to effect it then to destroy and root out the Church and raze it down even to the foundation Isalm 137.7 That the name of it be no more in remembrance Psalm 83.4 Ap Both of these evil days the best of Gods people are subject to for none are exempt from Affliction or Persecution And in both these the Enemy will do his utmost to do them the greatest hurt that he can as he ever did formerly Exhor It behooves them therefore to prepare arm and streng then themselves against such an Evil day The first of these evil days we are sure will befal us and the last may we know not how soon Ergo 1. Be sure to hold fast the truth 2. And keep your Consciences clean it will stead you much in such a day 3 Walk uprightly deal justly like Samuel Dan. 6.4 And let your Conversation be in Heaven Phil. 3.20 Ap. What else think you did support all the Martyrs and Confessors of Jesus and made old Jacob and others dye comfortably Gen. 49.33 Consol There is a good day remains for them 1. Redemption Luke 21.25 26 28 31. Ephes 4.30 To which you are sealed 2. Salvation Isa 49.8.9 10. cited by the Apostle 2 Cor. 6.2.3 Making them up as Jewels or special Treasure Mal. 3.17 4. A day of Christ of his power and coming Phil. 1.10 and 2.16 Psalm 110.3 Acts 2.20 Rev. 16.15 and 22.12 But for wicked men who make covenant with death and hell the Rulers of Jerusalem Isa 28.14 15. which made lyes their Refuge made this Covenant and put the evil day far from them by thinking that the Judgements threatned will come Who knows when c. such a day will never come and therefore they do strengthen themselves in Violence Tyranny and Luxury Ezek. 12.11 27. Ames 6.3 to 8. Mark that place Isa 28.14 15 17 18 to 23. Hear ye Rulers ye scornful men that Shebna-like Isa 22.15 Scoff at the Threatings of the Prophets as supposing your selves secured against all occurrences whatsoever and bent to ensnare City or State as Pro. 29.8 and mock them like those Mockers 2 Pet. 3.3 4. That scoff at the coming of Christ You Rulers that abuse your power thus to domineer at your plaesure Jer. 26.13 14 15. As they did by the Prophet Jeremy You that deem your selves as safe and secure as if you had made a Covenant with death and hell and were at agreement with them 1. You can so comply with the deadly Enemies of Church and State 2. And suit so well with their Hellish practises and you have made Lies 3. Your Refuge and so hid your selves under falsehood that no overflowing scourge or judgement threatned by Preachers shall reach or come upon them You think you are armed against the worst of storms by your strength and wealth your Treasury Craft and wily devices by which you have unjustly and unwarrantably gotten them c. yet though by Robbery Oppression and Fraud you have unworthily enriched your selves and are advanced to this height of security yet Judgement shall be laid to the line and Righteousness to the Plummet i.e. An exact way of justice shall take place and you shall come to a strict account and examination and then all your snifts deceipts deep disguises and cunning projects your vain confidence and security as if by firm covenant and unchangable agreement shall be disanulled and wipt away as with an overflowing stream a lying Refuge like a Bed too short and Covering too narrow upon which a man cannot repose himself to take any quiet rest See the Annotations upon the place Isa 28.14 15 to 23. 2. And as for those that put the evil day far from them as Ezek. 12.2 22.7 28. thaâ— say Every Vision fails will never come And Amos 6.3 to the 8th You that put far the evil day and make violence come never yet they shall find a day will come to their cost and they shall know that God is not asleep ☞ For he seeth that their day is coming Psalm 37.12 13 14 15. A Day of Judgement a time when God will recompence them a woful day to wicked and unrighteous men Isa 5.18 19. Jer. 17.15 16. That say Let him come and hasten c. For then their 1. Sin shall be discovered 2. Conscience awakened 3. Confidence shall fly away and forsake them 4. Good mens prayers against them shall be answered 5. And the anger of God shall be kindled upon them of all which see my Notes upon Psalm 32.10 The thought of this may justly terrifie wicked men from the Unrighteousness and wickedness which is in their ways Thus from this point as I have shewed them the danger of Heresies Schisms and erroneous Opinions in the fiâ—st Use So also the danger of Unrighteousness and Wickedness in their Conversations What a woful day will ensue thereupon in this that you may avoid both these extreams to prevent destruction As we are warned to withstand these manifold wicked Enemies at all times and especially in the evil day so in the whole progress of this Warfare we are exhorted to stand I. Now Standing is a Gesture of 1. Attendance as of the Priests to Minister in the name of the Lord Deut. 18.5 7. 