who when he had received the witness of the Spirit from Heaven was led into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil God doth not take his Young men out of Babes immediately but out of little Children who are made strong by the Word and Witness of God abiding in them and the glory of these Young men is their strength Which leads me to the second thing to be treated of viz. what their strength is and wherein it lies CHAP. II. What is meant by their being Strong THE Text tells us that these Young men are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong The great Critick Hesyâ—hius makes the word equivalent with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Calcator a treader down and with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Firmus a settled and fixed person and both these are suitable to the thing in hand for our Young man is a conqueror and hath trodden down strength viz. the Devil under foot which is the usuâ—l phrase to denote conquest victory and triumph as may be seen in Deut. 33.29 Josh 10.24 25. Psal 44.5 Rom. 16.20 beside many other places which speak to the same purpose The other word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a settled person is pâ—t to the case also for settlement flows from victory others are aptto be tossed to and sro but these conquerors are fixed and immoveable But to keep close to the word and thing I shall speak of this their being strong as it notes the strength preceding the Victory and whereby they overcome and not that which succeeds to and abides after their conquest and victory Ye are strong i. e. ye are mighty and were so before the dispute and fight as well as after or else you had not overcome The strength of the Young men notes and denominates them to be men of might and valour men fit to undergo labour and to endure hardship as the good Souldiers of Jesus Christ and according to this notion you shall find that in the Scripture the hardest and most difficult employments have been assigned to and performed by Young men because they are strong and fit for such service The glory of young men is their strength Prov. 20.29 't is thus remarqued concerning Jeroboam 1 Kings 11.28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious Hebr. that he did work he made him Ruler over all the charge Hebr. burthen of the house of Joseph here is might valour work and burden-bearing spoken of this Young man In 2 Tim. 2.1 5. strength induring hardship and being a good Souldier are joyn'd all together Joshuah sent young men to spy out the Land Josh 6.23 The Porters mentioned in 1 Chron. 26.6 8. are said to be mighty men of valour strong men able men for strength for the service Now as 't is naturally 't is also morally the glory of Young men that they are strong But the Question is Wherein their Strength doth lie 'T is said of Sampson that his strength was in his Hair and of the Bohemoth that his strength is in his Loyns and his force in the Navel of his Belly Job 40.16 but wherein is the strength of these Young men 'T is originally in the Lord and the power of his might Ephes 6.10 or the grace which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 2.1 't is not the grace that is in us but that which is in him that is sufficient for us 2 Cor. 12.8 9. and 't is of his sulness that we receive grace for grace as we have occasion to use it Joh. 1.16 with Heb. 4.16 God hath laid our help on him who is mighty to save and who goeth forth conquering and to conquer till all his enemies be made his footstool and subdued under his feet But among and above all the grace communicated to them their strength is in Faith or in believing for this is the victory whereby we overcome the world even our Faith 1 Joh. 5.4 5. and as hereby we overcome the world so him also who is in the world that is the Devil and therefore though every piece of Gods Armour be of great use yet we are advised above all to take the Shield of Faith whereby we quench the fiery darts of the Devil Ephes 6.11 16. Abraham was strong in Faith and in the strength of Faith did David encounter Goliah a type of the Devil and 't was by Faith that the Heroes mentioned in Heb. 11. wrought such wonders and obtained victories Vers 32 34. so that these young men are strong in the Lord strong in the Faith that is in them they go out in his name and do prevail 't is not in their own but his strength Phil. 4.13 for 't is not they of themselves do conquer but he that liveth in them by Faith that makes them conquerors Rom. 8.37 These Young men are Christs Armour-bearers and they slay after him as 't is said of Jnathan's 1 Sam. 14.13 'T is Jesus Christ who teacheth their hands to War and their fingers to fight so that the Devils bow of steel is broken by them and they believe down the Devil under their feet Through the strength of Christ living in them by Faith Ephes 3.16 17. they are almost omnipotent for they are able to do all things not only to abound but to be abased and to endure hardship Phil. 4.11 13 and by the power of his might all things are possible to them Abraham conquered doubts fears yea and naturally impossible things by strength of Faith he could live by Faith when his own body and Sarahs Womb were dead the things which crost and bound up his hope were no more to him than new Ropes and green Wit hs viz. the strongest were to Sampson before his Hair was shaved and his strength even God departed from him By this strength Jacob prevail'd with God and had his new name from thence Israel a prevailer with God 'T is by this strength that the Young men overcome the evil one and every one of his evils for so