The Christian Warfare Part 3, Book 2 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. Of other meanes whereby the fleſh may bee ſubdued and ouercome.
§ Sect. 1 We muſt keepe a narrow watch ouer our ſelues and ouer our enemiesNOw hauing thus farre proceeded in the withdrawing of all meanes whereby the fleſh is nouriſhed and ſtrengthened, we muſt not reſt heere, but in the next place vſe all good meanes whereby it may bee ſubdued and ouercome. And firſt of all we muſt keepe a narrowe and diligent watch ouer our ſelues, and ouer our enemie, not onelyonly to preuent all occaſions whereby it may circumuent and ſurpriſe vsus at vnawares, but alſo that we may take the fitteſt opportunities, and beſt aduantages for the killing and crucifying of all our fleſhly luſtes. And this carefull watch is moſt neceſſary, for in this life wee get not a full conqueſt ouer the fleſh, but after we hauehave gotten the better in many conflicts, hauehave put it to ſhamefull flight, wounded, weakened it, and brought it in ſubiection, as a captiue and bondſlaue, yet ſtill it is plotting and practiſing new treaſons. For the atchiuing whereof it hath great aduantages; for it not onelyonly lyeth about our Citie walles, but euen in eueryevery ſecrete corner of our ſtreetes, and no ſooner doe our forraigne enemies the diuell and the world beſeidge and aſſault vsus, but preſently this lurkling traitor is ready to open the gates of our ſoules, and letting them in, to ioyne with them to worke our ouerthrowe. In which regard who would not appoint a continuall centinell, and keepe a very narrow watch? who would giuegive any place to carnall ſecuritie, and careleſly ſleepe in the middeſt of theſe daungers? who can walke ſecurely among ſerpents and ſcorpions, and reſt quietly in his bed when the enuious man watcheth about his houſe with a purpoſe to fire and burne it? Heere in this world is no place or ſafetie, and therefore let there be no time for ſecuritie. Wee ſhall be onelyonly ſafe in heauen when as we ſhall hauehave a full and finall victory ouer all our enemies; and therefore let vsus not bee retchleſſe on earth, Phil. 2. 12.but let circumſpection and watchfulneſſe accompany vsus euen vntounto heauen gates, not onelyonly beginning but working out our ſaluation with feare and trembling.
§ Sect. 2 That we muſt keepe this watch in all things.Now this watch as it muſt be kept at all times, ſo alſo in all things; for euen one gate of the Citie vnguarded, is ſufficient to let in an whole army of enemies, though all the reſt be carefully watched; and therefore following the Apoſtles exhortation vntounto Timothy, wee muſt watch in all 2 Tim. 4. 5.things. For it is not enough that wee keepe this watch about things, ſimply and in their owne nature euill, that we may auoide them, but euen in things indifferent, that wee doe not abuſe our Chriſtian libertie vntounto ſinne; yea in thoſe actions which are in their owne nature good, that we may doe them in a good manner and to a right ende, leaſt otherwiſe they be turned into ſinne. For example we muſt keepe this watch ouer our ſelues when we heare the word, according to that of our Sauiour; Take heede how Luk. 8. 18.you heare; leaſt through our ſecure retchleſneſſe wee heare without reuerence and attention, without care to treaſure it vp in our hearts or to practiſe it in our liues. So we muſt keepe this watch ouer our ſelues when wee pray, leaſt our mindes being caried away with wandring thoughts, wee call vponupon God with deceiptfull lippes, our bodies being preſent, but our hearts in the meane time farre from him. So likewiſe our Sauiour warneth vsus to take heede when we giuegive almes, becauſe wee are in daunger to bee tainted with pride, and to ayme at the applauſe and praiſe of men. Now if there be ſuch neede of watchfulneſſe, when as wee Mat. 6. 1. …are exerciſed in the duties of Gods ſeruice, and in the beſt actions which we performe, then how much more in the vſe of things indifferent which become ſinfull if they bee not vſed with much caution and moderation? how much more when wee intermeddle with worldly affaires and earthly things, which like birdlime are apt to defile and intrap vsus, and are commonly vſed by Sathan, the world and our owne corruption, as ſnares and nets to intangle and catch vsus, and as baites to couer the hookes of ſinne, which will mortally choake vsus, if we ſwallow them downe, vnleſſe we caſt them vp againe by vnfained repentance.
