Reason Because when Satan fights against you by the feare of hell saying O thou hast sinned so many thousand times when I sinned but once I was cast out of heaven and throwne downe to hell and reserved in chaines of darknesse but thou hast deserved hell many thousand times why shouldest not thou goe to hell thou must shew Satan the bloud of the Lamb and in that thy victory over hell and say with Paul O hell where is thy victory thou hast no victory over me for here is my discharge and victory in the bloud of the Lamb hell is for murderers it is for thee Satan that wast a murderer from the beginning and therefore hell hath victory over thee for hell is prepared for the Devill and his Angels but heaven for you that overcome by the bloud of the Lamb For to him that overcometh will I give to sit with me in my Throne as I overcame and sit with my Father in his Throne Revel. 3. 21. Reason 5 A fift Reason Because Christs bloud makes men conquerers already over the world the flesh and the Devill for Christs victory is ours for he that can say by faith Thankes be unto God that hath given us victory is a conquerer already But all true beleevers can say so 1 Cor. 15. Ergo they are conquerers already Againe All that are saved already by the bloud of the Lamb are conquerers already But all true beleevers are saved already as Eph. 2. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 9. They are conquerers already i. to faith though not to feeling for you are conquerers over the world by faith as 1 Joh. 5. For this is our victory that overcometh the world even our faith And you are conquerers over the flesh by self-deniall and mortification for he that so conquereth himselfe is better then he that winneth a Citie and you are conquerers over the Devill by the bloud of the Lamb as the Text Reason 6 A sixt Reason why Because faith in the bloud of the Lamb makes you more then conquerers as Rom. 8. 37. How can that be may some say Can a man get more then the victory I answer By faith in the bloud of the Lamb if thou wilt beleeve thou art washed in it by Baptisme it makes thee such a famous renowned conquerer that thou shalt be a noble triumpher for ever in Christ which is more then a conquerer for as concerning conquerers of this world they may have victory to day and lose it to morrow as Saul did and many conquerers in the world as Alexander when he had conquered the world he was conquered of his own lust Gladio vicit vitiis victus he overcame by the sword but was overcome of vice but he that gets victory by the bloud of the Lamb is more then a conquerer because he is a conquerer over sinne the world and Devill through Christ for ever Objection Objection How can this be Doth not the Devill cast some into prison and persecute some to death how are they then conquerers over him Answer I answer 'T is true Satan shall cast some of you into prison that you may be tryed ten dayes Rev. 2. 9. 'T is but for a triall of your faith in the bloud of the Lamb God will deliver you as he did Joseph out of prison and though Satan persecute some to death yet shall you be more then conquerers even triumphers in heaven for as the Martyrs were more then conquerers in foure respects so shall you be 1. In regard of the torments they put the Martyrs to death to make them deny the bloud of Christ they rejoyced in tribulation as the Disciples when whipped rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer any thing for Christs sake they were more then conquerers by the joy which they have in suffering but conquerers of men or Cities when they have got the greatest victories may sit downe and weepe as Titus Vespasianus when he had conquered and saw the destruction of Jerusalem wept to see the greatnesse of the misery of his enemies saying This is not I but the hand of God for their sinnes but triumphant joy belongs to the conquerers by Christs bloud as Haukes in the Acts and Monuments pag. 1447. in token of triumphant victory to give a signe to his friends when his eyes were burnt out and his hands on a flaming fire yet lifted up both the stumps of his hands and clapped them over his head declaring he was more then a conquerer 2. They are more then conquerers in respect of the tormentors for they strive to make them deny the bloud of Christ but the true beleevers for all their torments confesse Christ so much the more the one fumes and chafes that he hath not his will and is overcome but the Christian rejoyceth and goes away with the victory as the tormentors of Blandina confessed that shee overcame them 3. They are more then conquerers in regard of the unconverted for they put them to death that they may convert no more but as Sampson slew more Philistims at his death then he did in all his life so doe the Martyrs often convert more at their death then they did in any time before for when men seek to conquer Christianitie it conquers them saith Justin Martyr as the Papists confessed in the Marian dayes it was in vaine to burne any more Hereticks as they called them for the more they burnt the more they increased and the converted were the more confirmed by the patient sufferings of the Martyrs because they would suffer for it they beleeved it was the truth 4. We are more then conquerers because we slay our enemies with their own sword Bis perimitur qui suo gladio interimitur he is double slaine that is killed with his own sword for true beleevers take the sword out of their own hands and kill them with it as David did Goliah with his owne sword so said the Martyrs Thou sittest here to judge me but I shall judge thee one day thou by killing my body crownest me with life but killest thy selfe with eternall death as 1 Joh. 3. 15. Thus the sword which the wicked have drawne shall goe through their owne bowels Vse Well is it so Satan fights against thee with sinne the curse of the Law with death and hell Learne thou to disarme the Devill as it is a speciall poynt of policie in warre to disarme their enemies for so they shall deale with them as they list so seeing Satan is the strong man armed with sinne and the rest but as Christ disarmed him of all these by his death so shalt thou by the bloud of the Lambe disarme Satan of all his armour First for sinne Doth Satan tell thee thou art a great sinner display the red colours of Christs bloud tell him 't is true I confesse I am by Adam a great sinner and if I were not a sinner I should not need the bloud of the Lamb for he came not to call the
