they bee come vntoo finall destruction. Therfore let vsus mark wel that wee cannot profit well by the Gospell, vntill wee bee put in redinesse, that is too say, vntill (as neede is) we be weeded out from all these things here belowe, and our Lord hauehave so dispozed vsus too him self, as our only trauell may bee too come alwayes forewarder and neerer vntoo him, vntill wee bee gone out of this world, and bee also quyte rid and set looce from all the bonds of Satan, and from all the meanes that he hath too hinder vsus. If wee knowe this once, wee shall hauehave profited well for one day.
But Saint Paule addeth one other tytle too the Gospell, which serueth too make vsus the more in louelove with it, saying, that it is the Gospell of peace. And therby he giueth vsus corage to fyght, as if he should say, my freends, it is trew that your enemies are myghtie, and will giuegive you hard skirmishes, insomuch that yee should not bee able too withstand them, but yee should bee ouerthrowen a hundred thousand tymes in an houre, if God ayded you not. Neuerthelesse, if yee refuze not the succour that God giueth you, but rather make it effectuall by inforcing your selues to withstand all euill: yee shall hauehave peace in the middes of warre. And why? For the Gospell bringeth alwayes that benefyte with it. Now it is much when wee can fyght without being afrayd. For wee see in what taking they bee from tyme to time, which are out of quiet: there is nother counsell nor aduyce in them, they bee quyte out of hart, and too bee short, the trubble dooth alwayes dismay them. But yit is it trew, that we must hauehave a care with vsus, as hath bin sayd afore. For if wee bee rechelesse, we shalbee ouerraught by and by. Howbeeit, this Care is no let or impediment, but that we may enter intoo the battell freely with a stedie and well settled mynd, forasmuch as God is on our syde, and will vtter his myghtie power (in our defence.) This is the thing that ought too make vsus quiet, so as no such feare attache vsus, as may make vsus too turne head, or disfurnish vsus of aduyce, but that the more wee bee pinched, the more we may flee vntoo God, praying him too succour vsus, and too prouyde for all our needs, which he knoweth much better than wee our selues doo. Now then wee see what Saint Paules meaning is, when he wil hauehave vsus too bee shod with the Gospell. It is not too holde vsus in this world, but rather that wee should bee in a redinesse too trauell freely towards the kingdome of heauen: and moreouer hauehave a quiet mynd too serue God, trusting assuredly that notwithstāding all the trubbles which we hauehave too indure, yit wee shal not perish. For he assureth vsus not only too succour vsus in some one assault, but too continew with vsus vntoo the end, euen till he hauehave deliuered vsus from al the greefs and trubbles which wee susteyne at this day.
There is further, that vvee must aboue all things take the Sheeld or Buckler of fayth, and the spirituall Svvoord vvhichwhich is Gods vvoord. As touching this Sheeld, he setteth downe, that by meanes thereof wee may beate backe the burning or fyrie dartes which the enemye whoorleth at vsus. It should seeme that Saint Paule vseth here a needlesse speech, in putting Gods woord and fayth asunder, and that he should not set downe twoo things which are but one. For fayth is nothing of it selfe furtherfoorth than it is grounded vponupon Gods woord: and Gods woord also aduauntageth vsus not, except wee receyue it by fayth. But his distinguishing of these twoo things, which notwithstanding go ioyntly toogither, was for the easyer declaring of them. And he setteth fayth for the buckler, too the end (sayeth he) that wee should therewith ward all the dartes of our enemye. Yit agein he sheweth vsus, that of our owne power wee bee not able too warde the blowes that Satan can giuegive vsus, but that they would be deadly. For he thinkes it not ynough too say (simply,) too ward the blowes or assaultes: but he sayth, the dartes. Now men see that one shall sooner …ee hit vnwares with dartes, than with speares or swoordes: lyke as now adayes a man shall sooner bee hit with a Hargabusse, or with a dubble Canon, than with a swoord that is swindged before ones face, and which he may more easly shun. Saint Paule therefore setteth downe the diuelles dartes, lyke as he had erst set downe his wyles. Now then let vsus marke, that Satan not onelyonly vseth force, but also myght wound vsus too death by suttle meanes, if wee were not fenced by fayth. For (as is sayd elsewhere) it behoueth vsus too knowe his whyles:2. Cor. 2… c. 11. and without wee doo so, wee can neuer withstand him. He is the father of lying, and besydes that, hath such store of wyles, as none can hauehave more, too beguyle vsus and too intrappe vsus. Therefore let vsus receyue these warnings, that wee may bee the more waking too apply the promises too our behoof which are giuen vsus in Gods woord. And he setteth downe Fyrie Dartes, too shewe that his woundes should be deadly (As I sayd afore) if God did not set his power afore vsus, and defend vsus and preserue vsus therby. Now wee see what the force of fayth is.