2. And as Solomons servants did before him 1 Kings 10.8 to hear his wisdom 3. And Daniel c. in King Nebuchadnezzars Palace Dan. 1.4 4. And Esther before Ahasuerus for the Jews Esth 5.2 5. The Israelites before Moses Exod. 18.13 for execution of Judgement Ap. And thus it is usually applyed to the worship and service of God 1. Prayer as Abraham did for Sodom Gen. 18.22 23 to 33 1 Kings 11.8.2 Praising Ezra and the people Neh. 8.4 5 6. Rev. 7.9 10. 3. Reading Christ himself stood up to read Luke 4.16 4. Preaching Acts 2.14 and 5.20 25. Peter and the Apostles did so 5. Hearing as Neh. 8.4 5 6. And they John 3.29 To hear the Bridegroom II. As well as of Expectance as Exo. 14.13 14. and 2 Chron. 20.17 Stand ye and see the salvation of the Lord. III. And it s a Gesture of Business with the activity and industry attending thereupon whether it be in 1. Serving Psalm 134.1 2. Resisting Deut 7.24 2 Kings 10.4 Luke 21.36 3. Enduring Job 8.15 Mat. 12.25 26. 4. And persevering and persisting Rom. 5.2 the grace in which we stand IV. As well of Idleness Mat. 20.6 Why stand ye here c. idle Ap. Now in the sence of the Text our Attendance and Activity and Victory are all implied in this Warfare so that as men are said to stand in any Business 1. Before it by preparation 2. In it by way of Exultation And 3. After it in the way of Exultation and Conquest So in this Warfare in reference to all these we should stand 1 Couragioufly and Valiantly in the Onset and Entrance with resolution 2. Vnanimously 3. Vigilantly and watchfully to see the enemy 4. Regularly every man in his rank and order Magistrate and
5. Comparative in respect of others as Noah Lot Iob David Daniel c. all which is excellently set forth Can. 6.10 The words thus cleared do afford this point Doct. Christs Soldiers that fight against Satan and spiritual enemies must have on the Breast-plate of Righteousness i. e. they must be righteous upright a sincere hearted people keeping a good Conscience c To this point I have lately spoken something viz. March 7. 1659. out of Isa 57.2 at Mr. Warners Funeral I shall therefore only name the heads and methods of things spoken and proceed and this for them that heard me not at that time Doct. Christs Soldiers must keep righteousness uprightness and a good conscience close to their hearts This point for the substance of it I then proved by I. Scripture for God hath oft commanded it as to Abraham Gen. 17.1 To Israel Deut. 18.13 and to them again by Joshua 24.14 and commended it in many as in David Asa Nathauiel c. II. Reasons because in such Gods Image is renewed there is a conformity to Christ and such have received the spirit of Sanctification which heals Hypocrisies and natural unrighteousness to this proof I then added sundry motives and marks 1. Motives this is heart-circumcision the beginning of soundness the Moralist minds the Out-side God only cures the heart This looks out in every action as a Candle in a Lant-horn at every pane All Shwes and Pretences are nothing without this The Prayers of such are acceptable Prov. 15.8 Gods delight God delighteth in such Psalm 51.6 Prov. 11.20 The upright are his delight and this will be their greatest comfort and joy in that God accepteth our works in the quality of them viz. uprightness and when the world reproacheth us as Michael did David 2 Sam. 6.20 and our selves in sickness or distresses as Hezekiah Isa 38.3 said II. Marks whereby to try your selves upon a use of Examination 1. Make Gods Word our Rule this will rectifie us Psalm 19.8 9. And they are blessed that walk by it Psalm 119.1 2. a. Love all good hate all sins as well as some Vprightness hides none Psalm 32.5 11. It bewails secret and avoids great sins Psalm 19. it kills and stifleth beloved sins 2 Sam. 22.24 and dislikes sin in all persons friends or foes as Asa 1 Kings 15.11 to 15. But loving all good in all persons 3. Be good rather then seem so Proverbs 20.6 7. Henoch Abraham 4. Be humble teachable patient as Job 2.3 10. and hold integrity not as Pharaoh or Ahab 2 Chron 28.22 that were worse by affliction Be thankful as well as prayerful not like them Psalm 78.34 to 38. Vow and pay promise and perform as David did Psal 116. 