The Christians Combat, Text
THE CHRISTIANS COMBAT OR, HIS True Spiritual Warfare.
Chriſt over-Love, that cannot be you'l ſay,
But Chriſt above all others Love you may.
THE Chriſtians COMBAT: OR, HIS True Spiritual Warfare;
Wherein is laid down the Nature, Power, and cunning Deceit of Satan, the great enemy of our Salvation. With the means whereby every good Chriſtian may withſtand his dreadful aſſaults.
By C.L. late Preacher of Gods Word in the City of London.
Epheſ. 6.11.
Put on the whole armour of Gods Word, that ye may be able to ſtand againſt the aſſaults of the devil.
London, Printed for Charles Tyus, at the three Bibles on London-Bridge.
1664.
THE CHRISTIANS COMBAT.
Epheſians 5.13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withſtand in the evil day, and having done all to ſtand.
Stand therefore, having your Loyns girt about you with truth, and having on the Breſtplate of righteouſneſs, and your feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of Peace.
Above all things take the ſhield of faith, wherewith ye ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
BEloved Chriſtians, the Apoſtle Sain… Paul having ſhewed the myſtery o… our Salvation and the cauſ…s ther… of; for the confirmation of our fait… in the thrée firſt Chapters of his Epiſtle …, and after… in the other chapters having ſet down divers duties, both generally belonging to all Chriſtians: and alſo particularly …ppertaining to men of ſundry conditions, that he might move them to repentance and newneſs of life; in the next place like the Lords centinel, doth discover and give us wa…ning of the approach of mighty enemies, willing us to arm our ſelves in all points in our own defence, and couragiouſly to ſtand under the Standard of Chriſt Ieſus, that we may be continu…lly in readineſſe to indure the incounter; alſo he giveth us to underſtand that as …oon as we ſéek for aſſurance of Salvation in Chriſt, and indeavour to ſerve the Lord in a holy and Chriſtian life, we are to prepare our ſelves for a Combat▪ unleſs we would ſuddenly be ſurpriſed▪ for the ſpiritual enemies of our Salvation arm themſelves againſt us as ſoon as we have given our names to God; and taken upon us the profeſſion and practice of Chriſtianity. No ſooner had Abel off…red a ſacrifice of ſwéet ſmelling ſavour unto God, …ut Satan ſtirreth up Cain to become his …utcher, Gen. 4. Whilſt Moſes was con…nted to be reputed the Son of Ph…aohs …aughter, he injoyed all proſperity; but as … as he joyned himſelf to Gods people and Church, Pharaoh ſeeketh his life: whilſt Paul perſecuted the Church of God, Satan did not ſo much trouble him, either outwardly in body, or inwardly in mind, but no ſooner was he truly converted to the Faith, and preached the Goſpel, but preſently he ſetteth his wicked Imps at work to take a way his life which the Lord not permitting, he moveth them to perſecute him by impriſoning him, whipping and ſtoning him, and not content with theſe outward afflictions, he ſendeth his meſſengers to buffet him, that he might be no leſſe vexed inwardly in mind, then outwardly in body, 2 Cor. 12.
Yea he ſpared not our Saviour Chriſt himſelf, but as ſoon as he began to ſhew himſelf to be the Son of God and Redéemer of mankind in performing the duties of his calling, then eſpecially he bendeth all his force againſt him, he tempteth and aſſaulteth him forty daies together, and taking the foil himſelf, he ſtirreth up his wicked inſtruments to perſecute him, and at length to take away his life, Matth. 4.
Whoſoever therefore reſolves to be God… ſervant, muſt make account to be his Souldier alſo, and whilſt with Nehemiahs followers, with one hand they perform the work of their callings and Chriſtianity, th… … the other … …ld their weapons … their ſpiritual enemies, who con… …u…lly …a…our to hinder the Lords buil… for no ſooner do we become friends to … preſently Satan aſſaulteth us as his enemies, no ſooner do we receive the Lords press mony▪ and ſet …oo… into his Camp, but Satan advanceth againſt us his Flaggs of …e…iance, labouring both by ſecret treachery, & outward force, to ſupplant and overcome us.
Here therefore is inſtruction for ſecure worldlings, and conſolation and incouragement▪ for Gods Children; worldly men inſtead of fighting the Lords battels, ſpend their time in Chambering and wantonneſs, in Luſt▪s and uncleanneſs, in covetouſneſs, in idle…eſs, as though there were no enemy to … them, and as if Satan were ſome … Lamb, and not a roaring Lion ready to devour them.
But now ſome may ask why God ſuffereth his Servants to be tempted? why, I …: Firſt, it is for his own glory. And ſecondly, for the manifeſting of his ſpiritual …ates in them; and as the Lord ſuffereth Satan and his Imps to try his Children for …is own glory, ſo alſo it is for their ſpiritual … everlaſting good.
For firſt, Hereby he chaſtiſeth them for their ſins paſt, and recalleth them to thei… remembrance, that ſo they may truly repe… of them; and this Job ſpeaks of, in Job 1…. verſe 26. Thou writeſt (ſaith he) bitter things againſt me, and makeſt me to poſſ…ſs the iniquities of my youth.
Secondly, He manifeſteth unto us ou… ſecret and hidden ſins, which the blind eye… of our judgement would not diſcern, if the… ſight were not quickned with this ſharp water of temptation, for ſo long as we live …n peace, our ſecure conſciences never …mmon us to the bar of Gods Iudgement: b… when we are rouſed up by temptation, we come to a more ſtrict examination of our ſelves: and ſearch what ſecret ſins lies lu… king in the hidden corners of our heart…, that ſo we may repent of them, and make our peace with God, without whoſe aſſ…ſtance we can have no hope to ſtand in t… hour of temptation.
Thirdly, The Lord hereby prevent… our ſins to come, for when we have expe… ence, that the moſt ſharp weapons whi… Satan uſeth to inflict deep wounds in … conſciences, this will make us moſt ca… ▪fully to abſtain from them, leſt thereby … ſtrengthen him for our own overthrow.
