fight with infidelitie and armed with lies the justified must fight by faith in the bloud of the Lamb that he hath loved you and washed you from your sinnes in his own bloud to make you without spot or wrinkle or any such thing Eph. 5. 26. and made you Kings and Priests to God his Father and prove it by the Word Rev. 1. 5. Col. 1. 22. That he hath throwne upon Christ the iniquities of us all i. e. guilt and punishment The other fight by infidelitie which doe not beleeve this but by hatred lies and sword persecute them that beleeve so for the Devill was a lyer from the beginning and a murtherer as his children are Ver. 8. But they prevailed not Here is comfort for all you faithfull Souldiers they shall not prevaile against you for the gates of bell shall not prevaile against the faith of your free justification by Christ Mat. 16. His place was no more found in heaven i. The Devill was cast out of heaven that accused the Saints before God day and night by the victory of Christ upon the Crosse saith Elton And the Heathen Emperour a Dragon was cast out of the heaven of the Church by Constantine saith Brightman and the Beast and the false Prophet must be cast out of the heaven of the Church by our Michael i. Christ and his Souldiers which all you are that are faithfull For by our Michael he is cast out of the hearts of the Elect as the Apostles saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven Luk. 10. 18. as Meyer For now is the Judgement of this world now shall the Prince of this world be cast out so now shall Antichrist be cast out of the Church of England not so much for the sword as by the Word preached For where the death of Christ is preached and by faith received that he bare all our sinnes in his body upon the tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. That we being dead to sinne should live in righteousnesse by whose stripes yee were healed the Devill must needs be cast out saith Marlorat So that here is the cause why Satan dwells in the hearts of the wicked they beleeve not that the bloud of the Lamb hath purged their hearts from all sinne therefore Satan an uncleane spirit will dwell in that heart that is not washed by faith in the bloud of the Lambe But where the heart is washed by faith in that bloud Christ dwells there as Eph. 3. 17. For where Christ is received into the heart for Idolatry and superstition true Religion and piety comes in for carnall reason the Spirit of God comes in which illuminates the minde and changeth the will to God from uncleannesse to sanctitie as Marlorat Ver. 9. And the great Dragon the old Serpent c. The Devill is called the old Serpent saith Pignetius because he hath alwayes deadly poyson prepared to infect men Secondly He is the same that labours by all meanes to hinder you from Paradise as he caused our first parents to be cast out and therefore so much the rather to be taken heed of in his practise to bring thee to sinne for if he did thus to our first parents when they were pure from all spot of inherent sinnes what will he doe against thee that art inherently uncleane by sinne if thou hast not the bloud of the Lambe Which is called the Devill {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. Calumniator a Caviller or an Accuser so that you see that cavillers against the faithfull and accusers of the Brethren for the true faith in Christs bloud and righteousnesse change names with the Devill called Satanas i. adversarius an adversary i. because he is such an enemie as his children are and adversary to the professors of free Justification that by the bloud of Christ and his righteousnesse men should be saved and be made without spot before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 5. Satan cannot abide that doctrine Which deceiveth all the world Because he perswadeth men contrary to the Word of God as Bullenger and Musculus i. the Reprobate by his fallacies and lies as Paul saith to feare lest as Satan seduced Eve so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicitie that is in Christ 2 Cor. 11. 3. He was cast downe to the Earth even to be troden under foote of men as Psal. 91. 13. Thou shalt goe upon the Lion and the Aspe the young Lion and the Dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet as Luk. 10. 19. He is cast downe to the earth i. to hurt earthly minded men onely for woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea because the Devill is come down amongst you that hath great wrath because his time is but short So you shall finde that these warres shall be wofull to the Inhabitants of the earth and Sea by the Devils meanes but it shall not hurt the true Church For Satan departing from them that are faithfull and overcoming him by the bloud of the Lambe he shall hurt onely earthly-minded men that preferre earthly things before heavenly and contemne the truth as Erasmus And they are cast into the earth in respect of any power to doe hurt to you the children of God but shall hurt earthly men by Sea and Land Ver. 10. Then I heard a loud voyce in heaven For the faithfull cannot but praise God for the confusion of Satan their deadly enemy saith Pignetius Hic ergo {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a song of triumph of the Church triumphing over the Devill that is overcome which shews the cause why many men doe not praise the Lord with a loud voyce they beleeve not the Devill is overcome therefore they are afraid of him In Heaven i. In the Church which dwels in the large heaven of remission of sinnes and in the kingdome of heaven which is righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost as Luther And hath her conversation in heaven Phil. 3. 2â— Now is salvation For where sinne reigned there perdition had a place but where the Gospel reignes i. the glad tydings that Christ hath purged your sinnes in his own person and is set downe at the right hand of God Heb. 1. 3. there is life and salvation And strength Not of men but of God for the right hand of the Lord hath the preheminence and therefore he will give his Church the victory And the Kingdome of our God wherein the Devill reigned saith Musculus by Idolatry And the power of his Christ for his power appeares especially in converting men to his righteousnesse For the accuser of the Brethren is cast down for this is the property of the Devill and his Instruments and if he can to lay open to damnation those that he suspects shall be heirs of heaven and ascend to that place from which hee fell which he doth most commonly by Scripture as to Christ wherefore I have laboured in these fourteen differences to disarm Satan against the