§ Sect. 3. That we muſt keepe this watch ouer all the faculties and parts of our ſoules & bodyes.And as wee muſt keepe this watch in all things: ſo ouer all the parts and faculties of our bodies and ſoules, eſpecially ouer our ſenſes which being the gates of our ſoules, doe either let in, or keepe out both our friends and enemies; and therefore theſe gates muſt bee well watched and ſtrongly guarded, ſeeing wee hauehave ſo many forraigne enemies who beſiedging vsus, doe watch all opportunities of getting entrance, and ſo many ſecret traytors within vsus, which are daily and hourely ready to open theſe gates & to betray vsus into their hands. Thus wee muſt watch ouer our eyes, that they doe not wander after wanton and wicked obiects, and with Iob keepe them vnderunder couenant, that they do not by luſtful glances betray vsus into the hands of our enemies. Iob. 31. 1.And before we walke abroad and looke into the world we are to forecaſt the daungers which may come by giuing them their full liberty to wander after vanities, that we may preuent them. And becauſe our owne prouidence is not ſufficient without Gods aſſiſtance, we are to pray with Dauid, Pſall 119. 37.that hee will turne away our eyes from beholding vanities. Neither are wee to take leſſe care in watching ouer our eares, becauſe they beeing the inſtruments of the moſt learnedſenſe, & the conduit pipes to conueigh vntounto our minds all notions and inſtructions, either good or euill, therefore we muſt take heede how we heare, and what we heare, whether the language of Canaan for our edification and inſtruct on, or the voice of the Serpent, Dragon, or bewitching Syren, tending to corrupt, poyſon and deſtroy vsus; whether it be ſauoury communication powdred with the ſalt of ſpirituall wiſedome, which miniſtreth grace vntounto the hearers, or wanton ieſtes, ſcurrilous ſpeeches, vvicked Col. 4. 6.blaſphemies, backbiting and ſlandering vvith ſuch 1 Cor. 15. 33.like euill words, which if wee giuegive them admittance, will, as the Apoſtle telleth vsus, corrupt good manners. We muſt hauing gotten the victory ouer our enemies, like the Giliadites take all the paſſages, and ſtrongly guard them Iud. 12. 6.againſt them, and if thoſe who goe by, giuegive vsus the watch word, wee may giuegive them entrance, and if they ſpeake plainely the language of our ſpirituall and heauenly countrey and pronounce Shibboleth let them paſſe as friends, but Pro. 23. 2.if they ſay Sibboleth and by their liſping language, appeare to be our enemies, let vsus not onelyonly ſtay them from entring, but wound and ſlay them. Thus alſo muſt wee ſet a ſtraight watch ouer our taſte and appetite, leaſt giuing liberty vntounto it, our ſpirituall enemies preuaile againſt vsus and drawe vsus to intemperance and exceſſe in dyet. And this counſell the wiſe man giueth vsus; Put (ſaith hee) a knife to thy throate (ſitting to eate with a ruler) if thou be a man giuen to appetite; Be not deſirous of his dainties, for they are deceiptfull meate. Which temperance if we vſe, it will be vntounto vsus a wall of defence to preſerue vsus againſt the aſſaults of our ſpirituall enemies. Whereas contrariwiſe, if we doe not rule our taſte, and bridle our appetite, we ſhalbe like vntounto a Citie, whoſe wals being broken downe is made an eaſie Pro. 25. 28.prey, & lyeth open to the ſpoyle; as the wiſe man ſpeaketh.
