The Christian Warfare Part 3, Book 2 · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX. Of the firſt meanes to ſtrengthen the ſpirit which is to auoide the meanes whereby it is weakned.
§ Sect. 1. That our ſins are the cheife … whereby the ſpirit is weakened.WEE hauehave ſhewed how neceſſary it is if wee would get the victory againſt our ſpirituall enemies & fleſhly luſts, that we ſhould firſt vſe our beſt endeauour to weaken them, and then ſet vponupon them with all our forces: But this is not enough, but as wee are to weaken and diſarme our enemy the fleſh; ſo on the other ſide wee muſt with like earneſtneſſe and diligence, ſtrengthen and arme the ſpirit, it being no leſſe neceſſary for the obtaining of victory, to nouriſh our friends, thtn to famiſh our enemies; and to furniſh them with all prouiſion, armour and munition, then to withdrawe and keepe backe from the other all theſe warlike helpes. Although in trueth in this ſpirituall warre, both theſe concurre and meete in the ſame actions, for the famiſhing of the fleſh, is the nouriſhing of the ſpirit, the weakning of the one is the ſtrengthening of the other, and whileſt wee diſarme and disfurniſh our ſpirituall enemies of their prouiſion and munition, we furniſh our regenerate part with all neceſſaries. So Baſill ſaith: Looke how much thou detracteſt from the fleſh, and ſo much thou makeſt thy ſpirituall part to proſper and flouriſh in good health and liking. Quantum carni detrabes tantum facies animam ſpiritali bona habitudine relucere. Baſil. de ieiunio. Conc. 2.And therefore I ſhall be the more briefe in this argument, howſoeuer I thinke it fit that ſomething ſhould bee added. And firſt wee will conſider this point negatiuely, ſhewing that all meanes are to bee ſhunned whereby the ſpirit is weakened and quenched, and then affirmatiuely, ſhewing that wee are to vſe all the meanes whereby it may be cheared and ſtrengthened. Concerning the former. The chiefe meanes whereby the ſpirit is weakened and quenched are our ſinnes, which doe vexe and grieue the good ſpirit of God dwelling in vsus, and make him weary of his lodging and habitation. For no ſtinking filth can bee ſo noyſome vntounto vsus as ſinne is vntounto this holy gueſt, and therefore he cannot indure to continue in our bodies and ſoules as his temples, if they be profaned and defiled with it. But aboue other ſins we weaken the ſpirit with ſins commited againſt knowledge and conſcience, wilfully, and preſumptuouſly; for ſuch ſinnes doe moſt oppoſitely croſſe and thwart the good motions of it, and doe as plainely contradict it, as if they ſhould ſay in plaine tearmes though wee take notice of thy will, wee will not doe it but the cleane contrary. With which kinde of obſtinate rebellion the ſpiritis ſo wearied and tired, that it will no longer contend with vsus to bring vsus vntounto goodneſſe, but will leaue vsus to our owne vile luſtes, and a reprobate minde to goe on in ſinne with greedineſſe to our perdition. So the Lord profeſſeth that when the olde world reſiſted the motions of his ſpirit in the preaching of iuſt Noah, it ſhould no longer Gen. 6. 3.contend with them, but ſeeing this pure water of his ſpirit, would not quench their fiery luſts, he would quench them by other meanes, euen the vniuerſall flood which drowned the whole earth. Thus he complaineth, that hee was preſſed vnderunder Amos. 2. 13.their ſinnes as a cart is preſſed that is full of ſheaues, and therefore threatneth that hee will preſſe them downe with his heauy iudgements. And thus becauſe the Gentiles ſinned againſt the common gift and illumination of the ſpirit, and ſo againſt knowledge and conſcience, therefore the Lord gaue them vp to their owne vile affections and to a reprobate Rom. 1.minde, to commit with greedineſſe all manner of abominable wickedneſſe. And therefore if wee would not hauehave the ſpirit to be ſo weakened and wearied, that it will leaue, and forſake vsus; wee muſt not (as the Apoſtle exhorteth vsus) 1 Theſ. 5. 19.quench it, and the good motions thereof by continuing in thoſe ſinnes from which it diſſwadeth vsus; nor by making his lodging loathſome with the noyſome filth of ſin, grieue the good ſpirit of God, whereby wee are ſealed vntounto the Eph. 4. 30.day of redemption. To which ende let vsus conſider, that if we giuegive good entertainment to this holy gueſt, he wil ſup with vsus and with his company make all our cheare comfortable, yea rather he will feaſt vsus, and make vsus a moſt pleaſant banquet of all ſpirituall delicacies; he will beare part with vsus in all our griefes; and as the Prophet ſpeaketh, he will by ſympathy and compaſſion be afflicted in our afflictions. Yea he will comfort vsus in all our ſorrowes, and therefore let vsus Eſa. 63. 9.take heede of vexing him; for if grieuing our comforter wee make him to leaue vsus, who ſhall cheare and refreſh vsus in all our miſeries?
