Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 8 · Part 9
Saints compared to Souldiers.
2 Tim. 2.3. Thou therefore endure Hardneſs, as a good Souldier of Jeſus Christ.
A Souldier is taken in Scripture either properly, foreign, or metaphorically.
Properly, it is underſtood of a Perſon that is employed in Military Affairs, one that bears Arms, and is under Military Command, Mat. 8.9.
Metaphorically, it is to be underſtood of a Chriſtian, that is engaged to fight the good Fight of Faith, under the Command of Jeſus Chriſt, againſt the Enemies of the Soul. This Title is not appropriated only to Miniſters, (it is not a diſcriminating Title, only to diſtinguiſh them from other Saints, as the Title of Ambaſſador, Paſtor, Watchman, &c.) but a Title that belongs to every Chriſtian, and Profeſſor of Chriſt. So that Timothy is not called a Souldier, meerly becauſe he was an Evangeliſt, but as he was a Diſciple, &c.
Saints are compared to Souldiers; every true Chriſtian is a ſpiritual Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt.
| Metaphor. | Parallel. |
| A Souldier is liſted under ſome Captain or Commander; he gives up his Name to him, and enters himſelf into his Service. | SO every true Chriſtian liſteth himſelf under the Command of Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Captain of our Salvation; He gives up his Name to him, to ſerve him in all Uprightneſs, as becometh a faithful Souldier to do, making a ſolemn Covenant with Chriſt, and his People, to be on their ſide; and this is viſibly done in Baptiſm. |
| II. A Souldier leaves all other worldly Affairs and Incumbrances, to follow that particular Employ. No Man that warreth, 2 Tim. 2.4 entangleth himſelf with the Affairs of this Life, that he may pleaſe him that hath choſen him to be a Souldier. They ought not, like Reuben, to abide among the Sheep-folds,Jud. 5.16. to hear the Bleating of the Sheep. | II. So a true Chriſtian forſakes all, and follows Chriſt; he becomes dead to this World; he is crucified to it, and that many times to him. His Heart is not ſet upon Things below,Col. 3.1, 2. but upon Things above; he looks upon Religion and Godlineſs, as his great Work and Buſineſs. They that are after the Fleſh, Rom 8.5. do mind the Things of the Fleſh; but they that are after the Spirit, the Things of the Spirit. |
| III. A Souldier, after he is liſted, and entred into his Company, he is armed, and put into a fit Poſture for that Work and Service he is called to. | III. So a true Chriſtian alſo is no ſooner converted, liſted, and entred into Chriſt's Company, viz. his Church, but he is armed likewiſe. He puts on the whole Armor of God, hath his Loins girt about with Truth, and hath the Breaſtplate of Righteouſneſs, his Feet ſhod with the Preparation of the Goſpel of Peace,Eph. 6 10, 11, 12. the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And becauſe moſt of thoſe Parts or Pieces of a Chriſtian's Armor are ſpoken to and opened under that Head of Metaphors reſpecting the Graces of the Spirit, we ſhall ſpeak no more of it here. |
| IV. A Souldier is known by his Habit, Armor, and Weapons, from other Men; they put off their own Clothes, and put on the King's, eſpecially if poor and ragged when they are liſted. | IV. So a true Chriſtian is known by the Clothes he hath on, from the Wicked and Ungodly of the World. He is cloathed with the Garment of Holineſs and Humility; and hath on all the precious Graces of the Spirit, as Armor of Proof, faſt girt to him by the Girdle of Sincerity; and this ſhews him to be one of Chriſt's Souldiers. |
| V. Souldiers many times are cloathed at the King's Charge; and it is greatly for the Honour of a Captain, to have all his Men bravely cloathed, and glittering in their Armor. | V. So Chriſt cloaths all his Souldiers, and they are all attired alike, cloathed in white. Their Robes coſt dear, viz. the Price of his own moſt precious Blood; and it greatly tends to his Honour, to have them kept clean, and without Spot or Stain, all glittering in their ſpiritual Armor, viz. adorned with the bleſſed Graces of the Spirit. |
| VI. It is a Reproach to Souldiers to be meer mercenary, to fight for Money, and to mind their own private Advantage, more than the Credit and Glory of their Sovereign, and Honour of their Captain. | VI. So it is a Reproach to a Chriſtian, to aim at Self in all he doth in Religion. Many Men care not to do any thing for the Honour of God, further then it makes, as they conceive, directly for their own Intereſt and Advantage. Tell ſome Men of this or that Ordinance and Command of Chriſt, they preſently object, May I not be ſaved without it? Is it neceſſary to Salvation? Theſe Men only make Religion as a Bridg to carry them to Heaven; meer mercenary Souls! Alas! a true Chriſtian obeys and ſerves Chriſt ſincerely, that he may glorify and honour his holy Name, knowing he deſerves more at his hands, than he is ever able to perform, not doubting his Labour ſhall ever be in vain in the Lord; the very Work is Wages to him. Paul was reſolved, Chriſt ſhould be magnified in his Body, whether it were by Life, or by Death. Phil. 1.20. |
| VII. A Souldier hath his Warfare appointed him, and his Enemies diſcovered to him, and Orders to fight. | VII. So a Chriſtian hath his Warfare appointed him, his grand Enemies are made known to him, and he hath received Commiſſion alſo to enter the Combat with them, whoſoever they are, whether Foreign or Domeſtick, whether external or internal, ſecret or open. Firſt; His Foreign or External Enemies are theſe: 1. The Devil, called the King of the Bottomleſs Pit, Prince of the Power of the Air, the great Dragon, the Captain-General of the black Regiment, and of the Helliſh Militia, that makes War againſt the Lamb, and his Followers. Every Chriſtian is commanded to enter the Liſt, and to fight againſt theſe Principalities and Powers.Eph. 6.11, 12. 2. The World; this is another grand, potent, and ſubtil Adverſary; many have been overcome and ſubdued by it. (1.) The Things of the World, viz. the Pleaſures, Honours, and Profits of the World. Theſe (as one well obſerves) have their Hooks and Snares hid under their pleaſant Baits, they uſually prevail by Craft; their Flatteries and Allurements are very dangerous. By this part of the World Satan ſet upon our bleſſed Saviour, Mat. 4.8. (2.) The Men of the World, who are the Subjects of the Prince of Darkneſs, and his Souldiers, the Militia of Hell, and the Auxiliaries of Satan, the Seed of the Old Serpent, who are filled with Enmity againſt the Woman's Seed.Rom. 8.44 He that is born after the Fleſh, perſecuteth him that is born after the Spirit, &c. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Luſts of your Father ye will do. Theſe continually oppoſe the Truth, and hate Godlineſs, and thoſe who profeſs it. (3.) The Worſhips of the World. Saints have been often expoſed to great Dangers, for oppoſing the Ways, Inventions, and Superſtitions of Men, the Worſhip of the Beaſt, and curſed Fornications of the great Whore; but whilſt they are able to ſtand, or have Life in them, they muſt oppoſe and reſiſt all falſe Ways and Worſhippers, ſuch as ſtrive to make void the Doctrine of Chriſt, and the Commands of God, by their Traditions. (4.) There are alſo the Luſts of the World, the Luſts of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, which Saints are engaged to fight againſt, and oppoſe.1 John 2.16. Secondly; They have their Domeſtick Enemies: 1. Sin, which is a wretched and treacherous Inmate, and curſed Adverſary. 2. The Fleſh. Theſe two made the holy Apoſtle to cry out,Rom. 7. 1 Pet. 2.11. O wretched Man that I am, who ſhall deliver me! &c. Hence we are exhorted, as Strangers and Pilgrims, to abſtain from fleſhly Luſts, that war againſt the Soul. |