his temptations are called and the day of temptation is called The evil day Ephes 6.13 Be strong saith the Apostle in the grace or that grace which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 2.1 Now it may well refer to Faith which is in Christ Jesus for though it as all other graces be from him yet this is in him we believe in him and accordingly the same Apostle bids the same Timothy fight the good fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6.12 Faith is the Armour of proof against the Devils darts as was hinted but lately and if we will resist the Devil so that he may flee from us it must be by being stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Though the Devil roar most dreadfully like a Lyon yet a strong and stedfast Faith will make this King of terrours to run away And therefore as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand sast in the Faith quit ye like men be
sooner than others that were born before them yet each of them shall soones or later grow up to that measure of the stature of Christ to which they are appointed The Babe that is to be a Child by appointment shall be so by attainment and so of the rest No Saint shall die till he have attained the utmost of what he was designed to As none of Gods Elect I speak de adultis of them come to years die before they are converted so no converted ones die till they come to their maturity and be ripe like a shock of Corn for the Garner of God God gathers none but ripe fruit though some be riper sooner than other and as I may say some be Summer and others Winter fruit some die young and others old yet there shall not be an Infant of daies nor an old man that hath not fulfilled his years but every one shall attain to his full stature Isa 65.20 Our Saviour could not as he told that Fox be perfected till he had finished his work and then his hour came Luk. 13.32 33. When any of the Saints like him have glorified God on Earth by finishing the work God hath given him to do and every one hath his task set him and his work cut out to his hands Eccl. 9.10 then shall he go to be glorified as Christ did Joh. 17.4 5. as he could not die till then so he then would not but die David was a man of a publick spirit and served his Generation according to the Will of God and what then why then he fell asleep when his work was done he went to bed to rest in the bosom of God Acts 13.36 though his body saw corruption which Christs Body who was without sin did not see Indeed David thought to have done more work viz. to build the Temple but that was reserved for another and therefore having done his devoir he fell asleep So it was with Paul when the time of his departure was at hand he was ready to be oftered for saith he 2 Tim. 4.6 8. I have finished my course I have run to the end of my race I have nothing to do but to die So the reverend good old man Simeon could not die till he had seen and could not but die when he had seen the Salvation of God This then is the thing in hand that God having begun a good work will finish it before he take any of his converted ones out of this world he will bring them to their appointed stature it may be some may die in the good old age of Fathers others while Young men in their prime their marrow in their bones after great and glorious atchievements and victories others in their Child-hood while their love is fervent and strong and others in their Babe-state with the milk in their mouth but every one before the time of his departure come shall finish that work which was appointed for him to do 13. 'T is necessary to avoid scruples and objections that I premise this also these states are not so constantly fixed and immutable but that sometimes for a season there may be a variation A Babe may have a Spring-tide now and then but he ebbs again quickly and comes to low-water mark again The Child of Light and Love may walk in darkness God may so hide his face that the Child may not know his Father The Young man conqueror may be buffeted again and perhaps led captive and made a prisoner to a temptation a fit of forgetfulness or sickness may befal a Father and make him forgetful that he may seem to be a Child again but these intermissions rising of the low and fallings of the high do not alter their state No God measures none by particular acts or cases but according to the tenour and constant course of their frames and exercises The Corinthians made a great shew kept a great deal ado yet were Babes Paul himself was buffeted because apt to be puffed up prayed thrice before he had any Answer and yet he was a Father even at that time There may be some unevenness in the high and low and yet no alteration of their states The Church of Ephesus her love and works were more at first than when our Saviour sent her that Epistle and the Church of Thyatica her works more at last than at first yet we cannot conclude from the partial decay of the former or advance of the latter which was best at last for that might repent and this not hold fast which were the duties called for that from Ephesus and this from Thyatira but this we may clearly see that great beginnings of zeal may be intermitted and decay and on the other hand that small beginnings may increase to more and more godliness Some persons run without weariness and walk without faintness grow without intermission they meet with no rubs nor lets they are not nipt in the bud and put back by an hard season as some others are 'T is said of the Colossians that from the very day they heard of the Gospel and knew the grace of God in truth that they brought forth fruit Col. 1.6 there was no decay