Now looke how much is attributed too fayth, so much is taken away from men. For fayth borroweth all things of Gods mere grace and liberalitie. Therfore let vsus marke that in this text Saint Paule ment too humble vsus, and too shewe vsus that God must bee fayne too prouyde vsus of all things belonging and requysyte too our victorye. And therefore whosoeuer make themselues sheeldes of any of all the (other bulwarkes that can be deuyzed, too repulse Satan withall: they shall hauehave but a spyders web (as they say) and Satan will but sport him at their presumption, insomuch that when they weene they hauehave all the mountaynes of the world too fortifye them, it shall profit them nothing at all at their neede. Wherfore let vsus learne too make fayth our bucklar: that is too say, when wee mynd too enter intoo the battell, and too hold out in it: let vsus consider, that God is our father, bycause he hath elected and chozen vsus for his children, of his owne infinite goodnesse. Seeing he hath assured vsus that he will alwayes be on our syde, and that he is greater than all the world, and that he hath put vsus in good and safe keeping by ordeyning our Lord Iesus Christ too bee our Shepherd: let vsus gather all those promises toogither, and make a sheeld of them too set before vsus whensoeuer wee bee assayled, and let vsus defye the diuell, bycause wee bee in the protection of our God, who is of inuincible power, and bycause our Lord Iesus Christ hath taken vppon him the charge of our saluation,Iohn. 17. c. 1…. and promised too bee a faythfull keeper of our soules too the end. When wee bee once at that poynt, then shall wee beat backe the dartes of the diuell. For on the one syde he wyll labour too make vsus distrust Gods grace: and on the other syde he will make vsus beleeue that our Lord Iesus Christ is farre of from vsus: yea and he will tempt vsus too murmur and grudge ageinst him, or too make vsus cast foorth tryflyng and vnprofitable questions, or else blasphemyes, and such other things: and all these are dartes. Agein, when wee bee tickled with any wicked lust or longing in our hartes, it is the next way for vsus too bee taken tardye. Trew it is that at the first blush these allurementes will seeme nother bitter, nor irkesome, nor hard, nor any thing else: but yit for al that, they bee deadly dartes: and yit notwithstanding, fayth beateth them all backe. As how? If wee bee tempted too coue…u…usnesse, bycause wee bee afrayd least the earth should fayle vsus: God hath taken vppon him the charge too nurrish and susteyne vsus. And so, let vsus rest vppon him, and aske our dayly bread at his hand. If the diuell labour too win vsus too whoredome: wee knowe that Iesus Christ hath incorporated vsus intoo himselfe, and made vsus his owne members too bee all one with him: and shall wee go spoyle our selues in dung and filthinesse? What a dealing were that? He hath set vsus free and clenzed vsus by his blud: and shall wee go wallowe agein in our vncleannesse? Are wee prouoked too gluttony? and, why not? Hath not God created vittelles too our vse? (Yis:) but shall wee defyle and ouerthrowe the order that God hath set, which is, that wee should bee susteyned by them, thereby too bee directed too the heauenly lyfe? And shall wee turne the things too our hinderance, which …ught too bee our help? Agein, are wee tempted with ambition, too gloryfye our selues? Yea: but what example hath our Lord Iesus Christ set before vsus?Iames. 4▪ b. 6.& 1. Pet. 5. b. 5. Moreouer if wee couet too be great in this world: wee shal bee enemyes too God, for he resisteth the proud, so as their pryde and presumption must needes bee pulled downe. Thus yee see how wee may eueryevery way beate backe the dartes of Satan.
And agein, if any man appoze thee, (saying,) how canst thou tell whether thou shalt bee euer the better or no for all thy trauell? Where is the thing that the Gospell promiseth? Fayth must woorke in this cace, for wee see not the reward that is promysed: but rather wee see store of trubbles, incounters, and sorrowes. Too bee short, wee seeme too bee the miserablest creatures in the world. And what shall wee doo then? Wee should needes quayle eueryevery minute of an houre, if God reached vsus not his hand. And how take wee holde of his hand? that is too say,H…br. 11. a. 3. how doo wee aduauntage our selues by his power? Fayth must bee fayne too woorke in this behalfe: that is too say, wee must looke vp too the things that are not seene, as the Apostle sayeth in the Epistle too the Hebrewes. After that maner shall wee beate backe Satans dartes.