| VIII. A Souldier expects, and therefore ought to prepare to meet with his Enemies; he knows he is choſen, liſted, and placed under the Command of his Captain, on purpoſe to fight. | VIII. So a Saint expects, and therefore ought to make ready to meet with ſpiritual Oppoſition from the Enemies of the Soul, as ſoon as ever he is liſted, and entred into Chriſt's Service. As it fell out with the Captain himſelf, who no ſooner was baptized,Mat. 4. but preſently he was led into the Wilderneſs, to be tempted of the Devil: So a Chriſtian muſt always be prepared and reſolved to engage and fight them: Whom reſiſt ſtedfaſtly in the Faith. |
| IX. A Souldier goeth not on a Warfare at his own Charge; his Prince bears the Expence of the War, and furniſheth him with whatſoever is neceſſary for that Atchievement. | IX. A Believer goeth not out in the Spiritual Warfare at his own Charge. Chriſt furniſheth him with Clothes, Armor, Weapons, and with all Things needful and neceſſary, all is managed by his gracious and bleſſed Spirit. |
| X. A Souldier ought to be expert, and well-skill'd in Martial Diſcipline, to know all the Poſtures of War, particularly the Word of Command, and to obey preſently: He muſt not diſpute the Matter, nor make the leaſt Pauſe. Thoſe Souldiers that were under the Centurion, were very tractable upon this account, as himſelf confeſſed: I ſay to one, Mat. 8.9. Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh. | X. So a Saint ought to be well-skill'd in all things neceſſary for a Chriſtian Souldier; it requires much Wiſdom and Experience; he muſt underſtand the Word of Command, and be ready to obey his Captain, as ſoon as ever the Word is given. David had learned this part well: I made haſte, Pſal. 119.60. Acts 26.19. and delayed not to keep thy Commandments. And Paul ſaith, He immediately obeyed the heavenly Viſion. It is a very unbecoming thing in Chriſtians, to ſtand, or make a pauſe about their Obedience to Chriſt, in thoſe Things they are convinced to be their indiſpenſible Duty; it argues they have but little regard to the Honour of their Captain, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Shall Souldiers be ſo careful and ready to obey their earthly Leaders, who are but Men? and ſhall not we be as ready and forward to obey the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, our heavenly Leader, who is the moſt w…ſe and bleſſed God. |
| XI. Souldiers muſt know their Places, how to keep both Rank and File. Military Diſcipline hath appointed every Officer in the Army his proper Place, and every private Souldier to abide in the ſame Rank and File, or Place where he is ſet by his Commander: and none may alter their Station, or change their Poſtures upon their own private account; they muſt not break their Order upon their Peril: for that is a Diſhonour to the Captain, and Standers by will laugh and reproach him; beſides, if it be in a Time of Battel, he expoſeth himſelf and others to great Danger. If an Army or Body of Men are once broken, and in Confuſion, they are ſoon routed by their Enemies. | XI. So muſt a Saint know his Place and particular Station, where he is ſet by his Captain, the Lord Jeſus. If he be ſet as a File-leader, or made an Officer to lead a Party, it is needful for him to ſee to his proper Work and Buſineſs; he may not acquit his Command when he pleaſeth. The Commander in chief may prefer or degrade his Souldiers, as ſeemeth good to him; but he may not, he cannot diſpoſe of himſelf. Paſtors muſt keep their Places, Deacons keep their Places, Members of each Church keep their Places, and not when they pleaſe withdraw themſelves, and get into another Company, but muſt abide under particular Command, where Chriſt hath ſet them. Shall any one think, that God, who hath placed ſuch Order in other Creatures in Heaven and Earth, is not ſtrict touching that holy Order ſet and appointed in his Church? If the Sun, Moon, and Stars keep in their own Sphere, and move in their own Orbs; if the Sea hath its Bounds and Limits ſet, beyond which it muſt not go; can it be imagined, that the Church of Chriſt ſhould be a more diſorderly Piece, than the inanimate and irrational Creatures? God is the God of Order, and not of Confuſion, 1 Cor. 14.33. in all the Churches of the Saints. Therefore if any Chriſtians, that are of this or that particular Company or Church, do break the holy Order, and regard not to keep in their Stations, or neglect their proper Work; what a Reproach is it to them, and to Religion it ſelf! Beſides, the Danger they are expoſed to, if Saints neglect Prayer, or hearing the Word, or the Lord's Supper, or are divided amongſt themſelves, is very great; unleſs they rally the ſooner, and unite again, and keep their Ranks, they are in danger of being utterly routed and undone by Satan. Many hence have been enticed by the Subtilty of the Devil, to deſert their General, and flie from their Colours. |
| XII. Souldiers muſt follow their Leader; this is one Word of Command. | XII. So muſt every Chriſtian follow Jeſus Chriſt, he ought to have his Eye upon him; how often hath he commanded us to follow him! Shall any liſt themſelves under his Command, and refuſe to be ſubject to his holy Laws and Authority? or follow him for a Time, and then grow weary?Mat. 16.24 If any Man will be my Diſciple, let him take up his Croſs daily, and follow me. We read of a great and famous Army, conſiſting of Forty Four Thouſand, a certain Number put for an uncertain,Rev. 14.1, 2, 3, 4. that follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth. We muſt follow Chriſt in every Ordinance, follow his Doctrine, and follow his Example, in every one of his gracious Qualifications, viz. in his Patience, (how contented was he in the midſt of his greateſt Poverty!) in his Lowneſs of Mind, and deepeſt Humility; in his Tenderneſs, Bowels, and Compaſſion towards thoſe that deſerved nothing; how kind, loving, and merciful was he! Follow him in his Reproaches, Afflictions, and Indignities; follow him in all Difficulties and Dangers; with Peter, follow him to Priſon, and to Death it ſelf, when he calls us thither. Be ye Followers of me, as I am of Chriſt Jeſus. Joh. 10.17. My Sheep hear my Voice, and they follow me. |
