damned c. 2 Thes 2. 11 12. If Satan tempt you to apostatize from the truth for fear of suffering the Scripture will tell you that if any withdraw Gods soul will have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. ult and he that putteth his hands to the Plough and looketh back is not fit for the Kingdome of Heaven Luke 9. ult If Satan tempt you to be hypocritical the Word of God will tell you that Hell is prepared for Hypocrites If Satan tempt you to cast off Duties as Prayer Hearing the Word of God will tell you the sad consequences of such neglect c. And our Saviour teacheth us this use of the Scripture in the day of Temptation by his own practice Satan tempts him to work a miracle at his command by turning stones into bread in the time of hunger Mat. 4. He answers that temptation by shewing him out of the Scripture That man liveth not by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God ver 4. Satan tempts him again to cast him self down from the pinacle upon a perswasion of the protection of God Our Saviour answers that from the Scripture ver 7. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Satan sets upon him with a third Argument to fall down and worship him Our Saviour answers that by a Testimony from Scripture shewing him that Divine Adoration was due to God onely ver 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely thou shalt serve 2. The Word of God strengthens and teacheth a Christian how to use aright all the other parts of the Spiritual Armour First For the Girdle of Truth if you understand it of the Doctrine of Truth the Word helpes you in that hereby we know what is Truth what is Falshood Take away the Word of God and there is no standard to measure Truth withall If you understand it of the Grace of Truth Sincerity and Uprightness of heart the Word of God is the Preserver of it I was upright before him and kept my self from mine iniquity for all his judgments were before me and I did not put away his Statutes from me Psal 18. 22 23. The Word of God as the Sun exhales all the vapours of hypocrisie out of our hearts Secondly For the Breast-plate of Righteousness The Word of God strengthens and preserves that if we understand it of the righteousness of our persons the Word of God teacheth where it lies and how to put it on and to use it Rom. 1. 17. This righteousness is revealed in the Word If you understand it of the righteousness of our course and conversation the Word of God directs us for this also Psal 119. 9. The Word is the measure of righteousness he hath shewed thee O man what is good Mic. 6. 8. 3. For the Shooes of the preparation of the Gospel It is the Word of God that helpes us to take up and enables us to persevere in these resolutions of going through with the profession of the Gospel against all difficulties and inconveniences and disadvantages the Word whets the edge of these resolutions when they grow dull and blunt 4. For the Shield of Faith The Word is both the Seed which breeds it and the Nurse which feeds it and gives it suck It 's called the Word of Faith not onely because it is the Object of Faith that which is to be believed but also because it is the Seed of Faith and the Food of Faith Faith must have a written word to lean upon else it dies 5. For the Helmet of Hope The Word of God to the grace of Hope is as the light to the eye of the body it is the Cable of the Anchor of Hope the Word layes the promise down upon which Hope is grounded the Word shewes Gods faithfulness whereby Hope is cherished the Word is the fewel that keeps it burning I have hoped in thy Word 6. For Prayer and Supplication We can neither tell what to pray for nor how to pray aright without the direction of the Word of God By the Word of God we come to know what we want By the Word of God we come to know what God hath promised The word of God heats the affections to pray with zeal strengthens the heart to pray in confidence enables the Spirit to pray with perseverance Take away the Fewel of the Word and the fire of Prayer will be abated if not quenched LECT XXIV March 20. 1649. VSE I. Information 1. That it 's a marvellous great mercy that God hath been pleased to commit his Mind to writing VVEE might else have been to seek for this Sword when we should have had occasion to use it The Church of God for about 2500. yeares wanted this blessing The Doctrine of God was preserved by the Tradition of a lively voyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 1. 1. Somtimes by the immediate voyce of God himself by the Ministry of Angels Heb. 2. 2. By Dreams by Visions by Vrim and Thummim but never in writing till the time of Moses Then God was pleased to commit it to writing for many causes First That by this means it might be kept more pure and incorrupt We read how much soyl the Truth of God contracted by passing through the hands of men while it was by Tradition transmitted from Parents to Children Gen. 35. 2. We read that even in Jacobs Family there were Idols found And so Josh 24. 14. And the Idols of Egypt were amongst the Israel of God Though they were Holy and religious yet was there much pollution cleaving to the Worship of God in those dayes Secondly for the help of mans weak memory many of Divine Truths might in continuance of time have slipt out of the leaking Vessel of mans memory and so the Church of God should have suffered much loss Thirdly for the greater stability and firmness of the Doctrine of Truth against all those who should either deny it or corrupt it or infirm it vid. Luk. 1. 3 4. By the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth secretly innuere propter corruptelas quorundam qui vivâ voce aliena ab Evangelicâ veritate tradiderunt opus fuisse accurato scripto rem prout gesta fuit usque ad finem exponente The Church of God by this meanes hath a greater certainty against the fraud and deceit of Seducers of the truth of God 4. For the more facile propagation and spreading of the Doctrine of Truth while it was delivered by Tradition it was onely consined among the Jewes and there was no probability that ever it should spread any further than their Coasts but by the writing of it it is divulged throughout the world 'T is a mercy to be acknowledged Had not the Word been written this Sword would have been as a Sword in the Scabbard or Armory but by the writing of it it is drawn out of the sheath and made of much more use to us in the day of battel 2.
hoofs for hardness Thirdly Satan tempts us frequently he is every moment spreading his Net and laying his Snare to intrap the Soul he takes every opportunity to assault us ergo we should take every opportunity to defend our selves against his Assaults 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your Adversary goeth about continually seeking whom to devour Himself saith Job 1. 7. That he is continually circuiting and going up and down to destroy T is not one Arrow that will secure us against such frequent and reiterated Temptations He made three Assaults upon our Saviour in a little space of time Mat. 4. init and when he left him it was but for a season Luke 4. 13. 2. He that would overcome must use all kind of prayer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prayer is diversly distinguished In regard of the manner of performing it it is either 1. Mental or Vocal Mental prayer is when the heart onely prayeth without the voyce such was that of Moses Exod. 14. 15. Such was that of Hanna 1 Sam. 1. 13. These are mutae preces tamen clamantes Vocal Prayer is when the desires of the heart are drawn out into verbal expressions such was that of David Psal 5. 3. Psal 64. 1. 2. Either with others or else solitary with our selves alone Prayer with others is either more publike as in the Congregation or more private as in the Family Solitary prayer is when the Christian enters into his Closet retires himself from all company and then powres out his desires to God such is that our Saviour enjoyns Matth. 6. 6. Such was that of our Saviour Luke 5. 16. In regard of the matter Prayer is either for the obtaining of good things this is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text or else it is for the diverting of evill which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now all kind of prayer must be used by him that would overcome Temptations He must pray privately and publikely mentally and vocally c. Every kind of prayer hath in it something which is more peculiarly excellent which is not so excellent in any other kind of prayer Publike prayer excels in one kind private prayer is more excellent in other respects Nehem. 2. 4. Mental prayer in some respects excels vocall in others In publike prayer there is more strength vis unita fortior In private and secret prayer there is less distraction There is in the publike more Communion with Saints There is in the private often more Communion with God less interruption incumbrance c. Satan useth all kind of Temptations and therefore we should use all kind of prayer The whole vertue of prayer lies not in any one kind but in all kinds 3. A Conquering Prayer must be in the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This hath four things in it 1. It must be in the Spirit and not onely in the outward man So the Scholiast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It must not be a work of the head or hands or eyes onely but chiefly a work of the heart Prayer is called the powring out of the soul 1 Sam. 1. 15. The powring out of the heart Psal 62. 8. The lifting up or stretching out of the soul Psal 25. 1. We read indeed of the lifting up of the hands Psal 28. 2. Of the lifting up of the eyes Psal 123. 1. Of the bowing of the knee Ephes 3. 