the_o right_a hand_n and_o on_o the_o left_a entice_a and_o allure_a we_o to_o sin_n terrify_v and_o persecute_v we_o to_o drive_v we_o from_o god_n and_o gooodness_n and_o with_o this_o host_n assault_v we_o from_o without_o do_v combine_v a_o party_n within_o we_o our_o mutinous_a lust_n and_o corruption_n the_o flesh_n lust_a against_o the_o spirit_n without_o which_o all_o satan_n attempt_n upon_o we_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a as_o we_o see_v those_o against_o jesus_n christ_n be_v because_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v joh._n 14.30_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n come_v and_o have_v nothing_o in_o i_o no_o corruption_n to_o side_n with_o he_o no_o combustible_a matter_n for_o his_o wildfire_n to_o take_v hold_n of_o so_o that_o all_o his_o attempt_n against_o he_o be_v in_o vain_a and_o so_o will_v they_o be_v against_o we_o also_o be_v it_o not_o for_o those_o bosom-traitor_n which_o harbour_v in_o our_o breast_n those_o lust_n which_o war_n in_o our_o member_n it_o be_v the_o tinder_n within_o we_o that_o make_v satan_n fiery_a dart_n and_o temptation_n so_o dangerous_a to_o we_o these_o our_o enemy_n be_v represent_v unto_o we_o as_o very_o formidable_a and_o dangerous_a and_o so_o they_o be_v whether_o we_o consider_v 1._o their_o number_n they_o be_v very_o numerous_a legion_n of_o devil_n and_o a_o whole_a world_n of_o wicked_a men._n but_o yet_o if_o beelzebub_n command_v only_o a_o army_n of_o fly_n though_o never_o so_o numerous_a and_o swarm_a the_o danger_n be_v not_o so_o great_a but_o add_v to_o their_o number_n 2._o their_o power_n and_o may_v they_o be_v angel_n and_o how_o great_a the_o natural_a power_n of_o one_o single_a angel_n be_v witness_v the_o camp_n of_o the_o assyrian_n 2_o kin._n 19.35_o where_o one_o angel_n in_o one_o night_n make_v a_o carnage_n of_o no_o less_o than_o a_o hundred_o eighty_o five_o thousand_o men._n hence_o it_o be_v that_o angel_n be_v say_v to_o excel_v in_o strength_n psal_n 103._o 20._o and_o although_o satan_n and_o his_o train_n be_v fall_v from_o their_o happiness_n &_o holiness_n and_o extreme_o debauch_v in_o their_o moral_n yet_o their_o natural_a power_n do_v still_o continue_v very_o great_a and_o therefore_o they_o be_v call_v principality_n and_o power_n and_o spiritual_a wickedness_n in_o high_a place_n eph._n 6.12_o in_o high_a place_n sure_o a_o great_a advantage_n in_o wrestle_a and_o no_o less_o in_o fight_v but_o although_o our_o enemy_n be_v never_o so_o numerous_a and_o never_o so_o strong_a yet_o if_o they_o have_v no_o wisdom_n to_o order_v their_o number_n and_o to_o manage_v their_o strength_n they_o may_v come_v to_o ruin_n by_o their_o own_o weight_n as_o we_o know_v that_o great_a army_n have_v prove_v sometime_o unwieldy_a and_o cumbersome_a to_o themselves_o and_o by_o frequent_a mutiny_n have_v in_o time_n fret_v themselves_o to_o nothing_o but_o 3._o our_o enemy_n be_v subtle_a enemy_n manage_v their_o force_n with_o exceed_v great_a policy_n and_o cunning_a and_o be_v wont_a to_o prevail_v more_o by_o sleight_n than_o power_n the_o devil_n be_v call_v the_o old_a serpent_n rev._n 12.9_o a_o serpent_n subtle_a by_o nature_n but_o much_o more_o by_o long_a use_n and_o experience_n and_o old_a serpent_n he_o have_v many_o wind_n and_o turn_n many_o device_n and_o stratagem_n many_o wiles_n and_o method_n to_o circumvent_v we_o by_o 4._o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n be_v cruel_a and_o merciless_a which_o make_v they_o still_o the_o more_o dangerous_a this_o add_v will_n to_o their_o power_n and_o set_v their_o subtlety_n on_o work_n to_o contrive_v mischief_n against_o we_o in_o this_o respect_n satan_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v a_o murderer_n from_o the_o beginning_n john_n 8.44_o and_o call_v a_o red_a dragon_n rev._n 12.3_o a_o roar_a lion_n seek_v who_o he_o may_v devour_v 1_o pet._n 5.8_o 5._o this_o his_o malice_n to_o our_o