but a growth but the Hebrews they like the idle servant stood still at a stay Heb. 5. and were but Babes for a long time and indeed they met with many a stumbling block in their way which the Apostle indeavoured to remove in that Epistle that they if yet at last might go on to perfection There is a great variety in these things the first last and the last first very often the younger born is the elder grown in grace No man can conclude infallibly as to particular persons what their estate is at present or shall be for the future which brings me to a 14. Premise seeing no man knows nor any man can tell him what he is appointed to every one should aim at and propound to himself to attain the highest state as many a common Souldier doth to be a Captain many a young Student to be a Master and many an Apprentice to be not only a free-man or Common-council man but an Alderman This I speak that none may be idle or negligent but pursue after perfection Great things have been attempted upon a peradventure and an it may be If thou be but a Babe at present and hast been so for many years yet who knows but thou maist be a Father at last Let none therefore say I have heard prayed and waited so long and yet I see no more comes than did at first therefore I will take up with this stint which I have On let none say so for who knows but that after you have been planted in the House of the Lord and become well rooted grounded you may flourish as the Palm-tree grow up as the Cedars in Lebanon you may be fat and flourishing and shall bring forth more fruit in your old age than you did in your youth
treat of viz. to shew what is meant by the evil one what the dispute between the wicked one and the Young men is about that the Young men do overcome and how they do overcome the wicked one c. Of these things I shall speak in the Model and order first proposed which brings me to the fourth Chapter CHAP. IV. Shewing what or who is meant by the wicked one THE evil or the evil one this expression especially if read in the Neuter Gender 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant of more evils than one yea of all evil and so it may be understood in that Prayer which our Lord taught Matth. 6.13 and that Prayer which our Lord made and Prayed Joh. 17.15 and so in Rom. 12.9 1 Joh. 5.19 but here it seems to be of the Masculine Gender 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and refers to one viz. him who is eminently and principally the evil one or the wicked one whether spoken of a man or of the Devil It is used to denote and set out a notorious wicked man that hath no fellow in wickedness a Devil incarnate an Antichrist as 't is in 2 Thes 2.3 9. for though the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be not there yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an equivalent word is there Hesychius makes these words to be synonymous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all noting a most flagitious profligate and terribly wicked person as this word doth 1 Cor. 5.13 but it doth most usually refer to the Devil himself who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wicked one so eminently as none is beside him and this may be observed to be undoubtedly true by comparing these following Texts Matth. 13.19 with Luke 8.12 Ephes 6.16 1 Joh. 3.12 now this is the evil or wicked one not excluding others that these Young men have overcome by being strong and the Word of God abiding in them The Devil being the Captain-General the ring-leader the Master of misrule and mischief the rest fall with him In telling us that they have overcome the wicked one 't is implyed that there was first a fight an hot and sharp encounter between the Devil and the Young men the Devil did set upon them and tempt them shrewdly and they had not a little to do till they won the field and day of him And surely 't were not temptations in common but some singular ones that these Young men were under the Babes meet with common ones but these with special ones 1 Cor. 10.13 As Christ Jesus would not teach the Babes Doctrine which they could not bear so he would not lead them into temptations which they could not overcome but these Young men who are his Champions and Worthies they encounter Giants as Davids did they war not against flesh and blood weak enemies but against principalities and powers c. Ephes 6. It will therefore be expedient if not necessary to enquire after what the special temptations are which Young men encounter and overcome or what the thing is that the dispute is about between the Devil and the Young men Christians CHAP. V. What the dispute is about or what the temptations are which Young men do undergo and conquer IT must be remembred that these Young men are taken out from among the little Children who have received the witness of the Spirit that they are the Children of God and about this thing is the dispute between the Devil and them viz. whether they be the Children of God or not and so some understand that place which speaks in Military language as if it properly referred to the state and condition of these Young men Ephes 6.12 reading that which we render in high or heavenly places about heavenly things viz. our Title to Sonship and so to Heaven this is the thing which the Spirit witnessed to their spirits this the Devil calls in question and offers arguments against it but all these arguments do the Young men overcome by the Word of God abiding in them which strengthens their Faith to give glory to God and his Spirit as the faithful and true witness notwithstanding all the cunning insinuations of wiles and the