§ Sect. 4 That we muſt keepe a ſpeciall watch ouer our tongues.With no leſſe diligence are wee to ſet a carefull watch ouer our tongues which the fleſh abuſeth as a notable inſtrument of all euill, and as a razour and ſharpe two edged ſword, not onelyonly to wound our neighbours, but alſo our owne ſoules and conſciences. Whereof we hauehave an example in Dauid, who reſolued with himſelfe, to take heede vntounto his wayes, that hee might not ſinne with his tongue, and to Pſal. 39. 1. pſal. 108. 1.keepe his mouth as with a bridle, that his tongue might not paſſe it bounds and take vntounto it ſelfe licentious liberty. Which if Dauid had neede to doe, whoſe tongue and heart were continually prepared to praiſe the Lord, how much more had wee, who are apt to vtter ſo much vanity and lyes? If he found it neceſſary, who cals his tongue his glory, becauſe it was ſuch a notable inſtrument of glorifying Pſal. 57. 8.God, why ſhould not we much more, who hauehave iuſt cauſe to call our tongues our ſhame, becauſe they vtter ſo many vaine and euill ſpeeches, whereby his holy name is much diſhonoured? But that this neceſſitie of keeping a ſtrict and narrow watch ouer our tongues may better appeare let vsus further conſider, firſt that God requireth it, & ſo bindeth vsus to this duty vponupon our allegeance vntounto him; according to that of the Pſalmiſt, Keepe thy tongue from euil, and thy lips from ſpeaking guile, where is required not onelyonly that we doe not ſpeake euill, but that wee keepe our Pſal. 34. 13.tongues vnderunder a narrow watch, that wee doe not ſpeake it. Secondly, conſider that this narrow watch is of great importance in reſpect of that power and potency which is in the tongue to draw vsus to good or euill, life or death, according to that of the wiſe man: Death & life are in the power of the tongue, and they that louelove it ſhall eate the fruit thereof, In pro. 18. 21. & 13. 3- & Chap. 21. 23regard where of he ſaith in another place, that he who keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but hee that openeth wide his lips ſhall hauehave deſtruction. And againe, Who ſo keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his ſoule from troubles. Thirdly, the naturall maliciouſnes of this little member ſhould make vsus to watch ouer it with great care, for as the Pſalmiſt, and the Apoſtle Paul deſcribe the effects and fruits of it. It deuiſeth miſchiefe and like a ſharpe razour worketh deceiptfully, it ſpeaketh deceipt, and loueth to lye rather then to ſpeake righteouſneſſe; Pſal. 52. 4. Rom. 3. 13.it delighteth in deuouring words, it cutteth as a ſword, and the poiſon of Aſpes is vnderunder the lips. So the Apoſtle Iames telleth vsus that the tongue as much needeth reſtraint, as an vnruly horſe the bridle; and compareth it to the Helme of a ſhip which beeing little turneth about the Iam. 3. 5 6. 7. 8.whole body, and to a fire inflamed by hell and ſetting on fire a whole world with wickedneſſes affirming that it defileth the whole man, that it is hardly tamed beeing an vnruly euill ful of deadly poiſon. Finally, let vsus conſider that Iam. 3. 2.Chriſtian perfection conſiſteth in well ordering of the tongue; For if any man offend not in word, the ſame is a perfect man, and is able to bridle the whole body, Whereas on the other ſide though we ſe me neuer ſo religious, yet if we do Iam. 1. 26.not bridle our tongue, wee deceiue our owne hearts, and our religion is vaine; as the ſame Apoſtle pronounceth. Now in this our watch wee are to keepe our tongues from euill ſpeaking, whether it be ſuch impious words as are directly darted againſt Gods owne Maieſtie, by blaſpheming his holy name, prophaning his word and ordinances, ſcorning and abuſing his workes and creatures; or ſuch diſhoneſt and vniuſt words, as are vttered to the preiudice and hurt of our neighbours, as by infecting and poyſoning them with ſcurrilous ieſts, ribaldry and ſuch corrupt and rotten communication, or taking away their goods or good name by lying and obtrectation, back biting and ſlandering. The former whereof the Apoſtle forbiddeth: Let no corrupt communication (ſaith he) proceede out of your mouth, but that which is good to the vſe of edifying, that it may miniſter grace Eph. 4. 29. Leuit 19. 16.vntounto the hearers; the other in the ninth commandement, and in the nineteenth of Leuiticus; Thou ſhalt not go vp and downe as a tale bearer among the people; like vntounto a pedlar which carryeth his pack from houſe to houſe, venting here a little and there a little vntill at length hee hath vttered all his wares. And the Apoſtle diſſwadeth it by a waighty argument: Speake not euill (ſaith he) one of another, brothren: hee that ſpeaketh euill of his brother, and iudgeth his brother Iam. 4. 11.ſpeaketh euill of the law and iudgeth the law; namely, by doing that which it forbiddeth and condemneth. Secondly, wee muſt containe them from idle ſpeaking and conſequently from much ſpeaking; for if we ſpeak much, we can hardly keepe our ſelues from ſpeaking vainely and to little purpoſe, and by venting vanities, we ſhall eaſily be brought to ſet our tongues on ſale to ſpeake alſo that which is wicked and euill. And therefore the wiſe man telleth vsus, that in the multitude of words there wanteth not ſinne, and that in this reſpect, he that refraineth his lips is wiſe. And againe, that Pro. 10. 19.he who hath knowledge, ſpareth his words, where as with a foole is much babling. That euen a foole when bee holdeth his peace is counted wiſe, and he that ſhutteth his lips is eſteemed a man of vnderſtanding. Now that we may thus refraine our tongues from much babling and idle ſpeaking, let vsus remember that fearefull ſaying of our Sauiour, namely that eueryevery idle word that men ſhall ſpeake, they ſhall giuegive account thereof at Mat 12. 36the day of iudgement, and this will make vsus carefull to ſpeake then, when as our ſpeech is better then ſilence.
