The Christian Completely Armed, Lecture 8
LECT. VIII. Novemb. 28. 1649.
EPHES. 6. 14.
Stand therefore, having your loyns girt about with truth, &c.
foreign.
IN the former Verſe, the Apoſtle gives a LECT. 8general Exhortation to the Chriſtian Souldier, to cloth himſelf with the whole Armour of GOD, and to withſtand Satan in the evill day of Temptation. In this and the following Verſes, which contain the ſecond general part of the Text; He gives him a particular Catalogue of the ſeveral pieces of this Armour, Offenſive and Defenſive, with Directions how to make particular uſe of them, that he may be enabled to overcome. There are, in the whole, ſeven pieces of this Armour; two of which, are laid down in this verſe, viz. The Girdle of Truth; and, The Breaſt-Plate of Righteouſneſs. He doth allude to the Habit, wherewith Souldiers were uſed to be accoutred in thoſe times, that they might be fit to encounter an Adverſary: And he doth compare the ſeveral Graces of the Spirit, to the ſeveral pieces of that Armour, to let Chriſtians ſee, that the graces of God, are as neceſſary for the ſoul, to reſiſt and overcome temptation, as Armour is for the Souldier, to reſiſt and overcome his enemy in the day of battel. We may in the general, note from this compariſon, made between the graces of God, and the Souldiers Armour.
That Spiritual and Heavenly matters Note,are ordinarily, in Scripture, ſet out by Earthly and Natural things. The graces of God are ſet out by Armour; and the Chriſtian managing of our graces, is taught us by the Souldiers right uſing and managing of his Armour in the day of battel. The glorious Myſteries of Religion, in Scripture, are commonly delivered and held out by the reſemblance of outward and natural things. A Chriſtians fruitfulneſs, and growth in grace, is ſet out by growth and fruitfulneſs of trees, Pſal. 1. 3. He ſhall be like a tree planted by the Rivers of waters, &c. The glory, and beauty, and fragrancy of graces, is ſet out by the beauty and fragrancy of flowers, and ſweet perfumes, in many places of the ſong of Solomon; particularly, Cap. 3. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. The great Myſtery of our union with Chriſt, is ſet out by the vine and branches Joh. 15. …nit. and of the Foundation ſtone, and the reſt of the ſtones builded upon it, Epheſ. 2. 20, 21. Spiritual ſecurity is ſet out by the natural ſleep, Cap. 5. 2. applying of Chriſt, by Faith, is ſet out by natural eating and drinking, John 6. 56. He that eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Juſtification by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, imputed to a ſinner, is, in Scripture, ſet out by the garments put upon the body, Iſa. 61. 10. I will rejoyce in the Lord &c. for he hath clothed me with the garments of ſalvation, &c. The Communion between Jeſus Chriſt, and a Believing Soul, is ſet out by the joy and delight of friends feaſting together, Rev. 3. 20. Behold I ſtand at the door and knock, &c. I will ſup with him, &c. Spiritual Deſertion, is ſet out by the horrour of Natural Darkneſs, Iſa. 5. 10. The preaching of the Word in the publike Miniſtry, is ſet out by the work of the Husband-man in ſowing his Seed, Matth. 13. 3, 4. The carrying on of the Work of Grace, and Converſion in the Hearts of men, is ſet out by the growth of the ſeed ſowen in the earth, Mar. 4. 26, 27, 28. The glory of the Saints at the Reſurrection, and in the other Life, is ſet out by the glorious ſhining of the Sunne and Stars, Dan. 12. 3. They that be wiſe, ſhall ſhine as the brightnes of the Firmament; and they that turn many to righteouſneſs, as the Stars for ever and ever.
I note this for theſe two Reaſons:
1. That Chriſtians may ſee what uſe they may make of Natural and Earthly things: There is not any natural Action; there is not any kind of Employment, or Trade of Life; there is not any Creature, by which a Chriſtian might not learn ſome Spiritual Leſſon, did God but give him a Spiritual Heart. When thou ſeeſt the Merchant buſle about his buſineſs, then mighteſt thou learn diligence in the things of the Goſpel; For the Kingdome of Heaven is as a Merchant man, &c. When thou ſeeſt the Souldier buckle on his Arms, and march with them to meet the enemy, then mighteſt thou think of the putting on, and uſing thy graces, &c. And for this cauſe, it is that our Saviour did ſo frequently preach in Parables and Similitudes, drawn from earthly things, that by this meanes the ſons of men might be the better able to conceive of Heavenly Matters when they are thus delivered in their own way: And that they might have ever before them viſible Monitors to bring to their minds the things of God. Indeed, if theſe ſpirituall things had not firſt been revealed and taught in the Scriptures, the beholding of things Natural would never have taught us ſuch Doctrines; but being now made known in the written Word, our Memories, Underſtandings, and Affections, may be very much helped by the ſtudying and contemplation of things natural which ſet them forth.
