A * MM ^

PRINCETON, N. J.

Collection of Puritan Literature.

Division

Section

Number

_scB.

i n c

CHRISTIAN

CONFLICT:

aJ T%SAT1SB^

Shewing the Difficultiesand Duties ofthis

Confli&j with the Armour,and fpcciall Grace* tobccxercifcd by Cbnftian Souldicrs.

T articular ty affiled to

-Magistrates 7£Husbands,£CPa*bnts , ? SMastirs, Ministers, J£Wives> \ £CHiLDREN,£2S**VANT$f

The Cafe of V fury and Depopu mon%andtbc errours of

^intihomip $ tciAJiortkttj *tp di[cu§td. Preached in the Le Aire of Kttttring in the County of Nmh*mpten% and

with fomc enlargement jnibhflicd by IosipH Bentiam, Rcftor of the Church of Brought on io the fame County.

LONDON,

I rioted by G. M. for Pbilemen Stephens and ChrifiefberX* golden Lion in P a u l s Church-yard , I p

TO THE RIGHT

HONOVRABLE,

E D VV A R D L Ord M O U N T A G U E

of Houghton in the County of

Northampton , increafc of grace in

this lijc^nd.ihc full fruition oigUrj

and hapfivejfc in the ///V

'*

Right HonMAbl^my very giodUrdyarsd^/igtiUr tstuk

T being aneafieand do difficult thing for rJMomm to picke quar- rels in another mans tale,and tell h worfc thanhiflifclfc^ itboif%<i lefle practice -and performance to finde faults than to mend them • A* ftrange , favage,, and uncharitable humour, ipcUning to mif- judge off^ and misinterpret other nicnsa&i- ons, rather than to give them aChriftian andcharita- bk conff ration, tooTDUChtbwoding i&thc vvorM ^

/o that nothing can be fo welldone,butit fliallbeca traried of the evill; it being a thing incident, andal

v

mod certaincinall mens natures, to behold wich fo eyes the new.growne felicities of others , and cxad a fharpe account of their doings, efpeciall whom they have feene either inferiour,or in cqjaliH with themfelves : And writing of Blokes in tlrf learned and laborious age, being as fouldier s i n peace! chimneyes in fummer-feafon, andasfettingofcornc; to ftle in the y eare of plenty , wherein it was difdained and defpifed by many, defired but of few : I thought it frivolous, if not a folly for me once againc to aa-| venture upon the common ftage and the worlds this atrcinrhis kind. Yctin regard of that alio wanceand approbation my former Bookeof the S$cktj of Sum hath found amongft grave and godly , learned and judicious men 5 that the world might not finifterl^ iuppofeme to be mote carclcffe and lefle diligent at Brighton than I was at Weekly y like Saint Hieroms zealous Monke, but a lukc-warrae Abbot • or like unto fuch faint or faitblefle fifliers, Who having; caught that which they coveted, hang up their ncts> and leave off to labour any longer. That I might ma- nifeft mine earned defire to imitate ( although afarrc •ff > himwhomlfiieceed, who living was my pat- terne I pitched upon for imitation , my famous prc- decefTour M. &/**», whofc fingular rare parts noted in Jiim,have won wd wedded to him as great reputation and refped as any man living this day earrieth or can have [of his degree and quality : A man of blcfled memory , yeafucha one, thatthey who knew him> «o»ldnot flifficieatly eft^eme.bimt'and they who

did

DEDICATORIE.

did not cfteeme him, did never fuffieiemly know j hira. whom living I loved and admired, and being dead, Idefirctofollow. Thatas I do not envy and I repine at other mens rich gifts with an evillcye, fo } to fignifie and (hew that I do not defpife mine ownc poore mite with a way ward and wicked heart, but do . de-fire to get and gainc fbmething with my fmall ta- lent unto my good and gracious Lord, bleffecfand bountifull Matter ; That I might a little unwindc my felfe out of that fo intricate a labyrinth, in which my heart and bed thoughts are and have bcene along £ time much intanglcd and inthralled, I having oftca exa&ly examined and throughly tried and pared my thoughts to the quick ; how to teftifieand tell abroad jny humble andhearty, my true and unfained thank*. , - folnefTe for your Lordflbips redundant and reduplica- ted favours, munificently heaped upon race, ( I ranch abhorring their too bad difpofition, which •^neither affbord love, nor requited, which neither offer it with kindnefle, ner accept it with acknow- ledgement) not onely in placing and planting meat WcekUy,not only in countenancing me and my Mini- fterie being there feated and fetled, whereby I was much animated and encouraged, and continually and i copioufly contributing to me fo often and infucha- bundance, that I, my no little charge and great fa- mily lived with comfort, contentment and plenty, even to admiration, if not aftonifhraent of allfuch t who did not ad vifedly confider Gods fecret blcifing, I multiplying and making to abound a little meal fenfi- bly and plentifully where and when hirafelf picafeth - \ and who were not acquainted with the ever-runniag-