Devil To clear this up a little more I humbly offer this to consideration That the Saints members of Christs body are all of them more or less conformable to his Image and to the several states and conditions wherein he was Now such was the condescension of our great and good Lord Jesus that he not only took flesh and blood the humane nature in common but was found in our fashion and tempted like us in all things yet still without sin he went through all our states he was once as a Babe viz. made under the Law and was in the likeness of sinful flesh and so judged as carnal withal he was under Tutors and Governours and was obedient to them Luke 2.46 51. where 't is added that he increased in wisdom as in age which argues without any disparagement that his attainments as in the flesh were gradual After a while he being Baptized and Praying hath the witness from heaven that he was the Son of God Luke 3.21 22. and then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil Matth. 4.1 and so past from the Child 's to the Young mans state So then in conformity hereunto I conceive and declare that the temptations which the Young men undergo are the same and about the same thing which Jesus Christ underwent when after the witness of the Spirit he was tempted by the Devil The Spirit first witnesseth then the Devil calls this into question and puts Christ upon the proof to which Christ answers and conquers by the Word of God abiding in him and just so it was with these Young men the phrases and things do so accord that it seems to me to be unquestionable To come up then to what I intend by steps and degrees The Saints in conformity to Christ Jesus are but Babes at first under the Law in the likeness of sinners as carnal and are in subjection to Tutors and Governours after this God is pleased to make himself known to some of them as a Father by the witness of his Spirit and so they arrive to the state of Children and then God singles out some of these to be tempted of the Devil about their Sonship and they become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Young men and brave Souldiers who are taught to draw and wield the sword of the Spirit the Word of God against the Devil as Christ also did God was pleased to take this care of and about Israel under the Law That when a man had taken a new Wise he should not go out to War neither should he be charged with any business but he should be free at home one year and cheer himself with his Wife Deut. 24.5 So by way of allusion I may say that when the Saints marry a new Wife the Fathers Love they
are often priviledged for some time to lie in his bosom and to cheer themselves with his Love but then some of them are called out to war Joh. 21.18 22. and though therein they indure some hardship for a season yet they become conquerors which is a greater glory than not to fight at all as 't is in some sense to conquer death than to be immortal and in the sense and strength of his Love they go forth conquering and to conquer and so live in the triumph of their assurance as our Saviour did and become his Squires or Armor-bearers fighting under his banner of Love against the evil one if ever he return again and make new affaults upon them as he did upon Christ himself from whom he departed but for a season but then the after-temptations are of another nature viz. persecutions and sufferings as our Saviours were Upon the whole I conclude that the temptations of the wicked one which the Young men have overcome are such as Christs were when tempted of the Devil after the witness of the Spirit which what they were I shall briefely examine SECT 1. About Christs and the Young mens Temptations ABout these Temptations of Christ I have a larger Discourse than I think convenient to infert here which if God please may come forth by it self in due time at present I shall only touch the parallel between Christs and the Young mens temptations after the testimony of the Fathers Love The Young men having been proclaimed as Christ was by a voice like to a srumpet from Heaven which gives a certain sound that they are the Sons of God and Heirs of God and glory the Devil puts in his exceptions against this Title and would fain have them believe that this is but Enthusiasm a meer fancied and pretended apprehension without any true and just ground and therefore comes and calls it into question cavilling as at first if thou be the Son of God c He labours first to make a doubt of it and if he cannot attain that he then indeavours to bring them to presume upon and make bold with it His first design is to make it doubtful Matth. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God command that these Stones be made bread this was after he had fasted forty daies and forty nights and was an hungred That which he slyly insinuates is this thou thinkest thy self and suppofest to have witness from Heaven that thou art the Son of God but if God were thy Father and did love thee would he suffer thee to be so poor and hungry and could he find it in his heart to put thee on so much hardship as fasting and so long too c. would he let thee be in the Wilderness among the Beasts Fathers provide for their Children and if thou wert his Son surely he would maintain thee at a better rate than this would be not canst thou it being thus with thee believe thy self to be the Son of God Accordingly he pleads with and against the Children of God when in a low estate in this world it hath pleased God to chuse many of the poor of this world to be rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom Jam. 2.5 and many of these who have this assurance