The Militant Christian, Text (2 of 4)

The Militant Christian · Text (2 of 4)

p. 63Secondly, Store up your former Experiences, that is a precious provision for an evil day; call to mind, with the Psalmist, your songs in the night, and the years of the right hand of the Most High. Psal. 119.52Ps 119:52I have remembred thy Judgments of old, O Lord, and have comforted my self. Thus did Paul fortifie his Spirit with former Experiences of Gods gracious dealings, to bear him up under present, and prepare him for future exigences;2 Cor. 1.10. Rom. 5.4.2 Cor 1:10Rom 5:4 Who delivered me from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver. Experience worketh hope.

Thirdly, Lay up more of every grace, especially of suffering-Graces. That which may bear up in a calm, may not be sufficient in a p. 64storm: a candle will hold light in the House, but if we go out in the Wind, we shall need a Torch;Jer. 12.5.Jer 12:5 If you have but strength to hold out with the Foot-men, how will you do to keep company with the Horse-men? This was Pauls Exhortation to Timothy, 2 Tim. 2.1.2 Tim 2:1before the Text, Thou, therefore, my Son, be strong in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus. If your strength be but enough to wrestle with Pigmies and Dwarfs; how will you hold out against Giants? What an Emphatical Gradation hath the Apostle in his request for the Collossians, Col. 1, 9, 10, 11.Col 1:9Col 1:10Col 1:11to this purpose? That they might be filled with the knowledg of Gods will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: That they might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and encreasing in the knowledg of God: strengthened with all might, according to his glorious Power, unto all patience and l…ng suffering, with joyfulness.

You have need to be strengthned with all might, and to all patience, for a suffering time. Oh lay in much of Faith, much of Love, much of Patience and Hope, &c. These are soul-strengthning, and soul-securing Graces. O beg of the Lord, that you may be strengthned with all might, that you may be (as it were) all-mighty in sufferings. Suffering-times, great sufferings will not only try the truth of Grace, but also the strength of Grace. Soldiers of Christ, labour for suffering-Josephs Blessing. Though the Archers had sorely grieved him, Gen. 49.23.24.Gen 49:23Gen 49:24and shot at him, and hated him; yet his Bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob. p. 65Make Preparation and Provision for the time of need.

And now I come to the Second Doctrine, from the words:

Doct. 2 That it is the duty of Christs Soldiers to endure the hardness of that relation, in their Profession of him.

And in prosecuting of this Truth, I shall shew you these four things.

1. What hardness this is that Christs Soldiers must endure.

2. Why they must endure it.

3. How they must endure it.

4. The use that may, and should be made of this Doctrine, unto our selves.

First then in general. Christs Soldiers must endure all that hardness, which either their sins, or their profession of Christ, may expose them unto.

The sins of Christs Soldiers may expose them to much hardness, to great sufferings, and that must be endured. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, Mic. 7.9.Mic 7:9saith the Church. And so likewise there is much hardness of affliction and persecution, which their profession of Christ, and duty to him, doth expose them unto; and that must be endured. Whosoever doth not bear his Cross, Luk. 14.27.Luke 14:27and come after me, cannot be my Disciple. There is no entring Christs Service, without bearing his Cross. The Christian, saith Luther, is a Cross-bearer: p. 66And godly Bradford, that blessed Martyr, in his Letter to the Town of Walden, saith, That he hath not learned his A. B. C. in Religion, who hath not learnt the Lesson of the Cross. Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution.

Secondly, And more particularly, They must endure hardness,

1. From God.

2. From Men.

3. From the Devil.

4. In respect of themselves, after an especial manner.

First, That hardness which comes more immediately from the hand of God, must be endured. Though the Lord hath his hand, in some sense, in all the Afflictions and Sufferings of his people,Amos 3.6.Amos 3:6 and there is no evil in the City which the Lord hath not done; yet there are some evils of suffering, which come immediately, and only from the hand of the Lord; And David in that sad choice of his, did rather choose to fall into the hands of God, than into the hands of Men; The Pestilence was an immediate stroak of Gods hand: All the bodily afflictions which God inflicts,Psal. 91.5, 6, 7Ps 91:5Ps 91:6Ps 91:7 The Terrour by night, and the Arrow that flyeth by day, and the Pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the Destruction that walketh at noon-day, &c. All Diseases, Pains, Poverty, Losses and Crosses, which the Lord brings upon our Bodies, and all the lashes and wounds he makes in our Souls, the hardest of p. 67all afflictions, must be endured, if the Lord lays it on us. A wounded Spirit (saith Solomon) who can bear? Prov. 18.14.Prov 18:14If Christs Soldiers do meet with Soul-wounds, and Spirit-wounds, though never so grievous, yet they must be born. What hard service was that which Heman did endure! as you may see at large, Psal 88.14, 15, 16, 17. Lord, why castest thou off my Soul? why hidest thou thy face? &c. This hard Service did Job endure, when the Arrows of the Almighty did enter his Soul. This hardness did David endure, when he complained of the breaking of his bones. And this hardness did the Lord Jesus himself, the Captain of our Salvation, endure,Mat. 27.46. Eli, Eli, Lamasabacthani. Nihil est tentatio vel universi mundi & totius infer… in unum conflata ad eum quâ Deus contrarius homini ponitur Luther. If the tentations of the whole world, and Hell it self, were mustered together, they were nothing to this whereby God sets himself contrary to his poor creature.Matt 27:46 when he cried out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And so much of this hard Service as he ca…ls his Soldiers unto, they must endure. In a word, all the Corporal and Spiritual Afflictions which God brings upon us, during the time of our life, and the separation of the Union of our Soul and Body by Death; The last Enemy, the King of Terrors, must be faced; the hardness of Death must be endured, this earthly Tabernacle must be put off, (as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed us) 2 Pet. 1.14.

Secondly, The Soldiers of Christ must endure that hardness that comes from men. And there is a Two-fold hardness which must be endured from men.

p. 681. The hardness of their Tongues.

2. The hardness of their Hands.

First, the hardness of the Tongue, that sharp, that cutting, that poysonous, that fiery weapon must be endured: all the reproaches, slanders, revilings, tauntings, scoffings, backbitings, &c. which they meet withal, must be endured, Heb. 11.36.foreign experimentum, the root, viz. foreign signifies to pierce thorow. And others ha… T…yal of cruel mockings; Mockings are rank'd here among the great sufferings of the Saints, among the other hard services which Christs Soldiers did endure, and are called a Tryal, and said to be cruel. Oh the cruelty that is in the Tongues of men! what cruel weapons are they! David felt them as killing in his bones: As with a Sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me. The Sword in the flesh is very painful,Psal. 42.10. foreign as with a killing. Plures necat lingua quam gladius.Ps 42:10 but the Sword in the bones is much more grievous. Oh how cutting and killing are the Tongues of men! what sad Epitheres are given the Tongue in Scripture! Sometimes it is called a Sword, yea a sharp Sword; and as if it would not cut and pierce enough, they whet it also: Sometimes they are said to have their tongues sharpned as a Serpent; Psal. 64.3. they speak tauntingly or sharply. Psal. 140.3.Ps 64:3Ps 140:3and then how stinging and poysonous are they, when they hiss out their Poyson! Sometimes the wicked act the part of cruel Archers with their tongues, and it will go hard but they will hit the mark they level at; They bend their tongue like their bow, Jer. 9.3, 8.Jer 9:3Jer 9:8for lies; and their tongue is as an arrow shot out. Sometimes these skilful Archers and Bow-men of Satan, level and aim at Christs Soldiers, to strike them in their Reputation, sometimes their Estates, sometimes their p. 69Liberties, and sometimes at their very Lives. The Lord Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation, (as well as his Soldiers) hath been shot at, and wounded in all these; how thick and threefold were these poysoned Arrows let fly at him,Nullus hom… potest ferre tantum contemptum sui quantum Deus fert quotidite. Luther in Psal. 122.Ps 122 as well as his Soldiers! They said of Christ, Behold a Drunkard, a Wine-bibber, a Friend of Publicans and Sinners; a Conjurer, he casteth out Devils by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils; an enemy to Cesar; and at last, a Blasphemer, and there they struck him dead. John the Baptist (they said) had a Devil;In faciem illam quam fluctus maris reveriti sunt, quam sol in cruce vivendo vadios occuluit Chrysost. Hom. 86. Act. 24.56.Acts 24:56 and Stephen the Deacon was a Blasphemer; and Paul was accused for being a Pestilent fellow, a mover of Sedition, a ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazareus, and hath also gone about to Prophane the Temple. How most Emphatically doth the Apostle James set out the evil of this cruel weapon, the Tongue! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, it setteth on fire the whole course of Nature, and is set on sire of Hell; Jam. 3.5, 6.Jas 3:5Jas 3:6Oh what a fiery weapon is this, when tipt with the fire of Hell! Fire hath a tormenting quality, and so hath the tongue; and fire hath a consuming quality, so hath the tongue. Oh how doth the tongue, like a fire, consume and destroy mens reputations, goods, liberties an lives! Ah Soldiers of Christ! chear up, and endure the hardness of Christs service, with these Sword-men, these Spear-men, these Bow-men of Hell. You must expect this scourge, these stabs, these cuts, these shots, these granadoes, and fire-balls of Hell to be cast, at you, and to come among you. This is one part of the hardness you must expect to endure in the service of Jesus Christ.

p. 70Secondly, There is the hardness of mens Hands, as well as of their Tongues, that Christs Soldiers must endure. Wicked men have Leaden feet, and Iron hands, which many times fall heavy on the Soldiers of Christ. How heavy was the stroke of Cains hand at first on his righteous Brother? The first blow that was given in the world, was Death. How heavy did Pharaoh's hand lie upon the Israelites in Egypt? and Nebuchadnezzar's; in their Babylonish Captivity? And how heavy did Herods hand fall on the Christians, when he stretched it out to vex certain of the Church?Act. 12.1, 2, 3. The souls of Tyrants are composed of arogancy and cruelty saith, …lutarch.Acts 12:1Acts 12:2Acts 12:3 Some he killed, some were imprisoned, &c. How much do the Scriptures and other Histories tell us, what hardness the Saints have endured, both under the Old Testament and New? How much may we read of the greatness of the sufferings of the Old-Testament-believers, of the hotness and hardness of their service, in that little book of Martyrs, Heb. 11.35. to the end of the Chapter. They were tortured with scou…gings, bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the Sword, they wandred about in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins, in Desarts and in Mountains, and in Dens and Caves of the Earth, being Destitute, Afflicted, Tormented. Dorotheus.And History witnesseth, That when Stephen the Proto-martyr was stoned, two thousand others which believed in Christ, were put to death the same day.Eusebius. All the twelve Apostles, after variety of Persecution and hardness endured, suffered several violent deaths, by the hands of men,Rev. 1.9.Rev 1:9 John only excepted; And he, the p. 17Scripture tells us, was banished into the Isle of Patmos, and (as some Histories say) he Miraculously escaped out of a Tun of scalding Oyl, into which he was cast by Domitian the Emperor.

Peter was crucified with his heels upward, because he thought himself unworthy of the honour to be crucified like Christ. Andrew was crucified by Egeus King of Edessa. Act. 12.1, 2.Acts 12:1Acts 12:2James the brother of John, was killed by Herod. James the son of Alpheus (who was called the just man) was thrown from a Pinacle of the Temple. Philip was crucified and stoned to death at Hieropolis, a City of Phrygia. Bartholomew was beaten down with staves, as he was Preaching in a City of Almenia, and afterwards crucified, and his skin fleyd off, and then he was beheaded. Thomas was slain with a Dart at Calamina in India. Matthew was run thorow with a sword, as some write: or slain with a spear, as others. Libbeus was slain by Agbarus King of Edessa. Simon was crucified in Egypt as some relate: or, as others, he and Jude were slain in a tumult of the people. Matthias, that came in the place of Judas the Traytor, was stoned, and afterwards beheaded. Paul was beheaded at Rome by bloody Nero.