A $ foimt|fec

THE EPISTLE

fountains of your Lordfhips liberality flowing over not oncly to our refrefliing, but enriching: But alfo after fouretcene yeares triall and experience of me, in tranfplancing mee to Brougbten to fucceed M. "Bolten , of whom I may truly fay as Saint i^A*- gufime did of Saint C)prU»9 iMulti trat meriti, mul-^ tiptfteriiy multi^U^ multivirtutu^ He was wor- thy, wife, eloquent and religious, I havcprefii- raedtopublifhthisfmallTreatife, not expe&ingby thus doing to gaine either riches or preferment, I having of the former to content me, and of the lat- ter by your Lordfhips favour to the utmoft pitch (if not further) that Iexpc<5ted: nor hunting after or Xokfl 7.14; hopirtg hereby to havecredit and applaufc ( I ufually living folitarily and retiredly at home) well knowing that reputation is but a wcakeand wavering foundati- on, and that peoples affe&ions oft raife mens hopes, and ruine their perfons, and that wife men are not moved by rumours, fince they grow by reports, and diminifti by experience: and fiice that long con- tinuance of a thing flakes the wonder mcnt,and makes the wings of report to flag. But for theaforefaid caufes and confederations 3 as alfo to do or attempt the doing of good in the Church and my native Countrey, wcllknowing that good intentions (ex. cept from felfe-perfwafions againft Gods comman- dements which are meereimpiecies) havefuchafym- pathy with Gods owndifpofidon , that he will both affift them for their better encouragement, and for others example; and well knowing that as a fcout may uponan aecafion faeare and know what a whole feofthathiao.prefent notice of5 fol (who am no

more,

DEDICATORIE.

more a Granger in divcrfe difficulties and diftrefles of Ghriftianity , and in many mifcrics of this Com- mon-wealth , than he who in a (hip as a paflenger f when it is in danger declares the fame although noPi- lot) haveafTayed,whatinmeis, the good of others, difiring (and yet it is a folly to wifh where there is no hopc)t hat this which I have penned for pnblikeprofit might pleafe a!l:But alas to have expe&ed to pleafe all men,I might rather have wiflied(as I c"o no more)than imagined any poffibility. Neither (hall I much regard the malevolent bitings of envious carpers of other mens Writings. May it pleafe your Lordfhip to rake in good partthisunfained teftimony of mineob- fcquiouslove, officious fervice, and humble thank- fulneffe unto your Honour (which I hope you will doe, fince noble hearts take more thankfully that which a man defiresto give, than that he gives in- deed ) as alfo to fuflfer this Treatife to pafle under your Lordfhips noble prote£tien and patrocinie. To whom I prefent with my humble fcrvlce this fmall Treatife.

Firft , Not onely becaufe true Nobility grae'd with vertue and piety , are all combin'd in your Lordfhip Honours, Authoritic, and great places the top of the defires of ambitious men , except they light on a nature of Angular moderation, rai- niftcr matter to great and grievous vices: to whom it is as little benefit and true content to have fuch height of earthly happinefle, wanting the ufe of them , as fora purblinde man to have goodly pi- ctures j and dimmc eyes to behold them. In the midft of their plenty and redundance they wanting

