The Christian Warfare Part 1, Book 2 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. Of thoſe temptations which Sathan vſeth againſt the faithfull concerning their redemption.
§. Sect. 1 ANd thus much concerning thoſe temptations which Sathan ſuggeſteth into mens mindes to nouriſh in them carnall ſecuritie:That it is not repugnant to Gods iuſtice to puniſh Chriſt for vsus. now we are to conſider of thoſe which he vſeth to moue men to doubting and deſperation. Firſt therefore he obiecteth that it is a thing vnreaſonable, and vtterly repugnant to Gods iuſtice, that Chriſt who was innocent ſhould be puniſhed for vsus who are guiltie, that we ſhould deſerue the blame, and he ſuffereth the ſtripes, that the righteous ſhould be condemned, and the wicked acquitted, that wee who like barrabas were cruell murtherers and wicked ſinners ſhould be let loſe, and the immaculate lambe of God in whom there was no fault ſhould be deliuered vp to be crucified; for what were this but to make the iuſt God like vniuſt Pilate? what were this but to deny his owne word, hauing ſaid that the righteous ſhould liue in his righteouſnes,Ezech. 18.20. and the ſinner die in his iniquitie? To which I anſwere, firſt, that it would not indeede hauehave ſtoode with Gods iuſtice, to hauehave puniſhed Chriſt as he was innocent and righteous, nor to hauehave acquitted and abſolued vsus who were vnrighteous and wicked; but he puniſhed Chriſt in reſpect that he had taken vponupon him the ſins of all the faithfull, and abſolueth vsus as we are freed from our ſins, & clothed with his righteouſnes and obedience. He puniſhed Chriſt, not as he was moſt iuſt and free from ſin, but as he was our ſuretie who had taken vponupon him to diſcharge our debt, and to ſatiffie for our ſinnes; and thus the creditor may iuſtly require his debt of the ſuretie though in reſpect of himſelfe he owed him nothing, and thus he may, nay ought to releaſe the principall, when the ſuretie hath allreadie diſcharged the debt. Secondly I anſwere that it had bin iniuſtice in God, if he had forced our Sauiour Chriſt, who was iuſt and innocent, to vndergoe the puniſhments which were due vntounto vsus, who were malefactors and offenders; for this were to condemne the righteous, and to iuſtifie the wicked: but our Sauiour Chriſt of his owne free accord, did voluntarily offer himſelfe to ſtand in our place, and to diſcharge that debt which we owed, and to make ſatiſſaction to his father, by ſuffering that puniſhment which wee had deſerued.Ioh. 10.18. And this apeareth, Ioh. 10.18. where our Sauiour ſaith, that no man tooke his life from him, but that hee laied it downe of himſelfe. And the Apoſtle telleth vsus that he humbled himſelfe, Phil. 2.8.and became obedient vntounto death, Phil. 2.8. In which reſpect, his death is called a ſacrifice or free oblation, which he voluntarily offered vntounto his father, Heb. 9.14:Heb. 9.14. and therefore the Lord might iuſtly take that which Chriſt freely gaue, nay it had been crueltie and iniuſtice if he ſhould hauehave refuſed, the paiment of ſuch a ſufficient ſuretie, when he voluntarily offered it for our diſcharge, chooſing rather ſtill to hauehave kept vsus in priſon, bound in the chaines of euerlaſting death. Laſtly, there might hauehave been ſome ſhew of rigor and iniuſtice, if Chriſt the innocent had been ouerwhelmed, in ſuffering the puniſhments which were due vntounto vsus, who were the offendors; but being not onelyonly man which ſuffered but God alſo, and therefore of infinit power and maieſtie, he was able to pay our great debt, and yet is neuer the poorer; to ſuffer death and ouercome it by ſuffering: and by yeelding a while to the malice of our ſpirituall enemies, he finally vanquiſhed and gloriouſly triumphed ouer them all; and therefore it was not iniuſtice in God to ſuffer our Sauiour Chriſt, to vndergoe that which he was ſure to ouercome; but vnſpeakable merciemercy towards vsus, in ſending his ſonne to pay that debt which we could neuer hauehave diſcharged, and to ſuffer puniſhments for a time, which otherwiſe wee ſhould hauehave endured for euer.
