necessity of that Brotherly union to which the Lord hath entailed the blessing by way of command even life for evermore might â—…ause a retreat to it in all quarters of the spiritual Camp sounded from those hazardous and wâ—…ful pursuits shall the Sword devour for ever will it not be bitterness in the latter end how will the uncircumeised rejoyce The most Warlike Christian Souldier will see one day that he had not any Military skill strength courage or weapon to spare wherewith to sight against Christ in waging any unbrotherly War against any of the called thosen and faithful followers of that Lamb. As for those of Christs Enemies sinful self the Devil and this evil World all Antichristianism fight againsâ—… them we should and not spare them the severeâ—… encounters cannot be too sharp no quarter must either be given or taken here for ever The Enemy is discovered and those Stratagems of Faith in the Blood of Christ proposed by the Reverend Author of the following Sermon whose praise is in the Gates as that bâ—… our right taking the Word not only victory may be gained but what is 〈◊〉 transeendent Thou hast here by one of the Lords Auxiliaries expert in warring the warfare of the service of the Congregation for such will the service of the Ministry be found Numb 8. 24 25. sent else from asar upon the relief to us and in such a day graphically represented to thy view the Church even Triumphant here on Earth more then conquering while it is in inâ—…ate Militant And though their ancient Triumphs were appointed for the General of the Army not for the common Souldiers yet in this Spirituâ—… War the meanest of Christs followers shall Triumph with him and divide the Spoils an earnest and specimen whereof they that are sincere are not seldome acquainted with in this life whence there are erected in heart and life Trophies of the lesser victories gained and all to the Glory of him in whom when they are weak they are strong through the power of his might and may conclude before hand that they are more then Conquerers and shall abide sâ—… superlatively for ever roceiving those dona militaria which are to â—…e distributeâ—… to all such as are faithful unto death I will give thee saith the Lord Rev. 2. â—…0 the Crown of life There is the corona triumphalis not for Paul only a primipilar Champion But 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. which shall be given by the 〈◊〉 Iudge 〈◊〉 them also even to all them that fight the good fight finish their course and keep the faith and that love his appearing and that be would so come quickly O come quickly is the Prayer of The least of thy Fellow Souldiers desirous to serve under the Royal Standard of the Lord Jesus Thomas Shepard ROM 8. 37â—… Nay in all these Things we are more then Conquerers through him that loved us IN these Words we have the Apostle Pauls not Ovation but Triumph not Triumph only but Something I know not how to word it Exhibited in the Name and on the Behalf of Himself and all true Believers Indigitating and Importing a more then ordinary Tryumph over all those Enemies that oppose themselves against the Progress and Advance of a Christian in his way to the Fruition of the sweet Fruits of the Everlasting Love of God in Jesus Christ. Having perspicuously copiously and demonstratively asserted and vindicated the illustrious Doctrine of Justification in a way of Free Grace by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the beginning of this excellent Epistle which is ingeniously stiled by the great Melancthâ—…n the Confession of the Reformed Churches he proceeds in the sixth Chapter to Discourse of the Fruits and Consequents thereof namely Sanctification and Obedience the Mortification of indwelling sin in Believers and the renovation or rather infusion of a new Principle of Spiritual Life and Holiness Now because this work is but inchoate and imperfect and in part only transacted in this World and there are remainders of sin in this life in the best of Saints and because Grace and Corruption are vigorous active operative Principles dwelling so near together under the same Roof in the same Soul yea in the very same Faculties there must needs arise a sharp and severe War in the Soul between these two Neighbouring and Opposite Natures the particular eventâ—… and successes whereof are various and uncertain but the Victory is infallibly determined in the issue on the side of Grace Grace indeed iâ—… greatly beset hardly bestead much incumbred and almost overthrown at some reasons but it will certainly eluctari wrestle and recover it self out of all the dangers that threaten it Now there is a double War which is commenced and waged by Believers in this Life A War with the evil of sin and a War with the evil of suffrings or afflictions so far as they would impâ—…e or do oppose them in their March to Heaven Of the War with sin indwelling sin thâ—… in-bred home-bred Enemy that Mother of all the Aâ—…ominations that are brought forth in the lives of Men that Adversary that is ever molesting the peace disturbing the quiet and endangering the condition of the People of God the Apostle discourseth feelingly and at large in the seventh chapter of this Epistle where he finally adjudges the victory to Grace in the last verse of that and in the beginning of the eight Chapter also Of the War with Afflictions or the evil of sufferings from Satan or the World from what hand of what kind and howsoever conditioned and circumstanced he Discourseth Admirably at the seventeenth verse of this Chapter and â—…o forwards and he comes in the procedure of his Discourse to give unquestionable Assurance to the good Souldiers of Jesus Christ of the full and final decision of this grand Controversie and the happy issuing of all these hazardous conflicts whether with sin or sufferings in a glorious and absolute victory Insomuch as having made sure of God on the side of himself and Believers he doth in his own and their Name make an open Challenge and bid defiance to all opposite and adverse powers ver 31. If God befor us who then can be against us He â—…ids Sin Satan and an evil World do their worst against Believers that are thus entrenched in and walled about with the Love of God thus fortified and defended aided and assisted by the Almighty one the Lord of Hosts And having laid his foundation in Gods Predestination and Christs Mediation he superstructs upon it and plainly asserts the invincibleness of every sound Believer notwithstanding the Relicks of sin that incumber him the Temptations of Satan that molest him and the afflictions and evils of the World that set themselves in Battel aray against Him He represents to us the Christian as a person that may be opposed combated and contended withal but never routed run down totally defeated or overthrown in any Engagement Now this invincibleness of the Christian