A 4. the

*he true comfort of confidence^ and the right ufe of their honour and high places , they arc in the height of mifery. For , were they able to drinke up thepleafureof the world in as plentifull manner as Cleopdtra (who drunk the value of 50000 pound) ac a draught; yet ic is but a draught, and quickly downej themfelves being like to grecneahd good- ly boughs and branches, cut downe from trees to adornemens houfes for a time, and then throwne to the dunghill* For, if allthe gravell in their ri- vers were turned into pearlcs , and every ihovver of raine from the clouds above were a fhower of Clvcr and gold into their houfes; yet as the frefh rivers run into and end in the fait fea , fo fhall aH their honour end inbafenefife, all their pleaiures in bitternefle, all their treafure in emptineffe, all their garments in nakednefle, and their viands and delica- cies in loachfomnefle and rottennetfe. Were they faftned to their greatnefTe as arc the flony moun* taines to their foundations j yet are they not of power fufficient to withftand the power of the hea- ' venly IEHOVAH, who commandeth the ligh- tening and fendeth forth the wind, and is able to fliakethe world and rend in funder the maffcof the earth. Yea the faireft and goodlicft in body being ungodly, ftand in danger of grievous difeafes, or of vile creatures to beconfumed : the founded of un- derftandingtobe tormented in mind: the richeft ia treafures to be fpoiled in an houre.- the beft inhealth to be delivered to many and ftrong deaths, not fea- red or fufpe&ed. And therefore as Damcles when he faw nothing but his golden pots, his princely and

nwgnificcat

magnificent entertainment, his royall attendants-^ thought himfclfemoft happy; but when he caft up his eyes and faw a naked Avord hanging onely by a horfe haire ready every minute to fall upon his head, then he began to tremble. Even fo thefe great and graceletfe men of the world , when they onely re- fpe& their pomp, they think there are none like them. But when they looke up to the great vault of heaven, and fee the j-uft God ready to powre downe his vials of vengeance on them , then they tremble. Whereas your Lordfhips humble de- portment in fuchfublimities, digefting great felici- ty without furfct (a rare vertue in great perfons) the many radiant and rcfplendent gifts and graces, for which D.Hart, and M. Bolton, and others, in their Dedicatory Epiftles , have fpread your honour and rcnowne, yet report was lcfTe than verity , re* nownefarre fhortof defert: for truth doth out-ftrip fame , and many other I would name, were I not un- able to fpcake of them as theydeferve, and in what I can unworthy . and did I not know how averfc fuchpraifes are unto yourHonoar, accounting per- fonall commendations of living great ones, in men of our fort, a verball fimony, eternize your memory, andmakeyoubleffed to alleternity.

Secoadly , Not only becaufe of your Lordfhips noble Patronage of all good lea rning,fo far forth as to be abountifullandperpetuallbenefa&ourtothc breeding and training up of fchollers in good litera- ture, in a free and bountif ull beftowing of Church-li* yingsinyour Lordfhips Patronage,butalfo infhew- ing Angular regard and refpc<3 to the Miniftexs of the

Lord^

THh EPISTLE

Lord, efpecially tofuch whoaremofl painfulland induftriousinthe Cburchof God.

Thirdly ., Not onely becaufe of your Honours prefence at the preaching of many o'f thefe Ser- mons in our Le<3ure much countenanced and en- couraged by your Lordfhips not onely often, but iifualland ordinary frequenting the fame,

Tourthly, Not onely becaufe of your Lordfhips ingenuity, who will cover fuch flips and miftakings which may be in this as in other mens Bookes, your Honour well knowing that an errourat thepreffeis no calumniation in the Aut hour.

Fiftly , But alfo becaufe I owe my felfe and mine wraoft abilities to do your Lordfhip honour and fervice , for what I have and do enjoy. Might I therefore be fo happy as to honour and renowne your Lord/hip, or ftirrc up fome of your farre more able Chaplaines ( for not fo much is requi- red of a little weaketreeas of a great andftrong) to do the fame. If your Lordihip be pkafed to eafl: a favourable afpeft upon thefe my poore, yet paine- full endeavours : May I be an inftrument to bene- fit, although but a few , and bring glory to God, which eught to be the end of -all endss I have the chiefcfl of my aimes and defires.

Thus leaving the fucceffc of thefe ray labori- ous endeavours to the Almighty, with my hearti- eft prayers- to God the Giver of all good , That as your love towards God doth increafe, foGods love towards your Honour may iacreafe alfo : So that the beft bkffings may ever reft upon your Honours Perfon, your honourable Lady , on your

noble

i

DEDICATORIE.

noble OfF-fpring, whole family , and all your af- faires, to your cverlafting honour in this life, and cternail happincfle in the life to come, I humbly take my leave, and reft,

Tour Lordjbips chiphine in all hu mbkftr vicc^j7 ,

loJSPH Bl»THill<

To the Chriftian Reader.