Fourthly, The Lord ſuffereth Satan aſſault us, that we may hereby come to a ſight of our own weakneſs and infirmities, when we have received many foils, and learn to relie upon his help and aſſiſtance in all our dangers: for ſo proud we are by nature, that before we come to fight, we think we can repel the ſtrongeſt aſſaults, & overcome all enemies which oppoſe themſelves againſt us by their own power, but when we ſée our ſelves vanquiſhed by every ſmall temptation, we learn to have a more humble conceit of our own ability and depend wholly upon the Lord, …s you may ſée in Deut. 8.2. and 13.3.
Fifthly, The Lord permitteth Satan continually to aſſault us with temptations, to the end we may continually buckle unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be ready for the Battel.
Laſtly, By this conflict the Lord ſtrengtheneth and increaſeth all his graces in us, for as by exerciſe the ſtrength of the body is …eſerved and augmented, and in ſhort time decayeth through idleneſs and ſloth; ſo the gift… of Gods Spirit, Faith, Hope, Patience, and the reſt, languiſh in us, if they be not exerciſed with temptations.
For Tribulation bringeth forth Patience, …nd Patience Experience, and Experience Hope, and hope maketh not aſhamed, as you …ay read in Rom. 5.3, 4, 5.
I ſhall now procéed to give you ſome arguments or reaſons to incourage us to enter into the battel to fight againſt the ſpiritual enemies of our Salvation.
1 Reaſ. The firſt reaſon that I ſhall give you may be drawn from the juſtneſs of our cauſe, the war is juſt; therefore procéed we may with boldneſs, for though Souldiers be never ſo ſtrong and well furniſhed, yet if their conſciences tell them they fight in a bad quarrel, it will much abate their courage▪ and make them cowardly and timerous: but our cauſe is moſt juſt, and our war moſt lawful, for God who is juſtice it ſelf hath proclaimed it by his Heraulds the Apoſtles, Epheſ. 6.10. Finally my brethren, be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, James 4.7. Reſiſt the devil and he will flie from you, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be Sober, be Vigilant, for your adverſary the devil, as a roaring Lion walketh about ſeeking whom he may devour, ver. 9. whom reſiſt ſt…dfaſt in the faith.
2 Reaſ. The cauſe of our war is of great weight: as namely, for the glory of God and our own Salvation, for in all Satans skirmiſhes he ſéeketh to impeach Gods glory, with falſe imputations, and to bring us to utter deſtruction, and this may appear with the firſt conflict of his with our Mother Eve, Gen. 3. 4, 5. where he accuſeth God of a lie, who is truth it ſelf, and of impotency and envious diſ…ain, ſaying that the cauſe why he did forbid them to eat of the trée of knowledge of good and evil, was not (as he had ſaid) becauſe they ſhould die, but becauſe he knew that when they ſhould eat thereof their eyes ſhould be opened, and they ſhould be as Gods knowing good and evil.
1. Where he ſéeketh to dim the beams of Gods glory, by accuſing him of a lie, and to perſwade them that he was not Omnipotent, ſéeing that he was able to hinder them from being Gods, if they taſted of this fruit: laſtly, that he forbid them to eat thereof, becauſe he envied them ſo glorious an eſtate.
2. He laboreth to deſtroy our firſt Parents both body and ſoul, by tempting them to diſobedience and tranſgreſſion of Gods commandment, and therefore our Saviour Chriſt doth …tly joyn thoſe two together in the 8 of John 44. ſaying, That he was a li…r, and a man-ſlayer from the beginning. A liar, in th…t he falſely accuſed God of a lie; a Man-ſlayer, becauſe he did it to this end, that he might murther our firſt Parents, and all their poſterity both body and ſoul.
2 Reaſ. The ſecond reaſon to move us to undertake this fight, is the profit which will accrew unto us thereby: for no ſooner can we enter into the field to fight againſt theſe enemies, but preſently we ſhall have peace with God: …ut if we betray our truſt, that is, Gods cauſe, to Satan, and our ſouls to ſin, well may we be lulled aſléep in carnal ſecurity, but we ſhall never injoy this peace with God, and peace of conſcience, For there is no peace ſaith my God unto the wicked, Eſa. 57. But if we fight againſt theſe enemies and valiantly overcome, the Lord hath promiſed to give us to eat of the Trée of Life, which is in Paradice, and the manna that is hid, and that he will write our names in the Book of Life, Rev. 2.3.
3. Reaſ. The third reaſon to move us to this fight, is the honor which will accompany this victory: if earthly ſouldiers will purchaſe honor with the loſs of life, which is nothing elſe but the commendation of the Prince, or applauſe of the vain people; what hazard ſhould we undergo in fighting the ſpiritual Combat, ſéeing our grand Captain the Lord of Hoſts, and infinite multitude of bleſſed Angels look upon us, and behold our Combat, whoſe praiſe and approbation is our chief felicity; what peril ſhould we fea… to obtain a Crown of glory which is promi▪ſed to all that overcome, and to becom… heirs apparent to Gods Kingdoms?
4. Reaſ. The fourth reaſon to perſwade us, is the neceſſity of undertaking this Combat, there is no man ſo towardly that will not fight when there is no hope in flight, no mercy to be expected in the enemy, no outrage and cruelty which will not be committed; but ſuch is our enemy that we cannot poſſibly flye from him, his malice is unreconcileable, his cruelty is outragious, for he fighteth not againſt us, to the end he may attain ſoveraignty alone, abridge us of our liberty, ſpoil us of our goods, but he aimeth at our death deſtruction both of body and ſoul. The Apoſtle James in his Epiſtle, 1 chapter the 12 verſe, pronounceth them bleſſed that indure temptation, for when by tryal he ſhall be found approved, he ſhall receive a crown …f life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that love him.
Laſtly, We may be incouraged to this fight, by certain hope of victory, for we fight under the Standard of Chriſt Ieſus who alone is mightier then all our enemies that aſſault us, Epheſ. 6.12. Our Saviour hath ſpoiled principalities and powers, and hath made a ſhew of them openly, and hath triumphed over them upon the Croſs.