This hardness did did those Champions and Frontiers endure. The Lord Jesus doth not use courtship and flattery, to complement soldiers into his service with promises of preferment, riches, ease, and prosperity, as many other Commanders do: But he tells them the worst of his service at first, he tells them of the Cross, p. 72before the Crown and Reward;Luk. 19.23.Luke 19:23 and we must take up the Cross as it comes, it must be taken up daily. What, every day a Cross to be born? I hope then it is not heavy, some may say? Yes, as heavy as death,1 Cor. 15.31.1 Cor 15:31 it is a killing-Cross; I die daily saith Paul. But then, you may suppose, if it must be an every daies, and a killing-Cross, that there will be some intermission or refreshment some time or other in the day:Rom. 8.36.Rom 8:36 Not so neither, For thy sake are we killed all the day long. Killed at morning, killed at noon, killed at night, killed every day, and killed all the day long; alwaies delivered up to death, 2 Cor. 4.10, 11.2 Cor 4:102 Cor 4:11and bearing about the dyings of the Lord Jesus. Ah Soldiers of Christ! this is part of your Warfare; this hard service, this dangerous Cross-bearing, Killing, Dying duty, must be performed whensoever you are put upon it, and as much of it as the Lord Jesus shall call you unto; These skirmishes, these sharp fights of persecution, you must endure. The Apostle tells the believing. Hebrews, Heb. 10.32.Heb 10:32that they endured a great fight of afflictions. Christs Soldiers must expect to endure great fights of affliction and persecution from men. This is another part of their hardness, they must endure when call'd unto it by Jesus Christ.

Thirdly, The Soldiers of Jesus Christ, must endure hardness from the Devil. They must expect hard service, and hot service in entring the List, and fighting the Duel; in grappling and wrestling with those Principalities and Powers, and Spiritual wickedness in high places. It is hard service to wrestle with a roaring Lyon; how p. 73much more harder to wrestle with an enraged Devil. To wrestle with a Lyon, is but to conflict with flesh and blood; but Satan is a potent, powerful Spirit. The Devil is skilful in Fireworks, the hottest hardest, and most dangerous service of all; the Apostle tells Christs Soldiers of the fiery Darts of the Devil. Eph. 6.12. Eph. 6.16. The Devil being full of Malice, sets himself, as an Enemy, against the Lord and his creatures. And for this cause he is named in Hebrew, Satan, that is Fiend, an adversary, enemy, or resister. He is called also with his fellows, Shedim, that is, wasters, for the hurt which they do, preying upon the Creatures, and spoiling them. And Seghnirim, that is, rough, rugged, or hairy, for the horror of their Hew, wherein they appeared, like Satyrs, or other ugly Creatures, to terrifie such as saw them. In Greek he is named Diabolos (Devil) that is a Calumniator, because he maliciously accuseth, detracteth, and depraveth. The wicked or malignant one, for molesting, and with his fiery Darts endeavouring mans ruine and misery; A Serpent, a D…agon, for his subtilty and fierceness, and venemous nature, &c. Ainsworth Com. of Sts. Luk. 4.13.Eph 6:12Eph 6:16Luke 4:13They are Darts made sharp, to penetrate and pierce the soul, and fiery to burn and torment, and then cast and thrown by the strong hand of the Devil, and then, all the fiery Darts of the Devil, which denotes the abundance that he hath of these Instruments of cruelty; the store-house of Hell is full of these, he hath of all sorts and sizes, for all ranks and degrees of Christians, for the little children, young-men, and adult ones likewise; He cast some of the worst and most cruel that he had, at the Captain of our salvation himself, unbelief, atheism, self-murder, idolatry, and blasphemy it self; Command that these stones be made bread; Cast thy self down from the pinacle; fall down and worship me. Here is a boon for thy labour, here are all the Kingdoms of the world in their glory for thee, What canst thou have more? What a cruel Dart was this cast, for a God to worship a Devil▪ p. 74Ah Soldiers of Christ! you must expect to endure such kind of hardness as this from the Devil: Sometimes temptations to presumption, sometimes to despair, sometimes to question the Attributes of God, sometimes the word of God, sometimes the works of God, sometimes the very being of God: you must endure the hardness of these soul-piercing and burning Darts. It was hard service that Scanderbag had, in his War against the Turk; but Christs Soldiers have harder in the Warfare of the Lamb against the Devil. Christians, if you are good Soldiers of Christ, you can more or less experience the hardness of this service, the Devil will not let you be alwaies quiet.

The Devil left Christ ('tis said) for a season: It seems he intended to make an onset again.

Fourthly, Christs Soldiers must endure hardness, with a more special relation unto themselves. And here is a threefold hardness to be endured, upon this account:

1. The hardness of self-denyal, in parting with worldly enjoyments when called for.

2. The hardness of Mortification, in crucifying internal corruptions.

3. The hardness of their particular places and stations.

First, There is the hardness of self-denyal, in parting with the best, the nearest, the dearest, and choicest of our outward enjoyments, when the Lord Jesus calls for them; Father, Mother, Brethren, Sisters, Wife, Children, House and Lands, yea, and our very Lives also, or else we cannot be the Disciples and Soldiers p. 75of Jesus Christ.Ye vince & Mundus tibi victus est, &c. overcome thy self, and the World is conquered to thee. This is hard service some will say: yet, if put upon it, it must be endured. The rich man mentioned, Mar. 10.21, 22. could not endure so much as to hear of the hardness of this service, much less to perform it; He was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: This service of parting with all his Prossiessions, was too hard for him, he could not touch with it, notwithstanding all his seeming forwardness: This is harder than for a Camel to go through a needles eye; and yet, the Soldiers of Christ have endured it, and must endure it; Lo, Mar. 10.28. Heb. 11.8.Mark 10:28Heb 11:8saith Peter, we have left all and followed thee. This hard service did Abraham, the Father of the Faithful endure, in parting first with his own Country which is (as the Philosopher saith) sweet to all. By Faith Abraham, Patriâ nihil dulcius.when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an Inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. The Lord bade Abraham depart his Country, and Abraham dayily submitted; never disputed the case whither he must go, or to what Country; or what accommodation he should have, whether an House, or a Tent to dwell in; but readily obeyed. And afterwards, this great Champion of the Lord was put upon a harder piece of self-denying service, in parting with his Son. By Faith Abraham, when he was tryed, Heb. 11.17, 18.Heb 11:17Heb 11:18offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promise, offered up his only begotten Son, of whom it was said, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. What a piece of hard, self-denying service was this? to part with his Son, his begotten Son, his only begotten p. 76Son, his Isaac, his laughter, his joy, his delight, the Son to whom the Promise was made, and the Nations of the Earth were to be Blessed in him? a Carnal Soul, and a cowardly Soldier would have reasoned thus, Why Lord! take my Oxen, my Sheep, my Servants, but spare my Son; this is my Isaac, the joy and delight of my heart; this is my only begotten Son, this is all the seed I have by Sarah the free-woman, this is the Son of the Promise, there is none in the World that hath things of such concernment depending on him, as this Son of mine hath. What shall become of the Nations, which are promised to be Blessed in him? And if I must needs part with him indeed, that he must he Sacrificed, let it be done by some other hand, and not by mine: Why I am the Father that begat him, and he lies near my heart, 'tis like Death it self to think of h s Death; but for me to be the Butcher that must kill him, this kills my heart, in this one thing let me be spared; this setvice and duty is too hard for me.

But Faithful Abraham makes none of these carnal Pleas, the command being given, he arose early in the morning, Gen. 22.1, 2.Gen 22:1Gen 22:2and went readily about this hard self-denying service. Christs Soldiers have been put upon the hardness of self-denying service many a time, in parting with the nearest and dearest of their worldly enjoyments; And these things must be parted with if Christ calls for them, yea and hated too when they come in competition, or comparison with him: This hardness must be endured, or else, you cannot be Christs Disciples or Soldiers. p. 77If any man come unto me, Luk. 14.26.Luke 14:26and hate not his Father and Mother, Wife and Children, Brethren and Sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my Disciple: Nothing below, is more dear than life, skin for skin, and all that a man hath, will he give for his life; and yet that must denyed and parted with.Rev. 12.11.Rev 12:11 They loved not their lives, unto the Death. It was a notable saying of George Carpenter, a Martyr of Bavaria: My Wife and Children are so dear unto me, that all the riches of the Dukedom should not purchase them from me: But for the sake of my Lord God, I willingly forsake them. Cleopatra the last Queen of Egypt, invited Anthony to a Feast, at which she dissolved in vinigar a Pearl prised at an Hundred Sestercies.Shall Cleopatra dissolve her Jewel, worth thousands freely, and drink it up for the sake of Mark Anthony, out of her wanton love; And can you love Christ truely, and not dissolve your choicest Jewels for him as willingly and freely? Shall others be so profuse to satisfie their Lust, to dissolve Jewels and Pearls, and shall you think any thing too dear to part with for Christ? When Alexander the Great had Conquered the Country of Arabia, he sent a Ship-load of Frankingsence to a Noble-man of his acquaintance, and bade him serve the Gods plentifully, and not offer incense miserably. Ah Christians! shall Heathens serve their false Gods plentifully, and will you serve the true God miserably?

Secondly. There is the hardness of mortification, in the Crucifying of Internal Corruption. This service is too hard for the Hypocrite to endure: out-side easie service, that he will engage in; but as for this inward sin-crucifying duty, he will not touch it. The Carnal Jews p. 78would slay multitudes of Sheep and Oxen for Sacrifice, until the Lord complained of them; To what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices to me, Isa. 1.11.Isa 1:11saith the Lord? I am full of the burnt-offerings of Rams, and the fat of fed Beasts, &c. But then they would not slay one Sin; they were content to endure the hardness of the Circumcision of the Flesh, but for cutting off of the fore-skin of the heart, the Circumcision of the Spirit, that was so hard and painful, that they would not endure; The Circumcision that was made with hands, was smarting; but the Circumcision that is made without hands, in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh, Col. 2.11.Col 2:11by the Circumcision of Christ, as the Apostle hath it; this is harder to be endured. If the cutting the stone in the bladder be so painful, what is the cutting of the stone in the heart? Ah Soldiers of Christ here is the hardest of all your service within you, in Mortifying and Crucifying of innate Corruptions, this body of Sin, how hard is it!Col. 3.5.Col 3:5 Mortifie your Members which are upon the Earth, &c. The killing of Sin, is as the killing of the Members of the Body;Mat. 5.29.30.Matt 5:29Matt 5:30 this is plucking out of right eyes,Gal. 2.20.Gal 2:20 and cutting off of right hands; this is Crucifying-work, and Crucifying service is hard service;Austine confessed of himself. Non placet transire per istas anguistias. I do not love to pass through those straits. I am Crucifyed with Christ, saith the Apostle: The Crucifying of the Natural Body, how painful and grievous was it? for the Body to be nailed hand and foot to the Cross, it was a painful, hard, and lingering death, that the Romans used to put their Malefactors to; and such is the Death of Sin in the Soul, it is set forth in the Scripture p. 79by the Crucifying of Jesus Christ; when the most beloved Lusts, the most pleasurable and profitable Sins must be nailed to the Cross, and be Crucifying with Christ, this is bloody, killing service, yet this Christs Soldiers must endure; And not say to Christ,Exod. 4.25, 26.Exod 4:25Exod 4:26 as Zipporah did to Moses, a Bloody Husband, a Bloody Captain thou art unto me, because of this Circumcision.