Combatant the Believing Champion that in the Name of the Lord defies all the Hosts and Armies of Earth and Hell that come against him notwithstanding the Remainders of sin the greatness and unavoidableness of his Afflictions and Sufferings is expressed 1. Negatively â—…er 35. Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ The Argument stands thus if nothing can separate a Christian from the Love of God in Christ then nothing can conquer him but he is invincible But nothing can make that woful destructive separation which he proves by an enumeration or induction of particulars shall tribulation or distress or persecution c. therefore he is invincible This negation is clearly imported in the interrogation For though it may be a stale yet it is a true and useful observation that interrogations affirmatively exprest in Scripture are wont to â—…arry in them the force and signification of vehement negations The meaning of the Apostle in plain terms is that neither Tribulation nor Distress nor Persecution nor Famine nor Nakedness nor Peril nor Sword nor any thing else of an â—…imical nature can possibly separate a true Believer from the dear love of Jesus Christ. 2. Affirmatively in the Words of the Text Nay in all thâ—…se things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us Aâ—… if he should sayâ—… we are so farre from being worsted and prevailed over by the Enemies of our Salvation that warre against us from succumbing under the Lâ—…d they are laying upon us and losing our Interest in the Fruits of the Everlasting Love of God in Christ by Reason of the opposition that is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in our way that we carry the Day and are sure of a very glorious victory In this Verse we may remark these two things 1. A singular Priviledge And that is Uictory Conquest which is illustrated amplified 1. From the Extent and Vniversality of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all these things such as he had mentioned before or what else can be mentioned and imagined by us 2. From the transcendent incomparable Excellency of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are more then Conquâ—…rours or do more then overcome It is a Victory with Surplusage and Advantage a Victory and somewhat more then a Victory a Superlative and incomparable Conquâ—…st and Victory that is obtained 3. From the Foundation of this glorious Victory oâ—… the great and only means of acquiring and obtaining it And that is Thâ—… Lord Jesus Christ. Through him that loved us saith the Apostle mâ—…ning Christ or God in Christ Iesus 4. From the first grand impulsive â—…use of it the proegumenical Cause of this glorious Victory which iâ—… infallibly obtained and that is the Love of God in Christ. The special love of God in his Son Jesus Christ is the first Cause of these victorious Atchievmenâ—… More then Conquerours through Him that loved us 2. The Persons that are thus Priviledged or invested in this great privâ—…ledge that have Victory Triumph ascertained to them We are more theâ—… Conquerours Not only the great Apostle Paul himself that renowned Warriour and brave Champion of the Lord Jesus Christ But all true Believers also universally He ranks Himself with and discourseth of Believerâ—… in general that walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Believing Justified and Sanctified men and women They are not exempted or Secured from violent Onsets furious Assaults hazardous and desperatâ—… Conflictâ—… with their mortal Enemies that warre against their Souls But they have this admirable Advantage above all other men that they are assured of a glorious Victory The Intendment of the Apostle in the words is Obvious and may be drawn into this Observation Doct. That all true Believers have a transcendent and incomparably glorious Conquest and Victory in all their severe â—…agements with the Enemies of their Peace and Happiness through the Love of God in Christ Iesus Believing Justified persons through the Love of God in Christ have the better by many Degrees of the Enemies of their Salvation and are mâ—…h too hard for them in all their sharp Disputes and Encounters with them All theâ—… hâ—…ve believed through Grace and are admitted into a stâ—…te of Justification and Accepration with the Lord a. c ' more then Conquerours successful and victorious beyond Expression or Comparison in their Combates and Coâ—…flicts with their Enemies those adverse powers that warre against thâ—…m through Dâ—…vine Love in Jesus Christâ—… This Proposition which we have laid down as the Subject of our present Exâ—…rcise and which is evidently founded and comprized in the words of the Text hath a large Compass and a very great Circumference as you will readily apprehend We are now entring into a very large Field and might traverse a great deal of Ground if Time and strength would allow us to pace it over We have many Things before us to be discoursed for the due Explication and Confirmation of this observation The way of quickest dispatch and greatest Expedition as well as Clearness and Demonstration will be to cast all we have â—…o say to the Doctrinal part into Six or Seven grand Conclusions Concl. 1. Eveâ—…y true Believer is a Souldier and engaged in a Warfare I â—…ould it were reciprocally true that every Souldier amongst us is a true Bellâ—…â—…am suee every Souldier ought to be a Believer and of all men Miâ—… men when they are commanded out upon real Service to look Death and Danger in the Face and carry their Lives in their Hands had need of Faith and Grace and Interest in the Lord Jesus Christ and thereby the Conâ—…ition of their Souls well secured for Eternity But it is Infallibly and Universally â—…ue that every Believer is a Souldier in a spiritual Consideration The whole Body of Christians that walk by Faith in this lower World the â—…lace of Sin and Sorrow and Temptation and Absence from the Lord is aptâ—… and â—…uly called the Church Militant in Contra-Distinction from that â—…hich is Triumphant in the highest Heavens Those that are arrived at a â—…te of Glory have fought their fight and finished the Course of their Watâ—…are and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of puâ—…h of Pike or Gunshot farre enough â—…moved out of the Reach of their Adversaries They are marched out of the Field and discharged from any further Service and enjoying their Reward But the people of God in this world are in a warfaring state and Condition The first moment that any man is effectually called and converted and saâ—…ingly wrought upon He is engaged on Christs side against the world the Flesh and the Devil taken into Christs pay puts on his Armour and is prepared for the Battel For the Graces of Gods Spirit which are infused at a Christians Conversion are a Believers spiritual Armour Eph. 6. 13 14 c. Eveâ—…y Chrisâ—…ian when he is new Born is born a Souldier It is said of Goliah the Philistine Champion that he was a Man of warre from his
finds enough in the best of Believers that found nothng in our Saviour Satans sparks easily eâ—…me us because he finds so much Tinder in us The Lusts within us are ready to take fire at every injection There is a Traitour in our own Bowels that is ready to open our Ports and let in the Adversary Now of the War which a Christian wages with this home-bred intestine Enemy the seventh Chapter of this Epistle to the Romans gives us a clear account where the Apostle raises an Out-cry and makes Doleful Complaints of the remainders of sin the Law in the Members the body of Sin and Death and Discourseth of the Nature Power and Prevalency of in-dwelling sin as to some engagements The Apostle Iames speaks of the Lusts that War in our Members Jam. 4. 1. And Peter of fleshly Lusts that war against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. these make up that opposite party within a Christian that would intercept and stop him in his way to Glory a secret subtle treacherous designing party that creates him a world of trouble and danger in his journey towards Heaven 2. From the World which is another Enemy that would obviate and intercept the People of God in their Travels Hence the World was a part of Christ his glorious Conquest Be of good chear I have overcome the World Joh. 16. 