soul_n make_v he_o watchful_a and_o restless_a exceed_o industrious_a to_o work_v we_o mischief_n and_o to_o bring_v dishonour_n unto_o god_n we_o see_v with_o what_o indefatigable_a industry_n he_o prosecute_v our_o saviour_n christ_n by_o tempt_v he_o again_o and_o again_o by_o slander_v and_o blaspheme_v he_o by_o crucify_a he_o and_o even_o after_o death_n by_o deny_v and_o belie_v his_o resurrection_n he_o leave_v no_o stone_n unturned_a that_o by_o any_o mean_n if_o it_o have_v be_v possible_a he_o may_v have_v hinder_v god_n glory_n and_o man_n salvation_n thus_o we_o see_v what_o a_o dangerous_a adversary_n we_o have_v to_o fight_v against_o who_o resist_v steadfast_a in_o the_o faith_n for_o we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o his_o device_n and_o now_o it_o be_v high_a time_n to_o bethink_v ourselves_o wherewith_o we_o may_v oppose_v he_o and_o defend_v ourselves_o 3._o as_o in_o other_o fight_n so_o in_o this_o christian_a combat_n we_o be_v furnish_v with_o weapon_n both_o for_o the_o offensive_a and_o defensive_a part_n and_o those_o both_o of_o they_o try_v and_o approve_v 2_o cor._n 10.4_o 5._o the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o mighty_a through_o god_n to_o the_o pull_v down_o of_o strong_a hold_n and_o we_o have_v the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n which_o be_v to_o be_v put_v on_o by_o every_o one_o of_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v against_o the_o violence_n and_o wiles_n of_o the_o devil_n the_o several_a part_n whereof_o we_o may_v see_v describe_v ephes_n 6.13_o etc._n etc._n truth_n righteousness_n and_o faith_n the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prayer_n stand_v therefore_o upon_o your_o watch_n have_v your_o loin_n gird_v fight_v the_o good_a fight_n of_o faith_n quit_v yourselves_o like_o man_n but_o be_v sure_a you_o take_v christ_n for_o your_o general_n he_o be_v the_o captain_n of_o our_o salvation_n heb._n 2.10_o he_o have_v baffle_v the_o devil_n and_o overcome_v the_o world_n therefore_o be_v of_o good_a comfort_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d god_n will_v give_v we_o the_o victory_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n 1_o cor._n 15.57_o the_o quarrel_n be_v ancient_a as_o old_a as_o gen._n 3.15_o our_o enemy_n be_v formidable_a but_o our_o cause_n be_v good_a and_o god_n be_v on_o our_o side_n and_o so_o long_o who_o shall_v be_v against_o we_o who_o can_v stand_v against_o he_o not_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n the_o plot_n and_o power_n of_o it_o nor_o the_o depth_n of_o satan_n nor_o all_o his_o whole_a militia_n shall_v be_v able_a ever_o to_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v thou_o faithful_a unto_o death_n and_o he_o shall_v give_v thou_o a_o crown_n of_o life_n for_o those_o that_o conquer_v shall_v be_v reward_v as_o shall_v be_v show_v anon_o so_o much_o brief_o of_o the_o first_o metaphor_n whereby_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v set_v forth_o unto_o we_o it_o be_v a_o fight_n i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n a_o good_a fight_n it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o cause_n good_a also_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fight_n which_o be_v to_o be_v manage_v by_o well-doing_n and_o good_a also_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o success_n which_o be_v victory_n and_o happiness_n but_o i_o hasten_v to_o the_o next_o resemblance_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n 2._o the_o christian_a life_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o course_n or_o race_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n a_o course_n of_o life_n be_v a_o phrase_n in_o ordinary_a use_n with_o we_o at_o this_o day_n as_o spatium_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la decurrere_fw-la be_v with_o the_o ancient_a roman_n but_o it_o seem_v in_o this_o place_n to_o have_v be_v