to his diversities of operations and workings keeps this law of sin under in some souls more then in other both the workings of it and the guilt of it Rom 8.2 The law of the spirit of life hath made free from the law of sin and death that is free from the power as it comes with authority as a law there Christ subdues although it wil be there as a rebel reigning yet it shal set up no law in the soul where Christ is Consider of it you that were never troubled about your sins but all things are at peace within you it is a sad signe Christ hath not set up his Kingdome there While the strong man the Devill keeps the house all things are at peace all quiet and so the poore creature lives in a fools Paradise and plcases himself in this condition but beleeve it when the Lord Jesus comes He will sit as a refiner and as a purifier hee will purge out the drosse when hee comes Mal. 3.3 But who may abide the day of his comming he will come with the refiners fire and the fullers sope he comes not to bring peace that is with lust and corruption but the Lord cuts them downe corruption dyes when Christ comes Object But perhaps some soul may object I find indeed some stirring within me some to evill and some motions to good how shall I know that this flows from the Kingdome of Christ set up in my soule or from some other principle Answ There is a conflict betweene the law and naturall conscience and there is a conflict between the spirit of Christ his work in the spirit of the Christian and the flesh corrupt nature and Satan 1 There is a conflict betweene naturall conscience and the law or the minde legally enlightned and the law and this may be in a naturall man or an Hypocrite Thus it was with Judas I have sinned in betraying the innocent bloud He saw his sin he had transgressed the law and now hee is troubled not because of his sin as it was a sin but because his conscience now dogs him will not let him rest This conflict may be in the heart of a poor creature and Christ never come there in the way of mercy and the soule deceive and cozen it self thinking Christ is their opposing sin when it is nothing else but the minde of man legally enlightned apprehending wrath and anger from the breach of the law and now walks more circumspectly yeelds more perfectobedience opposes sin as a transgression of the law and so thinks it selfe in a goodly paradise in a fair way for heaven And thus many poor souls deceive themselves and undo their souls everlastingly But perhaps some may say how shall I know the difference between mine one opposing sin from a principall of legall light whether the conflict be betweene naturall conscience and the law or the Kingdome of Christ set up in my soule and sin Answ The conflict betweene naturall conscience and the law it is only from the apprehension of the condemnation of the Law the law saith thou shalt not sin if thou do'st it thou must suffer thou must be condemned conscience enlightned seeing this is cast down and perhaps is much perplexed for sin sets against sin opposeth it with might and mayn and resolves to sin no more and anon sin presents it self and the Law presents it self and then out of doors sin must but why because of the law not because of Christ the law will give it no rest no peace there now to illustrate this by a comparison in these days of war I do not question but there are many in this countrey that are turned Paliamenteers for feare lest the Law seize upon their goods and persons and so they loose all their mindes are so far enlightned that they see it is good to sleepe in a whole skin as they say and hence they can perhaps talk somtimes and do for the Parliament when indeed their mindes are contrary well there comes one whose minde is not so farre enlightned as to seeke their owne externall good while he is here one whom this man loves and could gladly entertain him but for fear of the law he shall be counted and taken for an enemy to the State out of doores this man go none dares entertain him but why not for want of love but for feare beloved I have known the truth of this on the otherside enow And thus it is with this man perhaps the poore creature could be content to entertaine sinne in his bosome lust anger pride c. but no sooner doth sin appeare but the law that appeares conscience that is troubled out must the sin else conscience cannot be quier and so beloved for the quietnesse of conscience who fears eternall flames Esay 33.14 out sin must and an externall conformity follows and so the man is become a Christian It is as a man that hath a loving friend hee brings him to his houfe but the wife will not be satisfied she scolds out must the man else there will be no peace so sin would finde welcome perhaps and kinde entertainment with the man but naturall conscience from the apprehension of the law scolds and threatens and out must the beloved lust else there will be no peace I feare mee many a poore soule split themselves upon this rock But when Christ comes and sets up his Kingdome in the soul he presently writes his law in the heart makes them partakers of the divine nature makes them awilling people and now the conflict is not between the mind and the law but between the spirit and sin were there no law that matters not with the gracious soule it sees such a great disproportion and distance