are many times hard put to it in the world and by Satan too because of this their poverty as if 't were inconsistent with the riches of Faith and title of an Heir to a Kingdom but now as Christ answered and conquered so do they by the Word of God abiding in them One Answer serves them both viz. Man lives not by Bread a mans life consists not in the abundance of things enjoy'd but by every or any word that cometh out of the mouth of God any thing that God shall appoint yea his Word can do it without any thing else These things below are not good enough for Love-tokens as hatred so Love is not known by external low or high conditions Some may have Bread and no Love and others Love though they have no Bread God can and will provide in due time And what is' t to thee O Devil if I am contented with the Will of God Psal 4 6â— and have meat to eat which thou knowest not of Thus being strong in Faith by the Word of God abiding in them they overcome the wicked one and will not question their Sonship because they are poor and low brought in this world SECT 2. A Continuation THE Devils first Argument being invalidated he takes up another of a far different aspect and would now have Christ be as confident and presuming as before he would have had him diffident and doubtful and so deals he with the Young men Saith he Matth. 4.6 If thou be the Son of God east thy self down from the Pinacle for it is written He shall give his Angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone That this Promise did belong to Christ in a special maner is undoubtedly true and the Devil perceiving how precious the written Word of God was to Christ Jesus he fills his mouth with Scripture and a Promise but leaves out the condition of it to which the protection is annexed and that which he would cunningly insinuate amounts to this q. d. If thou be the Son wilt thou not trust thy Fathers power and promise canst have better security than the power of a faithful God and the Faith of a powerful God hath he not appointed thee a Life-guard of Angels to bear thee in their Arms and wilt be afraid Thus he often sets on the Young men what need you be so solicitous and concern'd for means have you not Promises of teaching protection preservation c. What will you not trust your Father and take his Word But as before so now one Answer fits both 't is this Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Indeed to trust in means is to despise God but to neglect means is to tempt God There is no need of casting my self down of making such daring attempts for there is a way down and the farthest way about is the nearest way home Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God i. e. thou shalt not go out of his which is thy way and wherein only is preservation promised While there is an ordinary appointed way and means I must not attempt nor presume on extraordinary that were to enquire after Signs and Miracles when there is no need of them which is no less than to tempt God Thou O Devil dost tempt me to tempt God which is not the Genius of his Sons to do though thou wouldst have me to do it under that name no Satan no though thou tempt me I will not the Lord my God by going out of my way and neglecting the means of his appointment SECT 3. A further Continuation HAving been defeated in the way of dispute the Devil
't is so sure that they shall overcome that 't is said they have overcome But though this be often true and may be admitted as a truth here yet I doubt not but there is a reality and not only a figure in the speech they have overcome they are conquerors and have obtained victory already I shall therefore shew how they may be said to have overcome the wicked one in the Scripture sense as to what is past the incounters that have hitherto been between them When the Devil is resisted he flees and so is for the present conquered as he fled from Christ and was conquered as so that battel Jam. 4.7 1 Pet. 5.9 He who attains to do that which he is exhorted to attains that for which he exhorted to it so that being exhorted to resist the Devil that he may flee they find that when he is resisted he doth flee and so is conquered for that season Beside they stand and keep their ground which is a further expression of victory they not only withstand but stand Ephes 6.11 13. Ephes 4.27 and that this resistance and standing is by Faith being strong in Faith is clear from 1 Pet. 5.9 Ephes 6.16 and thus by resisting standing firm and maintaining their ground they have hitherto overcome the wicked one The summ of it amounts to this q. d. I write to you Young men because ye are strong and have overcome the wicked one i. e. you have thus far hitherto to this day resisted and kept your ground and have not given place to the Devil you have stood it out against all his wiles and subtleties you have made him flee by the power of the Word of God which made you strong in Faith the grace which is in Christ Jesus and this your strength abides with you as it did with Caleb Josh 14.11 So that if the Devil set on you any more you know how to conquer by the same Word again Go on thou mighty man in this thy might for the Lord of Hosts is with thee go on conquering and to conquer go and prosper Keep on your Armour lay not aside your Sword nor your Shield for perhaps the Devil will rally his scattered forces and fall on again Or he is it may be preparing other kind of temptations for you viz. sufferings and death as he did for Christ but you as he shall rise again and live for ever and be where Satan hath had no place for some thousands of years nor never shall any more viz. in Heaven and by