borrow_v by_o the_o apostle_n from_o the_o run_n of_o a_o race_n use_v in_o the_o olympic_a game_n by_o the_o grecian_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o very_a word_n here_o use_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o this_o we_o may_v observe_v he_o often_o allude_v in_o his_o epistle_n heb._n 12.1_o let_v we_o run_v with_o patience_n the_o race_n that_o be_v set_v before_o we_o lay_v aside_o every_o weight_n and_o phil._n 3.14_o he_o say_v of_o himself_o i_o press_v towards_o the_o mark_n for_o the_o prize_n of_o the_o high_a call_v of_o god_n in_o christ_n jesus_n where_o the_o expression_n of_o press_v towards_o the_o mark_n and_o for_o the_o prize_n have_v manifest_a allusion_n to_o the_o run_v of_o a_o race_n now_o the_o race_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o careful_a and_o conscientious_a and_o zealous_a walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n which_o lead_v unto_o salvation_n wherein_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o many_o hindrance_n 1._o the_o sin_n that_o so_o easy_o beset_v we_o which_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o heb._n 12.1_o our_o corruption_n within_o we_o which_o hopple_v and_o entangle_v we_o so_o that_o we_o can_v do_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o will_v 2
painful_a and_o industrious_a courageous_a and_o undaunted_a in_o the_o work_n and_o cause_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o as_o a_o christian_a but_o also_o as_o a_o apostle_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o have_v encounter_v with_o elymas_n at_o paphos_n act_v 13._o with_o the_o retriver_n of_o jewish_a ceremony_n at_o antioch_n act._n 15._o with_o stoic_n and_o epicurean_o at_o athens_n act_v 17._o with_o beastlike_a man_n such_o as_o demetrius_n and_o his_o follower_n at_z ephesus_z 1_o cor._n 15.32_o with_o alexander_n the_o coppersmith_n with_o hymeneus_n and_o philetus_n and_o in_o all_o these_o conflict_n the_o gospel_n still_o prevail_v and_o carry_v the_o victory_n and_o for_o his_o suffering_n the_o instance_n of_o his_o christian_a patience_n and_o passive_a fortitude_n take_v that_o inventary_n which_o himself_o have_v draw_v up_o sometime_o before_o in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 11._o v._n 23_o etc._n etc._n where_o he_o have_v with_o great_a eloquence_n describe_v his_o adventure_n to_o we_o in_o labour_n abundant_a in_o stripe_n above_o measure_n in_o prison_n frequent_a in_o death_n oft_o v._o 24._o of_o the_o jew_n five_o time_n receive_v i_o forty_o stripe_n save_o one_o 25._o thrice_o be_v i_o beat_v with_o rod_n once_o be_v i_o stone_v thrice_o i_o suffer_v shipwreck_n a_o night_n and_o a_o day_n i_o have_v be_v in_o the_o deep_a 26._o in_o journey_v often_o in_o peril_n of_o water_n in_o peril_n of_o robber_n in_o peril_n by_o my_o own_o countryman_n in_o peril_n by_o the_o heathen_a in_o peril_n in_o the_o city_n in_o peril_n in_o the_o wilderness_n in_o peril_n in_o the_o sea_n in_o peril_n among_o false_a brethren_n 27._o in_o weariness_n and_o painfulness_n in_o watch_n often_o in_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n in_o fast_n often_o in_o cold_a and_o nakedness_n these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v the_o scar_n and_o mark_n of_o honour_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o he_o vouch_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n for_o witness_n v._o 31._o the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v bless_v for_o evermore_o know_v that_o i_o lie_v not_o brief_o his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v run_v his_o race_n well_o in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n commandment_n with_o zeal_n industry_n and_o which_o be_v the_o crown_n of_o all_o with_o constancy_n 1_o cor._n 9.26_o i_o therefore_o so_o run_v not_o as_o uncertain_o so_o fight_v i_o not_o as_o one_o that_o beat_v the_o air._n