these we are more then conquerors through him that loved us Faith in Christ made them strong and couragious and not to succumb to the temptation for fear of death by constant suffering to the death they were more then conquerors Sometimes by their sufferings they have even conquered the hearts of Persecutors to the love of the truth Pauls sufferings were active on the hearts of some of Caesars houshold Phil. 1.13 Tertullian Tertullian In his Apologetick for the Christians saith that the more exquisite and cruell the torments were against Christians in regard of their courage and constancy it proves the greater allurement to beholders for embracing the Christian faith yea though they have not conquered the hearts of their enemies yet they overcame their consciences by the force of truth and strength in suffering and rendred them self-condemned The truth of this Doctrine doth also appear from these Reasons Reasons 1. From the mysticall Vnion between Christ and Beleevers As the members of his body have influence of life from him their head in the beginning of Sanctification So in the course of it they have influence of strength and vigour for doing duties as the ointment was first poured on Aarons head and from thence ran down to the skirts of his garments So together with the other graces of the Spirit the gift of strength was in a large measure given to Christ the head of his Church and Of his Fulnesse we receive grace for grace Of him we get not only the life of grace together with a renewed power and strength for doing but also we receive strength in doing Not only he giveth an ability for walking in his wayes but strengthens us in the act it self of obeying his will Ezek. 11.19 20. I will put a new spirit within you and I will give them an heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes Not only in the Covenant of grace is promised ability and power to do but also actual strength in doing and exercising that power Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes for doing acts of moral fortitude and valour there is not only required courage of spirit and resolution to stand against difficulties and peril but also actual courage and strength in the encountring with the same without this men of couragious spirits succumb in conflicts Psal 76.5 The stout-hearted are spoyled they have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands much more in our wrastlings not only against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spiritual wickednesse in high places Ephes 6.12 is required both Christian ability and courage of spirit and also actual strength from Christ our head that we may in the evil day stand firm in the faith This strength is derived to all the members of his mystical body from Christ their head by his Spirit the union is by the spirit which is the bond proceeding from Christ toward us and worketh faith whereby his members are united to him 1 Cor. 6.19 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit In like manner our Communion with Christ and his strength is by the Spirit who communicates strength to us Ephes 3.16 Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man 2. The truth of this doctrine is evident from Christs inhabitation in beleevers by his spirit Joh. 6.56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him The Spirit of Christ dwelleth in the beleevers heart as his sanctuary wherein he is worshipped and found and the beleever dwelleth in him as his souls delight and rest now it is certain that the Spirit of Christ will defend and protect the soul where he dwelleth that though the beleever be oft times molested with temptations yet is he many times preserved from the bondage and power of the temptation The Angels that lodged with Lot Gen. 19. defended him against the violence of those vile men of Sodom so it is the Angel of the Covenant Jesus Christ who defends by his strength the beleever against the sore and violent temptations from his own corruption and the world It is the Spirit of Christ that strengthens beleevers to stand firm in the love and profession of the truth against crafty or violent seducers 1 Joh. 4.4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome them because greater that is mightier is he that is in you then he that is in the world 3. It is evident from that interest and propriety Christ hath to beleevers as his redeemed ones purchased by the price of his blood he will by his strength desend his own subjects It is the honour of a mighty King and Lord to help and defend his subjects from their enemies thus God is glorified in his power and strength when he upholds his weak and afflicted servants in a day of trial Isa 25.3 4. Therefore shall the strong people glorifie thee the City of the terrible nations shall fear thee for thou hast been a strength to the poor a strength to the needy in his distresse when the blast of the terrible ones is as astorm against the wall the skilfullnesse of the builder and the strength of the wall is best seen when the house stands firm against a great storm so the glory of the Lord in strengthening his weak children is most conspicuous in a tempestuous time From this ground of right and property the Lord encourageth his people against fears and troubles Isa 41.14 Fear not thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel Isa 43.1 Fear not O Israel for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine upon this ground it is that beleevers run to God in time of trouble for comfort and strength Psal 119.94 I am thine save me Dan. 9.18 Behold our desolations and the City that is called by thy name Lastly It is evident from our interest also in Christ the beleever is espoused to him as an husband 2 Cor. 11.2 As the wife hath interest and communion in her husbands goods so have we in the gifts of our Lord and husband Jesus Christ he is made of God unto us wisdom and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Elkanah a kind husband comforted and encouraged Hannah in the day of her great trouble and reproach 1 Sam. 1.8 so the Lord Jesus comforteth and encourageth beleevers in a time of trouble David by power and strength rescued his wives that were carried away by his enemies 1 Sam. 30.18 So our Lord and husband recovereth beleevers out of the snare of temptation by renewing in them the acts of repentance and strengthening them to break asunder the cords of iniquity thus he recovered Peter with a look of power piercing into his heart he rescueth also