betweene its beloved and sin that there ariseth a bitter enmity between sin and the law of love in the soule of the Saints that the every appearance the very motions of sin as it is sin not as it brings condemnation but as it is filthy polluting contrary to the minde of Christ O the soule hath a continuall loathing of it and thus hee that is born of God sinneth not gives not the least allowance to sin in the very thought the very thought of it is bitter Quest. But what are the effects of this Kingdom of Christ in the souls of the Saints Answ First is the utter subversion and destruction of the Kingdom of Satan and sin for all sin is of the Devill and he that is borne of God sinneth not as you have heard 2 Is the continuall possessing of the soule with the enjoyment of God Christ always dwelling in the heart of the Saints for it is his Kingdom and the presence of Christ makes it heaven 3 Is joy and peace Rom. 15.13 The God of hope fill you with joy and peace through believing And the kingdome of heaven consisteth not in meat and drinke but in righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy spirit Joy unspeakable and full
comfortable words to assure us that those corruptions committed after faith shall be pardoned Heb. 8.12 for these sins are indeed contrary to the holy and pure nature of God but hee pardons them and now dost think that Christ would give his life and bloud for thee when thou wast an enemy to him and so reconcile thee to himselfe and Father and now when he findes sin and corruption in thee inabilities to performe holy duties c. which he knew would be in thee before doest think he will now reject thee and cast thee off no no he will not cast thee off do not think it nay know it that God expected no better of thee he knew that thou wouldest have a vain foolish minde full of passion pride and the like farther then he gave thee power to subdue it he knew that without him thou canst doe nothing Iohn 15.5 ô therefore be not discouraged look to the Lord Jesus thy High-Priest who hath reconciled thee when thou wert an enemy Rom. 5.8 9. But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us much more now being justified by his bloud we shall be saved from wrath through him ver 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved 3 A Third thing that many times troubles the Saints it is those temptations and persecutions they are lyable to in this world for the name and sake of Christ For this I shall propound these five considerations as remedies all flowing from Christ our great High-Priest 1 Consider that he hath made the salvation of every believer sure Esay 55.3 The Covenant God makes with his people is the sure mercie of David I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David that is of Christ It is sure the devill may rage and men may rage but they shall never be able to prevail Mat. 16.18 The gates of hell shall not prevail c. Feare not hell thy High-priest hath the keyes of death and hell there shall not one soule goe in there more then Christ thy High-priest permits therefore feare not him that can imprison banish kill the body and cannot kill the soule but feare him that can kill both body and soule be not afraid to confesse Christ before men and devils they shall never be able to separate between God and thy soule see the confidence of the Apostle Paul and this was his comfort and this will be thy comfort Rom. 8.35 38 39. Who shall separate us from the love of God I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord true it is afflictions will come stormes and tempests will arise but you being founded upon the rock Christ Jesus shall stand see Mat. 25. The raine discended and the flouds came and the winde blew and beat upon that house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock a poor weak soule carryed out of it selfe to Christ built wholly upon him shall stand when perhaps some that have seemed to be far more glorious professors building upon the sand upon duties and professions shall fall 2 Consider that Christ thy High-priest hath gone before thee in every condition therefore it follows Heb. 4.15 He was in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin O how should the consideration of this helpe thee through thy temptations art troubled with sin so was Christ with thy sin yet himself without sin he was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 yea and a curse for sin too and that thou shalt never be Gal. 3.13 art troubled with the Devill with temptations it may be to pride to the world c. so was Christ Mat. 4. Art persecuted so was Christ art contradicted of sinners so was Christ Heb. 12 3. art mocked scorned set out at nought so was Christ John 8.48 52. art accused perhaps for an Incendiary or pervertor of the City of the Nation so was Christ Luke 23.2 They began to accuse him saying we found this fellow perverting the Nation 3 Consider that Christ hath not only gone before in the Saints sufferings whereby hee is sensible and feelingly sensible of all the Saints sufferings but hee goes with them into their sufferings Consider Christ will be as deep in thy affliction as thy self hee takes all as done to himself Acts 9. Saul Saul why persecutest thou Me. Christ wil go with thee into thy affliction Esay 41.3 When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not