Angels of England out of his mouth And some have a little hope to remaine and yet you cannot tell whether Christ will spue them out also they fall to strife for a Church-Government when you doe not know whether Christ will spue out the lukewarme Church of England out of his mouth as well as the Angels And you reasoned so faire both that you have divided your Citie and Armies as you remember lately at Dunnington Castle If you goe on with this Controversie the kite is at hand to catch both at strife See another place of Scripture Rev. 16. 15. Behold I come as a theefe blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments that he may not walke naked and they see his filthinesse I would faine know why this Scripture is not fulfilled in our dayes This place troubled Theodore Beza as if it had come into a place unmeet but I gather this is the Reason that it might not be knowne at what time Christ would come upon all the world whether under the fourth fift or sixt Viall and therefore you see it comes in by a parenthesis that it might not be knowne for Christ said to Sardis he would come on them as a theefe and thou shalt not know what houre I will come upon thee as a theefe So this generall coming of Christ as a theefe by a civill warre on all the world is so brought in that it might not be knowne untill he came which now it appeares is come upon England and upon all the world For when the fourth Angel had powred out his Viall on the Sunne Rev. 16. 8. here in England and it was given him to torment men with heate of fire and men have boyled in great heat and blasphemed the Name of God i. by rayling on the truth and the Children of God as Brightman therefore behold Christ is come as a theefe upon England and on all the world Now he saith Blessed is he that keepeth his garments which are neither an Episcopacie nor Presbytery nor Independent but they are the white wedding garment of Christs righteousnesse that is bright and shining the righteousnesse of the Saints which make us trimme and ready for our bridegroome which was put on at Baptisme by the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost when shee was baptized into Christ and put on Christ Gal. 3. 27. And what say you to this Scripture Sonne of man prophesie and say A sword a sword both sharp and furbushed It is sharpned to make a sore slaughter Ezek. 21. 9. I will overtune overturne overturne it and it shall be no more untill he come ver. 27. A kingdome divided cannot stand The reason why Because thou remainest in thy filthinesse and wickednesse Because I would have purged thee and thou wast not purged thou shalt not be purged from thy filthinesse till I have caused my wrath to light upon thee I the Lord have spoken it it shall come to passe and I will doe it I will not goe back neither will I spare neither will I repent according to thy wayes and works shall they judge thee Ezek. 24. 13 14. But God hath purged the lukewarm Angels and Church of England by Baptisme but they will not beleeve it and I have counselled thee and thou wilt not be counselled Rev. 3. 18. to buy of me gold white raiment and eye-salve for thou wilt not beleeve that I have purged thee from thy sinnes in Baptisme and clothed thee with white raiment that no filthinesse of sinne should appeare Ergo Thou shalt not be purged from thy filthinesse till I have caused my wrath to seise upon thee I the Lord have spoken it it shall come to passe and I will doe it I will not goe backe neither will I spare neither will I repent I will spue thee out of my mouth Rev. 3. 16. And here is one cause why the lukewarme Hierarchie is spued out of Christs mouth and when God can lie they shall be in hope to remaine there still Tell me you that strive for a Presbyteriall or Independent garment whether you be sure that Christ is not come in now to see his guests that have been a bidding to the Marriage of the Kings Sonne of Heaven by faith and Baptisme these 1600. yeares for no question those by the hedges and high wayes are the Gentiles which were called by faith and Baptisme to be married to Christ When the Jewes refused and would not come saith Brightman his servants have called the Gentiles to the marriage and the marriage is furnished with guests of good and bad Mat. 22. 10. Then the King came in to see the guests signifying not before it was furnished with guests which is now accomplished For Christ is now come as a theefe unexpected to view all the guests of the Churches of Christendome whether they have a wedding garment or no not whether they have an Episcopall or a Presbyteriall or an Independent but white raiment of the righteousnesse of the Saints which is Christs wherein no sinne appeares such as have none shall be bound hand and foote and cast into hell as Mat. 22. 13. And such as have defiled their garments shall be spoyled by a civill warre Rev. 3. 3. 4. And so the Jewes shall be called and that bride shall make her selfe ready and trimme for her bridegroome by faith and Baptisme for the word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Parable signifieth that there shall be two marriages the one of the Gentiles the last called was first married and the other of the Jewes the first called shall be the last married for there shall be an Hallelujah sung in heaven for the marriage of the Church of the Jewes unto Christ Rev. 19. 6. 7. Well Christ is come as a theefe by a civill warre and to view his guests you must make account he will not returne untill he have put them all out of the marriage-chamber that have not on a wedding garment and he be married to the bride of the Jewes Now he saith Blessed is he that keepeth his garments that he may not walke naked in sinne before God That Church or people is blessed and shall have a Government given them of my Father For they keepe the word of my patience which is the faith in the merits of Christs death in baptisme and Christs blood therefore I will deliver them from the hour of tentation that is come upon all the world to try them that are upon the earth Rev. 2. 10. Now let any man shew that there shall come another hour of tentation i. a more generall judgement of a civill war upon all the world but this which is now come For my part I look not for another but that this civill war begun shall last till Rome be burnt and the Jewes called and therefore is it time now to strive for a Presbyterie or Independent in such an hurly-burly of a civill war where no face of a Church shall scarce remain
by the word of your testimony of the blood of the Lamb you overcome the Devill because you give God the glory of his truth then look you shew your selves to be the children of the God of truth by delighting in the truth for it is a common practice of evill souldiers to accuse men falsly and therefore John the Baptist gave you this caveat that as you would be true souldiers of Jesus Christ so you must practise to speak the truth and accuse no man falsly and then plunder them for what shal it profit you to say God is a true God if you in the mean time be liers you declare that the God of truth is none of your God there are so many lies flie among men that the honest cannot tell what to believe Now you that have received his testimony that the blood of Jesus Christ hath cleansed you from all sin before God and that the righteousnesse of Christ hath made you everlastingly righteous Rev. 1. 