§ Sect. 5. That aboue all other parts we muſt keepe this narrow watch ouer our hearts. Pro. 4. 23.But aboue all other parts wee are with greateſt care to guard our hearts, and to ſet a ſtrickt and ſtrait watch ouer them, according to the counſell of the Wiſe man: Keepe thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the iſſues of life. And this is moſt neceſſary firſt becauſe aboue all other parts it is moſt cunning and crafty, according to that of the Prophet: The heart is deceiptfull and wicked aboue all things: Who can know it? And therefore as wee are carefull Iet. 17. 9.to keepe a vigilant eye when as wee hauehave to deale vvith a cunning couzener, or deceiptfull thiefe, and keep a narrow watch ouer ſubtle and pollitique traytors, who are ſtill ready to ſpy all opportunities to betray & deliuer vsus into the hands of our malicious enemies that ſeek our liues and indeauour to ſpoyle our goods: ſo muſt wee deale with this couzener, thiefe and traytour which doth intend nothing more then our vtter ruine and deſtruction. Secondly, becauſe it is the chiefe Monarch and commaunder in this little world of man, which ruleth and commandeth all the other parts; It is their guide and captaine which leadeth and directeth them in all their courſes; It is like the primum mobile which moueth all the inferiour ſpheares, and the firſt and chiefe wheele in the clocke which ſetteth all the reſt on going. It is the ſpring and fountaine of al our thoughts, words and actions, which being defiled defileth them, and being purged doth communicate vntounto them its purity and cleanneſſe. For according to the direction of the heart, the tongue ſpeaketh, the hand worketh, the eye ſeeth, the foote walketh. A good man out of the good treaſure of his heart (ſaith our Sauiour) bringeth forth that which is good, and Luk. 8. 45.an euill man out of the euill treaſure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is euill: For out of the abundance of his heart his mouth ſpeaketh. And againe: Thoſe things which proceede out of the mouth, come forth the heart, and they defile the Mat. 15. 18. 19.man For out of the heart proceede euill thoughts, murders, adultiries, fornications, thefts, falſe witneſſe, blaſphemies. And Mat 15. 18. 19.therefore it neerely concerneth vsus at all times, in all places, and vponupon all occaſions, in our …rth and in our mourning, in our proſperity and in our affliction, when we are alone, and when we are in company, in our abſtinence and in our eating and drinking, in our painefull labours and in our honeſt recreations, in our dealings which wee hauehave with God, as hearing, reading, meditating, praying, receiuing the ſacrament; and in our commerce and affayres vvith men, talking, walking, buying, ſelling, in thoſe actions which we performe abroad, and thoſe which are done by vsus in ſecret in our owne houſes and priuate chambers, that wee keepe a narrow watch ouer our hearts, that they bee vpright with God, honeſt, iuſt and mercifull towards our neighbours, pure and holy, ſober▪ and temperate towards our ſolues, leaſt they be ſurpriſed and ouertaken with the tentations of the Diuell, the would and our owne fleſh, and being corrupted and miſted doe defile and miſ-guide all other powers and parts. And ſeeing our owne watchfulnes is not ſufficient, becauſe they are ſo wilye and ſubtile that we cannot knowe them, and ſo ſtubborne and rebellious that wee cannot rule them, let vsus continually pray vntounto the Lord, who alone ſearcheth the heart and reines, and ruleth and turneth euen the hearts of Kings like the riuers of waters, that hee will keepe a ſtraite watch ouer them, and taking them into his hand will rule and guide them, ſo as they may bee alwayes ſubiect vntounto his will, that ſo with themſelues they may bring all our other faculties into this ſauing ſubiection; that hee will cauſe them to louelove that which hee loueth, to loath that which hee hateth, and to flee that which hee forbiddeth, and to doe Pſal. 141: 3.that which hee commandeth. Let vsus earneſtly deſire him with the Prophet Dauid, that hee will apply our hearts vntounto his teſtimonies and not to couetouſneſſe; that our hearts may Pſal. 119. 36.bee found in his ſtatutes, that ſo wee may not bee aſhamed; that he will create in vsus cleane hearts, and renew a right ſpirit Pſal. 51 10.within vsus: and becauſe they are naturally flitting and remouing, that he will knit them faſt vntounto him that we may alwaies pſal. 86. 11.feare his name.