consciences of all true believers of his strong holds to accuse the conscience and to shew you a most certain victory by Christs blood as you may see but they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb i. they got victory not by their own strength or merits but by the free grace and favour of Jesus Christ they overcame the power of the Devill as Meyer By the blood of the Lamb i. By faith in the death of Christ which makes men conquerers as Marlorat over all enemies for we are to understand that Christ hath not only got victory over the Devill in his person but hath left power to his justified children to get victory also over him in our person and in our consciences and that is by the blood of the Lamb Doctr. Hence I gather That all faithfull souldiers that love not their lives unto the death shall overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony All you that truly believe that the blood of the Lamb hath purged you from all sins shall get victory over the Devill this is not only plain by the Text which saith They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb c. the word of their testimony but also by the Apostle Paul that giveth thanks for the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. And what victory is that but even over sin death and the Devill for Christ by his bloâ—d on the Crosse spoiled Principalities and Powers and destroyed him that had the power of death the Devill Ephes. 2. 15. for he took away the sting of death which is sin By his blood c. and the strength of sin which is the law which was by that blood blotted out Col. 2. 14. And therefore we say Thanks be to God which hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ that is to our faith and hath given you power to get victory over the Devill to your selves and consciences by the blood of the Lamb for that must needs be fulfilled in the members that is fulfilled already in the Head saith Meyer The second proof is 1 John 4. 4. Little Children yee are of God and have overcome them for greater is hee that is in you then he that is in the world For where Christs blood dwells he dwells in vers. 3. he saith that every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God but this is the spirit of Antichrist Some may object the Devill and the Pope confesse so much therefore to the word come in the flesh you must understand And washed us from our sins in his own blood and made us Kings and Priests to God his Father and that the blood of the Lamb hath made us clean from all sin before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 5. That neither the Devil nor the Pope believe for he hath invented a Purgatory to purge them from sin after death for he believes not the blood of the Lamb hath purged them from all sin in this life But little children yee are of God i. all you true Believers that have faith that the blood of Jesus Christ hath purged your sins and have overcome them i. Satan Antichrist and all his servants for seeing Christ hath given you victory over the Devill certainly you have victory over his servants saith Aug. Marlorat for greater is he that is in you then he that is in world for Christ dwels in your hearts where his blood dwels by faith that is greater then the Devill that dwels in the hearts of all unbelievers where the blood of the Lamb is not sprinkled by faith And therefore wee overcome not by our own power but by the strength of Christ for we must needs be overcome if we trust to our own strength saith Calvin as to the arme of flesh or great ordnance ammunition c. which he will cause them sometime to lose to cause them know that their victory must be by the blood of the Lamb Now there be three things requisite to make a man able to overcome the Devill and all his enemies First hee must be born anew in Christ of water and the holy Ghost as 1 John 5. 4. for so by regeneration hee is freed from the bondage of sin death the Devill and Hell hee must believe his Baptisme that he is new born of God which is the foundation of our victory over the Devill as the Virgin said to the Devill tempting her I am a Christian and am baptized and the Devill fled This is that gold of a lively faith in the merit of Christs death in Baptisme in our infancy when wee knew not what Christ did for us as John 13. 