Ourttotts Reader, good men have a notable hap andhappineffe to be borne in one age ra- ther than another: We in this, wherein I wee enjoy extraordinary plenty of profi- table excellent meancs of knowledge , by Pen and Preaching , in Prejfe and Pul- pit : Teafi many and fuch, that I had not any inten- tion to adventure in this kinde, untiS by my betters encou- ragement I published aTreatife of the Societie of Saints, the approbation of which with judicious men, who perufed the fame, hath oc caponed and animated me to fecond the fame with this of the Chriftian Conflict. In which had Imedledmth none, or onely meanemen, I could not butex- feft rajh and uncharitable ccnfnrers,ftncc vertuoiu men{al- though mtnftudious ofvertue) c*n fcarce find one hand to further them in workings yet commonly have often a mul- titude qfevill tongues tofteakc dgainft their honeft doings: much more addrefing my felfe not onely again [t Antino- mifts a lawleffe and licentious kind of evd^eakersjbut al- fo again]} ufurers and depopulates the devourers of our common-wealthy and other fuch like disorderly dealers, which fwarme in and (wallow up our common- wealth • can- not hike to eft Apt the four ge of tongues* But, thobeflis,! &m as UttUambitioHS tffuch mens good word, as guilty of their bad : and I had rather be difpraifed for true f peak- ing% than honoured for lying(*lthough I know themoft had

rather

To the R6ad^ * :>r

rather be commended with lies^th^n toprovtdvAtktruth^ being perfvoaded that he in heart hath no true.Jvtcerijty^ which keeps his mouth /but to remove vice. Maty. of\hff& ' j encounter \9ithbxvtfaire andplauftbte pritoncesi mtpjtj. that mcancs they are the more pernicious, ^fpwkfcjtrrt may be coveted wilds a fake cloth, * andfmaskedmeantig *Dumgrafi©r doth more harme thanhare-facd errour. I know it is a hard /it & magii matter to make them fee any thing,which have refolvidbe- ™*£P£m fore hand to clofe their eyes : that none are fo blind as thej taju obumbra. who will not fee i that no paradox is.foflrange but fome ta T!J^m,n<- fhilofopher rtiU undertake to defend in novice fofoule,but u\,;^T* it will have fome refuge ofapologie to maintains it for good: yet wiUlfpeake the truth, not. caring if they who brow-beat authority and antiquity t backbite me. Perhaps fomt wiS dijparageme to discredit the bookc V iffo,lfball notmar^ <ve/l$ ftnceasvtrtue, riches, honour, &c.fo putting of books topre(fe, is but a brand to light envy to the world, and ma- lice leaves nothing unfearched that may nourijb the ve* nime of the humour. For myfclft* as Hm a man, fo have J written it for men, and as a mam I may have erred : Fory there is mtfoperfeU a painter, but another wit prefume t* amendbis worker neither is any man fo fuft or cleare of judgement, that doth never jhew him felfe fraile; efpecial- ly in matters which construe bis owne inter eft. 'But this is my comfort, it is better to erre ignorant ly out of a welt-difpo- fed charity, than peremptorily toaffrmeany thing out of an ungrounded obftinacy. And of 'thee letmtintreat tbiscenr- ttfie, not to impute the Printers faults unto mo , nor to let an over fight or flip in me, if any fuch thou efpicjt, prejudice the matter. %Jdgood letter fhould be nothing leffe efteemei bee an ft written with an eviipen, neither doth an angeB of gold ceafefoto be, wanting a graine% which is allowed to

make

To the Reader.

make it currant* For my fart {in this unhappy age which overfloweth with numbers of malignant ffirits) 1 am per- [waded that the be/l tour fe is(4nd[dl do endeavour)threugb the grace and goodnejfe of God, to Air eft our courfein (tsch fort y as evilLmvnded men may rather pew thar will through malice y than with )uH tauftby defer t (a) evilly or deface byfpeecb or writing* In this booked have thfervei the fame method and order as in my former^ with Tables ^ Chapters y and bare guotitions of Scriptures ..without words generally y that it might net be too voluminous i and uponthe advifiofagodly^ learned and judicious Divine wboferufed my copie, I have left our the words cfaSedged K^iuthoursy taking onely tht meanings and referring them to the places that plea fe to examine them ,to keepe downe the bulk andbignejfeofthebooke. x^otd thus good Chriflian Reader i hoping thou wilt take in good part that which with no littlepaines I have penned for publtkc good* I commend thee to Gedandtht WQrdofhisgrace^sndremaine