| XIII. It behoveth a Souldier to be well-skilled in all Stratagems of War, for that conduceth much to his juſt and needful Accompliſhments, Policy having many times out-done Power, and humane Strength. | XIII. So a Chriſtian ought to be well-skill'd and expert in all Divine Wiſdom and Policy, in the Management of the Spiritual War againſt the Enemies of the Soul. Chriſt's Counſel is, Be ye as wiſe as Serpents, but as innocent as Doves. And indeed nothing is more neceſſary for ſpiritual Souldiers than Wiſdom and Policy, in the carrying on of the War againſt their internal Adverſaries, becauſe of their Craft and Subtilty. Their Adverſary the Devil is compared to a Serpent upon this very account; and in other Places we read of his Devices and Wiles: Eph. 6. That ye may ſtand againſt the Wiles of the Devil. foreign, properly the Methods of Satan; foreign of foreign,Gurnal. which ſignifies that Art and Order one obſerves in handling a Point; we ſay ſuch a one is methodical. Now becauſe it ſhews Ingenuity, and Acuteneſs of Wit, ſo to compoſe a Diſcourſe; therefore it is transferred to expreſs the Subtilty of Satan, in laying of his Plots againſt a Chriſtian. Indeed the expert Souldier hath his Order, as well as the Scholar; there is Method in forming an Army, as well as in framing an Argument. The Devil is a ſubtil Enemy, and Saints are moſt endangered by his Craft and Policy; he hath always got the greateſt Advantage upon Chriſt's Souldiers by this means. It was the way he took when he ſet upon Man at firſt, and if he overcame him when he was in his perfect State, no marvel if he prevail upon him in his depraved and maimed State. And therefore Wiſdom is needful, and more eſpecially to diſcover his Stratagems:2 Cor. 2.11. We are not ignorant (ſaith the Apoſtle) of his Devices: Some of which I ſhall note here, for the ſpiritual Souldier's Profit and Obſervation, with reſpect to his drawing Men and Women to Sin. Firſt; He ſhews his Subtilty, in chuſing the moſt proper and advantagious Seaſon for Tempting. An hundred Souldiers at one time may turn a Battel, and ſave an Army, when Thouſands will not do it at another. Satan knows when to make his Approaches, and the Time when he is moſt likely to prevail.Gurnal. The Time he takes to tempt in, is: 1. When newly converted. No ſooner is the Child of Grace, the new Creature born, but this Dragon pours a Flood of Temptations after it. 2. When a Saint is beſet with ſome great Affliction; this is a blind Lane, or ſolitary Place, fit for this Thief to call for his Purſe. 3. When a Chriſtian is about ſome notable Enterprize for God's Glory, then Satan will lie like a Serpent in the Way: An Adder in the Path, that biteth his Horſe Heel, Gen. 49. Zech. 3.1, 2, 3. ſo that his Rider ſhall fall backward. Thus he ſtood at Joſhua's Right-hand, to reſiſt him. The Right-Hand is the working Hand, and his ſtanding there, implies his Deſire to hinder him, and his Enterprize. Indeed the Devil was never a Friend to Temple-Work, and therefore that Work is ſo long a doing. What a handſom Excuſe doth he help the Jews unto? The Time is not come. Hag. 1 2. Mat. 4.1, 2. When our Saviour was baptized, and was juſt entring upon his Miniſtry, then Satan ſet upon him. 4. When he hath the Preſence of ſome Object to enforce his Temptation. Thus he took Eve, when ſhe was near the Tree, and had it in her Eye. 5. After great Manifeſtation of God's Love, then the Tempter comes. Such is the Weakneſs of Grace ſometimes in a Believer, that he can neither well bear Smiles nor Frowns from God. When Paul was exalted with abundance of Revelation,2 Cor. 12.1, 2, 3 &c. then was the Time that Satan ſet upon him with his ſtrong Temptations. 6. At the Hour of Death; Satan knows, that if he cannot prevail then, he never can. 'Tis the laſt Onſet, and therefore he reſolves to try his Skill. If he cannot break his Head, ſo as to keep him out of Heaven; yet he will (if poſſible) bruiſe his Heel, and ſend him limping thither: I mean, fill a Saint full of Fears and Doubts about his eternal State. Secondly; He hath many other Stratagems to deceive by Temptations. 1. He hangs out falſe Colours, and comes to a Saint in the diſguiſe of a Friend; he transforms himſelf into an Angel of Light: Maſter, pity thy ſelf. 2. He ſtrives to get Intelligence of a Saint's Affairs. This (ſaith my Author) is one great Wheel in this Politician's Clock, to have Spies in all Places, by whom they are acquainted with the Counſels of their Enemies. He labours to find out what Sin it is that moſt eaſily beſets a Perſon, or that he is moſt prone to.Heb. 12.1. 3. In his gradual Approaches to the Soul. When he firſt comes to tempt, he is modeſt, and asks but little, knowing he may get that at many times, which he ſhould be denied, if he ſhould ask it all at once. A few Men are let into a City, when an Army, coming in a Body, would be ſhut out. Remember, he draws to Sin by little and little: Firſt it may be the Thought of this or that Evil is darted into the Mind, and after a while lodged quietly there, and then a little after further Proceed is made in Sin, &c. 4. Satan, like a cunning Warrier, hath his Reſerves; like a wiſe Captain, he hath ſome freſh Troops at hand, if need be: So that if one Temptation will not prevail, he hath a ſecond, nay, a third and fourth, nay Multitudes. What freſh and new Attempts did he uſe, when he ſet upon our Saviour? 5. Another Stratagem of his is this: He will in a politick way retreat, as ſometimes you ſhall have an Enemy flie as overcome, when it is on a deſign of overcoming. We read not only of Satan's being caſt out, but of the unclean Spirit's going out voluntarily; yet be ſure it was with a purpoſe to return more ſtrong than before. 6. He will ſtrive to make uſe of fit Inſtruments to carry on his Temptations to the Ruine of the Soul. I might proceed, but by this all may ſee, That it is needful for the Chriſtian Souldier to be well inſtructed in the Stratagems of War. |
| XIV. A Souldier ought to know the diſtinct Beats of the Drum, and Sound of the Trumpet; an Alarm, a Call, a March, a Battel, &c. | XIV. So a Saint muſt underſtand the diſtinct and d…fferent Sounds of the Word of God, daily miniſtred by his Servants; for a Preacher is a ſpiritual Trumpeter: Lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet. Iſa. 58.1. And as it greatly behoves a Trumpeter to be well skill'd how to blow his Trumpet, (for if it give an uncertain Sound, who ſhall prepare himſelf to the Battel?) ſo it doth a Miniſter rightly and diſtinctly to preach the Word of God, that a Chriſtian (like a Souldier) may have an Alarm ſounded in his Ears, when Danger is near, or an Enemy coming upon him; as alſo a Call to Duty, to Prayer, to Faſting, Mourning, and Sackloth, when the Day requires it, &c. Iſa. 22. A good Souldier of Chriſt will obſerve the diſtinct Sound of the ſpiritual Trumpet; ſometimes it ſounds out Reproof, ſometimes Counſel, ſometimes Comfort; all is carefully obſerved by a ſincere and wiſe Chriſtian. |