14. These are fit and convenient postures to manifest the inward affections of the heart but the main work of prayer is in the inward man Quod cor non facit non fit Satan is a Spiritual Enemy Satans Temptations are Spiritual Temptations and therefore prayer will do no good against him which is not Spiritual God will never honour a prayer with victory over Satan which is onely a bodily service yea prayer without the heart drives God away and brings temptations into the soul It will never be a Satan-conquering but a self-weakning prayer 2. Prayer in the Spirit i. e. Zealous and fervent not cold and faint So 't is used in the Scripture Rom. 12. 11. A cold faint prayer will never prove a Conquering-prayer 'T is fervent prayer that is the effectuall prayer Jam. 5. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such have been the prayers of the victorious servants of God Such was Jacobs prayer Gen. 32. 31. compared with Hos 12. 4. Such was the prayer of Elias Jam. 5. 16. compared with 1 King 18. 42. We read of striving in prayer Rom. 15. 30. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wrastling in prayer Gen. 32. 24. Labouring fervently Col. 4. 12. Praying exceedingly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Thes 3. 10. Powring out a prayer Psal 102. tit Lifting up a prayer Esa 64. 7. Stirring up our selves in prayer Esa 64. 7. All which expressions note ardency Satan is not cold but servent not faint but zealous in his Assaults he fights against us in his Spirit that is with all his might and if we do not pray in the Spirit we shall rather encourage him then get the Victory 3. In the Spirit that is in sincerity Spirit is used in Scripture in opposition to hypocrisie Joh. 4. 24. Ambrose expounds this of purity of heart and integrity Hoc est in Spiritu semper â—rare mundâ conscientiâ fide integrâ precem ad Deum dirigere In carne enim orat qui pollutâ mente orat A prayer proceeding from an impure heart is like rotten Arrows against an Enemy which will neither wound him nor kill him Hypocritical prayers shall not be heard of God Psal 66. 18. Nor shall they be fear'd of Satan Satan is not hypocritical and in appearance but real and in good earnest in his temptations and so must a Christian be in his prayer that means to overcome 4. In the Spirit i. e. By the help of the Holy Spirit The Saints have this happiness that the Holy Ghost makes intercession in them with sighs and groans which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Now he prayes in the Spirit that prayes by the help and assistance of the Spirit he that acteth the Graces of the Spirit in Prayer Faith Hope Heavenliness c. Some deride Prayer in and by the Spirit Satan is a Spirit and no prayer will put him to flight but that which is framed in the heart by the Holy Spirit of prayer It is not the gift of Prayer but the grace of Prayer which gets the day 4. A Conquering Prayer must be a watchfull Prayer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is required as a necessary Qualification of Prayer Mat. 26. 41. There is a two-fold watchfulness in reference unto prayer 1. A watchfulness unto prayer Of this we read 1 Pet. 4. 7. Be ye sober and watch unto prayer A watchfulness in prayer Of which we read Col. 4. 2. Watch in prayer with thanksgiving He that would overcome Satan by prayer must do both these He must watch unto prayer that is 1. He must have the thoughts of
the judgement be rotten neither the heart nor the life can be sound We finde therefore in Scripture these two joyned together faith and a good Conscience Ever when men have been corrupted in the head they have been corrupted in their lives 1 Tim. 1. 19. holding faith and a good Conscience c. he that puts away faith must put away a good Conscience whether he will or no he that makes ship-wrack of faith will soon make ship-wrack both of Conscience and Conversation 2. Ex justo Dei judâ—cio It s Gods way to punish the rejection of truth with giving men up to ungodlineâ—s of life Thus God punished the Heathen Rom. 1. 25. 26 27 28 29. where you have both the sin and the just punishment of it So 2 Thes 2. 10. 11 12. Exhortation Let all Christians be careful to keep fast about them this Girdle We have a kinde of Popish Proverb among us ungirt unblessed There is a truth in it in this sense If Satan finde you without your Girdle upon your loyns he will easily prevail with you in the day of temptation Labour therefore to get and to keep this Girdle and if you see it grow weak labour to strengthen it Let me add a few helps by way of direction and I have done 1. Avoid the company and breath of known Seducers They will either quite take away your girdle or else they will much slacken it in a very short time if you have to do with them If any man come to your house and bring not this Doctrine receive him not nor bid him God speed 2 Joh. 9. 10. They have sleight of hand they can cut your purses while they look in your faces from such turn aside 2 Tim. 3. 5. 2. Do not think meanly of such Truths as are of an inferiour Nature and more remote from the Foundation He that cuts off every day a small shred from his girdle will very soon snap it quite asunder Though every Truth be not fundamental yet every Truth is a guard to the Foundation the outer skin of an Apple lies remote from the heart yet if you pluck that off the very heart will be sooner rotten The finger is not a vital part but a Gangrene in the finger will in a short time reach to the very Vitals and corrupt the blood and spirits 3. Be much in prayer to him that keepeth both the hearts and the feet of his Saints that he would keep the Truth in you and you in the Truth Holy Father saith our Saviour keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me Joh. 17. 11. Let us often pray this Prayer of Christ Holy Father keep us through thy Holy Name Tie on this girdle of Truth that it may neither slip off nor be taken off The Apostle Jude puts these two together ver 20. Building up your selves in your most Holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost 4. Take heed as of all sins so especially of the sin of Pride As Heresie is the mother of pride and scornfulness so Pride is the High-way to be Heretical A proud person will soon be an erroneous person If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words c. he is proud knowing nothing c. 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Pride will make the Heart swell so bigge that the Girdle of Truth about your Loyns wil soon be knapt asunder Humility and Watchfulness are the best Buckles for this Girdle and the way to preserve Truth but Pride and Carelesnesse is the way to lose it 5. Keep a good Conscience in all things towards God and towards Man As the falling off from the Mystery of Faith will corrupt the Conscience so a corrupt Conscience and an ungodly Life will in time destroy the Mystery of Faith There is this Reason for it The Doctrine of godliness reproves the Deeds of ungodliness and therefore whoever goes on in ungodly Practices will at last cast off the Doctrine of godliness that he may not be a Reprover to himself Keep the Grace of Truth that you may preserve the Doctrine of Truth also Thus for the first Interpretation LECT IX Decemb. 5. 1649. Ephes 6. 14. Having your Loynes girt about with Truth c. IT old you the last Lecture that Expositors LECT 9 give a two-sold Interpretation of Truth in this place Some understand it as spoken of the Doctrine of Truth Others expounding it of the Grace of Truth We have gone over the former Interpretation already as it relates to the Truth of Doctrine From which we noted That firmness and stability in the Truth of Doctrine c. We have now to consider it as relating to the Grace of Truth for so it s used in Scripture as I shewed you the last day Psal 51. 6. Josh 24. 14. Joh. 4. 24. and so it is understood in this Text by many yea the most Interpreters that I have had opportunity to inquire into Calv. vocabulo veritatis sincerum animum intelligit Piscator veritatis vocabulo intelligit conscientiae integritatem c. Taking it in this sense the Doctrine is this viz. that Integrity and truth of heart is of special use to Doct. obtain vistory over Satan in the evil day of Temptation Whosoever would overcome the Devil must have his Loyns girded about with Truth in the inward parts He that wants this girdle may struggle for a while with a Temptation and may perhaps overcome a particular temptation but he can never hold against every temptation Sooner or later he wil be brought into bondage by the Temptations of the Devil By the help of this Girdle it was that Holy Job won and kept the field and got the day of Satan in that great Conflict and Dispute he had with him And by this Girdle it was that other of Gods assaulted servants did finally overcome In the handling of this Doctrine I shall do these three things 1. I shall briefly open the Nature of this Grace 2. I shall give you the Reasons of the Doctrine 3. I shall lay down a Caution or two for the understanding of the Doctrine 1. That we may find out what is meant by this Grace of Truth I shall bring several Texts of Scripture which do explain it First Partly by way of Opposition And Secondly Partly by Exposition or Illustration 1. By way of Opposition 1. We find it opposed to Deceitfulness and Fraudulency and False-heartedness So 2 Cor. 6. 8. As Deceivers and yet true He is a man of truth that is a man without deceit Thus our Saviour speakes of Nathanael Jo. 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile An Israelite in truth or a true Israelite is one in whom guile and deceitfulness is not he is one that hath not two faces he will not juggle either with God or men or himself Not as if a man of truth might not sometimes fall into an act of deceitfulness Abraham had truth in the inward parts and yet
