Devil c. and so it is used in the Text. 4. Divine and so God himself is a Shield to the godly To protect them as Gen. 15.1 to Abraham Deut. 33.29 To Israel Psalm 3.3 and 84.9 11. To David and to all that walk uprightly 3. Of Faith This is the main grace the suctject of the Text here compared to a Shield Of which I shall speak at large as I handle the main Doctrine of this Verse 4. Wherewith ye shall be able to quench i.e. not only to repel and keep off but also to extinguish and utterly to destroy all their venemous power of hurting you 5. All the fiery darts that is all the Temptations of the Devil whereby he doth provoke us to sin against which we pray in the Lords Prayer And these are said to be fiery darts and destructive because if admitted once and allowed of they do easily kindle the heart to multitudes of sins which like links in a chain draw in one another successively and here we might observe by the way Doct. Satan hath his fiery darts to do us mischief with Quest If any do enquire what these fiery darts are I answer Answ Concupiscence and evil Lusts which do kindle the soul with Covetousness Ambition Self-seeking Revenge c. As also all Incentives to sin and dangerous temptations of incredulity distrust despair all which I may meet with in the main point and now pass them 6. Of the wicked or that wicked one i. e. of Satan and his instruments wicked men habits of sin corruption of heart c. These things premised and the Text thus explained it doth afford us Doct. Faith is a Christians Shield or Buckler to withstand repel and extinguish all the fiery darts and destructive temptations and seducements of the Devil Ergo we are commanded to resist him herewith and we have a promise of Conquest for he will flee if we give no place to him So also for the world This is the Victory c. and this we may the more easily be perswaded of if we consider 1. The promises of God made to Believers which are abundant 2. The Grace of Faith this Shield in it self which is evidence of our sonship union to Christ as the Anchor c. to the Root Foundation Head 3. That it justifieth us by possessing us of Christ of his Riches and Merits Rom. 3.28 and 5.1 as in marriage a woman possessing the mans means and here you are to consider what Justification is and how by faith we do obtain it Of which see my Notes at large on Rom. 13.11 only thus here Justification is an act of Gods imputing Christs Righteousness to a believing sinner absolving him from sin accepting him as righteous in Christ and as an Heir of Eternal life Bishop Downam de Just l. 2.1 Papists make Justification Justification and so confound Justification and Sanctification whereas the Hebrew Hitzdik and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are verba forensia judicial words taken from Courts of Justice and do not signifie to make just but to absolve See Proverbs 17.15 Isa 5 23. Marzdik Rom. 3.24 26 28 30. By Faith in Christ only we are justified we exclude not God the Author nor the Holy Ghost and Ministers the Workers nor good Works the evidence of Justification But that as the matter nothing but Christ and his Righteousness which is the Object of Faith doth justifie Ergo we say Fides sola justificat oculus solus vidit as the only instruments to apprehend the Object but not Solitaria solo is joyn'd with the Predicat justificat solus sed non separatus ab anima cerebro c. 4. Faith gives Assurance Heb. 10.22 as to Job David Hezekiah Paul where yet note that the 1 Acts of Faith are 1. Direct 2. Reflect 2. Courts in which Pardon is sealed 1. In Heaven 2. In Conscience 3 Assurance is either of 1. Adherence 2. In Evidence 5 Faith sanctifieth and purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 Purifie c. Gal. 2.20 Christs lives in us Col. 2.12 Risen with Christ by faith An heavenly Conversation here is a good evidence of a heavenly condition hereafter as the Spirit put into upon Saul David Jehu were a good earnest of the future dignity of a Kingdom which befel them 6. And lastly Faith is an evidence of heaven and all good hoped for Heb. 11.1 Hab. 2.4 Ephes 2.8 Ye are saved 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls Ap Now sum up all these together and apply them to the point then that Faith this Shield by which we have Son-ship Union with Christ Justification Assurance Sanctification and Salvation doth evidently conclude a full and final Conquest over all the fiery darts and destructive temptations of the wicked and so you may add them all as an Illustration of the Reason annexed in this Text-in the praise of this Faith drawn from the admirable and wonderful effects of the same viz. In quenching all the fiery darts Quest If any ask how these darts can be thus quenched I answer Answ By Faith I have interest into all the promises of God to Believers I am his Son I have Union with Christ am justified by his Righteousness have Assurance of his Favour am sanctified by his Grace and have evidence of heaven and final Salvation Now apply these to any Dart or Temptation and resist them with these and say to Satan c. Should I yield to be or do what thou suggest to defile and undo my self with wicked lustss forfeit all my honour and happiness for thy transitory pleasures profits and preferments And say in this case as the Lord Jesus our Saviour said to the Devil upon his great proffer of the power and glory of all the Kingdoms of the world Mat. 4.10 Luke 4.