The Christians in Complete Armor, Religious treatise · Introduction 1

The Christians in Complete Armor · Religious treatise · Introduction 1

p. 1EPHESIANS 6.10.

Finally, my Brethren, be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

PAul was now in bonds, yet not ſo cloſe kept as to be denied pen and paper: God (it ſeemes) gave him ſome favour in the ſight of his enemies: Paul was Nero's priſoner; Nero was much more Gods. And while God had work for Paul, he found him friends both in Court and priſon. Let perſecutors ſend the Saints to priſon, God can provide a Keeper for their turn.

But how doth this great Apoſtle ſpend his time in priſon? not in publiſhing invectives againſt thoſe, (though the worſt of men) who had laid him in; a piece of zeal which the holy ſufferers of thoſe times were little acquainted with: Nor in politick counſels how he might winde himſelf out of his trouble, by ſordid flattery of, or ſinful compliance with the great ones of the times. Some would have uſed any pick-lock to have opened a paſſage p. 2to their liberty, and not ſcrupled, (ſo eſcape they might) whether they got out at the door or window: But this holy man was not ſo fond of liberty or life, as to purchaſe them with the leaſt hazard to the Goſpel. He knew too much of another world, to bid ſo high for the enjoying of this, and therefore he is at a point what his enemies can do with him, well knowing he could go to heaven whether they would or no; No, the great care which lay upon him was for the Churches of Chriſt: as a faithful Steward he labours to ſet this Houſe of God in order before his departure. We reade of no diſpatches ſent to Court to procure his liberty, but many to the Churches to help them to ſtand faſt in the liberty wherewith Chriſt had made them free. There is no ſuch way to be even with the devil and his inſtruments for all their ſpite againſt us, as by doing what good we can, wherever we become. The devil had as good have let Paul alone; for he no ſooner comes into priſon, but he falls a preaching, at which the gates of Satans priſon flie open, and poor ſinners come forth. Happy for Oneſimus that Paul was ſent to Jaile; God had an errand for Paul to do to him and others, which the devil never dream't of. Nay, he doth not only preach in priſon, but that he may do the devil all the miſchief he can, he ſends his Epiſtles to the Churches; that taſting his Spirit in his afflictions, and reading his faith, now ready to be offered up, they might much more be confirmed, amongſt which Epheſus was not leaſt in his thoughts, as you may perceive by his abode with them two yeares together, Acts 19.10. as alſo by his ſending for the Elders of this Church as far as Miletus, in his laſt journey to Jeruſalem, Acts 20.17. to take his farewel of them, as never to ſee their face in this world more. And ſurely the ſad impreſſion which that heart-breaking departure left upon the ſpirits of theſe Elders, yea, the whole Church, (by them acquainted with this mournful newes,) might ſtir up Paul, now in priſon, to write unto this Church, that having ſo much of his Spirit, yea, of the Spirit of the Goſpel left in their hands to converſe with, they might more patiently take the newes of his death.

In the former part of this Epiſtle, he ſoares high in the myſteries of faith. In the latter, according to his uſual method, he deſcends to Application; where we finde him contracting all p. 3thoſe truths, as beams together in a powerful exhortation, the more to enkindle their hearts, and powerfully perſwade them to walk worthy of their vocation, chap. 4.1. which then is done, when the Chriſtians life is tranſparent, that the grace of the Goſpel ſhines forth in the power of holineſſe on every ſide, and from all his relations, as a candle in a Cryſtal glaſſe, not in a dark Lanthorn, lightſome one way, and dark another: and therefore he runs over the ſeveral relations of Husband, Wife, Parents, Children, Maſter and Servants, and preſſeth the ſame in all theſe.

Now having ſet every one in his proper place, about his particular duty: as a wiſe General after he hath ranged his Army, and drawn them forth into rank and file: he makes this following ſpeech at the head of this Epheſian Camp, all in martial phraſe, as beſt ſuiting the Chriſtians calling, which is a continued warfare with the world, and the Prince of the world. The ſpeech it ſelf contains two parts;

Firſt, a ſhort, but ſweet and powerful encouragement, ver. 10.

Secondly, the other part is ſpent in ſeveral directions, for their managing this war the more ſuccesfully, with ſome motives here and there ſprinkled among them. To begin with the firſt.

1. The word of encouragement to battel. With this he begins his ſpeech; Finally, my brethren, be ſtrong in the Lord: the beſt way indeed to prepare them for the following directions. A ſoul deeply poſſeſt with fear, and diſſpirited with ſtrong impreſſions of danger, is in no poſture for counſel. As we ſee in an Army when put to the run with ſome ſudden alarm, and apprehenſions of danger; 'tis hard rallying them into order while the ſcare and feare is over; therefore the Apoſtle firſt raiſeth up their ſpirits, Be ſtrong in the Lord: as if he ſhould ſay, perhaps ſome drooping ſoules finde their hearts faile them, while they ſee their enemies ſo ſtrong, and they ſo weak; ſo numerous, and they ſo few; ſo well appointed, and they ſo naked and unarmed; ſo skilful and expert at armes, but they green and raw ſouldiers; Let not theſe or any other thoughts diſmay you, but with undaunted courage march on, and be ſtrong in the Lord; on whoſe performance lies the ſtreſſe of the battel, and not on your p. 4skill or ſtrength: It is not the leaſt of a Miniſters care, and skill in dividing the Word, ſo to preſſe the Chriſtians duty, as not to oppreſſe his Spirit with the weight of it, by laying it on the creatures own ſhoulders, and not on the Lords ſtrength, as here our Apoſtle teacheth us.

1In this verſe; Firſt, here is a familiar Compellation; My brethren.

2Secondly, here is the exhortation; Be strong.

3Thirdly, here is a cautionary direction annexed to the exhortation; In the Lord.

4Fourthly, here is an encouraging amplification of the direction; And in the power of his might, or in his mighty power.

CHAP. I. Of Chriſtian Courage and Reſolution, wherefore neceſſary, and how obtained.

WE ſhall wave the Compellation, and begin with the Exhortation: Be ſtrong, that is, be of good courage, ſo commonly uſed in Scripture-phraſe; 2 Chron. 32.7. Be ſtrong and couragious. So, Iſa. 35.4. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be ſtrong: or, unite all the powers of your ſouls, and muſter up your whole force, you will have uſe of all you can make or get. From whence the Point is this.

Doct.The Chriſtian of all men needs courage and reſolution. Indeed there is nothing he doth as a Chriſtian, or can do, but is an act of valour: A cowardly ſpirit is beneath the loweſt duty of a Chriſtian: Joſh. 1.7. Be thou strong and very couragious, that thou mayeſt: what? ſtand in battel againſt thoſe warlike Nations? No, But that thou mayest obſerve to do according to all the Law, which Moſes my ſervant commanded thee. It requires more proweſſe and greatneſſe of ſpirit to obey God faithfully, then to command an Army of men, to be a Chriſtian then to be a Captain. What ſeems leſſe, then for a Chriſtian to pray? yet this cannot be performed aright, without a Princely Spirit; As Jacob is ſaid p. 5to behave himſelf like a Prince, when he did but pray: for which he came out of the field Gods Bannarite. Indeed if you call that prayer, which a carnal perſon performes, nothing more poor and daſtard-like. Such a one is as great a ſtranger to this enterpriſe, as the craven ſouldier is to the exploits of a valiant Chieftain. The Chriſtian in prayer comes up cloſe to God, with an humble boldneſſe of faith, and takes hold of him, wreſtles with him, yea, will not let him go without a bleſſing, and all this in the face of his own ſins, and divine juſtice, which let flie upon him from the fiery mouth of the Law; while the others boldneſs in prayer is but the childe, either of ignorance in his minde, or hardneſſe in his heart; whereby not feeling his ſins, and not knowing his danger, he ruſhes upon duty with a blinde confidence, which ſoon quails, when conſcience awakes and gives him the alar…m, that his ſins are upon him, as the Philiſtines on Samſon; alas, then in a fright the poor-ſpirited wretch throwes down his weapon, flies the preſence of God with guilty Adam, and dares not look him on the face. Indeed there is no duty in a Chriſtians whole courſe of walking with God, or acting for God, but is lined with many difficulties, which ſhoot like enemies through the hedges at the Chriſtian, whileſt he is marching toward Heaven: ſo that he is put to diſpute every inch of ground as he goes. They are only a few noble-ſpirited ſoules, (who dare take Heaven by force) that are fit for this calling. For the further proof of this Point, ſee ſome few pieces of ſervice that every Chriſtian engageth in.

Firſt, the Chriſtian is to proclaim and proſecute an irreconcileable war againſt his boſome-ſins; thoſe ſins which have layen neareſt his heart, muſt now be trampled under his feet: So David, I have kept my ſelf from my iniquity; Now what courage and reſolution doth this require? you think Abraham was tried to purpoſe, when called to take his ſon, his ſon Iſaac, Gen. 22 1…Gen 22:1his only ſon whom he loved, and offer him up with his own hands, and no other, yet what was that to this? Soul, take thy luſt, thy only luſt, which is the childe of thy deareſt love, thy Iſaac, the ſin which hath cauſed moſt joy and laughter; from which thou haſt promiſed thy ſelf the greateſt return of pleaſure or profit: as ever thou lookeſt to ſee my face with comfort, lay hands on it, and offer it up: poure out the blood of it before me, run p. 6the ſacrificing knife of mortification into the very heart of it, and this freely, joyfully, (for it is no pleaſing ſacrifice that is offered with a countenance caſt down,) and all this now, before thou haſt one embrace more from it. Truly this is a hard chapter, fleſh and blood cannot bear this ſaying; our luſt will not lie ſo patiently on the Altar, as Iſaac, or as a Lambe that is brought to the ſlaughter, which is dumb, but will roar and ſhreek, yea, even ſhake and rend the heart with their hideous out-cries. Who is able to expreſſe the conflicts, the wreſtlings, the convulſions of Spirit the Chriſtian feels, before he can bring his heart to this work? or who can fully ſet forth the Art, the Rhetorical inſinuations, which ſuch a luſt will plead with for its life? one while Satan will extenuate and mince the matter, It is but a little one, O ſpare it, and thy ſoule ſhall live for all that: Another while he flatters the ſoul with the ſecrecy of it, Thou mayeſt keep me and thy credit alſo; I will not be ſeen abroad in thy company to ſhame thee among thy neighbours: ſhut me up in the moſt retired room thou haſt in thy heart, from the hearing of others (if thou wilt,) only let me now and then have the wanton embraces of thy thoughts and affections in ſecret; if that cannot be granted, then Satan will ſeem only to deſire execution may be ſtayed a while, as Jephtha's daughter of her father; Let me alone a monthor two, Judg. 17. v. 2, 37.Judg 17:2Judg 17:37and then do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth: well knowing few ſuch reprieved luſts, but at laſt obtain their full pardon; yea, recover their favour with the ſoule. Now what reſolution doth it require to break through ſuch violence and importunity, and notwithſtanding all this, to do preſent execution? Here the valiant Swordmen of the world, have ſhewed themſelves meer cowards, who have come out of the field with victorious banners, and then lived, yea, died ſlaves to a baſe luſt at home. As one could ſay of a great Romane Captain, (who as he rode in his triumphant Chariot through Rome, had his eye never off a Courtizan that walk't along the ſtreet) Behold, how this goodly Captain that conquered ſuch potent Armies, is himſelf conquered by one ſilly woman.

2Secondly, the Chriſtian is to walk ſingularly, not after the worlds guiſe. Rom. 12.2. we are commanded not to be conformed to this world, that is, not to accommodate our ſelves to p. 7the corrupt cuſtomes of the world. The Chriſtian muſt not be of ſuch a complying nature, to cut the coat of his Profeſſion according to the faſhion of the times, or the humour of the company he falls into, like that Courtier, who being ask't how he could keep his preferment in ſuch changing times, which one while had a Prince for Popery, another while againſt Popery? anſwered, he was Eſalice, non ex quercu ortus: he was not a ſtubborn oake, but bending oſier, that could yield to the winde: No, the Chriſtian muſt ſtand fixt to his principles, and not change his habit, but freely ſhew what Country-man he is by his holy conſtancy in the truth. Now, what an odium, what ſnares, what dangers doth this ſingularity expoſe the Chriſtian to? Some will hoot and mock him, as one in a Spaniſh faſhion would be laugh't at in your ſtreets. Thus Michal flouted David. Indeed the world counts the Chriſtian for his ſingularity of life the only foole; which I have thought gave the firſt occaſion to that nick-name, whereby men commonly expreſſe a ſilly man or a fool: Such a one (ſay they) is a meer Abraham, that is, in the worlds account a foole. But why an Abraham? becauſe Abraham did that which carnal reaſon (the worlds idol) laughs at as meere folly; he left a preſent eſtate in his fathers houſe, to go he know not whither, to receive an inheritance he knew not when. And truly luch fooles all the Saints are branded for, by the wiſe world. You know the man and his communication, ſaid Jehu to his companions, asking what that mad fellow came for, who was no other then a Prophet, 2 Kings 9.11. Now this requires courage to deſpiſe the ſhame, which the Chriſtian muſt expect to meete withal for his ſingularity. Shame is that which proud nature moſt diſdaines,Joh. 7.13.John 7:13 to avoid which many durſt not confeſſe Chriſt openly; many loſe heaven, becauſe they are aſhamed to go in a fooles coat thither. Again, as ſome will mock, ſo others will perſecute to death, meerly for this non-conformity in the Chriſtians principles and practices to them. This was the trap laid for the three children; they muſt dance after Nebuchadnezzars pipe, or burne. This was the plot laid to enſnare Daniel, who walk't ſo unblameably, that his very enemies gave him this teſtimony, that he had no fault, but his ſingularity in his Religion, Dan. 6.5. 'Tis a great honour to a Chriſtian, yea, to Religion it ſelfe, when all their enemies can ſay is, they are preciſe, and will not p. 8do as we do. Now in ſuch a caſe as this, when the Chriſtian muſt turn or burne; leave praying, or become a prey to the cruel teeth of bloody men; how many politick retreats, and ſelf-preſerving diſtinctions would a cowardly unreſolved heart invent? The Chriſtian, that hath ſo great oppoſition had need be well lock't into the ſaddle of his Profeſſion, or elſe he will be ſoon diſmounted.