7. but do know it after that we are there buried with Christ and new born and so were made capable to overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb when wee should have faith in the same afterward If we do not forsake our first baptisme to take a second for that is to depart from the faith for if God have but one baptisme the second is of the Devil and all that are baptized again shall be overcome of the Devill which do not believe Christs words that he that is washed i. in baptisme if elect is clean every whit needeth not save to wash his feet i. his conscience and conversation in the blood of the Lamb in the other Sacrament but like fools will have their hands and head washed again which is a thing abhorred of God and of all his true Churches that ever have been since the Apostles time Secondly hee must have true faith in the vertue of Christs resurrection that hee is risen again for our justification that hee hath clothed you with the white raiment of his own righteousnesse that your filthy nakednesse should not appeare as Rev. 3. 18. for if any sin be imputed before God the Devill will be too hard for thee for thou that believest not that the blood of the Lamb hath washed away all thy fins before God and that the white raiment of Christs righteousnesse hath not covered all thy sins thou art not fit to be a Captain or souldier for the Devill the World will overcome thee for by this a man denies himself to be all in Christ and in his righteousnesse for whosoever is clothed with the garment of salvation he shall be saved and overcome the Devill and the World but by faith in the white raiment we believe we are clothed with the garment of salvation Esâ— 61. 10. therefore wee shall overcome Thus when a man will be nothing in himself or in his own righteousnesse or sanctification but to be altogether in him Phil. 3. 9. therefore St. John saith in the same place this is our victory which overcometh the world even our faith What faith is that he tels you in 20th verse that wee are in him that is true in that his Son Jesus
a childe of four yeers old can Answ Though faith be hard to the carnall sense not yet inspired yet it is easie to the mind inlightened for as Salomon saith Knowledge is easie to him that will understand Prov. 14. 6. i. if he be willing and love it so faith is easie to him that will believe not that it is in mans power but where the Spirit of God works a desire to ask seek and knock Wisdome will open the door for none that come unto me put I away saith Christ Quest Quest What is the reason then that so many never get faith for the assurance of salvation Answ Answ. 1. Because they ask amisse not in faith of the blood of the Lamb that hee hath washed them from their sins in his owne blood in Baptisme Rev. 1. 5. If they misse this mark they shoot wide of the assurance of salvation For if I wash thee not thou hast no part in me Joh. 13. 8. Secondly because they seek faith in themselves carnall reason fleshly devices by wit of mans phantasie and not in the blood of the Lamb the god of this world blindeth their minds that the glorious Gospel of the blood of the Lamb and his white raiment should not shine to them Thirdly because they oppose the doctrine of free justification by Christs blood and righteousnesse and wink at it and imbrace not the purity of that doctrine but count it an errour and receive not the love of the truth they are given over to believe an error and falsities which can give thee no assurance of salvation Fourthly because they turn to the greatest multitude which scoff at and persecute the truth God gives them over to walk in blindnesse as the Pharisees did Sleight 3 The third sleight that faith is needlesse there is more need of works many prate of faith but let me see good works a good hope is enough with good works Answ I answer that there is great need of faith for works severed from faith are abominable before God Heb. 11. 6. And if a good hope were enough why did the Apostles pray Lord increase our faith Luk. 17. 5. and Mark 9. 24. For as all things are possible to him that believeth so all things are impossible to him that believeth not Heb. 11. 6. Sleight 4 The 4th sleight Thy faith is not sound but counterfeit thou an hypocrite thy faith is mixed with imperfections sins wavering Answ I answer I prove my faith by the causes for he hath given us a mind to know him which is true and we are in him that is true in that his Son Jesus Christ the same is very God and eternall life 1 Joh. 5. 20. And this is the true Jesus that came by water and blood not by water of baptisme only but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse i. to my spirit that I am a child of God Rom. 8. 16. and that Spirit is truth 1 Joh. 5. 6. therefore having my heart sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb from an evill conscience and my body washed with pure water i. in baptisme I may keep my profession without wavering Heb. 10. 23. This faith worketh by love and a desire to live honestly Heb. 13. 18. Vse 1 Is it so that the faithfull overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony You see Christian souldiers that love not your lives unto the death and therefore you that give up your bodies and souls living and acceptable sacrifices unto God which is your reasonable service of God and lay down your lives for the brethren and for the Gospel are to be honoured as martyrs You see that by true faith in the blood of the Lamb you shall overcome the Devill because you give testimony to the holinesse of God Let this move all you that are souldiers of Jesus Christ to give glory to the holinesse of God in keeping your bodies chast and pure and Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in for the Temple of God is holy which are yee 1 Cor. 3. 