By this then it appeareth, that God might iuſtly receiue the price of our redemption, which Chriſt freely offered. But ſeeing by the lawes of redemption there is required, not onelyonly that the redeemer pay a price or ranſome, but alſo that he hauehave right to that which he doth redeeme, it may be demaunded what right our Sauiour had ouer vsus, that hee ſhould pay this price for vsus. I anſwere, that as our Sauiour Chriſt conſiſteth of two natures, ſo alſo he had a twofold right vntounto vsus; for as he was God, he had the right of proprietie, & was our true owner; he was our Lord and therefore had right to redeeme his owne ſeruants; he was our King, and therefore had right to redeeme vsus who were his ſubiects; yea he was our creator, and therefore he had more right then any Lord or King to redeeme vsus who were his creaturs; as he was a man he was our kinſeman, fleſh of our fleſh, and bone of our bone; yea he was our brother, as it is Heb. 2.11.12. and Ioh. 20.17;Heb. 2.11 12. Ioh. 20.17. Leuit. 25.25. and therefore had alſo the right of propinquitie, which was required by the law of redemption. Leuit. 25.25.
§. Sect. 2 Secondly,That Chriſt hath offered a ſufficient price for our redemption. Sathan may obiect that the death of Chriſt is not a ſufficient price for our redemption; for how could the death of one, be a ſufficient ſatisfaction for the ſinne of al the faithful, ſeeing eueryevery one by their innumerable ſinnes, had deſerued innumerable deaths? and how could the temporary and ſhort puniſhment which Chriſt indured,Act. 20.28. free vsus all that beleeue from the euerlaſting puniſhments of hell fire, ſeeing the iuſtice of God requireth that there ſhould be ſome proportiō, between the puniſhment which we deſerued, and the ſatisfaction which Chriſt made and offred? I anſwere, that Chriſt who ſuffered for vsus, was not man only but God alſo; in which reſpect it is ſaid, that God purchaſed his Church with his blood; not that God hath blood, but becauſe he that ſhed his blood, was not onelyonly man but alſo God; and therefore his ſhort ſufferings were of more worth, vertue and valew, than the euerlaſting ſuffrings of al the world; for they ſhould euer hauehave ſuffred, but could therby neuer hauehave ſatisfied, becauſe our ſins deſerued infinite puniſhments, in that we had by them offended the infinit iuſtice and maieſty of God; which becauſe finit creatures could not beare, Gods iuſtice required that they ſhould be infinit in time and euerlaſting, ſeeing they could not be infinite in meaſure; but the ſuffrings of Chriſt, though ſhort in time, yet were they infinit in valew, worth and merit, becauſe he was not man alone, but God alſo, and therfore at once he put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelf,Heb. 9.26. & by his one oblation he took away the ſins of many, as it is Heb. 9.26, 28. As therefore: Adams ſinne, which in it ſelfe was finit, as proceeding from a finit creature, notwithſtanding deſerued infinit puniſhment, becauſe God whom by his ſin he offended was infinit; ſo contrariwiſe Chriſts ſuffrings were but of ſhort continuance in reſpect of time, but yet of infinit merit and worth, becauſe he that ſuffered was not man alone, but alſo God, and therefore infinite.
§. Sect. 3 Laſtly,That Christs death and merits belong to eueryevery particular beleeuer. the tempter will obiect that Chriſts death and merits, though they be in themſelues a ſufficient price for our redemption, yet they do not belong vntounto vsus, neither wil be effectuall for our ſaluation. Let it be graunted (will he ſay) that the death and merits of Chriſt are ſufficient for the ſaluation of all: yet what comfort canſt thou receiue hereby, ſeeing thou canſt hauehave no aſſurance that they belong vntounto thee, or will be effectuall for thy redemption? for either he hath redeemed all or but ſome only; if all, then ſome who are redeemed may periſh notwithſtanding, ſeeing the ſcriptures ſhew that the greater part of the world are the children of deſtruction, and it is not vnlikely but that thou art in the greateſt number. But if he hauehave redeemed ſome only, how canſt thou conclude that thou art one of theſe whom he hath redeemed, ſeeing out of mere particular propoſitions thou canſt not inferre any ſound conſequence? For example, if thou doſt thus conclude, ſome men are redeemed by Chriſt, but I am a man, therefore I am redeemed: thou mighteſt as wel reaſon thus, ſome men are kings, but I am a man, therefore I am a king. To this wee muſt anſwere, that though Chriſt hath only redeemed ſome, yet wee may after a more ſound manner conclude that we are in this number, not vſing the helpe of ſathans abſurd fallacions; but inferring our concluſion out of generall propoſitions grounded vponupon Gods word after this manner; whoſoeuer beleeue in Chriſt, thoſe he hath redeemed and will ſaue; for this is the voyce and promiſe of Chriſt in the Goſpell: but I (may eueryevery faithfull man ſay) doe truely beleeue in Chriſt: and therefore I am redeemed and ſhall eternally be ſaued.