have an intention to wrastle with God in Prayer but some messenger of Satan or other is ready to wrastle with him to take him off This Text shews us the reason He knows well that the servants of God are never more successfull against his Temptations nor that he is never more defeated in his designs against them than when they set their faces to seek God He hath been so often overcome by this Holy Ordinance of God that he is afraid of it Hence it is that he is so diligent both to take them off from it and to interrupt them in it He is most afraid of a Child of God when he is on his knees This makes him so strangely attempt to break off the Exercise of it 2. This shewes us that Satan must needs prevail very much where Prayer is neglected Do not wonder to see the Devils Throne erected so high in those Families and in those Persons where Prayer and Invocation is cast aside There 's nothing in such a soul to hinder either his Residence or Domination Watch and pray saith Christ that ye enter not into Temptation Mat. 26. 41. Those that disuse Prayer must necessarily be under the power of black Temptations They have no defence to keep Satan out nor have they any way to cast him out when he is once entred 3. This lets us see the power of Holy Prayer It 's a very strong thing he that considers well what prayer hath wrought cannot imagine it to be a weak thing It hath for a time stopt the course of Nature Sun stand thou still in Gibeon and thou Moon in the Valley of Ajalon Josh 10. 12 13. It hath divided the waters of the Sea Exod. 14. 21 22. It hath quenched the burning flames Numb 11. 1 2. It hath cast Devils out of their possession The Prayer of Luther and other servants of God recovered a man out of the hands of Satan who had made an Indenture of his soul to him and sealed it with his own bloud The Indenture sealed was cast in into the place where they were praying And our Saviour tells That no Devil hath such deep possession but by Prayer and Fasting he may be cast out Matth. 17. 21. In a word Prayer hath overcome God himself Gen. 32. 26. Luther was wont to say There is a kind of Omnipotency in Prayer It never yet did it never shall through God meet with any thing too hard for it No Journey was ever too long for it no Mountain too high no Waters too deep no Burthen too heavy no Temptation too strong It never was it never shall be finally and totally overcome by any Adversary 4. That a Christians Victory over the Temptations of Satan doth not depend upon himself but upon God alone This is gathered from hence When he hath dressed himself and got his weapons into his hands he must then look to his Commander in chief and conquer by prayer He doth not overcome by fighting but by praying All his preparation all his graces all his Armour all his endeavour will not carry him through the battel with success unless God stand by him When he hath done all he can Prayer must be his last refuge that God would vanquish his enemies for him 5. This is an Apologie for the people of God who desire to be frequent in Prayer They have found the benefit of it and they still know the excellency of it It 's a piece of that Armour which they must use nay 't is upon the matter their whole Armour all the rest doth no good without it therefore are they so careful to use it They know the danger of Satans Assaults and they know if they be not frequent and fervent in Prayer they shall be overcome therefore they willingly neglect no opportunity of performing this service they know praying Christians are the safest Christians 6. That the gift and grace of Prayer is a marvellous great blessing That God hath given his Spirit to be a Spirit of Prayer in us that God hath given to his people ability to pour out their hearts by prayer with cries and groanes that cannot be expressed that Jesus Christ hath given us a Rule how to pray a pattern for Prayer This is a singular mercy that you are enabled to make use of this Ordinance of Prayer There are many that know not how to pray after a right manner If God have taught any of you how to pray you are to acknowledge it as a marvellous mercy and to bless his name 7. How much you are indebted to them that pray for you They supply you with Armour Exhortation Be intreated and perswaded in 2. Vse the Lord Jesus Christ to make use of this piece of Armour Pray alwayes with all Prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints In this Exhortation I shall do three things 1. Give you some Motives 2. Help you against the Wiles of Satan whereby he endeavours to take you off 3. Give you some helps I might give you many Motives I could tell you that it 's the way to have your wants supplyed It 's the Key of the Treasury of Gods blessings God hath appointed this as the great Channel of conveyance of all blessings Jam. 1. 5. It 's the way to have every thing sanctified to your use it makes bitter things sweet and sweet things more sweet it 's that Salt which savours every thing 1 Tim. 4. 5. It turns all afflictions into gold all poyson into physick 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. It 's the way to expell inordinate cares and fears Phil. 4. 6. He that is much in prayer will be little in Care It 's the Nurse of all graces it preserves the fear of God in their hearts Job 15. 4. It preserves the love of God It nourisheth Humility it keeps the Conscience clean and tender it preserves and maintains heavenly-mindedness c. But I shall onely urge that which is in the Text. It 's the way to have certain victory over all Temptations Satan may shatter a praying Christian but he shall never conquer him He may for a time bring him into his Net but God will rescue him and bring him out again Whensoever I call upon God saith David then shall mine enemies be put to flight Psal 56. 9. Prayer rightly managed wil carry you through an Host of Temptations These black Regiments will and must give way to the power of prayer if you continue instant in it You cannot get victory over the least Temptation without prayer and the greatest Temptation shall be subdued if you continue in this Duty Satan is as well able to overcome God as to overcome prayer which hath the strength of God in it 2. To help you against the wiles of Satan He hath many Devices to take off the Children of God from prayer viz these six things 1. God knows what I want though I do not pray I cannot by
prayer move God to bestow any thing which he hath not intended to bestow c. Ergo What need is there of prayer Against this wile of Satan consider these three things I. The receiving of the good things we want is not the onely end of Prayer It is one great end but there are many other things besides which should move us to this Duty We are to pray 1. In obedience to the Command of God It is a piece of Divine Worship and Adoration it is a part of that homage which all the sons of men owe unto God II. That thou mayst enjoy Communion and Fellowship with God by the use of this Ordinance of Prayer III. To acknowledge thy submission to God and thy dependance upon God Not to pray is to cast off that Dominion which God hath over thee it is to deny thy reliance upon God 'T is to say thy dependance is not upon God but upon thy self 2. Thou canst have no ground to believe that any good thing shall be bestowed upon thee without Prayer Prayer though it be not the cause yet it is the condition or the mean of obtaining all that good which God hath promised unto his people vid. Ezek. 36. 37. I will yet for all this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them No man can say I shall have this mercy though I do not pray 3. 'T is not the bare enjoying of the good we want which should satisfie us We should also labour to enjoy it in mercy to enjoy it as a blessing Now 't is an everlasting and most certain Truth that whatsoever is not obtained by prayer is not given in mercy vid. 1 Tim. 4. 5. A man hath not a sanctified right to any thing he possesseth without prayer 2. Satan sometimes labours to take off men from Prayer by objecting their infirmities and weaknesses Thy heart is thus and thus distempered c. Against this I would give you these two Answers 1. 'T is not the infirmities and weaknesses of a Christian which are seen and lamented that can hinder the efficacy and success of his Prayers Sin obstinately and avowedly continued in will indeed cut off the success of Prayers and make both them and him that makes them abominable to God Prov. 28. 9. But infirmities which are continually resisted and bewailed shall never make the prayer to be rejected I might give you many instances as that of Jonah A man full passions c. Yet Chap. 2. 10. God heard his Prayer King Asa a man full of infirmities imprisons the Seer oppresseth the people 2 Chron. 16. 10. yet God heard his prayer Chap. 14. 11 12. But I shall give onely that one remarkable instance which is recorded as a help against this Rock Jam. 5. 17. Elias was a man of like passions as we are c. Yet was heard very graciously Heaven was opened and shut at his prayers Gods hearing of our prayers doth not depend upon our Sanctification but upon our Justification He doth not hear our prayers because either we or our prayers are perfect but because our persons are accepted God doth not hear our prayers for our prayers sake but for his own names sake and for his sons sake c. 2. This should rather encourage us to the Duty Discontinuance of prayer will not remove but increase our imperfections if grace be weak the omission of prayer will make it weaker if Corruption be strong disuse of prayer will make it stronger The distempers of the heart whatsoever they are will not be abated but augmented by the omission of this Duty of prayer 3. Satan will perswade men perhaps that they are not in a state of Grace 'T is true if they had but onely infirmities they might be encouraged to pray c. but they are unregenerate persons c. Against this I would give these Answers Besides this in the general that it is a good sign there is something of grace when Satan perswades men to the contrary c. Consider 1. That Prayer is a work fit for such as are not converted as well as such as are converted 'T is the Duty of men to pray as they are reasonable Creatures who owe homage to God 2. Prayer is to be made for Conversion as well as after Conversion A man is not to pray onely because he is forgiven but also he is to pray that he may be forgiven see Act. 8. 