be cleared How a man is able through the strength of Christ to do all things those of the Romane Church understand it thus That a renewed man by the grace and strength he receives from Christ is able to keep the whole Law perfectly and absolutely in all points and degrees of legal perfection to this purpose is that peremptory assertion of the Council of Trent Sess 6. Gan. 18. But the Scripture tells us it was Gods purpose to save man not by his own inherent righteousnesse though wrought in him by Christ but by the righteousnesse of a Mediator 2 Cor. 5.31 He hath made him to be sinne for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him If it were possible for a renewed man to keep the Law then might he be justified and saved by the Law but no man is justified by the Law Acts 13.38 Be it known unto you that thorow this man is preached unto you forgivenesse of sinnes and by him all that beleeve are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses Gal. 2.21 If righteousnesse be by the Law then Christ hath died in vain But in a sound sense the words may be taken three wayes 1. By way of restriction to the particulars spoken of ver 11 12. I can do all these things to wit I can abound I can be abased c. and yet be content Thus the generall all things is restrained 1 Cor. 9.22 I am made all things to all men which must be restrained to the particulars spoken of to wit his provident condescension to all things indifferent to men of divers conditions 2. They may be understood By way of reduplication all the good things I am able to do I can do them by Christ who strengtheneth me The like phrase we have Joh. 1.9 Christ enlightneth every man that cometh into the world that is every one that is enlightned is enlightned by him for there be many that never were enlightned with that speciall illumination of faith So it is said 1 Tim. 4.10 God is the Saviour of all men specially of those that beleeve that is all men who are saved and preserved either by a generall providence from temporall misery or beleevers that are saved in a speciall manner by a Mediator from eternall misery they are all saved by God and in another sense it cannot be understood for many are not preserved from bodily and temporall evils and farre more are not saved and preserved from eternall misery for the speciall salvation is only of beleevers and all men have not faith 2 Thes 3.2 3. A man renewed is able to do all things in a righteousnesse and perfection Evangelical so far forth as God pardons his sinnes accepts in Christ his weak endeavours and covers the imperfections of his best performances with the perfect righteousnesse of Christ and so he walks answerable to the Gospel that requires truth and sincerity in our obedience he is able through grace to walk without offence in his outward conversation in his purpose of heart he is willing to live honestly Heb. 13.18 and endeavours to keep a conscience void of offence toward God and man Acts 24.16 But to do all things in a legal perfection he cannot because such a perfection is only to be sought in Christ the mediator who was made of God unto us righteousnesse in the Covenant of Grace The strength of a beleever Doct. both for doing and suffering the good will of God A beleevers strength is from the Lord Jesus is from the Lord Jesus Phil. 1.29 Vnto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to beleeve in him but also to suffer for his sake Our strength also for doing is from the Lord Jesus Joh. 15.4 As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the vine no more can ye except ye abide in me Without sap from the root the branch cannot bring forth fruit so without influence of strength from Christ we cannot bring forth the fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse Joh. 15.5 He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing Our Lord speaks to men renewed his holy Apostles that without him they have no ability or strength to do any thing Phil. 1.11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God Our fruits and works of righteousnesse are wrought by us through the Spirit and strength of Christ and are accepted of God through the merit of Christ in whom alone both our persons Eph. 1.6 and services are accepted 1 Pet. 2.5 As the strength of a beleever for doing is from Christ so also for suffering and for bearing every burden God in his good providence layes on him Our strength to stand out against the violence of temptations from within us is all from Christ 2 Cor. 12.9 The Lord said unto me saith Paul in the day of temptation My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weaknesse as the strength of the foundation is made manifest by supporting all the stones built upon it so the strength of Christ is declared to be a perfect strength in upholding all the living stones built upon him though the tempestuous windes of temptation may shake them yet are they supported by the strength of that precious corner stone laid in Zion the Lord Jesus Christ So our strength to stand out against the assaults of temptations from without is all from Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 4.16.17 At my first answer no man stood with me but all men forsook me notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me Here was a sore triall Paul is brought before Nero or his Officers fierce and cruell persecutors of the Christian faith like Lyons roaring after their prey yet that which grieved him most was this all men forsook him this opened the mouths of persecutors to reproach him with a singularity of pride and wilfullnesse that would stand to his own opinion when all men were ashamed of that way It wounded his zealous spirit to see the Sonne of God and the Gospel disgraced by their fearfull defection at the time they should chiefly have given a countenance and testimony to the truth he was not a little grieved to see the levity of fair professors at first when he came to Rome they flockt out to him as farre as Appii forum Acts 27.15 but in a day of trial they all forsook him notwithstanding the Lord who will not fail nor forsake stood with him and strengthened him to stand out against this sore triall when no man did own him nor his cause yet God did own both Not only are the children of God strengthened through Christ to bear afflictions but to overcome in all their sufferings Rom. 8.35 36 37. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Nay In all