| XV. A Souldier ought to be a Man of Courage, bold and reſolute, not ſoon daunted, nor diſmayed by the Threats, Malice, or Strength of an Enemy. He ought (as God bid Joſhua) to be ſtrong, and very couragious. | XV. So a Saint ought to be of a couragious Spirit, not timerous, faint-hearted, or ſoon diſmayed, but a Man of an undaunted Heart, not fearing the worſt that Men can do unto him: Tho I walk (ſaith David) through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil. Pſal. 23.4. The Wicked flee when none purſue, Prov. 28.1 but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion. There are three or four things, which tend to embolden, and encreaſe Courage in a ſpiritual Souldier, in the midſt of the greateſt Danger, when nothing but Death and Miſery ſeems to ſtare him in the Face. 1. The Goodneſs of his Cauſe. Nothing adminiſtreth more Life and Zeal to a Saint, than the Conſideration of that holy Cauſe, which in the Strength of Chriſt he ſtands up for, and is ſ…t to defend. 2. The Conſideration of the Power and Strength of that God who hath engaged to ſtand by him, help and aid him in all his Conflicts with the worſt of his Enemies. Fear not, Worm Jacob, and ye Men of Iſrael; I will help thee, ſaith the Lord. Iſa 41.10, 14. 1 Joh. 4.3. Fear not, for I am with thee; be not diſmayed, for I am thy God, I will ſtrengthen thee, &c. Ye are of God, little Children, and have overcome them, becauſe greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the World. 3. A good Call. Every Chriſtian, in all his Enterprizes, muſt ſee to his Call; let him ſee that whatſoever he doth in Religion, both in matter and manner, it is what God hath enjoined him. He that undertakes any Work or Cauſe, that is not warranted by God's Word, hath cauſe to tremble. And alſo let him ſee he is the Man that God approves of, and hath employed in and about that Work and Duty, whatſoever it be; and when he ſees that his Call is undeniably good, this will add Courage to him. 4. A good Conſcience. This made Paul ſo bold in the preſence of his incenſed Adverſaries: Men and Brethren, Acts 23.1. I have lived in all good Conſcience before God until this day. A Souldier who hath much Guilt upon him, cannot (if his Conſcience be at all awakened) engage an Enemy with that Courage as another Man may, in the high Place of the Field, (when he knows not but the next moment he may be ſent into another World.) 'Tis Innocency and Uprightneſs that puts Life and Magnanimity into a Chriſtian. Having a good Conſcience, that whereas they ſpeak Evil of you, 1 Pet. 3.16. as Evil-doers, they may be aſhamed, who falſely accuſe your good Converſation in Chriſt. 5. Laſtly; The Aſſurance he hath of Victory. A Saint knoweth he ſhall have the Day, and come off a Conqueror: Before he enters upon the Conflict, his Captain hath told him, He ſhall overcome at laſt, and have the Crown of Life.Rev. 2.10. |
| XVI. A Souldier muſt expect to endure Hardneſs, and therefore prepares himſelf for it. It is a Life attended with many Hardſhips and Difficulties; they often lie in the Field, and fare hard, when others know the want of nothing. | XVI. So the Saints of God muſt expect to endure Hardneſs. A Chriſtian's Life is attended with many Difficulties and Afflictions, which they muſt endure as good Souldiers of Jeſus Chriſt. He is no good Souldier, that cannot endure Hardneſs. But here it may not be amiſs to enquire, What is that Hardneſs that the Saints do and muſt endure? Firſt; They muſt endure all that Hardneſs, that either their Sins, or the Profeſſion of the Goſpel, may expoſe them unto. 1. Saints are expoſed to Hardſhips by means of their Sins; their own Iniquities bring great Sorrow and Trouble upon them. It made David many times cry out, and water his Couch with Tears. 2. Sin is not ſweet to a Saint in the committing of it. He is overcome ſometimes to do that which he hates, and his own Conſcience afterwards ſorely laſhes and wounds him for it. Sin brings not only Hardſhips upon the Soul, but many times ſore Diſtreſs upon the Body and Family, and a Blaſt upon a Man's outward Eſtate. Secondly; A Saint meets with the Hardſhip of Self-denial; he bears the Pain of having a Right-hand-Luſt cut off, and a Right-eye Luſt pulled out; he parts with the beſt, the neareſt, and choiceſt of his outward Enjoiments. Ʋnleſs a Man deny himſelf of Father, Mother, Brethren, Siſters, Children, Houſe, and Land, &c. for my ſake, he is not worthy of me. This Hardneſs ſome cannot endure; the young Man could not bear it: When he heard this Doctrine, he went away very ſorrowful, &c.Mat. 10.22 Thirdly; They endure the Hardneſs of Mortification, or of crucifying the Fleſh, with the Affections and Luſts. Circumciſion was painful to the Body, and let me tell you, the Circumciſion of the Spirit is more hard and difficult to a Saint to undergo; Which is made without hands; cutting off the Foreskin of the Heart, or putting away the Body of Sin by the Circumciſion of Chriſt. Mortify your Members which are upon the Earth. The killing of Sin, is as the killing or deſtroying the Members of the Body. Fourthly; Saints endure Hardneſs from Men. 1. By hard Words. All the cruel Reproaches, Slanders, Revilings, Tauntings, Scoffings, Backbitings, &c. that the Sons of Beliál can invent, they are forced to endure. They bend their Tongues like their Bow for Lies, and their Tongue is as an Arrow ſhot out. The Tongues of ſome Men are like cruel Weapons: As with a Sword in my Bones, my Enemies reproach me, &c. The Sword in the Fleſh is painful,Pſal. 42.10. Heb. 11.36. but the Sword in the Bone is much worſe. Mockings are ranked amongſt the great Sufferings of the Godly: Others had Trials of cruel Mockings. The Archers this way ſhot hard at Joſeph; and what a poyſonous Arrow did the Jews let flie upon Chriſt! Behold a Drunkard, a Wine-bibber, a Friend of Publicans and Sinners. He caſteth out Devils by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. As for this Fellow, we know not from whence he is. Paul was accuſed for being a peſtilent Fellow, a Mover of Sedition, and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens, &c. Theſe things are hard to bear. 2. There is the Hardneſs of Mens Hands, as well as of their Tongues. Wicked Men (ſaith a Learned Divine) have Iron Hands, which many times fall heavy upon the Souldiers of Chriſt. How heavy was the Stroke of Cain upon his righteous Brother! and what heavy