22. Repent saith Peter to Simon Magus of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee c. 4. Those who never pray they prosper in the world as well as such who are most carefull of this Duty This is another of Satans Devices Against this consider these things 1. Outward prosperity is not the only reason why men should pray Yea this is one of all the meanest ends of prayer 2. All prosperity which is not the effect of Prayer is indeed a Curse and not a blessing Nothing is sanctified as I said before but that which comes in by prayer If his Children be multiplyed it is for the sword Job 27. 14. If his Table be richly furnished it is to ensuare him his Wealth is his Trap c. Whatsoever a man enjoyes without prayer is in Gods Account no better then Robbery 3. God hath an eternity of adversity and misery after this life They have received their Consolations in this life Luke 6. 24. 5. Satan takes off others by objecting their Disabilities Thou wants those gifts and endowments which others have Ergo. Against this I would say these things 1. God doth not so much look at the gift of Prayer as at the Spirit of Prayer Though it be the Duty of every person to labour for fit words of Prayer yet God doth not hear prayer for the elegancy of phrase but for the heavenliness and spiritualness and brokennesse of heart of him that prayes The publicans prayer had not much eloquence in it God be mercifull to me a sinner and yet God accepted it The Spirit of God helps our infirmities saith the Apostle with sighs and groans c. One sigh and groan from a broken heart is better pleasing to God then all humane eloquence if the heart be not affected 2. Pray that thou mayst have better gifts God hath promised his Holy Spirit to them that ask Luke 11. 13. 3. Thou dost not pray to God as a critical observer of incongruous expressions but to God as a Father Who is wel pleased with the prayers of his Children because they are his children 6. Satan perhaps will endeavour to take off Prayer from thy long-waiting for an Answer Thou hast prayed many a time but received no answer c. Ergo. I would against this Stratagem give these things by way of answer 1. God hath more wayes of answering prayers then one There are three remarkable instances in Scripture of this vid. Acts 1. 7. 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. Heb. 5. 7. The particular thing was not granted and yet his prayer was heard 2. Delayes are not denyals God defers to hear not because he doth not love us or delight in us but for other ends As To exercise of Faith Hab. 2. 3 4. To exercise our Patience To stir up our zeal and importunity in asking To give us what we ask in a fitter season Rev. 6 10 11. That is a very strange expression which we have in Joh. 11. 5 6. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus and see what followes v. 6. When he heard therefore that he was sick he abode two dayes still in the same place where he was A very strange effect of love A plain contradiction if Reason might be Judge Deferring to hear prayers is not alwayes an evidence of hatred but sometimes an evidence of love Calv. in locum 3. Let this rather be a Motive to confirme then a discouragement to take thee off from prayer God will hear at last that 's certain and do not lose ten or twenty years waiting for want of a little patience 4. Though God should never hear yet it were thy duty to pray 3. To lay down some helps for prayer these things will be of very great use to this purpose to teach us to pray viz. 1. Be well acquainted with the Doctrine of the Bible that you may thereby get the perfect knowledge of the good which God hath therein promised unto his people 2. Get a through and perfect sense of your own wants Sense of want will make the dumb Child to beg 3. Observe well the prayers you hear made by them that have the abilities of prayer 4. Labour for the Spirit of the Lord which is not onely a Spirit of Grace but of Supplication 5. Get others to desire God to teach you how to pray 6. Be often practising according to the abiiities you have Precando disces precari Thus much for the Spirituall Armour FINIS
ariseth 1. from that Naturall Distemper which is in it by reason of sin The Fall of Man did so bruise and crack this golden Vessel that it doth leak ever since and cannot hold that which is put into it The Apostle in Hebr. 2. 1. speakes of this Distemper 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The memory is like a Vessel which is rent and full of holes Those golden Hoopes which God in the first Creation did set about this Vessel are either quite broken off or much loosened And then there are secondly also other things which make it so lubrick and crazy as to the retaining of things Spiritual and Divine viz. First it 's over-charged with too many Three Causes of a weak Memory worldly and sinful things the world is so much laid up in this Treasury that there is very little room for Heavenly things to be stowed there Secondly want of Meditation and recollection by this means it comes to pass that many Truths which are recorded in the Memory are as if they had never been set down in regard of use and improvement because by meditation and discourse they are not revived There is an Act of the Memory proper unto man which the Philosopher calls Eustach Phys p. 261. Reminiscentia when a thing which hath been recorded and is forgotten is by the help of Discourse and Reasoning recovered again and made present and without this it is impossible to keep alive the remembrance of many things Now it 's a very general fault not onely amongst wicked men but even amongst the people of God that they neglect this Duty of Discourse and Meditation they do not chew the Cud as they are required and so quite lose many things which they have heard understood and sometimes remembred Isaac went into the fields to meditate Gen. 24. 63. David used to meditate on Gods Statutes as well as to read and hear them Psal 119. 15. Thirdly the Devil he pilfers out many Truths he comes with his false Key and picks the Lock of the Memory and so the soul is bereaved of many a precious Truth vid. Mat. 13. 19. He comes and searcheth the books and whatever he finds there that may be prejudicial to his Kingdom he either quite takes it off the File or else so blurs it with his black Lines that in a very short time the Record becomes altogether useless Therefore for the strengthning of the weak Memory it 's not without need that things of moment and concernment should be inculcated and repeated 3. in regard of the Will and that 1. from the deadness and slowness and untowardness of the Will and Affections to embrace and give entertainment to saving truths at first when offered The heart of man is like hard Marble harder then any Adamant Zech. 7. 12. Impressions are not made upon it with one blow the Iron is not heated through with once putting into the fire there is a reluctancy and contradiction in the Will against the receiving of things of this Nature Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart ye have alwayes resisted the Holy Ghost Act. 7. 51. The Apostle speakes of many Remora's and Obstructions in the heart which hinder the effectual working of the Word 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Strong holds carnall reasonings things exalting themselves against the knowledge of God and high thoughts c. The soul is full of surmisings prejudices objections and strong opposings the strong man armed keeps the house and by force of Arms contends against divine Truths especially such as are of weightiest concernment And therfore there is need of urging and pressing the same things over and over and that with earnestness that these high Towers may be levelled And then 2. After that the heart hath submitted and yielded it doth in a very short time through the prevalency of indwelling corruption revolt and grow stiffe again and is very backward to practise Truths subjected unto It was the sad complaint of one of the Ancients that of all Trades and Imployments Chrysost that of the Ministry is most difficult as in other respects so in this that he can never finde his work as he leaves it Let a Carpenter or Mason or any other Crafts-man shape and square and polish his work and when he returns he findes it so but the Devil he mars a Ministers work as soone as ever he hath done When he hath digged a well of godly sorrow this Philistine comes and stops it up presently When he hath stubd up the thorns the Devill comes and plants them again or more in their room When he hath cast down the Wall in one week yea in one night he findes it set up again c. Every observing and selfe-searching Christian knowes the truth of this by sad experience When any holy Resolution hath been with much labouring begot in the heart Satan and his own corruption working together do soon cool check the form he brought with him from hearing the word is soon unfashioned again Oh Israel thy goodness is as the Morning dew and as the early Cloud it presently vanisheth away Hos 6. 4. Commands are not easily obeyed therefore there must be precept upon precept The consolations of the Gospel are not easily preserved therefore there must be promise upon promise It s a hard thing to go on in duty constantly the heart will backslide It s a hard thing to keep it light and constant and close c. The Church of Ephesus had left her first love Rev. 2. 4. 5. Ephraim was a back-sliding heyfer Hos 4. 16. they were revolted and gone Thy people saith God to Moses have soon corrupted themselves c. Exod. 32. 7. 8. Paul had faithfully preached the Doctrine of justification by faith to the Galathians when he was personally with them but in a very short time they were apostatized by the fraudulency and craftiness of false Teachers therefore he is forced to write to them the same things again vid. Gal. 1. 6. We see the Disciples of Christ though they were commanded and intreated by their Master to watch with him when he was in his Agony ready to die for them yet as soon as he was departed they fell asleep again and though he came and reproved them yet they fell asleep again vid. Matth. 26. 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45. A man would wonder that when Christ had told them that the pangs of death were upon him yet they should fall asleep c. We have a discovery in them of the hearts Apostacy Vse 2. This should be a Directory for the Ministers of the Gospel That they would not be contented onely once to name necessary truths but to be ever and anon as they observe the slackness and negligence of people in practising pressing and urging the same again and again There are some Doctrines which are as standing Dishes as the Doctrine of faith Repentance c. these are of necessary and daily use and people must be