17. If you say you give glory to the holinesse of God give him glory in keeping your selves holy Temples of God But if any man destroy the Temple of God him shall God destroy Hee that destroyes it by whoredom for thereby thou becomest one flesh with an whore Latrina Diaboli for as the Temple of God was destroyed when it was made a Jakes so is the Temple of God destroyed when it is made the devils Jakes for he that is made one flesh with an whore which is the Devils Jakes is thereby made the Devils Jakes but all whoremongers are made one flesh with his whore that is the devils jakes Ergo they are made the devils jakes and so the Temple of God is destroyed and therefore their destiny is to be destroyed that do not repent for Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13. 4. he will destroy such as destroy the Temple of God therefore you may perceive such to prove cowards for fearfulness goes before destruction and an high mind before a fall There is a conceit among souldiers that Wine will make men valiant but it is false for whoredome wine and new wine take away the heart i. whoredom drunkenness make men arrant cowards Hos. 4. 11. For whoredome drunkenness make an evill conscience and an evill conscience make men fearfull and flee where no fear is Prov. 28. 1. For an evill conscience and the curse of God runs after him and will overtake him Vse 2 Is it so that by the word of your testimony of the blood of the Lamb you overcome the Devill by giving glory to the wisdome of God then let this faith guide you to follow his wisdome and deny your own as the Psalmist said Thou shalt guide me by thy counsell and afterward receive me to glory Psal. 73. 24. And therefore as David did so do you ask counsell of the Lord for every battell at the Oracle of Gods Word i. whether God doth allow it or no as Jehosaphat said 1 King 22. 5. Ask counsell I pray thee of the Lord of day for there can be no war or battell lawfull but that wee may finde some warrant out of the Word of God that doth warrant it to be lawfull so shall you be sure both to overcome your spirituall enemy the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony and also your temporall enemies by faith in that blood and by the word of your testimony for should not a people inquire at their God signifying yes they should to the Law and to the testimony if they speak or fight not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa. 8. 20. So shall you say Thou hast made me wiser then mine enemies by thy commandments for they are ever with me Psal. 119. 98 my delight and counsels Vse 3 Is it so that
when it is more needfull to strive for a wedding garment for to him that overcometh and keepeth his garments Rev. 16. 15. will I give saith Christ to sit with me in my Throne Rev. 3. 21. signifying that shall be the conquering and raigning people whom Christ hath loved and washed from their sins in his own blood and made Kings and Priests to God his Father and they shall raign upon earth Rev. 1. 5. and 5. 10. Let England consider Christs words Rev. 3. 18. I counsell thee to buy of mee gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be made rich which is the lively faith in the merits of Christs death in baptisme which make men rich that were poor by Adam and white raiment that thou mayest be cloathed that the filthinesse of the wickeness of sin may not appeare which is the white wedding garment of justification which makes a Christian know hee is ready for Christ when he hath it and eye-salve of the spirit of Christ that we may see how to walk by the Spirit and in discipline of the Word for untill this counsell of Christ be taken in England both of the Angels and Church this war will not cease for untill a mans wayes or Churches wayes please the Lord he will not make all his enemies to be at peace with him Prov. 16. 7. And when shall that be in England think you when they will be guided by his counsell i. Rev. 3. 18. he will then receive them to glory Psal. 73. Now many men dote so much about Discipline that they think to make a rare Church by it but are greatly deceived For if a man should take a company of Vipers to make them Nightingals do you think he can make them such by Discipline all the orders and skil let him order them how he can will not make them become Nightingals but if he can make them new creatures they may be made Nightingalls as well as any other creature There were two Pharisees which were the generation of Vipers Matth. 3. which were made sweet Nightingals by baptisme wherein they were made new creatures and sang sweetly in the night as Nicodemus that having learn'd the doctrine of regeneration of water and the Spirit in baptisme he was so changed that in the night when the other Pharisees as Vipers would have condemned Christ sang for him thus Doth our law condemn any man before it heare him and hee sweetly buried him with sweet odors And another notorious Viper that was a murtherer and a blasphemer Saul was so changed by baptisme when he did arise and was baptized he washed away his sins in calling on the name of the Lord that of a murtherer and blasphemer he became a sweet Preacher of the Gospel by night and till the dawning of the day and sang Psalmes in the night so sweetly that the Lord heard him and sent an earthquake Acts 16. Wherefore if you would make a good Church it must be by faith in our baptisme into Christ when wee were little children and by the white raiment of Christs righteousnesse applyed by faith Discipline may order a childe in good manners but he must have a soul and body first Now Baptisme and the white raiment is as the soul and body of all Christianity he that wants faith in this cannot tell whether hee be in Christ or no Discipline may order a Church but cannot make one Truly I never look to see a pure Discipline untill the Jewes be called which I wish all the faithfull to pray for except the woman clothed with the Sun begin to make one which hath the bright morning Star which are that chast and holy Congregation as Mr. Brightman calls them which are the place of Gods pleasures and the hill of his delights wherein God taketh more delight then in any thing of the world as Rev. 19. 