§ Sect. 2 Of ſome ſpeciall ſins whereby the ſpirit i… moſt weakened.But howſoeuer all ſinnes generally wound and weaken the ſpirit, yet there are ſome ſpeciall ſinnes aboue the reſt which doe infeeble it, and quench all the good motions of it; the firſt wherof is ignorance and blindnes of minde, the which pulleth (as it were) out of the hand of the ſpirit his chiefe weapon the two edged ſword of Gods Word whereby it defendeth it ſelfe, and offendeth his ſpirituall enemies, and like a blacke foggie miſt dazeleth and blindeth the eyes of the vnderſtanding, ſo as it cannot diſcerne the ſleights and ſubtilties, the wiles and ſtrong deluſions of our ſpirituall enemies, nor on which ſide they ſtrike vsus, nor how to ward off their blowes, nor withſtand the malice and fury of their tentations. The ſecond is infidelitie which diſableth the Spirit, whileſt it depriueth it of the chiefe comforts and encouragements whereby it is ſtrengthened againſt the aſſaults of the fleſh, namely Gods ſweet promiſes of grace in this life and glory in the life to come, to all thoſe who walk in the ſpirit, and mortifie the fleſh with the luſts thereof. Yea it weakeneth and looſeneth the ſpirituall bond of our vnion with Chriſt, which is our faith, by which alone he is applyed, and ſo ſtoppeth and hindreth the influences of his graces, and the vertue and vigour, the iuice and ſap which from this roote of Ieſſe is deriued vntounto vsus, by which alone we are ſtrengthened againſt the fleſh and enabled to withſtand all the aſſaults of our ſpirituall enemies. The third is impenitencie the which is moſt pernicious to the health and vigour of the ſpirit, for beſides that it hindereth all the operations of our faith, the application of Chriſt and all the promiſes made in him, our communion and ſweet fellowſhip with God, hiding from our ſight his fatherly countenance and the bright beames of his fauourable countenance, in the apprehenſion whereof the life of our life conſiſteth, and depriueth vsus of the peace of conſcience and ioy in the holy Ghoſt, by which wee are in the ſpirituall man made ſtrong and couragious in the day of tentation; after that wee hauehave receiued wounds of the fleſh in the ſpirituall fight, it hindreth their cure, and cauſeth them to feſter and ranckle, and to growe eueryevery day more dangerous and incurable then other. And after wee hauehave beene allured to drinke the ſweet poiſons of the fleſhes bewitching cup, this impanitencie doth cauſe vsus to retayne them in the ſtomacke, vntill working they doe make vsus ſicke vntounto death, where as they would not be hurtfull and pernicious, if as ſoone as they were ſwallowed, they vvere caſt vp againe by vnfained repentance. The fourth ſin that weakeneth the ſpirit is carnall ſecurity and hardnes of heart, whereby wee bleſſe our ſelues when our eſtate is dangerous, and hauehave no ſenſe and feeling, neither of Gods merciemercy and louelove, nor of his anger and