A Christian Library, Chapter 8
CHAP. 8. That it keeps them alwayes prepared to the spiritual combate.
5 FIfthly, the Lord permitteth them often to afflict and assail us, to the end we may be alwayes prepared for tribulation: as wise Mariners in a calm, make all their tackling sure and strong; that they may be provided against the next storm, which they cannot look to be long without: Or as experienced Souldiers in time of peace, prepare against the day of battel; and so much the rather, when they look every day for the approach of the enemy. They (saith Socrates) that set sail into a calme Sea in a fair quiet weather, have, notwithstanding, all instruments and materials ready, which may be of use in a tempest: so he that enjoyes a prosperous and happy estate, if wise, doth even in that time prepare for the harder and more cross occurrents: and so much the rather, because a great calme presageth a sudden storme. The people of Laish being rich and wanting nothing▪ grew careless and secure: and being secure, and mistrusting nothing; they were smote with the edge of the sword, and had their Citie burnt, Iudg. 18. The way to be safe, is, never to be secure. The wals of a City that are not repaired in peace, will hardly be mended in a siege. Alexander having set his Army in battel-array, and finding a Souldier then mending his Armes; cashiered him; saying, That was a time of dealing blows, not of preparing weapons.
We are oft-times set upon, to the end that we may continually buckle unto us the whole Armour of God, prescribed by Paul, Ephes. 6.13, to 19. That we may be alwayes ready for the battel, by walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Ephes. 5.15. Therefore redeeming the time, because the dayes are evil. Vers. 16. For as those that have no enemies to encounter them cast their armour aside and let it rust, because they are secure from danger; but when their enemies are at hand, and sound the Alarum, they both wake and sleep in their armour, because they would be ready for the assault: So, if we were not often in skirmish with our enemies; we should lay aside our spiritual armour: but when wee have continual use of it; we still keep it fast buckled unto us; that being armed at all points, we may be able to make resistance, that we be not surpriz'd at unawars.
Neither would it be good for us at present, if we had not these enemies to stand in awe and fear of; but much more inconvenient in divers respects: as wise Scipio (that mirrour of wisdome) told some, who with no small joy avouched that the Common-wealth of Rome was now in safe estate, seeing they had vanquished the Carthaginians, and conquered the inhabitants of Pontus: Neither would he for that only reason have Carthage destroy'd; because it should hinder Rome from sleeping. Yea, God himself would have the Hitlites, Gargesites, Amorites, Canaanites, Peresites, Hivites, and Iebusites (strong and warlike Nations,) to be in the midst of Israel; lest Israel should sleep in sin, and want matter for exercise, fight, and conquest. Here may be felicity, with security: never; with safety. The time when the envious man did sowe his seed, was, whilest men were in bed. No servants more orderly use their masters talent, then those that ever fear their Masters sudden return. No Houshoulder more safe, than he who at every watch suspects the Thieves entring. Sampson could not be bound, till he was first got asleep: Wouldest thou not be overcome? be not secure. Fly from the works of darkness at a great distance, and consider as well the bitterness of what will follow, as the sweetness of a momentany pleasure: not unlike a *Sir Thomas Moor.great personage of this Land, who said to his Lady, (offering him a bribe in behalf of a suppliant) Gentle Eve, I will none of your Apple: Yea, in vigilancy and watchfulness, imitate the Nightingale which sleeps with her brest upon a thorn for fear of the Serpent which continually studies her ruine. We would not willingly a Tempest should take us without our Cloaks. Seneca reports of Caesar, that he did quickly sheath the sword, but he never laid it off: the sight of a weapon discourages a Thief. While we keep our Iavelins in our hands, we escape many assaults, so that a Christians resolution should be like King Alfrids.
Si modò victor eras, ad crastina bella pavebas,
Si modò victus eras, ad crastina bella parabas.
If we conquer to day, let us fear the skirmish to morrow.
If we be overcome to day, let us hope to get the victory to morrow.
An assaulted City must keep a careful watch, or it will not long hold out: Yea, the provident Fen-man mends his banks in Summer, lest his ground be drowned in Winter. And we must so take our leaves of all afflictions, that we reserve a lodging for them, and expect their return. And so much the rather, because what hath been long expected falleth the easier: and evils precogitated, strike …ut weakly.