over flow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt and Esay 41.10 Feare not for I am with thee what to do not for nothing I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse and this you see verified Dan. 3.25 Acts 12.7 8 6.25 in all which Christ manifested his gracious presence both for support and preservation 4 Use Is a word of consolation beloved all the Saints consolation flows frō the manifestation of Gods love in Christ their High-priest Many are the consolations that issues forth to the Saints from this full fountain of grace all received in by faith a Christians justification which he receives by faith it comes in by the bloud of CHRIST Romans 5.9 Beloved it is Christ dying that is a Christians justification Rom. 8.33 and that is the reason why the Apostle is so carefull to make known a crucified Christ 1 Co. 15.3 Christ dying for sin because it was the first truth to be received for a sinners justification but now beloved supposing I speak to those that have received this dying Christ as their alone justification I shall rather passe this first particular and come to speak of the true effects of this receiving Christ and all flows from Christ as our High-priest The first is reconciliation and peace with God every man and woman that have indeed received Christ in a way of believing as they are justified so they have peace with God this is a truth the Lord helpe you to see it Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith wee have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ And this peace Christ hath made for us by his bloud Col. 1.20 And having made peace by the bloud of his crosse c. this is a sweet mercy a rich grace for a poore sinfull creature to be reconciled to and made one with the God of Heaven think upon it beloved is not this a ground of consolation now God has nothing against thee to whom he hath given faith in his Son although it is true the Devill hee
Christ but to the Saints you have heard 1 John 5.1 Every one that loves him that begate loveth him also that is begotten 2 I come to the excellent properties and effects of this love 1 With relation to Christ 2 To the Saints 1 To Christ 2 It refuses to receive satisfaction in any enjoyment beneath the Lord Jesus A soule truly enlightned in the excellency of the knowledge of God in Christ refuseth to take content and satisfaction in any thing that comes short of Christ It is true there may be many turnings and windings in the heart and the profits and pleasures of the world shall be presented as Satan presented them to Christ and duties and creatures and performances gifts c. and thus Satan can and often doth present himself like an Angell of light and that to the Saints too they that know any thing of God know it if possibly he could hee would delude and cheat a poore creature but the soul truly loving Christ will not be thus cheated and deluded by that old Serpent he must have Christ nothing lesse will satisfie him A living child may be quieted awhile with a bable a counter or ratle which is nothing but folly but in conclusion it findes by experience the emptinesse and vanity of such things then casts away all and nothing but bread will satisfie him So it may be with the soule the living Christian it may receive some content in duties and prayers for a time but in the conclusion it comes to see the emptinesse of these things and then nothing but Christ will content him When a soule truly loving Christ comes to see how he hath deluded himselfe in mistaking Christ thinking that he hath had Christ when indeed he had nothing but the externall ordinance visible forme which is indeed the shell without the kernell ô then nothing lesse then a Christ will satisfie ô give me Christ sayth the soule or else I die Christ in every ordinance it will not take ordinances and duties for Christ any more but now the soule must enjoy Christ in ordinances Christ in preaching in praying in the Supper of the Lord nothing gives content to the soule but Christ O this is the excellent quality of true spirituall love to the Lord Iesus Hence it is that the spouse in the Canticles Cap. 3.12 so earnestly seeks her beloved shee could take no rest untill shee had found him ver 4. and then shee holds him and will not let him goe This is the property of love it soars very high flies aloft like the Eagle and why because God in Christ is its object and where the dead carkesse is thither will the Eagles be gathered together Christ is the alone object of faith and love and to him all true beleevers come in him shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Esay 45.25 onely note this that the soule comes by faith to enjoy him whom the soule loves A second excellencie of love to the Lord Jesus is It is quieted and satisfied in the single enjoyment of Christ the soul that hath Christ hath enough it can say as Jacob It is enough Ioseph my son is yet alive so the believing soule whose heart is truly inflamed with love to Christ for his own excellencie it hath enough it is content now to lose all as the Apostle Paul Phil. 3.7.8 He accounts all things but losse yea dung that he may win Christ This is the excellencie of the grace of love to Christ it carries the soule above the world above creature or any thing beneath Christ it desires nothing but Christ 1 Cor. 2.1 It gloryeth and rejoyceth in nothing but Christ Gal. 6.14 and him crucified If it have the world so it is if not it is contented it is quiet in any condition if it enjoy all things I mean in the world yet Christ is the summe of all if it want all things yet in Christ it enjoyes all so the Apostle as having nothing yet possessing all things so that now the soule that believes in and loves the Lord Jesus knows how to be abased and how to abound that is it know how in that lowest condition to live satisfied upon Christ and it knows how in the highest condition to live also upon Christ it can doe all things through Christ that strengthens it Phil. 4.12 13. Doe you not see on the contrary men that have no love to the Lord Jesus how they let forth their hearts upon the creature they live upon the creature take away the world from them you take away their life but the man that loves Christ hath enough in the enjoyment of him what ever befall them in the world they can say as Christ I have meat to eate that yee know not of John 4.32 the Lord Iesus is the Saints meat and drinke they live upon him and are satisfied with him The third property of love is It slights all hardships and sufferings that it meets withall for the name and sake of Christ Nothing can quench this love many waters cannot quench it many flouds of affliction cannot quench love when others that love not the Lord Jesus but themselves and their own ease start and are affrighted at the reproach of Jesus as at some strange apparition when the soul that sees spiritually that looks not at things that are seen that is at the outside of things which carnal eys only see but at things that are not seen that is at the outside of things which carnall eyes They hence go cheerfully slighting persecutions being perswaded that nothing can make a separation betweene Christ and their souls glorying and triumphing in the crosse of Christ being not only ready to suffer reproach but death it self if the Lord call them to it for the name and sake of their beloved Thus you see the excellencie of this grace it carries the soule sweetly out to Christ it lies down in the bosome of love and there it is satiated there it is satisfied there it hath enough there it lives and there it dies yet with him it shal for ever live ô the admirable excellencie in this grace of love it makes hard things easie and bitter things sweet it lives upon that others canot see no not never shall see unlesse the Lord open their eyes it rejoyceth in that others dread it takes that for a crown that others count shame it makes their hearts to leap for joy in the beholding of those things that makes others faint and fail 2 I come to the excellencie of this grace of love in and to the Saints for that is the great thing we have now in hand the excellencie of the grace of love among Saints among brethren 1 It is of a knitting nature it knits or bindes up the soules of the Saints as one it makes them to be of one heart and of one minde What is the reason of such divisions amongst Saints but the want of love this grace of love is
tast of the excellencie it shall one day enjoy in Christ Quest Now what is it that bears up the soule in this condition how doth the soule live in the want of this full enjoyment of God Answer 1 By faith he can look upon God as having a relation to him God in Christ is my God sayth the soule and I shall one day enjoy him I shall one day see him and for ever be satisfied in the beholding of him this quiets this satisfies the believing soule it is content to wait upon God hee that believeth maketh not haste It is in this case with the believing Christian as with a loving and tender wife her desire is always to live in the enjoyment of her husband but when her husband is absent far away from her it may be shee receives now and then a comfortable letter from him wherein shee sees a glimpse of his love and reads his letter and wil have as much fellowship with him in his letter as shee can shee will look to every word every sentence and note what expressions of love shee can finde there and then shee is cheer'd and comforted I have a letter from my husband sayth the loving wife wherein he lets sorth a caste of his kindnesse and love unto me O here are sweet words of love of a tender affection But sayth the wise this is not all hee will come home unto me at the time appointed and I shall enjoy him and this is that which most of all cheeres up the heart of the wife my husband will returne at the time appointed Thus it is with the beleeving Christian nothing lesse then the enjoyment of God can give satisfaction to the soule that hath once rasted of him but beloved the Lord Jesus the souls beloved is gone as far as any hee hath only espoused betrothed the soule to himself he hath reserved the full enjoyment that the beleeving soule shall have in him till another world only hee discovers this his love le ts forth a glimpse of his glory into the souls of the Saints and then the soule having once tasted of God how good how gracious the Lord is then nothing but the full enjoyment of Christ can satisfie Now the Lord Christ hath left his word here for his beloved to have recourse unto and there he hath made known his love and his heart to his poore people and now the soule that longs after Christ hath recourse to