not loving your lives to the death you conquer the Devil again as Christ also did Rev. 12.11 Heb. 2.14 15. And thus I have evinced that the Young men have overcome the wicked one and shall for ever I now pass on to the other things which relate to this victory and then shall the Young men triumph CHAP. VII and VIII How the Word of God strengthens you and how strength conduceth to the Victory HAving already clear'd the Young mans victory to be by strength and his strength to be from the Word of God abiding in him I shall joyn these two Chapters or Heads together and shew therein how the Word of God conduceth to their strength and how their strength conduceth to the victory As we should faint if we did not believe Psal 27.13 and that fainting would prove our strength of Faith to be but small Prov. 24.10 So our Faith would faint were it not upheld and quickened by the Word of God this I might evince from the several accounts I gave of the Word of God and how it might be understood in the Text in relation to the Young mens strength and victory but I shall now consider it only in the general which will be applicable enough to each particular acceptation of it instanced in before To this purpose 't is not a little observable how David who was one of Gods Worthies doth celebrate the Word of God in relation to this very thing especially in Psal 119. he tells us Vers 9. that the Young-man clears and cleanseth his way by taking heed thereto according to Gods Word and therefore Ver. 11. he hid Gods Word in his heart that he might not sin against him v. 25. he begs for quickening according to his Word so again Ver. 107. and 154. this was his comfort in his affliction that Gods Word had quickened him Ver. 50. and when his soul melted for heaviness he prays to be strengthened according to Gods Word Ver. 28. His Word was a light unto his path and a lamp to his feet Ver. 105. And he had wherewith to answer him that reproach'd him the accuser of the Brethren because he trusted in his Word Vers 41 42. God was his hiding-place and Shield for he hoped in his Word Vers 114. and prays that his steps may be ordered in his Word to this end that not any iniquity might have dominion over him Ver. 133. with many other passages to this effect to declare the usefulness of the Word of God for the strengthening of him The Word of God is true yea 't is truth and magna est veritas praevalebit truth is strong stronger than the Devil who is a lyar and a lie is weak 1 Joh. 4.4 now this Word of truth discovers the Devils devices falsehoods sophistries methods stratagems and all his deceits thus the Word of God strengthens removendâ— prohibens by taking away lets impediments and hindrances such as are doubts and fears distrusts and jealousies that the soul is no longer under a Spirit of Bondage again to fear Rom 8.15 2 Tim. 1.7 and withall it comes in with counsels comforts and quickenings as in the forequoted Psalm all which are strengthening things Thus their eyes being opened and inlightened as Jonathan's were by tasting this honey they are strong for the battel and by Faith they see as the Prophet's man did more for them than there are against them and therefore faint not especially while they look as Moses did to invisible things 2 Cor. 4 16 18. and see a great recompence of reward and all things co-working for their good and glory As the sight and speech of a General doth often quicken and animate his Souldiers so doth a believing sight of Jesus Heb. 12.2 and his Word puts life and courage into them Act. 27.23 2 Tim. 4.16 17. And Christ as he did cast out so doth he conquer the Devil by his Word Our own sayings an dreasonings are weak will not do it as 't was in the case of the Sons of Sceva Act. 19.13 16. but when the Word of God speaks 't is effectual and the Devil cannot stand before it Again 2. As the Word strengthens Faith so strength of Faith conduceth to and obtains the victory the reason is because where Faith is God is and where God is there is strength and such as against which none can prevail Hence had the Heroes and Martyrs mentioned Heb. 11. all their success and victory
of which before there is a further influence from this victory which almost doubles their joy love and obedience it being another witness as it were or a confirmation of the former an assured assurance 1. It fills them with joy and rejoycing in the Lord that of him they make their boast and to him they give the glory all the day long They rejoyce not only as the Disciples did that the Devils are subject to them but that their names are written in the Book of Life Luke 10.17 They triumph in the praises of God and say Thanks be to God who hath given us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ When they erect an Altar the name and Motto is Jehova nissi the Lord my Banner and the Lord my strength 't was he that taught me to fight and gave me the victory Not to us not to us but to thy name be all the glory They set up their Eben-Ezer saying Hitherto the Lord hath helped us They rejoyce in the Salvation of God and in the name of their God they set up their Banners They glory not in riches nor strength but in the Lord. In fine I may tell you that they sing the 18. Psalm 2. The Lord having given them rest and settlement which is the consequent and effect of victory they do not only rejoyce and sing songs but they study what to return to the Lord for all his benefits they dedicate all the spoiles to God they study as David did to build an house for God and lay up all they can as a preparation for it they have friendship with Hieram the high Life if I may allude or allegorize that he may assist in this great work and they may live above where the way of life is to them that are wise that their affections and conversation also may be in Heaven They Court not the Dalilahs of this worlds pleasure as too many Samson-like conquerors do nor turn Laplins to lust after their great successes but study to walk with God and to please him yea therein to abound more and more till they walk worthy of him to all well-pleasing They put not God off with words and a Song and then forget his works but they give and live thanks to God the fruit of their lips and of their lives 3. They are exceeding humble and lowly towards their weak Brethren they dare not Lord it over the Lords inheritance their Brethren though but Babes but they give them their helping hand and communicate their experience to them for their relief and assistance as Paul did 2 Cor. 1.4 6. If any be overtaken they indeavour to restore him with a Spirit of meekness for these Souldiers are not proud like others and lifted up but being spiritual they know tenderness and are acquainted with the heart of tempted ones having been tempted themselves and so are conformable to their great High-Priest and Captain-General of their faith and victory which to brave Souldiers is alwaies an obligation to meekness and moderation not a spur to ambition nor a stirrup to pride Yea though some Babes are apt to envy their attainment and glory yet they pity them and bear as well as bear with their infirmities 4. They keep Centinel and strict watch standing and walking in their Armor that of God alwaies they turn not their Swords into Plow-Shears nor their Spears into pruning hooks as if all were over but they watch because of their adversary the Devil and keep strong guards not knowing but that the Devil may fall on again they are not secure nor do they lay by their weapons as if they should know war no more 5. From the experiences they have had they take courage and good heart of grace to trust in God for the future not in their Sword or in their Bow though it like Josephs abide in strength Though some Young men faint and Youths fail by reason of presumption yet these wait on the Lord and renew their strength they mount up with wings as Egles they run and are not weary they walk and faint not Isa 40.30 31. They look on past deliverances as earnest of and security for future deliverances as Paul did 2 Cor. 1.10.2 Tim. 4.17 18. 6. They intangle not themselves with the affairs of this life that they may please him who hath chosen them to be Souldiers 2 Tim. 2.4 They live above the lusts of the eye the lusts of the flesh and pride of life the love of these things being inconsistent with the love of God they make Moses his choice being come to Age as he was Heb. 11.24 27. They as 't is said of Themistocles will not stoop to take up much less to take up with these things which are below this earth is for their feet to tread on and not to set their hearts on no no this is the victory whereby they overcome the world even their Faith which looks to higher and better things than this world hath any 1 Job 5.4 5. These charming and bewitching things have no power over them but they go on from strength to strength till they appear before God in Sion and say with David Whom have I in Heaven but thee there is none on earth that I can desire in comparison of thee Psal 73.25 I have thus briefly gone over the things intended and promised as to this Classis of Saints the Young men in relation to which as to the former also I have endeavoured to set out their conditions not by guess and conjecture but as they are represented in the Scripture and have chosen to wave speaking to other things as intermissions desertions c. which our text did not at all lead us nor hint us to take notice of I shall shut up all with the Application proper to this Subject which speaks first to the little Children to prepare for this War and to the Young men to make good what is said of them viz. that they are strong c. CHAP. XII The Application 1. AS for you little Children who have lived hitherto in the Fathers house and lain in his bosome injoying his love without doubts or disputes let me bespeak you to look for and to prepare for temptations Satan makes challenges and desires to winnow and sift you as he did Job and Peter c. Luke 22.31 Therefore watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation and beg of God either not to lead you into temptation or if he will and do as the Spirit did Christ Jesus that he will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength but that he will deliver you from the evil or the evil one Tell your Father that you have heard what a potent and subtle adversary the Devil is and that he throws fiery darts to inflame the hearts of Gods Children against their Father and tempts them to worship Devils which are such horrid things as you would not willingly be acquainted with but if as he hath glorified his name so