his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o as_o jesus_n christ_n have_v count_v he_o faithful_a put_v he_o into_o the_o ministry_n 1_o tim._n 1.12_o so_o he_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v faithful_a 1_o cor._n 7.25_o but_o to_o wave_v the_o metaphor_n i_o shall_v show_v you_o plain_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o what_o it_o be_v that_o paul_n conscience_n do_v testify_v 2._o what_o use_v he_o make_v of_o that_o testimonial_a 1._o what_o it_o be_v that_o paul_n conscience_n do_v testify_v what_o be_v the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o he_o which_o may_v be_v reduce_v unto_o these_o two_o head_n 1._o faith_n and_o love_n and_o other_o grace_n unfeigned_a 2._o a_o sincere_a and_o constant_a endeavour_n of_o universal_a obedience_n 1._o by_o reflect_v upon_o the_o act_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n he_o can_v discern_v that_o he_o do_v firm_o assent_v and_o cleave_v unto_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n that_o he_o do_v rely_v upon_o and_o trust_v only_o unto_o the_o righteousness_n wrought_v by_o jesus_n christ_n for_o his_o acceptance_n with_o god_n the_o pardon_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o his_o right_n to_o the_o heavenly_a kingdom_n that_o he_o have_v the_o other_o true_a save_a grace_n wrought_v in_o his_o heart_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n whereby_o he_o be_v enable_v to_o side_n with_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o judgement_n and_o affection_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o vote_n with_o and_o to_o delight_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o to_o overbear_v the_o ebullition_n and_o insurrection_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o to_o mortify_v it_o by_o the_o spirit_n or_o renew_v part_n and_o principle_n of_o spiritual_a life_n that_o be_v in_o he_o which_o be_v call_v the_o inward_a man_n rom._n 7.22_o these_o principle_n habit_n and_o act_n he_o know_v he_o have_v for_o upon_o reflection_n he_o by_o a_o rational_a sense_n may_v feel_v they_o enable_v he_o and_o proceed_n from_o he_o and_o so_o be_v conscious_a of_o they_o and_o that_o his_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o other_o grace_n be_v unfeigned_a and_o genuine_a he_o know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n shine_v through_o the_o write_a word_n upon_o its_o own_o work_n in_o his_o heart_n and_o by_o its_o special_a concourse_n and_o assistance_n enable_v his_o gracious_a soul_n to_o exert_v and_o put_v forth_o such_o vigorous_a and_o lively_a act_n as_o may_v easy_o be_v observe_v by_o a_o diligent_a reflection_n the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v call_v a_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o revelation_n eph._n 1.17_o a_o spirit_n of_o revelation_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o object_n a_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o faculty_n the_o visible_a object_n must_v be_v enlighten_v else_o it_o can_v verge_n or_o send_v forth_o its_o visible_a species_n without_o which_o it_o can_v be_v see_v and_o the_o eye_n must_v be_v enlighten_v also_o by_o a_o internal_a light_n else_o it_o can_v see_v the_o object_n though_o never_o so_o conspicuous_a in_o itself_o thus_o also_o be_v it_o here_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v discover_v to_o we_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v free_o give_v to_o we_o of_o god_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n not_o only_o truth_n which_o it_o propound_v to_o we_o from_o without_o but_o also_o the_o grace_n which_o it_o work_v within_o we_o and_o thus_o it_o may_v be_v say_v to_o reveal_v the_o object_n to_o we_o but_o than_o it_o do_v also_o inlighten_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n with_o a_o spiritual_a wisdom_n a_o spirit_n of_o discern_v whereby_o it_o distinguish_v and_o discern_v the_o work_n