17. which Church is now arising out of the corruption of the Church of Laodicea Corruptio unius est generatio alterius for though he will spue the luke-warm out yet there is a few names in Laodicea that shall sit with Christ in his Throne wherefore if you be brethren and going to the new Jerusalem remember Josephs words to his brethren Fall not out by the way for a Discipline who shall have the preeminence Let not him that putteth on the armour boast as he that putteth it off for as victory is of the Lord so is government If you look for government before wee have peace the gift of God you reckon without your hoast wherefore I command you from the Lord study to be quiet and do your own busines and work out your salvation with fear and trembling and perswade Euodius of the Presbyters and beseech Syntiche of the Independents to be of one accord in the Lord and labour all to overcome the Devill by the bloud of the Lamb as this Sermon shews you who would set you together by the ears to kill one another that he might get both I have writ of the miseries of England and of the remedies of the same and have shewen at least forty causes how the Bishops have brought the sword upon the land and therefore are justly put down of the Lord and his Parliament which I purpose to set in print if Satan hinder it not Let it not be said that the Presbyters and Independents have set dissention in the Parliament and City and in the Armies and brought the sword into their own bowells to make the Papists sport wherefore let no man speak any more of any government in the Church of England except by Parliament untill the wars cease those that shall remain shall pray unto the Lord to shew them such a Discipline out of Gods Word as shall be pleasing unto him Men may imagine that there may be a smiling shew of peace but they shall finde that Male sarta gratia nequicquam coit there is so much blood in the morter that it will not daub love will not grow within there is so much blood without and yet for my part I desire if the Lord will and pray for the peace of Jerusalem that peace may be within our walls and plenteousnesse within our palaces for no peace no plenty for where wars and sedition remain wee must look for earthquakes famine and pestilence Luke 21. 9 10 11. you shall have little pleasure in a Presbyterie or Independencie before these warres cease for there is a flood of Gods judgements coming now on all the world there shall none escape but those that get into the Ark of the faith of their baptisme into Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. and such as take Christs counsell Rev. 3. 18. which are the blessed people that keep Christs garments unto them that their filthy nakednesse may not be seen Rev. 16. 15. and such as keep the word of his patience Rev. 3. 10. these shall be delivered from this hour of tentation Question 2 Now there is another Question also among many
fight with infidelitie and armed with lies the justified must fight by faith in the bloud of the Lamb that he hath loved you and washed you from your sinnes in his own bloud to make you without spot or wrinkle or any such thing Eph. 5. 26. and made you Kings and Priests to God his Father and prove it by the Word Rev. 1. 5. Col. 1. 22. That he hath throwne upon Christ the iniquities of us all i. e. guilt and punishment The other fight by infidelitie which doe not beleeve this but by hatred lies and sword persecute them that beleeve so for the Devill was a lyer from the beginning and a murtherer as his children are Ver. 8. But they prevailed not Here is comfort for all you faithfull Souldiers they shall not prevaile against you for the gates of bell shall not prevaile against the faith of your free justification by Christ Mat. 16. His place was no more found in heaven i. The Devill was cast out of heaven that accused the Saints before God day and night by the victory of Christ upon the Crosse saith Elton And the Heathen Emperour a Dragon was cast out of the heaven of the Church by Constantine saith Brightman and the Beast and the false Prophet must be cast out of the heaven of the Church by our Michael i. Christ and his Souldiers which all you are that are faithfull For by our Michael he is cast out of the hearts of the Elect as the Apostles saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven Luk. 10. 18. as Meyer For now is the Judgement of this world now shall the Prince of this world be cast out so now shall Antichrist be cast out of the Church of England not so much for the sword as by the Word preached For where the death of Christ is preached and by faith received that he bare all our sinnes in his body upon the tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. That we being dead to sinne should live in righteousnesse by whose stripes yee were healed the Devill must needs be cast out saith Marlorat So that here is the cause why Satan dwells in the hearts of the wicked they beleeve not that the bloud of the Lamb hath purged their hearts from all sinne therefore Satan an uncleane spirit will dwell in that heart that is not washed by faith in the bloud of the Lambe But where the heart is washed by faith in that bloud Christ dwells there as Eph. 3. 