Hands did Pharaoh lay upon the Iſraelites in Egypt! What Hardſhips did the Primitive Saints endure, under the Heathen Emperors, in the ten Perſecutions! And what ſore Sufferings, and cruel Torments, hath the Woman's Seed borne and endured under the Papal Power! What Burnings, Roaſtings, and Flayings alive! All along, from the Beginning to this Day, the Saints have endured great Hardneſs from wicked Men. See Heb. 11.35. to the end. They were tortured with Scourges, Bonds, and Impriſonments; they were ſtoned, th…y were ſawn aſunder, tempted, ſlain with the Sword; they wandred about in Sheep-skins, and Goats-skins, in Deſerts, and Mountains, and in Dens and Caves of the Earth, being deſtitute, afflicted, tormented. Fifthly; Saints endure Hardneſs from Satan. He comes out with open Mouth againſt them, like a roaring Lion, ſeeking to deſtroy them. Chriſt's Souldiers encounter with Devils, they wreſtle with Principalities and Powers;Eph. 6. Satan daily lets flie his fiery Darts againſt them. Sixthly; They meet with ſome Hardneſs and Trouble by the Withdrawings of God himſelf. Some Afflictions come more immediatly from the Hand of God. Job complains of the Arrows of the Almighty; David cries out, as if the Lord had broke his Bones. Yet God in all the Afflictions and Trials he brings upon his People, deſigns their Profit: When he hath tried me, I ſhall come forth as Gold. Job 23. It is that we may be Partakers of his Holineſs. Yet nevertheleſs the Strokes and Chaſtiſements of the Almighty are hard to be borne. Seventhly; Chriſt's Souldiers meet with Hardneſs, whilſt they attend upon their proper Work, in their particular Places and Stations unto which they are called. Some have harder Service than others; as the Forlorn Hope, and the Van (ſaith one) may meet with harder Service than the main Body of the Army; the Frontiers, and File-Leaders, may meet with more difficult Service than the Rear; and the Watchmen that lie Perdue, and ſtand Sentinel; with harder Duty than thoſe that abide on the Guard. But tho ſome endure more Hardneſs than others, yet all muſt take what befalls them in the Place and Station where they are ſet. The Miniſters of the Goſpel (likely) are the Men moſtly expoſed, and yet ſometimes others ſuffer as hard things as they; yet every one muſt ſee to diſcharge his Duty in his reſpective Place. The Sentinel muſt not quit his Watch, becauſe it is cold, or Danger approaches; the File-Leader muſt not face about, and fall back in the Rear, becauſe of the Hardneſs of the Service; the Leaders muſt not bid the private Souldiers fall on, and themſelves run away; the Colours are moſt aimed at, yet the Standard-bearer and Enſign muſt ſtand by them, and diſplay them in the Face of the Enemy. So whatever comes, Miniſters muſt preach, and People muſt hear, and the Publick Worſhip of God muſt be maintained, the Banner of the Word muſt be diſplayed, Saints muſt keep their Ground and Station, where they are ſet by Jeſus Chriſt.1 Cor. 9. Neceſſity is laid upon me; and wo is me, if I preach not the Goſpel. |
| XVII. A good Souldier expoſeth himſelf to endure Hardneſs voluntarily, patiently, couragiouſly, conſtantly, and ſincerely. | XVII. So the faithful and good Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt is not haled, dragged or forced to his Duty, and to undergo Difficulties for the Goſpel-ſake; but freely and with a ready Mind engages in the Work. I am ready not to be bound only, but alſo to die at Jeruſalem,Acts 21.13 for the Name of the Lord Jeſus. Chriſt cares not for preſs'd Souldiers, his are all Volunteers: When the Goſpel-Trumpet ſounds, Come away, come up hither, immediately they are upon their Feet. 2. They endure patiently, taking their Captain for their Example: When reviled, they revile not again. In Patience poſſeſs ye your Souls. 3. They endure the Hardneſs of their Service couragiouſly:Heb. 10 34 Prov. 28.1. They took joyfully the ſpoiling of their Goods. The Wicked flie when none purſue, but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion. Shall ſuch a Man as I fly? was the Saying of a brave Souldier of this Captain's. When Modeſtus, the Emperor's Lieutenant, threatned Baſil with Confiſcation of Goods, Baniſhment, and Death, how couragiouſly did he bear it! If you have any thing elſe, threaten it; for theſe things are nothing. This was ſomewhat like that of Paul; notwithſtanding Bonds, Impriſonment, and Death was threatned againſt him, yet ſaith he, None of theſe things move me, Acts 20.24. Rom. 5.3. neither account I my Life dear unto me, &c. We glory in Tribulation. 4. Saints endure Hardneſs conſtantly; the whole Life of a Chriſtian is a Time of Warfare: till this Life is done, his Warfare is not done.Job 17.9. The Righteous ſhall hold on their Way, and he that hath clean Hands, ſhall grow ſtronger and ſtronger. A Saint muſt never ceaſe being a Souldier; Godlineſs muſt be his Trade as long as he lives. As Satan will never have done tempting, ſo he muſt never ceaſe from reſiſting his Temptations. 5. And then all this is done ſincerely; he hath holy Aims and Ends in what he doth. |
| XVIII. A good Souldier ſpares none of the Enemy, when he hath ſuch a Command given him: And Saul, for not complying with the Requirement of God in this reſpect, loſt his Kingdom, viz. in ſparing Agag the King, and the Fat of the Cattel, when the Word of Command was,1 Sam. 15. Go, ſmite Amalek, and utterly deſtroy all that they have, and ſpare them not; but ſlay both Men and Women, Infant and Suckling, Oxen and Sheep, Camels and Aſſes, &c. | XVIII. So a Saint, or good Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt, ſpares not one Luſt: Every Sin, like the curſed Amalekites, muſt be put to the Sword. He is no ſound Chriſtian, that ſuffers any Sin to abide quietly in his Heart or Life unmortified. If there be any one Darling-Luſt ſpared, it is a palpable Sign of Hypocriſy. Some Men are ready to excuſe their evil Luſts, as Saul did: They will cover their covetous Deſigns under the Pretence of doing good, and diſtributing to the Neceſſities of the Poor; but alas! this will not do, Obedience is better than Sacrifice. A Saint muſt kill all, put all his Sins to the Sword, or die to them. One Sin ſpared, as Agag was, will exclude thee the Kingdom of Heaven:Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the Fleſh, ye ſhall die; but if ye mortify the Deeds of the Body, ye ſhall live. |