diſpleaſure, by the one whereof the ſpirit is ſtrengthened vntounto Gods ſeruice, and by the other preſerued from ſinning againſt him. So alſo the ſtrength of the ſpirit is by this carnall ſecuritie much impayred, becauſe it maketh vsus to put the euill day far from vsus, and vtterly to neglect our ſpirituall enemies as though we had a ſecure peace and all cauſe of danger were farre remoued; it cauſeth vsus to neglect our Chriſtian watch, and ſo to lye open to the malicious and ſecret aſſaults of our ſpirituall enemies, and to neglect the meanes of our ſafety and defence, our ſpirituall foode and prouiſion, our weapons and munition, our fortifications and all other prepararations which ſhould be any meanes of defence in the day of battell; whereby the ſpiritual part is betrayed & ſuddenly ſurprized before it expecteth any danger. The laſt ſpeciall ſin wherby the ſpirit is weakened and all the good motions thereof quenched, is the louelove of the world, which like birdlime ſo beſmeareth the ſpirituall part and the wings of the ſoule, that it cannot flee aloft, but is intangled and catched, fixed and faſtened to the earth and worldly vanities. More eſpecially the louelove of honours and the glory of the world, doth make the ſpirituall man ſlacke and ſluggiſh in the purſuite of eternall glory and heauenly happineſſe. The louelove of riches hindreth him from ſeeking with all earneſtneſſe, ſpirituall graces, and thoſe incomparable treaſures which are laide vp for vsus in Gods Kingdome; it choaketh the ſeede of the Word, ſo as it cannot take roote and beare fruit, & fruſtrateth all the good motions of the ſpirit, ſo as they cannot take effect, it expoſeth vsus to many tentations and ſnares, and cauſeth vsus to fall into many fooliſh & hurtfull luſts, which drowne men in deſtruction and perdition. And ſo alſo the louelove of earthly pleaſures doth much enfeeble 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10the ſpirituall part in the purſuit of thoſe eternall pleaſures, and fulneſſe of ioy which are at Gods right hand for euermore; and as they weaken the body and effeminate the minde, ſo as they are made vnfit, euen for any warlike imployments in the world, ſo much more doe they diſable the ſoule and ſpirit for this warfare againſt the enemies of our ſaluation. For when the fleſh is pampered with theſe carnall delights, the ſoule is ſtarued and pined: when it is diſtended and growne fat & groſſe with gluttony and belly-cheare, the ſpirit is made leane and infeebled; when it reuelleth in fleſhly ioy, the regenerate part droopeth and mourneth, beeing ſpoyled and robbed of the ioyes of the holy Ghoſt. When it is filled and euen glutted with exceſſe, the ſpirit is ſtraitened of roome and hath no place where it may reſide: and therefore the Apoſtle requireth firſt emptineſſe of wine, and then that wee ſhould be filled Eph. 5. 18.with the ſpirit, to note vntounto vsus that fulneſſe of both will not ſtand together.