Let us not therefore fear to fight againſt …eaten and conquered enemies, for every one ſhall be a conqueror, that deſires the conqueſt; for if we will be the Lords ſouldiers, he will not ſuffer us to be ſo much diſgraces, as to let us be overcome by his mortal enemies. Having given you the reaſons which may incourage us to fight this Combat, I ſhall now come to the ſpiritual warfare it ſelf; and ſhall endeavour to lay before you the malice of our great adverſary the Devil: therefore in an enemy who proclaimeth war againſt us, we are to conſider two things. Firſt, his will; ſecondly his power; If he have will to hurt us and no power, he is not to be regarded; if power, and no irreconcileable malice, he is not ſo much to be feared; but if his power be great, and his will malicious, it is time then for us to look about us, and muſter up all our forces, that we may be ready to endure the incounter.
1. Firſt therefore, touching the will of our grand enemy the Devil, if we conſider of it aright, we ſhall find him to be very maliciouſly bent againſt us, ſo that there is no hope of reconciliation with him, though we could be content to make a truce or a diſhonorable peace with Gods and our e… my: Satans malice to mankind is endleſs, the cauſe thereof, is namely the love and favour of God to the faithful (whoſe eſtate he …span;…) ſhall be endleſs and eternal. As … malice of Satan is inveterate, ſo it is …o deadly, not to be ſatisfied by taking a…y our goods or good name, or afflicting us …ith ſickneſs, no nor by taking away our …es, for nothing will ſatisfie him but de…ruction of ſoul & body, we may read in ſcrip…ure that he is called a murtherer, a man-ſlayer and our Savior telleth us that he hath bin ſo from the beginning. You read in Peter that … is compared to a roaring Lion, but in truth Satan is far more cruel then a roaring Lion, (who if we may give credit to Hiſtories) ſpareth thoſe that fall down flat before him; …hereas if Satan get us at ſuch advantage, …e would proudly trample us under foot, and make us ſure for ever riſing, and therefore … we ſhould look for any mercy at his hands, the Holy Ghoſt calleth him the great red Dragon, Rev. 12.3. which beaſt beareth ſuch …tural malice to mankind, that he devoureth …hem not onelyonly for hunger, but alſo for ſport or hatred, in ſatiſfying whereof he taketh great delight; ſuch a beaſt is our enemy, who is ſo fleſhly in blood and cruelty, and ſo overcarried with malice and hatred, that he eſtéemeth it his chief ſport and paſtime to deſtroy us, as we may read in Matth. 4.2. that he …ath the name of a tempter given him, he is a tempter to tempt us to ſin, and not onelyonly ſo, but he is an accuſer after that we have ſinned, requiring of God that he will execute his juſtice upon offenders, who have deſ…rved puniſhment: of this there née…s no further proof then his own t…ſtimony as we may read in Job 1.7.
And as he is an accuſer, ſo he is alſo a ſlanderer, thus wrongfully did he ſlander J…, that he ſerved God for advantage, b…cauſe he preſerved and bleſſed all he had, affirming that if he would take away his goods▪ and afflict his body, he would blaſpheme him …o his face, Job 1.10.
Neither is Satan onelyonly a ſlanderer, but he is alſo an executioner or hangman, ready with all cruelty to inflict the puniſhment the which the Lord adjudgeth unto us, as we may ſée in the Hiſtory of Job: This ſhews us the extream malice of our enemy; he is the father and author of all malice and envy, who laboreth night and day to diſhonor God, and work our deſtruction. Therefore let us oppoſe againſt Satans malice, Chriſtian reſolution, ſtedfaſtly purpoſing to continue our fight in reſiſti…g Satan to our lives ends, how troubleſome ſo…ver it ſéemeth to fleſh and blood: for what more honourable death is there then to die in fighting the Lords battels? what death more profitable, ſéeing by dying we ſhall overcome and obtain a final victory over all our enemies, and receive the crown of Glory, everlaſting happineſs promiſed to all thoſe who fight valiantly in this Combat unto the end.
I might inlarge very much in ſhewing you the power and ſtrength of Satan our great enemy.
Firſt, If you conſider it in himſelf.
Secondly, If we conſider the great aid he hath in the world.
And thirdly, If we conſider our own fleſh how frail that is, and what a great help and advantage it is to Satan; but I ſhall wave it at preſent, and ſhall come to the deſcription of the ſpiritual armour which the textencourageth every Chriſtian to be armed withal.
1. The Apoſtle St. Paul deſcribeth the quality, and as it were the metal of our armour, in which reſpect he telleth us we muſt put on the armour of God, which is ſpiritual, and that our weapons we fight withal muſt not be carnal, for our enemy is ſpiritual, we wreſtle againſt Principalities, and Powers. Neither is it enough that we put on one piece of the armour, and like young ſouldiers leave off the reſt for lightneſs, we muſt not put on the Helmet of ſalvation, and leave off the Breſtplate of righteouſneſs, nor take unto us the girdle of Truth, & Shield of Faith, and caſt away from us the ſword of the Spirit, but we are to pu… on the whole armo…r of God, like valiant ſouldiers, who mean indéed to ſtand to it; we are to arme our ſelves in all points in compleat armour of proof, which will kéep us from fléeing, and our enemies from overcoming.
And that we may be the rather ſtirred up with all care and diligence to provide, and buckle faſt to us the armour which he after deſcribeth he ſheweth the neceſſity thereof, by deſcribing the dangerouſneſs of our enemies, who being not fleſh and blood, but Principalities, Powers, Princes of darkneſs in this world, and ſpiritual wickedneſſes, which are in high places, cannot poſſibly be reſiſted by our own ſtrength, and means, and therefore for this cauſe he willeth us to take upon us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to reſiſt in the evil day, that is, the time of temptation, which is therefore called the evil day; partly becauſe therein Satan tempteth us unto evil, and partly becauſe it is a time of trouble, adverſity, and affliction, when Satan ſiſteth us with his temptations; and thus the evil day is taken in Pſal. 41.1. The Lord will deliver him in the evil day, that is, in the time of trouble: and thus alſo it is uſed in Epheſ. 5.16. Redeeming the time, becauſe the dayes are evil, that is, full of troubles and afflictions, or the time of adverſity.