§ Sect. 4 But againſt this particular application of Chriſt & his merits vntounto vsus, the tempter vrgeth diuers obiections; firſt,Sathans temptations against the particular application of Christs merits, anſwered. Eph. 5.25.27. that Chriſt only ſaueth and redeemeth his own body which is his Church, and that this his Church is glorious without ſpot or wrinkle, holy and vnblameable, as it is Epheſ. 5.25.27. and therfore (wil he ſay) what hope of redemption or ſaluation canſt thou hauehave, who art defiled not onelyonly with originall corruption, but alſo with innumerable actuall tranſgreſſions? To this we muſt anſwere that the Apoſtle ſaith not, that the Church which Chriſt redeemeth and ſaueth, is now already without ſpot or wrinkle; but yt he hath by giuing himſelf for it, redeemed it, that hereby he might waſh and clenſe it from all ſpots, and might make it holy and without blame; either by his merits and righteouſnes imputed vntounto it which is done in this life; or by freeing it altogether from corruptions and the filthy ſpots of ſinne, wherewith naturally it is defiled, which is begunne in this life, but ſhall not be perfected vntill the life to come.
Secondly, he obiecteth,Our falling into ſinne, no reaſon to proue that we are not redeemed. Col. 1.14. that if Chriſt had redeemed vsus out of the thraldome of ſinne, then wee ſhould not ſtill be ouercome therby, nor ſo often, will we nill we, tranſgres Gods commandements. To which we are to anſwere, that our Sauiour Chriſt hath deliuered vsus from our ſins, firſt in regard that for his merits and ſatisfaction ſake, the Lord hath pardoned and remitted them, ſo as they ſhall neuer be imputed vntounto vsus, nor ariſe vp in iudgement to our condemnation, neither in this world nor the world to come: ſecondly, he doth deliuer vsus from our ſinnes, whileſt he doth giuegive vntounto vsus his holy ſpirit, whereby our ſinnes are in ſome meaſure mortified, & the ſtrength of them abated, ſo that they do not raigne and rule in vsus as in former times, although we cannot wholy expell them from dwelling in vsus, according to that Rom. 6.12,Rom. 6.12. Sinne ſhall not raigne in your mortall bodie that you ſhould obey it in the luſts thereof. And though we cannot vtterly ſubdue this Cananitiſh brood of our corruptions, but that ſtill whileſt we continue in this life, they are as thornes in our ſides, alwaies vexing and grieuing vsus: yet by the helpe of Gods ſpirit aſſiſting vsus, we weaken their force, abate their courage, and make them become tributaries; and if at any time they rebel, we curbe them in, & giuegive them the ouerthrow; yea, though ſometimes they gaine ground, & giuegive vsus the foile, yet wee riſe againe by vnfained repentance, and recouer our ſelues, being aſſiſted with the freſh ſupply of Gods ſpirit, till at laſt by death we obtaine a finall victory.