2. How neceſſary it is for the Miniſters of Chriſt, who are to interpret, open, and apply the Scriptures to men, to have an univerſal knowledge of all kind of Learning. Many think, that Humane Knowledge, and Learning, is of no abſolute neceſſity to fit a man for the Miniſtry. If he have but knowledge in the Hiſtory of the Bible, and a gracious work upon his heart, he is ſufficiently enabled, without the knowledge of other Learning. This Text ſhewes us the contrary: ſome places of Scripture cannot be well interpreted, without the knowledge of Natural Philoſophy. Others cannot be rightly underſtood, without ſome skill in Aſtrology. Others, require the knowledge of Agriculture to expound them to profit. Others, of the Art of Navigation. Others, of Military Affaires. Similitudes, almoſt from all kinds of Arts, Sciences, Trades, are uſed in the Scriptures; and the more general a Miniſters Knowledge is in all theſe things, the better will he be inabled to interpret the whole Word of GOD in the courſe of his publike Miniſtry. He muſt ſtudy all kind of books. And make his Obſervation from all kind of employments of men, that he may be compleatly fitted for this great Work.
But I come to the Particulars:
Firſt, The girdle of Truth: [Having your Loyns girt about with Truth.] In lumbis maxima vis eſt stantium. His malè affectis contrahitur corpus; aut certè vacillans, vel modicè impulſum, corruit, Bullinger. Therefore, the Apoſtle begins with theſe, which he would have girded with Truth. Truth, in the Scripture, is uſed to fet out two things: there is a two-fold Acception of Truth.
1. It is uſed for the Doctrine of Truth. That Doctrine which is held out and revealed to the ſons of men in the written Word; and thus Truth is oppoſed unto Errour. In this ſenſe it is uſed in many places? as, Gal. 3. 1. O fooliſh Galathians, who hath bewitched you that you ſhould not obey the truth? And, 1 Tim. 2. 4. God will have all men ſaved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And 3. Ep. Joh. 4. I have no greater joy, then to hear that my children walk in the truth.
2. It is uſed for the grace of truth: And ſo it's oppoſed to Hypocriſie: In this ſenſe it's uſed, Pſal. 51. 6. Thou deſireſt truth in the inward parts; that is ſincerity and integrity of heart: ſo Joſh. 24. 14. Fear the Lord, and ſerve him in ſincerity and truth; and ſo, Joh. 4. 24. God is a a ſpirit and they that worſhip him, muſt worſhip him inſpirit, and in truth. Spiritual Worſhip is there oppoſed to Ceremonial; and Truth of Worſhip is oppoſed to Hypocritical Worſhip. Now, amongſt Interpreters, there are ſome who expound this Text of the grace of truth: ſo doth Calvin, and others. Others, underſtand it, as ſpoken of the Doctrine of truth: Baldwin, vera Doctrina & Religione, Zanchy. Constantia in Doctrina veritatis. Dickſon.
1. Both Interpretations are agreeable to the Analogy of Faith.
2. Uſefull Inſtructions may be gathered from both.
3. There is nothing in the Text which doth neceſſarily limit and confine it to one; and therefore I ſhall refer it to both: for, Ʋbi Scriptura non diſtinguit, non eſt diſtinguendum. And ſo I ſhall lay before you a two-fold Obſervation from this two-fold Interpretation.
1. Underſtanding it of the Doctrine of Truth, as ſome do, we note this Doctrine, viz.
That firmneſs and ſtability in the Doctrine of 1. Doct.Truth, is an excellent meanes to be preſerved, and to overcome Satan and his Inſtruments in the day of Temptation. I ſay, Firmneſs and Stability, becauſe the phraſe of being girded about, notes conſtancy and firmneſs in the Truth: When the Loyns are faſt tyed, and compaſſed about with this girdle, they are in a good way of ſecurity from the aſſaults of Satan, when thoſe who forſake and fall from the Truth, are ſnared and overcome: then ſhall thoſe who adhere and ſtick faſt to the Doctrine of Truth be delivered and eſcape. This is promiſed to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia, upon this very conſideration, Rev. 3. 10. Becauſe thou haſt kept the word of my patience, I alſo will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which ſhall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
If a Church, or Perſon, be ſtedfaſt in the Doctrine of Truth, God will either keep them from temptation, or elſe he will preſerve them in temptation; that when others fall, they ſhall ſtand.