Thirdly, Christs Soldiers must endure the hardness of their particular Places and Stations, unto which they are called. Some Soldiers are called to harder service than others; the Forlorn hope, and the Van, may meet with harder service than the main Body of the Army; The Frontiers and File-Leaders may meet with harder service than the Rear; and the Watch-men that lie Purdue, and stand Sentinels, with harder duty, than those that abide on the Guard; some are expos'd to more hardships and difficulties than others, but every Soldier must endure the hardness of that station where he is set, of that particular duty that is required of him. The Sentinel must not quit his Watch, and say, it is too cold to stand out, and the shots do flie thick, it is too dangerous being here; The File-leaders must not face about and fall back in the Rear, because the hardest service is in the Front, there are the Wounded, and there are most Slain; The Leading Officers must not bid the Private Soldiers fall on, and themselves run away; The Colours are most shot at, yet the Standard-bearer, and Ensign must stand by them, and Display them in the face of the Enemy. And so it is in the Militant p. 80Church, the Lord Jesus doth call some o… his Soldiers to harder service than others: Paul was no sooner listed under Christs Banner, but he was put upon harder service than ordinary, to bear the name of Christ, before the Gentiles, and Kings,Act. 9.15, 16.Acts 9:15Acts 9:16 and the Children of Israel; I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my Names sake. To bear the Name of Christ before Gentiles and Kings, and the Israelites, must necessarily expose him to suffer great things; yet, here he kept his station, and liv'd and dy'd in the duty he was commanded unto, and put upon: He bore the Standard of the Gospel, Preached Christ, converted Sinners, planted Churches, edified and confirmed Believers, endured the Whip often, and the Prison often, and laid down his life in Christs service at last. The Ministers of Christ are Officers in the Militant Church, and are put upon harder service than other Soldiers, and some of them call'd to harder duty, sometimes than others; but yet notwithstanding, they must do their duty, and take their lot.1 Cor. 9.16.1 Cor 9:16 For necessity is laid upon me; yea, Wo is me, if I Preach not the Gospel. Where I am set,Phil. 1.17.Phil 1:17 there I must abide; I am set for the defence of the Gospel; and defend it I must, notwithstanding all the Stripes, the Bonds, the Dangers, the Deaths that I may meet with him in this service.

Timothy was call'd forth, to do the duty of an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4.5.2 Tim 4:5and to endure the hardness of that station. But watch thou in all things, endure Afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, mak… full proof of thy Ministry. It was hard duty to p. 81go up and down Preaching of Christ, when Christianity was so much persecuted; when it was like to expose him, first to the Whip, next to the Prison next to Banishment, and at last to Death it self: Why, Timothy, it's all a case, thou must do the work of an Evangelist, and make full proof of thy Ministry, and endure the Afflictions and Hardness which belongs to thy Station.

It was hard duty which both the Prophet and the People were put upon, in Jeroboam's time; when the King, and the Ten Tribes revolted from the true Worship of God: When Spies and Informers, were set to watch who would not conform to the Calves, which the King had set up at Dan and Bethel. When the Prophet Hosea was to charge home, and let flie Menaces and Judgments against Priest and King; yet he went upon it, and performed it. Hear this, O Priest, Hos. 5.1, 2.Hos 5:1Hos 5:2and hearken ye House of Israel, and give ye ear, O House of the King; for Judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a Rebuker of them all.

Mizpah and Tabor, were places which lay between Jerusalem and Samaria, where the Ten Tribes did reside; and Jerusalem, whither the godly Non-conformists of the Tribes did go to worship:Mr. Burroughs Jacobs see…. Pag. 170 Now they were to pass along by those places of Mizpah and Tabor, as they went in their journey, and there the King, and the Priests had set spies and watches, to insnare and intrap them, to catch them, and inflict punishments p. 82upon them, for their not conforming unto Jeroboam's Idolatrous Worship. Well, the Prophet being called to this duty, he chargeth home the Priests, and lets flie at the King, and the Courtiers; and tells them, how that they were revolted from the true worship of God, and had laid their snares and nets, to catch the godly Non-conformists; and tells them, That their designs were profound, and laid deep for slaughter.

And so the godly Non-conformists of the Tribes, would keep their course unto Jerusalem, to Worship the Lord, as they were wont, notwithstanding the King, and the greater number of the Tribes were revolted, and the snares and nets that were laid for them, and the spies, and trapanners, which did watch for them in the way: Yet Jerusalem being the place of Worship, thither they would go; they would keep on their march, notwithstanding the Enemies Ambush-cadoes, and dangers and difficulties that were in their way. Ah Soldiers of Christ! wheresoever you are placed, you must endure the hardness of that station and duty unto which you are called. If your service be harder than it hath been formerly, or harder than others is at present, yet if put upon, you must endure it. I remember a passage I had from the mouth of a person of Honour, and Valour.Gen: Blake. Where (saith he) should a Minister die, but in the Pulpit? Ah where should Christs Ministers live and die, but where they are set, either in their Pulpits, or Pulpit-work, in the duty of their proper stations? And so likewise p. 83all Christs Soldiers, are to endure the hardness of their particular stations whete they are set; whether as Superiors, or Inferiors, as Master and Servant, Parent and Children, &c.

It was hard, and hot service which the Angel of the Church, and the Church of Pergamos were called unto, and dangerous standing where they were set; It was where the Devil did dwell, and where the slain did lie, and yet there they held it out. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satans seat is; Rev. 2.13.Rev 2:13and thou holdest fast my Name, and hast not denied my Faith, even in those daies wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. They were called to stand by Satans seat, at the Devils door, where Satan dwelt, and where Antipas was slain; and yet there they stood and held it out, at push of Pike (as it were with the Devil) in the midst of all the dangers and deaths that were before them.

The Militant Church should be like the Heavenly Host, to fight in their courses. It is said, The Stars in their courses fought against Sisera.Judg. 5.20.Judg 5:20 The heavenly Luminaries are called an Host, not only for their number; but also, for their order they keep, like an Army well Martial'd. The Sun, Moon, and Stars, they all keep their own Orbs and Spheres, they keep their Courses, and perform their Revolutions in their several stations, although the clouds gather never so thick and black, and the greatest Eclipses, or darkest Nights come never so often. And so should Christs Soldiers, like these Coelestial p. 84bodies, keep their courses and stations, where they are set. O the gloomy daies, the thick clouds,Act. 20.22, 23, 24.Acts 20:22Acts 20:23Acts 20:24 the sharp showers that Paul did meet with! And yet like the Sun in the Firmament, he kept his course, and was resolved to finish it: And now behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save, that the holy Ghost witnesseth in every City, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these th…ngs move me, neither count I my Life dear unto my self, so that I might sinish my course with joy, and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to Testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God.

Paul kept his Course, until he had finished his Course and his Ministry with Martrydom, and lost his Head on Nero's Block. And so should every good Soldier of Jesus Christ, endure the hardness of their particular places and stations where they are set, come what there will, or can, upon them.

The Second thing to be spoken unto, is to give you the Grounds, or Reasons of this Truth, Why Christs Soldiers must endure hardness: And instead of many more that might be given, take these four following.

Reas. 1 First, Christs Soldiers must endure the hardness of that Relation in their Professing of him,When the Persecuted Christians complained against their adversaries to Julian the Emperor, desiring Justice; he answered them, It is your Masters commandment, that you should bear all kind of injuries with Patience. Because he commands and requires it. And if there were no other reason to be given, this p. 85one is enough to carry it against all the carnal Reason in the World, that can be brought against it. How often hath the Lord Jesus commanded the taking up of the Cross? How often hath the Lord Jesus, his Come after me, and follow me? And it is not for a Soldier to dispute the commands of his Capital Officer. The fiat, the Sic volo, of Jesus Christ, is enough against all the World. He is Generalissimo, and hath the Prerogative-Royal; he hath the Supremacy in Heaven and Earth; and therefore it is good reason, that his Commands should be obeyed; and his Will should be done in Earth as well as in Heaven. Who are we,Mat. 6.11.Matt 6:11 that we should dispute the Will, or the Commands of Christ? Lord, what wilt thou have me to do, said Paul? And when he was shewed what hard duty he was to perform, what great things he must suffer in his service for the sake of Christ, he did not dispute the case, but being commanded, he went on upon it immediately,Gal. 1.16.Gal 1:16 and conferred not with flesh and blood about this matter, but readily submitted.

Reas. 2 Secondly, Christs Soldiers must endure the hardness of that relation, in their professing of him, Because otherwise they cannot be good Soldiers of Jesus Christ. Hypocrites, they will take up the easie duties, they will wash the Hands, the Cup, the Platter, &c. but they will not endure the washing of the Heart. They will take up the easie commands, but pass by the hard. They will follow Christ in fair Weather, and in the Sun-shine of Prosperity; but will hang the Wing, and shrink p. 89when Adversity and Persecution comes.Mr. Hullier the Martyr, in his Letter to the Christians, saith. In this time we must needs either shew, that we be Christs faithful Soldiers, and continue in his Battel to the end; or else if we do not, we are Apostates, and false Soldiers, shrinking from our Soveraign Lord and Cap…ain, Christ, &c. Act. & Mon. Vol. 3. Pag. 696 Mat. 8.19, 20. Pamachius a Heathen, said to the Pope. Fax…me Pontificem & exo Christianus. Make me a Bishop, and I will be a Christian. Many say in effect, the same to Christ, Give me worldly Preferment and I will be a Soldier of Christ.Matt 8:19Matt 8:20 Hypocrites will follow Christ for the World, and for the Loaves, but will not follow him for himself, and for love. They will take up the Promises, and his Preferments; but not his Cross, and Inconveniencies. They will follow him when cryed up with a Hosanna, and in his Triumph; but will leave him in his March to the Garden, and to Mount Calvary. We read of a forward Scribe in the Gospel, which one would have thought had been a None-such, a Champion for Christ, when he came after Christ, with his Master, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest. But the Lord Jesus knew where to open the right Vein, and to Lame him at the first blow: He tells him, that the Foxes have Holes, and the Birds of the Air have Nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his Head: And when the man heard this, that his service must be so hard, and his quarters so bad, here was an end of his March; If his Captain had no better accommodation, or quarters than this, he would follow him no farther.

A very Jade will draw down-hill, and whe… the weight comes easie; but when the Chariot-Wheels must go up-hill, or stick in the mire… then he will boggle, and be at a stand: But … good Horse will draw up-hill, as well as down… and in the mire, as well as in the clean and pla… p. 87ways. And every cowardly false-hearted Soldier will serve in time of Peace, in Sun-shine, and fair weather, when dangers are out of sight, when Preferment is to be had, and the pay is good, &c. But none can be a good Soldier, but such as are for service in Winter, as well as in Summer; and are good for the Field, as well as for the Garison; and will endure hardness as good Soldiers of Christ ought to do.

When Anthony Parson, the Martyr, Act. and Mon. Vol. 2. Pag. 554.was at the Stake, he pulled the straw unto him, and laid much of it on the top of his Head, saying, This is Gods Hat, now am I dressed like a true Soldier of Christ. The good Soldiers of Christ are described to be such as march after the Lamb, and follow him whither soever he goeth. Rev. 14.4.