Now finally he addeth the woord, which (as I sayd afore) ought not too bee separated from fayth. But I hauehave told you already, that S. Paule ment too adde that saying, for a further declaration of the matter. As if he had sayde, My freendes, wheras I tolde you that you myght withstand your enemyes, and beate backe all their dartes by, …he meanes of fayth: it is bycause Gods woord cannot fayle you. Forasmuch then as yee hauehave the promyses of saluation, and God speaketh too you, so as you knowe that he hath you in his keeping, and that you cannot bee confounded, if you trust in him: therfore did I set fayth before you as a bucklar. Howbeeit, if you hauehave fayth, yee hauehave mo bucklars than one. For Gods woord is the trew spirituall swoord, wherby wee may not onelyonly beate backe our enemye, but also discomfit him, and beate him downe vnderunder our feete. What remayneth now, but to… learne too profit our selues better by Gods woord, than we hauehave doone hithertoo? Seeyng then that our Lord Iesus Christ graunteth vsus this inestimable grace and benefyte of teaching vsus in his schoole: let vsus consider therwithall too what end he dooeth it: that is too wit, too arme vsus ageinst Satan, bycause wee cannot lyue in his obedience, and keepe the way that he sheweth vsus, but by fyghting: and he also dooth giuegive vsus armour. So then, let vsus assure our selues that wee hauehave a good swoord, when wee can skill too apply Gods woord too our vse: and moreouer, that fayth (which proceedeth thereof) will bee a good sheeld for vsus.
Also wee shall hauehave the Helmet of the hope of saluation: and too bee short, wee shall bee throughly fenced and furnished on all sydes. For thereof commeth the soundnesse of conscience and holynesse of life, which he hath spoken of. Finally wee shall want nothing, if wee can skill too vse well the meanes that God setteth foorth for our welfare. So then, albeeit that the state of the faythfull seeme too bee as irksome as may bee, bycause God exercyzeth them ageinst all the Diuels in hell, and that not for one day onelyonly, but for all the tyme of their lyfe: yit must wee thinke it ryght sweete and amiable, seeyng God prouydeth for all our needes, at leastwise so wee awake, and consider the daungers wherein wee bee, sauyng that wee resist them. Let vsus consider (I say,) on the one syde Satans violence and force: and on the other syde his craftes and suttleties. And therwithall let vsus call vppon our God, (as Saint Paule will shewe vsus agein hereafter,) and also consider the commoditie that Gods woord bringeth vsus. And hereby wee see how the wretched Papistes hauehave stripped themselues starke naked out of all the armour that should serue them for their saluation. For what is the woord of God among them? A noze of waxe. They hauehave not bin ashamed too belke out that blasphemie, both in all theyr bookes and also in all their Sermons: namely, that there is no certeintie in Gods woorde. Yea, but wee did wrong too call it the spirituall swoord, if it armed vsus not ageinst all the assaultes of Satan. Therefore wee could not repulse the temptations wherwith wee bee prouoked too euyll, vnlesse Gods woord serued vsus thertoo. And if wee found it not so by experience, surely Saint Paule would neuer hauehave giuen it that name. Now then, let vsus indeuer too profit more and more by it, and let vsus bee good schollers, and giuegive good eare too it whyle God hath his mouth open too teache vsus: and wee shall fynde that Saint Paule hath not in vayne promysed vsus heere, that wee shall euer get the vpper hand, euen tyll wee bee come too the heauenly Kingdome, where wee shall fully inioy the fruite of our victorie.
Now let vsus fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too make vsus feele them better, and that in the meane whyle wee may alwayes resort vntounto him, and not bee out of hart, although wee bee tootoo vnwoorthie too offer our selues before his maiestie, nor quayle bycause of our vyces and imperfections: but that seeyng it hath pleased him too bee on our side, he make the remedies too serue at our neede which he hath giuen vsus, as wee desyre them at his hand: and that wee may indeuer too profit so in his woord, as it may guyde vsus foorth too the end, so as wee may not quayle in any incounter, but that the Diuell may bee confounded, and our Lord Iesus Christ exalted, bycause it is vnderunder him and by his power that wee fyght, and it is he also of whom our victory proceedeth. That it may please him too graunt this grace, not onelyonly too vsus, but also too all people. &c.