5. you have sealed that God is true Let the power of this grace teach you to love to speak the truth and to shame the Devill For as he that telleth lies shall not tarry in Gods sight because he credits the Devill that was a lier from the beginning but hee that speaks the truth overcoms Satan with his tongue as he that believes the truth hath overcome the Devill in his heart he that fights for the truth shal overcome the enemy wth his hand for the God of truth wil uphold his children that fight for the truth by the blood of the Lamb Vse 4 Is it so that they overcame the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony because they give glory to the power of God Then consider how the Israelites overcame the Destroyer that slew all the first-born of Egypt by faith they slew the Paschal Lamb and the effusion of blood Heb. 11. lest he that destroy'd the first-born should touch them they sprinkled the two side posts and the upper door post with the blood of the Lamb with a bunch of Hysop and they overcame the Destroyer by faith that he could not hurt them for they gave God the glory of his Wisdome and Power that he was able to deliver them so seeing Christ your Passeover is sacrificed for you look that your two door posts of your life body and soul and the upper door post of your spirit be sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb 1 Thes. 5. 23. Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout that your whole spirit and soul and body may be kept blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and how are they sanctified even by the blood of Christ for Jesus that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the gate Heb. 13. 12. Now should they overcome the destroying Angel that he could not hurt them when by faith they sprinkled the two door posts and the lintell with the blood of the Lamb with a bunch of Hysop and the Destroyer passed over all their houses and could do them no hurt when he destroy'd all the first-born of Egypt both of man and beast So you Christian souldiers that fight under the banners of the Gospel the blood of the Lamb and the white raiment of Christs righteousnesse which you shall find to be the conquering banner For if the blood of Bulls and Goats and Ashes of an Heifer sprinkling them that are unclean sanctifieth concerning the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ which through the eternall Spirit offered himself without fault to God purge â—our consciences from dead works Look the blood of the Lamb begin there first to purge your consciences from sin confesse your selves to be wretched miserable poor and damnable sinners by Adam and originall sin the tree evill and the fruit evill and by the Law accursed in debt ten thousand talents of sin For if we confesse our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse 1 Joh. 1. 9. then confesse that the blood of the Lamb is able to wash away all your sins from your consciences and relie upon it take the Sacrament upon it that when you take the cup of the new Testament in Christs blood and drink of it the warme blood of the Lamb will testifie in thy conscience the remission of all thy sins and that God is become my father and I am one of his children and my sins and iniquities shall be remembred no more and wee may conclude as Paul for if the blood of Bulls and Goats c. If the blood of the Lamb sprinkled did deliver from the Destroyer that slew the Egyptians how much more shall the blood of the Lamb of God being sprinkled by faith on your bodies and souls and spirits deliver you from the destroying bullets that are sent to destroy your first-born all the true believers of the Gospel There is a strong delusion that goes among ill souldiers that Amulets or Charms or inchantment will make them shot-free but I will warrant them they are not Devill free for by such means they have made themselves an abomination to the Lord Deut. 18. 10 11 12. and the Devill will destroy them they shall not escape the Devills shot but he that shall fight against his enemies by faith in the blood of the Lamb and in his lawfull calling asking counsel of the Lord for every battel at the Oracle of Gods Word whether God doth approve of the war or no he shall not only be Devil-free but shot-free also for he shall give his Angels a charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways and they shall bear thee up in their hands that thou dash not thy foot against a stone keep thy calling and the Angels shall keep thee but if thou keep not thy calling the Angels will not keep thee take heed to keep thy generall calling to be a faithfull Christian and keep thee from all wickednesse Deut. 23. 9. And keep thy particular calling and the Angels shall keep thee Vse 5 Is it so faith by the testimony of the bloud of the Lambe gets victory over the Devill because it gives glory to the mercy of God that as thou sayest thou givest him the glory of his mercy it must cause thee shew mercy as your heavenly Father is mercifull for what though your heavenly Father be mercifull if you be cruell you shall be of your father in Hell for his works you will doe he was a murderer from the beginning and if you be cruell murderers you shall be of him therefore if you give God the glory of his mercy give him glory in the practise of mercie to be mercifull as your heavenly Father is mercifull even to your enemies Quest What shall we spare all and put none of our enemies to death when we have conquered them Answ I answer He that
people for they dote about questions now whether the 25 th day of December ought to be kept for Christmass day as an holy day in remembrance that Christ was born on that day for how know you say many that Christ was born on that day more then another the Papists keep it ten dayes before us and other Churches not on our day and they say it was the shortest day of the yeere and therefore seeing it is so uncertain let it be abolished wee will keep none Answer I answer How did the Jewes know which was the right Sabbath but by the Manna the day before And how did they know by the rods which was chosen to be Priest but because one budded and blossomed and brought forth ripe Almonds So I know that England doe keep the right day that Christ was borne on above all the Nations in Christendome because we have a miracle hath often been seene in England upon that day for we have a tree in England called the Holy thorne by Glassenbury Abby nigh the Bathe which on the 25. day of December which is our Christmasse day hath constantly blossomed which the people of that place have received from antiquitie that it was that kinde of thorne wherewith Christ was crowned Which I have received from credible men that have seene the thorne that have inquired and tooke the testimony of the substantialst-men in that Countrey which did affirme that if you come to that tree over-night there appeares nothing but a bare thorne but come on Christmasse day and it is blossomed Many people have come and seene it so that they would cut off a piece with their knives that it is much whitled and some nigh that place have graffed some of that thorne upon others which doe also blossome on that day You may reade of this Miracle in many Authors and especially in Cambdens Britannia a Chronicler to be credited for that matter because there are so many eye-witnesses of knowne credit that have seene and testified of the same Wherefore so long as that Thorne shall blossome in England on Christs Nativitie day or can be proved that it hath blossomed on that day England shall keepe that day of praising God for the birth of Christ Because the Angels sung an hymne on that day Glory be to God on high peace on earth and good will towards men never more need for us to pray and sing so for peace