§ Sect. 6. That we muſt keepe this watch in our ſpirituall armour.And thus you ſee what is the Chriſtian watch ouer our enemy the fleſh: Now we are further to conſider, that wee are not to watch vnweaponed and diſarmed, but as wee are to hauehave our compleate armour on our heads and backes, ſo eſpecially the ſhield of fait▪ and ſword of the ſpirit in our hands, that we may be ready to aſſault the fleſh and the luſts thereof, as ſoone as euer they appeare and approach towards vsus, ſometimes beating them downe, wounding and killing them with the terrible threatings of the law, and ſomtime piereing & throſting them through, or beating them backe and putting them to flight with the ſweet promiſes of the Goſpel, encouraging vsus to a godly life, & the remembrance of Gods louelove in Chriſt, & what our ſweet Sauior hath done and ſuffered, to free vsus from our ſins. Yea we muſt not onelyonly in ſome generall manner vſe this ſword of the ſpirit againſt the fleſh and our ſinfull corruption (as it were) in the whole lumpe, but we muſt draw it out, and fight with it againſt eueryevery particular luſt, when it ſetteth vponupon vsus. As when it withdraweth vsus from the ſeruice of God, to the ſeruice of Sathan and the world; let vsus withſtand the tentation, by remembring that wee are bound by Gods law to worſhip and ſerus him and no other; and that wee are purpoſely redeemed Exod. 20. 3. Deut 6. 13. Mat. 4. 10. Luc. 1. 74.by him that we ſhould worſhip and ſerue him in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of our liues. When it moueth vsus to neglect good workes, let vsus remember, that wee are Gods workmanſhip created vntounto them; that hee hath therefore parged vt, and made vsus his peculiar people, that we might be zealous of good workes. When it perſwadeth vsus to deferre our repentance, let vsus remember, that we are commanded Eph. 2. 10.to remember our Creator in the dayes of our youth; and that euen to day we muſt hearken vntounto Gods voice, and not harden Eccle. 12. 1.our hearts. When as worldly luſtes doe ſet vponupon vsus, let vsus remember; that the amitie of the world is enmitie with God, Pſal. 95. 7. 8.and that whoſoeuer maketh himſelfe a friend to the world doth Iam. 4. 4.in the very act, make God his enemy; that we muſt not louelove the world nor the things of the world for if any man louelove the world, Ioh. 2. 15.the louelove of the father is not in him. When the luſts of pride do 1 Pet. 5. 5.aſſault vsus, let vsus call to minde, that God reſiſteth the proud, but giueth his grace to the humble; that a mans pride ſhall Pro. 29. 23. & 18. 12.bring him low, but honour ſhall vphold the humble in ſpirit; that the heart of a man is haughty before deſtruction, and before honour is humilitie. So when the luſts of couetouſneſſe doe 1 Tim. 6. 6. 10.fight againſt our ſoules, let vsus beate them backe and foyle them by the ſword of the Spirit, calling to minde, that Godlineſſe with contentment is the greateſt gaine, and that the louelove of money is the roote of all euill. That we hauehave an expreſſe charge from God, to hauehave our conuerſation without couetouſneſſe, Heb. 13. 5.and that we ſhould be content with ſuch things as we hauehave, hauing this gracious promiſe from him, that he wil neuer leaue vsus nor forſake vsus if we ſtill depend vponupon him. And thus muſt wee with the ſword of the Spirit, giuegive eueryevery other ſpeciall luſt, ſpeciall blowes and vvounds, that they may bee foyled and get no ſtrength to preuaile againſt vsus. Yea not onelyonly are wee thus our ſelues to drawe out this ſpirituall ſword, but alſo in the publique miniſterie of the Goſpell, wee are to lay open and naked all our ſinnefull luſts to thoſe powerfull blowes and thruſts which Gods Miniſters by the Word ſhall make againſt them, ſuffering meekely the vvord of exhortation, admonition and reproofe, and by diligent application Eſek. 16. 63▪bringing it home to our owne hearts and conſciences, for the vvounding and killing of all our ſinnefull corruptions.