33. And the Believer that is born of God by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ overcomes it too 1 Iohn 5. 4. which plainly implies that the World is an Enemy Considerable are the Expressions of the Apostle to this purpose Iam. 4. 4. know ye not that the friendship of the World is enmâ—…ty with God whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God And doth it not follow hence that he that is a Friend of God is an Enemy to the World as it lies in opposition to God and the World in that respect an Enemy to him The World is one of the Associates of that false party within a Christian and under the conduct of Satan militates against a Believer Particularly 1. The Snares Allurements of the World which would 〈◊〉 away and seduce a Chrâ—…stian from following after God These make war upon a Child of God and are dangerous Enemies As they say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fight with Silver or Gold weapons and never doubt of Victory Some Enemies have bought great Victories which they could never have won otherwise All these things wiâ—… give thâ—…e this profit pleasure Honour saith the flattering World 〈◊〉 Believer if thou wilt fall down or surrender to me These ensnaring and alluring Objects which the world presents the Sons of Men with have such a close and intimate correspondence with the Lusts in their Hearts and what is carnal in them that they fight against their Souls with great Advantage and Success The Apostle having dehorted from the love of the World and the things that are in the World sums up all that is in the World in those three particulars the Iust of the Flesh the Iust of the Eyes and the pride of Life 1 Ioh. 2. â—…5 16. The Apostle speaks as if there were nothing else in the world but Lusting because there is such a curse come upon all Creature-enjoyments with reference to man that so farre as He is of the world they are Objects of Lust to Him exciting drawing forth invigorating and improving that Lust and Corruption that is in him By these Lusts the Apostle means the several respective Objects and puts the Lust which is in us for the things themselves lusted after Carnal Pleasures Profits and Preferments He saith not sensual Pleasures Riches Honour though he speaks of them but the Lusts of the Flesh and Eye â—…nd pride of Life because our Lusts render them evil to us how lawful soever in themselves the Objects are and make them Objects of Temptation and Seduction from the Lord putting a painted Whorish Beauty and tempting Lustre upon them varnishing them 〈◊〉 and making false representations of them Yea it is evident as the 〈◊〉 Dr. Owen observes Treatise of Temptat pag. 68. That all thâ—…se things the Lust of the Flesh c. are principally in the Subject not in the Object in the Heart not in the World But they are said to be in the World bâ—…cause the World gets into them mixes it self with them unites incorporates As Faith and the promises are said to be mixed Heb. 4 2. So are Lust and Temptation from worldly Objects mixed they twine together 〈◊〉 mutual improvement one from anâ—…ther grow each of them higher and higher by the mutual strength they administer to one another From this mixture Union and Incorporation of the Objects in the World with the Lusts in the Hearts of Men and their firm and close combination together it comes to pass that the enticing tempting World is a very potent and prevailing Adversary to the Souls of Men And that Believers themselves â—…n whom the Lusts mentioned are but in part mortified and subdued have hard work sometimes to stand their Ground against the snares and allurements and bewitching insinuations of a dâ—…ceitful World To this Head reduce sinful Examples in the World Counsels of Carnal Friends the Friendship of the World which is Eâ—…mity â—…o God and good men Jam 4 4 False Doctrines which are spoâ—… out of the Woâ—…ld 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Ioh. 4 5. calculated to the corrupt Humors Inclinations and Interests of the mâ—… of the World and therefore of a very grateful resentment with them In a word all Worldly Lusts as the Apostle calls them Tit. 2. 12 that are so many baits and snares to entangle and entice the People of God to desert the Holy and good wayes of the Lord those Golden 〈◊〉 that are thrown down before a Christian to invite him to gâ—…ze upon them and stoop to take them up that so he may be retarded and stopt in his course and lose the prize he runs for 2. The Troubles and Affrightments of the World Thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the formidable fâ—…ightful Afflictions and persecutions that would imâ—…e or retaâ—…d and hinder the people of God in their Travels towards that Hâ—…enly Country where the sweet Fruits of Divine Love are to be enjoyed in the greatest maturity and perfection of them That Tribulation in the World against which the Lord Jesus layes in great encouragement from the consideration of his own Corquest of the World Ioh. 16. 33. Of this ill 〈◊〉 and Entertainment in the world the Afflictions that the Children of God must expect to contest withal the Apostle discourseth here Rom. 8. 35 36 37. Tribulation Distress Persecution Famine Nakedness Peril Sword and such like formidable things to Nature oppose the Faithful in their way and make warre upon them A Christian lies open to many sharp and fiery Tryals 1 Pet. 4. 12. and must look to endure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great fight or Concertation of Afflictions
He must strive hard that will enter in at the strait Gate Luk. 13. 24. ordinary seeking will not do it If the Believer put off his Armour lay by his weapons suffer the Swâ—… of Faith to rust in the Scabberd and draw it not forth as there is occasion 〈◊〉 He hang down his Hands in Prayer sink in his Hopes cool in his Courage and stand still in a secure careless manner it will be impossible that he should bâ—…eak through those Legions of Devils those Armies of Temptations and make his way through those Adverse Powers that oppose themselves in his waâ—… to Happiness 4. As the Opposition from at least some of his Enemies is perpetual in this life So the Believer hath no rest but hath work enough every day to contest with them A Believer hath a restless Eâ—…my to contend withal as Hamibal said of Marcellus the Roman Consul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch Marcel Let him conquer or be conquered he would never be quiet nor give over neither give rest to his Enemy nor takâ—… it himself he would be at it still and never have done So may we say much more of the Believers Enemies Satan never draws his Forces out of the Field Corruptions one way or other will be stirring and the Christian shall be exercised â—…ill with some Thorn in the Flesh and Bufâ—…etings of Satans Messenger The People in Nehemiab's time when they were Alarmd ' and afraid of their malicious and malignant Neighbours wrought with one hand and held a weapon in the other Nehem. 4. 17. But such is the case of a Christian that he must not only work with a Weapon in the other hand but he must actually use his Weapon whilest he is working â—…ghting with one hand and building or labouring with the other If his Enemies conquer they will be sure to prosecute their victory to the utmost and lose no Advantage if they be worsted and routed in any particular Engagement they will not fail to rally their Forces recruit and reinforce themselves presently and fall on again So that a Christian had need eat and drink and sleep in his Arms. He hath no time to put off his Armour to lay by his Weapons He will be hotly engaged till the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 3. 19. the times of refreshing and cooling shall come He can never be said in this world to be miles emerâ—…us or stipendia confecâ—…sse which were the Roman Phrasâ—…s for them that were discharged from the Wars If a Christian live to threescore years of age or more he is not thereby superannuated nor can he plead Age or any thing else to excuse himself from the duty of a Souldier Verily there is no discharge in this Warfare on this side of the Grave There is no bringing of these Enemies to a composition no cessation to be made no League or Truce to be admitted in this Warfare A Christian must be constantly fighting and contending againstâ—… the Enemies of his peace and happiness Thus much for the second Conclusion Concl. 3. A true Believer is never totally and absolutely conquered in any Engagemenâ—… with the Enemies that War against him To be Conquered sin the â—…se I take it here is to be separated from the Love of God and utterly deprived of the special fruits of it Who shall separate us saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 35 from the love of Christ that is who shall conquer us I am perswaded that neither Death â—…r Life nor Angel c. shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord Rom. 8. 38 39. Importing thus much that a Christian can never be totally conquered notwithstanding all the opposition that is made against him Let Enemies do what they can against him yet if he be not separated from the love of God he is not absolutely Conquered or defeated of his Happiness In this respect a Believer is never Conquered For 1. Nothing befals him in his Warfare notwithstanding what his Enemies attempt against him that turns away the Heart of God utterly from him Though Sin and Satan may prevail very far in some conflicts yet never to such a degree as to provoke the Lord to reject him and cast him out of his favour God may be provoked by the compliances of a Believer at some turns with Sin and Satan and the World to take away the manifestations of his Love to deny him some expressions of his Favour to visit his transgressions with a Rod and his iniquity with Stripes but never to take his loving-kindness utterly from him Psal. 89. 30 33. A Believer may be so foiled and worsted by his Enemies through the neglect of his watch or otherwise that God may be displeased with him that there may be a discontinuance of the sensible expressions of the love of God to him and an interruption of it as to manifestations and yet there is no intercision of the love of God to him as to the being of it His love to him is unchangeable and everlasting 2. Nothing falâ—…s out in his progress or march that absolutely flops him in or diverts him fâ—…om his course of proceeding or moving towards the enjoyment of the sweet fruits of Divine Love A Believer may be wounded Lemed and retarded but not totally checked in his way and turned aside from it He may receive many a blow that staggers him that makes him reel and complain that wounds him in his Graces and comforts David had his Bones broken received deep and dangerous wounds that were long healing that sâ—…ank and were corrupt Psal. 38. 5. 7 8. Because he did not apply a timely Remedy unto them they were not presently searched and looked after He was knock'd down and lay in a swoon for a great while that those about him might be ready to fear he would never come to himself again but he revived and recovered at last Satan prevailed with him to commit Folly with Bâ—…hsheba to murder and imbrue his hands in the Blood of Vriah to vent his pride and vain glorious humor in the numbring of the People and to incuâ—…re the displeasure of God thereby but all this did not exâ—…uss and expel the Love of God out of his heart or divert him totally from prosecuting the enjoyment of it Take a Believer in his lowest condition when he is most worsted and prevailed upon by his Enemies yet at that time there is the Seed of God remaining in him 1 Ioh. 3. 9. that inclines 〈◊〉 carries him Godâ—…ard There is a power of Grace and a work of the Spirâ—… upon his Heart that gives him an inclination bent tendency Godward contâ—…ually and though temptations may turn him out of the way for a time and he may meet with many Rubs and Impediments in his Christian race yet there is the strong Byas of Grace the poize and impression of Gods spirit upon his heart that inclines and carries him Godward so that he will come
THE UNCONQUERABLE ALL-CONQUERING more-then-CONQUERING SOULDIER Or. The successful WARRE which a Believer Wageth with the Enemies of his Soul As also the Absolute and Unparalleld VICTORY that he obtains finally over them through the love of God in Jesus Christ. As it was Discoursed in a SERMON Preached at Boston in New-England on the Day of the ARTILLERY-ELECTION there June 3d. 1672. By Urian Oakes Pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge 1 Cor. 9. 26. I so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the Air. Ephes. 6. 13 Take unto you the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done or overcome all to stand Rev. 13. 7. And it was given unto Him to make warre with the Saints and to overcome them Rev. 12. 17. And they overcame Him by the Bloud of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their Lives unto the Death Psal. 108. 13. Through God we shall do valiantly for He it is that shall tread down our Enemies CAMBRIDGE Printed by Samuel Green 1674. Christian Reader THat Title of the Book of the Wars of the Lord Numb 21. 14 may truly be ascribed to that best of Books the holy Scripture wherein accordingly after a short account in the first leaf thereof of the finishing of the Heavens and the Earth and all the Host of them the Lord of Hosts doâ—…h presently acquaint us with the enmity put between the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent 〈◊〉 3. 15. whereby 〈◊〉 is bid and which Word of the Lord hath in a sense gâ—…ven being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Battels that have been fought in the World for more then 5000 years even from the beginning thereof unto this day and whence it is also that this Earth shall be the continued Field and Stage of War â—…ill the last day witness the close of this bloody Scene in the Scriptures last prediction of the great Pitcht Fatal and Final Battel between the same Serpent the Dragon and his Seed in the Book of the Revelation The upshot whereof will be the last and amazing opening and so the eternal shutting of Heaven and Hell filled with the Combatants respectively for the receiving their Arrears therein The day of Iudgement doubtless will be the day of publishing and by sound of the left Trumpet the compleatest History of the whole fight from first to last in the interim the Lord General hath his many Heraulds at Arms to denounce his Wars and so proclaim also his Peace to the World both by Word of Mouth as by sound of Trumpet Isai. 58. 1. and by Writing also of some of whom especially it may be said as sometime of Lucan viz ut praelia videatur non canere sed committere tonare Classicum eodemque ardore arma scribeâ—…t quo Caesar tractavit they have not shunned to deliver the whole Counsel of God and that in the demonstration of the Spirit and with Power And blessed be the Lord for all the Alarms Lectures of War Instructions and Hortatory Speeches given from the Captain of our Salvation by any of his Commission Officers for the doubling and fortifying our spiritual Watch. Israel under the Law needed the Priests of the Lord in order to their 〈…〉 to found the silver Trumpets Numb 10. 2 9. that so blowing anâ—… Aâ—… that Hâ—… Camp might be remembred before the Lord their God and saved from their Enemies and the whole life of every Christian being that of a Man of War hence what may tend to aceomplish him in his Heavenly Military skill and encourage him in his spiritual conflict wherein that Cry is still heard as Exod. 32. 26. Who is on the Lords side yea wherein the Eâ—…igent is such that he must either Fight or Dye and that the consequence is for no less then Eternity must needs be welcome to him and so without question will be this following VVatch-word and Exhortation delivered to the principal Artillery Company of this Land at whose request it was first published to the Ear and Heart of the Hearer and is now after not a little importunity to the Eye also of the Reader from one of our Leaders Heb. 13. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the Chief Leader 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 2. 10. Iesus Christ who is given for'â—… Leader and Commander to the People Isai. 55. 4. this discourse being to animate each one thereof as a good Souldier of Iesus Christ to endure hardness giving us sure intelligence of the happy success of this Divine Militia the blessedness of every faithful VVarrier in being more then a Conquerer and though he may seem to be worsted in this or that Battel yet as to the whole war that he shall be yea in the language of Truth that he is an Overcomer and above an Overcomer A Christians victory is indeed like to that of his chief Commander Iesus Christ Col. 2. 14 15. and through that Blood and infinite Grace very strange and mysterious he is overcoming when iâ—… appearance overcome and triumphing when to the view of others he is a crucisied Captivs as dying and behold we live 2 Cor. 6. 9. A Paradox and incredible in other Combats and yet the wonder seems not so great that he should gain such a Victory over all his Enemies of this World when we consider him as one that hath with Reverence be it spoken conquered the Lord himself as is said of Iacob whom the Lord Dubbed with the Name of Israel Gen. 〈◊〉 20. because as a Prince he had power with God and had prevailed whence also that strange word from the Lord himself Cant. 6. 5. turn away thine eyes from me for they have overcome me thus do they sometimes come forth eâ—…arend from the dust Isai. 52. 2. and from their wrestling places of Prayer as Luther did with those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Faith vicimus vicimus and surely â—…uch as one may glory in the Lord and through him humbly boast even as soon as he hath put on his spiritual Harness because he is here well assured by the promise of the victory before he sometimes strikes a stroak and for which cause partly he may be said to be more then a Conquerer Every Victory was not celebrated with a Triumph to be triumphant is â—…orc ore then to be victorious There were and are the Battels wherein eveâ—… the victor hath no câ—…use so much as to rejoyce of which sort â—…e may 〈◊〉 those of them who being not only visibly listed under the Bâ—…er of Jesus Christ but have Christ in them the hope of Glory yet by whose Divisions and fidings and warrings one against the other through the hour and power of darkness and temptation prevailing the truth and peace is lost these are Bella nullos habitura triumphos and O that a most serious and wise consideration of their common danger from the Gates of Hell and the
youth I Sam. 17 33. But it may be truly said of the Christian Champion that He is a Man of warre from his Birth Neither is He a poor naked Creature as it is with the Children of the first Birth but He comes into the new world in his Suit of Armour armed Cap apé with compleat Armour of Proof bâ—… vested with the Graces of the Spirit of Christ. He hath his excellent and invincible General the Lord Jesus Christ and hath taken his Sacrâ—… 〈◊〉 militare his Oath of Fidelity and Obedience to his great Lord Generaâ—… He hath also if there be opportunity and he walk orderly his Comâ—… that he is listed into the Church I mean He walks in Fellowship with 〈◊〉 at least He is inrolled among the Members of the Church-Militant in general He hath his Banner to fight under even the love of Christ displayed for a Defence to his Souldiers and Followers and a Flag of Defiance â—…o their Adversaries Cant. 3. 4. He hath his Arms and Weapons offensive and defensive to fight withal He hath his Souldierly Qualifications and military Accomplishments Courage Skill Patience Hope of victory Faithfulness to and Confidence in his General Orderliness Disposiâ—…ion to 〈◊〉 Hardship or whatever else may be mentioned Every wickedâ—…â—…dead is a Souldier but he fights against God strengthens himself and â—…ratches out his hand against the Almighty and runneth on his Neck and upon the thick bosses of his Bucklers Job 15. 25 26. He fights against himsâ—… and his own Soul keeping those Lusts in pay that warre against the Soâ—… 〈◊〉 2. 〈◊〉 He puts on the whole Armour of the Devil that He may be able to stand against all the Shocks of Conscience or encounters of the Word and Spirit of God and fight it out to the last with the Infinite Majesty to the evâ—… lasting Ruine of his Immortal Soul But he is neither engaged in â—…vided and accomplished for the Holy Warre we are discoursing of 〈◊〉 that is not a Believer is a conquered disarmed slave that men 〈◊〉 in the Service of the Enemies of his Soul and is in no Condition of sightâ—… with them If He begin to bestir himself through the Convictions awakâ—… ings and Alarms of Conscience and to hold up his Hand or make any â—…sistance He is knock'd down and overcome presently and maâ—… 〈◊〉 thâ—… a Captive as the Believer is said to be more then a Conquerour 〈◊〉 more a Vassal and Drudge to his Lusts and other Enemies then before But a Believer is a man of Warre a Souldier well appointed in a good 〈◊〉 pacity and Condition to dispute it out with any of his Adversaries Concl. 2. Every true Believer hath constant fighting work before 〈◊〉 There is no End of his warre in this world not any time wherein He any give over fighting Nunquam Bella piis nunquam Certamina desunt â—…t quocum certet mens pia semper habet It is not so with other Souldiers There is a Time when Kings go 〈◊〉 to Batiel 2 Sam. 1. 1. 1. And there is a Time when they disband their 〈◊〉 or draw them into their winter Quarters or make a Cessation of â—…ll 〈◊〉 of Hostility by Leagues or Truces There is a Time of Warre saith 〈◊〉 3. 8. and a Time of peace Other Souldiers are not alwayes â—…ting but a Christians Duty and Employment is to fight continually He cannot assure himself of any Respite or Intermission in the Course of his warfare This may be convincingly made out in three or four Particulars 1. Every Believer reacheth after marchâ—…th towards the perfect enjoyment of the blessed Fruits of the everlasting Love of God This is the prize He runs for the Crown he sights for the Recompence of reâ—…ard He hath respect unto the End and Aim of his Race and wrestling He is in his Journey or upon his March towards that City which hath Foundations Heb. 11. 10. that better Country where He may enjoy the glorious Fruits of the peculiar Love of God in perfection Every Christian is in a wayfaring state and declares plainly by the course he shapes and steers that he is a Stranger â—…ere and seeking a Country Heb. 11. 14. travelling towards the Heavenly Canâ—…an and the face of his soul is set towards that Ierusalem whichis above He hath Grace and Glory in his Eye and is engaged in a close and eager pursuit of Happiness The end of his Faith and Holy Conversation is the Salvation of his Soul and the perfect and perpetual Fruition of the Love of God in the brightest discoveries and richest effusions of it 2. Every Believer meets with great opposition in his March and way to the God aforesaid from Enemies that make Head against Him and do what they 〈◊〉 â—…o separate Him from the Love of God in Christ Iesus He meets with numerous Adversaries that design and drive at this to hinder Himself and the Rest of Gods people in their Travels to Canaan to divert and turn them out of the Road of Holiness and Obedience which leads to Happiness to pluck them if it were possible out of Gods Hand to tear them out of his loving Embraces to cut them short of the blessed Fruition of the Love of God in Christ. God leads every Believer as it were through the Land of the Philistines where they must see Warre and brings Him to the Heavenly Canaan that way And he meets with this Opposition 1. From Himself and that sin that dwells in Him From his own Heart and Nature as it is depraved and vitiated from his natural corruption or that sin that is inlaid and radicated in his Nature This is the principal the Capital the Grand Enemy that is bred in his Bowels raising intestine civil Warrs without which his forreign Enemies the Rest of his Adversaries could do Him no Hurt nor make any considerable Head against Him â—…t was the great Advantage of the Captain of our Salvation as our Saviour is called Heb. 2. 10. in all his Engagements with Satan and his Instruments that He was Holy Harmless undefiled and separate from Sinners Heb. 7. â—…6 â—…hat He know no sin 2 Cor. 5. 21. that He had no sin in Him Hence it was that just before his last and greatest Encounter with Satan He tells his â—…isciples The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me Joâ—… 14. 30. There was nothing in our Lord Jesus that complied with or was â—…itable to the temptations of the God of this World nothing to close with his suggestions or entertain his Terrours the Enemy without had no correspondents within him Satan could not lay hands or fasten a Temptation upon him Christ threw him off with ease in this respect Hence he was tempted indeed in all points like as we are yet wiâ—…hout sin Heb. 4. 15. Temptation to Christ was like throwing a But upon a Chrystal Glasse which will not stick but glides off But alas the sin of our Natures is Satans strength and aduantage He
in again though he may be turned off for a while That general Bent Inclination of his heart towards God as his last end greatest good towards his Commandments as the only best Rules of living and walking is ever preserved in the Believer by the mighty power of God according to his Covenant-engagement even then when his Enemies have gotten him down and laid him at their Feet So that if the Lord never take away his loving-kindness utterly from the Believer nor the Believer totally lose his love to God what follows but that there can be no separation of a true Believer from the love of God in Christ Jesus and by consequence that he cannot be absolutely conquered in any though he may be worsted in some Engagements Concl. 4. Every true Believer manageth a successful War and is sure of Conquest My meaning is not that every Christian hath a certainty of perswasion that he shall prevail or overcome for many an one is ready to say sometimes that he shall one day fall by the hand of this or that Saul but there is a certainty of the thing in it self I speak of the certainty of the object or the truth of this Proposition Every Believer shall certainly conquer the Enemies of his Soul not of the certainty of the Subject the certioration of the Believer or his perswasion and assurance that he shall be victorious at last A Believer shall certainly win the day and conquer all Opposers whatever his unbelieving heart may at any time suggest to the contrary Hence Paul speaks of it as a thing done we do more then overcome This may be made out thus 1. A Believer in this life gets many signal Victories He is not able indeed utterly to drive out the Canaanites they will abide in his Land Heart I mean and be rebelling and vexing him frequently but the Lord gives him many remarkable victories over them There are some memorable dayes and happy times wherein the People of God come out of the Field victorious and triumph over their spiritual Enemies They set their feet in the neck of their Lusts and lay their Corruptions bleeding at their feet and do so resist Satan as to rout him and put him to flight 2. If he be for a time overcome yet he recovers himself at last and gets the Day He may be overcome and carried Captive as the Apostle intimates Rom. 7. 23. he may be remarkably worsted in some particular conflicts and taken Prisoner but he cannot be detained alwayes a Prisoner all the power and policy of his Adversaries cannot hold him he will make an escape from them sooner or later and obtain rescue and deliverance If he be foiled and laid on his back for a time yet it is not long before he recovers himself and gets up again by godly sorrow Humiliation and Repentance and renew the Combat and is too hard for his Enemies Iâ—… he be routed he rallies again and never leaves fighting till he carries the day and go out of the Field a Conquerour 3. His Enemies lose Ground by all their partial Conquests of Him A Child of God gets Good by his Foils and Falls yea gets Ground insensibly of his Corruptions and other Enemies thereby His Enemies by winning the Day lose it and by Conquering are conquered Every victory that Sin and Satan obtain makes a gracious Heart more humble more sensible of his own weakness and absolute need of the strength of Christ more watchful against Sin and Temptation more Cautious for time to come of admitting Parlyes and Compliances with his Adversares and so turne through the â—…ver-ruling Hand of Grace to the singular Advantage of a Christian in many respects Lay these things together and it will be manifest that a Believer manages a very successful warre and is sure at last of an absolute Conquest Concl. 5. A Believers Victory and Conquest is incomparably Glorious His Conquest is most exceeding Glorious Thence Paul saith we are more then Conquerours We do not only Conquer but triumph we have a triumphant Victory we are much too hard for our Enemies we do more then overcome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 supervineimus we do over-overcome It is Grâ—…tius his Observation Amat Paulus componere verba cum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paul loves thâ—… Composition of words with the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and He gives many other Instances besides this in the Text of such Compositions in Pauls Epistles When He speaks of the Rich Grace of God or of the great and glorious priviledges of his Children He thinks He cannot over-speak They are such things that as Luther said of God and Heaven non patiuntur Hyperbolen do not admit are not capable of an Hyperbole No Expression is so high or Superlative as to transcend and exceed the measure of the Excellency of such Things Now the Greatness and Gloriousness of a Believers Uictory appears in many Things which we shall but glance at as we pass along Glorious it is in that the Believer conquers in Suffering when He is in appearance conquered overcome and destroyed When He â—…sslain with the Sword devoured by Lions burnt to Ashes aâ—… a Stake sawn