§ Sect. 5 Thirdly,That our obedience to the Lawe, proueth not that we are not redeemed. Gal. 3.13. he obiecteth that we are ſtill vnderunder the law, and tied to the obedience thereof, and therefore Chriſt hath not freed vsus from it: I anſwer, that though Chriſt hath not freed vsus from the obedience of the lawe, yet he hath freed vsus from the curſe and malediction, as it is Gal. 3.13. ſo as though we do not performe it in that exact manner and meaſure which God requireth, yet our tranſgreſſion ſhall not be imputed vntounto vsus; for he hath perfectly fulfilled the law for vsus, that his righteouſneſſe might become our righteouſneſſe, and he hath ſuffred death, that by his blood he might waſh away our ſins.Rom. 8.3.4. And thus when the law was impoſſible to be performed, by reaſon of the weaknes and corruptions of our fleſh, the Lord ſent his Son in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh, that the righteouſneſſe of the lawe might be fulfilled in vsus, as it is Rom. 8.3, 4. Moreouer, we are not now tied to performe obedience to the lawe, to the end that thereby we may be iuſtified, nor yet ſhall we for the imperfections of this our obedience be in danger of condemnation, but now onelyonly it is a meanes before our conuerſion to bring vsus to Chriſt, by ſhewing vntounto vsus our ſinnes and inſufficiency in our ſelues, and after our conuerſion it ſerueth for a rule or ſquare, according to which we are to frame our liues in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, that ſo we may ſhew our thankfulnes vntounto our heauenly father for his ineſtimable benefits, by glorifying his name in a godly life. And becauſe this alſo is bitter and vnpleaſant to fleſh and blood, therefore the Lord hath alſo granted and giuen vntounto vsus his holy ſpirit, which mortifieth our corruptions, whereby we are made leſſe prone vntounto ſinne; and quickneth vsus in the inner man, inabling vsus to performe obedience in ſome meaſure to the law of God, with alacrity and cheerefulnes, ſo that now his commandements are not grieuous vntounto vsus, 1. Iohn 5.3.as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, 1. Ioh. 5.3, but his yoke which ſo much galled vsus while we were rebellious, and like vntamed oxen, is now become eaſie, and his burthen which heretofore was ſo heauy and irkeſome, is now become light,Matth. 11.30. as our Sauiour telleth vsus, Matth. 11.30.
§. Sect. 6 Fourthly,That God is not angry vvith the faithfull, though he ſeemeth to frowne vponupon them. the tempter may obiect to the weake conſcience which laboureth vnderunder the burthen of ſinne, that our Sauiour Chriſt hath not redeemed vsus from the anger of God due for ſin, ſeeing we ſtil ſee his frowning countenance, and apprehend the ſcorching heate of his wrath inflamed againſt vsus: but let all know, that if they truly beleeue in Chriſt, and onelyonly rely themſelues vponupon this their mediator, if their ſins paſt grieue them, and they purpoſe for the time to come, to labor that they may forſake them; then they are reconciled vntounto God by Chriſt, and in him hee is become their louing and gracious father,Col. 1.20.21. as the Apoſtle telleth vsus, Col. 1.20.21. Let not ſuch therefore be diſcouraged, if God ſeeme to frowne vponupon them for a time, for hee will not frowne for euer, nor alwaies retaine his anger, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, Pſalm. 103.9. Nay,Pſalm. 103.9. in truth he is not angry with vsus at all as a Iudge to puniſh, but as a Father to correct and amend vsus: and if we will ſpeake properly, he alwaies loueth and delighteth in vsus; for as hee is well pleaſed with Chriſt our head, ſo is he alwaies well pleaſed with vsus in him, as being members of his body: notwithſtanding as a tender Father when his Sonne offendeth, maketh ſemblance as though his wrath were kindled, to the ende that hee may bee carefull in the time to come, to auoyde the like fault, and to amend; ſo the Lord who is our gracious Father, ſeemeth oftentimes to bee grieuouſly diſpleaſed with his children when they hauehave ſinned againſt him, hiding from them his amiable louing countenance, and ſhewing nothing but ſignes of wrath, not that hee hath in truth caſt them out of his louelove and fauour; for he neuer falleth out with thoſe whom Chriſt hath reconciled vntounto him, neither can hee ceaſe to louelove the members of Chriſt, nor Chriſts members ceaſe to bee his members after they are once ingrafted into his bodie by his holie ſpirit and a liuely faith: onelyonly like a wiſe father he frowneth vponupon them and ſeemeth angrie, to make them in the time to come forſake their ſinnes, whereby they hauehave incurred his diſpleaſure.