I ſhall now come to the particular parts of our Chriſtian armour, and ſhall firſt begin with the girdle of truth: and ſhew you what we are to underſtand by it: the word Girdle it ſelf, ſignifieth a broad ſtrudded Belt, uſed in wars, in ancient times, where with the joynts of the Breaſt plate, and that armour which defended the belly, and loins, and thighs were cover…d, and by this truth is reſembled, whereby ſome underſtand the truth of Religion, and of the Doctrine which we profeſs; others underſtand hereby truth and uprightneſs of heart, or the integrity of a good conſcience, whereby we perform all duties belonging unto God▪ and our neighbor, in ſimplicity, without all hypocriſie, or diſſimulation; but I think we may take it in both ſenſes, ſéeing the Apoſtle doth ſet down u…er theſe metaphorical words, the chief vertues and graces, wherewith we are to arm our ſelves againſt our ſpiritual enemies.
1. Firſt, therefore here is required truth of our Religion, we profeſs.
2. And ſecondly, th…t we profeſs it truely, and with upright and ſimple hearts.
1. For the firſt, that our Religion muſt be grounded on Gods truth, it is the foundation upon which all other duties to God or man are to be built, for if they be not grounded on Gods tru…h, but deviſed by mans brain, they are but human traditions, which the Lord will not accept, neither is it to any purpoſe, that we ſhew our ſelves earneſt, and forward in religion, unleſs it be true and agréeable to Gods holy word.
2. Tis not ſufficient that we profeſs the truth, but it muſt be done in truth and ſimplicity of heart; for how glorious ſoever our profeſſion of the true religion is before men, yet it is abominable in the eyes of God, if it be not in truth, and from an upright heart, Joſhua 24.14. Fear the Lord, and ſerve him in uprightneſs, and in truth which if we perform in our ſerving of God; it will be acceptable in his ſight, though performed in great weakneſs, and mingled with many imperfections; let us therfore with our Saviour, pray unto God that we may be ſanctified with his truth, that not onelyonly whatſoever we do, may be grounded on Gods truth, but that we may do it in truth and uprightneſs of heart.
I come now to the ſecond part of our armour, which is the breaſt-plate of righteouſneſs, and the excellency thereof; by which we are to underſtand a good conſcience, true ſanctification, a godly life, which alſo we are to put on according to the example of our grand Captain Chriſt Ieſus, Iſa. 59.17. He put on righteouſneſs as a breaſt plate, and an helmet of ſalvation upon his head. Then ſhall not Satans darts pierce us, ſo long as we are armed with a good conſcience, and a godly and innocent life, ſo long as our hearts and breaſts are armed with righteouſneſs, though other members fall into ſin, our wounds ſhall not be mortal. True it is that Saints do receive wounds and foils▪ when as Satan hath drawn them to commit ſin, but they are not wounded at the heart, becauſe they do not ſin with full conſent of the will, for they allow not that which they do, neither do that which they would, but what they hate: and they delight in the law of God, in the inner man, when the fleſh leadeth them captive to the law of ſin, Rom. 7.15.
And hence it is that St. Paul ſaith, he did not tranſgreſs the law of God, but ſin that dwelleth in him, Rom. 7.17. And the Apoſtle St. John affirmeth, that they who are born of God ſin not, 1 John 3.9. And that they who are in Chriſt ſin not, and that whoſoever ſinneth is of the Devil, verſe 6 and 8. Not that Gods Children are exempted from all ſin, but becauſe they ſin not with the full conſent and ſwinge of the… will, and when they do fall, their hearts are defended with the breaſt-plate of righteouſneſs, that is, with an holy deſire, and endeavoring to ſerve God. David a man after Gods own heart, may be a notable example hereof for even after he was indued with the knowledge of the truth, and had this godly endeavour of ſerving God, he not …ithſtanding fell grievouſly many times, and was wounded often with Satans darts, but his wounds were not mortal, neither did they pierce the heart, becauſe he was armed with the breaſt▪plate of righteouſneſs.
Come we now to a third part of our Chriſtian armour, which is this, that we have our feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of peace; that is, we muſt be entertain'd with the knowledge of the Goſpel of peace: for it is therefore called the Goſpel of peace, becauſe it bringeth peace to our ſouls; not onelyonly as it is the embaſſage of God, whereby we being reconciled unto God, have peace with him, from the aſſurance whereof we have peace of conſcience, but alſo, bec…uſe if we be armed therewith, we ſhall obtain a final victory over our ſpiritual enemies after which ſhall follow everlaſting peace, which ſhall not ſo much as …e diſturbed with the attempts of any enemies.
It is not ſufficient that we know and believe th… Goſpel of peace, unl…ſſe we be alwaies prepared to make confeſſion and profeſſion thereof, though thereby we incur worloly ſhame, loſſes, afflictions and perſecutions: and this the Apoſtle ſignifieth by telling us that our feet muſt be ſhod with the pr…paration of the Goſpel of peace, that is as thoſe who are well ſhod, are ready to go through rough and unpleaſant waies, ſo thoſe that are indued with the knowledge of the Goſpel muſt alwaies be in readineſs to make profeſſion thereof, in the midſt of affliction and perſecution: for as with the heart man believeth unto righteouſneſs, ſo with the mouth he muſt confeſs unto Salvation, Rom. 10.10.
But now if we lay aſide this armour, we ſhall be as unfit to travel in the afflicted way which leadeth to Gods Kingdom, as thoſe ſouldiers who are b…re-foot, are fit to march through waies that are full of briars and thorns.
We come now to the fourth piece of Chriſtian armour, which the Apoſtle exhorteth us to put on, which is the ſhield of faith: which part above all other parts is moſt neceſſary: becauſe how weak ſoever we be in our ſelf, it doth defend and protect us againſt all temptations of Satan. For he that putteth on faith, putteth on Ieſus Chriſt alſo, it being a property inſeparable of faith, to apply unto us Chriſt Ieſus, and all his benefits; that is▪ his merits, and righteouſneſſe, and everlaſting life it ſelf.