3Thirdly, the Chriſtian muſt keep on his way to heaven in the midſt of all the ſcandals that are caſt upon the wayes of God, by the Apoſtaſie and foul falls of falſe Profeſſors. There were ever ſuch in the Church, who by their ſad miſcarriages in judgement and practice, have laid a ſtone of offence in the way of Profeſſion, at which weak Chriſtians are ready to make a ſtand, (as they at the bloody body of Aſahel, 2 Sam. 2.22.2 Sam 2:22) not knowing whether they may venture any further in their Profeſſion. Seeing ſuch (whoſe gifts they ſo much admired) lie before them, wallowing in the blood of their ſlaine Profeſſion: of zealous Profeſſors to prove, perhaps, fiery perſecutors; of ſtrict Performers of religious duties, irreligious Atheiſts: no more like the men they were ſome yeares paſt, then the vale of Sodom, (now a bog and quagmire) is, to what it was, when for fruitfulneſſe compared to the garden of the Lord. We had need have a holy reſolution to bear up againſt ſuch diſcouragements, and not to faint: as Joſhuah, who lived to ſee the whole Camp of Iſrael (a very few excepted) revolting, and in their hearts turning back to Egypt, and yet with an undaunted Spirit maintained his integrity, yea, reſolved though not a man beſide would beare him company, yet he would ſerve the Lord.

4Fourthly, the Chriſtian muſt truſt in a withdrawing God, Iſa. 50, v. 10. Let him that walks in darkneſſe, and ſees no light, truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. This requires a holy boldneſſe of faith indeed to venture into Gods preſence, as Eſther into Ahaſhuerus, when no ſmile is to be ſeen on his face, no golden ſcepter of the promiſe perceived by the ſoule, as held forth to embolden it to come near, then to preſſe in with this noble reſolution; If I periſh, I periſh. Nay more, to truſt not only in a withdrawing but a killing God;Job 13.15.Job 13:15 not when his love is hid, but when his wrath breakes forth: Now for a ſoule to make its approaches to God by a recumbency of faith, while God ſeemes p. 9to fire upon it, and ſhoot his frownes like envenomed arrowes into it. This is hard work, and will trie the Chriſtians mettal to purpoſe. Yet ſuch a maſculine ſpirit we finde in that poore woman of Canaan, who takes up the bullets Chriſt ſhot at her, and with an humble boldneſſe of faith ſends them back again in her prayer.

5Fifthly, the believer is to perſevere in his Chriſtian courſe to the end of his life, his work and his life muſt go off the ſtage together. This addes weight to every other difficulty of the Chriſtians calling: We have known many who have gone into the field, and liked the work of a ſouldier for a battel or two, but ſoon have had enough, and come running home again, but few can bear it as a conſtant trade. Many are ſoon engaged in holy duties, eaſily perſwaded to take up a Profeſſion of Religion, and as eaſily perſwaded to lay it down; like the new Moon, which ſhines a little in the firſt part of the night, but is down before half the night be gone; the lightſome Profeſſors in their youth, whoſe old age is wrapt up in thick darkneſſe of ſin and wickedneſſe; O this perſevering is a hard word! this taking up the croſſe daily, this praying alwayes, this watching night and day, and never laying aſide our clothes and armour, I mean indulging our ſelves to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God; this ſends many ſorrowful away from Chriſt, yet this is the Saints duty, to make Religion his every day work, without any vacation from one end of the yeare to the other. Theſe few inſtances are enough to ſhew what need the Chriſtian hath of reſolution. The application followes.

Ʋſe 1 This gives us then a reaſon why there are ſo many Profeſſors, and ſo few Chriſtians indeed; ſo many that run, and ſo few obtain; ſo many go into the field againſt Satan, and ſo few come out Conquerours; becauſe all have a deſire to be happy, but few have courage and reſolution to grapple with the difficulties, that meet them in the way to their happineſſe. All Iſrael came joyfully out of Egypt under Moſes his conduct, yea, and a mixed multitude with them, but when their bellies were a little pinched with hunger, and their greedy deſires of a preſent Canaan deferred, yea, inſtead of peace and plenty, war and penury, they (like white-liver'd ſouldiers) are ready to flie from their colours, p. 10and make a diſhonourable retreat into Egypt. Thus the greateſt part of thoſe who profeſſe the Goſpel, when they come to puſh of pike, to be tried what they will do, deny, endure for Chriſt, grow ſick of their enterpriſe: alas, their hearts fail them, they are like the waters of Bethlehem; but if they muſt diſpute their paſſage with ſo many enemies, they will even content themſelves with their own Ciſtern, and leave heaven to others that will venture more for it. O how many part with Chriſt at this croſſe-way! like Orpah they go a furlong or two with Chriſt, while he goes to take them off from their worldly hopes, and bids them prepare for hardſhip, and then they fairly kiſſe and leave him, loath indeed to loſe heaven, but more loth to buy it at ſo dear a rate. Like ſome green heads, that childiſhly make choice of ſome ſweet trade (ſuch as is the Confectioners) from a liquoriſh tooth they have to the junkets it affords, but meeting with ſoure ſauce of labour and toile that goes with them, they give in, and are weary of their ſervice; the ſweet bait of Religion hath drawn many to nibble at it, who are offended with the hard ſervice it calls to; It requires another ſpirit then the world can give or receive to follow Chriſt fully.

Ʋſe 2 Let this then exhort you, Chriſtians, to labour for this holy reſolution and proweſſe, which is ſo needful for your Chriſtian Profeſſion, that without it you cannot be what you profeſſe. The fearful are in the forelorne of thoſe that march for hell, Rev. 21. the violent and valiant are they, which take heaven by force: Cowards never wan heaven. Say not, thou haſt royal blood running in thy veins, and art begotten of God, except thou canſt prove thy pedigree by this heroick ſpirit, to dare to be holy in ſpite of men and devils. The Eagle tries her young ones by the Sun, Chriſt tries his children by their courage, that dare look on the face of death and danger for his ſake, Mark 8.34, 35. O how uncomly a ſight is it; a bold ſinner and a fearful Saint; one reſolved to be wicked, and a Chriſtian wavering in his holy courſe; to ſee guilt put innocency to flight, and hell keep the field, impudently braving it with diſplayed banners of open profaneneſſe; and Saints to hide their colours for ſhame, or run from them for feare, who ſhould rather wrap themſelves in them, and die upon the place, then thus betray the glorious Name of God, which is called upon by them to the ſcorne of the p. 11uncircumciſed. Take heart therefore, O ye Saints, and be ſtrong: your cauſe is good, God himſelf eſpouſeth your quarrel, who hath appointed you his own Son, General of the field, called The Captain of our ſalvation. He ſhall lead you on with courage,Heb. 2.Heb 2 and bring you off with honour. He lived and died for you, he will live and die with you: for mercy and tenderneſſe to his ſouldiers, none like him. Trajan, 'tis ſaid, rent his clothes to binde up his ſouldiers wounds; Chriſt poured out his blood as balm to heal his Saints wounds, teares of his fleſh to binde them up. For proweſſe, none to compare with him: he never turn'd his head from danger: no, not when hells malice and heavens juſtice appeared in field againſt him; Knowing all that ſhould come upon him, went forth and ſaid, Whom ſeek ye? John 18.4. For ſucceſſe inſuperable; he never loſt battel even when he loſt his life: he wan the field, carrying the ſpoiles thereof in the triumphant chariot of his Aſcenſion to heaven with him: where he makes an open ſhew of them to the unſpeakable joy of Saints and Angels. You march in the midſt of gallant ſpirits, your fellow-ſouldiers, every one the Son of a Prince: Behold, ſome (enduring with you here below a great fight of afflictions and temptations,) take heaven by ſtorme and force: Others you may ſee after many aſſaults, repulſes and rallyings of their faith and patience, got upon the walls of heaven Conquerours; from whence they do, as it were, look down, and call you their fellow-brethren on earth, to march up the hill after them, crying aloud, Fall on, and the city is your own, as now it is ours; who for a few dayes conflict, are now crowned with heavens glory, one moments enjoyment of which hath dried up all our teares, healed all our wounds, and made us forget the ſharpneſſe of the fight, with the joy of our preſent victory. In a word, Chriſtians, God and Angels are Spectatours, obſerving how you quit your ſelves like children of the moſt High; every exploit your faith doth againſt ſin and Satan, cauſeth a ſhout in heaven; while you valiantly proſtrate this temptation, ſcale that difficulty, regain the other ground you even now loſt, out of your enemies hands. Your deare Saviour, (who ſtands by with a reſerve for your relief at a pinch) his very heart leaps within him for joy, to ſee the proof of your love to him, and zeal for him in all your combates; and will not forget all the faithful ſervice p. 12you have done in his wars on earth: but when thou comeſt out of the field, will receive thee with the like joy, as he was entertained himſelf at his return to heaven of his Father. Now, Chriſtian, if thou meaneſt thus couragiouſly to bear up againſt all oppoſition, in thy march to heaven, as thou ſhouldeſt do well, to raiſe thy ſpirit with ſuch generous and ſoul-ennobling thoughts, ſo in an eſpecial manner look thy principles be well fixt, or elſe thy heart will be unſtable, and an unſtable heart is weak as water, it cannot excel in courage. Two things are required to fix our principles.

1Firſt, an eſtabliſhed judgement in the truth of God. He that knows not well what or whom he fights for, may ſoon be perſwaded to change his ſide, or at leaſt ſtand Neuter: ſuch may be found that go for Profeſſours, that can hardly give an account what they hope for, or whom they hope in; yet Chriſtians they muſt be thought, though they run before they know their errand: or if they have ſome principles they go upon, they are ſo unſetled, that every winde blowes them down, like looſe tyles from the houſe top. Blinde zeale is ſoon put to a ſhameful retreat, while holy reſolution, built on faſt principles, lifts up its head, like a rock in the midſt of the waves. Thoſe that know their God ſhall be ſtrong, and do exploits, Dan. 11.32. The Angel told Daniel who were the men that would ſtand to their tackling, and bear up for God in that houre, both of temptation and perſecution, which ſhould be brought upon them by Antiochus; not all the Jewes, ſome of them ſhould be corrupt barely by flatteries, others ſcared by threats out of their Profeſſion, only a few of fixed principles, who knew their God whom they ſerved, and were grounded in their Religion, theſe ſhould be ſtrong, and do exploits, that is, to flatteries they ſhould be incorruptible, and to power and force unconquerable.

2Secondly, a ſincere aime at the right end in our Profeſſion. Let a man be never ſo knowing in the things of Chriſt, if his aime be not right in his Profeſſion, that mans principles will hang looſe, he'll not venture much or far for Chriſt, no more, no further then he can ſave his own ſtake. A hypocrite may ſhew ſome mettal at hand, ſome courage for a ſpurt in conquering ſome difficulties, but he'll ſhew himſelf a jade at length. He that hath a falſe end in his Profeſſion, will ſoon come to an p. 13end of his Profeſſion, when he is pinch't on that toe where his corn is: I meane, called to deny that his naughty heart aimed at all this while, now his heart ſailes him, he can go no further. O take heed of this ſquint eye to our profit, pleaſure, honour or any thing beneath Chriſt and heaven; for they will take away your heart, as the Prophet ſaith of wine and women, that is, our love, and if our love be taken away, there will be little courage left for Chriſt. How couragious was Jehu at firſt, and he tells the world it is zeale for God: but why doth his heart faile him then, before half his work be done? his heart was never right ſet, that very thing that ſtirr'd up h…s zeal at firſt, at laſt quench't and cow'd it, and that was his ambition; his deſire of a Kingdom made him zealous againſt Ahabs houſe, to cut off them (who might in time juſtle him beſides the throne) which done, and he quietly ſetled, he dare not go through-ſtitch with Gods work, leſt he ſhould loſe what he got by provoking the people with a thorough information. Like ſome ſouldiers, when once they meet with a rich booty at the ſacking of ſome town, are ſpoil'd for fighting ever after.

CHAP. II. Of the Saints ſtrength, where it lies, and wherefore laid up in God.