of_o grace_n to_o be_v true_a and_o genuine_a by_o the_o character_n which_o be_v give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o write_a word_n 2._o st._n paul_n by_o examine_v his_o own_o conscience_n concern_v the_o discharge_n of_o his_o duty_n in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n there_o record_v can_v observe_v in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o it_o viz._n ever_o since_o his_o conversion_n a_o sincere_a and_o constant_a purpose_n and_o diligent_a endeavour_n of_o universal_a obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o resignation_n of_o himself_o mention_v act_n 9.6_o lord_n what_o will_v thou_o have_v i_o to_o do_v his_o obedience_n be_v sincere_a though_o not_o sinless_a and_o perfect_a though_o not_o legal_o yet_o with_o the_o allowance_n of_o the_o evangelical_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o which_o aliquid_fw-la fieri_fw-la dicitur_fw-la quando_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la fit_n ignoscitur_fw-la when_o obedience_n be_v sincere_o endeavour_v and_o the_o fail_n of_o it_o pardon_v and_o these_o fruit_n give_v letter_n credential_a to_o his_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v a_o live_a faith_n hereby_o we_o do_v know_v that_o we_o know_v he_o if_o we_o keep_v his_o commandment_n 1_o john_n 2.3_o and_o we_o know_v that_o we_o have_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n because_o we_o love_v the_o brethren_n love_n be_v argumentative_a to_o prove_v that_o we_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o love_n bear_v witness_n unto_o that_o 1_o john_n 3.14_o paul_n conscience_n tell_v he_o that_o in_o his_o action_n he_o have_v not_o dissemble_v with_o god_n but_o that_o he_o act_v out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o unfeigned_a love_n to_o he_o and_o in_o conscience_n of_o his_o command_n and_o that_o he_o direct_v his_o action_n to_o god_n glory_n as_o his_o chief_a end_n thus_o much_o he_o may_v be_v well_o assure_v of_o from_o the_o record_n of_o his_o conscience_n which_o he_o have_v make_v it_o his_o care_n to_o keep_v clear_a and_o legible_a and_o though_o it_o give_v he_o notice_n also_o of_o his_o sin_n and_o fail_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o represent_v they_o as_o expiate_v and_o cancel_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n apprehend_v by_o his_o faith_n and_o thus_o you_o have_v see_v what_o the_o testimonial_a be_v which_o paul_n conscience_n give_v he_o now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o see_v 2._o what_o use_v st._n paul_n make_v of_o this_o testimonial_a a_o double_a use_n 1._o
a_o sermon_n at_o the_o funeral_n of_o the_o lady_n elizabeth_n alston_n wife_z of_o sir_n thomas_n alston_n knight_n and_o baronet_n preach_v in_o the_o parish-church_n of_o woodhill_n in_o bedford-shire_n septemb_n 10._o 1677._o by_o william_n dillingham_n d._n d._n and_o rectour_n there_o now_o publish_v at_o the_o instance_n of_o her_o near_a relation_n london_n print_v for_o jonathan_n robinson_n at_o the_o gold_n lion_n in_o st._n paul_n church_n yard_n 1678._o imprimatur_fw-la novemb_n 1._o 1677._o c._n alston_n r.p.d._n hen._n episc_n lond._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la dome_v 2_o tim_n 4.7_o 8._o i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n henceforth_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o at_o that_o day_n it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o bless_a apostle_n st._n paul_n who_o as_o he_o report_v of_o himself_o do_v die_v daily_o and_o be_v in_o death_n often_o do_v live_v under_o a_o constant_a sense_n of_o his_o own_o mortality_n but_o yet_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o writing_n this_o epistle_n which_o be_v as_o the_o postscript_n tell_v we_o when_o he_o be_v bring_v the_o second_o time_n before_o nero_n he_o seem_v to_o have_v have_v more_o than_o ordinary_a apprehension_n of_o his_o approach_a end_n death_n be_v now_o already_o in_o his_o view_n and_o come_v towards_o he_o so_o much_o he_o let_v we_o know_v in_o the_o verse_n before_o the_o text_n for_o i_o be_o now_o ready_a to_o be_v offer_v and_o the_o time_n of_o my_o departure_n be_v at_o hand_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o so_o much_o imminent_a as_o already_o come_v now_o see_v that_o death_n be_v a_o enemy_n which_o we_o must_v all_o encounter_n it_o be_v all_o our_o concernment_n to_o prepare_v for_o it_o and_o that_o we_o may_v so_o do_v it_o will_v be_v of_o singular_a use_n and_o advantage_n to_o we_o to_o have_v observe_v how_o st._n paul_n a_o good_a old_a and_o try_a soldier_n of_o jesus_n christ_n do_v prepare_v himself_o to_o receive_v the_o shock_n and_o to_o cope_v with_o this_o king_n of_o terror_n and_o to_o know_v what_o cordial_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o support_v his_o heart_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n approach_v the_o text_n present_v we_o with_o a_o twofold_a meditation_n of_o st._n paul_n 1._o a_o meditation_n of_o what_o be_v pass_v a_o reflection_n upon_o his_o former_a life_n well-spent_a i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a hight_n etc._n etc._n ver._n 7_o 2._o a_o meditation_n on_o what_o be_v future_a be_v a_o prospect_n into_o the_o life_n to_o come_v and_o the_o glory_n of_o it_o henceforth_o etc._n etc._n ver._n 8._o the_o apostle_n work_n and_o his_o reward_n his_o fidelity_n and_o his_o crown_n the_o first_o whereof_o have_v a_o order_n and_o subordination_n to_o the_o other_o the_o way_n to_o happiness_n be_v by_o holiness_n without_o which_o no_o man_n shall_v ever_o see_v the_o lord_n and_o the_o way_n to_o have_v assurance_n of_o eternal_a life_n be_v to_o get_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n that_o we_o have_v lead_v our_o life_n well_o here_o on_o earth_n and_o this_o double_a assurance_n joynâ—d_v together_o do_v enable_v st._n paul_n to_o look_v upon_o death_n but_o as_o a_o departure_n a_o mild_a and_o harmless_a thing_n a_o departure_n and_o that_o not_o from_o home_n but_o from_o a_o inn_n to_o go_v unto_o his_o father_n house_n the_o time_n of_o my_o departure_n be_v at_o hand_n medit._fw-la 1._o i_o shall_v begin_v with_o st._n paul_n first_o medication_n or_o his_o reflection_n upon_o his_o well-led_n life_n wherein_o we_o have_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v by_o we_o 1._o a_o character_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n 2._o the_o comfortable_a testimonial_a which_o paul_n conscience_n give_v he_o viz._n that_o he_o have_v lead_v his_o life_n well_o i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n etc._n etc._n 1._o we_o have_v here_o a_o character_n express_v and_o set_v forth_o unto_o we_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n and_o that_o under_o a_o threefold_a metaphor_n and_o allusion_n 1._o of_o a_o fight_n 2._o of_o a_o course_n or_o race_n 3._o of_o the_o custody_n or_o keep_v of_o something_o commit_v to_o our_o trust_n 1._o the_o christian_a life_n be_v here_o compare_v to_o a_o fight_n and_o figurative_o so_o call_v sometime_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o warfare_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o many_o labour_n and_o difficulty_n which_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o encounter_v withal_o thus_o job_n 7.1_o be_v there_o not_o a_o appoint_a time_n to_o man_n upon_o the_o earth_n where_o for_o a_o appoint_a time_n the_o marginal_a read_n be_v a_o warfare_n by_o which_o be_v mean_v a_o time_n of_o warring_n according_a hereunto_o we_o find_v that_o the_o roman_a legionary_a soldier_n have_v a_o certain_a period_n or_o term_n of_o year_n sometime_o ten_o sometime_o twenty_o or_o more_o year_n during_o which_o they_o be_v to_o continue_v list_v in_o the_o muster-roll_n and_o to_o fight_v under_o their_o emperor_n banner_n but_o when_o that_o time_n be_v once_o