Let us therefore take unto us the ſhield of faith, that we may alſo put on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, as the Apoſtle exhorteth us, Rom. 13.14. For having him, we ſhall want nothing which may either defend our ſelves, or offend our enemies: the Lord himſelf will be our ſhield and buckler, and therefore it will be impoſſible for our foes to prevail againſt us.
Again, let us further conſider the vertue and neceſſity of this ſhield of faith, the vertue whereof appeareth by its repelling the fiery darts of Satan: the Apoſtle ſaith, that thereby we may quench his fiery darts, alluding to the cuſtome of Souldiers in ancient time, who maliciouſly poyſoned their darts, whereby the bodies of thoſe that they wounded, were ſo inflamed that they could hardly be cured or eaſed of their raging and burning pain; and ſuch darts are all Satans temptations, whereby we are wounded with ſin; for if they be not repelled and quenched with the ſhield of faith, they will in flame our luſts to ſin, and one ſin will inflame our hearts to anoth…r, till there be kindled in us a world of wickedneſs.
This we may ſée in the example of David, who after that he gave himſelf to idleneſs and ſloth, and ſo was pierced with one of Satans fiery darts, it preſently inflamed his heart to commit adultery, and having given place to that, he was provoked to murther.
Therefore it behoveth us to take unto us the ſhield of faith, whereby we may quench theſe fiery darts, but why doth the Apoſtle uſe this unproper ſpéech, ſéeing the ſhield of faith doth not quench, but repel the darts that beat upon it?
I anſwer: partly to ſhew the nature of our enemies temptations; namely, that they be f…ery, mortal, raging, and pernicious, and partly to ſet forth a double vertue of faith.
For firſt thereby we repel and beat back his temptations, and ſo reſiſt him ſtedfaſt in the …aith, 1 Pet. 5.9.
Secondly, if Satans darts have pierced and wounded us, faith alſo doth cool the ſcalding heat of ſin, by applying unto us the precious balm of Chriſts blood; ſo that our wounds are not mortal unto us.
The firſt of theſe vertues is ſignified hereby, in that he calleth faith a ſhield which repelleth Satans temptations, as the ſhield doth the darts that are caſt againſt it.
The ſecond by the word (quenching) namely, as water quencheth the fire, ſo faith quench…th the fiery darts of Satans temptations.
I procéed now to the fifth part of our Chriſtian armour, which is the helmet of Salvation, which is ſo called, becauſe it bringeth Salvation to them that wear it, for we are ſaved by hope, as it is in Rom. 8.24. which we are to underſtand by the helmet of Salvation, as it appeareth in 1 Theſ▪ 5.8. where he exhorteth us to put on the hope of Salvation for an helmet.
As no man in his right wits, would ſell his certain intereſt unto a goodly inheritance, for a bright ſhining counter: ſo much leſs will any man who is not ſtark-mad, ſell his aſſured hope of the eternal kingdome of glory, duplicate page duplicate page by yielding himſelf the ſlave of ſin and Satan, to purchaſe for the preſent, the worlds counterfeit ſhining excellencies, which are in truth, but mutable, or at leaſt momentary vanities.
And though he aſſault us on the one ſide, as he did St. Paul, with afflictions and perſecutions; yet we will with him for the hope of Iſrael, be content to be bound in the chains of miſery and affliction, for the heavieſt croſs will ſéem tolerable, yea an eaſie yoke, and a light burthen to thoſe who do expect and hope for a far more excellent and eternal weight of glory.
Now therefore if we do not put on this helmet we ſhall not dare to lift up our heads in the day of battel; for as thoſe who are incouraged with hope of victory, and the ſpoil enſuing, do fight valiantly, ſo thoſe who are quite forſaken of hope, do forſake alſo the field, and caſt down their armour and weapons, and do either run away, or cowardly yield unto the enemy.
And ſo much for the defenſive armour which we muſt put on, that which follows is both defenſive, and offenſive, fit to defend our ſelves and repel and foil the enemy: the firſt is the ſword of the Spirit, the word of God, this the Apoſtle cals the ſword of the Spirit; becauſe it is a ſpiritual and not a carnal weapon, which the ſpirit of God hath as it were tempered, made, ſharpened, and put into our hands, to repel all our ſpiritual enemies whenſoever they aſſault us.
Now we are taught to imitate our grand Captain the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who though he were able to have confuted Satan by other arguments, or to have confounded him by his power: yet as he ſuffered himſelf to be tempted in all things like unto us, ſo he uſed the ſame weapons which he hath appointed us to uſe in this ſpiritual Combat of temptation, to the end that we might be taught how to handle them, having his example for imitation, and alſo may conceive aſſured hope of victory, conſidering that our Captain ſubdued Satan with the ſelf ſame weapons.
Whenſoever therefore we are aſſaulted by Satan, let us draw out the ſword of the ſpirit, that we may defend our ſelves, and give him the foil, as being the moſt fit weapon for the purpoſe: and ſéeing this ſword is ſo excellent, let us highly eſtéem of it, and manfully uſe it whenſoever Satan doth aſſault us, and tempt us to commit ſin.
As for example, when he enticeth us t… commit ſin, and extenuates it, as though it were but a may game and a trick of youth, which God regardeth not: let us draw out the ſword of the ſpirit, ſaying that all they are accurſed who continue not in all that is written in that book of the Law to do it, Gal. 3.10. They who live according to the fleſh cannot pleaſe God. Rom. 8.8. That the burthen of ſin cannot be light, ſéeing it preſſed out of Chriſt himſelf, a bloody ſweat.
On the other ſide, if he aggravate the hainouſneſs of our ſins, to the end he may draw us unto deſpair of Gods mercies, let us ſay it is written, I will not the death of a ſinner (ſaith the Lord) but that herepent and live, Ezek. 18.23. And that Jeſus Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners, 1 Tim. 1.15.