§. Sect. 7 Fiftly, the tempter will obiect that we are not freed and deliuered out of his power and iuriſdiction,That though Sathan tempt vsus, yet we may be aſſured that we are redeemed. Heb. 2.14. ſeeing he doth often aſſault and ouercome vsus with his temptations, and leadeth vsus captiue faſt bound in the fetters of ſinne. To which wee muſt anſwere, that our Sauiour Chriſt by his death hath deſtroyed him that had the power of death, that is the diuell; that he might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life time ſubiect to bondage, as the Apoſtle ſheweth Heb. 2.14.15. That God hath deliuered vsus from the power of darkneſſe, and hath tranſlated vsus into the kingdome of his deare ſonne, Col. 1.13.as it is Col. 1.13. That our redeemer Ieſus Chriſt hath ſpoiled the principalities and powers, and hath made a ſhew of them openly, and hath triumphed ouer them vponupon his croſſe, Col. 2.15.and that not onelyonly for himſelfe, but for all his members, Col. 2.15. That hee hath now broken the Serpents head, ſo that well may hee hiſſe againſt vsus, but yet hee cannot ſting vsus. And whereas heretofore hee was the prince of the world,Ioh. 12.31. who did rule and gouerne vsus at his pleaſure and according to his will, now he is caſt out by the prince of princes, as it is Ioh. 12.31. and our Sauiour Chriſt hath eſtabliſhed his kingdom in vsus, ruling and gouerning vsus with the ſcepter of his word and holy ſpirit. Whereas hee was the ſtrong man who quietly kept his poſſeſſion in vsus,Luk. 11.21. Luk. 11.21; our Sauiour Chriſt who is ſtronger than he, hath ſpoyled him of his armour wherein hee truſted, and hath thruſt him out of his poſſeſſion. Whereas hee was a cruell tyrant who held vsus faſt bound in his captiuitie, our Sauiour Chriſt hath redeemed vsus out of his thraldome, ſo as now he cannot hurt vsus though hee neuer ceaſeth to aſſault vsus; and though hee goeth about like a roring lion ſeeking whom hee1. Pet. 5.9. may deuoure, yet now we are enabled by Gods ſpirit to reſiſt him ſtedfaſtly in the faith, and ſo armed with the coat-armour of Gods ſpiritual graces, that though he may with the violence of his aſſaults foyle vsus, yet ſhall hee neuer be able to ouercome vsus.That God turneth Sathans temptations to the good of his children. God doth indeed ſuffer this wicked enemie to make warre againſt euen his deareſt children, and that ſometimes after a ſtrange and extraordinarie manner, not that he will giuegive them ouer againe vntounto his thraldome, out of which he hath purchaſed them with ſo deare a price, but partly to driue them hereby to flie vntounto him by earneſt and effectuall prayer, imploring his aide againſt Sathans crueltie, and that hauing receiued it they may aſcribe the whole glorie of the victorie to him alone, by whoſe ſtrength they hauehave ouercome; and partly to ſhew vntounto them their owne weakeneſſe, that they may not relie nor reſt vponupon it. Sometimes hee ſuffreth them to be thus aſſaulted, that his power may be magnified in their weakeneſſe; and ſometimes that the graces which he hath beſtowed vponupon them, may ſhine gloriouſly to all the world. Sometimes for the confirmation of others who ſhall hereafter be tried with the like temptations, when they hauehave in their brethren often experience of Gods louelove power and fatherly aſſiſtance; and ſometimes the more to ſtrengthen themſelues in his ſpirituall graces, and to confirme them more fully in the aſſurance of his louelove and their ſaluation. For as a citie which hath once bin beſieged and not ſacked, wil euer after be more ſtrong to hold out if it be aſſaulted by the like danger, becauſe the citizens will carefully fortifie their walles and increaſe their bulwarkes; and as he who hath been once robbed by theeues, will euer after ride better prouided to make reſiſtance, that hee doe not againe fall into their hands; ſo thoſe who are beſieged and aſſaulted by their ſpirituall enemies, will euer after more carefully arme themſelues againſt them with the graces of Gods ſpirit, that they may not be ouercome nor foiled by them. We know that whileſt men quietly enioy their poſſeſſions and inheritance they reſt ſecure, keeping their writings in a boxe without euer looking on them from yere to yere, but when their title and right is called into queſtion, and ſome man labours to thruſt them out of their poſſeſſion, then they peruſe their writings and deeds with al diligence; &, not ſatisfied with their own iudgement they reſort to skilfull Lawyers, crauing their counſaile how they may maintaine their right, and anſwere the plea which their aduerſarie makes againſt them; whereby oftentimes it commeth to paſſe that they make their title not onelyonly much more ſtrong in it ſelfe, but alſo more cleere and euident vntounto al others, ſo that afterwards none dare once aduenture to trouble them againe, or call their right into queſtion: ſo whileſt we neuer doubt of our heauenly inheritance we reſt ſecure, and let the book of God which is our beſt deed and euidence, lie vnderunder our cupbords till it mould for want of vſe; but when ſathan by his temptations doth call our title into queſtion, and pleades that we hauehave no right to Gods kingdome, then do we moſt carefully and diligently peruſe the booke of God, then doe we goe vntounto Gods Miniſters, deſiring their counſaile how we may anſwere Sathans plea and cleere our title, then doe we moſt carefully vſe all good means to increaſe our knowledge, that thereby wee may throughly infourme our ſelues of our right, and confirme our aſſurance againſt all cauils and obiections. And hereby it commeth to paſſe, that thoſe who before had very weak titles to their heauenly inheritance, whileſt they remained retchleſſe and ſecure, and but ſlender aſſurance euer to enioy it; now, by their care, paines and diligence, hauehave ſo confirmed it vntounto themſelues, and ſo cleered it to al the world, that Sathan dare neuer after call it into queſtion, vnleſſe he doe it (like many contentious men in theſe dates) rather that he may trouble and vexe them with a tedious ſuite, than for any hope of preuailing in the end. And thus you ſee that Chriſt hath redeemed all the faithfull out of Sathans thraldome, notwithſtanding that he ſtil aſſaulteth them with his temptations; neither doth hee hereby ouercome them and againe inthrall them in his captiuitie, but rather by Gods bleſſing they ſerue to ſtrengthen them in the ſpirituall graces of Gods ſpirit, and to confirme them in the full aſſurance of their ſaluation.