expire_v than_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v emeriti_fw-la &_o exauctorati_fw-la discharge_v of_o their_o oath_n and_o dismiss_v from_o serve_v any_o long_o and_o honourable_o reward_v with_o gift_n and_o possession_n to_o such_o a_o term_n of_o time_n allusion_n be_v make_v isa_n 40.2_o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o jerusalem_n that_o her_o warfare_n be_v accomplish_v and_o so_o rev._n 3.12_o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v go_v no_o more_o out_o that_o be_v to_o warfare_n he_o have_v his_o quietus_n est_fw-la but_o if_o the_o natural_a life_n of_o man_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o warfare_n a_o christian_a life_n be_v much_o more_o deserve_o to_o be_v so_o account_v a_o spiritual_a warfare_n and_o thus_o paul_n express_v it_o 1_o tim._n 1.18_o that_o thou_o may_v war_v a_o good_a warfare_n and_o 2_o tim._n 2.3_o endure_v hardship_n as_o a_o good_a soldier_n of_o jesus_n christ_n there_o be_v a_o double_a sort_n of_o fight_v which_o paul_n have_v allusion_n to_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_a life_n sometime_o he_o speak_v of_o fight_v in_o a_o military_a sense_n as_o one_o enemy_n fight_v with_o another_o in_o the_o field_n which_o be_v proper_o call_v warring_n and_o of_o this_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o place_n but_o now_o mention_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o thou_o may_v war_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o good_a warfare_n otherwhile_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o fight_v in_o a_o agonistical_a sense_n as_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o fight_v of_o old_a in_o the_o greek_a olympic_n or_o in_o the_o roman_a cirque_fw-la and_o amphitheatre_n when_o they_o contend_v for_o mastery_n where_o the_o victor_n guerdon_n be_v life_n and_o glory_n and_o unto_o this_o paul_n seem_v to_o allude_v in_o the_o text_n as_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o use_v by_o he_o do_v import_v but_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v curious_a to_o observe_v the_o difference_n but_o speak_v of_o they_o promiscuous_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v fit_o compare_v unto_o a_o fight_n or_o warfare_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o as_o in_o war_n there_o be_v always_o some_o cause_n or_o other_o contend_v for_o whether_o it_o be_v to_o revenge_v injury_n or_o to_o defend_v life_n and_o liberty_n or_o to_o obtain_v dominion_n or_o to_o win_v glory_n and_o renown_n so_o be_v it_o here_o christian_n have_v a_o cause_n which_o they_o fight_v in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n the_o cause_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o their_o own_o soul_n they_o contend_v for_o the_o glory_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n for_o the_o name_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o eternal_a salvation_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n all_o these_o be_v concern_v in_o our_o christian_a warfare_n all_o these_o do_v satan_n seek_v to_o hinder_v and_o destroy_v 2._o as_o in_o war_n and_o fight_v so_o here_o be_v two_o adverse_a party_n enemy_n and_o antagonist_n to_o one_o another_o fighting_z and_o contend_v with_o one_o another_o and_o those_o we_o find_v to_o be_v list_v under_o opposite_a general_n on_o the_o one_o side_n jesus_n christ_n the_o prince_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n and_o under_o he_o do_v fight_v all_o true_a believer_n on_o the_o other_o side_n be_v satan_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o air_n and_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n who_o rule_v and_o command_v in_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n and_o under_o he_o be_v list_v legion_n of_o apostate_n spirit_n and_o wicked_a men._n the_o devil_n and_o the_o world_n fight_v against_o we_o by_o temptation_n on_o