17. For where Christ is received into the heart for Idolatry and superstition true Religion and piety comes in for carnall reason the Spirit of God comes in which illuminates the minde and changeth the will to God from uncleannesse to sanctitie as Marlorat Ver. 9. And the great Dragon the old Serpent c. The Devill is called the old Serpent saith Pignetius because he hath alwayes deadly poyson prepared to infect men Secondly He is the same that labours by all meanes to hinder you from Paradise as he caused our first parents to be cast out and therefore so much the rather to be taken heed of in his practise to bring thee to sinne for if he did thus to our first parents when they were pure from all spot of inherent sinnes what will he doe against thee that art inherently uncleane by sinne if thou hast not the bloud of the Lambe Which is called the Devill {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. Calumniator a Caviller or an Accuser so that you see that cavillers against the faithfull and accusers of the Brethren for the true faith in Christs bloud and righteousnesse change names with the Devill called Satanas i. adversarius an adversary i. because he is such an enemie as his children are and adversary to the professors of free Justification that by the bloud of Christ and his righteousnesse men should be saved and be made without spot before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 5. Satan cannot abide that doctrine Which deceiveth all the world Because he perswadeth men contrary to the Word of God as Bullenger and Musculus i. the Reprobate by his fallacies and lies as Paul saith to feare lest as Satan seduced Eve so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicitie that is in Christ 2 Cor. 11. 3. He was cast downe to the Earth even to be troden under foote of men as Psal. 91. 13. Thou shalt goe upon the Lion and the Aspe the young Lion and the Dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet as Luk. 10. 19. He is cast downe to the earth i. to hurt earthly minded men onely for woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea because the Devill is come down amongst you that hath great wrath because his time is but short So you shall finde that these warres shall be wofull to the Inhabitants of the earth and Sea by the Devils meanes but it shall not hurt the true Church For Satan departing from them that are faithfull and overcoming him by the bloud of the Lambe he shall hurt onely earthly-minded men that preferre earthly things before heavenly and contemne the truth as Erasmus And they are cast into the earth in respect of any power to doe hurt to you the children of God but shall hurt earthly men by Sea and Land Ver. 10. Then I heard a loud voyce in heaven For the faithfull cannot but praise God for the confusion of Satan their deadly enemy saith Pignetius Hic ergo {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a song of triumph of the Church triumphing over the Devill that is overcome which shews the cause why many men doe not praise the Lord with a loud voyce they beleeve not the Devill is overcome therefore they are afraid of him In Heaven i. In the Church which dwels in the large heaven of remission of sinnes and in the kingdome of heaven which is righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost as Luther And hath her conversation in heaven Phil. 3. 2â— Now is salvation For where sinne reigned there perdition had a place but where the Gospel reignes i. the glad tydings that Christ hath purged your sinnes in his own person and is set downe at the right hand of God Heb. 1. 3. there is life and salvation And strength Not of men but of God for the right hand of the Lord hath the preheminence and therefore he will give his Church the victory And the Kingdome of our God wherein the Devill reigned saith Musculus by Idolatry And the power of his Christ for his power appeares especially in converting men to his righteousnesse For the accuser of the Brethren is cast down for this is the property of the Devill and his Instruments and if he can to lay open to damnation those that he suspects shall be heirs of heaven and ascend to that place from which hee fell which he doth most commonly by Scripture as to Christ wherefore I have laboured in these fourteen differences to disarm Satan against the
Christ the same is very God and eternall life for when a man is in Christ by baptisme for his person and in his white raiment by faith to his conscience hee is made partaker of Christs victory upon the Crosse over sin death the Devill and Hell for by faith in the white raiment that Christ is risen again for our justification and hath justified us we receive power to subdue sin the world and the Devill which are all overcome by faith in our first resurrection which is to our persons and baptisme when our bodies are washed with pure water Heb. 10. 23. but the first resurrection to our consciences is when wee are converted and believe the white raiment is ours that clotheth us that our filthy nakednesse should not appear Rev. 3. 18. wherein wee shew we are risen with Christ Col. 3. v. 1. for all that appeared to bring tidings of Christs resurrection appeared in white or shining raiment to shew that no man can tell of his first resurrection untill he can tell of his white raiment as Matth. 28. 3. Mar. 16. 5. Luke 24. 4. Joâ—. 21. 12. all in white so must you if you be risen with Christ you must appear in white or else no victory over the Devill Thirdly hee that would overcome the Devill and all his Instruments of the world hee must not be a blind souldier as many are that fight for money and by ends but get the Devill into their hearts by covetousnesse and cheating souldiers as Judas did and the Devill gets them as he did him you must therefore buy of Christ eye-salve of his Spirit i. to walk by the Spirit to fight by the Spirit i. by the directions of the Oracle of Gods Word for men ought not to fight any battell before they have asked counsel at the Oracle of Gods Word as David did to know whether God do approve of that war or no and eye-salve to discern the true Religion from the false for else he may fight for the false Religion for Antichrist and not for Christ and also for eye-salve of the Spirit hee may keep himself from all wickednesse when hee goes forth with the host Deut. 23. 