§. Sect. 8 Sixtly, the tempter will obiect that wee ſtill die, and therefore are not redeemed and deliuered out of the bondage of death.That though we die, yet we are redeemed from death. Gen. 3.19. Heb. 9.27. To which we may anſwer, that Gods iuſt ſentence once denounced could not be reuoked, Gen. 3.19, Duſt thou art, and into duſt thou ſhalt returne; and therefore the Apoſtle ſaith Heb. 9.27, It is appointed vntounto all men that they ſhall once die. But as Ahaſhuorus, Heſt. 8.though he could not reuoke the ſentence of death againſt the Iewes after it was once pronounced, becauſe it was a decree of the Medes and Perſians which might not be altred; yet at Hesters ſuite ſent out another decree, whereby hee armed and ſtrengthened the Iewes againſt their enemies, to the end they might reſiſt, ouercome, and deſtroy them: ſo the Lord hauing pronounced the ſentence of death againſt all the ſonnes of Adam, could not reuoke his decree and ſentence, as being farre more vnchangeable than the decree of the Medes and Perſians, yet at the ſuite of our Sauiour Chriſt hee made another decree, whereby wee might be armed againſt our enemie death, and ouercome him. So that now though we die, yet are we not ſubiect vntounto death, neither ſhall wee be held vnderunder the dominion thereof; though wee are not wholy exempted from death, yet now the nature therof is quite altred; for heretofore it was vnconquerable, but now eaſily ouercome; heretofore it was a curſe for ſinne, but now turned into an exceeding bleſſing, as deriuing vntounto vsus many benefits: for firſt it freeth vsus from all our afflictions, with which in this life wee are ſo much moleſted; it deliuereth vsus from the irkſome company of prophane wicked men, who grieue the very ſoules of the righteous, and make them to crie out with Dauid; Woe is me that I remaine in Meſhech, and dwell in the tents of Kedar; Pſal. 120.5.it wholy freeth vsus from ſinne, and purgeth away thoſe corruptions which in this life cleaue ſo faſt vntounto vsus; ſo that though heretofore there was great amitie betweene ſinne and death, for ſin was the only cauſe which inlarged deaths dominions, and made al the world to become his tributaries, yet now they are at oddes, and death now is the means, to free vsus out of ſins thraldome and vtterly to deſtroy it. And thus hath the Viper ſinne, bred a yong one which eateth out it own belly; for ſinne brought foorth death, and death deſtroyed ſinne: had it not bin for ſinne, death had neuer entred into the world, and were it not for death, ſinne would neuer go out of the world. Moreouer, by death wee obtaine a full and perfect victorie ouer the fleſh, the world, and the diuell; for whereas in this life we are in a continual fight, and ſometimes Ameleck, ſometime Iſrael hath the vpper hand: death puts an end to this battaile, and giueth vsus full victorie ouer the fleſh, the world, and the diuell; ſo as they ſhall neuer afterwards not only not preuaile, but not ſo much as aſſault or trouble vsus: and thus doth eueryevery Chriſtian, with Dauid cut off Goliahs head with his own ſword; for death was the weapon which Sathan vſed to deſtroy vsus, and with this weapon we giuegive Sathan a finall ouerthrow. Laſtly, death which heretofore was the high way to hell and deſtruction, is now become the readie entrance into Gods kingdome, and like a foule gate whereby we enter into a faire palace; heretofore it was a firie ſerpent which by ſtinging killed & deſtroyed vsus, but, now our Sauiour hath pulled out the ſting, it is become ſo harmeleſſe that we may ſafely put it into our boſoms, without receiuing any hurt: and in this reſpect it may not vnfitly be compared to the braſen Serpent, which looked like other Serpents, but in ſteed of wounding it preſently cured, in ſteede