§ Sect. 2. We muſt not prouide for the ſpirit poyſon inſtead of holeſome foode nor carnall weapons inſtead of ſpirituall.A ſecond meanes of weakening and diſabling the ſpirit, which is to be auoided, reſpecteth our prouiſion which we are to make for the armie of Gods graces, as firſt that we doe not prouide for their nouriſhment poyſon in ſteade of holeſome foode: as for example in ſtead of the pure word of God, the ſpirituall Manna, the ſincere milke of the Goſpell and Sacraments inſtituted by our Sauiour Chriſt; humane traditions and inuentions, will-worſhip and our owne ſuperſtitious deuotions, which hauehave no ground or warrant out of the ſcriptures, nor ſcarce any reſemblance of that holy and holeſome foode which is by God appointed for our nouriſhment. Of which meate the more liberally we feede, the more leane and lanke we waxe in our ſpirituall ſtrength and ſtature, the more feeble and faint we growe in all ſauing graces: becauſe howſoeuer it be ſweet to our naturall and carnall appetite, yet it is of a quite contrarie qualitie to the ſpirit and the graces and gifts thereof, and it is no better then the Diuels moſt artificiall poyſons, which cauſe them that taſte and feede of them to waſte and weare away in a continuall conſumption of all pietie and true godlineſſe: Secondly, we muſt beware that we doe not prouide for this ſpiritual Warfare carnall weapons and munition: For as the Apoſtle ſaith, the weapons of our warfare 2 Cor. 10. 4.are not carnall, but ſutable vntounto the Spirit it ſelfe, and mighty through God to the pulling downe of ſtrong holds. As for example we muſt not fight againſt the fleſh with fleſhly anger and carnall reuenge; for here eſpecially the ſaying Iam. 1. 20.of the Apoſtle is verified; The wrath of man worketh not the righteouſneſſe of God; we muſt not fight againſt and indeauour to ſubdue it with ſpirituall watchings as reſting in the deed done, and not deſtinating it to a ſuperiour end, namely in the imploying of our time in prayer with it; Watch and pray; and the watching ouer our hearts, that wee doe not ſinne, rather then ouer our eyes that we doe not ſleep. Wee muſt not ſeeke to ſubdue it by popiſh faſting which is nothing elſe (but like all other their deuotions) a bodily exerciſe, conſiſting in their ſuperſtitious abſtinence from certaine meates, contrary to the Word of God, which calleth it a doctrine of Diuels, and teacheth vsus that all the creatures 1 Tim. 4. 1. 3. 1of God are cleane if they be ſanctified by the Word and Prayer; and allowing the vſe of all the daintieſt fiſh, and delicateſt wines and fruits which pamper the fleſh more then the moderate vſe of ordinarie dyet. But as occaſion ſerueth, we muſt vſe totall abſtinence, when we would tame the fleſh and humble our ſelues before God, yet not like them reſting in the deede done, much leſſe eſteeming it ſatisfactorie and meritorious, but onelyonly vſing it as an exerciſe of mortification, and as an helpe for the increaſing of our repentance, and for our better fitting and inabling to call vponupon God more earneſtly by feruent prayers, wherof it is that theſe are vſually ioyned together in the Scriptures, Faſt and pray the one being the end, the other the meanes in abling vsus therevnto. Much leſſe muſt wee vſe thoſe carnall weapons of whippes, to torment our body, which onelyonly offend in yeelding themſelues as inſtruments to our ſinfull ſoules; or of popiſh pennances and pilgrimages which are the meere inuentions of men▪ and hauehave no warrant out of the Word of God, and beeing carnall weapons, doe as ill fit the ſpirit as the armour of Saul did fit Dauid, and therefore doe but cumber and hinder it in the ſpirituall warfare: Yea (like Achilles launce) doe cure the fleſh in ſtead of killing it, and make it more ſtrong and full of courage, by filling it with ſpirituall pride, and a glorious opinion of our owne merits and well deſeruing.