Reas. 3 Thirdly, Christs Soldiers must endure hardness, Because it is part of their Conformity unto him, to be made Conformable unto his Cross, his Sufferings, and his Death.Heb. 2.10.Heb 2:10 The Captain of our Salvation, was made perfect through suffering: 1 Pet. 5.10.1 Pet 5:10And so must his Soldiers and followers be likewise. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his Eternal Glory, by Jesus Christ; after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect. You see, here is first suffering a while, and afterward perfection, as it was with Jesus Christ. So, the Apostle Paul expected perfection and glory, no other way then by conformity to Christ, in his Sufferings,Phil. 3 10. &c.Phil 3:10 and Death, as well as in his Resurrection, That I may know him, and the Power of his Resurrection, and the fellowship of his Sufferings, being made p. 88conformable to his Death, Rom. 8.29.Rom 8:29&c. The Lord di… predestinate Believers, to be conformable unto t… Image of his Son. And their is one part of that Image, to be made conformable unto him in the similitude of his Sufferings. It is Recorded, that when Godfrey of Bulloin had Conquered Jerusalem, that he refused to be Crowned there, with a Crown of Gold, where Christ his Master had been Crowned with Thorns. Ah Soldiers of Christ! can you be content to wear the Crown of Gold, and Christ your Captain, the Crown of Thorns? Is it reasonable, that there should be such a disparity between Christ, and Christians, that Christ should have the Ignominy and Contempt, and you have all the Honour! That Christ should have all the Vinegar, the Worm-wood, the Gall, the Bitterness, and you have all the Honey, and the Sweet! Is it fit that he should stoop so low,Psal. 110.7.Ps 110:7 as to drink of the Brook that is in the way, before he lifted up the head: And would you have your heads lifted up, and not stoop down at all to sip of the Brook, or to tast any of the bitterness of his Cup! Could you be content, that your Captain endure all the hardness of the Warfare, the Hunger, the Cold, the Watchings, the Reproaches, &c. and to receive all the Wounds, and Blows, the Cuts, the Shots, the Stabs, and Knocks; and you to go free, and endure no hardness in the Battel! Where then would be your conformity to your Captain, Christ, in his sufferings?

Reas. 4 Fourthly, The Soldiers of Christ must endure the hardness which their profession of him p. 89do expose them unto: Because otherwise it would be a disparagement and dishonor unto Jesus Christ, if his Soldiers should not endure hardness, when it shall be said, that all other Soldiers will; that the Soldiers of Men, and the Soldiers of the Devil, will endure hardness in their service; and if Christs Soldiers should not endure hardness in his, how much would it reflect upon the Honour of Christ?

There came a Centurion to Christ (a petty Roman Commander,Mat. 8.9.Matt 8:9 a Captain of an Hundred men) and describes the Valour and Fidelity of his Soldiers, what manner of Persons they were: I am a man under Authority, having Soldiers under me: And I say unto one, go, and he goeth; unto another, come, and he cometh; and to my Servant, do th…s, and he doth it. Whatsoever service I command my Soldiers upon, they perform it; they never dispute my commands, though it be to go through the Swords, and Spears; though it be to batter down the strongest, or to Scale the highest Walls of the Garison; though the heaps of the dead lie before them, yet they will go on, and over them, and will endure the hardest duty that I command them to do. Here is a true Character of my Soldiers.

Now we will suppose that the Centurion should desire an account of the Lord Jesus, concerning his Soldiers, in such a manner as this: Lord Jesus, thou art more than a man under Authority: Thou art a God above all Authorrity, and art Captain-General of all the Forces, and Armies in Heaven and Earth; Thou hast p. 90many Legions of Soldiers under thy Command, and how do they acquit themselves, in obeying thy …ommands? and what hardness will they endure in thy service? I am unworthy that thou shouldest come under the Roof of my House; and yet, this will my Soldiers do for me. This lower World is unworthy for thy entertainment; and what will thy Soldiers do for thee?

Ah! how sad is it to consider, what truth it self must say to this! True, may the Lord Jesus say, I have many Soldiers under me: I command the Host of the Blessed Angels, those potent Creatures, and they obey me readily; they execute all my decrees, &c. But I have Soldiers upon Earth, in my Militant Church, of whom I cannot give so good a Character, as thou hast of thine. Here are Twelve which I have cull'd the World for, and made them my Life-Guard to attend my Person, and I made them my …ouncil to know my Secre…s; and one of these (viz Judas Isca…iot) hath proved as false as a Devil; He hath joyned issue with the Devil, to Plot and contrive my Death: And for Thirty pieces of Silver, he hath sold my Life, into my Blood-thirsty Enemies hands; this is indeed the worst of them all: But the best hath proved bad enough: Simon Peter, was the most valiant Champion of them all; and sometimes was too forward, when he drew his Sword, and fell on without order, and cut off Malchus his ear. Yet at other times he proved false, and cowardly, (after he had promised to follow me to the Prison, and to Death; p. 91and though all the rest should flinch and forsake, yet he would stand alone by me one time he left me in my greatest straits, and denyed me to my Enemies with Oathes and Execrations; he Cursed and Swore, that he did not belong to my Company; yea, and that he did not so much as know me: And since I have made h…m weep bitterly for this Offence, he hath been false and fearful, and complying, dissembling his Principles to the betraying the Liberty of the Gospel;Gal. 2.11, 12, 13.Gal 2:11Gal 2:12Gal 2:13 and Paul hath reproved him for it, and withstood him to the face.

Here is the best and the worst of the Twelve. But others of them also have proved bad enough, when I was in the greatest sorrows that ever I felt, and my life in eminent danger; after I had told them of the Enemies Treacherous Plot for to take away my Life, and commanded them to Watch, yet they fell asleep, and I found them so.Christ may say to many of his Soldiers, as Bias did say to his, when fearful and … out: saying what shall we do, said he, Tell those that are alive, that I dyed Fighting; and I will report unto the dead that you escaped Flying. Laerti…. They could not watch one hour, although it was the greatest occasion that ever I had. And I have a great many other Soldiers in my Militant Church, which do acquit themselves as bad, yea far worse, than divers of these, who, when I command them to watch, they will worse than sleep in the place; they will quit their stations; they will not go forth unto the Watch-Tower, nor stand out at their Centinel-Duty. They complain that the weather is too cold, too dark, too stormy, and the station is too dangerous now to stand it. I have Officers, and I command them for to Lead, but they will lye behind. I have Standard bearers and Ensigns, and I b…d them display their p. 92Colours, but they will roll them up, and leave them. I have Ministers, and I have given them Commission, and Command for to Preach the Word in season, and out of season; and have told them, that if they should hold their peace,**Luk. 19.40.Luke 19:40 the Stones would immediately cry out; And yet of these, I have many that will not do it, but will say, that it is no reason for it now; and misapply the Scripture, to excuse their duty.**Amos 5.13. The Apostles did not understand this to be the meaning of the Text, that when Persecutton did arise, they should then leave off Preaching of the Gospel. Pompey, when he was sent by the Senate upon a voiage he was the first that entered the Ship, in a dangerous storm, and commanded the sails to be spread, saying, it is necessary … I go, but not that I live Plutarch. Thus should Chiists Soldiers say, It is necessary that we do Christs service, be it never so dangerous, but not that we live.Amos 5:13 Now is an evil time (say they) and the prudent must keep silence. I have Soldiers, when I bid them advance, they will retreat; when I command them to March on, they will Face about, and Counter-march: When I cause the Trumpet of the Gospel to sound, and Command them not to forsake the Assembling of themselves together, some of them will not do it at all, and others but by four, and fives; I cannot get so many as will make a single File, of my Soldiers, (in many places) together: They say, now the duty is too hard, and the service too dangerous. At one place, the Cathedral-Canons Play, and a Book full of Articles let fly at once. At another place stands planted a whole rank of Ordinances and Acts, of several sorts and sizes: At this place lies Imprisonment; At the other place Banishment; and one step farther lies terrible Death, where no quarter can be ex…ected; and here I cannot get my Soldiers on. They say the service is too hard for them to endure. Oh Centurion! may Christ say, that I could give so good a Character of my Soldiers, as thou hast of thine! Oh that my Soldiers would go and come, and obey my p. 93Commands, and endure hardness, like thine.

We will suppose again now, that the Lord Jesus should ask the Devil, concerning his Soldiers, in such a manner as this: Satan, thou hast Soldiers likewise; thou hast the most, and the worst in the World: How do they obey thy Commands? What hardness will they endure in thy service? Ah how sad is it here to consider, how that the Father of lies, may speak too much truth, to the dishonour of Christ!

Why, Lord Jesus, may Satan say, I can tell thee of many Renagadoes, and Apostates, who have left thy service for the hardness of it, and have since endured hardness in mine. I can tell thee of many that have sickly bodies, hungry stomacks, and naked backs, for serving me: I can shew thee many, that have ruined themselves, their families, and posterities in serving of me; in drinking, whoring, gaming, &c. I have Soldiers which do bear the marks of my service: Behold it, some on their fore-heads, some on their shoulders, others in their hands. My Soldiers obey my Commands, and endure any hardness that I put them upon; Stripes, Imprisonment, and Death it self. They will adventure on the Whip, the Goal, the Gallows, yea, Hell and Damnation it self, in serving of me. Here are the Irons that stigmatized them; Here are the Ropes which hanged them; And though never so many are dropt already, I have enough to stand in their Places, and to take their Lot when I command them. I can shew thee a larger and longer list of my Prisoners, than thou canst of thine: I can shew a greater book of p. 94Malefactors that have suffered for me; then thou canst of Martyrs that have suffered for thee.

Malo in nos murmur hominum, quam in Deum. Rather let their reproach fall on us, rather than on God. Bernard.Oh now! what a Dishonour will it be to Jesus Christ when it shall be said, That the Soldiers of men, the Roman Soldiers, and the Devils, will endure hardness in their service, and Christs Soldiers will not endure hardness in his blessed service? Ah Soldiers of Christ! consider how the reputation of Christ lies at stake; and for the Honour and sake of your great Commander, make a stand, and face the storm of the times, and endure the hardness of his service.

3The Third thing to be spoken unto, is, How the Soldiers of Christ must endure hardness. And this you shall have in these Five Particulars.

They must endure it

1. Voluntarily.

2. Patiently.

3. Couragiously.

4. Constantly.

5. Sincerely.

1First, Christs Soldiers must endure hardness Voluntarily, and Willingly. They must not be hal'd and drag'd, nor forc'd and constrain'd unto the hardness of their Duty, against their wills: The Lord Jesus, he orders out hard duty for his Soldiers to perform; but he doth not force it upon them:Luk. 9.23.Luke 9:23 when he speaks of the Cross, he tells them, that they must take it up themselves. Here is the Cross, I tell you of it, I shew it unto p. 95you; but I will not force it on you; you must take it up, in case you will have it. I will not extort your service from you, you must take it up, and bear it willingly, if you will have it. So Mat. 11.29. Take my Yoke upon you. Here is my Yoke, I tell you of it, that ye be not mistaken; I will not force it on you, but you must take it upon you, your selves. Jesus Christ will strengthen your hands, your shoulders, your necks, &c. to take it up and bear it; but you must take it unto you, and put it on your selves. Soldiers of Christ! you must put on your Harness, and take up your Arms, and endure the hardness of your Captains service Voluntarily. The Apostle Paul, took up his hard service Spontaneously and readily; I am ready, Act. 21.13.Acts 21:13not to be bound only, but also to dye at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. …t is Prophesied of Christs Soldiers,Psal. 110.3.Ps 110:3 that they shall be a willing people. It is said in the Song of Deborah and Barak, My heart is toward the Governours of Israel, Judg. 5.9.Judg 5:9who offered themselves willingly among the people. And so the heart of Christ is toward those Soldiers that offer themselves willingly, unto his hard service; He cares not for Prest-Soldiers. The Lord Jesus hath no Press-Master belonging to his Army: He beats up for Voluntiers, and is all for them. His Gospel-Trumpet sounds, C…me away, come away Voluntiers, unto the Warfare of the Lamb. Christ cares not for Spachies, that must be forc'd on his service. The most Cowardly Hypocrite that ever listed under Christs Banner, hath professed his willingness to Christs service, however it hath proved otherwise.