THe ſecond Branch of the words followeth, which contains a cautionary direction. Having exhorted the Saints at Epheſus, and in them all believers to a holy reſolution and courage in their warfare; leſt this ſhould be miſtaken, and beget in them an opinion of their own ſtrength for the battel, the Apoſtle leads them out of themſelves for this ſtrength, even to the Lord; Be ſtrong in the Lord. From whence obſerve,

That the Chriſtians ſtrength lies in the Lord, not in himſelf.Doct. The ſtrength of the General in other hoſtes lies in his troops; he fl…es, as a great Commander once ſaid to his ſouldiers, upon p. 14their wings; if their feathers be clipt, their power broken, he is loſt; but in the Army of Saints, the ſtrength of every Saint, yea, of the whole hoſte of Saints lies in the Lord of hoſtes. God can overcome his enemies without their hands, but they cannot ſo much as defend themſelves without his arme. It is one of Gods names, The ſtrength of Iſrael, 1 Sam. 15.19. He was the ſtrength of Davids heart, without him this valiant Worthy (that could, when held up in his armes, defie him that defied an whole Army) behaves himſelf ſtrangely for feare, at a word or two that drop't from the Philiſtines mouth. He was the ſtrength of his hands, He taught his fingers to fight, and ſo he is the ſtrength of all his Saints in their war againſt ſin and Satan. Some propound a queſtion, whether there be a ſin committed in the world, in which Satan hath not a part? but if the queſtion were, whether there be any holy action performed without the ſpecial aſſiſtance of God concurring? that is reſolved, John. 15.5. Without me you can do nothing. Thinking ſtrength of God, 2 Cor. 3.5. Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves, to think any thing as of our ſelves, but our ſufficiency is of God. We Apoſtles, we Saints that have habitual grace, yet this lies like water at the bottome of a Well, which will not aſcend with all our pumping, till God poure in his exciting grace, and then it comes. To will is more then to think, to exert our will into action, more then both; theſe are of God, Phil. 2.13. It is God that worketh in you to will, and to do of his good pleaſure. He makes the heart new, and having made it fit for heavenly motion, ſetting every wheele (as it were) in its right place, then he windes it up by his actuating grace, and ſets it on going, the thoughts to ſtir, the will to move, and make towards the holy object preſented; yet here the chariot is ſet, and cannot aſcend the hill of action, till God puts his ſhoulder to the wheele, Rom. 7. To will is preſent with me, but how to performe that which is good I finde not. God is at the bottome of the ladder, and at the top alſo, the Author and Finiſher, yea, helping and lifting the ſoule at every round, in his aſcent to any holy action. Well, now the Chriſtian is ſet on work, how long will he keep cloſe to it? Alas, poor ſoul, no longer then he is held up by the ſame hand, that impowered him at firſt. He hath ſoon wrought out the ſtrength received, and therefore to maintain the tenure of a holy courſe. there muſt be p. 15renewing ſtrength from heaven every moment, which David knew, and therefore when his heart was in as holy a frame as ever he felt it, and his people by their free-will-offering declared the ſame: yet even then he prayes, that God would keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of his people, and eſtabliſh their hearts to him, 1 Chron. 29.18. He adored the mercy that made them willing, and then he implores his further grace to ſtrengthen them, and tie a knot, that theſe precious pearles newly ſtrung on their hearts, might not ſlip off. The Chriſtian, when fulleſt of divine communications, is bu… a glaſſe without a foot, he cannot ſtand, or hold what he hath received any longer, then God holds him in his ſtrong hand. Therefore Chriſt, when bound for heaven, and ready to take his leave of his children, beſpeaks his Fathers care of them in his abſence; Father, keep them; as if he had ſaid, they muſt not be left alone,John 17.John 17 they are poor ſhiftleſſe children, that can neither ſtand nor go without help; they will loſe the grace I have given them, and fall into thoſe temptations, which I kept them from while I was with them, if they be out of thy eye or armes but one moment; and therefore, Father, keep them.

Again, Conſider the Chriſtian, as addreſſing himſelf to any duty of Gods worſhip, ſtill his ſtrength is in the Lord; Would he pray? where will he finde materials for his prayer? alas, he knows not what to pray for as he ought. Let him alone,Rom. 8.Rom 8 and he will ſoon pray himſelf into ſome temptation or other, and cry for that which were cruelty in God to give; and therefore God puts words in our mouthes; Take words with you, and ſay, Hoſ. 14.2. Well, now he hath words put into his mouth; alas, they will freeze in his very lips, if he hath not ſome heart-heating affections to thaw the tap: and where ſhall this fire be had? not a ſpark to be found on his own hearth; except it be ſome ſtrange fire of natural deſires, which will not ſerve: whence then muſt the fire come to thaw the iceneſſe of the heart, but from heaven? The Spirit, he muſt ſtretch himſelf upon the ſoul, (as the Prophet on the childe) and then the ſoule will come to ſome kindly warmth, and heavenly heat in his affections; the Spirit muſt groane, and then the ſoul will groane, he helps us to theſe ſighs and groans, which turne the ſailes of prayer. He diſſolves the heart, and then it burſts out of the heart by groans, of the p. 16lips by heavenly Rhethorick, out of the eyes as from a floodgate with teares: yet further now the creature is enabled to wreſtle with God in prayer; what will he get by all this? ſuppoſe he be weak in grace, is he able to pray himſelf ſtrong, or corruption weak? no, this is not to be found in prayer, as an act of the creature: this drops from heaven alſo. In the day that I cried, Pſ. 138.2.Ps 138:2thou anſweredſt me, and gaveſt me strength in my ſoul. David received it in duty, but had it not from his duty, but from his God. He did not pray himſelf ſtrong, but God ſtrengthened him in his prayer. Well, caſt your eye once more upon the Chriſtian, as engaging in another Ordinance of hearing the Word preach't. The ſoules ſtrength to heare the Word is from God,Act 16.14.Acts 16:14 he opens the heart to attend, yea, he opens the underſtanding of the Saint to receive the Word, ſo as to conceive what it meant. It is like Samſons riddle which we cannot unfold without his Heifer: He opens the wombe of the ſoule to conceive by it, as the underſtanding to conceive of it, that the barren ſoul becomes a joyful mother of children. David ſate for halfe a year under the publick Lectures of the Law, and the wombe of his heart ſhut up, till Nathan comes and God with him, and now is the time of life, he conceives preſently, yea, and brings forth in the ſame day, falls preſently into the bitter pangs of ſorrow for his ſins, which went not over till he had caſt them forth in that ſweet Pſalm 51. Why ſhould this one word work more, then all the former, but that God now ſtruck in with his Word, which he did not before? He is therefore ſaid to teach his people to profit;Iſa. 48.17.Isa 48:17 he ſits in heaven that teacheth hearts When Gods Spirit (who is the Head-maſter) ſhall call a ſoul from his Uſher to himſelfe, and ſay, Soul, you have not gone the way to thrive by hearing the Word, thus, and thus conceive of ſuch a truth, improve ſuch a promiſe, preſently the eyes of his underſtanding open, and his heart burnes within him, while he ſpeaks to him. Thus you ſee the truth of this Point, That the Chriſtians ſtrength is in the Lord. Now we ſhall give ſome demonſtrations.

p. 17SECT. I.

Reaſon 1 The firſt Reaſon may be taken from the nature of the Saints and their grace, both are creatures, they and their grace alſo: now Ineſſe eſt de eſſe creaturae. 'Tis in the very nature of the creature, to depend on God its Maker, both for being and operation. Can you conceive an accident to be out of its ſubject, whiteneſſe out of the wall, or ſome other ſubject? 'tis as impoſſible that the creature ſhould be, or act without ſtrength from God: This, to be, act in and of himſelf, is ſo incommunicable a property of the Deity, that he cannot impart it to his creature: God is, and there is none beſides him: when God made the world, it is ſaid indeed he ended his work, that is, of Creation: he made no new ſpecies and kindes of creatures more; but to this day he hath not ended his work of Providence; Hitherto my Father worketh, ſaith Chriſt, John. 5.17. that is, in preſerving and empowering what he hath made with ſtrength to be and act, and therefore he is ſaid to hold our ſouls in life. Works of Art, which man makes, when finiſh't may ſtand ſome time without the Workmans help, as the houſe, when the Carpenter that made it is dead; but Gods works both of nature and grace are never off his hand, and therefore as the Father is ſaid to work hitherto for the preſervation of the works of nature, ſo the Son, to whom is committed the work of Redemption, he tells us he worketh alſo. Neither ended he his work, when he roſe again, any otherways then his Father did in the work of Creation. God made an end of making, ſo Chriſt made an end of purchaſing mercy, grace and glory for believers by once dying; and as God reſted at the end of the Creation, ſo he, when he had wrought eternal Redemption, and by himſelf purged our ſins, ſate down on the right hand of the Majeſty on High, Heb. 1.3. But he ceaſeth not to work by his interceſſion with God for us, and by his Spirit in us for God, whereby he upholds his Saints, their graces, and comforts in life, without which they would run to ruine. Thus we ſee as grace is a creature, the Chriſtian depends on God for his ſtrength. But further,

Reaſon 2 Secondly, the Chriſtians grace is not only a creature, but a p. 18weak creature, conflicting with enemies ſtronger then it ſelfe, and therefore cannot keep the field without an auxiliary ſtrength from Heaven. The weakeſt goes to the wall, if no ſuccour comes in. Grace in this life is but weak, like a King in the Cradle, which gives advantage to Satan to carry on his plots more ſtrongly, to the diſturbance of this young Kings reigne in the ſoule, yea, he would ſoon make an end of the war in the ruine of the believers grace, did not Heaven take the Chriſtian into protection. 'Tis true indeed, grace whereever it is, hath a principle in it ſelfe, that makes it deſire and endeavour to preſerve it ſelf according to its ſtrength, but being over-powered muſt periſh, except aſſiſted by God, as fire in green wood, (which deads and damps the part kindled) will in time go out except blown up, or more fire put to that little; ſo will grace in the heart. God brings his grace into the heart by Conqueſt: now as in a conquered City, though ſome yield and become true ſubjects to the Conquerour; yet others plot how they may ſhake off this yoke; and therefore it requires the ſame power to keep, as was to win it at firſt. The Chriſtian hath an unregenerate part, that is diſcontented at this new change in the heart, and diſdains as much to come under the ſweet government of Chriſts Scepter, as the Sodomites that Lot ſhould judge them. What, this fellow, a Stranger, controule us? And Satan heads this mutinous rout againſt the Chriſtian: ſo that if God ſhould not continually re-inforce this his new-planted Colony in the heart, the very natives (I mean corruptions) that are left, would come out of their dens and holes where they lie lurking, and eat up the little grace the holieſt on earth hath, it would be as bread to theſe devourers.

Reaſon 3 A third demonſtration may be taken from the grand deſigne, which God propounds to himſelf in the Saints ſalvation; yea, in the tranſaction of it from firſt to laſt. And that is two-fold.

1Firſt, God would bring his Saints to heaven in ſuch a way, as might be moſt expreſſive of his deare love and mercy to them.

2Secondly, he would ſo expreſſe his mercy and love to them, as might rebound back to him, in the higheſt advance of his own glory poſſible: Now how becoming this is to both, that p. 19Saints ſhould have all their ability for every ſtep they take in the way to heaven, will ſoon appear.

IFirſt, this way of communicating ſtrength to Saints gives a double accent to Gods love and mercy.

1Firſt, it diſtills a ſweetneſſe into all the believer hath or doth, when he findes any comfort in his boſome, any enlargement of heart in duty, any ſupport under temptations: To conſider whence came all theſe, what friend ſends them in? they come not from my own ciſterne, or any creatures? O 'tis my God that hath been here, and left this ſweet perfume of comfort behinde him in my boſome, my God, that hath (unawares to me) fill'd my ſailes with the gales of his Spirit, and brought me off the flats of my own deadneſſe, where I lay a ground. O 'tis his ſweet Spirit that held my head, ſtayed my heart in ſuch an affliction and temptation, or elſe I had gone away in a fainting fit of unbelief. How can this chooſe but endear God to a gracious ſoul? his ſuccours coming ſo immediately from heaven, which would, be loſt, if the Chriſtian had any ſtrength to help himſelfe, (though this ſtock of ſtrength came at firſt from God) Which, think you, ſpeaks more love and condeſcent; for a Prince to give a penſion to a Favourite, on which he may live by his owne care, or for this Prince to take the chief care upon himſelf, and come from day to day to this mans houſe, and look into his Cupboard, and ſee what proviſion he hath, what expence he is at, and ſo conſtantly to provide for the man from time to time? Poſſibly ſome proud ſpirit, that likes to be his own man, or loves his meanes better then his Prince, would prefer the former, but one that is ambitious to have the heart and love of his Prince, would be raviſh't with the latter. Thus God doth with his Saints, the great God comes and looks into their Cupboard, and ſees how they are laid in, and ſends in accordingly, as he findes them. Your heavenly Father knowes you have need of theſe things, and you ſhall have them. He knows you need ſtrength to pray, hear, ſuffer for him, and in ipſâ horâ dabitur.

2Secondly, this way of Gods dealing with his Saints, addes to the fulneſſe and ſtability of their ſtrength. Were the ſtock in our own hands, we ſhould ſoon prove broken Merchants. God knows we are but leaking veſſels, when fulleſt, we could not hold it long; and therefore to make all ſure, he ſets us under the p. 20ſtreamings forth of his ſtrength, and a leaking veſſel under a cock gets what it loſeth. Thus we have our leakage ſupplied continually. This was the proviſion God made for Iſrael in. the wilderneſſe; He clave the rock, and the rock followed them. They had not only a draught at preſent, but it ran in a ſtreame after them; ſo that you hear no more of their complaints for water; This rock was Chriſt. Every believer hath Chriſt at his back, following him with ſtrength as he goes, for every condition and trial. One flower with the root is worth many in a poſie, which though ſweet yet do not grow, but wither as we wear them in our boſomes. Gods ſtrength, as the root keeps our grace lively, without which though as orient as Adams was, it would die.