6. Be faithful in your Callings use Talents 2 Chron. 19.8.9 Mat. 25.15 to 28. 7. Be uniform still a like in good at home abroad in the family field in publick private in dangerous times as Dan. 6.1 8. Let the bent of your whole heart be after God Psalm 119 34.80 that all Matter Manner Ends Continuance may be right in you Ap. If we find these Characters of uprightness in our hearts and lives we may then chear our selves in every condition whether God sift us as Amos 9.9 yet we may say as Psalm 139 23 24. or the world as it did Daniel 6 45. or Satan as he did Job 27 5 6 and 3 6 and Peter Luke 22 31 32. Thus far I touched upon the forenamed occasion I now proceed and which may serve for the first Use of Examination Vse 2. The second Use of reproof is to I. all such as boast or dream of I know not what perfection in this life 1 â—harisees Luke 18 19 to 13. 2 Pelagians 3 Papists 4 Humourists Sectarians and other Justitiaries and Perfectists which talk as if they could not sin neither will God take notice of or charge any sin upon them Numb 2321. He sees iniquity c. See the Annotations II. To all such as do grieve and wrong the righteous by 1 vexing their souls with their vile conversation as the Sodomites did righteous Lot 2 Pet 2.7 8. So some will swear c. on purpose to vex a godly person c. Disgracing them for their defects if they can espy any smal motes in them who yet do daily endeavour to purifie themselves not considering that they themselves the while are like a very sink of filthiness and Swine-like do wallow in all uncleanness 3. Opposing and persecnting them for Righteousness sake as Cain who flew his brother because c. 1 John 3.12 There are too many Cainites alive III. To such as put away and make Shipwrack of a good Conscience Conscience that useful faculty which is judicium hominis de seipso prout subjicitur judicio Dei. Est Cordis Scientia Bernard codex in quo omnia conscribuntur It takes notice of and records all It s the Memories Notary a Comforter or Tormentor in the Affections an Accuser or Excuser and a Judge in the understanding and passeth sentence accordingly under God the supreme Judge it should be pure and clear and active to instigate and excite to good and restrain from evil and that by good Arguments as Abigal David Abner Joab 2 Sam. 2.26 And thus the Prophets and Apostles did back their Exhortations and Reproofs with many impregnable Arguments Thus Conscience should do in all but alas for grief How is it put away stifled and shipwrackt in most and become 1. Ignorant so that it cannot nor will not see to distinguish Colours but calls good evil and evil good 2. Forgetful of our faults gives account but of fifty for an hundred like the unjust Steward Luke 16.6 3. Polluted like a foul glass in which you can see nothing 4. It s Secure and smooths men up that they become like them that had made a Covenant with death and an agreement with hell 5. And Seared that its past feeling senseless of any thing Ap. Thus too many are in things of most concernment and have not our covetous ambitious Time-serving self-seeking self-advancing men been sick of this disease in their consciences Quest But will this always serve the turn Answ Surely no Conscience will be awakned and then it will be a woful day to wicked men IV. This Use of Reproof doth extend it self to all wicked unrighteous and unjust persons who though they know that God hath so often commanded Righteousness and commended it as the manifest duty of the second Table in that short abridgement of both the Tables of Gods Commandments Micah 6.8 He hath shewed thee O man what is Good and what the Lord requires c. That the Lord himself is righteous and hat he loveth the righteous and Righteousness and that his eys of favour are upon them Psalm 34.15 And that better is a little with righteousness then a great deal more they know then I need repeat yet they will adventure upon unjust and unrighteous ways For how many mens Houses