p. 962Secondly, Christs Soldiers must endure the hardness of his service Patiently. They must be patient and quiet under the hardest duty that he calls them unto, or puts them upon. The Lord Jesus tells his Disciples, what hard service they should be put upon, How that the Enemies shoul lay their hands upon them, and persecute them, and deliver them up to the Synagogues, and to the Prison; and that they should bring them before Kings and Rulers, for his Names sake, and how they should be betrayed, by Parents, Brethren Kinsfolk and Friends,It is said of the Lacedemonians, that they were patient in Travel, Weather, and Wars. How much more should it be said so of Christians under all their sufferings. and some of them put to Death, and hated of all men, for his Names sake; and yet he tells them, they must be patient under all this; In Patience possess ye your Souls. You must keep the Possession of your Souls in Patience, under the greatest Persecutions and Sufferings that you shall meet withal. The Captain of our Salvation hath March'd before us, and led the Van, and born the brunt and heat of the Day, through all his unparallel'd Agonies, Temptations, Afflictions and Persecutions, with admirable Patience:Heb. 12.1, 2.Heb 12:1Heb 12:2 And so would he have us to March after him. Let us run with patience the race that is set bef re us, looking unto Jesus. It was a hard race which the Lord Jesus did run, and yet he ran it with Patience;Isa. 53.7.Isa 53:7 he did never kick, nor fling,The Hebrew Doctors Figure the Ass, as a perfect symbol of Patience, Fortitude and Clemency. nor mutter, nor murmur. He was Oppressed, and he was Afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a Sheep before her shearers is dumh, so opened he not his mouth, &c. And herein he left his Soldiers an Example that they should p. 97March after him, and tread in his steps, 1 Pet. 2.21

Though Christs Kingdom is a Kingdom of Tribulation; yet, it must be a Kingdom of Patience. I John, who am also your Brother and Companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ. We must be Patient, in this Kingdom of Christs Patience. How patient did Job bear it out, under all his Losses and Crosses, Temptations, Poverty and Sores? when he was the very picture of infelicity and misery, and the Proverb of poverty; yet, he was a Monument, and a Non-such for Patience. How patient did Laurence the Martyr bear it out on the Gridiron, when roasted on the Fire?Laurence tormented on the Gridiron, said to the Emperor, look ô wretch, thou hast rosted one side, thru the other. Eusebius. How patient have the Primitive, and Modern Martyrs and Confessors, endured the hottest, and hardest service that ever they were put upon? It is said of that noble Army which followed the Lamb, and bore the brunt of Persecution under Antichrist, Here is the patience of the Saints: Here are they, that keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus.

3Thirdly, Christs Soldiers must endure the hardness of his service Couragiously and chearfully. Barlaam, As he was holding his hand in the Flame, sung that of the Psalmist, Thou teach my hands to and my fingers to Fight. Act. Mon. Vol. 1. Pag. 1.18.Soldiers should bear up under their hardest duty, with Valiant minds, with Noble, Heroick, chearful spir…ts. With what Valiant minds did the Roman Soldiers bear it out, in the hardest service, and hottest Fights, under Julius Caesar, &c. They would but (as it were) smile upon the greatest dangers and deaths! How those Roman Heroes despise, and disdain, and mount above in their spirits, and look over and beyond all the hardships and difficulties p. 98that lay in their way? And so should the Soldiers of Jesus Christ; they should imitate the Captain of their Salvation in this: It is said, He endured the Cross, Heb. 12.2. Polycarpus dying, said to the Proconsul, why lingerest thou? use either Beast, or Fire, or destroy me. Loncerus Heb. 10.34.Heb 12:2Heb 10:34despising the shame. There was a great deal of shame, and ignominy, and reproach in the Cross; and yet Jesus Christ did slight and despise it, as if it had been nothing; and so should his Soldiers likewise.

The Old-Testament-believers, did not only take patiently the spoiling of their goods, but also joyfully: They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods. So Job did not only patiently bear his losses and crosses; but did likewise actually bless the Lord; and thus should Christs Soldiers do.

The Plunderers, the Sequestrators, the Robbers, the Oppressors, the Devil, the Caldeans, the Sabeans have been here and spoiled out goods, and took away our Estates; Ahab hath been here, and took away the Vinyard; no matter for all this, chear up, and rejoyce. It is the Lor… that giveth, Job 1.21.Job 1:21and the Lord that taketh away, and blessed be the Name of the Lord. As the Brother of low degree must rejoyce in that he is exalted:Jam. 1.9, 10.Jas 1:9Jas 1:10 so the rich must rejoyce in that he is made Low. My Brethren, count it all Joy when ye fall into divers Temptations. Jam. 1.2.Jas 1:2Ah Soldiers of Christ! you should chear up, and rejoyce, and bear it out with minds; and not only rejoyce, but count it all Joy, when your service is hardest; when you fall into divers temptations, though the shots flye never so thick. How couragiously did Basil bear it out, when Mod…stas the Emperors Lieutenant, threatned h…m with Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, and p. 99Death? Said Basil, if you have any thing else, Cyprian a little before his death said, Jam jam Gladio faviendus, Deo gradias. I thank God I shall straight way be smitten with your sword. Eusebius. Acts 20.24.Acts 20:24threaten it; For these things are nothing. How is that, said Modestus? Basil answered; For loss of goods, I have nothing but a few torn Clothes, and a few Books; For Banishment, I account the whole Earth mine; And for Death, that will be a benefit to me; you will hasten me the sooner to God, to whom I live, and to whom I hasten. And a little after, he saith, Fire, Sword, Prison, Famine, they are all a Pleasure, they are delightful to me. This was a Paul-like Resolution; But none of these things move me, &c. When Ignatius was cast forth to the Wild-Beast, to be devoured, Now (saith he) I begin to be a Christian. Rom. 5.3. foreign. 2 Mac. 7. Crudelitas vestra, gloria nostra. Tertul. ad scabulam. Your cruelty, is our glory. Heb. 11.35. foreignRom 5:32 Macc 7Heb 11:35We glory in Tribulation (saith the Apostle:) What a memorable passage is that we read of in Apocryphical History, of the Seven Brethren and their Mother, who suffered variety of most cruel Tortures and Torments with admirable courage and chearfulness one after another (under Antiochus) until they had all finished their lives with grievous Martyrdom! And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance (saith the Apostle) They would not accept of deliverence (i. e.) upon ignoble, dishonourable and unrighteous Terms. Ah Soldiers of Christ! you should be of couragious, valiant spirits, in your hardest duty, Nehemiah-like. Shall such a man as I flee? Neh. 6.11.Neh 6:11and who is there, that being as I am, would go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go in. Oh Christians! such men as you, should not flinch, or flee, because of difficulties, dangers, and deaths that may lie in your way, but abide it valiantly.

4Fourthly, Christs Soldiers must endure hardness p. 100Constantly. The whole life of a Christian is a time of Warfare. In some Countries men begin their Warfare at one time of their age; and in others, at another; and so end their Warfare likewise: because every age is not for War. In some Nations it is from Fifteen, to Fifty; In our Country it is from Sixteen to Sixty.Numb. 1.3.Num 1:3 The Children of Israel did not pass Muster for War, until the age of Twenty. But this is most certain, That whensoever Christs Soldiers begin their Warsare, they must hold it out,Mr. Rough the Martyr at his Examination before the Bishop of Lincoln, told him, that he had lived Thirty years, and yet never bowed his Knee to Baal. 1 Tim. 1, 18, 19, 20.1 Tim 1:181 Tim 1:191 Tim 1:20 and continue for term of life. None are too young to list under Christs Banner; nor none are too old to continue his service. John was the young Disciple of Christ, he listed betimes; and as Histories report, he served in old age, on his Crutches, till death. Timothy began Christs service, and entred on his Warfare in his Child-hood; and he was to continue in it, to hold fast Faith and a good Conscience, when Hymeneus and Alexander made Shipwrack of theirs. Polycarpus continued Christs service Eighty six years, and finished his War-fare by Martrydom at last. The Soldiers of Christ may have harder duty at one time, than at another; but nothing terminates their Warfare but death;Rev. 2.10. Jovianus refused to govern those that were not sound in the Faith; I (said he) that am a Christian, cannot become your Emperor that are the Disciples of Julian, a runnagate from Christ. Eusebeus.Rev 2:10 Be thou faithful unto Death. Their dying-day, is their discharging-day; It is death without mercy for any of Christs Soldiers to put off their Harness, to lay down their Arms to desert his service before they dye. Is there p. 101not an appointed time for Man upon Earth? Job 7.1 The marginal reading, Warfare; Intimating, that all the time which man hath upon Earth, is a time of Warfare; and so long as the Warfare doth last, the tryals and hardness of it must be endured: The race is never ended, nor the battel over, until our breath goes out. Better never, never, never to list in Christs service,2 Pet. 2.20, 21.2 Pet 2:202 Pet 2:21 than afterward to leave it. Better never to have known the way of righteousness, then afterward to forsake it.

To desert Christs service, is to turn Renegadoes and Apostates, and they are the worst,Jude. 13.Jude 1:13 and most miserable of men. The blackness of darkness is reserved for them for ever.

Fifthly, Christs Soldiers must endure the hardness of his service Sincerely. They must have sincere principles and aims, in all that they do, and in all that they suffer.Illud humiliter sublimè & sublimitèr humile nisi in Christi Martyribus non ultimus. Cypr. de dupl. Martyr. We see not that humblelostiness, or that lofty-humility in any, but in the Martyrs of Christ. It is not the sufferings the Blood, nor the Cause, that Crowns the Martyr. Whilest Judas Iscariot had part of the Ministry, with the rest of the Disciples, he took part of the Cross, of the Afflictions and Persecutions, which did attend the Gospel. It is true, that a Wolf will not fall upon a painted sheep; yet Persecutors will fall on the Picture of Christianity, if drawn to the Life. Men do Persecute Christs followers, for the Godliness they see without them; for there is none but an Omniscient eye can see that within them; yea they will call them Hypocrites, and persecute them as such. Christians, here is your greatest concernment, in all your services, and in all your sufferings, to see that your principles p. 102and ends be sincere.2 Cor. 2.14.2 Cor 2:14 That your Principle is the love of Christ within you; and your End, the glory of Christ without you; as it was with the suffering-Saints of God, the Servants and Soldiers of Christ, of old. Paul was carried out with the love of Christ; and the Mark he set up, and the White he levell'd at, was the glory of Christ.Phil. 1.20.Phil 1:20 That Christ might be magnified in his Body, whether it were by life, or de…th. Natural Conscience, through common Illumination may carry men far, and raise a Bulwark against open Apostasie; Conscience will tremble at it, common shame will not admit it, &c. Vain glory hath filled the Sailes of Heathens, and carried them forth to suffer, as far as death; Through natural stoutness and vain glory, they have preferred an Honourable Death, before an Ignominious Life. Judas Maccabeus when encompassed with a thousand men of his Enemies, chose Death, rather than to stain his Honour with an Ignominious flight. So is it said of Julius Cesar, when he had notice given him of the Conspiracy in the Senate-house, to take away his Life: he answered, Mori se quàm timere male: That he had rather die, than admit of fear. Ah Soldiers of Christ! you must see that your Principles and Ends, in your services and sufferings, be better and higher, than what those Roman-H…a hen Heroes had. We must look to the manner, as well as the matter of our sufferings, that it be according to the will of God. 1 Pet. 4.19.1 Pet 4:19The Apostle supposeth that a man may, as to outward appearance, die as a Martyr, and yet lose the Crown of Martyrdom. p. 103And though I bestow all my goods to feed the Poor, 1 Cor. 13.3. foreign, significat in eum bona avidè impendere Beza in Loc. ul. omnem substantiam suam in talem usum expendere. Cornel. à Lap. in eundem.1 Cor 13:3and give my body to be Burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth nothing. To burn in Christs Cause, and not to love him, will be but like a Cypher, by its self, which signifies nothing. What a most high and Emphatical supposition is this? The Apostle supposeth, that he may bestow his goods; not extorted and forc'd from him, but freely bestowed; and not a little, or some of his goods, but all his goods; and that to so charitable a use, as to feed the Poor, who are in necessity and want; And give his Body to be burnt, not pull'd and drag'd to the Stake, but voluntarily give himself to suffer such a cruel death as Burning; and yet all this to be without Charity, and without profit. What, may a man give all his goods, and yet have no Charity? and give his body to be burnt, in the cause of Christ, and yet not profited by it? This seems a Paradox, yet a great truth! all this may be done from Principles of self-love, of natural courage, ostentation, vain glory, &c. without any sincere love to Christ, or his Interest and Glory. Papists will part with much, and suffer much, to merit Salvation; The Romans have suffered death, that they might Immortalize their Names and Glory: The Lacedemonians were wont to say, That it is a shame for any man to fly in time of danger; but for a Lacedemonian, it is a shame for him to deliberate.