2The ſecond deſign God hath in his Saints happineſſe is, that he may ſo expreſſe his mercy and love to them, as may rebound back to him in the higheſt advance of his own glory therein, Eph. 1.4, 12. which is fully attained in this way of empowering Saints, by a ſtrength not of their own, but of their God his ſending, as they are put to expence. Had God given his Saints a ſtock of grace to have ſet up with, and left them to the improvement of it, he had been magnified indeed, becauſe it was more then God did owe the creature, but he had not been omnified as now, when not only the Chriſtians firſt ſtrength to cloſe with Chriſt is from God, but he is beholden ſtill to God for the exerciſe of that ſtrength, in every action of his Chriſtian courſe. As a childe that travels in his fathers company, all is paid for, but his father carries the purſe, not himſelf: ſo the Chriſtians ſhot is diſcharged in every condition; but he cannot ſay this I did, or that I ſuffered, but God wrought all in me and for me. The very combe of pride is cut here, no room for any ſelf exalting thoughts. The Chriſtian cannot ſay, that I am a Saint is mercy, but being a Saint that my faith is ſtrong, this is the childe of my own care and watchfulneſſe. Alas, poor Chriſtian! who kept thine eye waking, and ſtirr'd up thy care? was not this the off-ſpring of God as well as thy faith at firſt? No Saint ſhall ſay of Heaven when he comes there, This is Heaven which I have built by the power of my might. No, Jeruſalem above is a City, whoſe builder and maker is God, Every grace, yea, degree of grace is a ſtone in that building, the topſtone whereof is p. 21laid in glory, where Saints ſhall more plainly ſee, how God was not only Founder to begin, but Benefactour alſo to finiſh the ſame. The glory of the work ſhall not be crumbled, and piece-meal'd out, ſome to God, and ſome to the creature, but all entirely paid in to God, and he acknowledged all in all.

SECTION. 2.

Ʋſe 1 Is the Chriſtians ſtrength in the Lord, not in himſelf, Surely then the Chriſtleſſe perſon muſt needs be a poor impotent creature, void of all ſtrength and ability of doing any thing of it ſelf towards its own ſalvation. If the ſhip launch't, rigg'd, and with her ſails ſpread cannot ſtir, till the winde come faire and fills them, much leſſe can the timber that lies in the Carpenters yard, hew and frame it ſelf into a ſhip. If the living tree cannot grow, except the root communicate its ſap, much leſſe can a dead rotten ſtake in the hedge, which hath no root, live of its own accord. In a word, if a Chriſtian, that hath this ſpiritual life of grace, cannot exerciſe this life, without ſtrength from above; then ſurely, one void of this new life, dead in ſins and treſpaſſes, can never be able to beget this in himſelfe, or concur to the production of it. The ſtate of unregeneracy is a ſtate of impotency, When we were without ſtrength in due time Chriſt died for the ungodly, Rom. 5.6. And as Chriſt found the lump of mankinde covered with the ruines of their lapſed eſtate, (no more able to raiſe themſelves from under the weight of Gods wrath which lay upon them, then one buried under the rubbiſh of a fallen houſe, is to free himſelfe of that weight without help) ſo the Spirit findes ſinners in as helpleſs a condition, as unable to repent, or believe on Chriſt for ſalvation, as they were of themſelves to purchaſe it. Confounded therefore for ever be the language of thoſe ſons of pride, who cry up the power of nature, as if man with his own brick and ſlime of natural abilities were able to reare up ſuch a building, whoſe top may reach heaven it ſelfe. It is not of him that willeth or runneth, Rom. 9.16Rom 9:16but God that ſheweth mercy. God himſelf hath ſcattered ſuch Babel-builders p. 22in the imaginations of their hearts, who raiſeth this ſpiritual Temple in the ſoules of men, not by might, nor by a power of their own, but by his Spirit, that ſo grace, grace, might be proclaimed before it for ever. And therefore if any yet in their natural eſtate would become wiſe to ſalvation, let them firſt become fooles in their own eyes, and renounce their carnal wiſdom, which perceives not the things of God, and beg wiſdom of God, who giveth and upbraideth not. If any man would have ſtrength to believe, let them become weak, and die to their own, for by ſtrength ſhall no man prevaile, 1 Sam. 2.9.

Ʋſe 2 Secondly, doth the Chriſtians ſtrength lie in God, not in himſelfe? this may for ever keep the Chriſtian humble, when moſt enlarged in duty, moſt aſſiſted in his Chriſtian courſe. Remember, Chriſtian, when thou haſt thy beſt ſuit on, who made it, who paid for it: Thy grace, thy comfort is neither the work of thy own hands, nor the price of thy own deſert, be not for ſhame proud of anothers coſt. That aſſiſtance will not long ſtay, which becomes a nurſe to thy pride; thou art not Lord of that aſſiſtance thou haſt. Thy Father is wiſe, who when he alloweth thee moſt for thy ſpiritual maintenance, even then keeps the Law in his own hands, and can ſoon curb thee, if thou groweſt wanton with his grace. Walk humbly therefore before thy God, and husband well that ſtrength thou haſt, remembring that it is borrowed ſtrength. Nemo prodiget quod mendicat. Who will waſte what he begs? or who will give that beggar that ſpends idly his almes? when thou haſt moſt thou canſt not be long from thy God his door. And how canſt thou look him on the face for more, who haſt imbezell'd what thou haſt received?

p. 23CHAP. III. Of acting our faith on the Almighty Power of God.

THe third Branch followeth, which contains an encouraging Amplification annexed to the exhortation in theſe words; And in the Power of his might, where a twofold enquiry is requiſite for the explication of the phraſe. Firſt, what theſe words import, The Power of his might? Secondly, what it is to be ſtrong in the Power of his might?

For the firſt, the Power of his might: It is an Hebraiſm, & imports nothing but his mighty Power; like that phraſe, Eph. 1.6. To the praiſe of the glory of his grace, that is, to the praiſe of his glorious grace. And his mighty Power imports no leſſe then his Almighty Power; ſometimes the Lord is ſtiled mighty and strong, as Pſ. 24.8. ſometimes moſt mighty, ſometimes Almighty, no leſſe is meant in all, then Gods infinite Almighty Power.

For the ſecond, to be ſtrong in the mighty Power, or Power of the Lords might, implies theſe two acts of faith.

1Firſt, a ſetled firme perſwaſion, that the Lord is Almighty in Power. Be strong in the Power of his might, that is, be ſtrongly rooted in your faith, concerning this one foundation-truth, that God is Almighty.

2Secondly, it implies a further act of faith, not only to believe, that God is Almighty, but alſo that this Almighty Power of God is engaged for its defence: ſo as to bear up in the midſt of all trials and temptations undauntedly, leaning on the arme of God Almighty, as if it were his own ſtrength; for that is the Apoſtles drift, as to beat us off from leaning on our own ſtrength, ſo to encourage the Chriſtian to make uſe of Gods Almighty Power, as freely as if it were his own; when ever aſſaulted by Satan in any kinde. As a man ſet upon by a thief, ſtirs up all the force and ſtrength he hath in his whole body to p. 24defend himſelf and offend his adverſary; ſo the Apoſtle bids the Chriſtian be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the Power of his might, that is, Soul, away to thy God, whoſe mighty Power is all intended and devoted by God himſelf for thy ſuccour and defence. Go ſtrengthen and entrench thy ſelfe in it by a ſtedfaſt faith, as that which ſhall be laid out to the utmoſt for thy good. From whence theſe two Notes, I conceive, will draw out the fatneſſe of the words.

1. That it ſhould be the Chriſtians great care and endeavour in all temptations and trials, to ſtrengthen his faith on the Almighty Power of God.

2. The Chriſtians duty and care is not only to believe that God is Almighty, but ſtrongly by faith to reſt on this Almighty Power of God, as engaged for his help and ſuccour in all his trials and temptations.

Doct.Firſt, it ſhould be the Chriſtians great care in all temptations and trials, to ſtrengthen his faith on the Almighty Power of God. When God holds forth himſelfe as an object of the ſouls truſt and confidence in any great ſtrait or undertaking; commonly this attribute of his Almighty power is preſented in the promiſe, as the ſureſt hold faſt for faith to lay hold on; as a Father in rugged way, gives his childe his arme to lay hold by, ſo doth God uſually reach forth his Almighty power for his Saints, to exerciſe their faith on. Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob, whoſe faith God tried above moſt of his Saints before or ſince, for not one of thoſe great things which were promiſed to them, did they live to ſee performed in their dayes; and how doth God make known himſelf to them for their ſupport, but by diſplaying this Attribute? Exod. 6.3. I appeared unto Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob by the Name of God Almighty. This was all they had to keep houſe with all their dayes: with which they lived comfortably, and died triumphantly, bequeathing the promiſe to their children, not doubting (becauſe God Almighty had promiſed) of the performance. Thus, Iſa. 26. where great mercies are promiſed to Judah, and a Song penn'd before-hand to be ſung on that gaudie day of their ſalvation: yet becauſe there was a ſharp Winter of Captivity to come between the Promiſe, and the Spring-time of the promiſe; therefore to keep their faith alive in this ſpace, the Prophet calls them up to act p. 25their faith on God Almighty, v. 4. Truſt ye in the Lord Jehovah, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlaſting ſtrength. So when his Saints are going into the furnace of perſecution, what now doth he direct their faith to carry to priſon, to ſtake with them but this Almighty power? 1 Pet. 4.19. Let them that ſuffer, commit the keeping of their ſouls to him, as to a faithful Creatour Creatour is a name of Almighty Power, we ſhall now give ſome. Reaſons of the Point.

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, becauſe it is no eaſie work to make uſe of this truth, (how plain and clear ſoever it now appears,) in great plunges of temptation, that God is Almighty; To vindicate this Name of God from thoſe evil reports, which Satan and carnal Reaſon raiſe againſt it, requires a ſtrong faith indeed. I confeſſe this principle is a piece of natural divinity; That light which finds out a Deity, will evince (if followed cloſe) this God to be Almighty; yet in a carnal heart, it is like a ruſty ſword, hardly drawn out of the ſcabbard, and ſo of little or no uſe. Such truths are ſo impriſoned in natural conſcience, that they ſeldome get a faire hearing in the ſinners boſome, till God gives them a Goal-delivery, and brings them out of their houſe of bondage, where they are ſhut up in unrighteouſneſſe with a high hand of his convincing Spirit. Then and not till then the ſoule will believe God is holy, merciful, Almighty; nay, ſome of Gods peculiar people, and not the meaneſt for grace amongſt them, have had their faith for a time ſet in this ſlough, much ado to get over thoſe difficulties and improbabilities, which ſenſe and Reaſon have objected, ſo as to relie on the Almighty Power of God, with a notwithſtanding. Moſes himſelf, a ſtarre of the firſt magnitude for grace, yet ſee how his faith blinks and twinkles, till he wades out of the temptation, Numb. 11.21. The people among whom I am are ſix hundred thouſand, and thou haſt ſaid, I will give them fleſh that they may eat a whole monethmonth, ſhall the flocks and the herds be ſlain for them to ſuffice them? This holy man had loſt the ſight for a time of the Almighty Power of God, and now he is projecting how this ſhould be done; as if he had ſaid in plain termes, How can this be accompliſhed? for ſo God interprets his reaſoning, v. 23, And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Is the Lords hand waxed ſhort? So Mary, John 11.32. Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. And her Siſter p. 26Martha, v. 39. Lord, by this time he ſtinketh. Both gracious women, yet both betrayed the weakneſſe of their faith on the Almighty Power of Chriſt, one limiting him to place; If thou hadſt been here he had not died; as if Chriſt could not have ſaved his life abſent as well as preſent, ſent his health to him as well as brought it with him. The other to time, Now he ſtinketh. As if Chriſt had brought his Phyſick too late, and the grave would not deliver up its priſoner at Chriſts command; and haſt thou ſuch an high opinion of thy ſelf, Chriſtian, that thy faith needs not thy utmoſt care and endeavour for further eſtabliſhment on the Almighty Power of God, when thou ſeeſt ſuch as theſe daſh their foot againſt this kinde of temptation?