the Scripture and there searches what Christ hath said when the soule meets Christ in the Scripture then it is cheer'd then it is comforted here is a blessed word sayth the soule Christ is my all and in all though I cannot come to the full enjoyment of him and then the believing soule will to ordinances preaching and the Supper of the Lord fellowship and communion of Saints get what it can of Christ meet with her beloved every way God hath appointed for that purpose but still this is the great support my beloved will come at the time appointed he is gone to receive for himselfe a Kingdome and he will return and I shall enjoy him in his fulnesse in his perfection and here the soule lives and waits patiently here the anchor of hope is cast and holds the soule close to the Lord Jesus living by believing what it shall one day enjoy Heb. 11.1 2 That which the gracious soule longs after is a full and perfect freedome from corruption it is that body of sin that burthens the Saints that is it makes them cry with the Apostle Paul O wretched man that I am Who shall deliver me from this body of death and the gracious soule could well be contented somtimes to embrace death that it might be freed from this body of death under which God is pleased for ends best known to himselfe to exercise his children under Now what is it bears up the Spirits of the Saints in this condition it is this the believing of this that they shall one day be rid of this base proud deceitful heart a day is comming when I shall change this vile body of sin and I shall be made like unto the glorious body of Jesus Christ Phil. 3.21 I am already justified and so made a Son a daughter of God and this I know I shall one day be made like unto him 1 John 3.2 This is that which cheers the heart of a Christian many times when it is in a low condition when put to a stand in the beholding of those base haunts of heart that it findes within it selfe when perhaps it is put to a stand in the beholding of it O sayth the soule what I after so much experience of Gods love so much faith in the name of Jesus and have such a base heart such a thought for wickednesse the Christian is somtimes put almost to a stand here but then he comes to consider God is wise and he is pleased to exercise me under this body of sin to keepe me in a continuall dependancie upon himselfe and this is my comfort I shall one day be rid of all these enemies of mine and I shall one day enjoy the Lord Jesus in his holinesse and in his glory When Christ which is my life shall appear then shall I appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 and in this case the believing soule lives in believing what it shall one day enjoy namely freedome from sin glorious liberty even the glorious liberty of the Sons of God 3 The Saints of God are subject to afflictions and reproaches while they are in this world so Christ sayth Iohn 16.3 In the world yee shall have tribulation It is true Christ hath prepared a Kingdome for them but they are not like to enjoy it in this world I mean that Kingdom of glory although it is true they enjoy much of God here in this Kingdom of grace The Kingdom of God is within you But the Saints here are liable to persecutions and afflictions now the beleeving Christian lives in beleeving it shall one day bee freed from those hard things it suffered here free'd from evill men and I shall one day have a Kingdom sayth the soule Thus Paul comforts himselfe 2 Cor. 5.1 2 Tim. 4.5 6 7. and this was it with which Peter comforts the scattered Jews 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. They were begotten to an inheritance incorruptible undefiled reserved in heaven for them and this was the ground of that exhortation to constancy to the end in time of affliction Rev. 2.10 Be faithfull to the death and you shall have a crown of life Thus Christians have I indeavoured both from the light of Scripture add the light of experience to hint out briefly unto you a taste of the Christians living by faith and this Christ teacheth all those whom he effectually teacheth Heb. 10.38 I might proceede to other particulars namely that Christ teacheth us to own him as our Priest as our King it is Christ our Prophet indeed that
teacheth us all things that we rightly know we know nothing as we ought to know farther then Christ Jesus by his Spirit teacheth But I proceed to the next particular propounded in the office or work of a Prophet namely to work miracles this the Prophets before Christ did Moses a type of Christ and the great Prophet of Israel work't many miracles when the Lord sent him to deliver his people And this hath Christ our Prophet done and doth to this day this hee did when he was in the world turning water into wine raysing the dead to life restoring those borne blinde to sight c. and this be still doth Christ our Prophet is ever working miracles The conversion of a soule is a miracle it is the changing of the nature and it is above nature to doe it to raise a man from the dead to life is a miracle and this Christ doth to every soule who is indeed raised Ephes 2. the 1. and 5. verses compared ver 1. and you who were dead in trespasses and sins ver 5. Even when wee were dead in sins hath hee quickned us c. now to quicken to give life to a dead soule is a miracle and this Christ doth ordinarily and hee gives sight unto blinde men it was a miracle for Christ to give sight to the man that was borne blinde beloved every man and woman in the world is borne blinde spiritually blinde and this is a greater miracle to cure such yet this is the ordinary work of Christ and every man naturally is both blinde lame and deaf but Christ when he comes he opens the blinde eyes he un-stops the deaf eares he causeth the lame to walke and the tongue of the dumb to sing Esay 35.5 3 The Prophet did foretell of things to come Moses and the rest did fore-tell Christ c. and so did Christ in many particulars Mat 24. but I passe this also 2 Christ is to be exalted Prophet in the dayes of the Gospel see Act. 3.22 23. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you him shall you hear in all things Use 1. To examine if Christ have been thy Prophet When Christ comes first to the soule he findes men dead and gives life unto them he findes men blinde and gives sight unto them Hath the Lord discovered thy dead condition unto thee and given thee life art borne from above That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and thou wert borne flesh dead in trespasses and sins hath the Lord changed thee from a state of death to a state of life from a state of infidelity to a state of believing thou wert blinde thou wert borne blinde not able to see into spirituall things 1 Cor. 2.14 Hath the Lord opened thine eyes canst say I was blinde but now I see I was dumb but now I speak ô this is worth your consideration Use 2. A word of consolation to the Saints whom the Lord Jesus hath taught what is the comfort you will say 1 He will for ever be thy Prophet and will be ever teaching thee Thou shalt hear a voyce behinde thee saying this is the way walke yee in it when thou turnest to the right hand or to the left the Lord Jesus will be for ever thy Prophet he will never fail thee nor for sake thee his eye shall ever be over thee for good he will direct thee in all thy wayes and is not this a mercy 2 He hath made all the Saints Prophets he hath powred down a spirit of Prophesie upon them that now they are enabled by the spirit of prophesie to speake one to another for edification exhortation and consolation 1 Cor. 14.3 and therefore the men of the world might hence be warned to take heed how they meddle with the Saints to persecute them for they are the Lords Prophets 1 Chron. 16.22 Touch not mine anointed doe my Prophets no harme Christ takes every wrong done to them as done to himselfe therefore you had need look to it for it is that which will work your ruine in the end THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST The alone KING of SAINTS CHAP. III. I Come to the Kingly Office of Christ Christ is the alone King of his people believe it Christ is the alone King of his people Christ is a King and hee hath a Kindome Psal 45.6 His Kingdome is spirituall it is not of this world although it is in the world Christ hath a twofold kingdome here in this world there is the kingdome within the Saints and the kingdome without the one in the heart the other in the Church they are both spirituall 1 Christ rules and reignes in the Saints the kingdom of God is within you beloved Christ hath a kingdom within you if ye are his Christ is in you except yee be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 And this is a priviledge more then all the Kings in the earth have they may reign here over their subjects but not in them but Christ first reigns in them then over them he reigns I mean spiritually over none but those in whom he reigns Now Christ reigns in the souls of the Saints first opposing all things that are contrary to himself there are other Lords that will seeke to rule in the hearts of the Saints if Christ subdue them not the Devill hee will seek to be Lord he that is the God of the world and rules and reigns in the hearts of the children of disobedience where Christ doth not rule but when the Lord Jesus coms he dispossesseth him and casts him out and so keeps him out The Devill will make many a strong assault throw many a fiery dart at the soule of the Christian endevouring if possible hee can to shake his hold but Christ he is the King hee is the watchman the keeper of Israel hee giveth in power to the weak fainting soul to overcome all those Laws and Edicts Satan shal endevour to set up in the soule so that now the Christian espyes all Satans plots and artificiall devices to trap and ensnare him rejects all his temptations and says as Christ Get thee behind me Satan when the Devill acts and works in others he hath no power over the soule where Christ reigns it is true hee may throw in his darts sometimes make assays eyther to tempt to some evill or to shake the faith of Christians but Christ the King reigns there still conquers him subdues him and so caries on his own work that the gates of hell cannot prevail against that soul where he dwels Thus Christ reigns keeping under Satan beleeve it beloved Christ and Satan cannot reign both in one soul 2 Christ opposes the power of sin in the soul where he reigns sin bears a strong sway in the soul now Christ he opposeth it sets himselfe against it hence it is there is such a strong opposition between the flesh and the spirit that is the spirit of Christ the spirit Iusting against the flesh the flesh