is taken from the earth and there is ill will towards men I am perswaded that the Jewes shall receive their Christs Nativitie day from England and from our blossoming Thorne rather then from any other Church in Christendome I wish if there be any Jewes in England that are incredulous in this point that they might be sent to that place to prove the truth of it for what doe we know but that some of the Jewes may be convinced by it to be sorry that they crowned Christ with Thornes and desired his bloud to be upon them and their children by whose bloud we must overcome the Devill Brethren we say that Omni nulli credere utrumque nefas for to beleeve all the false miracles of Papists as of the coming of soules out of Purgatory which is but the delusion of the Devill were evill and for me not to beleeve this of the Thorne were also naught Because for these Reasons I am bound to beleeve it 1. Because my Father which dedicated me to the Ministry before I was borne to be for the Lord And the world should see I was dedicated to the Lord if they would let my Books come out He having seene the tree told me the discourse of it and the blossoming on that day I pondered it in my heart with Mary After that my brother went to the Bathe and saw the tree and tooke the Testimony of honest and substantiall men in the Countrey which told him of the constant coming of people to see it and how that some have graffed of it upon other thornes which also doe blossome on Christmas day and how it was whitled caused me further to ponder it and then hearing it confirmed by many that came from the Bathe and by the testimony of credible Chroniclers Cambden and others that writ so of it being a thing that hath been seene of five hundred Brethren Now for me not to beleeve my Father and brother and so many honest Witnesses and Historiographers that write so of it were to account them all lyers which in me were a sinne Well you see my reasons why I am bound to beleeve it I will also shew some reasons why such a perpetuall miracle shal remaine in the world All will grant thus much that Christ was crowned with thornes for the Scripture is cleare Mat. 27. 29. and that thornes and thistles were the curse of the earth for Adams sinne is plaine Gen. 3. 18. Now it is certaine that Christ being crowned with thornes tooke the curse upon him for as God the Father hath throwne upon him the iniquities of us all Isa. 53. 6. and so he threw on him the curses of us all and set the curse of the earth upon his head in that he was crowned with thornes by the Souldiers it was the determinate counsell of God that Christ should be made a curse for us for cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree and that he should beare the curse of the earth also which was imposed as the fruit of mans sinne and therefore he did not onely beare our sinnes in his owne body upon the tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. but also the curse of the earth which was thornes which came for mans sinne Now when sinne was throwne upon everlasting Righteousnesse sinne must needs be overcome saith Luther for Righteousnesse was infinite and could not be overcome and therefore must needs conquer sinne So the curse of thornes being set upon Christs head which was everlasting holinesse Christ hath turned away the curse of that Thorne and in token that it was set upon the head of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} God-man that he hath taken away the curse of the earth to beleevers Gal. 3. 13. That Thorne by a perpetuall miracle shall blossome on Christmas day morning to the end of the world for the convincing of unbeleeving Jewes and Gentiles That Christ did come on that day and for the confirmation of the faith of beleevers not onely by the world of God Gal. 3. 13. but by that miracle also that Christ was made a curse for us and hath taken away the curse of thornes of the earth to all beleevers and being everlasting blessednesse hath made the cursed thorne to become a blessed thorne and therefore called an Holy thorne to this day and that as the Angels sung on that day so should wee sing with them that sung on that day Glory be to God on high peace on earth and good will towards men And I wish that all faithfull Preachers of England
consciences of all true believers of his strong holds to accuse the conscience and to shew you a most certain victory by Christs blood as you may see but they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb i. they got victory not by their own strength or merits but by the free grace and favour of Jesus Christ they overcame the power of the Devill as Meyer By the blood of the Lamb i. By faith in the death of Christ which makes men conquerers as Marlorat over all enemies for we are to understand that Christ hath not only got victory over the Devill in his person but hath left power to his justified children to get victory also over him in our person and in our consciences and that is by the blood of the Lamb Doctr. Hence I gather That all faithfull souldiers that love not their lives unto the death shall overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony All you that truly believe that the blood of the Lamb hath purged you from all sins shall get victory over the Devill this is not only plain by the Text which saith They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb c. the word of their testimony but also by the Apostle Paul that giveth thanks for the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. And what victory is that but even over sin death and the Devill for Christ by his bloâ—d on the Crosse spoiled Principalities and Powers and destroyed him that had the power of death the Devill Ephes. 2. 15. for he took away the sting of death which is sin By his blood c. and the strength of sin which is the law which was by that blood blotted out Col. 2. 14. And therefore we say Thanks be to God which hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ that is to our faith and hath given you power to get victory over the Devill to your selves and consciences by the blood of the Lamb for that must needs be fulfilled in the members that is fulfilled already in the Head saith Meyer The second proof is 1 John 4. 4. Little Children yee are of God and have overcome them for greater is hee that is in you then he that is in the world For where Christs blood dwells he dwells in vers. 3. he saith that every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God but this is the spirit of Antichrist Some may object the Devill and the Pope confesse so much therefore to the word come in the flesh you must understand And washed us from our sins in his own blood and made us Kings and Priests to God his Father and that the blood of the Lamb hath made us clean from all sin before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 5. That neither the Devil nor the Pope believe for he hath invented a Purgatory to purge them from sin after death for he believes not the blood of the Lamb hath purged them from all sin in this life But little children yee are of God i. all you true Believers that have faith that the blood of Jesus Christ hath purged your sins and have overcome them i. Satan Antichrist and all his servants for seeing Christ hath given you victory over the Devill certainly you have victory over his servants saith Aug. Marlorat for greater is he that is in you then he that is in world for Christ dwels in your hearts where his blood dwels by faith that is greater then the Devill that dwels in the hearts of all unbelievers where the blood of the Lamb is not sprinkled by faith And therefore wee overcome not by our own power but by the strength of Christ for we must needs be overcome if we trust to our own strength saith Calvin as to the arme of flesh or great ordnance ammunition c. which he will cause them sometime to lose to cause them know that their victory must be by the blood of the Lamb Now there be three things requisite to make a man able to overcome the Devill and all his enemies First hee must be born anew in Christ of water and the holy Ghost as 1 John 5. 