Ah Soldiers of Christ! see that your Principles and Ends be Sincere. Other Commanders, if their Soldiers be stout, and will perform their p. 104duty, care not what Principles do carry the… forth: But there shall none pass Muster at th… Judgment-day, for good Soldiers of Jesus Christ, but such as have been sincere in his Service and Sufferings, Sincerity is the chiefest Jewel in the Crown of Martyrdom: and therefore let those that suffer, see that they suffer according to the will of God. 4. Application.1 Pet. 4.19.

The Fourth and last thing to be spoken unto, is the Application of this Doctrine; Which shall be to exhort and perswade Christs Soldiers to their duty of enduring all that hardness which they may meet with in the service of their Captain.

And that I may remove the offence of the Cross, and raise up your Spirits to your Duty, I shall lay down,

1I. Twenty one Encouragements to press it on.

2II. Twenty one Directions as means unto it.

1First, Consider (Soldiers of Christ,) you have a good Captain, to lead and conduct you. It was Carus the Emperor's Motto, Bonus Dux, bonus Comes. A good Leader, makes a good Follower. Why Christians, you have the best Captain and Leader that is in the World, Consider him which way you will, there is none like him for encouragement.

1I. He is of most Honourable Extraction, and of a most Noble Descent. He is no upstart, no new-raised Commander, no despicable person, as many Commanders are, who are Soldiers of Fortune, and look for preferment. But this is the First-born of the Eternal Father, p. 105and one that is made higher than the Kings of …he Earth.Heb. 1.3. foreign Proinde Metaphora subest, ac tantundem significatur quod in Christo respondet universa patris gloria, &c. Hyperius in loc. Titus his Motto was, Princeps bonus orbis amor. All the World falls in love with a good Prince.Heb 1:3 This is the Brightness of the Fathers Glory, and the express Image of his Person.

Some few years since, one Mascianello, a con…emptible Fisher-man in the City of Naples, …aised up, in a few daies, a great Army, and commanded them to do great Exploits, which have …een very Prodigious, and a wonderment in the World, that so great a number of men should …ollow the Conduct of so despicable a Commander. But this is no such person.

This is Jesus Christ his Most Excellent Ma…esty,The Captain of Christians, is both an Honourable Prince, and a Glorious Saviour. (with an Emphasis) who is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And is Generalissimo of all his Majesties For…es in Heaven and Earth.

22. Look upon his Strength and Valour. He hath an Omnipotent hand, and is of a most Va…iant, Couragious, Heroick Spirit. He is more strong than Sampson, and more valiant than Gideon, or David, or Alexander, &c. This is he who cuts in pieces the Gates of Brass, and breaks asunder the Barrs of Iron; that bears away the Gates of Hell; that divided the Sea; that slew Rahab, and wounded the Dragon;Plal. 76.3, 4, 5, &c. that brake the Arrows of the Bow, the Shield, the Sword, and the Battel. Selah. That is more glorious and excellent than the Mountains of Prey; that overthrows the Chariots; that cuts down, and cuts off the very Spirits of Princes, and is terrible to the Kings of the Earth.Psa. 135, 10, 11.Ps 135:10Ps 135:11 That p. 106smote great Nations, and slew mighty Kings: Sihon King of the Amorites, and Og King of Rashan, and all the Kingdoms of Canaan. This is he that cut down and Conquered the Pharoahs, the Herods, the Cesars, &c. This is he whom Julian the Tyrannical Apostate**Vicisti, when mortally wounded from Heaven, he threw up his Blood, and cryed out thou ô Galilean, thou hast overcome me. It is said of Julius Cesar beholding the Image of Alexander the Great, at 24 years of his age, said, Am not I miserable that have done nothing worthy of memory, and yet this Prince at this age has exploited so many notable things? Christians, behold the Picture of your Commander, & be affected with what he hath done. acknowledged (though reproachfully) to be the Conqueror. This is he that hath faced and fought the most Potent, Form…dable, and Terrible Enemies that ever he met withal: He is the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah: The terrour of the Devils; they have had their quarters beaten up, and been dispossessed by him, and they tremble at the very thoughts of him, of his tormenting of them: He never did, nor never will, turn his back, or prove a Coward for men or Devils. He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the Heads over many Countries.

This is a Captain, that will make o her Captains to quake and shake; to run away, to cry out Quarter, quarter, and hide themselves, if possible they could.Rev. 6.15, 16, 17.Rev 6:15Rev 6:16Rev 6:17 And the Kings of the Earth, and the great men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-m…n, and every freeman, hid themselves in the Dens, and in the Rocks of the M…untains; And said to the Mountains and Rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand? Oh! what a p. 107most Puissant, Potent, most stout and valiant a Commander and Captain is Jesus Christ, to encourage his Soldiers!

33. Look upon his Skill and Policy: He is the most skilful Warrier in all the World,Julius Cesar gloried in his good fortunes but yet the bringing of his great enterprises to pass, was in his wisdom, and experience in Warlike affairs. Suetonius. The Lacedemonians made more account of an exploit, done by Policy than by Arms Thucidides. to assault and harm his Enemies; and to carry on, and bring off, to preserve and defend his own Soldiers. It is a Proverbical and true saying, That there is Policy in War. And surely the Prince of Darkness, the old Serpent, the Dragon, is full of Wiles, and Political Stratagems: And the Machivilians and Polititians of the World, are deep in Counsel in managing their designs of War. It is said of Hannibal, that he never fought any Battel without laying some Ambush. But, Soldiers of Christ, let Men and Devils be never so skilful and politick, your Captain knows how to out-wit and over-reach them; He knows where all their Mines are digged, where all their Forces, Flankers, and Ambush-cadoes do lie. He knew the Plot that was against his Person, before ever Satan had put it into Judas his heart to betray him. He hath an Omniscient Eye,Isa. 9.6.Isa 9:6 as well as an Omnipotent Hand; He is wonderful in Counsel, there is none like him. The mighty Counsellor; the wonderful Counsellor, and mighty God: He taketh the wise in their own Craftiness, and snareth them in the works of their own hands. He makes his Counter-mines, and blows them up, or buries them in the Pits they have digged. He out-shoots the Devil, and the wicked in their own Bow. Ah Christirns! if your Captain had not been a skilful Warrier, the Dragon had p. 108won the Day, and Christ would not have had one Soldier to follow him at this day: His skill is such, that he hath reserved, and preserved his Militant Church in the world, notwithstanding all the Rage, the Power, and Policy of Men and Devils, that have been acting against it.

44. Look upon the mildness, the meekness, the serenity and sweetness of his carriage and deportment towards his Soldiers.Lucullus Soldiers would not follow him, because he was so ungentle to them. Livius. Isa. 42.2, 3.Isa 42:2Isa 42:3 He is not harsh, nor rash, nor ridged and cruel, as many Commanders are. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his Voice to be heard in the Streets. A bruised Reed shall he not break and the smoaking Flax shall he not quench; he shall bring forth Judgment into Victory. Soldiers of Christ, the Chariot in which your General rides,Cant. 3.10.Song 3:10 is Paved with Love. And his Banner which he Displaies over you,Cant. 2.4.Song 2:4 is a Banner of Love. He enamours and overcomes his Soldiers with Love. He hath suffered himself to be wounded, to heal his Soldiers: He hath made a precious Balsom with his dearest Blood to that purpose.Rev. 1.5.Rev 1:5 He hath loved them, and washed them from their Sins, with his own Blood. He hath made an Orifice to his very heart, and drain'd all his Veins to do them good.The Senate was wont to salute Augustus Caesar by the Title of Pater Patriae, the Father of their Countrey; but what was his love to his Countrey or Soldiers, to Jesus Christ to his? There is in him the true foreign, true Humanity, Love to Mankind; and the Saints may call him, as the S… ture doth, Principem salutis ipsorum, the Captain of their Salvation. He was content to receive the terrible thrust, and mortal wound of the Enemies Spear, p. 109in his precious side; and to accept of no quarter for himself, that his Soldiers might live. He tenders all his faithful Soldiers, with the same dearness that a man doth the Wife of his bosom, the fruit of his loins, the members of his body; He hath the highest affections of all these relations in himself, for those that follow him, Ah! where can you Parallel this Commander and encouraging-Leader? With many other Commanders, it is but a word and a blow, a cut, or a stab, a knock him down, or hang him up, for every trivial offence. Military Law hath much severity in it self, and yet many times some Officers will go beyond the rigor of it. I have read of Lamachus, when one of his Soldiers was brought before him for some offence, and promised, he would do so no more; Lamachus answeres him, Non licet in bello bis peccare. None must offend twice in War. But Jesus Christ is full of Compassion and Indulgence toward his Soldiers: If they will take to themselves words, and acknowledg their offences, and from their hearts promise reformation, his heart will be taken with it; All that he looks at, is their Reformation, not their Destruction: He loves them too well, for to do them hurt: He never strikes his Soldiers, but it goes to his heart, it turns his bowels; his heart is lowly and meek. He hath love in his Colours, love in his Countenance. He hath love in his looks, and sweetness in his Words. What love-compellation doth he give his Soldiers? My Friends, my Lambs, my Brethren, my Sisters, my Spouse, my Love, my Dove, my Undefiled, &c. p. 110Cyrus was of opinion,Zenophon. That no man was fit for an Empire, excep the did excel those over whom he bare Rule. Why Christians, your Emperor and Commander doth every way excel all other Officers and Soldiers, over whom he bears Rule.

What were any of the Babylonian, Persian, G ecian, or Roman Emperors, to Jesus Christ? none of the Noble Heroes and gallants of the World, can compare with him, who had so many to follow them. He is a greater than Solomon for Nobleness and Wisdom; greater than Julius Cesar, or Alexander, for Valour, or …onquest; for Generosity and Sweetness: He hath all kind of Super-excellent Accomplishments to affect and attract the hearts of his Soldiers; and engage them to follow him.