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abi abscede retro me Satana Arias Montan. Get thee hence depart avoid be gone I defie thee in such a case as this then draw the sword of the Spirit upon him and adjoyn Supplications and Prayer to God to defend thee and to subdue him under thy feet Ap. Thus resist and he will flee and thou shalt conquer Thus you see how you may improve this Shield of Faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked in every kind I have done with the proof of the point I do now descend to Use Uses of this point are of Reproof Examination and Comfort I. The first Use is of Reproof and Terrour to all that want this shield or neglect it either in defect or excess either by Unbelief or Presumption 1. Vnbelief is a sin against Faith in the way of defect and Vnbelievers are such as either know not the Word of God through ignorance and want of the means of Faith as Pagans Psalm 147.19 20. which yet excuseth them not but a tanto John 15.22 Or Obstinacy and Wilfulness against means as many Christians 2 Pet. 3.5 And this is the mother of Errours and
standing you know is a Gesture 1. as well of Attendance as of the Priests to minister in the name of the Lord Deut. 18.5 7. 2. as of Expectance 2 Cron. 20.17 of Salvation and Victory 3. Of Business whether it be in serving resisting enduring and suffering or persevering and persisting 4. As well as of Idleness Mat. 20.6 II. Therefore i.e. for reasons alledged before verses 12 13. III. Having your loins girt about as Souldiers of old time had broad and strong Belts and Girdles made of durable stuff beset with many plates or bosses whereby the weaker parts of the body the loins and upper part of the belly were armed both for ornament beauty and strength For Girding fasteneth the body and strengtheneth it and is usually in Scripture taken for an expression and sign of strength vigour and prowess or puissance 1. Job Job 12.18 21. He looseth the bonds of Kings and girdeth their loins with a girdle i.e. with strength and vigour and God weakneth the strength or he looseth the girdle of the strong and mighty as History speaks and now we know 2. So Job 38.3 and 40.7 God bids Job to gird up his loins 3. Isa 22.20 21. God promiseth Eliakim To cloth him with a robe and to strengthen him with a Girdle i. e. with honour and strength Cont. It was otherwise with Tyre Isa 22.10 In whom no more Girdlestrength And with Belshuzzar Dan. 5.6 When the joynts or girdles of his loins were loosed and his knees smote c. a strange Ague And with a wicked Assembly or Parliament Army Isa 8.9 10. Whom God threatneth to break in pieces though they did gird themselves IV. With Truth i.e. with Christ who is the Truth John 14.6 Whom all that are baptised put on Gal. 3.27 The Truth of Doctrine opposed to Errours and Heresies with Sincerity and Uprightness opposed to Hypocrisie which is the truth of our Life and actions and makes us firm and strong whereas Hypocrisy enfeebleth and makes men weak sickly and changeable in their actions and tryals when upon them Ap. How few in our times have learned believed or once so much as have thought of these things and thus you have had the meaning of this first expression pointing out the first part of our Christian Armour viz. Truth These things thus understood give us this Doctrine viz. That Doct. All Christians who hope to withstand prevail against and conquer their spiritual enemies the Devil the world c. must be girded i. e. strengthned with truth that is with Christ sound Doctrine and sincerity of life This our Saviour calls for Luke 12.35 Let your loins be girded c. And St. Peter also 1 Pet. 1.13 Gird up c. as well as our Apostle It is a Metaphor taken from an antient custome in the Eastern Countrey where they did wear long garments which they girded to their loins to make them expedite for travel or other service as Elijah did 1 Kings 18.46 2 Kings 4.29 and 9.2 Gehazi and that Child of the Prophets that went to anoint Jehu 2 Kings 9.1 2 3 4. Ap. From this custome of bodily girding up garments It is translated or transferred to the mind Luke 12.35 as Job 38.3 and 40.7 where God bids him gird up his mind and their Lamps burning with Faith Repentance Charity and Sanctity which is Lumen indeficiens as Jerom. 