are fitly resembled by a Sealing in which there is 1. Imprimens 2. Recipiens 3. Sigillum impressum The Seal is the Word God sets it on and we receive the character of it and the more exactly we answer the print of the Seal the Word of God by so much the more Truth is in us and likeness to Christ as Christ is of his Father Heb. 1.3 Who is the express Image or character of his person This we should buy Proverbs 23.23 as a most desireable commodity Reasons are because God loves it It is a Ray of him a beam of his brightness it is our Glory to be like the Standard and our gain It brings peace with it Zach. 8.16.20 We have need of it in such a false age and where it is wanting all Evils both of sin and punishment do abound as Isa 59. Use Reproof to all such as will be at no pains or cost to get it such as love lying conceal betray know yet do not the truth such as are enemies to it 1. in others as Ahab Zedekiah proud men Josephs brethren Pharisees the world to Christ and the Galatians to Paul and 2. in themselves in Opinion as 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. in practise Hypocrites that dissemble it prophane Neglecters that are careless and graceless Contemners of the truth that wilfully refuse it and 2. And how many are very easie to part with this Girdle of truth either weakly through fear of persecution as Hymeneus and Alexander Ecebolus Spira Love of the world as Demas Caraciolus and Urillas Or wilfully as Hereticks Romanists and Separatists c. Mercenarily as Judas his Master Esau his birth-right Heb. 12.16 Basely and foolishly as those who for their vices lusts will sell all ☞ Should I prosecute these things you shall scarce find in History an age more false then this Heads Hearts Hands Tongues Councels Consciences Designs and Practises All false c. Of all these see my Notes upon Proverbs 23.23 Buy the truth c. You have heard at large the drift of the Apostles Exhortation to withstand our spiritual Enemies Vers 10 11 12 13. We are now upon an Information which contains an Enumeration of the several pieces or parts of the spiritual Armour with which we must be furnished to stand in this combate and to conquer the particulars you know are seven viz. Defensive and Offensive I have dispatcht the first viz. the Girdle of Truth II. I do now descend to the second viz. The Breast-plate of Righteousness There is little difficulty in the words Every man I presume knows what a Breast-plate and what Righteousness is Exp. Only thus much let me give you notice of viz. That a Breast-plate as it is used in Scripture is 1. Military as you know it is usual for Soldiers to arm themselves with that piece of armour which serves for defence of the Breast 2. Mystical Rev. 9.9 Those Scorpion-like Locusts the Saracens or Turks had strongly armed themselves and their Kingdom that their Foes might not hurt them 3. Sacred as that of Aaron Exod. 28.15 30. Lev. 8.8 In which was the Vrim and Thummin light and perfection and which is called the Breast-plate of Judgement because it did denote the Light or knowledge the perfection or integrity which the Priest should have and the care he should take to answer them in Judgement and Equity who asked or enquired of God by him Ap. This Urim and Thummin was evident in the primitive Times in the gifts of the Spirit in Prophesie Tongues c. Acts 2. but most transendently eminent in Christ in whom this Mystery of Urim and Thummin was fulfilled because In Him John 4.9 17. and 3.34 Col. 2.3 are all the Treasures and by him conveighed to us John 1.16 and 14.16 17.4 Spiritual as here in the Text and 1 Thes 5.8 Let us be sober putting on the breast-plate of Faith and Love and by this breast-plate is signified a Good Conscience which is the only fence for the heart Hic murus aheneus esto nil conscire sibi nulla pallescere culpa Hor. as also good manners and Works of Righteousness these are our Lamps Luke 12.35 To be held 1 Tim. 1.19 as Thorax munit pectus militis so do these our lives that we sin not 1 Iohn 2.3 and 3.9 This kept David Psalm 119.11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee Thus much for the Explication of the word Breast-plate II. Now for the next