| XIX. A good Souldier will keep with his Colours. It is puniſhable by Martial Law, for a Souldier to lie behind his Colours; and Death without Mercy to depart quite from them. | XIX. So a good Souldier of Chriſt will keep and abide with the Banner of Truth. The Goſpel (ſaith Ainſworth) is the Saints Enſign:Iſa. 5.26. And he will lift up an Enſign to the People, &c. Chriſt will laſh ſuch as lie behind. Peter was made to weep bitterly for ſtraying from his Colours. And it will be Death without Mercy to thoſe that quite depart from the Truth, and embrace Hereſy or Idolatry. And here let me caution all Chriſtians to take heed, leſt they are deceived by their Enemies. Satan, like a cunning Pirate, ſometimes transforms himſelf into an Angel of Light, he puts out falſe Colours, comes with a ſeeming Banner or Enſign of Truth; he can make uſe of Scripture, when it will make for his purpoſe to deceive. |
| XX. A good Souldier will not turn his Back upon the Enemy, to the diſhonour of his Captain; tho his Life be in danger, he will not flie, nor cowardly betray his Truſt. | XX. So a good Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt will not turn his Back to flie from the Enemy, or utterly depart from the Truth, whatſoever befalls him; ſuch is his Love to the Lord Jeſus, and Zeal for his Glory. And beſides, he knows (if he doth) the great Danger he expoſeth his own Soul to thereby: for among all the Armor that Chriſtians ſhould take unto them, we read of no Back-piece; for if they turn their Back,, they are gone and undone for ever: If any Man draw back, Heb. 10.38 my Soul ſhall have no Pleaſure in him. |
| XXI. A Souldier is greatly animated and encouraged in all his Encounters and ſharp Conflicts with the Enemy, by conſidering the Reward and Honour he ſhall receive, if he manfully holds out, and gets the Victory. | XXI. So a Saint is carried on with much Zeal and Courage, by the conſideration of the eternal Reward he ſhall receive in the end. This made Moſes deſpiſe the Glory of Egypt, and refuſe to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter. He ſaw him who was inviſible, and had an Eye to the Recompence of Reward. Heb. 1…. Chriſt himſelf this way animates his Followers, and faithful Souldiers: I appoint to you a Kingdom. Be you faithful unto Death, Rev. 2.10. 2 Tim. 4.8, 9. and I will give you a Crown of Life. I have (ſaith Paul) fought the good Fight, and finiſhed my Courſe, and kept the Faith: And henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteouſneſs, which God the Righteous Judg will give me at that Day, and not to me only, but to all them that love his appearing. |
| XXII. Some Souldiers of an Army are now and then ſingled out as Champions, to engage an Enemy alone. Tho every Champion be a Souldier, yet every Souldier is not a Champion. A Captain will not chuſe any Souldier to this Work, but ſuch only as he knows are Men of Courage and Experience, &c. | XXII. So Chriſt ſometimes calls forth one of his ſpiritual Army, to engage the Enemy alone, and as a Champion of the Truth, to ſacrifice his Life in the behalf of it. What greater Honour can be conferred upon a Chriſtian than this? Such a Champion was St. Stephen, Antipas, &c. who were brave Men,Acts 7. Rev. 2.13. Saints of undaunted Courage and Reſolution; who loved not their Lives unto Death. |
| Metaphor. | Diſparity. |
| NO earthly Souldiers know what the Event or Iſſue of their Wars will be; they cannot tell whether they ſhall overcome, and get the Victory, or not; tho they be never ſo valiant and couragious in their Service, and faithful and true to their Captain and Leader. | BUt a true Chriſtian knows, and is aſſured, that he ſhall overcome, and obtain the Victory. He fights not at an uncertainty, the Iſſue of the War being made known unto him by Chriſt in his Word. And altho a Chriſtian may ſometimes doubt of the Truth of his own Sincerity; yet being ſincere, he doth not doubt of obtaining the Conqueſt. |
| II. Earthly Souldiers many times loſe their Limbs and precious Lives in Fight; and it is not in the Power of the wiſeſt Captain in the World, to repair or make up that Loſs again. | II. But Chriſt's Souldiers never engage their Enemies to the Loſs of Limbs or Life it ſelf in his Cauſe, but he can reſtore it with great Advantage.Joh. 12.25 He that loveth his Life, ſhall loſe it; but he that hateth his Life in this World, ſhall keep it unto Life eternal. |
| III. Souldiers are armed with carnal Weapons, and fight with Men like themſelves, and yet many times are overcome, and loſe the Victory. | III. But Saints fight with ſpiritual Weapons, and not only with Men like themſelves, but with the Devil, and his infernal Crew; and yet through Chriſt their Captain they get the Victory. For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, Eph. 6. but mighty through God, &c. For we wreſtle not againſt Fleſh and Blood, but againſt Principalities and Powers, &c. |
Inferences.
THeſe things being ſo, let all true Chriſtians take Heart, and be valiant, and fear not the Face of Enemies.
1. Conſider the Worth and Dignity of your Captain. Chriſtians have the beſt Captain and Leader in the World.
(1.) He is of a moſt honourable Extraction, of a moſt high and noble Deſcent, the Heir of all things, the Father's Firſt-born, the expreſs Image of his Perſon: He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; and he is (ſaith one) Generaliſſimo of all his Majeſty's Forces in Heaven and Earth.
(2.) Conſider his Strength and Valour: He hath an Omnipotent Arm, and is of a moſt valiant, undaunted, couragious, and heroick Spirit. What was Sampſon, Gideon, David, Alexander, Julius Caeſar, Scanderbeg, or any other mighty Warrior, to the Lord Jeſus? This is he who cuts in pieces the Gates of Braſs, and breaks aſunder the Bars of Iron; that hath the Keys of Death and Hell; that flew Rahab, Iſa. 51.9.and wounded the Dragon; who is terrible to the Kings of the Earth, and will come upon Princes as upon Mortar. This is He that is the Terror of Devils, the Dread of Mortals, who will make other Captains tremble, and cry out to the Rocks and Mountains to hide them in the Day of his Wrath.
(3.) Conſider his Wiſdom. His Skill and Policy far exceeds the Craft and Subtilty of all the Machiavellian Politicians in the World. He knows how to aſſault and harm his Enemies, and to carry on, and bring off, to preſerve and defend his People, and faithful Souldiers. Let Men and Devils be never ſo skilful and politick, Chriſt knows how to outwit them, and over-reach them all. He knows where all their Mines are digged, where all their Forces, Flankers, and Ambuſcadoes do lie; He knows their Plot, and how laid this day againſt his Intereſt, Goſpel, and Covenant-People, in this and other Nations; He knows how to confound them, and catch them in their own Craftineſs, and to bring them to Shame. He is wonderful in Counſel, and mighty in Working. He hath an Omniſcient Eye, as well as an Omnipotent Hand. He makes his Countermines, and blows them up, or burieth them in the Pit they have digged. He outſhoots the Devil and the Wicked in their own Bow. He will bring down the Beaſt, and Whore, and all their Abettors, and make them aſhamed of their Hope. Mark the Iſſue of this preſent Diſpenſation. See Captain in the Firſt Volume, and God a Man of War.