1 Cor. 13.8 Charity never faileth 2 Cor. 1.12 The testimony of a good conscience is a light of great joy and rejoycing hope ends in the fruition Faith perfected in the Object Love enlarged in heaven you hear the point that concerns the first peece of Armour viz. Doct. All Christians that would be conquerors over spiritual Enemies must be girded that is strengthned with truth viz. 1. With Christ 2. Sound Doctrine 3. A sincere Conversation Let me take these asunder and look upon them several apart I. We must be girded with Christ 1. God himself is said To be girded with power and strength Psalm 65.6 and 93.1.2 And Christ himself is said to be girded with his sword of Might Glory and Majesty and so to ride prosperously Because of Truth Meekness and righteousness Psalm 45.3 4 to 8. Ap. He alludeth to Princes that in their Triumph rid in Chariots shewing that the quiet State peace and prosperity of a Kingdom or Nation standeth in Truth Meekness justice and Righteousness not in worldly pomp or vanity much less in Robbery Oppression and Tyranny as our Nation of late hath done 3. So also we must be girded with Christ who is the Truth He is the first piece of our spiritual Armour for safety and the best apparel for our Honour Dignity and Beauty both are conjoyned 1 Cor. 1.30 For Christ is made to us Wisdom and Sanctification as Apparrel for Dignity Beauty Righteousness and Redemption as Armour for Safety Satisfaction and Security Ap. If the Sanctification of Christ be our Apparrel we are so clad that Aarons Robes Joshuahs Miter and Mordecai's Royal Apparrel are not like it Exod. 39. Zeph. 3.4 5. Esther 6.8 to 12. II. If the Righteousness and Redemption of Christ be our Armour then are we girt with Armour of proof utriusque the armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left 2 Cor. 6.7 1. Armour may well be styled defensive indeed by which we are saved from Gods displeasure Rom. 5.1 and from Satans Malice and Violence 2. As also active and infusive so as that it puts valour into the man that wears it as it did into the Worthies of old the Martyrs and Confessors of all ages who could not have stood in the time of trial had they not been Girded with this armour 3. Yea it may well be said to be Offensive also for being girded with this we do as easily conquer the devil c. as David did Goliah 1. Being thus apparrelled we are clothed like unto the Kings daughter Psalm 45.13 14. Or that woman Rev. 12.1 with the Sun the Moon under a crown of twelve stars and who can desire better 2. And being thus armed and girded about with the strength of Christ we are as safe as Mount Sion that is environed with Mountains and cannot be removed but abideth for ever Psalm 125.1 2. Ap. It is no marvel therefore though we be often called upon To put on the Lord Jesus Rom. 13.14 The new man Ephes 4.24 Col 3.10 3. And on the contrary without this how naked and unsafe are we obvious to all manner of ignominy and danger And as this Military Belt or Girdle doth extend 1. To Christ the fountain of Truth So also doth it 2. To sound Doctrine the Word of God which Christ in his Prayer John 17.17 speaks of The Gospel of Christ Gal. 2.5 Col. 1.5 This leads us to the old way it being the old rule and is the form of sound speech and the light to which we should look for our direction in all things III. And to sincerity of life All which together
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
not sanctified to us how soon are we made worse by them and are the more exposed to Satans snares and temptations Thus for temporal blessings and for spiritual Graces and blessings how many do we want and are yet wholly without them besides the use of them all how requisite growth of them and encrease daily how necessary and our perseverance in them to crown all with comfort and the efficacy of all the means of Salvation as to our good and to become a Savour of life unto life All is to be had from God he only opens the heart Acts 16.14 He did of Lydia else Paul may plant 1 Cor. 3.6 but God only gives the encrease Our Faith is but weak our Hope but faint our Obedience imperfect our resolutions vowes promises purposes how variable are they and how apt to change the woful experience of many sick persons when recovered and many troubled Consciences when comforted who have revolted from all to sin again doth speak too much to this 5. And our lives how short and how momentary 5. And lastly The very shortness of our lives which are but for a moment and our own inability as of our selves to bring any thing to perfection All these do call upon us and invite us earnestly to be importunate with God for his help from above to strengthen and confirm us And since our lives are so short to pray and do as Psalm 39.4 5. Lord make me to know mine end and the measure of my days Psalm 90.12 And teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom and may learn of the Apostle to redeem the time because the