9. to keep a good conscience before God and before men for he that will plunder rob spoil and steal and whore and do wickedly shall not overcome the Devill but is overcome of him Thus must a true Christian souldier stand out in life and death against all adversarie power whatsoever Now being thus prepared by Christs counsell to fight against the World and the Devill I will shew you how you shall overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb by divers Reasons Reason 1 The first Reason why the best way to overcome the Devill is by the blood of the Lamb because you know the Devill fights against all men by sin either tempting men to sin or to despaire for sin committed Now when a Christian tempted to commit sin shews unto Satan the bloud of the Lambe as Joseph said How can I doe this evill and sin against God So say thou How can I doe this evill and sin against the bloud of the Lamb Thou shalt overcome him as Joseph did Or if Satan tempt thee to despaire as he did Judas if thou shew him the bloud of the Lamb he must needs be conquered for by that thou wilt testifie thy redemption and the murder of Satan that thou hast redemption through the bloud of the Lamb the forgivenesse of thy sins but the Devill hath not for this bloud of the Lamb testifies that Satan was a murderer from the beginning to our first parents to the first Adam and that he hath slaine the second Adam the Lord Jesus Christ here is the bloud of the Lamb that thou hast shed for who put into the heart of Judas to betray him and into the hearts of the Jewes to crucifie him but thou Satan Therefore this bloud of the Lamb testifies the remission of my sins and it testifies that thou art a murderer and thus the red colours of Christs bloud being displayed Satan cannot indure the field but will flie like a beaten Souldier for hereby the Devill is redargued to be the sinner and must despaire Reason 2 A second Reason why you shall overcome the Devill by the bloud of the Lamb because Satan fights against men by the curse of the Law to shew them how cursed they are by it but by the bloud of the Lamb you shall shew unto him that Christ by his bloud hath redeemed you from the curse of that law was made a curse for you for cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree that we might obtaine the blessing of Abraham And this testifies my blessednesse that Christ hath blotted out the hand-writing of the Law that made us cursed by his owne bloud Col. 2. 14. Thus by the bloud of the Lamb thou shalt testifie against the Devill that thou art freed and if the Sonne hath made thee free thou art free indeed Joh. 8. But this bloud of the Lamb testifies Satan is a murderer and so a transgressour of the Law and therefore cursed Now as men that have committed murder and they see 't is discovered will presently run away so Satan seeing men fighting against him by the bloud of the Lamb that testifies their freedome from the curse of the Law and how they stand fulfillers of the Law and also testifying how the Devill is a transgressour a murderer and so cursed by it he will not indure the field 't is time for him to run Reason 3 A third Reason why thou shalt overcome him by the bloud of the Lamb because Satan fights against all men by the feare of death Now when thou shewest unto Satan the bloud of the Lamb thou doest thereby testifie the victory of Christ over death saying Thanks be unto God that hath given us victory over death by Christs bloud so that death is unto me advantage and by the bloud of the Lamb testifiest to Satan that he is guiltie of the bloud of thy husband Now what murderer amongst men will indure when he shall heare a faithfull wife making an out-cry against him thus O this man hath murdered my faithfull deare husband here is his bloud that this man hath shed Murder murder murder make hue and cry after him lay hold of him carry him to prison to the barre and to the Gallowes so when Satan heares the faithfull say O thou art guiltie of the bloud of my deare and faithfull husband the Lord Jesus Christ here is his bloud carry him to the prison of hell Now as Satan is like his children that are murderers he must run and be fearfull as murderers are afraid and flee when none pursue them so is Satan the most fearfull coward in the world that will flee fast enough if you shew him the bloud of the Lamb Resist the Devill by it and he shall flee from you Jam. 4. 7. Reason 4 A fourth