And that he came not to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance, Matth. 9.13. Joh. 3.16. If he tempt us to the love of the world, and to the ſervice of this unrighteous mammon, let us anſwer him that it is impoſſible to ſerve two maſters of ſuch contrary diſpoſitions, as it is written, Matth. 6.24.
If we love the world, the love of the father abideth not in us, 1 John 2.15. That the amity of the world, is enmity againſt God, James 4.4.
Again, if by renouncing the world, and endeavoring to ſerve the Lord in uprightneſs and in truth, he ſéeks to draw us from our integrity, by threatning afflictions and perſecutions, we are to ſtrengthen our ſelves, and reſiſt him with the ſword of the Spirit, remembring that they are bleſſed which ſuffer perſecution for righteouſneſs ſake; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven, Matth. 5.10.
All that will live Godly in Chriſt Ieſus, ſhall ſuffer perſecution, 1 Tim. 3.12.
That whoſoever loſeth any thing for Chriſts ſake ſhall receive in recompence an hundred fold more, and have everlaſting life to boot, Matth. 19.29.
If he tempt us to the neglect of Gods word, we are to tell him that all Chriſts ſhéep hear his voice, and follow him, John 10.27. That whoſoever is of God, heareth Gods words, John 8.47.
They who know God, hear his miniſters, whereas he that is not of God, heareth them not, 1 John 4.6.
Again, if he tempt us to content our ſelves with the bare hearing thereof, neglecting obedience thereunto, we are to tell him, that not the hearers of the word, but the doers thereof ſhall be juſtified, Rom. 2.13.
And they that are hearers of the Word, and not doers alſo, deceive themſelves, Jam. 1.22.
Not every one that ſaith Lord, Lord (that is, maketh a goodly profeſſion of religion) ſhall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of the Father who is in heaven, Matth. 7.21.
So when he tempteth us unto pride, we are to ſay unto him, Satan, I may not enter into thy temptation; for it is written, God reſiſteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble, 1 Pet. 5.5.
Thus may we repel the violence of all Satans temptations, and give him the foil, if we will take unto us the ſword of the Spirit, and skilfully uſe the ſame in the fight; for it is not ſufficient that we have the ſword lying by us, if we do not draw it out in the diſpute to fight the ſpiritual Combat, but let it reſt in the Scabbard. It behoveth every poor Chriſtian to come into Gods School continually, that there we may learn how to handle the ſword of the Spirit, that may reſiſt Satan in all his aſſaults, and give him no advantage in the fight.
Otherwiſe he will uſe it to our own overthrow, for if he durſt fight with our Savior Chriſt with his own weapon, the word of God, whoſe knowledge was e…quiſite, and without meaſure; how much more will he be buſied in uſing it againſt us, who have not attained unto the leaſt part of his skill?
Firſt, then hereby appeareth the carnal wretchedneſs of many poor ſouls, who as if they had no enemy to oppoſe them, and aſſault them, have not this weapon in their houſes at all, and if they have, yet they beſtow more time in profane exerciſes, then in ſtudy how to uſe this ſword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, for their own defence, and too many truſting to their own skill as ſufficient in it ſelf, they ſeldome come to the Lords School, where they may learn to uſe the weapon of Gods word for their beſt advantage.
Secondly, hereby appeareth the wicked practices of the enemies of Gods truth, who take from Gods people, the ſword of the Spirit, which the Lord hath given unto all for their defence.
Neither doth the Apoſtle exhort onelyonly Miniſters to take this weapon, but all Chriſtians whatſoever, who are aſſaulted with their ſpiritual enemies.
The laſt, and chief means whereby we may both defend our ſelves, and offend our enemies; is fervent and effectual prayer, which the Apoſtle exhorteth us to, Epheſ. 6.18.
And pray alwaies: the neceſſity and profit of which exerciſe, is very great in this ſpiritual Combat; becauſe thereby we do obtain all our ſtrength to fight, and victory alſo over our enemies.
For firſt, we cannot indure the leaſt aſſault of Satan by our ſtrength, unleſs we be armed with the power of Gods might, and the Lords aſſiſtance, whereby onelyonly we can overcome, is obtained by earneſt and effectual prayer, Pſal. 50.15. Call upon me in the day of trouble; ſo will I deliver thée, and thou ſhalt glorifie me. And our Saviour preſcribeth us the means to frée our ſelves from temptation, or at leaſt, from being overcome by it, that we crave the Lords aſſiſtance, ſaying, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Matth. 6.13. ſo he exhorteth his Diſciples unto prayer, leſt they ſhould enter into temptation, Luke 22.40.46.
Secondly, we cannot obtain the ſpiritual armour (before deſcribed) by any means of our own, and therefore are to be begged at his hands, by earneſt and effectual prayer, we having his gracious promiſe, that if we ask, we ſhall receive, Matth. 7.7. And our Savior hath aſſured us, that whatſoever we ask the Father in his name, he will give it us, John 16.23. And to this his promiſe he addeth his commandment in the verſe following, Ask and ye ſhall receive, verſ. 24.
Now that our prayers may be effectual, there are divers conditions and properties required in them.
1. That we pray continually, which our Saviour Chriſt injoyneth, Luke 18.1. Not that we muſt neglect all other duties, and do nothing but pray, for there is a time to hear the word, to do the works of mercy, and of our callings: but his meaning is, that we be alwaies ready to pray upon all good occaſi…ns, eſpecially in the time of temptation.
2. The ſecond thing required, is, that we pray with all manner of prayer and ſupplication, that is, when we want any thing that is good, or would be delivered from any thing that is evil, we muſt have recourſe to God by prayer, that we may obtain the one, and avoid the other; but more eſpecially when we féel the want or weakneſs of our ſpiritual armour, we are then to beg the graces of Gods ſpirit, we are to beg them at Gods hand, that ſo we may be able to withſtand the encounter.
The third thing required, is that we may in, or by the Spirit.
The words may be taken both waies.
Firſt, therefore we muſt pray in the Spirit, which is required that we pray with underſtanding.