2. Conſider the Excellency of your Cauſe, which is juſt and righteous.
3. The Goodneſs of your Call, againſt which nothing can be objected.
4. For your further Encouragement, conſider the Strength of your Fortifications: They are all impregnable, and impenetrable, of moſt invincible Strength. Your Out-Works, your Walls, your Bulwarks, your Forts and Towers, all your Defence is admirable. The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower. Prov. 18.10 Iſa. 26.1.Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks. O how formidable and terrible are the Attributes and Threatnings of God to his Enemies!
5. Conſider, Tho your Number be the feweſt, yet your Side is the ſtrongeſt; God is for us, and on our Side: With them is the Arm of Fleſh, but with us the Lord our God, to fight for us. How many, ſaid Antigonor, will you reckon me for? Poor Mortal! How many then may we reckon God, Chriſt, the Holy Ghoſt for? The whole Trinity is engaged for us.
6. Conſider, Tho your Service be hard, and Conflict ſharp, yet it will be ſhort. It is but a little while, and your Enemy ſhall trouble you no more.2 Cor. 4.17. Our light Afflictions which are but for a moment, &c.
7. Conſider, the Devils, and all other Enemies, tho never ſo potent, cruel, and malicious, yet they are all conquered and ſpoiled:Col. 2.15. Having ſpoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a Shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. The Romans were wont in a triumphant manner to carry thoſe they had conquered about with them, and to brandiſh their Swords, and diſplay their Colours, and carry their Arms in open View, as Trophies and Emblems of Victory: So the Lord Jeſus, having conquered Satan, and the Powers of Hell, rode as it were in Triumph through their Kingdom, (the Air) and made a Shew of them openly, as a glorious Victor. 2. Again, the World is ſubdued: Be of good cheer, ſaith Chriſt,Joh. 16. Rom 8. I have overcome the World. And we through him are hereby made more than Conquerors. Come Tribulation, Diſtreſs, Perſecution, &c. with all their Blackneſs, Darkneſs, Threats, and Terror; what will they do? Who ſhall ſeparate us from the Love of Chriſt? Rom. 8.35or hinder us of eternal Life. 3. Death is ſubdued, Chriſt hath got the Victory over that. What Joy and Comfort is this to Believers, to hear that all their Enemies are conquered; your Captain-General hath broken them all to pieces.
6. The Enemy cannot hurt you;Rom. 8.28 the worſt you can meet with will work for your Good.
9. Conſider, Tho you meet with hard Things, Chriſt can and will make them eaſy to you. All your Wounds he can heal, and all your broken Bones he can ſet. The more you ſuffer for Chriſt, the greater your Reward will be.
10. Conſider what great and glorious Pay you ſhall have in the end. Is not a Kingdom, a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away, worth fighting and ſtriving for?
11. Look to Chriſt, remember what he hath done and ſuffered for you; and conſider what many Saints have endured for his ſake before you, that were moſt precious in God's ſight. Is it not better to ſuffer here, than to ſuffer in Hell? What is the Pain and Sorrow of the Godly in this Life, to the everlaſting Pains and Torments of the Damned in the World to come? Get much Faith, and provide your ſelves with all your Armor, and the right Uſe of it, the Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head. Get your Hearts looſe from the World: No Man that warreth, 2 Tim. 2.4entangleth himſelf with the Affairs of this Life. Labour for much Love to God. It was a notable Saying of Mr. Bland the Martyr, when he was at the Stake: This Death (ſaith he) is more dear to me than Thouſands of Gold and Silver; ſuch Love, O Lord, haſt thou laid up in my Breaſt, that I hunger for thee. Take heed you conſult not with carnal Reaſon; rely wholly upon Chriſt, and never conſult thy preſent Strength with thy future Sufferings. Take heed you do not overvalue your Lives. Alas! you cannot live long; what if you die a little ſooner than you might do according to the Courſe of Nature? Alſo conſider, is it not better if God calls you to it, to glorify him by dying, than to die otherwiſe? Remember, You are not your own; let God therefore make what Improvement of you he pleaſes.
Laſtly; Pray continually, pray always, for this is the way to overcome. Prayer hath done wonderfully. And this is one great Thing that is enjoined on the Chriſtian Souldier.
Epheſ. 6.18. Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication, in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perſeverance, and Supplication for all Saints, and for me, &c.
HEre are two Things to be noted:
1. A Duty enjoyned, Prayer.
2. Bleſſed Directions about it, Viz.
1. The Time, Always.
2. The Kinds, All Prayer and Supplication.
3. How, viz. (1.) In the Spirit. (2.) With Diligence. (3.) Conſtantly.
4. For whom; (1.) For all Saints. (2.) More particularly, for the Preachers of the Goſpel.
Note. Souldiers of Chriſt ought to pray, to be much in Prayer, to pray always, to pray in the Spirit, to pray for themſelves, and to pray for others alſo.
Firſt; Tho we are to pray always: Yet there are ſome ſpecial Times for this Duty. Prayer is twofold, 1. Ordinary, 2. Extraordinary. We muſt in ſome Seaſons more eſpecially be at this Duty, to pray hard, to pray mightily, &c.
Queſt. What is meant by praying always?
Anſw. 1. It is as much as to ſay, Pray in every thing, according to that Word, Phil. 4.6. In every thing, by Prayer and Supplication, let your Requeſts be made known to the Lord. Some pray in nothing they do. In all thy Ways acknowledge him.
2. In all Conditions, in a full State, in a naked State, in Poverty, in Plenty, in Sickneſs, in Health, in Proſperity, and in Adverſity.
3. For every Thing we need, for Spirituals, for Temporals, ſo far as God ſeeth them good for us.
4. Daily, frequently, Morning and Evening. David ſaid to Mephihoſheth, Thou ſhalt eat Bread at my Table continually. 2 …am. 7 7He cannot mean, thou ſhalt do dothing but eat, (he would not have him to be ſuch a Cormorant) but commonly every day, &c.
5. To have a Heart always for this Duty, to be always fit and ready for this ſacred Ordinance.
Queſt. What are thoſe ſpecial Times and Seaſons for Prayer? Or when is extraordinary Prayer to be made?
Anſ. 1. When a Saint hath any great Work to do for God, or eminent Buſineſs and Service for his Church. See Nehem. 1.5. Acts 4.2, 9. When Abraham's Servant had ſpecial Work to do for his Maſter, he was much in Prayer.