he will glorifie it again then say Father thy Will be done as your Saviour did and conclude that your Father will not leave you nor forsake you that you should be a prey to this mighty and a captive to this strong one If you should any of you be called out to this War take these encouragements for your help 1. The cause is good called the good fight of Faith libertas agitur pro aris focis the Devil would turn you out of house and home and deprive you of your right and title to Heaven 't is about heavenly things this dispute Ephes 6.12 and whether ye be the Sons of God or no In other wars the cause is none of the best nay many times very bad but this is clear and without exception that we should fight against the Devil and all his works which wars against our comforts souls and happiness Fear not then but fight for your Cause is good and just 'T is to defend your own rights and liberties 2. The Battel is the Lords this Goliah desies not only Israel but the living God in calling your title into question he calls the truth of God and the witness of his Spirt into question so that God is engaged with you and will plead his as well as your Cause and will be jealous for his name and for his people you fight for God and therefore God will fight for you As you may be said to help the Lord against the mighty so the Lord will help you against their might This day saith David to Goliah will the Lord deliver thee into my handâ— for the Battel it the Lords 1 Sam. 17.46 47. If the Lord be with us it matters not who be against us the gates power and policy of Hell shall not prevail no not Death it self for that Grotius understands by the gates of Hell 3. You fight under such a Captain-General Jesus Christ as never turn'd his back was never foil'd but went alwaies on conquering and to conquer Nil desperandum Christo duce auspice Christo Look to Jesus who is the leader and bringer up the Author and will be the finisher of your Faith Heb. 12.2 3. This great Commander doth not say ite but venite go and fight but follow me and 't is alwaies an huge incouragement to bear Arms and fight under the conduct of a successful General 4. You are to fight with an enemy that hath been conquered by Christ Jesus and by many of your Brethren the Devil is not so dreadful as he was before Christ died Heb. 2.14 15. The Prince of peace hath conquered the King of terrors and many of your Brethren have confuted and defeated him many times 'T is true his wiles are his worst weapons and his wit is more than his might yet 't is true his ill-will and malice is more than his wit and he hath been befool'd many a time notwithstanding all his cunning devices and put to shame for his malicious lying as in Jobs case and many others 5. You are provided with Armor of proof Armor of Gods making as well as of Gods appointing and 't is such as there is none such none like it You have the same Sword that Jesus Christ and the Young men your Brethren have conquered the Devil by and the same Shield of Faith to quench his fiery darts with this Armour is mighty through God 2 Cor. 10.3 6. God will take care for your pay you shall not war at your own charges 1 Cor. 9.7 beside the glory of overcoming you shall have a Crown of glory after you have overcome 2 Tim. 4.7 8. To him that overcometh God will give honour for they that honour him he will honor their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 7. God hath promised you success and Victory certus enim Promisit Apollo he will tread Saran under your feet shortly Rom. 16.20 He shall be cast out and you shall overcome him Rev. 12.9 10 11. Read the 41. of Isay from the eighth to the seventeenth Verse that through the comfort of that as other Scriptures also written for our consolation you may have hope and strong consolation Well then be strong in the Lord and the power of his might for by no other strength do any or can you prevail though it be said that by strength shall no man prevail yet by strength do all men prevail 't is an Orthodoxe Paradoxe By strength no man nor Devil shall or can prevail against God 1 Sam. 2.8 10. Let no man therefore provoke the Lord to jealousie for he hath no match he is stronger than all and none shall take his Saints out of his hand who ever fought against God and prospered but there is a strength of Faith and Prayer like Jacobs by which some prevail with God and they are Princes the true Israelites Hos 12.3 4. with Gen. 32.24 28. When God yields we prevail with him and when we yield not but are strong in the Lord resisting the Devil we prevail over him 'T is by no strength but by Christ strengthening us that we can do all things Phil. 4.13 'T is not by strength of wit or reason not by strength of hands or legs or strength of our Spirit and courage but by the strength of God of his Word Grace and Spirit abiding in us that we prevail 2. As to the Young men I have no more to say but to exhort them to make good what hath been said of them in all particulars Make it appear that you are strong that the Word of God abideth in you that you have overcome the evil one which will prove that God is your God and Father Rev. 21.7 and that none shall separate you from the Love of God in Christ Rom. 8. ult shew the tokens and signs of your Victory let the dispositions and conversations of Young men be apparent in your lives holding forth the Word of Life and power in the works of your lives that so you may grow up to be Fathers in Israel and gray-hair'd in righteousness which will be to you a Crown of glory as strength was your glory while you were Young men Live and thrive like them that eat digest and concoct strong meat that feed on the eternal Love of God and the Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ which belongs to the little Children to you and to the Fathers who all in your several measures by reason of use or habit have your senses exercised to discern between good and evil Heb. 5.14 The FOURTH CLASSIS OR FATHERS IN ISRAEL From 1 John 2.13 14. Vers 13. I write unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning Vers 14. I have written to you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning THE Fathers it seems if I may adventure to say any thing of them are usually such for Age as well as attainments the Ancients and Elders of Israel whose gray