2. We muſt pray with attentive minds, joyning our hearts with our lips.
3. We muſt pray with a pure conſcience, and faith unfained, lifting up pure hands to God without wrath or doubting, 1 Tim. 2.8.
Thus have I deſcribed the Chriſtian armour, which every man is to put on before he enter into the Combat, with our ſpiritual enemies, if we reſiſt Satan he will flie from us, Jam. 4.7. but if we give ground and betake our ſelves to flight, he will purſue us ſwiftly, and deadly wound us, for we have no armour on the back, to defend us from the violence of his blows, neither will▪ the Lord protect ſuch faint-hearted cowards as run away from his ſtandard, not daring to truſt and relye upon his mighty power, and never failing aſſiſtance, which he hath promiſed to all that fight his Battel. Seeing therefore there is no ſafety in flight, but aſſured victory to them that faint not, but endure the brunt of the battel, let us manfully ſtand upon our guard, neither flying nor yielding to our ſpiritual enemies; for where can we be more ſafe, then under the Lords Standard? where can we be more honourably imployed, then in fighting his Battel? how can our ſtate be more dangerous then when we flye and Satan purſueth us? how can it be more deſperate then when we yield our ſelves captive to Satan, to be bound in the fetters of ſin, until the ſentence of condemnation be pronounced on us, in the general Seſſions at the day of Chriſts appearing? From the which ſad ſentence the Lord of his tender mercies, grant that every poor ſoul of us may be delivered.
Thus having given you an account of our ſpiritual armour, and laid down the reaſon to incourage you to fight this ſpiritual warfare: I now come to give you ſome motives to ſtir you up to this work, that we ſhould not ſet our hearts on this world and worldly things, becauſe we are but Pilgrims and ſtrangers here on earth; as appeareth by the acknowledgement of the Saints and Servants of God, in times of old, of whom it is ſaid, that they confeſt they were Pilgrims and Strangers on the earth, Heb. 11.13. the which as it is manifeſt by the Scripture, ſo it is demonſtrated by evident reason: for that is to be eſtéemed a mans country, where his chief friends and kindred remains, where his living, and ſubſtance doth lie, where he is to ſpend the moſt part of his life; where he hath moſt contentment, and beſt entertainment: but the faithful have all their kindred in heaven, ſaving ſome few who are pilgrims with them on the earth, there is their heavenly Father, and Chriſt Ieſus their elder brother, there are their chief treaſures, even an inheritance undefiled that fadeth not away▪ finally there they have beſt entertainment, and moſt contentment: becauſe there all tears ſhall be wiped from their eyes, and there they ſhall have manſion-houſes, inheritances, crowns of glory, and fulneſſe of joy for evermore.
Now from this conſideration, that we are not in our own country, but remain upon the earth as pilgrims and ſtrangers, ſhould ſerve as an effectual reaſon to wean our hearts from the love of the world and worldly vanities, and to place them in heaven, and onelyonly in heavenly joys, which is our country, and place of reſidence: therefore if we be pilgrims on earth, we muſt follow their practice, and not ſet our hearts on worldly things; becauſe the time we have to enjoy them is very ſhort, let him that hath enjoyed worldly proſperity the longeſt time, look back, and he ſhall ſée that all that is paſt is but as a dream, or ſhadow, and as the twinkling of an eye, in reſpect of eternity: but all our love and longing muſt be placed on our heavenly inheritance, where we are for ever to enjoy an eternal weight of glory and happineſs without end.
Now if we would thus eſtéem of the world and worldly vanities, learn then of the (Apoſtle) to uſe them as though we uſed them not, not as places to reſt in, or things wherein we take our chief repoſe; but as a way to travel in, and as neceſſaries to further us in our journey: who would ſeat his heart and affections on thoſe delights which he ſéeth as he paſſeth by? who in his right wits will ſo doat on theſe things in which he hath not any intereſt, as that he ſhould neglect far better and permanent delights in his own country?
Let us then like travellers refreſh our ſelves with the things of this life; and ſo again go forward on our journy, caſt away every thing that preſſeth down, and the ſin that hangeth faſt on, and let us run with patience the race that is ſet before us: let us learn to imitate the Eagle, which ſeldome lighteth on the earth, but when conſtrain'd with hunger, ſhe ſtoopeth to her prey, and when ſhe hath fed, mounteth again aloft above the clouds: ſo let us not ſuffer our hearts and affections any longer to reſt upon the earth, then we are compel'd with our preſent neceſſities, but like the Eaglets of Ieſus Chriſt, let us reſort thither where the dead carcaſe is, and being fed herewith, let us amount high in divine contemplations, having our converſation in heaven, and let us like ſtrangers and pilgrims abſtain from carnal luſts, which fight againſt our ſouls.
Again, the world is not ſimply a place of pilgrimage alone, but a place of warfare, wherein we are aſſaulted on all ſides, and by all poſſible means, hindred in our ſpiritual voyage, and therefore ſéeing our time is but ſhort, and ſo full of trouble, let us ſeat our affections, and our hearts on the main buſineſs which tends to our ſpiritual warfare: as Jacob ſaith, the daies of his pilgrimage were not onelyonly few but evil alſo, Gen. 47 9. and Job affirmeth, that man who is born of a woman is but of ſhort continuance, and full of trouble, Job 14.1. And therefore while we are here we had néed to be always in the compleat armour of a Chriſtian…, becauſe we fight not onelyonly againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt Principalities, Powers, and worldly Governours, the Prince of the darkneſs of the world, which are in high places, let us then with the Apoſtle, ſo run that we may obtain, 1 Cor. 9. 24, 25.