I ſhall give you three Reaſons of this, viz.
(1.) Truth unites us to God, and God to us: It is of God, and hath a Divine Strength. God is truth; and ſo far as a perſon hath the truth, he hath God; and ſo farre as he loſeth the Truth, he loſeth God. 'Tis true, a perſon may have the Truth of God ſticking in his Judgment: He may be very ſtedfaſt and conſtant in it; ſo that he may willingly part, not onelyonly with his ſubſtance, but even with his life, to maintain it, and yet not be ſavingly united to God, by Chriſt, for ſalvation. 'Tis not the fides quae creditur, but the fides quâ creditur, which is the bond of this Union. But yet the very holding of the Doctrine of Truth, gives a perſon ſome kind of union with God; by which union, he is more able to ſtand when any ſtorm comes, then he that is deſtitute of the Truth.
(2.) Truth helpes a Chriſtian both to diſcover a Temptation, and to anſwer Arguments uſed to ſet on the Temptation. The Truth of God, in the Judgment, is one of the Eyes of the Soul: he that wants this, is blind, and cannot ſee afar off. Now as a clear Eye is a very great help to the Souldier, for the diſcovering of the Dart, or the Bullet, before it be upon him: ſo is the clear diſtinct knowledg of the Truth a very great help to a Chriſtian, to diſcern the temptation before it be upon him. He is better able, by the power of Truth, to ſee the reach of Satan, and what it is that he drives at, when he ſpreads his ſnare to ſurprize him, then another can be, who hath loſt the Truth. Any fallacy is eaſily put upon a perſon that is deſtitute of the truth of an Art or Science; whereas he that hath the knowledge of that Art, is able preſently to avoid it, and to anſwer it. And therefore the Devil when he comes to tempt the woman to ſinne, firſt labours to blind her Underſtanding; Ye ſhall not die, but ye ſhall be as gods, knowing good and evill, Gen. 3. 4, 5. and when he hath ſtollen that principle of truth out of her judgment, We may not eat, leſt we die, He doth, without any difficulty, perſwade her to eat of the fruit.
(3.) Truth doth much help a Chriſtian in the managing of all other parts of his Armour aright. He that hath loſt the Doctrine of Truth, will be unable to uſe the Bread-Plate of Righteouſneſs: For, to the uſing of this after a right manner it is requiſite, that the Doctrine of the Imputation of Chriſts Righteouſneſs, to a ſinner, be t…roughly underſtood, and firmly believed. The Helmet of Hope will ſoon be knocked off the head of a Chriſtian, if he do not well underſtand the Nature of the Grace Hope.
The ſhield of faith will be preſently pierced by Satan, if he that weares it do not rightly underſtand the nature of faith: and prayer will do but little good, if he that makes the prayer be unſound in the truth. Prayer is to be made in faith, elſe it doth not prevail; it is to be made not only with the grace of faith, but alſo according to the Doct: of faith. A Doctrinal errour in prayers, will nullifie them, as well as want of the grace of Faith; for this is the confidence we have in him, that if we aske any thing according to his will, he heareth us, 1 John 5. 14.
Information. We may from this Doctrine 1. Ʋſe.gather theſe three concluſions, viz.
(1.) This ſhews us how neceſſary it is for a Chriſtian to have a clear and exact knowledge in the Myſteries of Truth. It is not in vain, that the Scripture doth ſo earneſtly call upon men, to learn, and to get, and to keep, the truth of Doctrine delivered in the Scriptures. Buy the truth and ſell it not, Prov. 23. 23. Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our Epiſtle, 2 Theſ. 2. 15. not unwritten traditions, the Doctrines and Commandments of men, but ſuch as have been taught by the Apoſtles, either by word, or by their writings. Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the faith, quit you like men, be ſtrong, 1 Cor. 16. 13. The word of God is full of ſuch warnings, and admonitions, as theſe are. And not without cauſe, whether we conſider the worth of truth in it ſelfe, or the uſefulneſs of it unto us. Its neceſſary to the ſoul in many reſpects: its the light by which we ſee our way, by which we know what to do, what not to do: its a great part of our ſpirituall Armour, by which we fight againſt temptations. Its as great a ſtrengthening to the Chriſtian, in fighting againſt Satan and his Inſtruments, as the Souldiers belt or girdle is to him in the day of battel. Take two Chriſtians of equall grace, and let them be aſſaulted with the ſame Temptation, and let the one be ſound in the Doctrine of Truth; and the other corrupt, and you will eaſily ſee the difference between the one and the other, by the iſſue of the temptation: the Doctrine of truth is as neceſſary for fighting againſt Satan, as the grace of truth. I note this to let all of us ſee, what little reaſon any have to be diſpleaſed, either with the Miniſters of God, or other of the Servants of God, for their earneſtneſſe & pertinacy, (if I may ſo ſpeak) in preſerving the truth of Doctrine, both among themſelves and others. They know the many advantages of it, and therefore they are ſo zealous for the maintaining of it. Paul though he was of as flexible and condeſcending a ſpirit as any other, whether Apoſtle or ordinary Saint, in all other things (for he became all things to all men, that he might by all means ſave ſome, 1 Cor. 9. 19. 20, 21, 22.) yet he was ſo poſitive, and peremptory for the Doctrine of truth, that he would not give place by ſubjection to falſe Brethren for an houre, that the truth of the Goſpel might continue with the people of God, Gal. 2. 4.