4. for so by regeneration hee is freed from the bondage of sin death the Devill and Hell hee must believe his Baptisme that he is new born of God which is the foundation of our victory over the Devill as the Virgin said to the Devill tempting her I am a Christian and am baptized and the Devill fled This is that gold of a lively faith in the merit of Christs death in Baptisme in our infancy when wee knew not what Christ did for us as John 13. 7. but do know it after that we are there buried with Christ and new born and so were made capable to overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb when wee should have faith in the same afterward If we do not forsake our first baptisme to take a second for that is to depart from the faith for if God have but one baptisme the second is of the Devil and all that are baptized again shall be overcome of the Devill which do not believe Christs words that he that is washed i. in baptisme if elect is clean every whit needeth not save to wash his feet i. his conscience and conversation in the blood of the Lamb in the other Sacrament but like fools will have their hands and head washed again which is a thing abhorred of God and of all his true Churches that ever have been since the Apostles time Secondly hee must have true faith in the vertue of Christs resurrection that hee is risen again for our justification that hee hath clothed you with the white raiment of his own righteousnesse that your filthy nakednesse should not appeare as Rev. 3. 18. for if any sin be imputed before God the Devill will be too hard for thee for thou that believest not that the blood of the Lamb hath washed away all thy fins before God and that the white raiment of Christs righteousnesse hath not covered all thy sins thou art not fit to be a Captain or souldier for the Devill the World will overcome thee for by this a man denies himself to be all in Christ and in his righteousnesse for whosoever is clothed with the garment of salvation he shall be saved and overcome the Devill and the World but by faith in the white raiment we believe we are clothed with the garment of salvation Esâ— 61. 10. therefore wee shall overcome Thus when a man will be nothing in himself or in his own righteousnesse or sanctification but to be altogether in him Phil. 3. 9. therefore St. John saith in the same place this is our victory which overcometh the world even our faith What faith is that he tels you in 20th verse that wee are in him that is true in that his Son Jesus
Meyer that we should know that the bloud of Jesus Christ shall not be profitable to us except we beleeve it and give testimony of it Many will boast that they are redeemed by the bloud of Christ when in the meane time they refuse the Gospel i. they refuse to beleeve the bloud of Jesus Christ cleanseth them from all sin before God And when men have lost this how many inventions doe men deceive themselves with to take away their sinnes Some hope to take them away by pilgrimages some by the Popes pardons or by Purgatory some by their holy walking almes-deeds or repentance a little before they die or good meaning but such are deceived because as Christ hath sanctified his Church cleansed it by the washing of water through the Word so the way to overcome sinne and the Devill is by the bloud of the Lamb and by that word of their testimony Hence wee gather this Doctrine Doct. That all that would overcome the Devill by the bloud of the Lambe must fight with the word of their testimony i. must not onely have the shield of faith in the bloud of the Lambe but the sword of the Spirit the word of God whereby we give testimony or testifie of the bloud of the Lamb i. wee must shew our true faith by the word of our testimony Ephes. 6. 6. Above all take the shield of faith wherewith yee shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked for he that can quench all his fiery darts shall surely overcome him This shield of faith that quencheth is the bloud of the Lambe Above all signifying that this is the most speciall thing of greatest weight to overcome the Devill by which is called the wicked and when the children of the wicked shoote fiery bullets the best way to quench them is by faith in the bloud of the Lambe Now you know if a man had such a shield as would stop and quench and fence all the fiery bullets of the enemies in warre what man would goe to warre without it so when you know that the bloud of the Lambe will quench all the fiery darts of the Devill who would goe to warre without it When the enemies shoote wild-fire into a Towne you Souldiers know milke will presently quench it though it be shot upon thatched houses though it be the fiercest fire for 't is a secret in nature for milke to quench wild-fire Now wee are all in respect of the fiery darts of the Devill like unto thatched houses ready to fire presently by reason of originall sinne dwelling in us That if the Devill shoote his fiery dart of lust wee are ready to flie on fire as David did by looking on Bathsheba we must quench it by the bloud of the Lambe If he shoote his fiery dart of covetousnesse we are ready to burne as Aâ—han if wee have not the bloud of the Lambe that quencheth covetousnesse If he shoote the fiery dart of anger and wrath and revenge wee are ready to burne as Joah powre on the bloud of the Lambe and it will quench it If he shoote the fiery dart of despaire as to Caine and Judas we are ready to flame as they did quench it with the bloud of the Lambe for the Apostle sayes directly by the shield of faith yee may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked then if you doe not take it thanke your selves if you burne for here is a secret in divinitie that the bloud of the Lambe will quench all the fiery darts of the Devill therefore above all take the shield of faith signifying that this is the most speciall thing for a Souldier and of greatest necessitie to be sure he take the shield of faith in the bloud of the Lamb the helmet of salvation and the brestplate of Christs righteousnesse and the girdle of veritie be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace yet Satan may shoot such a fiery dart into thy heart as may set thee on fire therefore above all these take the shield of faith whereby yee may quench Satans fiery darts Things in Scripture that have the speciallest Item are of most speciall use as when he saith Doe good to all especially to the household of faith i. that are knowne to be the true Disciples of Christ that are the children of the marriage chamber so the Apostle says The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour especially they that labour in the word and doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. So above all pieces of spirituall armour especially take the shield of faith of the bloud of the Lamb to overcome the Devill by to quench his fiery darts And by the word of their Testimony i. by that word which testifies of the bloud of the Lamb we overcome him In Johns testimonie of Christ wee reade that he called Christ the Lamb of God that which taketh away the sinnes of the world i. he was come to take them away But now the Apostles and faithfull Ministers of Christ that are greater then John for they beare a greater testimonie for they testifie by the word that the bloud of the Lamb hath washed away our sinnes for so it is written in the word and wee testifie of it Rev. 1. 5. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. That he hath loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his own bloud and in whom we have redemption through his bloud the forgivenesse of our sinnes Marke he testifieth we have not we shall have and he hath loved us not he will Now there be six Reasons why the Devill is overcome or a Christian overcomes the Devill by the bloud of the Lamb and the word of that testimony First Reason Because by our testimony of that bloud we give unto God the glory of his holinesse against the Devill and sight and feeling for when Satan says Thou art an uncleane sinner and unholy how shouldest thou come neare so pure and so holy a God seeing thou art so uncleane and filthy by sinne and sight and feeling will help Satan to condemne a mans own conscience Now first we must confesse it For if wee confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sinnes and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse 1 John 1. 9. By confessing the truth wee shame the Devill for we well know wee are defiled with sinne by Adam but by the word of our testimony of the bloud of the Lambe that hath purged us from all sinne and having our garments washed white in the bloud of the Lamb Rev. 7. 14. He hath made us holy and unblameable and without fault in his sight Col. 1. 22. and we are made the Temple of God that is holy which are yee that so wee may appeare beautifull in the fight of God And by this manner of appearing before God by the bloud of the holy Lamb we acknowledge God to be so perfectly holy that he cannot indure the sight of any uncleane
thing And thus wee give God the glory of his holinesse and overcome the Devill and sight and reason that we are made holy in the holy bloud of the Lambe and of the holy Catholick Church For should the bloud of Adam make us unholy and should not the bloud of the Lamb make us holy when God saith we are holy and tels us how he hath made us holy for Jesus that he might sanctifie the people with his own bloud suffered without the gate Heb. 13. 12. Thus by our word of testimony of the bloud of the Lambe God hath the glory of his holinesse the Devill and reason are redargued and overcome and our soules comforted by beleeving Reason 2 A second Reason Why because by the word of our testimony of the bloud of the Lamb we give glory to the wisdome of God and give him the glory of his wisdome for whereas 't is the practise of the Devill to tempt men to blaspheme God by counting him unwise as to count preaching of the Gospel foolishnesse and the bringing Infants to holy Baptisme a foolish thing as an Anabaptist said and by counting him unwise in his providence as all doe that are discontented with their estates Now the word of our testimony of the bloud of the Lamb perswadeth us to beleeve that God is wisest and best knoweth how to save Infants by Baptisme as 1 Pet. 3. 21. and therefore commandeth them to be brought to him as all true Churches have done And he knoweth by his wisedome to save them that beleeve by preaching the Gospel which the world calls foolishnesse Also this faith perswadeth us to beleeve God is wisest and best knoweth what estate is best for us that so against the Devill sense and reason we wholly resigne our selves unto his wise providence and in that respect to be thankfull in all estates as Rev. 1. 5. As thus the faithfull say in all estates health or sicknesse wealth or povertie Vnto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his owne bloud c. he glory and wisdome And thus Job overcame the Devill that would have had Job charge God foolishly as if he had been unwise in his providence No The Lord hath given health wealth and children and the Lord hath taken away Blessed be the Name of the Lord As if he should say Blessed be his wisdome I am his let him deale with me according to his wisdome Many men would have cryed out I am undone I shall starve have I served God for this I le serve him no more I le goe serve the Queene of Heaven as the Jewes said Jer. 44. 17. No but he says the Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken blessed be the Name of the Lord He is wisest blessed be his wisdome I le serve him still though he kill me yet will I trust in him Job 13. 15. So when we see and feele sinne rebelling in us and see our houses burnt and all we have taken away and our bodies sick and sore then to give glory to the wisdome of God that God hath throwne on Christ the iniquities of us all the sinnes I see and feele and weep for and mortifie Christ hath borne them all in his own body on the tree he is wise enough to let sinne remaine in me to my feeling and yet by the bloud of the Lambe to make me without fault before his throne Thus the Devill and sense and reason are overcome and all the glory given to Gods wisdome Reason 3 A third Reason Why we overcome him by the word of our testimony of the bloud of the Lamb because wee give God thereby the glory of his truth for this is the practise of Satan to make men count God a lyer as to Eve that shee should not die at all and all that beleeve not make him a lyer because he beleveeth not the testimony that God hath given of his Sonne namely that the bloud of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sinne but he that beleeveth this hath sealed that God is true Joh. 3. 33. he hath set to his seale that the bloud of the Lamb hath made him cleane from all sinne for what maketh a man beleeve but that they judge him faithfull and true Faith then in this bloud is the acknowledging of Gods truth which is an high honour given to God for he maketh a great reckoning and account of this truth Thus faith in the bloud of the Lamb gets victory over the Devill when he perswades men not to beleeve but maketh God false but faith in the word of our testimony of the bloud of the Lamb testifieth that the seed of the woman hath broke the Serpents head and so the Devill and infidelitie are overcome Reason 4 A fourth Reason Why for this faith gives glory to God in acknowledging his Almightie power for this is the practise of Satan to perswade men against the power of God that it was impossible as he perswaded Cain his sinnes were greater then could be forgiven him Many of the promises of God to his children are of things which seeme impossible yet faith gives assent thereunto and testifieth that God is Almightie as Abraham when he heard that he should have a sonne by Sarah when shee was barren and when it ceased to be with her after the manner of women here was a battell of faith against sight and reason and above â—ope yet he beleeved under hope and gave glory unto God that he which had promised was able to do it and got victory So it is against sight and reason that the justified should have sin dwelling in them as long as they live and rebelling and yet the blood of the Lamb should take away their sins before the Throne of God this cannot be said Bildad against Job 25. For how should a man be clean that is born of a woman and therefore reproved of God for it Job 42. 