word viz. Righteousness Observe that it is 1. Natural This we had in our first Creation For God made man righteous He being created after Gods own image and proportionably as Christ was who after God was created in Righteousness and true Holiness Ephes 4.24 But this we quickly lost 2. Legal the Righteousness of the Law often mentioned by the Apostles Rom. 2.26 and 8.4 and 10.5 Ap. But this we could never perform unto perfection 3. Civil which is by Education and Principles in Nature and consisting in the just dealing among men in word and deed and is called Equity Honesty Right and Truth and this was in 1. Abraham Gen. 14.23 and 23.16 in taking and paying 2. Iacob Gen. 30.33 In his dealing with Laban about wages c. 3. Ioshua and the Princes Josh 9 15 18 19 20 21 26. About the Covenant which they made with the Gibeonites for breaking of which and for slaying them Sauls bloody house smarted and all Israel by a three years famine 2 Sam. 21.1 6 to 10. Ap. But men of our times have no Conscience of any Covenant or any branch of civil Righteousness 4. Evangelical and this is either imputed or imparted I. Imputed whereby Christs righteousness is become ours Rom. 4 6 11. and 5.18 So by the Righteousness of one the gift is upon all to justification of life and this is called the Righteousness 1. Of Faith Rom 4.11 13. 2. Of God Rom. 3.21 22. without the Law by faith of Iesus Christ 3. Of God by faith ibid. Phil. 3.9 Not having mine own c. by which we are justified and made righteous Rom. 5.1 19. And this is the righteousness of the Saints the perfect the upright By which the Law is fulfilled in us Rev. 19.8 Prov. 11.50 Rom. 8.4 II. Imparted and becomes inherent in our selves and it is a Conformity of our Will Affections and Actions unto Gods holy Will and Law according to the measure of Grace received from Christ by the work of the holy Spirit Thus we become Rom. 6.18 Dan. 9.18 the servants of righteousness Ap. The former is Justification Rom. 5.18 Upon all men unto c. The second is our Sanctification By which we become the servants of righteousness Rom. 6.18 and both these may be said to be 1. Privative in the removal of sin and unrighteousness 2. Positive both by imputation of Christ and infusion of Grace 3. Gradual as the measure and degrees of it come on 4. Intensive when we strive for more
that drew near God with the mouth and with lips c. but with a faithfull understanding and devout mind that is intent upon God and apprehendeth his promises Est enim spiritus Anima or ationis ut anima est forma vita corporis corpus sive anima putidum est cadaver sic Oratio sine spiritu Zanchius IV. It must be conjoyn'd with vigilancy and perseverance watching thereunto with all perseverance as Christ saith Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation This implies a Fervency that we be not dull languid and tyred with praying but to hold out constantly V. It must be accompanied with Charity for others as well as for our selves It must be for all Saints all our fellow-Souldiers militant here on earth those triumphant in Heaven need them not These prayers that are charitable and fervent are very prevalent Jam. 5.16 17 18. the effectual fervent prayer c. Elias is an instance of such prayers Note None are so good but that they stand in need of prayers And for Enemies see Mat. 5.44 Luke 6.27 28. as our Saviour Christ and Saint Steven the first Martyr did Luke 23.34 Acts 7.60 I. Now if you ask me what prayer is I answer Quid sit Prayer is the Request of a soul lifted up to God in the Name of Jesus Christ for something suitable with Gods Will on the behalf of our selves and others in assurance to be heard and accepted by him and returning thanks accordingly for mercies obtained 2. It is the souls Request to God for strong desires of heart go for loud cryes in the Eares of Almighty God Moses did thus at the Red sea he lift up his heart to God and the Lord said Why cryest thou unto me Exod. 14.15 When Moses spake no word but in the earnest desire of his heart So Hannah prayed for a Son 1 Sam. 1.10 11 12 13. in her heart though her voyce was not heard Eli heard her not but God heard her and granted her Request Ver. 19 20 26 27. So Nehemiah 2.4 did when he attended at the Table and it succeeded well Non vox sed votum c. II. These Requests