(2) 'Tis no wonder to ſee Satan uſe ſuch endeavour to deprive the Sons of men of the Doctrine of truth. In all ages of the Church he hath raiſed up his Inſtruments to draw men aſide, from the truth of Doctrine. There ſhall be falſe Teachers, ſaith the Apoſtle, amongſt you, as there were falſe Prophets amongst the people, 2 Pet. 2. 2. The Church of God, as it was never deſtitute of true Prophets, ſo never was it without falſe Prophets. In the Church of Iſrael there were a numerous Company of ſeducing Prophets: As there was an Elijah, a holy and zealous Prophet of God, ſo there were 456. Prophets of Baal, 1 King. 18. 22. The ſtate was corrupted, and they made to themſelves a corrupt Miniſtry of their own, an apoſtatizing State muſt have an apoſtatizing Clergy, that will humour them, and ſubſcribe to them in every thing they do: when Satan had perſwaded Jeroboam to ſet up golden Calves, he helped him to a Miniſtry that would worſhip them, and teach others to do the like. State Miniſters will cry up Calves for gods, rather then want promotion, or loſe preferment. And thus it was in the Goſpel Church. All Pauls Epiſtles ſhew it. This ariſeth (1.) partly from the ſinfulneſs of men. They muſt have their luſts, and a luſt cannot thrive, if it have not a falſe Prophet to nurſe it, and give it ſuck. And (2) partly from God, he in his wiſdom and juſtice permits it to be ſo, that they that would not obey the words of a true Prophet, ſhould follow the pernicious Doctrines of fal… Prophets, 1. Reg. 22. 23. And then (3) it comes to paſſe from the policy and malice of Satan, that he may by this means rob men of the truth, and ſo make them fit preys for his temptations. And we need not much wonder at this policy, Satan knowes he is in danger of being foiled, if he ſuffer this girdle to be upon the ſoul; and that he ſhall certainly overcome, if he can but pluck this off the loyns: therefore he is ſo diligent in attempting it, laying ſnares to intrap the true Miniſters of God, and opening a wide door for falſe Prophets and ſeducers to enter in, and corrupt the truth.
(3) We have no cauſe to wonder, to ſee the Devill ſo prevalent amongſt hereticall and erroneous perſons. Woful experience ſhews us, what deſolations are made by Satan in our corrupt Generation: what miſchievous wayes of iniquity many are led into. Many are drawn aſide, into great profaneneſſe of life: others are ſunk deep into rebellion, others are gone aſide into the way of perjury and Covenant-breaking, others into wayes of cruelty, perſecution and oppreſſion, others almoſt into groſſe Atheiſme: we may take up the Complaint of the Prophet Iſay 59. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have ſpoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverſeneſs: none calleth for juſtice, nor any pleadeth for truth, they truſt in vanity and ſpeak lies, they conceive miſchief, and bring forth iniquity, they hatch Cockatrice Eggs, and weave the Spiders Webs: he that eateth of the Eggs dyeth, and that which is cruſhed, breaketh out into a Viper: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evill, and they make haſte to shed Innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, wasting and deſtruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not, and there is no judgement in their goings: they have made them crooked paths, whoſoever goeth therein ſhall not know peace. A man would wonder to ſee and hear the horrible wickedneſſes that many are fallen into: ſome openly profane the Sabbaths, others defile their Neighbours wife, and think they do not ſin in ſo doing. The cauſe of all theſe may be given in the words of the ſame Prophet Iſay 59. 14. 15. Truth is fallen in the ſtreets, yea truth faileth. The Devil hath taken away from them this Girdle of Truth, and now they ſtop at no kind of abominations. The Girdle of truth is quite looſed, and this doth ſo enervate and weaken them, that they are forced to do what ever the Devil requires of them. And can ye wonder at it? The loſſe of truth will certainly introduce all kinde of iniquity. And that both ex Natura Rei, and ex juſto Dei judicio. (1.) Ex Natura Rei. The underſtanding is the firſt wheel in man, it turns about the whole man, as the Helme doth the Ship: if the judgement be rotten, neither the heart, nor the life can be ſound. We finde therefore in Scripture, theſe two joyned together, faith and a good Conſcience. Ever when men have been corrupted in the head, they have been corrupted in their lives, 1 Tim. 1. 19. holding faith and a good Conſcience &c. he that puts away faith, muſt put away a good Conſcience, whether he will or no: he that makes ſhip-wrack of faith, will ſoon make ſhip-wrack both of Conſcience and Converſation. (2.) Ex juſto Dei jud…cio. Its Gods way to puniſh the rejection of truth, with giving men up to ungodline…s of life. Thus God puniſhed the Heathen, Rom. 1. 25. 26, 27, 28, 29. where you have both the ſin, and the juſt puniſhment of it. So 2 Theſ. 2. 10. 11, 12.
