Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 5 · Part 3
The Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs.
Epheſ. 6.14. And having on the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, &c.
THere is a
Moral
Legal
Evangelical
Righteouſneſs.
Now a Moral or Legal Righteouſneſs will not ſave or defend the Saint, or ſpiritual Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt, from his Enemy:Mat. 5.20 Except your Righteouſneſs exceed the Righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſees, ye can in no wiſe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul valued not his own Righteouſneſs that was of the Law. All our Righteouſneſs, viz. that which flows not from Faith, or from a renewed Principle of the Spirit, is but as filthy Rags. Therefore that cannot be the Righteouſneſs here intended.
2. Evangelical Righteouſneſs is twofold:
1. Imputed.
2. Imparted.
Firſt; The Righteouſneſs imputed is that which was wrought by Chriſt for the Believer in the days of his Fleſh, by his active and paſſive Obedience to the Law of God, which is put upon the Soul by Faith, called the Righteouſneſs of God by Faith.Phil 3.9.
Secondly; The Righteouſneſs imparted is that which is wrought by Chriſt in the Soul; it is a ſupernatural Work, or a new Life planted in the Heart of every Believer, by the powerful Operations of the Holy-Ghoſt, whereby he is made holy, and enabled to approve himſelf to God and Men, in all purity of Life and Converſation.
By the Breaſtplate of Righteouſneſs in the Text, we underſtand the Righteouſneſs of Sanctification is principall… intended; for otherwiſe this piece of Chriſtian Armor would interfere with the Shield of Faith, which comprehends the Righteouſneſs of Juſtification. [See Shield.] It is (we ſay) a Principle of new Life, which the Spirit works in the Heart of a Believer; hence the ſeveral Graces of Holineſs are called the Fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. Man by the Fall had a double Loſs; firſt, the Love of God; ſecondly, the Image or Likeneſs of God: Chriſt reſtores both to his Children; the firſt, by his Righteouſneſs imputed; the ſecond, by his Spirit imparting the loſt Image of God to them, which conſiſts in Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs. Who but a Man can impart his own Nature, and beget a Child like himſelf? So who but the Spirit of God can make a Creature like God, by cauſing him to partake of the Divine Nature?
1. This is that Principle of new Life, viz. an inward Diſpoſition, and Divine Quality, ſweetly, powerfully, and conſtantly ſtirring up and inclining to that which is holy, and ſpiritually good.
2. The Work of the Spirit in this reſpect was not to recover what was dying,Garnal. but to work Life de novo in a Soul quite dead; hence called a creating, quickning, forming, and renewing Work.
3. It is a ſupernatural Principle, by which we diſtinguiſh it from Adam's Righteouſneſs, which was co-natural to him, as Sin is to us. Holineſs was as natural to him, as Health was to his Body; they both reſulted ex Principiis rectè conſtitutis, from Principles pure and rightly diſpoſed.
Why Righteouſneſs is called a Breaſt-plate, will appear by the following Parallel.
| Metaphor. | Parallel. |
| A Breaſt-plate is a main and principal Piece of Armor, that belongs to a Souldier. | RIghteouſneſs in like manner is a principal thing belonging to all Chriſtians, who are called Souldiers of Chriſt:2 Tim 3 3. Endure Hardneſs as a good Souldier, &c. |
| II. A Breaſt-plate is a piece of Armor that every Souldier ought to have on, when he engages his Enemy; he muſt not come into the Field without it. | II. Righteouſneſs is ſo neceſſary for every Believer, that he ought not, cannot be without it; there is no engaging any Enemy of the Soul, without a Principle of Holineſs be wrought in him. |
| III. A Breaſt-plate preſerves the principal part of the Body, viz. the Breaſt, where the very Vitals of a Man are cloſely couched together, and where a Shot or a Stab is more deadly, than in other parts, that are more remote from the Fountain of Life. A Man may out-live many Wounds received in the Arms or Legs, but a Stab in the Heart is a certain Meſſenger of Death. | III. Righteouſneſs and Holineſs preſerves the principal part of a Chriſtian, viz. his Soul. Satan aims to hit him there where he may diſpatch him ſooneſt. A Wound in a Man's Credit, Eſtate, Relations, &c. hazard not the Life of his Soul; but Sin expoſes it to imminent Danger. This is that Dart,Prov. 7 23 that ſtruck the young Man through the Liver, as a Bird haſteth to the Snare, that knoweth not 'tis for his Life. And this is that which Satan ſtrives to tempt, entice, and draw a Saint to yield unto. Hence he ſhould be careful to put on his Breaſtplate of Righteouſneſs, which whilſt he has on, he is ſafe from the deadly Stab of the Enemy. |
| IV. A Breaſt-plate is made and prepared for a Souldier, before he puts it on. It is not his own Work, but the Work of a skilful Artiſt. | IV. Righteouſneſs, which is the Saints Breaſt-plate, is wrought in him by the Holy Spirit, who is a moſt wiſe and skilful Workman. Our own Righteouſneſs is good for nothing, hence called dead Works, becauſe they are Works from one dead in Sin, and ſpring not from a Principle of inward ſpiritual Life. |