2Secondly, Consider, Soldiers of Christ, you have a good Cause, as well as a good Captain: and this is another great encouragement. It's true, that there are many Soldiers of Fortune, who if they like the Preferment and the Pay, &c. they care not much for the Cause; Engage they will, whether right, or wrong; and, Butcher-like, will make a Trade and Living of Killing, and pocket up the price of Blood; And, Judas-like, look more at the Money, than at the Blood, though it be the Blood of Christ! But Conscientious Soldiers have no courage, or encouragement, when their Cause is bad. The Christian Soldier, would serve the Roman-Heothen Emperors, for the Peace of their Countries, and all Lawful Designs: But they would not bear Arms, and fight against the true Religion, and their fellow-Christians; but would rather chuse to die any Death.

p. 111But, Soldiers of Christ, (whatever others have to say for theirs) to be sure your Cause is good. It is the most Noble, Righteous, and clearest Cause that ever was stated in the World. This Warfare is a good Warfare,1 Tim. 1.18, 19.1 Tim 1:181 Tim 1:19 it is the holding fast of Faith, and a good Conscience, which are good things both. This Warfare is the Warfare of the Lamb, against the Flesh, the World, and the Devil: This Fight is the good Fight of faith. This is the Cause and Quarrel which the cloud of Witnesses,It is said of Trajan; that he was never vanquished, because he never undertook War without just cause. The same Livius writes of the Romans in his Decad. But their cause was seldom so just as Christs Soldiers is. and Noble Army of Martyrs have asserted, commended, and laid down their lives in. This is the Cause which the Apostle Paul was not ashamed to own at Rome, before the Valiant, and Terrible Soldiers; before the Potent, and Politick Statesmen; before the learned Philosophers, and eloquent Orators. It was a g…od Confession (saith the Apostle) which the Captain of our Salvation witnessed before Pilate the Roman Judge; and it is a good Profession, for any to profess themselves to be his Soldiers and followers, When Ardley the Martyr was urged by Bonner to recant, he cryed out and said, If every Hair of my head were a man, I would suffer Death for my Religion. Ah Soldiers of Christ! if you had as many lives, as you have hairs on your heads, they would not be too many, nor too good, asunder, or together, for to lay down in such a Cause as this. Luther would appear at Worms (when summoned) to own the truths of Christ, though every Tile of the City should be a Devil. Soldiers of Christ, chear up, chear up, your Cause is good.

p. 1123Thirdly, Consider, Soldiers of Christ, you have a good Call, as well as a good Captain and Cause: And hence here is further encouragement for you.

Soldiers must not fall on without order; though the Cause be never so good, yet they must look to their Call. Why, Jesus Christ hath called you unto his service, and bids you go on:1 Tim. 6.12.1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay h ld on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called. Here you see plain, the Call of Christ, added to the Cause of Christ: Whereunto thou art also Called. And this Call of your Captain General, is sufficient Commission and encouragement for you to go on in his hardest, and most difficult service.

Though you have no Call from men, no Call from Magistrates to Profess, to Preach, to Hear, to Pray, to Meet for to edifie one another, &c. yea, though you have Countermands from them, and orders to the contrary; though you meet with never so many prohibitions from men;Dan. 6.Dan 6 ye… the Call of your Capital Officer is warrant enough to proceed in his service. When a Decree was past by King Darius, his Princes and Presidents, as firm as any Act that can pass King,Juvat Coelum potius quam una mira veritatis pereat. Let Heaven rush, rather than one crumb of truth should perish, said Luther. Lords and Commons, prohibiting Prayer unto the God of Heaven, for the space of thirty days; and though Daniel knew that it was a snare to take him; yet he looked upon his Call from the God of Heaven to be sufficient for him to keep on in duty; and, like a good Soldier, would not alter, or omit any of his usual postures; but prayed as often, and p. 113in the same manner as before, notwithstanding the danger of the Lyons Den, and Death, that lay before him. So Peter and John, when they had received a Countermand from the Magistrates, forbidding them to Preach any more in Christs name; they would not observe it, but look'd upon the Call they had from their Captain Christ, to be valid enough, and made their Enemies to be Judges in the Case;Act. 4.18, 19.Acts 4:18Acts 4:19 Whether it be right in the sight of God, to bearken unto you, more than unto God, judge ye. Gal. 1.12.Gal 1:12Paul tells the Galatians, how that the Gospel which he preached, he received not from men; nor at any time would he part with it for men; he lock'd on Christs Call and Commission sufficient. Decius made an Act, that all that Worshipped Christ, should be slain; yet the Christians would adventure on it, though forbidden upon pain of death: And, as History reports, that after Decius and his Son had reigned Two years, they were slain themselves in Barbary.

Christians, there be no Soldiers in the World, that have so good, and encouraging a Call as you. What was Julius Cesars Call to his Soldiers, to Jesus Christs Call to his service? Is the Centurions Call, and Come after me, as good as Christs Call, and Come after me, which he gives to his Soldiers? It was a notable passage that blessed Hooper the Martyr had in his Letter to some Persecuted Christians in London:

Dear Brethren and Sisters, They were taken up in Bow-Churchyard whil'st they were praying.continually Fight this Fight of the Lord; Your Cause is most just and godly; you stand for the true Christ (who is after the Flesh in Heaven) and for his true Religion p. 114and Honour, which is amply, fully sufficiently and abundantly contained in the holy Testament, Sealed with Christs own Blood. How much are ye bound to God, who puts you in trust with so holy and just a Cause? Remember what lookers on, you have to see and behold you, in your Fight, God and all his holy Angels, who be ready alwaies to take you up into Heaven, if you be slain in his Fight. Also, you have standing at your backs, all the multitude of the faithful, who shall take courage, strength, and desire to follow such Noble and Valiant Christians as you be, &c. Ah Soldiers of Christ! what an encouraging-Call have you to Christs Service, from Heaven, from Earth, from God, Angels and Men, to endure hardness?

4Fourthly, Consider, Soldiers of Christ, you have good encouraging-Weapons and Armour, the best that any Soldiers in the World have. For the Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal, 2 Cor. 10.4.2 Cor 10:4but Mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong Holds, &c. There are no weapons so Mighty, so Potent, so Invincible, so overcoming and Victorious, as those that are spiritual; your Armour is Armour of Light; Rom. 13.12.Rom 13:12your Armour is Armour of God, and that to be sure, is Armour of Proof.Eph. 6.11.Eph 6:11 There are many Armourers that make, and put off that which is very slight and deceitful, to the great prejudice of the Soldiers who use it; but this is no such Armour, this is Armour of God; it is of his own making, by an Omnipotent, Wise, and Faithful God. This Armour is not made by the hand of an Artificer, but by the hand of a Creator; p. 115no Artificer can make the like; he hath made it according to his Infinite Power and Skill; and will warrant it to be good, and Proof, upon the Word of a God. This Armour hath been tryed by Men, and tryed by Devils, many a time; and yet found alwaies to be Proof: So that, neither the strength of Earth, nor the Gates of Hell, hath been able to prevail against it.

Soldiers of Christ, you have a Mighty Commander, and your Weapons, your Armour, your Harness, your Engines, and all your Accoutriments for War, are suitable unto his Potency and Greatness.

Let me lead you into your Armory, and through your Artillery, and see your selves, if it be not so.Cant. 4.4Song 4:4 In the Tower of David there is an Armory, whereon there hang a Thousand Bucklers, all Shields of mighty Men. Let us go into this Tower, and First behold these Shields.

1The Apostle tells us, what this Shield is, and what it will do. It is the**foreign ostium, it signifies along, large, broad Shield, wherewith the whole body is covered. Leighs Crit. sac. pag. 192. Shield of Faith, and it will quench all the Fiery Darts of the Devil. It is well it other Shields will defend a Stab, or a Thrust, or stop a Shot, or a Dart; But here is a Shield, that will not only stop the cold Darts of men, but quench all the Fiery Darts of the Devil. The Devils Darts are the worst in the World, and the Wild-fire of Hell the most terrible, cruel, and hottest;Epaminandos, had written on his Shild, Aut hunc aut super hunc. The Christian hath a better Motto on the Shield of Faith, Haec est Victoria quae vicit mundum, This is the victory that overcomes the World. and the hand of the Devil very strong to throw them; but let p. 116the Devil heat the Darts never so hot, and cast never so many, Faith is a Shield that will quench them all. There have been much study and pain spent to make inextinguishable Fire; but neither Devils, nor men have been able to make Fire so hot,Among the Spartans, it was Death to lose, or to cast away a Shield in War. Heb. 11.34.Heb 11:34 and burning, but the Shield of Faith can quench. Nebuchadnezzar through the heat of rage, caused his Furnace to be heated Seven times more hot than usual it was; and yet the Three Children, by Faith they quenched the violence of the Fire: Their Faith did so quench, and cool the Fire, that it would neither burn nor singe.

Ah Soldiers of Christ! What a mighty Shield is this? Take it up, and carry it before you, and it will make you Victorious over the Devil, and Conquerors over the World.1 John 5.4.1 John 5:4 And this is the Victory that overcometh the Wortd, even our faith. No other Shield in the world is like unto this; This Shield is Offensive, as well as Defensive. This Shield surpasseth those other Shields, which the Valiant men of Israel did carry before them.Heb. 11.30, 33, 34.Heb 11:30Heb 11:33Heb 11:34 It was this Shield that made the Walls of Jericho to fall down. It was this Shield that made them Valiant in Fight, to subdue Kingdoms, and put to flight the Armies of the Aliens; This is a Fire-quenching, an Army-routing, a World-conquering, and a Non-such Shield. What was great Goliahs Shield to this Shield of Faith?

22. Look on the Sword that lies by the Shield, and it's suitable to it; for it is indeed, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is the Sword, Eph. 6.17.Eph 6:17which the Omnipotent Spirit hath p. 117made, and which the blessed Spirit it self doth use. This Sword is quick, and powerful, Heb. 4.12.Heb 4:12and sharper than any Two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit; and of the joynts and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. What significant Epathites are here given this Sword? What Sword in the World is so Potent and Powerful, so Cutting and Penetrating? No other Sword can touch, where this Sword of the Spirit doth pierce, What was the Sword of Gideon, to this Sword of the Lord? We may say of this, as David did of the Sword of Goliah; There is none like it, give me that Sword. 1 Sam. 21.9.1 Sam 21:9So (Soldiers of Christ) there is no Swo…d like the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God; take to you that Sword, and use it.

This is the Sword whereby the Captain of your Salvation did put off the Devil;Mat. 4.Matt 4 and shall bring down the man of Sin; And whereby he shall Conquer the Kings of the Earth,2 Thes. 2.8.2 Thess 2:8 and the Kingdoms of the world, and make them his own. The Pope gives forth his Sword to the Kings of the Earth, to defend the Romish Faith for him; but Christ hath given forth to his Soldiers before (to defend the true Faith for himself) a better Sword, and hath promised his presence with them that tremble at this Sword, Isa. 66.2.Isa 66:2that is, at the breaking of his Command.

33. Look on your Helmet, and where can you match it? or what Soldiers have the llke to cover their heads? Look upon it in one Text, and it is called, the hope of Salvation: Look on it in another Text, and it is called the p. 118**foreign, Galea, sic dicitur quod totum caput undiqua{que} muniat. Zanch. 1 Sam. 17.5.1 Sam 17:5Helmet of Salvation; O what Armour is this What can hurt the heads of those Soldiers, who are covered with the hope of Salvation; and Salvation it self, as with an Helmet? With what security may they go on? What was great Goliahs great Helmet of Brass which he put on, to this Helmet of Salvation, which the Saints of God, and Soldiers of Christ do wear? Goliah lost his Helmet, Head, and all, in the Duel with David: But whole Legions of Devils, and all the Powers of Darkness, cannot cut off the Heads, and destroy those Souls, who wear the Helmet, Rom. 5.5.Rom 5:5and hope of Salvation. And hope maketh not ashamed. Hope never puts that Soul to shame, nor that Face to blush, whose Head is covered with it: The Head is the seat of Sense, and there the Intellectual and Rational Faculties of the Soul reside; and that is a mortal place to be wounded in; But, Soldiers of Christ, your Helmet, and hope of Salvation, is Armour of proof to the life, to preserve you there.