Desires and Liftings up of the heart must be only to God Deut. 6.13 You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve And prayer and praise are a special service of God Psalm 50.14 15. Offer unto God Thanksgiving c. and so also Call upon me saith God Not go to Saints and Angels for help Esay 63.15 16. Look down from Heaven saith the Church doubtlesse thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not and in thee only the Fatherlesse findeth mercy Hos 14.3 In vain therefore it is to pray c. to Saints and Angels III. They must be in the Name of Jesus Christ not of the Saints c. John 14.13 14. and 15 16. and 16.23 24 26. In my name i. e. Through my Mediation for my merit sake I will do it i.e. I will hear and grant your Requests because I am able to perform it to whom the Father hath committed all power Mat. 28.18 IV. And all must be suitable and according to the Will of God and to his Glory 1 John 5.14 This is our confidence that if we ask any thing according to his not our will he heareth us We must learn of our Master who said Luke 22.42 Not my will but thine be done And did the same throughout his whole life John 4.34 and 5 30. and 6.38 And taught us to pray Thy will be done Mat. 6.10 Luke 11.2 V. And all that we thus desire on the behalf of our selves and others must be with assurance For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a Rewarder c. Heb. 11.6 and this is the ground of our confidence 1 John 5.24 And thus we are to draw near to our High Priest Jesus Christ with a true heart in sull assurance of Faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience c. Heb. 10.21.22 We must not be like them mentioned in James 1.6 7 8. wavering doubtful and double-minded c. so as to question the Attributes of God and whether he be able to save us or will do it Such a doubting excludes Faith and makes us like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind tossed and broken to nothing ☞ Thus you have heard what prayer is and the Definition thereof opened to you in the several Branches of it If you ask Quotuplex sit I answer 1. Mentall only in the Elevations of the thoughts and desires unto God without voyce as Moses did Exod. 14.15 and Nehemiah Ver. 2 4. 2. Vocal when by words we expresse the desires of our hearts Such was Christs prayer who in the dayes of his flesh offered up prayers with strong Crying and Tears Heb. 5.7 3. Vital or Real say some Oratio vitalis which is in a continued good life Semper orat qui semper bona facit Gloss Good works call for and procure blessings as some sinnes cry in the Eares of the Lord. But the Apostle speaks of Prayer properly so called which consists in the two former kinds Neutral Vocal There is Vox sanguis Sodomorum Gen. 4.10 and 18.20 and 19.13 Abels blood and the sins of Sodom cryed loud for vengeance Now if the desires be continual Or we omit no set-times and seasons of prayer Or pray frequently as occasions require or necessary Employments permit Or without ceasing i. e. without fainting Luke 18.1 Or besides solemn and set-prayers we make use of Ejaculations darting out our desies unto God which may be done at any time In all these wayes we may be said to pray alwayes or continually because in all this diversity is no contrariety and in all these we do lift up our souls Psalm 25.1 and pour out our hearts like water before the Lord Jam. 2.19 In simplicity and plentifully as the Clouds do the Rain or the Springs of water their streams and that in the Night as well as in the Day at all times and upon all occasions These things premised lead us to the point of Doctrine viz. Doct. True Christians who are spiritual Souldiers in this war must pray to God frequently and fervently to Repel or Remove such Evils and to gain or obtain such good things as are necessary for the souls or bodies of our selves or others 1. This is frequently commanded us we have Precepts in abundance Take a few Psalm 27.8 and 50.15 When God said Seek ye my face Davids heart said Thy face O Lord I will seek It were well if our hearts were in this tune Call upon me in the day of trouble Esay 55.6 Seek the Lord and call upon him while he is near Mat. 7.7 and 11.28 Ask and it shall be given you Come unto me saith Christ all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest James