Back-burdens Now who would not but be disburdened and be at Ease and Rest in the Grave the Weary find Rest Job 3.17 but the Rest that is found in Christ Matth. 11.28,29,30 is for the Soul as well as Body c. Rev. 14.13 and who would not be willing to put off Rotten Rags and to put on Royal Robes c. Many more Cordials might be mentioned as 7 thly For me saith Paul to die is Gain Phil. 1.21 because Death to a good Man brings freedom from all Evil and a fruition of all Good And hereupon he 8 thly He desired to be dissolved c. ver 23. The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to launch forth to loose off from the Shore of Life and to launch out into the Ocean of Immortality and Glory this was all his Song he longed to be with Christ ever after he had been wrapt up to the Third Heaven 9 thly Yea and Old Simeon thought it best of all with Paul to die when he sang that sweet Song Lord now let thy Servant depart in peace c. Luke 2.29 as is largely spoke to before adding only this here he only saw the Lord's-Christ in weakness with an Eye of Sense but we see him in Glory with an Eye of Faith therefore may better depart not in Peace only but also in Joy and Comfort 10 thly How couragious was that Proto-Martyr Stephen against the Terrors of a most Terrible Death after he had seen the Heavens opened and Christ standing at the Right Hand of God Acts 7.56 The like Prospect we have offered to our Faith which is the Key that opens Heaven and may we but fix our Spiritual Eyes upon that Glorious Object this would wonderfully enable us to lay down our Mortal Bodies in peace and send up our Immortal Souls into the Hands of him that bought it crying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Lastly But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.57 with 55 56. Thirdly The Cordials against Terrors of the Day of Judgment which surely follows Death Heb. 9.27 and which is called a Terrible and Dreadful Day very often in Scripture as that Day shall burn like an Oven Mal. 4.1 the Sun turned into Darkness and Moon into Blood Acts 2.20 and Elements shall melt with fervent Heat c. 2 Pet. 3.10 and the Lord will come in flaming Fire c. 2 Thes 1.7,8 and with Fire and Sword will God plead with all Flesh c. Isai 66.15,16 see likewise Joel 2.31 Matth. 25.31,32 Rev. 1.7 c. Now if a Crack of Thunder and a Flash of Lightning at the breaking of a single sorry Cloud do so affright us how much more when the whole Heavens break and drop down like Scalding Bell-Mettal about our Ears c. Yet Note well 1 st There is Comfort for the Chosen Ones they shall be caught up in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall ever be with the Lord and therefore comfort your selves c. 1 Thes 4,16,17,18 2 dly As Death leaves us so the Day of Judgment will find us as the Tree falleth towards the South or towards the North there it lieth Eccles 11.3 Even so as is before observed if we fall by Death upon the Right Hand of Christ among his pretious Sheep then are we called upon to lift up our Heads for the Day of our Redemption is come Luke 21.28 Ephes 4.30 that way the Tree leans that way it falls Oh that while we live we may lean to Christ 3 dly The due Observation of the main end of Life is to be useful to the end of our Lives wee should be ever ready Matth. 24.44 May we but become good Stewards then blessed is that Servant whom his Master shall find so doing ver 46. 4 thly Tho' we be conscious to our selves that our Obedience has been exceeding narrow to God's Commandments which are exceeding broad Psal 119.96 yet may we rejoice with Trembling Phil. 2.11 because our Judge is our Advocate who became sin for us c. that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 1 John 2.1,2 5 thly May we but upon good grounds be persuaded that we are justified by Faith then have we peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 5.1 this is known if we be sanctified by the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 For this latter doth evidence the former and having got God's Seal and Earnest which he never gives to a Reprobate then fear not Gen. 15.1 6 thly Be sure to have the Line of Scarlet Thread bound to our Windows as Rahab had Josh 2.18 this was the saving Colour a Red Cord Thus Israel's Door-posts must be Red with Blood when the destroying Angel passed over Egypt Rahab made haste and delayed not as Psal 119.60 So soon as she dismissed the Spies long before Jericho fell c. Oh could we get this Scarlet Line the Blood of Christ fixed upon our Hearts this Sign saved Rahab and made her famous Heb. 11.31 and Jam. 2.25 then our Joshuah will save us and say to us also Come ye blessed of my Father inherit c. Matth. 25.34 In the mean time we Aged Ones must be ever praying Lord cast me not off in my Old Age and forsake me not when strength fails me Psal 71.9 Laus Ei Soli tribuatur omnes Cujus Afflatu Labor extat omnis Fructus ut Vitae reserantur omnes orbis in Oras FINIS Christopher Nesse aetatis suae 56 1678 Minnister of the Gospel in fleet Street London
to wit Gospel Ordinances will cry come and be like a Roe for swiftness Cant. 8. last Upon such Christ comes not as a Thief in the night 1 Thes 5.3 for they love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 and they are blessed Rev. 16.15 Such as fear to live and see that day shall not see it to live c. The Third great Friend we must watch is the Holy Ghost for 't is a Divine Precept He that hath Ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 2.7 And this is said again and again both in the 2 d and in the 3 d Chapter to all the Seven Golden Candlesticks seven times over the sense whereof is we must watch and hearken what God the Holy Spirit will speak Psal 85.8 not so much with the Gristle on the Head but more by the Ear of the Heart for God may speak once and twice and man perceive it not Job 33.14 until God bore our Ears as he did David's Psal 40.6 and open our Hearts as he did Lydias Acts 16.14 and until our Lord put his Finger into the Hole of our Ear and looking up to Heaven he cry Ephphatha that is be opened as he did to the Man that was possessed with a deaf Devil Mark 7.34 We must pray with the Spouse for this purpose saying Lord thy Companions hearken to thy Voice cause me to hear it also Cant. 8.13 when this Quickning Spirit as he is called Joh. 6.63 even this Spirit of Truth cometh he guideth us into all Truth Joh. 16.13 and blessed is that Soul which watcheth the Motions of this Holy Spirit in a Sanctified Conscience and can discern a difference of such persuasions as come not from him that calleth us Gal. 5.8 The Steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord Psal 37.23 Blessed are they that hear the joyful sound of this breathing Spirit they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy Countenance Psal 89.15 they follow the footsteps of his Anointed ver 51. and David must then bestir himself when he heard the sound of God's goings upon the Tops of the Mulberry Trees 2 Sam. 5.24 This Holy Spirit is a delicate thing Psal 143.10 as Junius reads it and therefore must not be vexed Isa 63.10 nor grieved Ephes 4.30 much less quenched in its motions 1 Thes 5.19 they that are led by the Spirit are the Sons of God Rom. 8.14 as Paul was Acts 16.6,7 and Simeon was led by the Spirit into the Temple Luke 2.27 Yea and our Lord Jesus himself was led up by the Spirit into the Wilderness to conquer the Tempter in a Duel upon the Devil 's own ground Matth. 4.1 Thus Abraham that Father of the faithful went out he knew not whether nor when he should return nor how he should subsist c. yet he well knew with whom he went Heb. 11.8 for he put himself as a Child into his Father's hand who called him and the conduct of the Holy Spirit carried him dry-shod to the last Thus likewise if we be the Sons and Daughters of Abraham the Holy Spirit will teach us all things John 14.26 that blessed Anointing is our best Instructer 1 John 2.20.27 We should lay our selves as Instruments open to the Touchings of this Holy Spirit and submit to his Discipline which requires much self-denial then shall we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22,23 which is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5.9 And could we but watch its whisperings more and better so as to obey them we should not so oft be found in Fundo Diaboli upon the Devil's ground in places of Temptation but as the Spirit suffered not Paul c. to go unto such and such Places Acts 16.6,7 even so would it be with us could we but put our Souls wholly under the conduct of this Holy Spirit If once we dare presume to break this Divine Hedge that Old Serpent will surely bite us Eccles 10.8 We may not live at Random and without a Rule but we must mind and watch the Teachings of this Divine Unction which never teacheth us any thing but what is consonant to the Holy Scripture endited by it 2 Pet. 1.19,20,21 Now come we to the Second Trinity or three sorts of Foes or Enemies to be duly and daily watched The first Foe is the World which is a woful Witch and must be burned for a Witch at the Last Day 2 Pet. 3.7,10 and therefore ought we to watch this Witch well that we may not be bewitched by it It is well known that such persons as are bewitched do not only lose their Likeness and Beauty but also do suffer many sad Paroxysms and Fits of strange Distempers c. As all this holds true literally to bewitched Bodies c. so no less is it true mystically to bewitched Souls which are captivated by the two fair Breasts or rather Botches this Witch the World exposeth to their view namely Pleasure and Profit Such have horrible Fits of Madness as Saul had when the Evil Spirit came upon him 1 Sam. 16.14,23 c. and such have Leanness sent into their Souls Psal 106.15 Besides the World must be well watched because it is such an Enemy as continually besiegeth us and we cannot flee from it while we live in it therefore we must be sure to have a Lid or Covering for our Hearts Those Vessels that wanted Coverings the Law doomed them Unclean Numb 19.15 and so are our Hearts without a Covering of the Spirit Isa 30.1 The Dirt of a dirty World will unavoidably be often falling into an open uncovered Heart whereby both Mind and Conscience are defiled Tit. 1.15 We should keep the World under our Feet where God placed it Psal 8.6 and not set it in our Hearts Eccles 3.11 The Second Foe to be watched is Satan who is called the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 and dealeth with Worldlings as unlucky Boys do with silly Horses they first catch them with a little Provender and then backs them whips and spurs them into an High Gallop and rides them till they be tired and at last lodges them in the Stable at night c. We are told how Satan considered Job and better considered him Job 1.8 and 2.3 that is he watched all Advantages to Tempt that none-such Saint and Servant of God c. Oh then how much more ought such weak worms as we are to consider him who so much consiâ—ers us and watches us to take all advantages against us for we are not ignorant of his Devices 2 Cor. 2.11 We read of Rizpah how she watched her Royal Seed upon the Rock c. and suffered neither the Birds of the Air to rest on them by day nor the Beasts of the Field by night 2 Sam. 21.10 Thus every Believer ought to do as Rizpah did in watching the Royal Seed even the Seed of God in them that it be not wronged either by night or day by Satan who is called
a long and lingering Death no Member being free from pain so if the mortifying grace of Christ which is the virtue and power of his Deaâ—… as an holy Life is the virtue and power of his Resurrection Phil. 3.10 be in our Hearts by the indwellings of Christ there Ephes 3.17 then the Body of Sin is nailed so fast that it cannot stir either Hands or Feet insomuch as it will certainly die tho' it be not presently dead yea tho' it suffer many sore throbs before it perfectly die 'T is like those Beasts in Daniel whose Dominions were taken away yet their Lives were prolonged for a Time and a Season Dan. 7.12 Now Repentance is the Nail that pierceth this Body of Sin and the renewing of our Repentance doth put the Old Man in us to new Torments till at last it die The Second Enemy which Christ conquers and captivates in us and for us is the World for he saith to us be of good chear I have overcome the World John 16.33 hence the Apostle useth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies we are more than Conquerors by Christ's Love Rom. 8.37 because all our work that Christ hath left us to do is only to conquer an Adversary which is already conquered to our hand before hand Just as Joshuah did to his Captains he delivers the five conquered Kings to them as above and they had no more to do than to set their â—eet upon the Necks of the conquered even so our Jesus hath subdued our Iniquities Mic. 7.19 and hath overcome the World John 16.33 already for us so that we are made sure of Victory before hand in our head Christ Phil. 4.13 and we now have need to do no more but to trample all things under our Feet where the most wise God did at first place them Psal 8.6,7,8 and over which we should triumph in Christ as the Apostle saith now thanks be unto God who causeth us always to triumph in Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 And indeed to be a Triumpher is to be more than a Conqueror for Conquering goeth before and Triumphing always follows after and such a Triumpher was this same Apostle who saith God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto me and I unto the World Gal. 6.14 as if he had said the World and I do well agree as it careth not for me so I care as little for it I look upon it only as a dead thing as an overgrown Dunghil I love not to suck her two fair Breasts or rather her two foul Botches of Profit and Pleasure He had learnt that high Lesson in Christ's School of knowing both how to abound with Humility and how to want with content c. Phil. 4.12,13 'T is said when the World is set in our Hearts Eccless 3.11 which ought to be under our Feet as before when we are given up to the carking cares about things of this present evil World as it is called Gal. 1.4 alas how sick are some called Saints of this dry dropsie c May we not well say there is as yet no fitness that the Saints should rule the World according to the Notion of some Opinionists while the World so much doth rule the Saints It may be feared that it is no easie matter to find among many Professors any such mortified men as Paul was and such a Crucifix of Mortification who could cry Quits with the World as before it is said The Scripture indeed tells us whosoever is born of God overcometh the World and who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God and this is the Victory that overcometh the World even our Faith 1 Joh. 5.4,5 This is not only because by our faith in Christ we are assured of the Victory before we have accomplished our good fight of Faith but also because it is the Nature of Faith to put the Soul upon more noble Exploits as well as Projects than those that are about the base things of this lower World 'T is said that Christ hath made us Kings and Priests unto God his Father Rev. 1.6 which is called a Royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.9 So that this faith in Christ giveth the Soul such a Royal Spirit as raiseth it above those things that are below as worldly things are stiled Col. 3.1,2 If ye be risen with Christ seek and set your affections upon things that are above and not upon things that are below upon the Earth Faith lifts up the Soul above both the frownings and the flatterings of the World when we are affrighâ—…d with the Frowns of the World Faâ—… presents the Torments of Hell to us which are far worse than what the most frowning World can inflict upon us and on the other hand when we are allured and enticed with the Flatteries of the World then Faith represents to us the Joys of Heaven which do infinitely transcend all the glittering Glories of this sublunary perishing World as Scipio Affricanus said Vellem si non essem Imperator I would were I not an Emperor and Themistocles take thou it up for thou art not a General so it should be below Christians c. Yea and Faith gives us not only a sight and tast of the Grapes of Canaan the most lovely and desirable Fruits thereof but also feeds us with Hidden Manna Rev. 2.17 If we be but overcomers as we pass along through this Wilderness to our Heavenly Canaan Thus Moses by Faith despised the Treasures and Pleasures of Egypt when he chose to suffer affliction with the People of God rather than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of that Land which had been the Granary of the World but a little before in Joseph's time for he had respect unto the Recompence of Reward and by the Eye of his Faith he saw him that was invisible Heb. 11.24,25,26,27 that whole Chapter demonstrateth by numerous Instances how Faith is a World-conquering Grace And thus it was also with Caleb and Joshuah who no sooner had tasted of the goodly Grapes of Canaan but they presently loathed the Garlick and Onions of Egypt they longed not at all after them as the other Murmurers did even the whole Multitude Numb 14.6,7,8 saying 't is a Land worth all our Hazards c. How much more is Heaven worth all our Hardships Thus our Lord saith the Kingdom of Heaven suffers Violence and the Violent take it by force Matth. 11.12 Such a Violent and Valiant Conqueror was Luther as before who when the Pope tempted him with a Cardinal's Cap to take him off from promoting Reformation he bravely answered Valde protestatus sum me nolle sic a Deo satiari that is my God shall not put me off with such petty things for I breath after better I am born to better things by my New
Mercy that no deadly â—oison of Satan doth now harm us as our Lord did promise unto all Believers after his Resurrection Mark 16.17,18 Oh that all we Aged Ones could sincerely praise the Lord for this high Favour that 〈◊〉 now find by sweet experience we can better resist the Devil now so as to make him flee from us Jam. 4.7 We can now resist him more stedfastly in the Faith 1 Pet. 5.8,9 than we were able to do in our youthful days and tho' we be able through Grace to say this yet out of an Holy Jealousie over our own Hearts we must still make a farther enquiry what is the principal procuring Cause of such an happy and easie Conquest over our own Corruptions and Satan's Temptations now in our Old Age whether we be not more beholden herein unto the decays of our own Natures in us than to any strength of God's Grace freely given to us because we may die to sin by the deficiency of our natural strength of Body when sin doth not die to us through those powerful Operations of the mortifying Spirit of Grace Rom. 8.13 but more of this after c. Now come we to the Second Reason why a Good Old Age is a great blessing because the goodness of it is not only a blessed Antidote and Preservative against those threfold Evils before-named but also it is a blessed Preparative for Death at the end of our Old Age and of our Lives This preparation for Death is not only an universal but also an indispensable Duty for after death comes the Judgment Heb. 9.27 then is the time of Reckoning which our Lord Requires after his Returning however long or short it be wherein all Mankind both the good and the bad Servants must Reddere Rationem or give an exact account of their Stewardship whether they have wasted or improved their Lord and Master's Goods Matth. 25.14,19 Luke 16.1,2 and 19.15 c. as I shew at large in my Fourth Volume of the History and Mystery of that Parable pag. 185 186. Now every Man's Death-day is his particular Dooms-day for then the Spirit returns to God who gave it Eccles 12.7 when the Body returns to Dust of which it was first made Gen. 2.7 by rotting in the Grave c. Then the Soul goeth to God not to dwell with him for there the Speech is made of all Men both bad and good but to be disposed of by him for his Final Estate then is the Soul or Spirit as being there opposed to the Body to receive its Final Doom either for Everlasting Weal or for Everlasting Wo. Therefore to prepare for Death is a most necessary tho' it be a much neglected Duty Now such as be good in Old Age their goodness consists in being alway prepared for it both Habitually and Actually they learn to die daily 1 Cor. 15.31 and makes Death familiar to them both at Bed and Board Their Conversation is in Heaven while their Commoration is here on Earth Phil. 3.20 They labour and learn to live with dying Thoughâ—s because they hope at last to die with more living comforts They have Heaven as an happy Harbour of Rest in the Eyes of their Hope which serves to season and sweeten all Sorrows and Sufferings to them as it was with blessed Paul who had his Eye fixed upon that Crown of Glory which was laid up for him and for all Believers 2 Tim. 4.8 and therefore he was not at all discouraged at his light Afflictions which were but for a moment in comparison of that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 where we have a most elegant Antithesis or opposition and a double Hyperbole beyond the reach of our English Translation As thus 1. For Affliction here is Glory 2. For light Affliction here is a weight of Glory And 3. For momentary Affliction here is Eternal Glory and the sight of this by an Eye of Faith put Paul upon his Cupio Dissolvi I desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.21,22,23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there signifies to loose off from the shore of this Mortal Life and to launch out into the Ocean of Immortality which he accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is far far better and best of all Thus this preparation for Death had caused Old Simeon before this Apostle even to sing his Soul out of his Body as before This likewise made that Good Old Man Job to say I would not live always Job 7.16 for he hoped to behold his Redeemer c. Job 19.25 Thus may we accordingly say we would not be Young always because we have been so hampered and pester'd with many youthful Lusts which now through Grace a Good Old Age hath weakened An Hoary Head that is found in the way of Righteousness doth ripen fast like good Fruit upon the Tree of Life in its Autumn and becomes day by day more mellow for Death and hath nothing thâ—n to do but to die being able through Mercy to say with his sweet Saviour Father I have finished my work which theâ—… gavest me to do in the World John 17.5 Oh how ready was David how willing and how prepared to die and to fall asleep in Jesus 1 Thes 4.14 when he could say his Conscience bearing witness with him in the Holy Ghost as Rom. 9.1 that he had served out his Generation in his whole Generation-work according to the will of God Acts 13.36 The Third Reason why a Good Old Age is a most rich Blessing and Benefit to the Sons and Daughters of Mankind is because it doth priviledge them with a true Title unto Mansions of Glory prepared for them in a better World Such as have continued in ways of Holiness all their Life and become faithful unto death Rev. 2.10 they shall assuredly at the last arrive at the Haven of Heaven and Happiness when they die for God himself hath assured us and God Keeps the best and surest Ensuring Office that having our Fruit unto Holiness then our end shall be Eternal Life Rom. 6.22,23 for then comes first the Joy of Harvest as when fruitful Fields are white unto Harvest John 4.35 then comes the Husbandman with his Sithe or Sickle and cuts down his Corn binds it up in Bundles and carries it Home to his Barn c. even so God the great Husbandman as Christ calls him John 15.1 when he sees his old Servants as it were white unto Harvest with Hoary Heads and fully ripened in the way of Righteousness then doth he take them down by the hand of Death and gathers them Home into his heavenly Garners Our Lord doth certifie this great Truth to us over and over again saying that Heaven is surely secured for us and we are likewise safely secured for Heaven by the mighty Power of God the word there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth we are kept as with a Guard and in a Garrison and that at the last we shall receive the end of our Faith even the
Kind or Sex neither a weak Worm or a weak Woman but a Man one of the stronger Sex and not of the weaker 2. By his Quality a strong Man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that can do all things Phil. 4.13 where the word is used Ben Chaiil Heb. a Man of Valour so strong that he is able to Trudge over all the World in his Travels notwithstanding his long continuance in this round walk he walk'd it in Job's days Job 1.7 2.2 as he says of himself when God summons him in to appear before him as in his High Court of Justice and he held on the same walking round about without weariness even in Peter's days 1 Pet. 5.8 the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Peripatetick as before yea and he holds up still in the same walk and work even in our days for who among us cannot experience that a busie Devil and a base Heart do not daily meet together to work us Woe in our Way to Heaven This he still is able to do on Earth tho' he was hurl'd out of Heaven as Jude verse 6. now almost six thousand years ago yea and he will carry on the same Cursed Course even to the end of the Old World until our Lord come to lay hold upon this Old Dragon and bind him for a thousand years and so shut him up and set a Seal upon him that he should deceive the Nations no more till the 1000 years be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed a little season Rev. 20.3 We read indeed of a sort of Philosophers that are call'd Peripateticks which signifies Round Walkers but none like this strong Trudgover who hath not only out-lasted and out-lived but also as it may be fear'd hath finally deceived all those Pagan Peripateticks c. 3. He is described by his Qualifications he is not only thus qualified as a strong Traveller but also as a strong Warriour therefore he is said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Armed and not barely so for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in composition signifies Valdè or Validè compleatly Armed such are his Accoutrements and Habiliments of War that he is Armed Cap-a-pee as the phrase is a Capite ad Calcem from Head to Foot so that he is as Achilles was said to be in all parts impenetrable and not only so but as he is a Spirit he is impassive also as to man for 't is neither man's Words nor man's Blows that can wound this Spiritual Adversary who is hereupon found to be the more mortal an Enemy to man's Soul and Salvation Of this point I have spoke in the beginning of this Chapter If it be farther enquired how this strong Adversary is armed To this I answer in general He is verily a Goliah an Achitophel and a Doeg all in one together more particularly 1. He is Armed with an Arm of Strength as Goliah was so it may be said to the best of men what Saul said to David 1 Sam. 17.33 thou art not able to fight with this Philistin for thou art but a Stripling and he a Man of War from his Youth as Amnon was too strong for Tamar and so Ravished her c. 2 Sam. 13.12,13 And as the Betrothed Damsel could not stand before a man that rose up against her in the Field Deut. 22.26,27,28 Even so is this matter no man not the best of men who are but men at the best as before can be able to match this matchless Goliah no more than the silly Dove without Heart or Grace as Ephraim is called Hos 7.11 can match the strong Eagle or the simple Lamb the fierce Lion c. no more can any man who is but a poor worm Psal 22.6 make any effectual Resistance against this Prince Fowl of the Air Ephes 2.2 or against this Roaring Lion who hath still his concreated Strength of an Angel Zech. 12.8 for tho' he lost by his fall in his Morals yet not in his Naturals he is so strong still saith Luther that he is able to destroy the whole World in the space of one hour if the Lord would but permit him to lay forth his Angelical or rather Diabolical Strength to the utmost for such an end This strong man hath conquered all Persons yea even Adam Samson and Solomon as before and all People all Nations and Languages he hath with Saul slain his thousands and with David his ten thousands yea and with the Harlot Prov. 7.26 hath cast down and wounded both the many and the mighty He is the Master of Harlots as Rome is called the Mother of Harlots Rev. 17.5 Nor do we find in any Age of the World that any meer Mortal Man was ever able to match him at all times by any strength of his own none but that God-Man Jesus Christ was ever able to stand before him yet is it worth our observation Oh! what a prevailing Power had this strong man by Divine Permssion even over the pure sinless Body of our Saviour himself first in driving it into the Wilderness Mark 1.12,13 then in hugging it up to the top of the Pinacle of the Temple Matt. 4.5 and then in carrying it up likewise unto the top of an exceeding high Mountain Matt. 4.8 wherein this strong man did far out-do Goliah who could not do so to David's Body Nevertheless Christ became the stronger man as he is called Luk. 11.22 and did conquer him compleatly in all his three Temptations 2. As Satan is a Goliah for Strength and Power so he is an Achitophel for Craft and Policy he can over-wit us as well as over-power us 'T is said now the Serpent was more subtle than all the Beasts of the Field Gen. 3.1 So that old Serpent the Devil as he is called Rev. 12.9 and 20.2 is more crafty than all Mortals in the World this must needs be because the Wit of the Angelical Nature doth vastly transcend the Wit of the best Humane Nature Insomuch as his Wit is not so clogged and clouded with fleshly impediments which oft make the Mind of man to become a dim dark and confused Chaos by imprisoning the Truth and detaining it in unrighteousness Rom. 1.18 that is the knowledge of Truth sometimes is as it were so locked up under restraint that our Consciences which are as a Prophet to the soul of man may not trouble us in our secure sinning against the Lord whereas the Wit and Understanding of Satan may be called Spiritual as he is a Spirit and not fettered with Flesh as we are therefore acts more freely and without disturbance so is more quick and piercing whereby he can more easily feel the Pulses of mankind and fit them all a suitable Temptation unto every Person 's Natural Temper he well knew what an Apple would do to Eve what a Grape would do to Noah what a Wedge of Gold would do to Achan what a Talent of Silver would do to Gehazi and many more such instances might be
saying Slack not thy Hand from thy Servants who are now entred into Covenant with thee but come â—o us quickly and save us for all the Kings of â—he Amorites that dwell in the Mountains are gathered together against us Josh 10.6 c. Upon this earnest and affectionate Message and Outcry General Joshuah immediately comes from Gilgal the place of rolling away Reproach as the word signifies and falls upon the cursed Kings and Canaanites unexpectedly and surprizes â—hem all suddenly Yea and the Lord himself likewise threw down great Hail-stones out of Heaven upon them and â—hereby all those formidable Adversaries were quite destroyed accordingly this is very often our own case Alas how weak â—re our Hearts Ezek. 16.30 when this Strong Man armed maketh his furious Assaults upon us David did acknowledge himself as unable to resist his strong Adversaries when he cried have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak c. 〈◊〉 Psal 6.2,3,4 as the Gibeonites did tâ— withstand the Forces of the Kings of thâ— Mountains c. much more may we bâ— sensible of our own insufficiency to stand before the violent shoks of this Strong Maâ— Satan no meer mortal man is sufficient oâ— himself for that withstanding work 〈◊〉 not the Innocentest Man Adam nor the Strongest Man Samson no nor the Wisest Man Solomon as elsewhere but trulâ— all our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 and therefore must we send our winged Messengers of fervent Prayers to him and make out our strong Cries unto Christ Jesus as the Gibeonites did unto that great General Joshuah saying oh our dear Lord Jesus slack not thy Hand from thy Servants who are through thy Grace brought into the bonds of the Covenant of Grace with thy blessed self oh make no delay let our extremity be thy opportunity not only the Philistines are faln upon us as upon Samson but even the Kings of the Mountains even Spiritual Wickednesses in high Places called Principalities and Powers do make their furious Assaults upon us We have put our selves oh Lord under thy blessed Protection Therefore hasten to succour us and make no long tarrying oh our good God Psal 40.17 then may we hope to hear the sound of God's goings upon the Tops of the Mulberry-Trees 2 Sam. 5.24 and we may have cause to sing with the Spouse saying 't is the Voice of our Beloved behold he cometh leaping over Mountains and skipping over Hills Cant. 2.8 He is coming he is coming to bring the supplies of the Spirit of Christ to relieve our Souls Phil. 1.19 and he will pour down great Hail Stones out of Heaven upon the Heads of our Spiritual Enemies and discomfit them tho' Satan and a whole Kingdom of Devils be engaged against us This 7 th piece of Armour is called Armatura Armaturae the Armour of Armour named last because it buckles all the rest on and helps to a right improvement of all both for Defence and Offence c. Thus David had such Outcries as these saying This poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him c. Psal 34.6 And thus Paul had such Outcries also saying Oh wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me and then thanketh he his Lord Christ for delivering him c. Rom. 7.24,25 And thus the Betrothed Damsel cried out when she was assaulted by one too strong for her and tho' she found no Deliverer yet is she assured that she shall not die because she crieâ— out Deut. 22.27 But the Virgin Daughter of Sion fared better for she had heâ— Saviour to come and succour her at heâ— Outcries after Him who put a Bridle upon that unruly Beast her Adversary and so comforted her heart as to make her able even to laugh him to scorn c. Isa 37.22,28,29 In short all these premises do abundantly demonstrate the excellency of this last part of the Christian Armour namely Darts of Prayer which drives the Devil out of the Field in our warring this good Warfare and constrains him to flee from us as one conquered by us NB. When our own Prayers prevail not Note well the Prayer of Christ saved Peter from Satan's Snare Luke 22.31,32 more especially if we join Fasting to Praying tho' Homer tellâ— us how Nestor in the Wars of Troy musâ— take his Breakfast in the Morning to animate himself the more for his fighting-work Yet our Lord doth better tell us thaâ— there be some Devils of such a malignanâ—… Nature that they cannot be cast out buâ— by Fasting and Prayer Matt. 17.21 How well therefore doth the Apostle command us to be praying always with alâ— Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit Eph. 6.18 that is all sorts of Prayer yea the best sort of Prayer both that which is edged and animated with Fasting and more especially that of praying in the Holy Ghost Jude ver 20. for fervent Prayer is a clear Stream that flows solely from the pure Spring of the Spirit of Grace c. and that this Praying-work may be the more effectually performed the Apostle subjoins the Duty of watching thereunto with all perseverance c. ver 18. that we may not be surprized at unawares because the Devil watcheth us and walketh his Round Night and Day uncessantly to take us napping 1 Pet. 5.8 seeking whom he may devour as before therefore is watching so necessary that it is so often recorded in Scripture as an universal Duty as above and most needful in praying work Hereupon our Lord joins them both together Watch and Pray lest ye enter into Temptation Matth. 26.41 as the Apostle doth here for if we be not upon our Guard continually and even Watch while we do Pray both over Satan's Temptations without and over our own Corruptions within Satan will be interrupting us as the Pythoness his Instrument did interrupt Paul in his Praying-work Acts 16.16 and as the Fowls of the Air which is the Devil's Territories Ephes 1.2,3 did interrupt Father Abraham in his Sacrificing-work Gen. 15.11 Yea and as the Adversaries Sanballat c. did molest good Nehemiah in his Building-work Neh. 41.3 'T is a certain observation that amongst all Actions Satan will be busiest in the best of Actions and mostly most busie in the best part of that best Action as towards the closure of Prayer when the Heart should be closing it self up with the sweetest comforts c. therefore are we bid to Watch and Pray and to Pray and Watch that Satan may not draw us out of our Trenches as Joshuah did the Men of Ai Josh 8.6 therefore our Lord exhorteth us to abide in the Vine Joh. 15.4,7 and his beloved Disciple saith little Children abide in him 1 Joh. 2.28 that is keep Home keep close under the shadow of your Father's Wing Psal 91.1 Our Lord saith O Jerusalem Jerusalem how oft would I have gathered my Children together even as a Hen gathers her Chickens under her Wings c. Matth. 23.37 which intimateth that those are fond Chickens that
us c. It followeth then that the Duty of Resisting must likewise be done as an additional Duty unto Watching and Praying and we must spend our whole lives in the work of watching praying and resisting to our dying day c. Upon those few following Considerations over and above the Arguments before-mentioned As 1 st Consider well that the Devil is like the Crocodile of whom Pliny relateth that if men pursue him he will flee from them but if men flee from him he will then pursue after them c. 2 ly Consider there is indeed a playing upon the hole of the Asp and a putting the hand upon the Cockatrice Den which Christ hath promised he will secure little Children from the danger thereof Isa 11.8 when he comes to create the new Heavens and the new earth wherein shall dwell all righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 But we may not do so now for if we dally with the Devil in leading our selves into Places and Companies of Temptation whereas we pray that the Lord may not lead us into Temptation in the Lord's Prayer this is foolish presumption and a plain tempting of the Tempter 3 ly Consider what is required of us â—n this Resisting Duty 't is only a strong â—egative resolving in Christ's strength to â—nswer the Tempter with an holy and peâ—emptory No No I may not I cannot I â—are not do it to give Satan a flat deâ—ial is no difficult Duty and 't is not resisting unto blood Heb. 12.4 4 ly Consider if we resist not but â—ield contrary to that Apostolical command yield not your Members as weapons of wickedness unto sin as the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Rom. 6.13,14,19 â—hen are we taken Captives by Satan and â—ed about by him as his Slaves at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 and not taken to be preserved alive as before but to be destroyed c. 2 Pet. 2.12 Oh woful condition c. 5 ly Consider that he who now tempts us to sin will accuse us afterward for that sin as elsewhere yea and those very Snares of Sin wherewith Satan at present doth entangle us will at the last become Chains of Darkness in Hell c. 6 ly Consider this striving against sin Heb. 12.4 must be constant and last so long as life doth last we should resist wholly with this whole Armour of God because when we have overcome the prophane Devil a worldly Devil may prevail against us Or if we have been madâ— able to master a Swearing Devil then 〈◊〉 Lying Devil may prove too hard for us and if we can conquer all those and manâ— more Devils c. After the subduing oâ— all these then may the Devil of Pridâ— rise up and prevail over us for that olâ— saying of Bernard's Tot Daemonia quâ— Crimina so many sins as do reign over us so many Devils do rule in us seeing every such sin hath a Devil in it Now this siâ— of Pride as it is the first that is learnâ— so it is the last that is lest for there is something of Pride even in the besâ— Hearts even good Hezekiah's was lifted up in pride 2 Chron. 32.25,31 7 ly Consider for our Comfort that ouâ— constant conflict against Sin and Satan is a better evidence of true sanctifying and saving grace than any perfection of Holiness that can be found in the most sanctified souls Paul himself who tho' he had been rap'd up into the Third Heavens and into Paradice it self 2 Cor. 12.2,4 yet he after this complaineth of a Thorn in the Flesh a Messenger of Satan to buffet him c. ver 7 8 9. and he saith of himself not as tho' I had already attained or were already perfect but I press after it c. Phil. 3.11,12,13,14 and crys Oh wretched man c. Rom. 7.24 8 ly and lastly Let us consider and better consider for our comfort if we can but know that Christ is in us 2 Cor. 13.5 then Christ in us is stronger for us than this Strong Man Satan can be against us Luke 11.21,22 If our Lord be for us 't is no matter who or what is against us Rom. 8.31 Stronger is he in us than he that is in the World 1 John 4.4 As our Lord hath conquered Satan as before in his own Person so he hath promis'd to do the same in all his sincere Members he will not lose so much as one of them John 6.39 and 17.12 Oh pray pray pray that Christ may strengthen us Phil. 4.13 that we may shake this Viper the Old Serpent from off our Hearts as Paul did the Viper from off his Hands into the fire of Hell Acts 28. ver 4 5 6 c. CHAP. IV. Shewing the way to Compleat a Conquest in God's Armour Advice to Young and Old c. THere be Two Grand Duties that concern all Mankind Male and Female Rich and Poor Young and Old c. which are coupled together in that one Verse 1 Tim. 6.19 to wit 1 st A laying up in store for our selves a good foundation against the time to come And 2 dly A laying hold on Eternal Life First of the 1 st Lay a good Foundation c. This is always look'd upon by Wise Men as a Work of great weight we ought all to be Builders of the Tower of Godliness Luke 14.28 'T is compared to a Tower upon manifold accounts As 1. 'T is an high Building 2. Stately 3. Difficult 4. Exposed to Storms which plain Ground is not obvious unto 5. Costly far beyond Hutts or Cottages c. 6. Godliness hath all the parts of an Aedifice as Foundation Corners and the Roof or Top c. Now this Good Foundation is not either Good Meanings or General Mercy or an External Profession these are all Sandy Matth. 7.24,26 but 't is the Rock Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 Acts 4.12 Col. 1.15,17 1 Pet. 1.20 Rev. 13.8 c. Now if we fail in the Foundation which is the first of those two great Duties we can never obtain any solid ground of Hope for the Second of laying hold on Eternal Life which is the Top of that Mystical Tower of which it may be truy said even without any Hyperbole what is said of the Tower of Babel that the Top of it reacheth up into Heaven Gen. 11.4 An Antient Popish Limner or Painter drew Solomon's Picture in this Posture of his being one half in Heaven and the other half in Hell c. Thus the Man that sets one of his Feet upon a Rock but his other Foot upon a Quagmire contiguous to the Rock whereby he Sinketh down with his whole Body into the Dirt c. Thus likewise will it befal us if we make not Christ our All and in All Col. 3.11 but lean partly upon God and partly upon the World if we halt betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit alas we then seem to hang as it were equally poiz'd betwixt our fear of Hell and our hope of Heaven with Sâ—lomon's
heeded and observed The similitude runs in parallel lines betwixt the two kinds of Sleeping and Watching both of that which is Natural and of that which is Spiritual For as in natural or literal Sleep that immortal part of man the pretious Soul layeth as it were dead and buried in an House of Clay all its noble parts and gifts seem then to be lost and Man all the time he lies asleep doth differ very little either from a Beast or a dead Carcass which made that famous General Epaminondas say Qualem inveni talem reliqui when he was blamed for cruelty in killing his Centinel whom he found sleaping to the hazard of the whole Army c. and his Apology was I left him but as I found him c. He looked upon him as one dead while he lay asleep c. But when those Vapors that cause Sleep are digested and consumed by the Natural Heat of our Animal Spirits and when those Obstructions of all our Senses are thereby removed then saith the Philosopher Panduntur Meatus Reditque opus Sensationis id est Vigilia quae est Sensuum Actio Motus quem Calor Spiritus in omnia Membra effusus efficit that is the Heat and Spirit being then defused into all our Members from Head to Foot all the passages of our Senses are opened c. and then we awake from our Sleep c. Even thus it is with us in that which is called a Mystical and Spiritual Sleeping and awaking out of it It was corrupt Humours that caused both the Spouse and the Wise Virgins to fall into a slumber and those Vapors do arise out of the Body of Sin that unrenewed part in us which do for a time obstruct the operations of a Spiritual Life in us But when the Spirit of Grace which is called the Spirit of Burning Isa 4.4 reviveth and burns up those corrupt Humours in us then is it that we awake arise and go forth to shake our selves as Samson did when the Philistines were upon him Judg. 16.20 This is called our awaking unto Righteousness 1 Cor. 15.34 and standing up from the Dead Ephes 5.14 Awake Awake saith the Lord Isa 52.1 and Arise Shine c. Isa 60.1 The Fourth Inquiry is what is the proper Object or Subject of this Spiritual Watching Answer This Christian Vigilancy is most highly concerned in this Watching-work as it hath a Respect and Relation to a double Trinity the first is a Trinity of Friends to wit the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost And the Second is a Trinity of Foes namely the World the Flesh and the Devil All these both Friends and Foes are to be duly and daily watched in our warring the good Warfare 1 Tim. 1.18 and in fighting the good Fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6.12 First of the first The Trinity of Friends that must be watched is 1 st God the Father must be watched this Lesson we should learn from Christ who did so saying We speak that we know and testifie that we have seen Joh. 3.11 and farther The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do Joh. 5.19 and the Father loveth his Son and sheweth him all thing that himself doth ver 20. And as I hear I do not doing mine own will but the will of my Father who sent me ver 30. Now if Christ that holy Child watched what he saw and heard from the Father by that Divine and Unspeakable Communication between them c. how ought Christians to watch likewise having an Unction from the Holy God that teacheth all things 1 Joh. 2.20 It is said of Israel Veshameru Mishmereth Custodiebant Custodiam they watched the Motions of the Lord in the Cloudy Pillar Numb 9.19 they kept Watch and Ward Night and Day to see when the Cloud would arise that they might be at every hour ready for removing Thus David set God always before him Psal 16.8 So ought we to do that we may learn to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 Children should learn to be like their Father Matth. 5. last in the Quality of Holiness tho' we cannot come up to an Equality of his Holiness Thus we ought to pass more and more into the likeness of that Heavenly Pattern If our Eyes wait upon the Lord as the Eyes of a Servant upon his Master c. Psal 123.1,2 then is there Hope concerning both our Conformity to God and our Communion with God We ought to watch God's Pillar of Providence as Israel did the Cloudy Pillar for there is God's Voice in the work of his Providence Were we but Men of Wisdom to watch hear and undestand it aright Mic. 6.9 we should learn the sooner to follow Providence the better the neglect whereof doth oft bring damage and detriment to us c. But tho' God's Providence may be too dark and deep for our dim Eyes to see and for our dull Ears to hear yet blessed be God his Precepts and his Promises are all so plain that he who runs may read and hear them and our not watching them makes us neglect Godliness The 2 d Friend is God the Son must be watched for we know not either the Day or the Hour wherein he will call us either to Death or to the Day of Judgment every Man's Death-day is his particular Dooms-day c. as before and because we cannot foresee it therefore must we ever expect it and spend every day as if it were our last day Hereupon we are all commanded to be always upon our watch and to be also ready for his coming Matth. 24.42,44 where our Lord useth seven Argument from ver 37. to the end of that Chapter as so many motives to stir us up unto watchfulness the day and hour knoweth no man c. ver 36. ideo latet unus dies ut observentur omnes that we might watch continually for that uncertain certain day The Harlot grew bold to sin on this account because she knew her Lord would not return till such an appointed time Prov. 7.10,18,19,20 Whereas secure Sinners may hear Thou Fool this night shall thy Soul be taken from thee Luke 12.20 He will come unlooked for and Dichotomize cut asunder and tear his Soul from his Body by force c. Matth. 24.50,51 'T is a blessed Badge pinn'd as it were upon sanctified Souls Sleeves that they wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 1.2,7 1 Thes 1.10 as it was the character of Old Testament Saints that they waited for the consolation of Israel in Christ's first coming Luke 2.25 how much more ought we to lift up our Heads and Eyes for beholding the comfort of his second coming Luke 21.28 looking for and hastning unto it as desirous to meet him in the way 2 Pet. 3.12 crying continually O mora Christo veni come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22.20 All such as have taken many sweet Turns in communion with Christ upon the Mountain of Spices
blest with an hearing Ear to the word of Life for the Ear is as it were the Gutter that conveys even the Waters of Life into the Soul of Man for thus it is said Hear and your Souls shall live Isai 55.3 and Faith cometh by Hearing the Word of God Rom. 10.17 We must enquire likewise whether with Joab also we have smitten those cursed Canaanites the Jebusites namely our own Carnal Corruptions enquire I say what Rule we have obtained over our own Spirits he that is slow to Anger is better than the Mighty and he that ruleth his Spirit is more honourable than he that conquereth a City Prov. 16.32 This is not only Manly but Godly also Whereas he that hath no Rule over his own Spirit is like a City that is broken down and without Walls Prov. 25.28 Such persons are like secure Hazor that had neither Gates nor Bars Jer. 49.31 those Souls are not fenced in with the fear of God and the Strong Man Satan well armed and furnished for every evil Work as the Man of God is furnished for every good Work as before 2 Tim. 3.17 keeps still the possession of his Strong Hold in them and they were never yet blest with a Visit from that blessed Stronger Man the Lord Jesus to dispossess him Oh thrice happy are they to whom Christ saith as he did to that Demoniack Mark 9.25 Come out of the Man thou Unclean Spirit and enter no more into him As none by the Roman Law were allowed to have the honour of riding Triumphantly in the City of Rome until he had obtained five Victories in the Field over his Enemies c. So none of us can ever expect to triumph as Conquerors in Heaven unless we have got the Victory over all our five Senses for even all the Members of our Bodies as well as all the Faculties of our Souls must be rescued from Satan and brought into obedience to Christ 2 Cor. 10.5 The Sixth Character of a Conqueror is Wholly to disarm the Conquered Thus the Stronger Man when he had come upon the Strong Man and had overcome him he took away all his Armour wherein he trusted Luke 11.22 that is those that were his offensive Weapons to wit the World Sin and Death wherewith he hath prevailed over all the Sons and Daughters of faln Adam after he had foil'd Adam himself for some thousands of Years unto this day And Satan finding all these Weapons so successful is said to trust in them as Goliah did in his Armour which made him triumph before his Victory saying to David come and I will give thy Flesh to the Fowls of the Air and to the Beasts of the Field 1 Sam. 17.44 as if David had been some Boy to be frighted with his big Boasts of his Carnal Confidence and in ver 45. David tells us how Goliah trusted in his Armour saying to him thou comest unto me with a Sword and Spear c. that is thou trustest in thy own Strength and in thy Armour c. but I come to thee in the Name of the Lord c. who will deliver thee this day into my hand ver 46 47. which was accordingly accomplished Thus he who is call'd both David's Son and David's Lord Mat. 22.45 The Stronger Man encounters the Strong Man that trusts in his Armour and spoils him thereof Col. 2.15 even in a Duel too as David did Goliah for Christ trod the Winepress alone Isai 63.1,2,3 When the fulness of time came this ruddy David appeared with his Garments dyed Red with the Blood of his Enemies and as David put Goliah's Armour in his Tent 1 Sam. 17.54 so our David hath buried all the Damning Power of the Devil's Armour in his own Grave Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.12 Thus this Alligory may be farther enlarged as David carried the Head of Goliah to Jerusalem and as some suppose set it up upon a Pinacle of the Temple where Satan set our Saviour by God's permission afterwards as an high Monument of his Happy Victory This David did after he had shewed this same Head to Saul ver 57. And as for Goliah's Sword wherewith David had beheaded the Gyant with his own Weapon this likewise was laid up in the Tabernacle wrapped in a Cloath behind the Ephod 1 Sam. 21.9 where we are told how David prevailed with the High Priest Ahimeleck to restore it to him again as before it had been his own won by his Valour and therefore he accounted no other Sword like that which would be a standing Remembrancer of his former Atchievements by the mighty presence of the Lord his God wherewith he did encourage himself in the day of his great Distress 1 Sam. 30.6 even so our Mystical David destroyed him who had the power of Death that is the Devil with his own Weapon Heb. 2.14 Christ's Death was the Death of Death and of the Devil also who had the power of it Christ came to this end that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Accordingly Oh how happy are those Christians who through Christ that strengthens them have got the head of the Tempter or of some strong Temptation into their Hand as David had the Head of Goliah in his Hand and can shew it to the King of Kings as he did to the King of Israel as before and who have got also those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Weapons of Wickedness as the Greek word signifies Rom. 6.13 which formerly warr'd against their Souls 1 Pet. 2.11 But now are wrapped up in a Cloth behind the Ephod in the Tabernacle of the Lord and who likewise go with David to the High Priest of our Profession as Christ is called Heb. 3.1 and have got a better Sword of him than that of Goliah even the Sword of the Spirit which it the Word of God Ephes 6.17 of which it may be better said than was said of the other there is none like that for if the word of Christ do but dwell richly in us as it ought to do in all wisdom Col. 3.16 and as it did in Christ himself aeque equally for Quality non equaliter not equally for Quantity for then we may comfortably hope that with this Sword we shall conquer the great Goliah of Hell as our Lotd did only by hurling three smooth Stones of Sacred Scriptures at his Head as David did at the Head of Goliah and gave him his mortal wound Then indeed are we Conquerors in Christ and then may we say with David also the Snare is broken and our Souls are delivered Psal 124.7 We should be careful to keep all our Monuments and Remembrancers of our former Conquests over both Satan's Temptations and of our own Carnal Corruptions as wrapped up in a Napkin behind the Ephod of a Sanctified Memory even in everlasting Remembrances then former experience may strengthen our present Faith Psal 77.10,11 and then no Weapon formed against us can ever prosper as the Lord hath promised Isai 54.17
at the day of Judgment however if not sooner for then there shall surely be a Resurrection of Names as well as of Bodies c. NB. Note well we must often be pondering in our Minds that great Text aforenamed Prov. 16.31 which runs thus in the Hebrew Gnetereth Sephereth Shebai bederek Tsedakah Timetseh which in Latine is thus expressed Diadema Gloriae Canities in Via Justitiae Invenietur this in English is read thus the Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the way of Righteousness which at â—…rge is treated on before This great Text I say again all we Aged Ones ought to make the constant Rule of our whole Conversations unto the day of our Deaths and then will come the Crown of Life c. 2 dly As the Good Old Age hath its Comforts against these Natural Evils so it wants not Cordials against Moral and Spiritual Evils let us put them both together for then 1. Our Corruptions now are more mortified than ever thâ—y were before Thus Paul the Aged as he calls himself Philem ver 9. could then say of himself I have fought the good fight c. 2 Tim. 4.7 He found that Thorn in the Flesh which he had so sorely complained of 2 Cor. 12.7 to be now conquered and his fighting against it he found was then as good as finished because in a Good Old Age. 2. Grace is then fortified as well as Lust mortified Grace is now more vigorous more lively and more powerful than heretofore while it was clogged and overloaded with many youthful Lusts but as the Outward Man decays so the Inner Man ought to revive day by day 2 Cor. 4.16 This is the Godly Man's Motto as that good old Minister Peter Martyr said upon his Dying Bed My Body is weak but my Soul is well 't is well for the present but it will be better hereafter 't is well in the Kingdom of Grace having overcome the Flesh World and Devil but it shall be best of all in the Kingdom of Glory The Inner Man in Old Age ought to be not only more brisk and powerful but also more fruitful in the fruits of Righteousness and true Holiness or Holiness of Truth as it is in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to formality Ephes 4.24 this is God's Promise to the Good Old Man He shall bring forth fruit in his Old Age He shall be fat and flourishing being planted in the Courts of his God Psal 92.12,13,14 that is he being rooted and grounded in Christ and living under the droppings of the Sanctuary shall flourish like the Palm which is noted to grow very Tall always Green c tho' it hath many weights at the Top and many Snakes at the Bottom tho' it be not known to grow in our cold Climate and like a Cedar wherewith Lebanon flourished and whereon the Temple of Solomon was built 't is not said he shall grow like the Grass as it is said the Wicked spring as the Grass Psal 92.7 for if that proud Grass grow never so great and lofty they shall be mowed down with the Sithe of God's wrath seeing there is one higher than the highest of them Eccles 5.8 and in things wherein they deal proudly the Lord God is above them Exod. 18.11 Now we Aged ones ought to make a serious search and an earnest enquiry whether we bring forth Fruit in our Old Age whether we be fat and flourishing especially if we have been long planted in the House of our God 't is a shame to us that we should be like the lean Kine of Egypt which eat up the fat Kine and still remain as lean and as ill faâ—…ed as heretofore Gen. 41.3,20 't is a sad Judgment of God when he gives us meat to the full yet sends leanness into our Souls Psal 106.15 When God sends among fat ones leanness Isai 10.16 wo to us if yet we cry out our Leanness our Leanness Isai 24.16 We should all be like Wine which the older it is the better it is our Graces like good Liquor should run fresh to the bottom c. our last works should be our best works Rev. 2.19 Tho' our beginning was but small yet our latter end should greatly increase Job 8.7 and we should hold on in the way of Righteousness and grow stronger and stronger Job 17.9 Veteres non veterascent tho' we grow old and weak in Nature yet ought we not only to retain our former vigour and verdure of Grace but also to grow in Grace 2 Pet. 3.16 from one degree of Grace to another that is to the highest degree Ephes 4.13 We must grow above our Corruptions especially our Constitution-sins the sins of our Nature our darling sins our best beloved Lust Oh God forbid that Erasmus his Character be upon us which he put upon the Bribanti or Flemmings of whom he saith Quo magis Senescunt eo magis Stultescunt the older they grow the foolisher they become Oh God forbid I say that any of us should do so 't is the sign of an Hypocrite who takes no deep Root when planted seemingly in God's Courts as the sincere Servants of Christ do and grow into Fruit-bearing in its Season c. whereas the Hypocrite is only thrust in like a Stake into the Earth and never grows How then ought we all Aged Persons to fear and tremble that we do not run out our Lives in Hypocrisie and so die like Fools at the last And therefore for the undeceiving of our own pretious Souls and for the better setling and comforting of our own immortal Spirits concerning our sincerity in the sight of God let us compare Time with Time can we say in the witnessing of the Holy Ghost that time was when the Assaults of Satan upon my Soul have been very violent but through Grace since that time I have found them feebler than heretofore yea and through the abundant Grace of my dear Lord strengthning me these Assaults of Satan are become less daring and more cowardly in my Old Age As I hinted before let me inlarge upon it here if it be said to the honour of Young Men in whom youthful passions are very pregnant rapid and oft precipitant and preposterous c. that they had overcome the Wicked One 1 John 2.13 Oh then what a shame and dishonour it is for us who are ranked and reckned among Fathers to fall short of the younger and lower Rank and still remain Slaves to our Lusts in whom Nature is decayd and so less grace is required to resist the Tempter and to bridle in the Temptation May we not say that now by the strengthening Love of Christ upon us we can more easily shake off that Viper the Old Serpent from off our Hearts as Paul the Aged did easily shake off that venemous Viper from off his Hands into the Fire Acts 28.3,4.5 and that without receiving any harm thereby even so we ought to bless the Lord for that Miracle of
that those Young Ones are so c. Thus it appeareth that we now live in that last Iron Age even in the very Dregs of Time and we must expect ultima Senescentis Mundi deliria the last and the worst dotages of a decrepid and of a dying World c. The Second Part is the Duties which â—re to be done by all of us in our Old Age that we may not be deprived of â—hat Double Crown of Glory both of that â—n the Kingdom of Grace here and of that in the Kingdom of Glory hereafter seeing those two Crowns are the proper Dues of a Good Old Age by a Divine Promise wherein the great God hath made himself a Debtor unto all godly Aged Ones And if any of us be not such we shall not only lose the former of these Crowns to wit that of Respect and Reverence but be despised for our Dotage c. Let no Man take that Crown Rev. 3.11 â—n this Life but that which is worst of â—ll we shall lose likewise the latter and the better Crown in the Life to come Therefore to prevent this double loss many Duties are to be done The First Duty is We must examine â—ur States and Standings Godward c. whether we be still in the State of Nature and yet not broken off from the Wild Olive or we be in the State of Grace and now engraffed into that blessed and bleeding Vine the Lord Jesus Rom. 11.17 The great Apostle doth earnestly press us to the right doing of this first Duty 2 Cor. 13.5 where he useth a double Expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Try your selves and Prove your selves know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Wherein he alludeth both unto Goldsmiths and unto Lapidaries who have their Lydius Lapis or Touch-stone whereby they discover true Gold from thaâ— which is Copper or Counterfeit and Natural Diamonds from Artificial Bristol-stones And those double Terms of Art are to stir us up that we may redouble our diligence in that most needful yet much neglected Duty of Self-examination foâ— tho' the decisive and final Trial of our Eternal Estate doth immediately and solely appertain to God in the Court of Heaven yet the Disquisitive and Soul-Comforting part doth belong to our selves in the Court of our own Consciences And therefore as an Omission or an Error here is most easie so it is of mosâ— dangerous consequence in filling our Spirits full of doubts and fears what shalâ— become of our Souls when our Bodies drop down into the Grave Hereupon the Divine Precept is doubled both in this Apostles Charge and in that of the Prophets also Excutite vos iterumque excutite as Tremellius renders the words Zeph. 2.1 The Second Duty is That we should make good proof of our Graces especially of that Foundation-grace of Repentance unto Life as it is called Acts 11.18 granted unto us Gentiles for where right Repentance towards God is given 't is always accompanied with faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20.21 This Grace of Repentance is so exceeding necessary that both our Lord himself and his Forerunner John the Baptist began their Ministry with this indispensable Doctrine Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand Matth. 3.2 and 4.17 and Mark 1.15 Join Repent and Believe both together Now seeing the Tree is known by its Fruit whether it be good or bad Matth. 12.33 Luke 6.44 If we be no better than Bramble-Bushes no Grapes of Grace can grow upon us but if we be Trees of Righteousness of the Lord 's planting and watering as Isai 61.3 then shall we bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance Matth. 3.8 Now the true Notion and Nature of this Grace of Repentance is our turning from Darkness to Light Acts 26.18 and our returning from the faln Estate by the first Adam into a renewed Estate by the Second Adam As we are all Metaphorical Trees Aristotle calls Man Arbor inversa a Tree turned upward making the Head as Root and the Arms and Legs the Branches of this Tree c. Bernard calls Man Inversus Decalogus as quite contrary to God's Law therefore must he be turned up-side down as the Picture of the Horse and then right c. We have our Standing Time in our Life and we must have our Falling Time at our Death the Ax whereof is laid to the Root of us in those manifold Distempers which attend Old Age as if God were taking his Aim where to cut us up and how to hew us down Matth. 3.10 Now as all Trees be they strong Oakes or lofty Cedars must have their time of falling so all Mankind be they of never so robust a Constitution and be they of never so high either of State or of Stature must have a time of dying Heb. 9.27 and as Trees what way they mostly lean that way they usually fall whether it be Southward or Northward Eccles 11.3 So we ought to examine our selves which way our Wills and Affections do lean whether Southward towards the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 As 't is recorded of Abraham who walked with God that his Journyings were still towards the South towards the Sun Gen. 12.9 So all the Sons and Daughters of Abraham should hang Heavenward and should lean Southward then may there be good grounds of a lively Hope that when we die we shall fall upon the Right-hand of Christ among the fruitful Sheep and shall hear those comfortable words Come ye blessed of my Father c. Matth. 25.33,34 But if on the other hand we do not find that we have with David considered our former evil ways and turned our Feet our Affections towards God's Testimonies Psal 119.59 If yet we are not returned to God by Repentance but are still journying toward the North towards that cold Country where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth for cold tho' it be a fiery Furnace for heat Matth. 13.42,50 If we lean Northward and hang Hellward we shall surely fall upon the Left Hand of the Judge among the sâ—…nking Goats and receive that sad Sentence Depart ye Cursed c. Matth. 25.41 As the Tree where it falls Northward or Southward there it lies Eccles 11.3 even so where we fall at our Deaths whether Northward upon the Left Hand of our Judge or Southward upon the Right Hand of our Redeemer there we shall lie until the Resurrection-day for after Death comes the Day of Judgment Heb. 9.27 Then all both good and bad shall rise again c. The Third Duty of us Aged Ones is Not to dally or delay that weighty Work of making our Peace with God according to that Divine Counsel Acquaint now thy self with God and be at Peace with him and thereby good shall come unto thee Job 22.21 This great Duty must be now done we have been asleep or Strangers to God long enough Ephes 2.12 and 4.18 1 Pet. 4.3 Now is the accepted
becometh slow and Feeling daily faileth c. 2 dly Or the Golden Bowl be broken that is the Heart as some sense it which is the primum Vivens ultimum Moriens the first that Lives and the last that Dies therefore is it called the Fort-Royal of Life Or the Pericardium about the Heart which the Soldier pierced with his Spear in our Saviour's side from whence there came forth Blood and Water John 19.34 and 1 John 5.6 But others do interpret it to be rather the Head or Skull called the Brain-pan for the Brains are contained within the Meninges thereof and the Piamater covereth them like a Swathing Cloth or the inner Rind of a Tree as in a Cup or Bowl and a wound in this is ever mortal Now the Hebrew word here being the same with Golgotha which signifies a Skull 2 Kings 9.35 Matth. 27.33 and Judg. 9.53 all this make the latter Interpretation the more probable for when Death comes with his Javelin or Dart to wound the Brain-pan or Skull which is round like a Cup or Bowl and is called here Golden because of its colour then the Sutures or Seams of the Skull are parted asunder from whence it comes to pass that the Chaps of Dying Persons do fall and the Almonds of their Ears are stopped c. Oh what cause have we break forth into David's words saying We are wonderfully framed Psal 139.14 If the pretious Office of this Golden Bowl for preserving the Brain c. be well considered 3 dly Or the Pitcher be broken at the Fountain that is either the Veins at the Liver as some say which is the Shop of Sanguification or Blood-making those Veins carry Blood from the Liver into all parts of the Body by way of Circulation c. Or as others understand it the Arteries which carry Spirits from the Heart and conveys Nourishment Sense and Motion from one part to another c. There is yet a Third Sense put upon this Pitcher that is the Bladder is broken at the Spring of Water or Urin c. Now as when either the Veins at the Liver especially the Vena Cava Vena Porta as the Anatomists name them or the Arteries at the Heart do come once to lose their drawing and distributing Office and Vertue then the Body doth immediately decay even so when the Muscle at the Neck of the Bladder comes to be broken and loseth its Retentive Faculty then the Water or Urin doth run insensibly from a Dying Person without stay 4 thly Or the Wheel is broken at the Cistern that is according to the Sentiments of some Expositors the Head which draweth all the Operations of Life from the Heart and hence it is that when any dreadful Fright is apprehended by our Heads and suddenly doth surprize us we presently are struck with a Paleness because all the Blood in our Faces doth run back to the Heart as to the Fountain of Life c. But others are of opinion that by this Wheel broken at the Cistern must be meant the Lungs broken off from their double Office and Motion of Inspiration and Respiration and this Breaking or Obstruction is caused by Phlegmn from the Stomach which is as a Cistern from all parts of the Body c. The Lungs are as a Wheel transmitting the Air in and out by a Motion up and down like to that of a pair of Bellows which Men learnt to make from the posture and operations of Mens Lungs that were of God's making and thus indeed Man learns all other Artifices from God the great Artificer God instructs the Husbandman Isai 28.26 and all others also Now tho' there be no open Passage betwixt the Stomach and the Lungs and therefore there is no ordinary purging of the Lungs but upwards by spitting and coughing yet when the Stomach is overcharged with Phlegm the former distilleth the latter into the Lungs and thereby stoppeth them in their Motion This may be exemplified thus when a Man or Beast is dead there seemeth no way of entrance for Water into the Bladder no not so much as for any Air for if we blow the Bladder full of Wind none of it will issue out and yet while Life lasteth in the Body both Water and Sand doth pass through little Veins called Valvulas into the Bladder even so by some such like secret passages doth the Cistern of the Stomach convey Phlegm into the Lungs yea sometimes to the very stifling of them and upon this stoppage of the Lungs with Phlegm so that the Wheel cannot turn the Air or breath up and down and in and out to the Nostrils Then from this obstruction of the Lobes whereof the Lungs do consist so that their Motion like a pair of broken Bellows is broken off then followeth the Rutling in the Throat which is the common Herauld proclaiming that Death is at Hand c. NB. Note well How Solomon the Eldest Son of Wisdom hath left upon Record in Eccles 12. a most sublime Lecture of Anatomy as well as of Divinity in his Dissection of the infirm Body of Old Age which he sweetly setteth forth by a continued Allegory Ubi quot Lumina imo Flumina Orationis that is containing so many Lights yea and Floods of Eloquence and all this Solomon did not so much to demonstrate his own excellent Skill and unparallel'd Prudence but more especially and principally to instruct yea and to provoke all Mankind to become wise unto Salvation and to remember our Creator early before any of these Evils of Old Age come upon us c. CHAP. VIII Counsel and Comfort to Young and Old against the Evils of Old Age the Fear of Death and the Terror of the Day of Judgment THIS Eight Chapter consists as well of Comforts as of Counsel against the Evils of Old Age against the Fear of Death and against the Terror of the Day of Judgment First The Comforts against the Evils of Old Age 'T is a Time desired by all who are they that would not live long c but 't is welcomed by few because of the Burden of Distempers that it brings along with it c. If God bless us to live up to Old Age we ought not to complain of it for 't is a blessing we must bless God for Length of days is from the Right Hand Riches and Honour from the Left Prov. 3.16 And God promised to his Jerusalem after its Restoration that there should be Old Men and Old Women in the Streets of it with Staves in their Hands Zech. 8.4 yea and it was God's Curse upon the House of Ely that not any that were Old should be found in it 1 Sam. 2.32 Therefore if God do still preserve the rotten Thread of our Lives and draw it out to last so long and yet the Clue have a little more Yarn upon the Botton Oh how thankfully ought we to welcome this Guest of Gods own sending and not to complain of it as our great