be not reconciled to him Answ The Lord grants unto them a general protection in a time of outward troubles as a Judge guarding and protecting a condemned malefactor from the violence of private avengers of blood until the day he be brought forth to publick execution but he protects those with whom he is reconciled by a special protection of grace as a father doth his weak and sick children until they be confirmed in health and strength The Lord protects them sometimes from falling under the power of a temptation and at other times if they fall he restores them by repentance that they lye not and live not under the bondage of temptation 2. As thou wouldst have strength to sustain thee when ever God calls thee to a duty though hard to flesh and blood Go about it with all diligence decline it not out of fear of personal weaknesse if thou meet thy God in the way of obedience to his call thy God shall meet thee with strength at the time of thy greatest need Moses out of fear of weaknesse at first declined that charge to speak unto Pharaoh yet he no sooner went about it actively but God furnished him with strength in the discharge of it Stephen did not decline a dispute with men of contentious and violent spirits when God called him to it and the Lord filled him with such a strong measure of wisedom that they were not able to answer him Acts 6. according to that promise of our Lord Luke 12.11 12. When they bring you into Synagogues unto Magistrates and Princes take ye no thought how or what ye shall answer or what ye shall say Our Lord doth not prohibit all premeditation of what we should speak but only an anxious solicitude that perturbs the judgment and disables men in a day of trial when men will trust nothing to a divine assistance unlesse they be very strong in their studied preparations and defences It is our best course to wait on the Lord who in his own due time will give strength and comfort when our extremity is greatest some Martyrs have complained heavily to God against themselves for want of courage in the time of their imprisonment yet in the day they were taken out to the place of execution they no sooner saw the fire but incontinent they cried out with joy venit venit the spirit is come he is come Lastly Vse 5 It serveth for Direction how to carry thy self after that in the Lords strength thou hast stood and withstood a temptation Directions to conquerors in any temptations or after thou hast done any service acceptable to the Lord First Give all praise to the Lord and say with the Church Psal 44.3 They got not their land in possession by their own sword neither did their own arm save them but thy right hand and thine arm and the light of thy countenance because thou hadst a favour unto them Hast thou at any time resisted a strong and violent temptation blesse God who girdeth thee with strength it may be in these sad times thou maist say of thy self as Jacob said of his sonne Joseph Gen. 48.23 The archers have sorely grieved thee and shot at thee and hated thee yet praise thy Lord who gave strength and courage to thy spirit that thou maist say also from the experience of Gods assisting and strengthening presence Thy bow abode in strength and the arms of thine hand were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob It may be thou hast stood when others by all appearance stronger then thou have fallen blesse thy God who by his strength only made thee to differ from others in an hour of temptation The weaknesse of God is stronger then men 1 Cor. 1.25 Gods strength in his weaknesse is farre above the strength of moral abilities in men that are counted the able men in this world It may be at one time thou hast resisted a mighty temptation when at another time thou hast fallen fouly under the power of a lesser blesse God in his strength who makes thee to differ from thy self who art by nature weak and ready at all times to be carried about with every wind of temptation 2. After God hath given thee some victory over any temptation be not secure but watch and pray that thou be not led into a new temptation Satan watches for a new opportunity from thy security or pride of thy former victory he departed from the Captain of our salvation but for a season Luk. 4. though he had no hope to prevail by his temptations thou maist be sure though he be repulsed by thee at one time and put from possession yet thou canst never put him from obsession and molesting thee with assaults for he thinks so long as his correspondent thy corruption is within thee possibly he may get entrance and prevail It was a good and seasonable counsel of the Prophet to the King of Israel after his late victory over the Assyrians 1 Kings 20.21 22. The Prophet came to the King of Israel and said unto him Go strengthen thy self and mark and see what thou dost for at the return of the year the King of Syria will come up against thee So say I Still strengthen thy self in the Lord mark and observe the approaches of temptation thy enemy will rally his forces again and come not only at the return of a new year but at the return of a day or a night yea of an hour Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and for ever Amen Perseverance in GRACE through CHRIST PHIL. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ AS regeneration and the beginning of sanctifying grace so perseverance in grace received Perseverance a peculiar priviledge procured by the death of Christ to the Elect. and the continuance of a renewed and gratious disposition in believers is a special priviledge of the Covenant of grace procured to the Elect by the death of the mediatour Jesus Christ Luke 1.73 74. In which words the grace of Justification in our delivery from all our spiritual enemies The grace of new obedience to serve the Lord and the grace of perseverance to serve him all the days of our life are reckoned up together as priviledges and benefits promised in the Covenant of grace and confirmed by an oath of God to Abraham and to all believers his children according to the promise In the words we have two main points considerable 1. The Author of Perseverance In the words two points he which hath begun the good work in you will perform it 2. The certaintie of Perseverance in the grace received in these words being confident of this very thing The