7. but faith in the word of our testimony in Christs blood teacheth us to believe the Almighty power of the blood of the Lamb that it is able to do it against sight and reason and perswasion of the Devill and gives glory to the Lamb that his blood was able to do it that promised that the new covenant was sealed in his blood i. that our sins and iniquities should be remembred no more and thus the Devill and reason are overcome Reason 5 A fifth Reason why we overcome him by the word of our testimony in that blood because so we give glory to the mercy of God which is the proper object of Faith For when Satan perswades a poor sinner that there is no mercy for him but anger and wrath by our testimony of the blood of the Lamb wee are perswaded that God is rich yea infinitely abundant in mercie and therefore believeth the pardon of his sins from the rich price of Christs blood that was more worth then all the world for while men are perswaded by
Satan that God is poor in mercie or that he hath mercy for Abraham and the Righteous and for others but not for them that are great sinners therefore they despair and do not believe the pardon of their sins But by faith in the blood of the Lamb we give God the glory of the riches of his mercy for had he not been rich in mercy he would never have given such a rich price as the blood of Christ which is more worth then all the world and by it wee prove God is rich in mercy and the Devill is overcome that perswades us that God is poor in mercy or hath no mercy for us Reason 6 A sixth Reason Why we overcome him by faith in the testimony of the blood of the Lamb because thereby we give glory to the justice of God for when Satan objects that God is a just God infinite in justice and therefore must needs punish sin thou hast sinned and therefore shalt thou be punished but by the blood of Christ wee give God the glory of his justice by believing that God is perfectly just that without expiation and satisfaction for sin there can be no hope of mercy But now by the blood of Christ that was of infinite value wee testifie that satisfaction is made to Gods justice and therefore we believe that Gods justice will not exact that of us for which Christ hath satisfied with his own blood but will manifest his mercy and favour which is purchased for us with the blood of God Act. 20. 28. Thus justice and mercy are met together in the blood of the Lamb the justice of God is satisfied by throwing upon him the iniquities of us all by shedding his blood and mercy is shewed unto us that he suffered for us the just for the unjust to bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. For there are three points of Justice First to require satisfaction for a trespasse committed Secondly to remit that for which satisfaction is made Thirdly to bestow that which is merited and purchased Now faith in the testimony of the blood of the Lamb gives glory to the justice of God in all these For First it giveth testimony that God hath required satisfaction for all our sins in his Sons blood when he bare all our sins in his own body upon the tree 1 Pet. 3. 24. Secondly faith knowes justice hath forgiven that for which satisfaction is made by the blood of the Lamb Thirdly it believeth that that shall be bestowed that Christ hath purchased and merited by his blood i. life and eternall glory thus by our testimony of the blood of the Lamb wee magnifie the justice of God as well as his mercy and so the Devill is overcome I have stood the longer to shew you how to get the victory over Satan because hee that can conquer and prevail over the god of the world shall prevail and overcome the world Now for as much as Satan knowes that faith in the blood of the Lamb will overcome him marke his wiles and sleights to wrest the shield of faith out of thine hand for you must not think to go away conquerers without a combate for hee assaulted Eve Gen. 1. and Christ himself Matth. 4. 3. and Moses Numb. 20. 12. and Peter Luke 22. 32. and the Thessalonians 1. 3. 5. Sleight 1 The first sleight that Satan useth against naturall men that have no assurance of salvation to perswade them that no man can have assurance of salvation and because he hath none hee is ready to believe it for say the doctrine of Devils Can any be assured by faith that the blood of Christ is his whosoever hath any such conceit 't is but presumption say the Papists Answ To let passe how this point of Popery confutes the reall presence of the same body and blood of Christ that was conceived in the virgins womb if when they have received it they cannot be assured that the blood of Christ is theirs I answer That the assurance of faith in Christs blood is no presumption for thus they differ First because when a man hath seen himself wounded by sin both person and actions his own righteousnesse and sanctification all unclean and an horrible sinner by the curse of the Law then faith in the blood of the Lamb driveth a man out of himself to cast himself wholly upon Christ as Esther did upon the Kings mercy as upon the precious blood of the Lamb undefiled and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. But presumption finds some good heart or meaning some righteousnesse as he calls it to trust to Secondly faith in the testimony of Christs blood resteth on a sure foundation which is Gods Word that both commandeth us to believe and promiseth to perform that which we do believe as 1 Joh. 3. 23. and Joh. 16. 24. but presumption relieth upon phantasie to do as well as others Thirdly true faith delighteth in the blood of the Lamb and can never heare too much of it and useth the means whereby it was first bred as David said I will never forget thy promise for by it thou hast quickned me Psal. 119. so faith will never forget the blood of the Lamb for by it thou hast cleansed me they will not be weary to hear of it But presumption hateth that doctrine and the professors of it and such as preach most of it and most purely shall have some grosse name or other Fourthly true faith increaseth by degrees from faith to faith from a weak to a strong as 1. To know the vertue of it 2. To grieve for the want of it 3. To hunger and thirst after it and set an high price of it Presumption is a sudden flash and so continues it had no assurance forty yeers ago and no more it hath yet Fiftly true faith in the testimony of the blood of the Lamb maketh a man truly valiant for he that believeth the blood of the Lamb hath cleansed him from all sin before God and is a childe of God by his Baptisme as Gal. 3. 26 27. What need hee feare hee doth not fear to go to heaven and therefore he doth not feare death the Devill or man for the righteous are bold as a Lion Prov. 26. 1. but presumption though it be fool-hardy at first yet will flie at the last where no fear is Sixthly true faith in that testimony maketh a man depart from all iniquity and keep a good conscience before God and men in hope of the resurrection But presumption hath an evill conscience before both by reason of sin Sleight 2 The second sleight that true faith in the blood of the Lamb is wonderfull hard where is there one of a thousand that obtaine it Therefore will Satan perswade 't is in vain for thee to seek it as he perswades many never to begin to learn to read because it is so hard that they shall never obtain it such are beguiled of the Devill to neglect to learne though they see