Exhortation. Let all Chriſtians be careful to keep faſt about them this Girdle. We have a kinde of Popiſh Proverb among us, ungirt, unbleſſed. There is a truth in it, in this ſenſe. If Satan finde you without your Girdle upon your loyns, he will eaſily prevail with you in the day of temptation. Labour therefore to get and to keep this Girdle; and if you ſee it grow weak, labour to ſtrengthen it. Let me add a few helps by way of direction, and I have done.
(1.) Avoid the company and breath of known Seducers. They will either quite take away your girdle, or elſe they will much ſlacken it in a very ſhort time, if you have to do with them. If any man come to your houſe, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not, nor bid him, God ſpeed, 2 Joh. 9. 10. They have ſleight of hand, they can cut your purſes, while they look in your faces; from ſuch turn aſide, 2 Tim. 3. 5.
(2.) Do not think meanly of ſuch Truths, as are of an inferiour Nature, and more remote from the Foundation. He that cuts off every day a ſmall ſhred from his girdle, will very ſoon ſnap it quite aſunder. Though every Truth be not fundamental, yet every Truth is a guard to the Foundation: the outer skin of an Apple lies remote from the heart; yet if you pluck that off, the very heart will be ſooner rotten. The finger is not a vital part; but a Gangrene in the finger, will (in a ſhort time) reach to the very Vitals, and corrupt the blood and ſpirits.
(3.) Be much in prayer to him that keepeth both the hearts and the feet of his Saints, that he would keep the Truth in you, and you in the Truth.
Holy Father, ſaith our Saviour, keep through thine own Name, thoſe whom thou haſt given me, Joh. 17. 11. Let us often pray this Prayer of Chriſt; Holy Father, keep us through thy Holy Name. Tie on this girdle of Truth that it may neither ſlip off, nor be taken off. The Apoſtle Jude puts theſe two together, ver. 20. Building up your ſelves in your moſt Holy Faith, praying in the Holy Ghoſt.
(4.) Take heed, as of all ſins, ſo eſpecially of the ſin of Pride. As Hereſie is the mother of pride and ſcornfulneſs; ſo Pride is the High-way to be Heretical. A proud perſon will ſoon be an erroneous perſon: If any man teach otherwiſe, and conſent not to wholeſome words, &c. he is proud knowing nothing, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4. Pride will make the Heart ſwell ſo bigge, that the Girdle of Truth about your Loyns, wil ſoon be knapt aſunder. Humility, and Watchfulneſs, are the beſt Buckles for this Girdle, and the way to preſerve Truth; but Pride and Careleſneſſe is the way to loſe it.
(5.) Keep a good Conſcience in all things towards God, and towards Man. As the falling off from the Myſtery of Faith, will corrupt the Conſcience; ſo a corrupt Conſcience, and an ungodly Life, will, in time, deſtroy the Myſtery of Faith. There is this Reaſon for it: The Doctrine of godlineſs, reproves the Deeds of ungodlineſs: and therefore whoever goes on in ungodly Practices, will, at laſt, caſt off the Doctrine of godlineſs, that he may not be a Reprover to himſelf. Keep the Grace of Truth, that you may preſerve the Doctrine of Truth alſo. Thus for the firſt Interpretation.