44. Look on your Breast-plate, and you shall find it to be made of the same Metal, and as good as any of the former. View it well in one Text, and you shall find it to be, The Breast-plate of Faith and Love; foreign, it signifies, that part of the Body in which the vitals, as the Heart, Lungs, Liver, &c. do lie.you have heard already of what invincible strength, Faith is for a Shield; and it is of like potency and proof, for a Breast-plate also. Faith is Armour upon Armour, and Proof upon Proof, as the Shield upon the B…east-plate; and therefore above all, that must be taken up and used. Faith is a Heart-securing, and a Grace-securing Grace; p. 119And love is strong as Death; so strong,Cant. 6.7.Song 6:7 that the strength of Death is not able to break it; so strong, and fervent a flame, that many waters of Persecutions, Afflictions and Temptations cannot quench it; neither can these floods drown it, though they flow never so high. It is like Noahs Ark to the Christian, to mount him above the top of the Flood, when the Waters do cover the Mountains. We read Rev. 12.15. how that the Dragon cast out of his mouth water as a flood, after the Woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood; but this woman (the Church, the true Spouse-like lover of Jesus Christ) was not carried away, nor drowned, with all that flood of Error and Persecution, which the Devil cast out. Faith worketh by Love; (saith the Apostle) and both these are put together in your Breast-plate.

Look once more on your Breast-plate; and the more you behold it, the better you may like it: It is the Breast-plate of Righteousness; Eph. 6.14.Eph 6:14and whether it be meant of the Righteousness of Justification without us, or of the Righteousness of Sanctification within us, or both, I shall not Criticise about it. I shall only distinguish, and not divide those blessed Companions, whom the Lord hath inseperably joyned together, (in their several places) in the work of Salvation; For both are made Armour for the Christian, Righteousness and Sanctification.1 Cor. 1.30.1 Cor 1:30

Ah Soldiers of Christ! What Breast-plate is this? It is the same that the Captain of your Salvation did wear himself:Isa. 59.17.Isa 59:17 He put on Righteousness, p. 120as a Breast-plate. You have the same Breast-plate, put it on likewise, and use it, in Facing, and Fighting your Enemies, and they cannot hurt you; neither the Law, nor Sin, nor Men, nor Death, nor Devils, can hurt that Soul, who wears the Robes and Breast-plate of Christs Righteousness.Rom. 8.34.Rom 8:34 It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth. All the Arrows, the Shots, the Darts, the Swords and Spears, of your most cruel Enemies, will recoil, if you wear this Armour. King Jesus hath put on a better Coat of Mail upon his Soldiers, to Fight the Duel with the Devil,1 Sam. 17.38.1 Sam 17:38 than that which King Saul put on David to Fight with Goliah. Christs Soldiers have better, and more sure Armour, than Adam had in Innocency; his was brittle, and mutable, it did not hold, and down he was cast. But this is of Eternal Proof, for it is the Righteousness of the Everlasting Covenant, and of the Everlasting God. What Enemy can wound the Soul, or harm the Heart, where the vital parts are so well guarded? The Widows, as weeping, shewed Peter the Coats, and the Garments which dead Dorcas had made;Act. 9.39.Acts 9:39 I have shewed you some of the Harness and Armour, which the Immortal God hath made, look on it, and behold it rejoycing.

55. Look on your Belt, (which is to fasten the Breast-plate, and strengthen the Loins, and to gird on the Sword) and you will find it to be better than the best in the World; Better than the Canonical-Girdle, which is so much adored: That at best, is but a Girdle of Formality, p. 121and too often of Hypocrisie; but this Belt is the Girdle of Truth and Sincerity. Stand fast, therefore, Eph. 6.14. foreign is a Metaphor taken from Soldiers, who are wont to knit their Armour close and full unto them, and so tye their loins hard, partly to keep their Armour from loosing and shaking, and partly to keep their body ready.Eph 6:14having your Loins girt about with truth. How fast and safe must those Soldiers stand, whose Loins are girt round with truth! no Belt or Girdle is like to this; others do but gird up the Loins of the Body, but this doth gird up the Loins of the mind, 1 Pet. 1.13. It is Proverbial, ungirt, unblest; here the proverb is true, and no where else; none are unblest, but those who are not girt with truth. Everlasting truth, is of Everlasting strength.

Truth is a Torch, that all the winds of Earth and Hell can never blow out; a Flame that all the Floods of Persecution and afflictions can never quench; a Belt, a Girdle, which all the strength and force of Men and Devils can never break.Vincit vèritas, truth shall overcome in the end. Truth and Sincerity will make Christs Soldiers to look their Freinds and their Enemies, God, the blessed Angels, Men and Devils in the face with boldness: It fears no faces, nor seeks no corners; it is Immortal and Unconquerable, like God himself: The Devil was no match for Job because of this.

He was judged to have made the wisest and best speech of the Three, to King Darius, 1 Esd. 4.38.who commended Truth to be strongest of all.Psal. 100.5.Ps 100:5 Truth doth abide, and is strong for ever, and liveth and reigneth for ever, and ever.Psal. 91.4.Ps 91:4 Truth is a Shield and Buckler for defence, in the greatest dangers; and a Belt of invincible strength, to be girt with, when you are most assaulted. What is p. 122the honourable Order of the Blew-Garter, to this blessed Girdle of Truth? What are any of the glittering Belts; which many Swash-buckles and Gallants do wear, to this which the Lord Jesus hath put in the Armory, for his Soldiers to put on? they are unconquerable, as long as they wear it, and use it.

66. Look on your Greaves and Shooes, the Harness and Armour for your legs and feet; and when you have view'd it well, you may see all your Armour to be of incomparable Proof. Cap-a-pee: and see your selves in a far better Equipage than any Soldiers in the world beside. Goliah, the great Champion, he put on Greaves of Brass, when he went forth to bid defiance against the Armies of Israel; but you have better Greaves and feet-Armour to put on, whereby to go forth, and bid defiance to the Armies of the Flesh, the World and the Devil, Eph. 6.15. Having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Ah Sirs! what Armour of Brass, or Steel, can compare to this? When the feet are shod, and guarded with such Armour as this, what need a Soldier fear,Psal. 91.13Ps 91:13 where, or upon what he treads? Thou shalt tread upon the Lyon, and the Adder, the young Lyon, and the Dragon shalt thou trample under foot. For the feet to be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, is for the Soul of Christs Soldiers to be fitted and prepared with the Peace of the Gospel. And there is a Two-fold peace whereby the Gospel doth prepare and Arm a Soul; Peace with God, and Peace with Conscience; and what p. 123Armour is this, when well soder'd together? We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom. 5.1, 2, 3.Rom 5:1Rom 5:2Rom 5:3By whom also we have access by Faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God: And not only so, but we glory in Tribulation also. Ah Souls! what Armour is here? what Shooes are these? Armour indeed! Armour that will not only enable you to bear Tribulation, but also to glory in Tribulation! Here is Armour, that will not only give you rest, but joy in the storm! That will make you like a Noah in the Ark, like a Job upon the dunghill, like a Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Furnace, like a Jonah, when in the deep, and the Whale together! like a Paul, not affrighted with Ship-wrack at Sea, and glorying in the Cross of Christ ashore! like other Apostles, when in Prison, in common Prison, in inner Prison, in Chains and Stocks in the inner prison too, and yet rejoycing and singing. Oh! this Gospel-peace, this peace with God, this peace of Conscience, when sprinkled with the blood of Atonement! How incomparably doth it prepare the feet of Christs Soldiers to go on in his service! It will make a Soul a Semper idem, one and the same under diversities of conditions, and stand stout under all Vicissitudes, Mutations, and Transmutations that are seen in Providence under the Sun. It will make a Soul like a Die, cast it which way you will, it will have a side to rest on. It will make a Soul like a Ship, that hath a bottom below, to bear it up from sinking, and Mass above, which bears Colours of rejoycing. Oh Christians! these are p. 124your Shooes! this is the feet-Armour your Captain hath prepared for you, and in his last Will and Testament freely bequeath, to you; put it on for his sake, and wear it; It is so good, that the World hath not the like to give; and so strong, that the World cannot break it, or wrest it from you. John 14.27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the World giveth, give I unto you; let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be affraid. It is Christs peace, and piece of Armour; he bought it, he wrought it, he owns it, and now its yours; he hath bequeath'd it, he hath delivered it, he hath left it in the Armory for you: and the world hath no such Peace to give: None so sweet, so sure, so comfortable, so constant, so potent and permanent as this. This Peace is Armour for the Feet, a Soveraign Antidote to expel the poyson of fear, and a Cordial to strengthen, to fortifie and comfort the heart.

Deu. 33.25.Deut 33:25It was part of Ashers blessing, That his Shooes should be Iron, and Brass; and as his daies, so should his strength be. Why, Soldiers of Christ, this blessing is yours; your feet are blessed with Shooes of Iron, and Brass; with Armour a great deal stronger; here are Shooes, that will carry you thorow thick and thin, thorow briars and thornes, thorow fire and water, thorow all the pikes and spears of the Enemies, they will carry you up-hill, and down-hill, throughout the world; they will carry you through the Wilderness, to the heavenly Canaan, and bring you unto everlasting rest and peace. What shall I say more? The Apostle, p. 125the great Champion of Christ, tells us, that this piece of Armour, this Peace of God passeth all understanding; and therefore it must needs surpass all expression; therefore I must leave it admiring:52. Isa. 7.Isa 7 O how beautiful are the Feet of them, that are upon the Mountains (of conspicuity and opposition) who bring the glad tidings, the good news of the preparation of the Gospel of peace! O blessed and happy for ever are they, whose Feet are Shod with this blessed Armour!

Now Soldiers of Christ! you see what Armour your Armoury is stored with, for your encouragement; put it on, and use it. Do not be like the Children of Ephraim, of whom the Lord complained, Psal 78.9, 10. The Children of Ephraim being armed, and carrying Bows, turned back in the day of Battel. They kept not the Covenant of God, and refused to walk in his Law, &c.

You have Armour enough, and that which is transcendently good; take it up, gird it on, and use it; and do not prove cowardly and false in breaking Faith and Covenant with your Captain: But settle the Militia in your own Souls; and be Valiant for the truth upon the Earth: and then you will be as the Militant Church is described to be, Comely as Jerusalem, Cant. 6.4.Song 6:4Terrible as an A…my with Banners. Then you will be comely, and commendable in the eyes of Christ your Captain: Then you will be formidable and terrible in the eys of your potent Enemies. Then your hearts will be Cordiall'd and comforted under your sorest conflicts, and hardest service. And then the peace p. 126of God which passeth all understanding, shall **Phil. 4.7. foreign keep as with a guard. It is a Military Word, taken from Soldiers so this peace shall bring aid to the heart, strengthen it, when Satan, Sin, Temptation, and Persecution lay siege to it. Leighs Crit. Sac. p. 438.Phil 4:7keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

7. Once more, look into your Armory, and behold your Engine, and then I have done with you here. Soldiers of Christ, your Engine lies at the bottom of your Armour, and it is suitable to it, and worth your viewing; your great Engine is Prayer; Eph. 6.18. Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints. Let me a little open this mighty Engine of War unto you, that you may the better understand it, and then I will shew you what it will do. And if you behold it well, you may easily perceive it to be far better, and more powerful than that common Engine of Prayer (or rather of Persecution) which is so often used, and so much cryed up in the World.