The ſecond Reaſon may be taken from the abſolute neceſſity of this act of faith above others, to ſupport the Chriſtian in the houre of temptation. All the Chriſtians ſtrength and comfort is fetched without doors, and he hath none to ſend of his errand but faith; This goes to heaven and knocks God up, as he in the parable, his neighbour at midnight for bread: Therefore when faith failes, and the ſoul hath none to go to market for ſupplies, there muſt needs be a poor houſe kept in the meane time. Now faith is never quite laid up, till the ſoul denies, or at leaſt queſtions the Power of God. Indeed, when the Chriſtian diſputes the Will of God, whiſpering within its own boſome, will he pardon? will he ſave? this may make faith go haltingly to the throne of grace, but not knock the ſoule off from ſeeking the face of God: even then faith on the Power of God, will bear it company thither: If thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean;Mat. 8.2.Matt 8:2 if thou wilt, thou canſt pardon, thou canſt purge: But when the ſoul concludes he cannot pardon, cannot ſave, this ſhoots faith to the heart, ſo that the ſoule falls at the foot of Satan, not able more to reſiſt. Now it growes liſtleſſe to duty, indifferent whether it pray or not, as one that ſees the Well dry, breaks or throwes away his Pitcher.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, becauſe God is very tender of this flower of his Crown, this part of his Name: Indeed we cannot ſpell it right and leave out this letter; for that is Gods Name, whereby he is known from all his creatures. Now man may be called wiſe, merciful, mighty: God only all-wiſe, all-merciful, Almighty; ſo that when we leave out this ſyllable All, we nick-name God, p. 27and call him by his creatures name, which he will not anſwer to. Now the tenderneſſe that God ſhews to this Prerogative of his, appears in three particulars.

1Firſt, in the ſtrict command he layes on his people, to give him the glory of his power, Iſa. 8. 12, 13. Feare ye not their feare, but ſanctifie the Lord of hoſtes himſelf: that is, in this ſad poſture of your affaires, when your enemies aſſociate, and you ſeem a loſt people to the eye of Reaſon, not able to conteſt with ſuch united Powers, which beſet you on every ſide: Now I charge you ſanctifie me in giving me the glory of my Almighty Power; believe that your God is able of himſelf, without any other, to defend you, and deſtroy them.

2Secondly, in his ſeverity to his deareſt children, when they ſtagger in their faith, and come not off roundly (without reaſoning and diſputing the caſe) to relie on his Almighty Power: Zacharias did but ask the Angel, How ſhall I know this, becauſe I am an old man, and my wife ſtricken in yeares; yet for bewraying therein his unbelief, had a ſigne indeed given him, but ſuch a one as did not only ſtrengthen his faith, but ſeverely puniſh his unbelief, for he was ſtruck dumb upon the place. God loves his children ſhould believe his Word, not diſpute his power; ſo true is that of Luther, Deus amat curriſtas nonquaeristas. That which gave accent to Abrahams faith, Rom. 4.21. was that he was fully perſwaded, that what God had promiſed, he was able to performe.

3Thirdly, in the way God takes of giving his choiceſt mercies, and greateſt ſalvations to his people, wherein he layes the ſcene of his Providence ſo, that when he hath done, it may be ſaid Almighty Power was here. And therefore God commonly puts down thoſe means and ſecond cauſes, which if they ſtood about his work, would blinde and hinder the full proſpect thereof in effecting the ſame, 2 Cor. 1.9. We received the ſentence of death in our ſelves, that we might not truſt in our ſelves, but in God which raiſeth the dead. Chriſt ſtayed while Lazarus was dead, that he might draw the eyes of their faith more ſingly to look on his power, by raiſing his dead friend, rather then curing him being ſick, which would not have carried ſo full a conviction of Almightineſſe with it. Yea, he ſuffers a contrary power many times to ariſe in that very juncture of time, when he intends the p. 28mercy to his people, that he may reare up the more magnificent pillar of remembrance to his own power, in the ruine of that which conteſts with him. Had God brought Iſrael out of Egypt in the time of thoſe Kings which knew Joſeph, moſt likely they might have had a friendly departure and an eaſie deliverance, but God reſerves this for the reigne of that proud Pharaoh, who ſhall cruelly oppreſſe them, and venture his Kingdom, but he will ſatisfie his luſt upon them. And why muſt this be the time? but that God would bring them forth with a ſtretched-out arme: The magnifying of his power was Gods great deſigne, Exod. 9.16. In very deed for this cauſe have I raiſed thee up, to ſhew in thee my power, and that my Name may be declared throughout the earth.

4Fourthly, in the prevalency which an argument that is preſſed from his Almighty Power hath with God. It was the laſt ſtring Moſes had to his bowe, when he begg'd the life of Iſrael, Numb, 14.16. The Nations which have heard the fame of thee will ſpeak, ſaying, Becauſe the Lord was not able, &c. And, v. 17. Let the Power of my Lord be great; And with this he hath their pardon thrown him,

The Application of this Point will fall in under the next, which is

CHAP. IV. Of acting our faith on the Almighty Power of God, as engaged for our help.

Doct.THat it is the Saints duty, and ſhould be their care, not only to believe God Almighty, but alſo ſtrongly to believe that this Almighty Power of God is theirs, (that is, engaged for their defence and help) ſo as to make uſe of it in all ſtraits and temptations.

p. 29SECT. I.

Firſt, I ſhall prove that the Almighty Power of God is engaged for the Chriſtians defence, with the grounds of it. Secondly, why the Chriſtian ſhould ſtrongly act his faith on this.

1Firſt, the Almighty Power of God is engaged for the Saints defence; God brought Iſrael out of Egypt with an high hand, but did he ſet them down on the other ſide the Red-ſea, to finde and force their way to Canaan, by their own policie or power? When he had opened the iron gate of their houſe of bondage, and brought them into the open fields, did he vaniſh as the Angel from Peter, when out of priſon? No, as a man carries his ſon, ſo the Lord bare them in all the way they went, Deut. 1.31. This doth lively ſet forth the Saints march to heaven: God brings a ſoule out of ſpiritual Egypt by his converting grace, that is the day of his power, wherein he makes the ſoule willing to come out of Satans clutches. Now when the Saint is upon his march, all the countrey riſeth upon him. How ſhall this poore creature paſſe the pikes, and get ſafely by all his enemies borders? God himſelf infolds him in the arme of his everlaſting ſtrength. We are kept by the Power of God through faith unto ſalvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. The Power of God is that ſhoulder, on which Chriſt carries his ſheep home, rejoycing all the way he goes, Luke 15.5. Theſe everlaſting armes of his ſtrength are thoſe Eagles wings, upon which the Saints are both tenderly and ſecurely conveyed to glory, Exod. 19.4. There is a five fold tie or engagement that lies upon Gods power, to be the Saints lifeguard.

1Firſt, the near relation he hath to his Saints, they are his own dear children, every one takes care of his own, the ſilly Hen, how doth ſhe buſſle and beſtir her ſelf to gather her brood under her wing when the Kite appears? No care like that which Nature teacheth. How much more will God, who is the Father of ſuch diſpoſitions in his creature, ſtir up his whole ſtrength to defend his children? He ſaid, They are my people, ſo be became their Saviour, Iſa. 33.8. As if God had ſaid, Shall I ſit ſtill with my hand in my boſome, while my own people are thus miſuſed before p. 30my face: I cannot beare it. The Mother as ſhe ſits in her houſe heares one ſhreek, and knowes the voice, cries out, O 'tis my childe, away ſhe throws all, and runs to him. Thus God takes the alarm of his childrens cry; I heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelf, ſaith the Lord, his cry pierced his eare, and his eare affected his bowels, and his bowels call'd up his power to the reſcue of him.

2Secondly, the dear love he beareth to his Saints engageth his power. He that hath Gods heart, cannot want his arme. Love in the creature commands all the other affections, ſets all the powers of the whole man on work; thus in God, love ſets all his other attributes on work, when God once pitch't his thoughts of doing good to loſt man, then wiſdom fell on projecting the way, Almighty power that undertook to raiſe the fabrick according to wiſdomes modell. All are ready to effect what God ſaith he likes. Now the believing ſoule is an object of Gods choiceſt love, even the ſame, with which he loves his Son, John 17.26.

1Firſt, God loves the believer as the birth of his everlaſting counſel, when a ſoul believes, then Gods eternal purpoſe and counſel concerning him, (whom he choſe in Chriſt before the foundation of the world, and with whom his thoughts went ſo long big) brings forth. And how muſt God needs love that creature, whom he carried ſo long in the wombe of his eternal purpoſe? This goodly Fabrick of heaven and earth had not been built, but as a ſtage whereon he would in time act what he decreed in heaven of old, concerning the ſaving of thee, and a few more his Elect; and therefore according to the ſame rate of delight, with which God pleaſed and entertained himſelf in the thoughts of this before the world was, muſt he needs rejoyce over the ſoule now believing, with love and complacency unconceivable; and God having brought his counſel thus far towards its iſſue, ſurely will raiſe all the power he hath, rather then be diſappointed of his glory, within a few ſteps of home; I mean, his whole deſign in the believers ſalvation; The Lord who hath choſen his Saints,Zech. 3.Zech 3 (as Chriſt prayes for Joſhua their repreſentative will rebuke Satan and all their enemies.

2Secondly, God loves his Saints as the purchaſe of his Sons blood; they coſt him dear, and that which is ſo hardly got, ſhall p. 31not be eaſily loſt. He that was willing to expend his Sons blood to gain them, will not deny his power to keep them.

3Thirdly, God loves the Saints for their likeneſſe to himſelfe, ſo that if he loves himſelf, he cannot but love himſelf appearing in them; and as he loves himſelf in them, ſo he defends himſelf in defending them. What is it in a Saint that enrageth hell, but the image of God, without which the war would ſoon be at an end? It is the hatred the Panther hath to man that makes him flie at his picture; For thy ſake we are ſlain all the day long: and if the quarrel be Gods, ſurely the Saint ſhall not go forth to war at his own coſt.

3Thirdly, the Covenant engageth Gods Almighty power, Gen. 17.1. I am the Almighty God, walk before me. There is a League offenſive and defenſive between God and his Saints, he gives it under his hand, that he will put forth the whole power of his Godhead for them, 1 Chron. 17.24. The Lord of Hoſtes is the God of Iſrael, even a God to Iſrael. God doth not parcel himſelf out by retaile; but gives his Saints leave to challenge whatever a God hath as theirs, and let him whoever he is, ſit in Gods throne, and take away his crown, that can faſten any untruth on the Holy One; as his Name is, ſo is his Nature, a God keeping Covenant for ever. The Promiſes ſtand as the mountains about Jeruſalem, never to be removed; the weak as wel as the ſtrong Chriſtian is within this line of Communication. Were Saints to fight it out in open field by the ſtrength of their own grace, then the ſtrong were more likely to ſtand, and the weak to fall in battel, but both caſtled in the Covenant are alike ſafe.

4Fourthly, the Saints dependance on God, and expectation from God in all their ſtraits, oblige his power for their ſuccour; whither doth a gracious ſoule flie in any want or danger from ſin, Satan, or his inſtruments, but to his God? as naturally as the Coney to her burrough; Pſal. 57.3. At what time I am afraid, ſaith David, I will truſt in thee! He tells God he will make bold of his houſe to ſtep into, when taken in any ſtorme; and doth not queſtion his welcome. Thus when Saul hunted him, he left a city of gates and barres to truſt God in open field. Indeed all the Saints are taught the ſame leſſon, to renounce their own ſtrength, and relie on the Power of God, their own p. 32policie, & caſt themſelves on the wiſdom of God; their own righteouſneſſe; and expect all from the pure mercy of God in Chriſt which act of faith is ſo pleaſing to God, that ſuch a ſoul ſhall never be aſhamed, Pſal. 9.18. The expectation of the poor ſhall not periſh. A Heathen could ſay, when a bird (ſcared by a Hawke) flew into his boſome, I will not betray thee unto thy enemy, ſeeing thou comeſt for Sanctuary unto me. How much leſſe will God yield up a ſoule unto its enemy, when it takes Sanctuary in his Name, ſaying, Lord, I am hunted with ſuch a temptation, dogg'd with ſuch a luſt, either thou muſt pardon it, or I am damned; mortifie it, or I ſhall be a ſlave to it; take me into the boſome of thy love for Chriſts ſake; caſtle me in the armes of thy everlaſting ſtrength; it is in thy power to ſave me from, or give me up into the hands of my enemie: I have no confidence in my ſelf or any other: Into thy hands I commit my cauſe, my life, and relie on thee; This dependance of a ſoul undoubtedly will awaken the Almighty Power of God, for ſuch a ones defence: he hath ſworn the greateſt oath that can come out of his bleſſed lips, even by himſelf, that ſuch as thus flie for refuge to hope in him ſhall have ſtrong conſolation, Heb. 6.17. This indeed may give the Saint the greater boldneſſe of faith to expect kindly entertainment, when he repairs to God for refuge, becauſe he cannot come before he is look't for, God having ſet up his Name and Promiſes as a ſtrong Tower, both calls his people into theſe Chambers, and expects they ſhould betake themſelves thither.