days of our lives are evil Ephes 5.15 III. Others whether Friends or Enemies 1. For Friends How many elected are yet uncalled remaining in darkness How many weaklings are there in the body of Christ that need thy aid in this kind And how many fainting under the cross being feeble-minded and comfortless Compassion must move us to do as we are commanded James 5.14 viz. To pray one for another 3. And as for Foes whether men or devils we know they are many and mighty and crafty and cruel violent and insolent aiming at our destruction Therefore we had need to pray Psalm 25.19 Lord consider mine enemies for they are many and they hate me with cruel hatred And deliver us not over unto their Will for they breath out nothing but cruelty Psalm 27.12 .. And thus in respect of our selves and others there will be everlasting Use of this Armour and that in several kinds 1. Prayers or Apprecations for blessings 2. Supplications or Deprecations against evils either felt or feared that they may be prevented or removed 3. Intercessions for others 4. To all which we must add Thanksgiving in reference to all as occasion is offered and success comes in as they are in part named here in the Text and all of them conjoyned 1 Tim. 2.1 2. In that serious Exhortation of the Apostle That first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all men c. You have had reasons from God our selves and others 4. Now add a fourth Reason which is the last and which ariseth from or is in respect of the duty of Prayer in it self and its excellency in the Cause End and Effects of the same 1. In the Cause viz. God himself It is the Lord that sets us on work to the performance of this duty by Precepts and Promises And he only doth effect this in us by his holy Spirit Rom. 8.26 17. Who helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self doth inform and act us hereunto and in the duty And this is very welcome and acceptable to him which he prefers before other sacrifices and calls for as for Musick Can. 2.14 Let me hear thy voice for it is sweet Ap. These are the pleasant harps and sweet perfumes which he delights in Rev. 5.8 Here be the golden vials full of Odours or Incense and this must needs be excellent which hath such acceptance with him 2. In the End of it viz. The Honour and Glory of God He is set up and magnified in our prayers to him And in his Answers to us Prayer gives him the honour of his greatness and us the experience of his goodness 3. In the Effects of Prayer which are marvellous There is so great an Efficacy and such an invincible force in prayer that it is said of Prayer thus Vincit invincibilem ligat Omnipotentem it conquers the invincible and bindeth the Omnipotent overcoming him that overcometh all things Do but mark what God saith to Moses Exod. 32.10 Deut. 9.14 Let me alone or suffer me that my wrath may wax hot against them and that I may consume them Quest Why what could Moses do to hinder God or stay his punishment Answ Surely nothing by the prevailing of humane force above divine but by condescending of divine Grace to the desires of the godly as Gen. 32.24 25 26. In Jacobs wrestling by powerful prayer Hos 12.4 Hence Israel and the destruction of Sodom Gen. 19.22 Nothing could be done till Lot was gone His presence and prayers prevent it Ap. Oh how much are the wicked bound to the godly for their company and the godly to the Lord for his benignity who spares them in such a comcom calamity as he did Noah before See Isa 65.8 As the new wine is found in the Cluster c. destroy it not for a blessing is in it so will I do for my servants sakes that I may not destroy them all 1. Prayer is truly styled Consolatio slentium cura dolentium Sanitas Aegroterum a comfort for mourners the joy of the sorrowful and health for the sick 2. Prayer hath a faculty of singular prevalency it is like the gift which is as a precious stone or a stone of grace Eben-chen Lapis gratiae Arias Mont. in the eyes of him that hath it whether Giver or Receiver whether soever it turneth it prospereth it maketh room for a man i. e. It gets him favourable audience and exalts him to honour Prov. 17.8 and 18.16 of these we have daily experience and the like we may say of Prayer It prospers it moke room for and honoureth us This piece of Armour is of admirable use viz. Prayer and that in the way of Offence and Defence I. Offence Of which take a few instances by this it was that 1. Moses overcame Amalek Exod. 17.10 to 14. 2. And Israel the Canaanites and Midianites Judg. 6.7 c. 3. By this David frustrated the Councel of Achithophel 2 Sam. 15.31 and 17.23 so mayest thou of the Devil against himself and conquered his enemies often Psalm 56.9 4 Abijah Jeroboams mighty Army 2 Chron. 13. so that five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel were slain vers 17. 5. And Asa Zerah the Aethiopian with his Host of a Million 2