Saint Mat. 6. 1 2 3 4 5. They may give as many and as great Almes They may give God as many and as long Prayers as a sincere Christian doth but they differ in their ends The end of the one is to get glory from men to satisfie the voyce of Conscience c. The end of the other is to approve his Heart to God to glorifie his Heavenly Father and to testifie his Obedience to the Command of God 4. He that hath the Grace of Truth in his heart is the same in private that he is in publike The Lining and the Out-side of his garment are both of one piece he is clean within as wel as without a spot upon his skin is as great a trouble to him as a stain upon his garment This is that which our Saviour makes a distinguishing Note between a Hypocrite and a sincere Christian Matth. 15. 7 8. the Hypocrite is onely for the out-side of Cup or Platter that that may be clean but the inward part is full of wickedness This is David's Character of himself Psal 18. 23. I was also uncorrupt before him and kept my self from mine iniquity i. e. from secret sinnes as well as publike And Psal 101. 2. I will walk in the midst of my house with a perfect heart A sincere Christian is as good in his own house as in Gods house in the Closet as well as in the Streets in his secret Chamber as well as in the Church He desires to have a clean heart as well as clean hands Jam. 4. 8. Cleanse your hands ye sinners purifie your hearts ye double-minded 5. He that hath truth will be the same in trouble and after trouble Psal 78. 34 35 36. Exhortation That all that profess themselves Christians would both carefully get and keep this girdle of Truth I shall here urge it by some Motives and then lay down some Helpes and Directions 1. For Motives 1. Sincerity is the best security Prov. 10. 9. He tbat walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his wayes shall be known God knowes him already and men shall know him when the Mask of Hypocrisie is pull'd off his face his rough garment which he wore to deceive shall in due time be plucked off and then his deceit shall be made manifest He walkes under Divine Protection he walkes under the shadow of Divine Promises therefore he is in safety He may sometimes come into danger but he shall be delivered either in danger or from danger or by danger Yea sometimes God brings him into a lesser danger to preserve him from a greater vid. Jer. 38. 38. His imprisonment saved him from the danger he might have been in by the enemy when Jerusalem was taken The three Children Dan. 3. and Dan. 6. were preserved by their Integrity The Prophet David never was in such danger as when he warped a little and went into the Land of the Philistins He got a strong Hold of Zicklag from the King of Gath but that Fort was destroyed and he was never in such distress in all his troubles 1 Sam. 30. init His own guard had there been his Executioners had not God by a mighty hand staved them off 2. Integrity of Heart is the best Guide in straits and doubtful Cases This is promised Prov. 11. 3. The integrity of the Upright shall guide them but the perversness of Transgressors shall destroy them It 's a marvellous happiness to have a perfect and faithfull guide in dark and dangerous Travels It 's a priviledge belonging to the godly man to have Divine guidance Psal 32. 8. He that is sincere shall have this guidance It is evinced by what hath been said Integrity makes the Word his Rule And that Word is a Lantern yea 't is a Light shining in a dark place 2 Pet. 1. 19. and he that followeth this Light shall see his way when others are in obscurity vid. Isa 30. 21. The Spirit of God who is the Soules guide dwels in a sincere heart therefore he shall be led in the right path 3. Sincerity of heart will procure Gods acceptance of all your services Though they be very weak and very imperfect yet if they be seasoned with the Salt of sincerity they shall not be cast away Prov. 15. 8. The Sacrifice of the Wicked is abomination to the Lord but the Prayer of the Upright is his delight It 's a marvellous comfort to a Child of God that his Duties find acceptance When they do but suppose that their services are rejected how are they cast down how are they disquieted Nothing can satisfie them in such a Case Well! if your hearts be sincere your prayers shall be as Incense and sweet Odours in the sight of God 4. The Services and Ordinances of God shall convey strength to you When the false-hearted Christian shall winder and molder away and all which he seemed to have shall come to nothing then shall the true hearted-Christian be as one anointed with fresh Oyl he shall be active vigorous and strong This is promised in many places Job 17. 9. The Upright shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall add to strength The meat and nourishment which is taken by a man whose vitals are consumed gives no true strength to him He may perhaps for a little time appear to be fat and in good liking but all his growth is but wind and emptiness which in a fit of sickness will soon wash off But the meat of a man that is sound turnes into nourishment and makes him grow so it is with the Soul the rotten Hypocrite he gets no nourishment by the Ordinances but the sound Christian gets strength by them He may not presently perceive his growth nor does he grow always alike in all graces but in some grace or other he increaseth and shall increase his Spirituall strength Prov. 10. 19. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity 5. God will pardon and graciously pass by many failings and infirmities if the heart be sound 1 King 15. 12 13 14. King Asa was guilty in many things there were very visible Defects found in him contrary to that which the Law of God required He took away the Sodomites which were in the Land he removed all the Idols which his Fore-fathers had made He deposed his Mother from her Regency because she had made an Idol in a Grove but the high places remained still Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect with the Lord all his dayes And because he was a man of a sound heart God accepted what he had done well and graciously pardoned his Omissions And therefore it is that David makes the soundness of his heart an Argument to move God to forgive his sin Psal 51. 6. Behold thou requirest truth in the inward parts that is to say Lord although according unto the letter of the Law thou hast cause to cast me off
yet according to the tenour of the Gospel I hope thou wilt pardon me for thou knowest my heart is right in thy sight and Psal 7 8. he prayes that God would judge him according to his integrity and according to the righteousness that was in him 6. This Grace of Truth is the way to have fellowship and communion with God Hypocrisie and false-heartedness is a bar in the way of our Communion God will not shew his face with joy unto such whose hearts are rotten Hypocrites may tell you of much Communion they have with God and of great joyes they find in their spirits but this their joy is but like a Land-flood it is quickly dryed up again a few Sun-shine dayes sokes-in all this joy It is indeed but a false joy which comes from Satan transformed into an Angel of Light and it shall be but for a moment Job tels us Job 13. 6. that a hypocrite shall not come before him He shall not see the face of God with any joy No no Communion with God is onely promised to sincerity Jam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God c. Cleanse your hands ye sinners purifie your hearts ye double minded And therefore David upon the profession of this integrity calls upon God for his presence Psal 101. 2. O when wilt thou come unto me I will walk in the midst of my house with a perfect heart 7. Integrity is the way to dant all your enemies To warp from the wayes of God will much encourage your adversaries it will make them more bold and more violent but perseverance and holding on in your integrity will in due time make your hearts fail Herod was afraid of John Baptist because he was a sincere man Mark 6. 20. And it 's said of Saul that because David behaved himself wisely he was afraid of him 1 Sam. 18. 15. 8. Sincerity of Heart will be a strengthning Cordial to your soules in the day of affliction and trouble Integrity is the best way to keep you from trouble and to deliver you out of trouble but if at any time ye do fall and lie under trouble Integrity will be a soft Pillow to rest your heads upon in the evil day vid. 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoycing the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity c. This was that which made the Martyrs so joyful in Prison This was that which kept up the heart of Job in his great sufferings and this made Paul and Silas sing with so much joy when their feet were fast in the stocks Act. 16. 9. Integrity will make the end of your life peaceable You may have Contentions and Warrings and unquietness in the way but you shall be sure to find calmness and serenity and peace in the end This is promised Psal 37. 37. Mark the upright man c. for the end of that man is peace The beginning and the middle of the Hypocrite may be in some kind of tranquillity but the end will be a storm Job had many a sore storm but his latter end was peaceable and serene That 's well that ends well the Hypocrites portion is to lye down in sorrow Esa 50. 10 11. Thus for Motives 2. For Directions to get and keep sincerity take these viz. 1. Study well and improve aright the Doctrine of Gods Omnipresence and Omniscience He that doth truly believe that Gods Eye is upon him will not give way to Deceitfulness and Hypocrisie in heart remember that God is a Heart-searching God This is that Direction which God himself gave to Abraham to keep his heart sound Gen. 15. 1. Walk before me and be upright This was that which kept David intire Psal 18. 23. I was upright before him or in his sight and kept my self from mine iniquity The want of this is made the reason of all the fals-hood of Ephraim Hos 7. 1 2. They consider not in all their hearts c. 2. Take heed of worldly policy Fleshly wisdome is like rust it will eat up sincerity if ye hearken to it The Apostle opposeth these two one unto another 2 Cor. 1. 12. In sincerity and godly simplicity not with fleshly wisdome The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is enmity with God God would have his people to be prudent and to hear the voyce of right reason Reason is not given in vain Be wise as Serpents c. but he would not have them make carnal Wisdom their Oracle He consults first the justum and then the commodum He that consults with flesh and blood will hardly keep upright in declining-Times Fleshly Wisdome would have dictated a hundred things to Daniel would he have hearkened to it 3. Be much in the Duty of self-searching Take heed of putting too much credit and confidence in your own hearts He that trusts in his own heart is a fool Prov. 28. 26. You have the seed of rottenness in your soules and if you do not keep them in a constant course of Physick they will grow corrupt before you be aware David's prayer should be your prayer Psal 139. 23. 24. Search me O Lord c. 4. Consider the end of Hypocrisie It will be your shame in this world Psal 119. 80. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes c. Hypocrisie is an in-let and door to all other sins 2 Tim. 3. init a man that hath the form of godliness without the power will be any thing in time It will be your sorrow in another world Hell is said to be made for Hypocrites Mat. 24. 51. Thus much for the first piece of this Armour The Girdle of Truth LECT 11. Decemb. 19. 1649. EPHES. 6. 14. Stand therefore having your loyns girt about with truth and having on this Breast-plate of righteousness V. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THese words contain the second piece of the spirituall Armour And this is fitly added to the former having your loins girt about with truth In lumbis maxima vis est stantium If the loyns be infirm the whole man is full of trembling and with the least violence presently falls to the ground Integrity and sincerity strengthen the loyns and make the body stable Deme Christiano veritatem corruet protinus Bullinger in locum Now the breast is as necessary for our sure standing as the loyns though the loyns be girded yet if the breast be open to violence the party comes suddenly to the ground All the vitall parts the heart liver lungs c. are in the breast and if those be not carefully secured and preserved death and falling doth suddenly ensue A little wound in the breast is mortall and incurable Therefore the Apostle would have his Souldier to make careful provision for that part he must be as careful to put on his Breast-plate as his Girdle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth both the breast viz. the whole upper part of the body before from the neck to the thighs and it also signifies that Armour which
Iniquity is a testimony that a person is sealed up for salvation and eternal life vid. 1. Ioh. 3. 9 10. 2. It gives courage in that it lets a soul see that it hath a right to all the Promises All the Promises are made to righteous walking Promises of Support Promises of perseverance Promises of deliverance Righteousness gives the soul a propriety in all these and so makes it valiant See but that one Promise 1 Ioh. 5. 18. that is a Promise of security against Satan He shall not touch him that is not with a destructive Touch he shall not draw him into that sin which is unto death he shall not finally overcome him c. This Promise is made to every one that is born of God and whosoever is born of God doth righteously as he is righteous the righteous man and the regenerate are all one 2. Righteousness makes the soul strong as well as valiant Strength and Power is of very great use to a souldier in the day of battel it makes him able both to defend himself and to offend his enemy Now Righteousness and Holiness strengthens a Christian two ways First In that it doth demolish and destroy that which makes the soul weak Sin is the weakness and infirmity of the soul it is the Devils great strength and that which gives him all the advantage he hath against the soul Our sins are Satans Armour that wherein he trusteth and with which he fighteth against us if he did not find assistance within us he could not do us any mischief by that which is without us The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me Joh. 14. 30. and because he had nothing in him he could do nothing against him Our sinnes are the Devils strong Holds in which he fights against us Now Righteousness doth expell sinne as the Light expelleth the darkness It doth cast down these strong Holds it doth dissolve the works of the Devil and taketh from him that Armor wherein he trusteth and so gives us strength Secondly It strengthens the soul in that it brings with it all strength Wheresoever Righteousness is there is God and there is Christ and there 's the Spirit the Spirit of Might and the Spirit of Power 'T is true Righteousness is not either in the heart or in the life till God have wrought it Righteousness doth not bring God but God brings Righteousness unto the soul but when God hath wrought this Work then doth Holiness engage God Righteousness puts the soul under the shadow of Gods wings so that whatsoever strength power and vertue is in God is engaged for the righteous mans defence This ye have clearly laid down Psal 92. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. It was the great happiness of the Israelites that the Eternal God was their refuge Dent. 33. 27. This was their strength in all the battels they fought and he that walkes holily is under this happiness Psal 84. 11. 3. Without righteousness of life no use can be made of any other pieces of this Armour 1. He cannot gird himself with Truth Righteousness of life and truth of heart are as the tree and fruit they alwayes go together he that hath an unholy life is certainly unholy in heart the Kings daughter is all glorious within and her Cloathing of wrought gold Psal 45. 13. 2. He cannot put on the shooes of the Gospel of peace for there is no peace to the wicked saith my God Esa 57 21. 3. He cannot put on the Helmet of Salvation A man who is unholy in life is destitute of all true hopes of Heaven for every one that hath this hope purifyeth himself as God is pure 1 Joh. 3. 3. 4. Nor can he take the Shield of Faith Faith is alwayes an heart-purifying grace Act. 15. 9. A wicked life is the consequence of an unbelieving heart 5. Nor can he take the Sword of the Spirit This sword is not a defending sword but a wounding sword to an unholy life every part of Gods Word is for the present against him the word terrifyeth and condemneth him 6. Nor will Prayer and Supplication do him any good God hath no ear for the prayers of a wicked man Psal 66. 18. yea his prayers are turned into sin Prov. 28. 9. But now he whose conversation is righteous can make use of all the other He can use the girdle he can and may draw comforts from the Gospel of peace he may cover himself with the shield of Faith the Sword of the Spirit is a defending Weapon to him and his prayers are full of virtue and efficacy Information 1 This may apologize for 1. Vse the care and exactness of the servants of God in their endeavours after purity and holinesse of life Wicked men are ready to blast and reproach the children of God for their diligence in labouring after purity because they will not run with others into the same excess of Riot therefore they speak evill of them 1 Pet. 4. 4. Let such men consider what followeth ver 5. They shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead In the day of judgment it shall appear that such exactness was not unnecessary when you shall see such as you have reproached numbred among the Saints then you will befool your selves and say We fooles counted their lives madness and their end full of reproach Wisd 5. init How are they reckoned amongst the sons of God and have their Inheritance amongst the Saints You that are now troubled at their holy lives will be then astonished at their unexpected salvation The servants of God know the usefulness of holiness here and the eternal happiness of it in the other world and you also will in the day of the Lord return and discern between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Mal. 3. 18. Men do not use to blame a souldier that goes to meet a cruel and potent enemy because he is carefull to provide a strong Breast-plate they rather blame his rashness and indiscretion that shall go naked Righteousness is the onely Breast-plate to keep out Satans arrows and therefore they are very wise whatever men think who are careful both to provide it and wear it 2. We need not wonder to see men of dissolute and leud lives to be so wofully subdued unto the will of Satan and so unable to resist any temptation Well saith the Apostle Eph. 2. 2. That the Prince of the power of the Air worketh in the children of disobedience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth work effectually as the word signifies he commands and they obey he tempts and they yield he suggests and they consent to his suggestions if he tempt them to swear to lye to murther to commit adultery they make no resistance but are carryed captive by sin at his Will 2 Tim. 2. 26. Amongst many other Reasons that might be rendred
Mot. T is a priviledge to suffer for the Gospel Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ c. Phil. 1. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All the elect are called to be believers but not to be sufferers suffering for the Gospel is in some respects a priviledge above beleiving the Gospel 7. Mot. He that is not willing to cleave to the Gospel in a day of suffering shall have no benefit by the Gospel in the other world He that will not suffer for it shall not be saved by it Mark 8. 38. 8. Mot. He that is not willing to suffer for the Gospel shall suffer without the Gospel Mar. 8. 35. Thus much for motives The Meanes or Directions are these 1. Study the excellency of the Gospel A thorough perfect knowledge of the Gospel will make a Christian resolved to goe through with profession of it whatsoever follow Beza expounds the preparation of the Gospel to be the knowledge of the Gospel The knowledge of it will help us to the preparation of it He that knows the effects of it and the comforts of it and the priviledges of it will not onely live with it but be content to die with it It s a Gospel of peace It s a Gospel of grace It s a Gospel of holiness Act. 20. 24. It s a Gospel of salvation It s a Gospel of life It s a Gospel of glory 2. Learn perfectly that christian Lesson of self-denial This will make you cleave to the Gospel in the worst condition Math. 16. 24. He that knows not how to deny himself will be easily induced to deny the Gospel especially when the cross and the Gospel go together he may follow Christ when he can take up Christ and pleasure but he will never be able to take up the cross unless he be able to lay aside himself 3. Get your hearts above the world and all worldly entanglements No man that warreth intangleth himself with the things of this life 2 Tim. 2. 4. It is not possible to embrace the Gospel and the world together especially when the world and the Gospel are at variance Sell all thou hast and give to the poor and follow me saith Christ to that young man Luke 18. 22 23. Abiice terram accipe Caelum you know what the issue was he went away sorrowful for he was very rich He that would go through with the profession of the Gospel must say to life and friends and all worldly things get ye hence when these things and the Gospel stand in competition Demas hath forsaken me having embraced this present world 2 Tim. 4. 10. 4. Get a great measure of Christian patience He that hath not patience to enable him to suffer for the Gospel will forsake the Gospel when suffering comes In your patience possess ye your soules Luke 21. 19. and Hebr. 10 36. Ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise 5. Have your eye often upon the cloud of witnesses Study the examples of the servants of God who have gone through with the profession of the Gospel notwithstanding all oppositions They have followed Jesus Christ and stuck to the Gospel in contempt in poverty in reproach in nakedness c. and by the Gospel of peace through Jesus Christ they are now laid up in everlasting peace They were stoned they were sawen asunder were tempted were slain with the sword they wandred about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 11. 37. 1. Consider the danger of Apostasie Many dreadful things are spoken against backsliding from the profession of the Gospel 2. The Apostate is in a worse condition than he The Gospel is worse for him and he for the Gospel that never made profession of the Gospel It had been better not to have known the way of truth than after they have known it to turn aside from the holy commandement c. 2. Pet. 2. 22. He loseth all the benefit of his former profession 2. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own wayes Prov. 14. 14. God will give him up to himself to be his own guide to be his own rule he shall be given up to his own passion to his own lust to his own pride c. of all sinners the backsliders are usually greatest God takes his hand from them and lets them follow their own counsels and he who is his own guide will soon work his own ruine Rom. 1. ver 24 26 28 29 c. The soul of God shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. As he takes no delight in the Gospel so God will take no delight in him Yea it s a Mejosâ—s God will take displeasure in him here and he will take vengeance on him hereafter to the full No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God Luke 9. 62. 7. Make your resolutions in the strength of Christ and by daily fervent prayer give up your selves to the keeping of God that he would preserve you to the end Take heed with Peter of resolving in your own pride Math. 26. 33. And then pray that God would keep these resolutions in your hearts and your hearts in these resolutions these shooes will fall off if you doe not tie them on and keep them on Davids prayer 1 Chron. 29. 18. should be yours every day So much for the third piece of Armour EPHES. 6. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lect. 17. Janu. 30. 1649. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IN these words we have the fourth piece of the spiritual Armour which the Apostle recommends unto Christians for their safe standing in the day of temptation viz. The Shield of Faith In which we have two things 1. The injunction of the use of it Taking the shield of faith 2. The perswasive or motive to it drawn from the singular benefit of it which is set out two wayes 1. By way of comparison Above all it s the most excellent part of all the Armour 2. By the effect of it Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked In which we have two things 1. The nature of Satan the wicked 2. The nature of his temptations the fiery darts In the Text you see there is something more directly propounded vâ—z That a Christian must take the shield of faith Something which is collaterally or more indirectly brought in viz. the nature of Satan and the nature of his temptations I cannot well without injury to the Text and detriment to the Hearers speak of them together and therefore I must necessarily handle them distinctly and apart And I shall first begin with that which is last in the words viz. the collateral or more indirect part which is brought in occasionally viz. the fiery darts of the wicked One expression sets out what Satan is in himself The other discovers the Nature of his temptations
any that makes his sin known to him 3. A purified heart both loves others for their purity and endeavours as far as he can to make others pure He loves purity in an enemy and his desire is that all others might be made pure and that out of love to God and to purity 4. A heart purified will be very cautious of defiling it self It is exceeding fearful of stepping aside he will very carefully pick every step of his way that he may not be polluted I have made a covenant with mine eyes c. Job 31. 1. A pure heart will abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5. 22. The Apostle makes carefulness an effect of true Repentance 2 Chron. 7. 11. 5. A purified heart will not rest in quietness after defilement till he be cleansed again He runs to the laver of Christs bloud and washeth himself with the tears of repentance that he may be clean again As it s said of Job concerning his children Job 1. 5. so doth a pure heart concerning himself Wash me throughly from mine iniquity c. Psalm 51. 2. 2. That of the Apostle 1 Pet. 2. 7. To you that beleive he is pretious High appreciations of Jesus Christ are the effects of faith Christ is to a beleiver more pretious than all external priviledges Phil. 3. 8. Christ is more pretious to a Beleiver than life with all the accommodations thereof Acts 20. 24. Unbeleif rejects Christ as a vessel in which there is no pleasure 1 Pet. 2. 7 8. Esay 53. 1 2 3. How shall I know whether Christ be pretious to me or no 1. If Christ be pretious to thee he shall raign in thee and rule over thee His precepts will be as desirable as his death and passion My yoake is easie and my burden is light Math. 11. 29. 2. His dishonours of any kind will pierce thy heart if he be pretious to thee If Christ suffer either in his Truths or Worship or Government thou wilt suffer with him by simpathy and endeavour to repair his honour 3. It will be thy meat and drink to do him service if he be pretious to thee Thou wilt lift him up in the world and say My beloved is white and ruddy c. Cant. 5. 10. 4. All his Ordinances and Institutions will be delightful to thy soul if Christ be pretious to thee His Word his Sacraments Cant. 1. 7. yea the very rebukes of Christ will be pretious to thy soul 3. That of the Apostle 1 John 5. 4. This is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith The Apostle hath reduced all worldly things to three heads 1 John 2. 16. The lust of the flesh such things as the flesh desires sensual Bona corporis delights pleasures c. The lust of the eye that is Quicquid oculis spectabile est Divitiae fundi Bona fortunae Bona animi predia argentum aurum gemmae c. The pride of life that is Omnis dignitates quae in hoc vita desiderari possunt Honours Empires Dominations Preferments c. Now whosoever hath the grace of true faith hath got the mastery over these things This victory is not so perfect but that a true beleiver may sometimes be foiled by these things the victory will not be perfect till death but he hath got the victory 1. In point of Affection He loves none of these things comparably to heavenly things Phil. 3. 