| V. A Breaſt-plate much emboldens a Souldier, and makes him fearleſs, that as he cannot be eaſily killed, ſo hereby he cannot be ſoon cowed. When a Souldier ſees himſel unarmed, he begins to tremble; but when he hath on a good Helmet, and a Plate of Proof on his Breaſt, he is not quickly diſmay'd, but adventures upon the Point of the Sword. | V. Thus Righteouſneſs defends and animates the Soul and Conſcience, when a Man in the midſt of the greateſt Danger can lift up his hands without ſpot. Holineſs fills a Soul with Courage, ſo that he can look in the very face of grim Death; whereas Guilt, which is the Nakedneſs of the Soul, puts the ſtouteſt Sinner into a ſhaking Fit of Fear. The Wicked flee, when no Man purſueth; Prov. 28.1. but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion. No ſooner did Adam ſee his Breaſt-plate was off, and that he was naked, but he was afraid, and ran away, to hide himſelf from God. |
| VI. The Breaſt-plate and Girdle were both joined or buckled together. | VI. So Righteouſneſs and Truth muſt meet, and be joined together in every Chriſtian; which is held forth by the Copulative [And] Stand therefore, having your Loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs. Which is taken twofold, as hath been ſhewed: Firſt, for the Truth of Doctrine, or a good and Orthodox Judgment; all the Principles of true Religion, that are eſſential to Salvation. Secondly, Grace, or Sincerity of Heart. In both theſe reſpects, Truth muſt be claſped to, or joined with Righteouſneſs, and a holy Life. Solomon ſaith, Two are better than one: So may I ſay here, a good Doctrine with a good Converſation, is better than a good Doctrine without a good Converſation, or a good Converſation without a good Doctrine; as a Man muſt have the one, ſo he muſt not be without the other; Wo to him that is alone, for the Spirit will not be his Strength. An evil and corrupt Doctrine may be of as dangerous a Nature as an evil and debauched Life. See 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. Who privily bring in damnable Hereſies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themſelves ſwift Deſtruction, &c. In vain is a Man's outward Holineſs, or moral Sincerity, if he be tainted with heretical and damnable Principles; and as vain is it for a Man to hold the true Doctrine of the Chriſtian Religion, if he be not ſincere, and live a holy Life. |
Inferences.
THis may inform us, what need there is for every Chriſtian to get and keep on the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs; not only to get a renewed Principle of Grace in his Heart, but alſo to maintain the Power of Godlineſs in his Life and Converſation. This he ought ſtrenuouſly to labour after, and that for ſeveral Reaſons.
Firſt; In regard of God, whoſe main Deſign in giving Grace, and implanting a Divine Principle in his People, is to make them holy; to this end he hath put this Breaſt-plate upon them.
1. In regard of the Deſign he hath to bring them into Union with himſelf, and in marrying them to Jeſus Chriſt, which is, that they might bring forth Fruit to God.
2. They are regenerated by the Spirit, that they might be holy: A new Heart, Ezek. 36.26, 27.and a new Spirit will I put within you, and cauſe you to walk in my Statutes, and keep my Judgments, and do them. We are his Workmanſhip, Eph. 2.10.created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good Works, which God hath ordained that we ſhould walk in them.
3. It is the Deſign of God in all his Ordinances. The Word of God is both Seed to beget, and Food to nouriſh Holineſs begotten in the Heart. Every part of it contributes to this Deſign abundantly. The Preceptive part affords a perfect Rule of Holineſs; the Promiſes preſent us with admirable Encouragements, to entice and allure us thereunto; the Threatnings, or minatory part of the Word, are to deter and keep back from that which is contrary to it.
4. It is the Deſign of God in all his Providences, to make his People more holy. The Afflictions he brings upon them, are to refine and purify them: This is the Fruit of all, the taking away of your Sin. See Refiner.
5. Saints are called God's Witneſſes; they ſhould from hence endeavour to ſhine forth in their Teſtimony for him. What he ſpeaks in his Word, touching his Juſtice, Holineſs, and utter Hatred of Sin and Ungodlineſs, they ought not only with their Lips, but alſo with their Lives, bear witneſs unto.
Secondly; In regard of Satan, whoſe great Deſign is againſt the Holineſs of the Saints. How doth it behove them to walk with all Circumſpection, ſince they are continually beſieged and aſſaulted by ſo ſtrong an Enemy? As God's great Deſign is to further and prompt to Holineſs; ſo Satan's great Deſign is to hinder and obſtruct it: And what ſhould be our chief care to defend, but that which our Adverſaries Thoughts and Plots are moſt laid to aſſault and ſtorm?
Thirdly; Saints ſhould labour to have this Breaſt-plate on, viz. be holy, in regard of the World: Ye are the Light of the World. Mat. 5.13, 14.Let your good Works ſo ſhine before Men, &c.
1. If theſe Lights become Darkneſs, or are darkned, no marvel if Men ſtumble: Wo unto the World becauſe of Offences; but rather wo to him by whom the Offence cometh. Ye are the Salt of the Earth: But if this Salt hath loſt its Savour, 'tis no wonder if the World ſtink and be unſavoury.