§. Sect 4. We muſt not remitt any thinge of our firſt zeale in holy duties.The third meanes of weakening the ſpirit which we are to auoide is to remit any thing of our former zeale in the duties of Gods ſeruice, and to giuegive way vntounto any declination in grace and Chriſtian duties. For we may much more firmely ſtand in the higheſt pitch of our ſinceritie (as it were) on the top of the mountaine, then in our declinations & diſcent, from that meaſure of perfection vntounto which wee had attained (as it were) on the ſide of the hill; wee may, more eaſily preſerue the health and ſtrength of the ſpirit, whileſt it is in the beſt plight, then recouer it when it is impeached and in ſome degrees of declination. Wee may liue much more comfortably and plentifully when our ſtocke is whole and dayly increaſing, then when it decayeth, and is in ſome part ſpent and waſted, wee may better defend our ſelues againſt our ſpirituall enemies when as wee are in our compleate armour, then when we hauehave put off ſome pieces of it. And wee ſhall much more eaſily diſcourage them and weaken their ſury by taking away all hope of victory. when wee hauehave remitted nothing of our Chriſtian valour and fortitude, but ſtand couragiouſly vponupon hoſtile tearmes, and at open defiance with them, and when wee keepe them out from entring into our borders, then when we growe to … parley, and yeeld a little to their conditions; or when we hauehave ſuffered them to i… …ade ſome part of our countrey, and hauehave receiued ſome foyles in the ſpirituall conflict. Againe the more reſolutely we ſtand in the ſtrength of grace receiued, the more willing the Lord is to aſſiſt vsus in fighting his battailes; the more carefull wee are to increaſe his ſpirituall talents, the more ready hee is to re-double them, whereas it is iuſt with our great commander to leaue vsus to our ſelues, & to deliuer vsus into the hands of our enemies, when we begin cowardly to leaue his ſtandard, and ſomewhat to incline to the enemies part by our remiſneſſe in fighting or faintneſſe in yeelding; it is a righteous thing with our Lord and Maſter, when we waſte his rich talents and ſpend ryotouſly ſome part of the ſtock, to take that which remaineth from vsus, and giuegive it to another, who wilbe more carefull and faithfull in imploying of it. Finally, that we may not decline, no not in the leaſt degrees, let vsus conſider that it is moſt dangerous; for who can be aſſured, if he begin once to ſlip that he can preſerue himſelfe from catching a fall, or that hauing begun to runne downe the hill, he can ſtay himſelfe before he come to the bottome? And therefore if wee would ſtand ſurely, let vsus ſtand in our ſinceritie; if wee would not weaken the ſpirit, nor hauehave the gifts thereof to periſh in vsus, let vsus preſerue them, euen in their leaſt degrees, from vvaſting and conſuming.
§ Sect. 5. That we muſt auoyde fleſhly ſloth and negligence.The laſt meanes of weakening the ſpirit which wee are to take heede of, is fleſhly ſloth and negligence, when as hauing receiued Gods graces and gifts of the Spirit, wee doe not imploy and exerciſe them in holy and Chriſtian duties to the glory of him that gaue them, and the edification of our neighbours, for whoſe ſake alſo wee hauehave receiued them. For as the ſtrength of the body is much weakened and impayred, when as wee liue in ſloth and idleneſſe, and neuer imploy it in any good exerciſe; ſo is it alſo with our ſpirituall ſtrength. Our knowledge muſt be then exerciſed in the holy practiſe of that wee know, our faith in good workes, our louelove towards God and our neighbours, in performing all duties which wee owe vntounto them; our zeale in aduancing all meanes of Gods glory, and in remouing all impediments wherby it is hindred and impeached. And if we thus imploy Gods ſpirituall graces, which are his talents committed vntounto vsus, then will our Lord and Maſter increaſe and multiply them, and we ſhall hauehave abundance; but if with the ſlothfull and vnprofitable ſeruant, wee hide them in a napkin, neuer imploying our graces receiued to the glory of our Maſter, nor the good of our fellowes in the ſame family, he wil take theſe talents from vsus, and caſt vsus into outer darknes. Finally though it were poſſible, that we could abound in the graces of the ſpirit, yet if we did not vſe them for our owne defence, and diſcomforting and indamaging of our enemies, wee ſhould be neuer the neerer the obtaining victory. If wee hauehave the ſword of the ſpirit and neuer ſmite with it▪ nor draw it out, but ſuffer it to ruſt in the ſcabbard, if wee hauehave all the ſeuerall parts of the Chriſtian Armour, and neuer put it on, and girt it to vsus, but ſuffer it (as it were) to hang ruſting vponupon the walles without vſe; if we hauehave powder and good peeces of Ordnance, but neuer charge nor diſcharge them againſt the enemy; wee ſhall neuer ouercome and put them to flight, but notwithſtanding our furniture and munition we ſhalbe vanquiſhed in the firſt aſſault, and become an eaſie prey vntounto them; but if hauing theſe warlike preparations, we doe imploy them in the ſpirituall Warfare with all care and diligence, we ſhall be ſure to obtaine the victory.