20. Rev. 12. 1. his affections are above them 2 In point of Contentation He doth not satisfie his heart with any of these things 3. In regard of purpose and resolution He is resolved to subdue them perfectly faith lets him see the emptiness of all these things and shews him far better things than these are and so brings him to a very low esteem of all these things How shall a man know whether he have overcome these things 1 When a Christian can bear the loss of these things without sinking and overwhelming When a man can loose a place or an estate c. and yet can say with Job Naked came I out of my mothers womb c. Job 1. all Job had got the victory over the world else he could not so undejectedly have stood under the loss of such an estate the loss of such things abate not his confidence in God Hab. 3. 17. 1 Sam. 30. 6. 2. When a man will not use any unlawful wayes either to get or keep such things When a man will not do any thing against a good conscience either to save or get any worldly advantage The purse will not have a lusting voice if the world be overcome Daniel shewd himself to be a conqueror over the world cap. 6. The loss of peerage and preferments would not make him to submit to a wicked Decree though established by lawful power and though it was but a bare Omission Moses his voluntary parting with the pleasures of Egypt when they were inconsistent with a good conscience was an evidence of his overcoming the world and so of his faith Heb 11. 24 25 26 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he was a child he pleased himself with such toyes but when he was of age he had learned better When a man will bow to any Idol to save his purse or skin he is a slave to the world 3. When a person places no confidence in any worldly thing He enjoyes the world without pride vain-glory and carnal confidence This man is the worlds master c. It s otherwise with him that is under the world the rich mans wealth is his strong City Vide Luke 12. 19. 4. When a person will lay them out for God and good uses with chearfulness and readiness of mind EPHES. 6. 16. Above all taking the shield of faith c. Lect. 20. Febr. 20. 1649. USE II. A Word of Exhortation I shall direct this 1. To all those who have this shield of faith to them I have two things to say 2. To such as are destitute of this piece of Armour to them I have onely one thing to say That which I would say to you that have obtained this pretious Armour of faith is comprised in these two words 1. Take heed that you do not suffer your selves to be disputed out of your faith The Devil useth all meanes to beguil wicked men into a fond perswasion that they have faith upon such evidences that will not hold for the prevention of that I did in the former Use both discover such mistakes and lay down some positive evidences On the other side Satan doth what he can to argue true Beleivers out of an opinion of their faith labouring to perswade them that they have not this grace in their hearts For the helping of the Servants of God against this stratagem I shall propound some of those arguings and give answers to them They are these three 1. Satan will argue a nullity of faith sometimes from the absence of assurance and
his heart taken up about this Duty he must prepare for it both matters for it and time for it he must so order his affairs that he may solemnly wait upon this work of prayer many Christians are so intangled about other things they do so watch for the matters of this life that they have no fit time for prayer 2. He must watch and observe those special seasons in which God doth move and stir up his heart to this Duty He must watch in Prayer that is he must watch against Drowsiness against Distractions and wandrings against whatsoever may divert him from prayer It is to be the care of a Christian that his heart may be composed in prayer that Satan may not take him off from the work he hath in hand Satan watcheth unto Temptation and watcheth In Temptation and if we do not watch both Into supplication and In supplication he will have a very great advantage against us your drowsie careless loose unsetled prayer is the way to encourage not to dishearten Satan 5. A conquering Prayer must be a persevering Prayer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It signifieth such an invincible constancy and perseverance as will be beaten off by no kind of opposition or difficulty whatsoever This is required in many places Rom. 12. 12. Col. 4. 2. We must not onely pray for a day or a year and then cease our prayers must continue as long as the battel continues All victory is promised to him onely that perseveres Satan is never weary of tempting and we must never be weary of praying You must be still charging and discharging this Ordinance of Prayer as Satan is charging and discharging upon you by his Temptations Discontinuing of this may lose the battel The Apostle exhorts Christians to have a care that their prayers be not cut off 1 Pet. 3. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The cutting off prayer is as dangerous as the totall neglecting of prayer 6. A conquering Prayer must be a charitable prayer This is in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not as if we must pray for none but Saints God gives us leave to pray for all sinners except those who have sinned that unpardonable sinne Samuel prayed for Saul Abraham prayed for Ishmael c. 'T is not exclusive of others His meaning is we must pray for others especially for the Saints the Eye of Charity in this as in other pieces of it is to look first at the Saints The Saints are liable most of all to the violence of the same Temptation which we are lyable to The Saints being helped by our prayers will be the better able to pray for us and to help us in our Assaults by their prayers And besides Prayers for the Saints will engage God to hear the prayers that we make for our selves in our own Temptations I might add more Qualifications out of other Scriptures but I resolve not to go out of the Text. Thirdly Wherein the usefulness of Prayer as to the overcoming of Satan and his Temptations lyeth This I shall shew in these things viz LECT XXVI April 3. 1650. FIrst Prayer is the way to prevent Temptations from entring It doth make the soul in a manner impenetrable Matth. 26. 41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation Satans hands are tied up by the power of Prayer sometimes that he cannot shoot an Arrow of Temptation against the Soul Lead us not into temptation Mat. 6. 13. It 's a hard thing for Satan with all his wiles to make his fiery Darts fasten upon the Soul of a praying Christian Secondly Prayer is the way to pull out Satans Darts when they are fastened For 1. Prayer sets the blessed Trinity on work for the Souls assistance It engageth God to take our part in the day of battel When Moses held up his hands Israel prevailed when he let his hands down Amaleck prevailed Exod. 17. 11. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee Psal 50. 15. The Prayer of the Disciples did awake Jesus Christ and set him awork for them when the winds and waves did threaten shipwrack and present ruine Mat. 8. 24 25 26. When the waves and storms of Temptation threaten the ruine of the Soul Prayer awakes Christ and sets him on action for the Soules safety The prayer of Paul when he was actually engaged with Satan in a very hot Dispute brought him in assistance from Heaven I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me and he said My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness c. 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. Prayer brings in supply of assisting Grace 2. Prayer gives strength to all the other pieces of the Christian Armour It is reserved by the Apostle to the last place because both is an evidence we have the other because it is so helpfull to all the rest 1. It doth keep the Girdle of Truth upon the Loyns Holy Prayers are as the Clasps of this Girdle which tie it together and keep it from falling off 2. It is that which doth tie together the Breast-plate of Righteousness 3. It keeps on the Shooes of the preparation of the Gospel upon our feet Take away the strings of Prayer and these shooes will soon slip off the feet 4. It strengthens the Shield of Faith and keeps it from breaking I have prayed for thee that thy Faith do not fail If either Christs prayer for us or our prayer for our selves fail the Shield of Faith will fail also Jude 20. 5. It keeps Hope alive he that is most frequent in prayer will be most lively in hoping 6. It puts an edge to the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God stirres us up to prayer and then Prayer makes the Word sharp and prevalent 3. Prayer expels those Corruptions which weaken and prejudice the Soul and give advantage to Satan in the day of Temptation The strength of sinne in the soul is the strength of Satan all his advantage is from our own Corruptions Now Prayer doth help on the work of Mortification and Sanctification it purgeth the Conscience it purifieth the heart it fastens grace in the root and increaseth it in the branch c. Every holy Prayer pares off something from that body of Death which is Satans Armory and strong hold in us 4. Prayer adds boldness and courage Information 1. This lets us see the reason why Satan is such an enemy to Prayer That he useth all means to take off the servants of God from this Duty the Scripture tells and the experiences of all the people of God make it good What distractions and disturbances doth he ordinarily work in the hearts of men when they are employed in this service The Saints of God never find him more busie with them then at such a time When Paul was going to prayer a Spirit of Divination meets him and labours to divert his thoughts Act. 16. 16. A Child of God can never