2. When a Saint is in the dark concerning any one Truth of God, and cannot get Satisfaction,Dan. 9.1, 2, 3, &c. then 'tis a Time for extraordinary Prayer. When Daniel was at a loſs about the Time of Deliverance out of Captivity, how much did he give himſelf to Prayer!
3. When a gracious Soul is under any ſore and grievous Affliction. David in his Diſtreſs and Affliction cried mightily to God. Is any afflicted? let him pray; that is, let him be more abundantly in that Duty. James 5.13.
4. When Sin abounds, or in a Day of great Rebuke and Blaſphemy: When Hell ſeems to be let looſe, or the Flood-gates of Wickedneſs opened wide in a Nation, then it is a Time for the Godly to be much in Prayer. Jer. 13.19. Iſa. 37.23.
5. In Times of great Diſtreſs upon the Church; when the Danger is imminent, as at this Day; this is a Time for extraordinary Prayer. See Iſa. 22. When many Nations came up againſt Judah, then Jehoſhaphat cried mightily to Heaven, 2 Chron. 20.12. When Haman plotted to deſtroy all the Jews, and cut off Iſrael at once, and the Writings were ſealed, and ſent forth, then Eſther and the godly Ones pray mightily. Thus did Jacob, when his Brother was coming to meet him, fearing he would cut off the Mother with the Child;Gen. 33. how did he then wreſtle with God!
6. In Times of Temptation. When Chriſt was aſſaulted, and his Hour was come, he prayed hard, he ſpent a whole Night in Prayer, Mat. 26.44. And what ſaith he to his Diſciples?Mat. 26.40, 41. 2 Cor. 12. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into Temptation. When Paul had that Thorn in the Fleſh, the Meſſenger of Satan to buffet him, he beſought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him. That three times (as ſome conclude) might be threeſcore times.
7. Laſtly; In a Time of great Expectation, when great Things are near, and much look'd for. When Daniel expected great Things, underſtanding by Books, Deliverance to the Church was at hand, he ſet himſelf to ſeek God. Dan. 9.2.
Secondly; Conſider, Prayer is a great Ordinance. And that doth appear,
1. In reſpect of God; it gives him the Glory of three great Attributes.
(1.) Of his Omniſciency: We hereby acknowledg, that he knows our Wants and Neceſſities:Pſal. 39 9. All my Deſires are before thee, and my Groanings are not hid from thee.
(2.) His Omnipotency. We acknowledg, in our crying to God, and relying upon him in this Duty, that he is able to help us, and ſupply all our Wants.
(3.) It gives him the Glory of his Goodneſs: O thou that heareſt Prayer. A Saint knows, and confeſſeth hereby (if he pray aright) that God is willing and ready to help and ſave him.
2. Prayer is a great Ordinance, if we conſider the Power and Prevalency of it Luther aſcribed to Prayer a kind of Omnipotency. It hath prevailed over Fire, Water, and Earth; it hath ſtopp'd the Sun in its Courſe. It hath prevailed over evil Angels it hath caſt the Devil out, and broke his Kingdom down. It hath had Power over the good Angels, as appears in the Caſe of Eliſha; it fetched them from Heaven to be his Guard and Protection, 2 King. 9.6, 17. Nay, it hath prevailed with Chriſt himſelf, the Angel of the Covenant, as appears in Jacob's Caſe: As a Prince, thou haſt wreſtled with God, and haſt prevailed. It hath healed the Sick, raiſed the Dead, ſtopp'd the Lion's Mouth, and hath ſubdued and put to flight the Armies of Aliens;Heb. 11. hath opened Priſon-Doors, and broke in pieces Chains, Gates, and Bars of Iron and Braſs. There is none of the battering Rams, or Artillery of Hell can ſtand againſt it. 'Tis like an Engine (as one obſerves) that makes the Perſecutors tremble; and wo to them that are the Buts and Marks that it is levell'd at, when it is fired with the Fire of the Spirit, and diſcharged in the Strength of Faith. 'Tis ſaid, Mary Queen of Scots dreaded more the Prayers of Mr. Knox, than an Army of Twenty Thouſand Men; ſhe had more cauſe, than an Army of Ten Hundred Thouſand. 'Tis ſaid of the Witneſſes, that They have Power to ſhut Heaven, Rev. 11 5.that it rain not in the Days of their Prophecy; and have Power over Waters, to turn them into Blood, and to ſmite the Earth with Plagues, as often as they will. How do they this, but by Prayer?
3. That Prayer is a great Ordinance, will appear, if we conſider the Promiſes made to it, 2 Cor. 7.14. Pſal. 50.15. Mat. 21.22. Job 15.7.
4. That it is a great Ordinance, will appear, if we conſider how it co-works with all other Ordinances and Duties, to make them effectual, whether Moral or Evangelical: Every thing is ſanctified by the Word of God and Prayer.
5. That Prayer is a great Ordinance, doth appear by the Influences it hath over all our Graces. (1.) 'Tis the Means for getting Grace; hereby a Souldier of Chriſt obtains his Armor. (2.) And for the Increaſe of Grace, in order to the acting of it. (3.) For the evidencing of Grace. It is that which brings the Soul into God's Preſence, and fills it with Divine Joy and Peace in believing.
6. It is the Divine Breath of the Soul; can a Man live longer than he breaths? A Saint dies, when he quite ceaſeth Praying.
Queſt. What hinders or obſtructs the Anſwer of the Saint's Prayer?
Anſw. 1. When we pray not according to God's Will; God's Will muſt be the Rule of our Prayers. And this is the Confidence that we have in him, 1 Joh. 5.14. Jam. 4.3.that if we ask any thing according to his Will, he heareth us.
2. When the End or Aim of a Man is not right: Ye ask, and receive not, becauſe ye ask amiſs, that ye may conſume it on your Luſts.
3. When we pray not in Faith; Unbelief hinders the Anſwer of Prayer:Jam. 1.6. But let him ask in Faith, nothing wavering, &c.
4. When Endeavours after the things we want, are not joined with our Prayers.Pſal. 27.4. As we have a Mouth to beg, we muſt have a Hand to work.
5. When any one Sin reſteth in the Boſom unrepented of:Pſal. 66.18. If I regard Iniquity in my Heart, the Lord will not hear me, &c.
6. When we are not fervent. Prayer muſt be with Affection unto God.
7. When we pray not in Spirit. Our Spirits muſt pray; and not only ſo, but if the Spirit of God doth not act and aſſiſt our Spirits, our Prayers will not prevail.
8. When we are not conſtant in the Duty. We muſt be importunate and conſtant,Luk 18.1. pray always, and not faint, if we would have our Prayers heard.
9. When we come not to God in the Name of Chriſt, the Door is ſhut. We muſt ask in Chriſt's Name, and come to God by him, if we would be heard and accepted by him.