asunder or any way violently put to death yet in all these things he conquers as the Martyrs have done They overcome by the Bloud of the Lamb the word of their Testimony and not loving their lives unto the Death Gualther takes this to bâ—… the sense of the Apostle In all these Things we are more then Conquerours He doth not say we overcome all these things so as that they shall be no more or cease to oppose us But in all these things we Conquer For afflictions remain and will remain as long as the World lasts nor will 〈◊〉 secutâ—…ons ever cease which beget Banishment Famine Nakedness anâ—… the Sword to the Godly but in these things and among all these peâ—…ils and evilâ—… of Suffering the Faithfull do more then overcome And this is admirable that they overâ—…me when suecub uisse omnino Victi aut Oppressi esse videntur when they are slain or burnt or destroyed any other-way They are killed all the day long accounted and used as â—…eep for the slaughter as in the verse before the Text And yet more then Conquerours Humane Carnal Reason cannot comprehend this It is indeed Mysterious and glorious Again Glorious it is in that he conquers such Enemies as conquer all but Himself and such as He is The great Conquerours of the World have been slaves to their own Pride Ambition vain-glory Covetousness and other base Lusts which a Christian subdues and Conquers Many of them have been Satans Slaves when they have been Masters of the world But the Believer resists the Devil and puts Him to flight He overcomes Himself which is a nobler Exploit then to evercome and Conquer Nations sets his Foot upon Satan tramples and crushes that Serpent Rom. 16. 20. treads the World under his Feet as the
that which is intended in that expression Hence the Apostle saith that be spoiled Principalities and Powers and and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it that is his Cross or in himself Col. 2. 15. The Lord Jesus took away the Prey or Booâ—…y of Souls which Satan had gotten and led away the Devil and his Angels as Prisoners of War He divested Principalities and Powers that is the Apostate Angels of all that Title they had got to the World by the sin of man yea he triumphed over them as sawful Captives to be disposed of at his pleasure He hath bound the strong man armed spoiled his Goods Thus Christ is said to wound the Head for so is it in the Original not Heads over many Countries Psal. 110 6. By the Head 〈◊〉 the large Earth Some understand Satan that ruleth as Head over 〈◊〉 the Children of disobedience every where though I judge it better to â—…pound it to the most comprehensive sense and then the meaning is that Christ breaks in pieces the Head that is the counsel and power of Satan and all â—…is Instruments crushing and conquering all the Enemies of his People He hath conquered Death is self and having grapled and fought with that Serpent he hath pulled out the Sting and he hath disarmed that King of Terrours that it may be in no condition to hurt and ruine his People Death can be no longer a Curse to them but a Blessing An Out let as to Miseryâ—… and an In-let to all Happiness He hath Conquered and triumphed over all the Enemies of Believers vertually on his Crosse but actually and effectually in his Exaltation when he ascended up on high he led Captivity Captive Eph. 4. 8. Psal. 6â—… 18. And he hath Conquered and Triumphed over all out Enemies not for himself but on our behalf and for our behoof and advantage Victoria Domini est Servorum Triumphus Hieron The Victory of the Lord is the Triumph of the Servants Well may the Army of Believers be assured of Victory and Triumph when as they fight with a conquered Enemy and their General alone in his own person hath routed their Adversaries 3. He puts them into a Conquering-capacity He sends his Spirit to make the Application of his Redemption to all his Redeemed ones by working â—…aith in their Hearts drawing them to himself giving them an actual Interest in himself and his Benefits and putting them into a State of Justification which is a State of Victory and Triumpâ—… A justified person is in a Conquering-capacity and condition He is under Grace and not under the Law therefore neither Sin nor any other Enemy shall have dominion over him Rom. 6. 14. Take an Elect person that was given to Christ by the Father from Eternity and Redeemed by Christ in the fulness of time yet before his effectual vocation he is under the feet of his Enemies in no better condition to fight it out with them then other men Sin and Satan and World are much too hard for him But when once the Spirit of Christ hath wrought an effectual work of Grace in his Soul by uniting him to the Lord Jesus hath brought him into a state of Justification now he is in a condition to dispute it out to the last with all his Enemies and to get the day also 〈◊〉 Justified person is invincible he cannot be Conquered and he is victorious none of his Enemies can stand before him Victory Triumph are adjudged by the Lord to a state of Justification and are infallible consequents thereof Hence Paul's comfortable perswasion and Triumphant Expressions Rom. 8. 38 39. Now all the People of God are admitted into this state of Iustification and â—…ested in the Glorious Priviledges of it through the Lord Iesus Christ. 4. He furnisheth Believers with skill and Strength and Courage and Weapons and all War-like Furniture and Military Qualifications and Accomplishments They are in all respects well appointed for the â—…ar and it is the Lord Jesus that sets them fortâ—… and furnisheth them with Aâ—…s and Weapons for the Battel The Lord Jesus Christ is the Christians Magazin All those Armâ—… and Weapons which a Believer useth in his spiritual conflicts of which you have an enumeration Eph. s. 6. 13 14 c. are such as come out of Christs Armory As he puts the Believer into a conquering state in his Justification so he gives him conquering Abilities in his Sanctification He gives them Skill and Valour and Resolution and all other Qualifications and Endowments that a Militant condition calls for 5. He Administors seasonable supplies and recruits of Grace and Strength unto them He sends them Auxiliary Forces and gives them such Assistance as they need for every Conflict He giveth Power to them when they are faint and when they hâ—…ve no might encreaseth their strength Isai. 40. 29. He gives them a sufficiency of Grace and his Power rests on them Hence when they are weâ—…k yet then they are strong 2 Cor. 12. 9 10. Because habitual inhevent Grace will not carry them through their difficult Engagements therefore he affords actual and occasional Assistance as their necessities require All that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that seasonable help which is Admininistred to Believers from the Throne of Grace Heb. 4. 16. comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. They have the immutable Assistance of the Spirit of Christ that dwells in them They must needs overcome in this respect because greater it be that is in them then he that is in the World 〈◊〉 Joh. 4. 4. Hence the Apostle that had low thoughts of himself and was as much nothing in his own eyes as any man yet attributes a kind of Omnipotency to himself I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 13. He strengtheneth them with all might Col. 1. 11. Concl. 7. The Love of God in Christ is the absolute first cause of those â—…torious proceedings and this infallible conquest of Believers For 1. The Everlasting love of God determines that the Victory shall fall on the side of Believers The will of God is that all Believers shall conquer Hence the Apostle layes the Foundation of this Triumph in Divine Predestination and in Gods being for us Rom. 8. 30 31. Those that are appointed to obtain Salvation by Jesus Christ as it may be concluded of all Believers â—…ving Faith being a special fruit of Election may meet with many Enemies in their way but shall infallibly break throughall opposition gâ—…t to Heaven at last The Love of God hath Decreed them Victory 2. The everlasting Love of God layes in suitable provision of means for an infallible conquest Divine Love concluded upon the mission of Christ into the World to purchase it for his People and obtain the victory in his own person as a common person representing all Believers This Love gives them a Leoâ—… and General the Lord Jesus Christ that is invincible the Captainâ—… the Host
