A Counterpoison, Religious treatise · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
That it keepes them alwayes prepared to the spirituall combate.
5. FIfthly, the Lord permitteth them often to afflict and assaile us, to the end we may be alwayes prepared for tribulation … as wise Mariners in a calme, make all their tacklings sure and strong, that they may be provided against the next storme, which they cannot looke to be long without. Or as experienced Souldiers in time of peace, prepare against the day of battell; and so much the rather, when they looke every day for the approach of the enemy. They (saith Socrates) that set sayle into a calme Sea in a faire 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 crosse occurrents: and so much the rather, because a great calme presageth a sudden storme. The people of L…yish being rich and wanting nothing, grew carelesse and secure; and being secure, and mistrusting nothing, they were smoate with the edge of the sword, and had their Citie burnt, Judg. 18. The way to be safe is never to be secure. The walls of a Citie that are not repaired in peace, will hardly bee mended in a siege. Alexander having set his Army in battell array, and finding a Souldier then mending his Armes, casheered him; saying, that was a time of dealing blowes, not of preparing weapons.
Wee are oft times se… upon, to the end that wee 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 battell by walking circumspectly, not as fooles, but as wise. Ephes. 5. 15. Therefore redeeming the time, because the dayes are evill. Vers. 16. For as those that have no enemies to incounter 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 sleepe 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 spirituall armour; but when wee have continuall use of it, wee still keepe it fast buckled unto us; that being armed at all points, wee may be able to make resistance, that wee be not surprized at unawares.
Neither would it be good for us at present, if wee had not these enemies to stand in awe and feare of; but much more inconvenient in divers resp…cts: as wise Scipi… (that mirrour of wisedome) 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 destroyed, because it should hinder Rome from sleeping. Yea, God himselfe would have the Hittites, Gargesites, Amorites, Canaanites, Peresites, Hivites, and Jebusites, (strong and warlike Nations,) to be in the midst of Israel, least Israel should sleepe in sinne, 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 whilst men were in bed. No servants more orderly use their M…sters tallent, than those that ever feare their Masters sudden returne. No Housholder more safe, then he who at every watch suspects the Theeves entring. Sampson could not be bound, till he was first got asleepe: Wouldst thou not be overcome, be not seoure. Fly from the workes of darkenesse at a great distance, and consider as well the bitternesse of what will follow, as the sweetnes of a momentany pleasure: not unlike a great personage of this Land, who said to his Lady (offering him a bribe in behalfe of a suppliant) gentle Eve I will none of your Apple: Yea, in vigilancy and watchfulnes, imitate the Nightingale, which sleepes with her breast upon a thorne for feare of the Serpent, which continually studies her ruine. Wee would not willingly a Tempest should take us without our Cloakes. Seneca reports of Caesar, that hee did quickly sheath the sword, but hee never laid it off, The sight of a weapon discourageth a Theefe. While wee keepe our Javelins in our hands, we escape many assaults. So that a Christians resolution should bee like King Alfreds,
Si modò victor er as, ad crastina bell… pavebas,
Si modo victus er as, ad …rastina bella parabas.
If we conquer to day, let us feare the skirmish to morrow.
If we be overcome to day, let us hope to get the victory to morrow.
An assaulted City must keepe a carefull watch, or it will not long hold out▪ yea, the provident Fenman mends his bank…s in Summer, least 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 returne. And so much the rather, because what hath been long expected falleth the easier: and evils precogitated, strike but weakly.