2. Wicked Men (ſaith a worthy Miniſter) know not the Principle by which you walk, they cannot poſſibly diſcern the Excellency of that Way and Religion which you profeſs; but they can diſcern and make ſome Judgment of your Converſations; nay, and their Eyes are upon you, they watch to ſee your Failings. Spots are ſoon eſpied in your Coats; for tho they love not Holineſs themſelves, yet they expect that thoſe that profeſs themſelves to be Saints ſhould be holy. How ſhould this teach you to get on this Breaſt-plate?
3. This may greatly work upon the Ungodly, with whom you live and daily converſe; nay, thoſe that will not be won by the Word, poſſibly may, and many times have been won and converted this way.1 Pet. 3.1, 2.
4. This will however convince them, that you are the Servants of God, and Heaven-born Souls; it will ſilence them, and ſtop their Mouths:1 Pet. 3.16. That whereas they ſpeak evil of you, they may be aſhamed that falſely accuſe your good Converſation in Chriſt.
5. This will leave the World without excuſe in the Great Day.
Fourthly; You ſhould labour after Holineſs, in regard of the Goſpel it ſelf which you profeſs. That will this way gain much Credit in the World. Nothing brings Religion into greater Contempt, or cauſeth it to be more ſlighted by the Ungodly, than the looſe, carnal, and unholy Lives of thoſe who profeſs it.
Fifthly; You ought to labour after a godly Life, in regard of the ſincere and holy Miniſters of the Goſpel, and other faithful Saints and Souldiers of Chriſt. What can comfort and delight their Souls more than the holy, humble, and fruitful Lives of Believers?Pſal. 16.3. The Saints, thoſe excellent Ones, were all David's Delight; and Paul accounted them his Joy and Crown. But if they are proud, peeviſh, covetous, carnal, and walk like other Gentiles, what wounds and grieves them more! This made David weep,Jer. 9 1. yea, Rivers of Water to run down his Eyes; and Jeremiah to wiſh his Head were Water, and his Eyes a Fountain of Tears, that he might weep day and night. Many walk, ſaith Paul, Phil. 3.18, 19.of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, They are Enemies to the Croſs of Chriſt; whoſe End is Deſtruction, whoſe God is their Belly, whoſe Glory is in their Shame, who mind earthly things.
Sixthly; Chriſtians, in regard of themſelves, ought to labour after Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs; for this only will be the beſt Evidence to them of the Truth of Grace received, and of their Intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt. What will all other Attainments and Privileges ſignify, if they are not holy?
1. By this means they will be able to hold up their Heads in the Day of Trial: For our rejoycing is this, 2 Cor. 1.12the Teſtimony of our Conſcience, that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity, not by fleſhly Wiſdom, but by the Grace of God, we have our Converſation in the World, &c.
Iſa 3.10.2. Theſe are the Men it will go well with, whatever comes: Say unto the Righteous, it ſhall go well with them, &c.
3. Theſe ſhall have Peace in Chriſt, tho they have Trouble in the World; Peace whilſt they live,Pſal. 37.37 and Peace when they die: Mark the perfect Man, and behold the Ʋpright; the End of that Man is Peace.
4. Theſe need not fear the Aſſaults of Satan, they have Armor of Proof on, a Breaſt-plate,Rom. 8.1. that will preſerve their Souls from Death: There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, who walk not after the Fleſh, but after the Spirit.
Seventhly; Chriſtians ſhould labour to have on this Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, in regard of the Excellency of it. It is that which God himſelf is cloathed with; it is that which makes Angels to ſhine gloriouſly in Heaven. A Man is hereby capacitated to have Communion with God:Pſal. 94 20 Shall the Throne of Iniquity have fellowſhip with thee? &c.
Eighthly, and laſtly; In regard of the Neceſſity of it: For without Holineſs no Man ſhall ſee the Lord.
Queſt. How ſhould we put on the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs?
Anſw. 1. In Heart; we muſt be inwardly holy, Holineſs muſt begin there. Firſt make the Tree good, &c.
2. In Life. Negative Holineſs doth not only conſiſt in the leaving all groſs Sins, but in abſtaining from all appearance of Evil, and to leave and abſtain from it from right Principles; and not only to leave it, but to loath it.
Again, it conſiſteth in keeping up all holy and religious Duties, viz. Reading, Hearing, Praying, Diſtributing to the Poor, Conforming to all moral and poſitive Precepts; to be holy at home, in the Family, in the Church, in the World, to exerciſe a good Conſcience towards God,Acts 24.16. and towards Men. This is to put on the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs.
I might give many Directions about putting it on, and alſo ſhew ſome of Satan's cunning Stratagems, in endeavouring to make uſeleſs this bleſſed Piece of the Chriſtian's Armor, in laying Diſcouragements in the way of true Piety; or by perſuading Perſons they have this Breaſt-plate on, when 'tis a counterfeit one. He perſuades Men, that Moral Righteouſneſs will ſerve their turn, and ſufficiently preſerve them from eternal Death. But this ſhall ſuffice in this place.