of killing it preſerued life; ſo though death retaine his former ſhape, ſo that wee are afraid and readie to flee from it, yet it is but in outward appearance; for in ſteed of an euer dying life, it giueth vsus poſſeſſion of a neuer dying life and endleſſe happineſſe. Heretofore it was the diuels ſergeant to arreſt and carrie vsus without baile, into the perpetual priſon of vtter darkneſſe, but now it is the Lords gentleman-vſher to conduct and place vsus in the kingdome of heauen. Heretofore it was like the diuels cart wherein we were carried to execution, now it is like Elias firie chariot whereby we mount vp into heauen. And this Paul ſheweth 2. Cor. 5.1. We know (ſaith he) that if the earthly houſe of this tabernacle be deſtroyed, 2. Cor. 5.1.we hauehave a building giuen vsus of God, a houſe not made with hands, but eternall in the heauens. Why therfore ſhuld we feare, nay why ſhould we not deſire death, ſeeing now it is vntounto vsus aduantage?Phil. 1.23. as it is Phil. 1.23. why ſhould we not deſire to be diſſolued and to be with Chriſt,verſ. 21. ſeeing that is beſt of all? as it is verſ. 21. for now we may ſay, not that we die, but that we depart and goe to our father,Ioh. 8.21. as our Sauiour ſpeaketh Ioh. 8.21.
But yet wee muſt take heede that wee doe not imagine, that death in it owne nature worketh and procureth for vsus theſe great benefits; for in it ſelfe this temporarie death is but a ſtep to euerlaſting death, and as it were a fearefull prologue to a more fearefull tragedie: but our Sauiour Chriſt it is alone who hath gathered holeſome honey out of this pernitious poyſon, and by mingling the fleſh of this venemous ſerpent with his owne moſt precious bloud, hee hath made thereof a holeſome Triacle.
§. Sect. 9 And thus hauehave I prooued,That thoſe who are once redeemed cannot againe be brought into bondage. notwithſtanding Sathans temptations and obiections, that Chriſt hath perfectly redeemed vsus, out of the hands of all our ſpirituall enemies; now in the laſt place Sathan ſuggeſteth, that though Chriſt hath once redeemed vsus, yet we may come into their bondage againe, and then there is no hope of a ſecond redemption. But wee are to know that our Redeemer is God omnipotent, whoſe power all the power of hell cannot withſtand; and therefore nothing is able to pluck vsus out of his hand, Ioh. 10.28.as himſelfe ſpeaketh Ioh. 10.28; neither are we to think, that he will eaſily & willingly loſe them, which hee ſo intirely loues that hee ſpared not his precious bloud, but freely gaue it as a price of their redemption. And therefore, as hee is able, Heb. 7.25.perfectly to ſaue all thoſe who come vntounto God by him; becauſe he euer liueth to make interceſſion for them, as it is Heb. 7.25. ſo we neede not doubt of his will, ſeeing hee hath redeemed vsus with ſo d…re a price: for if hee would not loſe vsus when we were his enemies, much leſſe will hee ſuffer vsus to periſh when we are become his ſubiects, yea his ſpouſe, nay members of his owne bodie: and therefore we may aſſure our ſelues that if our Sauiour, our ſpouſe and head hath once redeemed vsus, then he hath alſo obtained eternall redemption for vsus, Heb. 9.12.as the Apoſtle affirmeth Heb. 9.12. So that though the diuell rage like a roring lion, and the fleſh betray vsus and harbour whole legions of vnlawfull luſts which fight againſt our ſoules, and the world ſometime frowne, and ſometime faune, and all of them by all meanes labour to deſtroy vsus; yet our omnipotent redeemer, our louing and careful ſpouſe and head, will not ſuffer vsus to be loſt whom hee hath ſo dearely bought, but will giuegive vsus the poſſeſſion and fruition of that heauenly inheritance, and thoſe vnſpeakable ioyes which hee with his owne moſt precious bloud hath purchaſed for vsus.