of the Lord that appeared to Ioshuae Josh. 5. 13 14. It armâ—… them with invincible Graces offensive and defensive and orders them the insuperable and invincible Assistance of the Spirit of Christ and the needful supplies and recruits of Assisting Grace The Love of God in Christ furnisheth the Christian Souldier compleatly every way with all that he needs in order to the Conquest of his Enemies so that he is better provided for the Combate and hath more Assistance in the Combate and more assurance consequently of success then any other Conquerours have The Christian Souldier is well appointed and set forth for the War Recruited and Assisted in it at the cost and charges of the Love of God in Jesus Christ. 3. The Everlasting Love of God adjudges them Triumph at last and Crowns them with it Divine Love sets the Glorious Crown upon the Head of the persevering victorious all-conquering Believer There is a Glorious Day coming wherein the Believer shall receive the reward of all his Labours and Travels and Combatings with the Flesh the World and the Devil And this reward will be adjudged to him that overcometh and actually conferred upon him by the Grace and Love of God in Jesus Christ. Not his Merit but Gods Mercy and Love will then Crown him His present sufferings in the time of his Warfare are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in him Rom. 8. 18. When Paul had fought his good fight and finished the couâ—…se of his warfare he expected his Triumphâ—… Crown from the Lord the Righteous Iudge 2 Tim. 4. 7 8 A Crown of Mercy and Grace it is and also a Crown of Righteousness there being a sweet concurrence of the Remunerative Iustice of God with his Infinite Mercy Grace and Love in that Glorious work of Crowning a persevering Christian Souldier with everlasting Triumph and Glory Divine Love adjudges and bestows upon Believers at last the Heavenly Prize they run for and the incorruptible Crown they fight for in this World That they Triumph Eternally is from the Love of God in Christ. Thus much for the Doctrinal part Use 1. We might improve this Observation To crush that Erroneous conceit of the Arminians concerning the possibility of a Regenerate man's total and final Apostacy For to assert this is to say that a Believer may be totally defeated and overcome and Sin Satan and World may prevaile over him to his utter Ruine The Truth we have discoursed is ready prest to militate against the men of that Heteredox perswasion and is alone without the Levy of any other forceâ—… of strength sufficient to fight that Enemy and beat him out of the field This Text of the Apostle and the Observation we have deduced from it smites those Adversaries of the Doctrine of Perseverance under the fifth Rib or rather stabs their fifth Article concerning the Apostacy of Saints to the Heart This one Weapâ—… if it be well managed and weilded will do real and through Execution For if â—…re may be a total final defection of Believers or falling from Grace ouâ—… of the favour of God then there is a possibility that a Believer may be totally finally separated from the love of God so totally conquered which is diametrally opposite to the Strain and Genius and Intendment of the Apostles Discourse what we have been regularly superstructing upon it But let it be enough to have thus Faced that Grand Enemy the Arminian without engaging further on this occasion in any pitch'd confutation of him Use 2. This makes it appear who are the bravest Souldiers the most Renowned Warriours Persons of the greatest Bravery and Gallantry in the World They are Believing Men and Women A Christian Man or Woman is by many degrees a better Souldier then Caesar or Alexander Sincere Believers of all degrees and conditions are persons of eminency this way Among the victorious Worthies whose Famous Exploits and Atchievements are Recorded Hib. 11. The Apostle doth not leave Believing Women out of the Catalogue We read of great Exploits that have been performed even by those of the weaker Seu both in Sacred and Common History but none to be compared with those which Believing Women through Faith have enterprized and accomplished O Woman great is thy Faith saith our Saviour Mat. 15 28. Why then it might be said also O Woman great is thy Victory For this is the Victory that overcometh the World even our Faith 1 Joh. 5. 4. True Faith though it be but as a Grain of Mustard Seed will overcome and bear down all that opposition the World can make against it As to this Christian Warfare Victory and Triumph Believers of all sorts share in it there is no difference in this matter but Iew and Greek Bond and Free Male and Female are all one in this respect through Jesus Christ. The weakest Believer will be too hard for the strongest Adversary This is a clear Consequence from what we have discoursed that a Believer is the bravest and most victorious Souldier in the World Use 3. A word of singular Encouragement and Comfort unto all that â—…ourn for the sorrowful state and Condition of Jerusalem Know it and Believe it that the Church of God however affâ—…icted and oppressed in the world shall certainly prevail and get the Day at last The Victories Triumphs that God hath decreed and determined shall certainly be awarded and given to the conflicting Militant-Church in the Season thereof How might we expostulate the Case with the mightiest of the Churches Adversaries with the High and Low Great and Small ones of the Earth in this respect why do the Nations rage and People imagine a vain Thing vain it is and will be found so in the Issue to oppose the Lord Jesus to fight against his Mâ—…mbers to plot and prâ—…ct design and endeavour the Ruine of the Interâ—…st of Christ in the Wâ—… For the Lord Jesus and his called and Faithful Chosen shall certaiâ—… 〈◊〉 more then overcame at last The Lamb and his Followers shall be Illustâ—…ious so queroâ—…s The Beast may arise out of the Bottomless pit and raise the Posse Inferni or Inferorum come with Legions of Dâ—…vile and their Instruments and set their Hellish Armies in Aray and make warre upon the Witnesses and overcome them for a while but they shall overcome at last in a glorious manner Verily no Weapon that is formed against the Church shall prosper Christ laughs at all the Confederacies and Complotments and mad Rage of the world against his Interest and Members Psal. 2. 4. And his People that are at present in a sad and sorrowful Condition in the Heat of the Engagement shall laugh too and Triumph over all Excellent were the Expressions of that man of Faith Martin Luther to this purpose That the Kings and Princes People do so rage against the Lord and his Christ I account faith he an Happy Omen and much better then if they