righteous but sinners to repentance therefore I repent and the bloud of the Lamb by faith purgeth me from all sinne I have read in Luthers every dayes Sacrifice p. 59. who reporteth of a poore man in Friburge in Misnia being distressed for his sinnes and crying out of the greatnesse of his sinnes the Devill appeared unto him with a writers Inkhorne and bad him he should repeate all his sinnes and he would write them down for him the man perceiving it was the Devill bad him write The seed of the woman shall crush the Serpents head and with that the Devill fled and left such a stinke as if he would have choaked them all so if thou shalt tell Satan of the bloud of the Lamb thou doest thereby declare that the seed of the woman hath broken his head he will flee Secondly Doth he tell thee of the curse of the Law and come against thee with that armour take this sword of the bloud of the Lamb you may reade of David when he asked for the sword of Ahimelech they told him there was none but the sword of Goliah O said David there is none to that so if thou desire a sword to goe disarme the Devill with take the bloud of the Lamb 't is like the sword of Goliah for his head was cut off with it so take the bloud of the Lamb for the Devils head was broken with it doth he cast the curses of the Law upon thee cast on him the bloud of the Lambe Thirdly Doth Satan fight against thee with the feare of death and hell shew unto him the bloud of the Lamb bid him read Here 's thy victory O Death O Hell I have victory by the bloud of the Lamb I have an eternall redemption through his bloud the forgivenesse of my sinnes and I am a conquerer over death and hell But as we reade of men that have committed wilfull murder the bloud of the slaine will hang upon them that although they rub and wipe yet still the bloud will hang upon them and discover them they cannot get it off especially not from their consciences that tels them of death and hell so when thou doest tell Satan of the bloud of the Lamb thy faithfull deare husband he cannot wipe nor rub off the cry of that innocent bloud it will hang about him especially upon his conscience and tell him of death and hell Now when Satan heares thee testifie the greatnesse of his sinnes by the bloud of the Lamb he will be gone for he is like a meere civill honest man that can be content to heare of any thing rather then his owne sinnes he can be content to heare of other mens sinnes and laugh at them for fooles make a sport of sinne they rejoyce at other mens sinnes especially of professors if they fall but once the Devill and all civilians will rejoyce at it but tell them of their owne sinnes and they will be gone and so will Satan not indure to see the terriblenesse of his sinnes in the bloud of the Lambe Vse Is it so that by the bloud of the Lamb you are conquerers already because you have victory already given unto you and are saved already see Deut. 33. 29. Blessed art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people saved by the Lord the shield of thine help and which is the sword of thy glory therefore thine enemies shall be in subjection unto thee and thou shalt tread upon their high places Here is admirable comfort for you that are the faithfull Souldiers of Jesus Christ to incourage you to the warre against all your spirituall enemies because you are sure of victory for what is the reason that many are so loath to goe to warre because they know not whether they shall have victory or no but if you could assure every one of victory of a crowne and of a kingdome you should have Souldiers enough I tell thee that art a faithfull Souldier of Jesus Christ fight valiantly with the bloud of the Lambe till death against the world the flesh and the Devill and thou shalt be sure of victory for Christ having overcome already his victory is thine Be thou faithfull unto the death and I will give thee a crowne of life Rev. 2. 10. And feare not little flocke i. that fight by the bloud of the Lamb for it is your Fathers pleasure to give you a kingdome Luk. 12. You have conquered the world by faith 1 Joh. 5. 4. conquer your selves for so shall you be wiser then he that conquers a Citie be an enemy to the world be an enemy to the Devill but especially to thine owne flesh as a Martyr wrote to his wife fight by the bloud of the Lambe and feare none of these Object Object O may some say I am not afraid of the Devill but I am afraid of the Papists and Rebels of Ireland that they will cut our throats and take all they are Devils incarnate they do more harme then the Devils to the Protestants Ans. Ans. I answer as the Lord said to Jacob Thou hast prevailed with God thou shalt also prevaile with men though his brother Esau came against him with foure hundred men so I say to thee thou hast prevailed with the bloud of the Lamb over the God of this world the Devill thou shalt also by the bloud of the Lamb prevaile with men Therefore feare not thou Jacob my servant and Israel whom I have chosen Thus saith the Lord that redeemed thee feare not he will helpe thee as Isa. 44. 1 2. 44. Thou hast overcome the Devill the Prince of the world shouldest thou feare men Object Object O they are wonderfull strong for they have great brasse and iron Ordnance Ans. Ans. I answer thee as Joshua did the Children of Joseph when they objected that the Canaanites had chariots of iron He said unto the house of Joseph Thou art a great people and hast great power and thou shalt cast out the Canaanites though they have chariots of iron and be strong Thou shalt not have one lot Therefore the mountaine shall be thine for it is a wood and thou shalt cut it downe and the ends of it shall be thine and thou shalt cast out the Canaanites Josh. 17. 18. For the blessing of Joshua and his telling them of victory made them valiant in battell so when the Protestants understand what the Lord saith to them in that place of Joshua and in the 25. of Numbers 17. 18. and learne to fight against them by the bloud of the Lamb they shall vex those Midianities and Canaanites and smite them that have beguiled them with their wiles concerning Idolatry and as concerning their sister Cozbi the daughter of a Prince of Midian By these two wiles are England and Ireland beguiled and the plague is come of a civill warre you shall overcome them by the bloud of the Lamb It followeth And by that word of their testimony This is added saith