Let us, being to wreſtle with ſuch mighty enemies, like him that proveth maſteries, abſtain from all things which might hinder us to obtain a crown is incorruptible, let us come into the field againſt our ſpiritual enemies, not loaded and incumbred with the burden of worldly traſh, tyed faſt unto us the bounds of carnal love, which ſhall but betray us into the hands of thoſe foes which ſéek our overthrow, but let us run armed with Gods ſpiritual graces, and aſſiſted with the power of his might. whereby we ſhall be inabled to obtain the victory, that ſo we may ſay with the Apoſtle, I have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, and have kept the faith, from henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſs, which the Lord, the righteous judge ſhall give me at that day, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. Séeing this is promiſed, as he affirmeth, not to him alone, but to all them who obtain the victory in this ſpiritual warfare, according to that gracious promiſe, in Revel. 3.27. to him that overcometh will I gran… … with me in my Throne, even as I overcame, and ſit with my Father in his Throne.
I come now to a ſecond motive, to ſtir us up to look after heavenly treaſure, and not immoderately to love the world, and worldly vanities, becauſe we are pilgrims here, and therefore muſt leave them in our paſſage, ſo we are Citizens of heaven, the new Jeruſalem: the Apoſtle ſaith, we having through Chriſt an entrance unto the father by one ſpirit, are now no more ſtrangers and forreigners, but Citizens with the Saints, and of the houſhold of God: and ſpeaking of Abraham the father of the faithful, he ſaith, That he abode in the land of promiſe, as in a ſtrange country, and as one that dwelt in tents, becauſe he looked for a City not made with hands, having a foundation whoſe builder and maker is God; neither was this peculiar to him alone, but general to all his Children, who followed him in the saith: of whom it is ſaid, that they have here no continuing City, but ſeek one to come, Heb. 11. 6, 9, 10. And the reaſon is apparent, for we are Citizens, and ſubjects of that Kingdom, whereof our Lord Ieſus Chriſt is King, but he himſelf hath plainly told us, that his kingdom is not of this world, but that he reigneth and ruleth in that kingdom of eternal glory: and therefore whoſoever are ſubjects unto him, they cannot be frée denizons of the world, but Citizens of heaven.
It is no marvel that heretofore we living in ignorance, did not eſtéem of thoſe divine excellencies, but preferred before them theſe worldly vanities: becauſe they are ſubject to our ſelves, for there is no deſire of that which is not known, and that bright ſunſhine day is all alike to him, who is ſtark-blind unto the darkeſt night. But now after that the grace of God which bringeth ſalvation unto all men, hath appeared, and taught us that we ſhould deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, and that we ſhould live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world, looking for the bleſſed hope and appearing of the glory of the mighty God, and of our Saviour Ieſus Chriſt, Titus 2. 11, 12, 13.
It were more then madneſs, if we ſhould ſuffer our ſelves ſtill to be tranſported with worldly concupiſcence, and prefer the preſent ſatiſfying of our carnal deſires before the eternal fruition of our heavenly joys: we ſhould not be alwayes children wanting wit and experience in heavenly affairs, it is time now to put away childiſh things.
Whilſt we remain'd in the ſtate of ſlaves, and were the devoted vaſſals of ſin and Satan, our baſe deſires did well agree with our baſe condition, whilſt we were Citizens of the world, and children of the earth, it might ſute with our calling to deſire earthly comodities, and eſtéem the riches, pleaſures, and preferments of the place whereof we were inhabitants at high rates, but now that God hath dignified us with moſt royal priviledges, and made us Citizens of heaven; and of the ſlaves of Satan, hath made us his own children by adoption and grace, yea heirs apparent of his glorious kingdom: O let us, remembring this high calling, for ſhame forſake our baſe deſires, not ſuffering our hearts to lie grobeling on the earth, wallowing in carnal pleaſures, and worldly delights, but raiſing them up to the height of our hopes, let us aim at no leſs then crowns and kingdoms, and thoſe not momentary, and of this world, ſéeing they are vain and of little worth, but thoſe which are moſt glorious and eternal in the world to come.
Having ſhewed you the priviledges of the Citizens of heaven, I ſhall now give you a hint of thoſe ineffable and inconceivable joys of heaven: the Apoſtle St. Paul ſéems to intimate that he was taken up into paradice, 2 Cor. 12.41. That we may have ſome glimps of the glory, we are to know that the joys of heaven, is nothing elſe but that chief happineſs and ſupreme felicity, which the holy Saints having ſerved God in this life, ſhall eternally injoy with God himſelf, and his ſon Chriſt, in the life to come: the joys of heaven are called a torrent of pleaſures, a timely fountain, a majeſtical temple; it is called a Crown, a Crown of righteouſneſs, and leſt it ſhould be like the worldly crowns that fade away and ſubject to change, it is a crown incorruptible, which cannot be taken from us, a crown of life that cannot be loſt by death: yea it is called glory it ſelf. Thus the raviſhing joys of heaven are plainly noted by thoſe titles and ſimilitudes, which are in the word of God aſcribed to it; and it is further denoted by way of a manſion, a dwelling houſe we are to remain in, and not onelyonly ſo, but an inheritance that is immortal, and undefiled, that paſſeth not away, an incorruptible crown, which cannot periſh: a fountain of life, which is never dry, an eternal life which hath no end.
A Kingdom which cannot be ſhaken by any violence, and eternal glory that hath no limits nor end. And thus we ſée in part the excellency of thoſe heavenly joys: There are two parts of thoſe joys.
1. The abſence of all evil.
2. The preſence of all good: we ſhal have a freedome from all evils that may trouble us, and have the fruition of all thoſe things that can delight and comfort us.
Here we are content to injoy the victory over all fleſh and blood: this is the bleſſed conqueſt; this is the eternal manſion of glory, for which ſo many of the Saints and holy Martyrs of God have fought manfully under Chriſts Banner, and have béen found more then conquerors through Chriſt that loved them. Let us therefore ſo ſtrive and fight, that we may obtain a glorious conqueſt over the ſpiritual enemies of our Salvation, and ſo obtain the crown of Victory, which God hath promiſed us; even that glorious felicity, the eternal happineſs of his heavenly kingdom, the which if it be the bleſſed will of Ieſus Chriſt the righteous to grant us, who hath dearly bought it for us, to whom with the Father, and his holy Spirit be aſcribed to him; by all his Church, all honor, glory, praiſe, and thankſgiving, obedience, and dominion, henceforth and for evermore.
Amen.