6Sixthly, Chriſts preſence and employment in heaven layes a ſtrong engagement on God to bring his whole force and power into the field upon all occaſions for his Saints defence; one ſpecial end of his journey to heaven▪ and abode there is, that he might (as the Saints Solicitour) be ever interceding for ſuch ſupplies and ſuccours of his Father, as their exigencies call for; and the more to aſſure us of the ſame before he went, he did (as it were) tell us, what heads he meant to go upon in his interceſſion, when he ſhould come there; one of which was this, that his Father ſhould keep his children while they were to ſtay in the world, from the evil thereof, John 17.15. Neither doth Chriſt take upon him this work of his own head, but hath the ſame appointment of his Father, for what he now prayes in p. 33heaven, as he had for what he ſuffered on earth: He that ordained him a Prieſt to die for ſinners, did not then ſtrip him of his Prieſtly garments (as Aaron,) but appoints him to aſcend in them to heaven, where he ſits a Prieſt for ever by Gods Oath. And this office of interceſſion, was erected purely in mercy to believers, that they might have full content given them for the performance of all that God had promiſed; ſo that Jeſus Chriſt lies Lieger at Court as our Embaſſadour, to ſee all carried fairly between God and us according to agreement: And if Chriſt follows his buſineſſe cloſe, and be faithful in his place to believers, all is well; and doth it not behove him to be ſo, who intercedes for ſuch dear relations? Suppoſe a Kings Son ſhould get out of a beſieged City, where he hath left his wife and children; (whom he loves as his own ſoule,) and theſe all ready to die by ſword or famine, if ſupply come not the ſooner, could this Prince, when arrived at his fathers houſe pleaſe himſelf with the delights of the Court, and forget the diſtreſſe of his family? or rather would he not come poſt to his father, (having their cries and groans alwayes in his eares) and before he eat or drink, do his errand to his father, and entreat him if ever he lov'd him, that he would ſend all the force of his Kingdom to raiſe the ſiege, rather then any of his dear relations ſhould periſh? Surely (Sirs) though Chriſt be in the top of his preferment, and out of the ſtorme in regard of his own perſon, yet his children left behind in the midſt of ſins, Satans, and the worlds batteries are in his heart, and ſhall not be forgotten a moment by him. The care he takes in our buſineſſe appeared in the ſpeedy diſpatch he made of his Spirit to his Apoſtles ſupply, when he aſcended, which aſſoon almoſt as he was warme in his ſeat, at his Fathers right hand, he ſent, to the incomparable comfort of his Apoſtles and us, that to this day, yea, to the end of the world do, or ſhall believe on him.

SECT. 2.

The ſecond Branch of the point followes: that Saints ſhould eye this Power of God as engaged for them, and preſſe it p. 34home upon their ſoules till they ſilence all doubts and feares about the matter; which is the importance of this exhortation: Be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the Power of his might; Fortifie and entrench your ſoules within the breaſt-work of this attribute of Gods mighty Power made over to you by God himſelfe.

1Firſt, it is the end as of all Promiſes to be ſecurity to our faith, ſo of thoſe in particular where his Almighty Power is expreſly engaged, that we may count this attribute our portion, and reap the comfort it yields as freely, as one may the crop of his own field: Walk before me, ſaith God to Abraham, I am God Almighty; ſet on this as thy portion, and live upon it; The Apoſtle, Heb. 13.6. teacheth us what uſe to make of promiſes, verſe 5. I will never leave thee nor forſake thee, there is the promiſe, and the inference, which he teacheth us to draw by faith from this, follows, ver. 6. So we may boldly ſay, The Lord is my helper. We, that is, every believer may boldly ſay, that is, we may conclude God will help: not ſneakingly, timorouſly, perhaps he will; but we may boldly aſſert it in the face of men and devils, becauſe he that is Almighty hath ſaid it. Now for a Chriſtian not to ſtrengthen his faith on this incomparably ſweet attribute, but to ſit down with a few weak unſetled hopes, when he may, yea, ought to be ſtrong in the faith of ſuch promiſes, what is it but to undervalue the bleſſing of ſuch promiſes? as if one ſhould promiſe another houſe and land, and bid him make them as ſure to himſelf as the Law can binde, and he ſhould take no care to effect this, would it not be interpreted as a ſleighting of his friends kindneſſe? Is it a ſmall matter that God paſſeth over his Almighty power by promiſe to us, and bids us make it as ſure to our ſelves as we can by faith, and we neglect this, leaving the Writings of the promiſes unſealed on our hearts.

2Secondly, our obedience and comfort are ſtrong or weak as our faith is on this principle.

1Firſt, our obedience, that being a childe of faith partakes of its Parents ſtrength or weakneſſe; Abraham being ſtrong in faith, what an heroick act of obedience did he perform in offering up his Son? his faith being well ſet on the Power of God, he carries that without ſtaggering, which would have laid a weak faith on the ground. No act of faith more ſtrengthens p. 35for duty, then that which eyes Gods Almighty power engaged for its aſſiſtance, Go in this thy might, ſaid God to Gideon, have not I call'd thee? as if he had ſaid, Can I not, will I not carry thee through thy work? Away goes Gideon in the faith of this and doth wonders. This brought the righteous man from the Eaſt to Gods foot, though he knew not whither he went, yet he knew with whom he went, God Almighty. But take a ſoul not perſwaded of this how uneven and unſtable is he in his obediential courſe? every threat. from man if mighty diſmayes him, becauſe his faith not fixt on the Almighty, and therefore ſometimes he will ſhift off a duty to comply with man, and betray his truſt into the hands of a ſorry creature, becauſe he hath fleſhly eyes to behold the power of man, but wants a ſpiritual eye to ſee God at his back, to protect him with his Almighty power; which were his eyes open to ſee, he would not be ſo routed in his thoughts at the approach of a weak creature: Should ſuch a man as I flee? ſaid good Nehemiah, Nehem. 6.11. He was newly come from the throne of grace, where he had called in the help of the Almighty, verſe 9. O God, ſtrengthen my hands. And truly now he will rather die upon the place, then diſparage his God with a diſhonourable retreat.

2Secondly, the Chriſtians comfort increaſeth or waines, as the aſpect of his faith is to the power of God. Let the ſoule queſtion that or his intereſt in it, and his joy guſheth out, even as blood out of a broken vein: It is true, a ſoule may ſcramble to heaven with much ado, by a faith of recumbency, relying on God as able to ſave, without this perſwaſion of its intereſt in God; but ſuch a ſoule goes with a ſcant ſide-winde, or like a ſhip whoſe maſts are laid by the board, expoſed to winde and weather, if others better appointed did not tow it along with them. Many feares like waves ever and anon cover ſuch a ſoule, that it is more under water then above; whereas one that ſees it ſelfe folded in the armes of Almighty power, O how ſuch a ſoule goes mounting afore the winde, with her ſailes fill'd with joy and peace! Let affliction come, ſtormes ariſe, this bleſſed ſoule knows where it ſhall land and be welcome. The Name of God is his harbour, where he puts in as boldly, as a man ſteps into his own houſe, when taken in a ſhower. He heares God calling him into this and other his attributes, as p. 36Chambers taken up for him, Iſa. 26. Come my people, enter into thy Chambers. God calls them his, and it were fooliſh modeſty not to own what God gives, Iſa. 45.24. Surely ſhall a man ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſſe and ſtrength, that is, I have righteouſneſſe in Gods righteouſneſſe, ſtrength in his ſtrength, ſo that in this reſpect Chriſt can no more ſay that his ſtrength is his owne, and not the believers, then the husband can ſay my body is my own, and not my wives. A ſoule perſwaded of this may ſing merrily with the ſharpeſt thorne at its breaſt; ſo David, Pſal. 57.7. My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, I will ſing and give praiſe. What makes him ſo merry in ſo ſad a place as the Cave where now he was? he will tell you, verſe 1. where you have him neſtling himſelfe under the ſhadow of Gods wings, and now well may he ſing care and fear away. A ſoul thus provided, may lie at eaſe on a hard bed. Do you not think they ſleep as ſoundly who dwell on London-bridge as they who live at White-hall or Cheap-ſide, knowing the waves that roare under them cannot hurt them? Even ſo may the Saints reſt quietly over the floods of death it ſelfe, and feare no ill.

SECT. 3.

Ʋſe 1 Is the Almighty power of God engaged for the Saints defence? ſurely then they will have a hard pull, (the Saints enemies I mean) who meddle with them that are ſo far above their match. The devil was ſo cunning, he would have Job out of his trench, his hedge down, before he would fall on; but ſo deſperate are men, they will try the field with the Saints, though incircled with the Almighty power of God. What folly were it to attempt or ſit down before ſuch a City, which cannot be block't up ſo as no relief can get in: the way to heaven cannot. In the Churches ſtraiteſt ſiege, there is a river which ſhall make glad this City of God, with ſeaſonable ſuccours from heaven. The Saints freſh-ſprings are all from God, and it is as feaſible for ſorry man to ſtop the water-courſes of the clouds, as to dam up thoſe ſtreams, which inviſibly glide like veins of water in the earth, p. 37from the fountain-head of his mercy into the boſome of his people: the Egyptians thought they had Iſrael in a trap, when they ſaw them march into ſuch a nook by the ſea-ſide; They are entangled, they are entangled; and truly ſo they had been irrecoverably, had not that Almighty power which led them on, engaged to bring them off with honour and ſafety; well, when they are out of this danger; behold, they are in a wilderneſſe, where nothing is to be had for back and belly, and yet here they ſhall live fourty yeares, without trade or tillage, without begging or robbing of any of the Neighbour-nations, they ſhall not be beholden to them for a penny in their way; what cannot Almighty power do to provide for his people? what can it not do to protect them againſt the power and wrath of their enemies? Almighty power ſtood between the Iſraelites and the Egyptians, ſo that (poor creatures) they could not ſo much as come to ſee their enemie: God ſets up a dark cloud as a blinde before their eyes, and all the while, his eye through the cloud is looking them into diſorder and confuſion; And is the Almighty grown weaker now a dayes, or his enemies ſtronger, that they promiſe themſelves better ſucceſſe? No, neither; but men are blinder then the Saints enemies of old, who ſometimes have fled at the appearances of God among his people, crying out, Let us flee, for the Lord fighteth for them. Whereas there be many now a dayes will rather give the honour of their diſcomfitures to Satan himſelf, then acknowledge God in the buſineſſe; more ready to ſay the devil fought againſt them, then God? O you that have not yet worne off the impreſſions which the Almighty power of God hath at any time made upon your ſpirits, beware of having any thing to do with that generation of men, whoever they are. Come not near their Tabernacle, caſt not thy lot in amongſt them, who are enemies to the Saints of the moſt High, for they are men devoted to deſtruction. God ſo loves his Saints, that he makes nothing to give whole Nations for their ranſome. He rip't open the very wombe of Egypt, to ſave the life of Iſrael his childe, Iſa. 43.3.

Ʋſe 2 Secondly, this ſhews the diſmal, deplorable condition of all you, who are yet in a Chriſt leſſe ſtate, you have ſeen a rich mine open'd, but not a penny of this treaſure comes to your ſhare, a truth laden with incomparable comfort, but it is bound p. 38for another coaſt, it belongs to the Saints into whoſe boſome this truth unlades all her comfort: ſee God ſhutting the door upon you, when he ſets his children to feaſt themſelves with ſuch dainties, Eſay 65.13. My ſervants ſhall eat, but ye ſhall be hungry; my ſervants ſhall drink; but ye ſhall be thirsty. God hath his ſet number, which he provides for; He knows how many he hath in his family: theſe and no more ſhall ſit down. One chief diſh at the Saints board is the Almighty power of God; This was ſet before Abraham, and ſtands before all his Saints, that they may eate to fulneſſe of comfort on it; But thou ſhalt be hungry; He is Almighty to pardon, but he will not uſe it for thee an impenitent ſinner; thou haſt not a friend on the bench, not an attribute in all Gods Name will ſpeak for thee: Mercy it ſelf will ſit and vote with the reſt of its fellow-attributes for thy damnation. God is able to ſave and help in a time of need, but upon what acquaintance is it that thou art ſo bold with God, as to expect his ſaving arme to be ſtretcht forth for thee? Though a man will riſe at midnight to let in a childe, that cryes and knocks at his doore, yet he will not take ſo much paines for a dog, that lies howling there. This preſents thy condition, ſinner, ſad enough, yet this is to tell thy ſtory faireſt; for that Almighty power of God which is engaged for the beleevers ſalvation, is as deeply obliged to bring thee to thy execution, and damnation. What greater tie then an oath? God himſelf is under an oath to be the deſtruction of every impenitent ſoul. That oath which God ſware in his wrath againſt the unbeleeving Iſraelites, that they ſhould not enter into his reſt, concernes every unbeleever to the end of the world. In the Name of God conſider, were it but the oath of a man, or a company of men, that like thoſe in the Acts, ſhould ſweare to be the death of ſuch a one, and thou wert the man, would it not fill thee with feare and trembling night and day, and take away the quiet of thy life, till they were made friends? What then are their pillows ſtuft with, who can ſleep ſo ſoundly without any horrour or amazement, though they be told, that the Almighty God is under an oath of damning them body and ſoul, without timely repentance? O bethink your ſelves, ſinners, is it wiſdome, or valour to refuſe termes of mercy from Gods hands, whoſe Almighty power if rejected, will ſoone bring you p. 39into the hands of juſtice? and how fearful a thing that is, to fall into the hands of Almighty God, no tongue can expreſſe, no not they who feel the weight of it.

Ʋſe. 3 Thirdly, this ſpeaks to you, that are Saints indeed, Be ſtrong in the faith of this truth, make it an Article of your Creed: with the ſame faith that you beleeve there is a God, beleeve alſo this Gods Almighty power is thy ſure friend▪ and then improve it to thy beſt advantage. As,

1Firſt, in agonies of conſcience that ariſe from the greatneſſe of thy ſinnes, flie for refuge into the Almighty power of God. Truly Sirs, when a mans ſinnes are diſplayed in all their bloody colours, and ſpread forth in their k…lling aggravations, and the eye of conſcience awakened to behold them through the multiplying, or magnifying glaſſe of a temptation, they muſt needs ſurprize the creature with horror and amazement; till the ſoul can ſay with the Prophet: for all this huge hoaſt, There is yet more with me then againſt me. One Almighty is more then many Mighties. All theſe mighty ſinnes and devils, make not one Almighty ſinne, or an Almighty devil. Oppoſe to all the hideous charges brought againſt thee by them this onelyonly attribute. As the French Ambaſſadour once ſilenced the Spaniards pride in repeating his Maſters many titles, with one that drowned them all. God himſelf, Hoſea 11.9. when he had aggravated his peoples ſinnes to the height, then to ſhew what a God can do, breaks out into a ſweet promiſe: I will not execute the fierceneſſe of mine anger, and why not? I am God, and not man. I will ſhew the Almightineſſe of my mercy. Something like our uſual phraſe; when a childe or a woman ſtrikes us, I am a man, and not a childe, or woman, therefore I will not ſtrike again. The very conſidering God to be God, ſuppoſeth him Almighty to pardon as well as to avenge, and this is ſome relief; But then to conſider it is Almighty power in bond and Covenant to pardon, this is more; As none can binde God but himſelf, ſo none can break the bond himſelf makes: and are they not his own words, that he will abundantly pardon? Iſa. 55. he will multiply to pardon, as if he had ſaid, I'le drop mercy with your ſinne, and ſpend all I have, rather then let it be ſaid my good is overcome of your evil. It fares with the gracious ſoul in this caſe as with a Captaine, that yields p. 40his Caſtle upon gracious termes of having his life ſpared, and he ſafely convey'd to his houſe, there to be ſetled peaceably in his eſtate and poſſeſſions, for all which he hath the Generals hand and Seal, on which he marcheth forth; but the rude ſouldiers aſſault him, and put him in feare of his life, he appeals to the General, (whoſe honour now is engaged for him) and is preſently releeved, and his enemies puniſht: Thou mayeſt poore ſoule, when accuſed by Satan, molleſted by his terrours, ſay, It is God that juſtifies; I have his hand to it, that I ſhould have my life given me aſſoon as I laid down my armes and ſubmitted to him, which I deſire to do; behold, the gates of my heart are open to let the Prince of peace in, and is not the Almighty able to performe his promiſe? I commit my ſelfe to him as unto a faithful Creatour.

Secondly, improve this Almighty power of God, and thy intereſt therein, in temptations to ſin, when thou art over-powered, and flieſt before the face of thy ſtrong corruption, or feareſt thou ſhalt one day fall by it, make bold to take hold of this attribute, and re-inforce thy ſelf from it again to reſiſt, and in reſiſting, to believe a timely victory over it. The Almighty God ſtands in ſight of thee while thou art in the valley fighting, and ſtayes but for a call from thee when diſtreſſed in battel, and then he will come to thy reſcue: Jehoſhaphat cried, when in the throng of his enemies, and the Lord helped him, much more mayeſt thou promiſe thy ſelf his ſuccour in thy ſoul-combates: Betake thy ſelf to the throne of grace with that promiſe; Sin ſhall not have dominion over you: and before thou urgeſt it (the more to help thy faith,) comfort thy ſelf with this, that though this word Almighty is not expreſt, yet it is implied in this and every promiſe, and thou mayeſt without adding a title to the Word of God read it in thy ſoul; ſin ſhall not have dominion over you, ſaith the Almighty God, for this and all his attributes are the conſtant ſeale to all his promiſes. Now ſoule put the bond in ſuit, fear not the recovery, 'tis debt, and ſo due: He is able whom thou ſueſt, and ſo there is no feare of loſing the charge of the ſuit, and he that was ſo gracious to binde himſelf when he was free, will be ſo faithful (being able) to perform now he is bound: only while thou expecteſt the performance of the promiſe, and the aſſiſtance of this Almighty power againſt thy p. 41corruptions, take heed that thou keep under the ſhadow of this attribute, and condition of this promiſe.Pſal 91.1.Ps 91:1 The ſhadow will not cool except in it; what good to have the ſhadow, though of a mighty rock, when we ſit in the open Sun? To have Almighty power engaged for us, and we to throw our ſelves out of the protection thereof by bold ſalleys into the mouth of temptation? The Saints falls have been, when they run out of their trench and hold; for like the conies, they are a weak people in themſelves, and their ſtrength lies in the rock of Gods Almightineſſe, which is their habitation.

3Thirdly, Chriſtian, improve this, when oppreſt with the weight of any duty and ſervice, which in thy place and calling lies upon thee. Perhaps thou findeſt the duty of thy calling too heavy for thy weak ſhoulders, make bold by faith to lay the heavieſt end of thy burden on Gods ſhoulder, which is thine (if a believer) as ſure as God can make it by promiſe. When at any time thou art ſick of thy work, and ready to think with Jonas to run from it; encourage thy ſelfe with that of God to Gideon, whom he call'd from the flaile to threſh the mountains, Go in this thy might, hath not God call'd thee? fall to the work God ſets thee about, and thou engageſt his ſtrength for thee. The way of the Lord is ſtrength. Run from thy work, and thou engageſt Gods ſtrength againſt thee, he'll ſend ſome ſtorme or other after thee to bring home his runaway ſervant. How oft hath the Coward been kill'd in a ditch, or under ſome hedge, when the valiant ſouldier that ſtood his ground and kept his place got off with ſafety and honour? Art thou call'd to ſuffer? flinch not becauſe thou art afraid, thou ſhalt never be able to bear the croſſe; God can lay it ſo even, thou ſhalt not feel it; though thou ſhouldeſt finde no ſuccour till thou comeſt to the priſon-door, yea, till thou haſt one foot on the ladder, or thy neck on the block, deſpair not. In the Mount will the Lord be ſeen. And in that houre he can give thee ſuch a look of his ſweet face, as ſhall make the blood come in the gaſtly face of a cruel death, and appear lovely in thy eye for his ſake. He can give thee ſo much comfort in hand, as thou ſhalt acknowledge God is aforehand with thee, for all thy ſhame & pain thou canſt endure for him; And if it ſhould not amount to this, yet ſo much as will bear all thy charges thou canſt be put to in the way, lies ready told in that promiſe, 1 Cor. 10.13. p. 42Thou ſhalt have it at ſight, and this may ſatisfie a Chriſtian, eſpecially if he conſiders, though he doth not carry ſo much of heavens joy about him to heaven as others, yet he ſhall meet it as ſoon as he comes to his Fathers houſe, where it is reſerved for him. In a word, Chriſtian, relie upon thy God, and make thy daily applications to the throne of grace, for continual ſupplies of ſtrength: you little think how kindly he takes it, that you will make uſe of him, the oftner the better, and the more you come for, the more welcome; elſe why would Chriſt have told his diſciples, Hitherto ye have ask't nothing; but to expreſſe his large heart in giving, loath to put his hand to his purſe for a little, and therefore by a familiar kind of Rhetorick puts them to riſe higher in asking, as Naaman when Gehazi asks one talent, entreats him to take two; ſuch a bountiful heart thy God hath, while thou art asking a little peace and joy, he bids thee open thy mouth wide, and hee'l fill it, Go and ranſack thy heart, Chriſtian, from one end to the other, finde out thy wants, acquaint thy ſelfe with all thy weakneſſes, and ſet them before the Almighty, as the Widow her empty veſſels before the Prophet, hadſt thou more then thou canſt bring, thou mayeſt have them all fill'd. God hath ſtrength enough to give, but he hath no ſtrength to deny, here the Almighty himſelfe (with reverence be it ſpoken) is weak; even a childe, the weakeſt in grace of his family, that can but ſay Father, is able to overcome him; and therefore let not the weakneſſe of thy faith encourage thee. No greater motive to the bowels of mercy to ſtir up Almighty power to relieve thee, then thy weakneſſe, when pleaded in the ſenſe of it. The pale face and thin cheeks (I hope) move more with us, then the canting language of a ſtout ſturdy beggar. Thus that ſoule that comes laden in the ſenſe of his weak faith, love, patience, the very weakneſſe of them carries an argument along with them for ſuccour.

p. 43CHAP. V. Wherein is anſwered a grand Objection, that ſome diſconſolate ſoules may raiſe againſt the former Diſcourſe.

Object. O But, ſaith ſome diſconſolate Chriſtian, I have prayed again and again for ſtrength againſt ſuch a corruption, and to this day my hands are weak, and theſe ſons of Zerviah are ſo ſtrong, that I am ready to ſay, all the Preachers do but flatter me, that do poure their oyle of comfort upon my head, and tell me I ſhall at laſt get the Conqueſt of theſe mine enemies, and ſee that joyful day wherein with David, I ſhall ſing to the Lord, for delivering me out of the hands of all mine enemies. I have prayed for ſtrength for ſuch a duty, and finde it come off as weakly and dead-heartedly as before. If God be with me by his mighty power to help me, why then is all this befailen me?

Anſw. 1 Firſt, look once again, poor heart, into thy own boſom, and ſee whether thou findeſt not ſome ſtrength ſent into thee, which thou didſt over-look before; this may be, yea, is very ordinary in this caſe, when God anſwers our prayer not in the letter, or when the thing itſelfe is ſent, but it comes in at the back door, while we are expecting it at the fore; and truly thus the friend thou art looking for, may be in thine houſe and thou not know it. Is not this thy caſe, poor ſoul? thou haſt been praying for ſtrength againſt ſuch a luſt, and now thou wouldeſt have God preſently put forth his power to knock it on the head, and lay it for dead, that it ſhould never ſtir more in thy boſome: is not this the doore thou haſt ſtood looking for God to come in at, and no ſight or newes of thy God his coming that way? thy corruption yet ſtirs, it may be is more troubleſom then before; now thou askeſt, where is the ſtrength promiſed to thy relief? let me intreat thee before p. 44thou layeſt down this ſad Concluſion againſt thy God or ſelf, ſee whether he hath not conveyed in ſome ſtrength by another door: Perhaps thou haſt not ſtrength to conquer it ſo ſoon as thou deſireſt, but hath he not given further praying ſtrength againſt it? Thou prayedſt before, but now more earneſtly, all the powers of thy ſoul are up to plead with God; Before thou waſt more favourable and moderate in thy requeſt, now thou haſt a zeal, thou canſt take no denial, yea, welcome any thing in the room of thy corruption; Would God but take thy ſin and ſend a croſſe, thou wouldeſt bleſſe him: Now, poor ſoule, is this nothing, no ſtrength? Had not thy God re-inforced thee, thy ſin would have weakened thy ſpirit of prayer, and not increaſed it. David began to recover himſelf, when he began to recover his Spirit of prayer. The ſtronger the cry, the ſtronger the childe, I warrant you. Jacob wreſtled, and this is called his strength, Hoſ. 12. It appeared, there was much of God in him that he could take ſuch hold of the Almighty, as to keep it, though God ſeemed to ſhake him off; If thus thou art enabled, ſoule, to deal with the God of heaven, no feare but thou ſhalt be much more able to deal with ſin and Satan. If God hath given thee ſo much ſtrength, to wreſtle with him above and againſt denials, thou haſt prevailed with the ſtronger of the two: overcome God, and he'll overcome the other for thee. Again, perhaps thou haſt been praying for further ſtrength to be communicated to thee in duty, that thou mighteſt be more ſpiritual, vigorous, united, ſincere, and the like therein, and yet thou findeſt thy old diſtempers hanging about thee, as if thou hadſt never acquainted God with thy aile; Well, ſoule, look once again into thy boſome with an unprejudiced eye, though thou doeſt not find the aſſiſting ſtrength thou prayedſt for, yet haſt thou no more ſelf-abaſing ſtrength? perhaps the annoyance thou haſt from theſe remaining diſtempers in duty, occaſion thee to have a meaner opinion of all thy duties then ever, yea, they make thee abhor thy ſelfe in the ſenſe of theſe, as if thou hadſt ſo many loathſom vermein about thee. Jobs condition on the dunghil, with all his botches and running ſores on his body, appears deſirable to thee, in compariſon of thine, whoſe ſoul thou complaineſt is worſe then his body. O this afflicts thy ſoul deeply, doth it not? that thou ſhouldeſt appear before the Lord with ſuch a dead, divided heart, p. 45and do his work worſt that deſerves beſt at thy hands, and is all this nothing? Surely, Chriſtian, thine eyes are held as much as Hagars, or elſe thou wouldeſt ſee the ſtreamings forth of divine grace in this frame of thy heart; ſurely others will think God hath done a mighty work in thy ſoule; What harder and more againſt the haire, then to bring our proud hearts to take ſhame for that, whereof they naturally boaſt and glory? And is it nothing for thee to tread on the very neck of thy duties, and count them matter of thy humiliation and abaſing, which others make the matter of their confidence and ſelf-rejoycing? Good ſtore of vertue hath gone from Chriſt, to dry this iſſue of pride in thy heart, which ſometimes in gracious ones runs through and through their duties, that it is ſeen or may be by thoſe that have leſſe grace then themſelves.

Anſw. 2 Secondly, Chriſtian, candidly interpret Gods dealings with thee. Suppoſe it be as thou ſayeſt, thou haſt pleaded the promiſe, and waited on the means, and yet findeſt no ſtrength from all theſe receits, either in thy grace or comfort, now take heed of charging God fooliſhly, as if God were not what he promiſeth, this were to give that to Satan which he is all this while gaping for. It is more becoming the dutiful diſpoſition of a childe, when he hath not preſently what he writes for to his father, to ſay, my father is wiſer then I, his wiſdom will prompt him, what and when to ſend to me, and his fatherly affections to me his childe, will neither ſuffer him to deny any thing that is good, or ſlip the time that is ſeaſonable. Chriſtian, thy heavenly Father hath gracious ends that hold his hand at preſent, or elſe thou hadſt ere this heard from him.

1Firſt, God may deny further degrees of ſtrength to put thee on the exerciſe of that thou haſt more carefully. As a mother doth by her childe, that is learning to go, ſhe ſets it down, and ſtands ſome diſtance from it, and bids it come to her, the childe feels its legs weak, and cries for the mothers help, but the mother ſteps back on purpoſe, that the childe ſhould put forth all its little ſtrength in making after her: When a poor ſoul comes and prayes againſt ſuch a ſin, God ſeems to ſtep back and ſtand at a diſtance; the temptation increaſeth, and no viſible ſuccour appears, on purpoſe that the Chriſtian, though weak, ſhould exerciſe that ſtrength he hath. Indeed we ſhall finde the ſenſe p. 46of a ſoules weakneſſe, is an eſpecial meanes to excite it into a further care and diligence: One that knowes his weakneſſe, how prone he is in company to forget himſelf, in paſſion how apt he is to flie out, if there be a principle of true grace, this will excite him to be more fearful and watchful, then another that hath obtained greater ſtrength againſt ſuch great temptations. As a childe that writes for money to his father, none comes preſently, this makes him husband that little he hath the better, not a penny now ſhall be laid out idly; Thus when a Chriſtian hath prayed againſt ſuch a ſin again and again, and yet finds himſelf weak, prone to be worſted, O how careful will this, ſhould this make ſuch a one of every company, of every occaſion? Such a one had not need give his enemie any advantage.

2Secondly, God may deny the Chriſtian ſuch aſſiſting ſtrength in duty, or mortifying ſtrength of corruption as he deſires, purely on a gracious deſign, that he may thereby have an advantage of expreſſing his love in ſuch a way, as ſhall moſt kindly work upon the ingenuity of the ſoule to love God again. Perhaps (Chriſtian) thou prayeſt for a mercy thou wanteſt, or for deliverance out of ſome great affliction, and in the duty thou findeſt not more aſſiſtance then ordinary, yea, many diſtractions of ſpirit in it, and miſ-giving thoughts with unbelieving feares after it; Well, notwithſtanding thoſe defects in thy duty, yet God heares thy prayer, and ſends in the mercy on purpoſe, that he may greaten his love in thine eye, and make it more luſcious and ſweet to thy taſte, from his accepting thy weak ſervices, and paſſing by the diſtempers of thy ſpirit. Here is leſſe ſtrength for the duty, that thou mayeſt have more love in the mercy, nothing will affect a gracious heart more then ſuch a conſideration. See it in David, Pſal. 116.11, 12. I ſaid in my haſte, All men are liars. What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me? As if David had ſaid, notwithſtanding all the comfortable meſſages I had from God by his Prophets concerning this matter, my own prayers, and thoſe remarkable providences, which carried in them a partial anſwer to them, and performance of what was promiſed, yet I betray'd much unbelief, queſtioning the truth of the one, and the return of the other; and hath God notwithſtanding all my infirmities fulfill'd my deſire, and performed his promiſe? O what ſhall I render unto the Lord? Thus David p. 47reades Gods mercy through the ſpectacles of his own weakneſſe and infirmity, and it appears great, whereas if a mercy ſhould come in, as an anſwer to a duty managed with ſuch ſtrength of faith, and height of other graces, as might free him and his duty from uſual infirmities, this might prove a ſnare, and occaſion ſome ſelf-applauding, rather then mercy-admiring thoughts in the creature.

3Thirdly, God may communicate the leſſe of his aſſiſting ſtrength, that he may ſhew the more of his ſupporting ſtrength, in upholding weak grace: We do not wonder to ſee a man of ſtrong conſtitution, that eats his bread heartily, and ſleeps ſoundly, live: But for a crazie body, full of ailes and infirmities, to be ſo patcht and ſhored up by the Phyſicians Art that he ſtands to old age, this begets ſome wonder in the beholders. It may be thou art a poor trembling ſoule, thy faith is weak, and thy aſſaults from Satan ſtrong, thy corruptions ſtirring and active, and thy mortifying ſtrength little, ſo that in thy opinion they rather gain ground on thy grace, then give ground to it, ever and anon thou art ready to think, thou ſhalt be caſt as a wrack upon the devils ſhoare: and yet to this day thy grace lives, though full of leaks; now is it not worth the ſtepping aſide to ſee this ſtrange ſight? A broken ſhip with maſts and hull rent and torne, thus towed along by Almighty power, through an angry ſea, and Armadoes of ſins and devils, ſafely into its harbour. To ſee a poore dilling or ruſh candle in the face of the boiſterous winde, and not blown out; In a word, to ſee a weak ſtripling in grace held up in Gods armes, till he beats the devil craven: This God is doing in upholding thee: thou art one of thoſe babes, out of whoſe mouth God is perfecting his praiſe, by ordaining ſuch ſtrength for thee, that thou a babe in grace, ſhalt yet foile a giant in wrath and power.

3Thirdly, if after long waiting for ſtrength from God, it be as thou complaineſt, enquire whether the foreign, that which hinders, be not found in thy ſelf. The head is the ſeat of animal ſpirits, yet there may be ſuch obſtructions in the body, as the other members may for a time be deprived of them; till the paſſage be free between Chriſt thy head and thee, thy ſtrength will not come, and therefore be willing to enquire.

1Firſt, haſt thou come indeed to God for ſtrength to performe p. 48duty, to mortifie corruption and the like? perhaps thou wilt ſay, Yes, I have waited on thoſe Ordinances, which are the way in which he hath promiſed to give out ſtrength. But is this all? thou mayeſt come to them, and not wait on God in them. Haſt thou not carnally expected ſtrength from them, and ſo put the Ordinance, as ſhe her husband in Gods ſtead? Hath not the frame of thy ſpirit ſome affinity with theirs in James 4.13. We will go into ſuch a city, and buy, and ſell, and get gaine: Hath not thy heart ſaid, I will go and hear ſuch a man, and get comfort, get ſtrength? and doeſt thou wonder thou art weak, barren and unfruitful? Are Ordinances God, that they ſhould make you ſtrong or comfortable? Thou mayeſt heare them anſwer thee, poor ſoul, as the King to the woman in the ſiege of Samaria: Help, O prayer, ſayeſt thou, or, O Miniſter; How can they help except the Lord help: Theſe are but Chriſts ſervants: Chriſt keeps the Key of his wine-cellar, they cannot ſo much as make you drink, when you come to their Maſters houſe; and therefore, poor ſoul, ſtay not ſhort of Chriſt, but preſſe through all the croud of Ordinances, and ask to ſpeak with Jeſus, to ſee Jeſus and touch him, and vertue will come forth.

2Secondly, ask thy ſoule whether thou haſt been thankful for that little ſtrength thou haſt; though thou art not of that ſtrength in grace, to run with the foremoſt, and hold pace with the talleſt of thy brethren, yet art thou thankful that thou haſt any ſtrength at all? though it be but to cry after them, whom thou ſeeſt out-ſtrip thee in grace, this is worth thy thanks. All in Davids army attained not to be equal with his few Worthies in proweſſe and honour, and yet did not caſhiere themſelves: thou haſt reaſon to be thankful for the meaneſt place in the army of Saints, the leaſt communications of Goſpel mercy and grace muſt not be over-look't. Aſſoon as ever Moſes with his army was through the ſea, they ſtrike up before they ſtir from the bank-ſide, and acknowledge the wonderful appearance of Gods power and mercy for them, though this was but one ſtep in their way; a howling wilderneſſe preſented it ſelf to them, and they not able to ſubſiſt a few dayes with all their proviſion, for all their great victory, yet Moſes, he will praiſe God for this handſel of mercy. This holy man knew the only way to keep credit with God, ſo as to have more, was to keep touch, and pay p. 49down his praiſe for what was received. If thou wouldeſt have fuller communications of divine ſtrength, owne God in what he hath done. Art thou weak? bleſſe God thou haſt life. Doeſt thou through feebleneſſe often faile in duty, and fall into temptation? Mourne in the ſenſe of theſe: yet bleſſe God, that thou doeſt not live in a total neglect of duty, out of a prophane contempt thereof, and that in ſtead of falling through weakneſs, thou doeſt not lie in the mire of ſin through the wickedneſſe of thy heart. The unthankful ſoul may thank it ſelf, it thrives not better.

3Thirdly, art thou humble under the aſſiſtance and ſtrength God hath given thee? pride ſtops the conduit; if the heart begin to ſwell, it is time for God to hold his hand and turne the cock, for all that is poured on ſuch a ſoule runs over into ſelf-applauding, and ſo is as water ſpilt in regard of any good it doth the creature, or any glory it brings to God. A proud heart and a lofty mountain are never fruitful. Now beſide the common wayes that pride diſcovers it ſelf, as by under-valuing others, and over-valuing it ſelfe, and ſuch like, you ſhall obſerve two other ſymptomes of it. Firſt, it appears in bold adventures, when a perſon runs into the mouth of temptation, bearing himſelf up on the confidence of his grace receiv'd. This was Peters ſin, by which he was drawn to engage further then became an humble faith, running into the devils-quarters, and ſo became his priſoner for a while. The good man, when in his right temper, had thoughts low enough of himſelf, as when he ask't his Maſter, Is it I? but he that feared at one time, leſt he might be the traitour, at another cannot think ſo ill of himſelf, as to ſuſpect he ſhould be the denyer of his Maſter. What he? No, though all the reſt ſhould forſake him, yet he would ſtand to his colours; Is this thy caſe, Chriſtian? Poſſibly God hath given thee much of his minde, thou art skilful in the Word of life, and therefore thou dareſt venture to breath in corrupt aire, as if only the weak ſpirits of leſſe knowing Chriſtians, expoſed them to be infected with the contagion of errour and hereſie; Thou haſt a large portion of grace, or at leaſt thou thinkeſt ſo, and ventureſt to go where an humble-minded Chriſtian would fear his heels ſhould ſlip under him. Truly now thou tempteſt God to ſuffer thy lock to be cut, when thou art ſo bold to lay p. 50thy head in the lap of a temptation. Secondly, pride appears in the neglect of thoſe means, whereby the Saints graces and comforts are to be fed when ſtrongeſt. May be, Chriſtian, when thou art under feares and doubts then God hath thy company, thou art oft with thy pitcher at his door, but when thou haſt got any meaſure of peace, there growes preſently ſome ſtrangeneſſe between God and thee: thy pitcher walks not as it was wont to theſe Wells of ſalvation. No wonder if thou (though rich in grace and comfort) goeſt behinde-hand, ſeeing thou ſpendeſt on the old ſtock, and driveſt no trade at preſent to bring in more: Or if thou doeſt not thus neglect duty, yet may be thou doeſt not perform it with that humility, which formerly beautified the ſame: then thou prayedſt in the ſenſe of thy weakneſſe to get ſtrength, now thou prayeſt to ſhew thy ſtrength, that others may admire thee. And if once (like Hezekiah) we call in Spectators to ſee our treaſure, and applaud us for our gifts and comfort, then it is high time for God, if he indeed love us, to ſend ſome meſſengers to carry theſe away from us, which carry our hearts from him.

4Fourthly, if thy heart doth not ſmite thee from what hath been ſaid, but thou haſt ſincerely waited on God, and yet haſt not received the ſtrength thou deſireſt, yet let it be thy reſolution to live and die waiting on him. God doth not tell us his time of coming, and it were boldneſſe to ſet on of our own heads. Go, ſaith Chriſt to his diſciples, Luke 24.49. Stay ye in Jeruſalem, until ye be endued with Power from on High. Thus he ſaith to thee, ſtay at Jeruſalem, wait on him in the means he hath appointed, till thou beeſt endued with further power to mortifie thy corruptions, &c. And for thy comfort know

1Firſt, thy thus perſevering to wait on God, will be an evidence of ſtrong grace in thee: the leſſe encouragement thou haſt to duty, the more thy faith and obedience to bear thee up in duty. He that can trade when times are ſo dead, that all his ware lies upon his hand, and yet drawes not in his hand, but rather trades more and more, ſure his ſtock is great. What, no comfort in hearing, no eaſe to thy ſpirit in praying, and yet more greedy to heare, and more-frequent in prayer? O ſoul, great is thy faith and patience.

p. 512Secondly, aſſure thy ſelf when thou art at the greateſt pinch ſtrength ſhall come: They that wait on the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength: when the laſt handful of meale was dreſſing, then is the Prophet ſent to keep the Widows houſe. When temptation is ſtrong, thy little ſtrength even ſpent, and thou ready to yield into the hands of thine enemies, then expect ſuccours from heaven to enable thee to hold out under the temptation: Thus to Paul, My grace is ſufficient, or power from heaven to raiſe the ſiege, and drive away the tempter; thus to Job, when Satan had him at an advantage, then God takes him off. Like a wiſe Moderatour, when the Reſpondent is hard put to it by a ſubtile Opponent, takes him off, when he would elſe run him down. James 5.11. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have ſeen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.