a childe of four yeers old can Answ Though faith be hard to the carnall sense not yet inspired yet it is easie to the mind inlightened for as Salomon saith Knowledge is easie to him that will understand Prov. 14. 6. i. if he be willing and love it so faith is easie to him that will believe not that it is in mans power but where the Spirit of God works a desire to ask seek and knock Wisdome will open the door for none that come unto me put I away saith Christ Quest Quest What is the reason then that so many never get faith for the assurance of salvation Answ Answ. 1. Because they ask amisse not in faith of the blood of the Lamb that hee hath washed them from their sins in his owne blood in Baptisme Rev. 1. 5. If they misse this mark they shoot wide of the assurance of salvation For if I wash thee not thou hast no part in me Joh. 13. 8. Secondly because they seek faith in themselves carnall reason fleshly devices by wit of mans phantasie and not in the blood of the Lamb the god of this world blindeth their minds that the glorious Gospel of the blood of the Lamb and his white raiment should not shine to them Thirdly because they oppose the doctrine of free justification by Christs blood and righteousnesse and wink at it and imbrace not the purity of that doctrine but count it an errour and receive not the love of the truth they are given over to believe an error and falsities which can give thee no assurance of salvation Fourthly because they turn to the greatest multitude which scoff at and persecute the truth God gives them over to walk in blindnesse as the Pharisees did Sleight 3 The third sleight that faith is needlesse there is more need of works many prate of faith but let me see good works a good hope is enough with good works Answ I answer that there is great need of faith for works severed from faith are abominable before God Heb. 11. 6. And if a good hope were enough why did the Apostles pray Lord increase our faith Luk. 17. 5. and Mark 9. 24. For as all things are possible to him that believeth so all things are impossible to him that believeth not Heb. 11. 6. Sleight 4 The 4th sleight Thy faith is not sound but counterfeit thou an hypocrite thy faith is mixed with imperfections sins wavering Answ I answer I prove my faith by the causes for he hath given us a mind to know him which is true and we are in him that is true in that his Son Jesus Christ the same is very God and eternall life 1 Joh. 5. 20. And this is the true Jesus that came by water and blood not by water of baptisme only but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse i. to my spirit that I am a child of God Rom. 8. 16. and that Spirit is truth 1 Joh. 5. 6. therefore having my heart sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb from an evill conscience and my body washed with pure water i. in baptisme I may keep my profession without wavering Heb. 10. 23. This faith worketh by love and a desire to live honestly Heb. 13. 18. Vse 1 Is it so that the faithfull overcome the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony You see Christian souldiers that love not your lives unto the death and therefore you that give up your bodies and souls living and acceptable sacrifices unto God which is your reasonable service of God and lay down your lives for the brethren and for the Gospel are to be honoured as martyrs You see that by true faith in the blood of the Lamb you shall overcome the Devill because you give testimony to the holinesse of God Let this move all you that are souldiers of Jesus Christ to give glory to the holinesse of God in keeping your bodies chast and pure and Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in for the Temple of God is holy which are yee 1 Cor. 3. 17. If you say you give glory to the holinesse of God give him glory in keeping your selves holy Temples of God But if any man destroy the Temple of God him shall God destroy Hee that destroyes it by whoredom for thereby thou becomest one flesh with an whore Latrina Diaboli for as the Temple of God was destroyed when it was made a Jakes so is the Temple of God destroyed when it is made the devils Jakes for he that is made one flesh with an whore which is the Devils Jakes is thereby made the Devils Jakes but all whoremongers are made one flesh with his whore that is the devils jakes Ergo they are made the devils jakes and so the Temple of God is destroyed and therefore their destiny is to be destroyed that do not repent for Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13. 4. he will destroy such as destroy the Temple of God therefore you may perceive such to prove cowards for fearfulness goes before destruction and an high mind before a fall There is a conceit among souldiers that Wine will make men valiant but it is false for whoredome wine and new wine take away the heart i. whoredom drunkenness make men arrant cowards Hos. 4. 11. For whoredome drunkenness make an evill conscience and an evill conscience make men fearfull and flee where no fear is Prov. 28. 1. For an evill conscience and the curse of God runs after him and will overtake him Vse 2 Is it so that by the word of your testimony of the blood of the Lamb you overcome the Devill by giving glory to the wisdome of God then let this faith guide you to follow his wisdome and deny your own as the Psalmist said Thou shalt guide me by thy counsell and afterward receive me to glory Psal. 73. 24. And therefore as David did so do you ask counsell of the Lord for every battell at the Oracle of Gods Word i. whether God doth allow it or no as Jehosaphat said 1 King 22. 5. Ask counsell I pray thee of the Lord of day for there can be no war or battell lawfull but that wee may finde some warrant out of the Word of God that doth warrant it to be lawfull so shall you be sure both to overcome your spirituall enemy the Devill by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony and also your temporall enemies by faith in that blood and by the word of your testimony for should not a people inquire at their God signifying yes they should to the Law and to the testimony if they speak or fight not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa. 8. 20. So shall you say Thou hast made me wiser then mine enemies by thy commandments for they are ever with me Psal. 119. 98 my delight and counsels Vse 3 Is it so that