■ Thine iahha who is the Loud of all*

I O S £ P H BlMTHAUi

The Qontents and Method of the enfuing Treatife,

Chap. L

SHeweth the drift and occafioft of this difcourfe. Page Chap, II. DtilA. That Chriftianity is a warfare, proved and confirmed with Scriptureand reafbns. 5

Chap. HI. D0EI.2. That Chriftianity is a good warfare,and in what regards it is fo. 1 o

Chap. 1 1 II. *£>*#.$, This good Warfare rauft be fought,and why, 1 1

Chap. V Vfa. St8,\. Shewing the errour of thofe tfho thinke Chrifti- anity to be eafie. *4 Scft.2^ Shewing the errour of thofe who thinke earthly contentments their chiefeft glory. 26 SeQ.j . Shewing the errour of thofe who condemne Chri- stianity becaulq of fame difcords. 1 7 S/tf.4. Shewingtfie errour of tnofewho'fiibmic to Satan, and bppofe goodnefle and piety. 19 Chap. VI. *Z>*r;.T. Sett. 1, Chriftian'fouldiers muft endure hardnefle. *z Stft.2. '^Motive 1, Dfawne from the examples of particu- lar fouldiersintnis warfare fronvthe Church in gjsnerall, aiid Chrift our Captaine. *3 Se&.i. M§t.i. Drawnc from the prefcnt conditiqivof Chriftian fouldicrt. 3*

The Contents. their fervants and why. 51 1

SeSl.S. Againft Depopulators andlnclofcrs, (hewing the hurt and harms they do to themfelves and others. 3 1 7

SeU.y. Againft greedy in^roflers of commodities, hurters of the Common- wealth. 527

5<r#.io. Againft thole who have no la wfull calling. 328

Sett. 1 I. Againft Vfor-ers condemned by 1 Fathers. 2 Coun- cells.g Lawes.4 Their owne pretended patrons. 5 Reli- gions of all forts. 6 And facred Scripture in the Old and New Teftament. 1 5 Objedions anfwered, and divers diflwafives from this fin. 3 29

Se&. 1 2. Againft changers of- Callings unwarrantably, as to leave trades to turne Maulfters, How change is lawfall, how not. 360

CoutteousReader, pardon I pray f.rolkr faults efcape J, and amend thcfc greater a. following.

Marginall faults. r.«**<p.J44-r-Tno-

I'Chri/iianity u a tear-*

fare..pag. %

\ 2. Chrift Unity u agooj Warfare. I0#1

anne J$. Chnftianity k am eejfary warfare, u.

'Therefore <

(ri-Tfoytohothinteita» eafie mattcrto bee a Cbrifiian, and cer- tain* others deceive | them/elves. , 4.

j 2. Christians mufi en* I dure bar dnejfe. 22. ' *• Chrifiiansmufi bee armed. 6f,

4. They ftould beg Pr°*g' 149.

f« Theyjhouldbe cou-

6 - They mufi tabbed

7- Tvcymufthiratcb- laft- 184.

8. They are 1 9 pray for helpe. ^0$.

9- Thy muff fafi and fgbt: 26u

yO'Theynuji follor* J Chrifis dire ft tens &» I ftandin fueh fictions { hefetsthem in, z7g . 1. Not thruftmen outo their

I

. /landings

' **

1 -2)^

eulators

3*7* ?• In-

Igvojfirg

122.

Not -want lav* full callings as Vfurers

kt ■ ^9*

. N or unwarranta- bly for fa\e them as divers. -$6o.

THE

CHRISTIAN

CONFLICT:

A Treatis e, Shewing the Na- ture, together with the Difficulties

and Dignity therof,and the Motives to encou- rage Christians to undertake chis Warfare,

I.TIM. I. XVIII.

That thou by them migbe'tt loarrc a good war far el

Chap. I. Shaving the drift And tccafion of thU Difcturfe,

L<flM>%& <ffi He life militant, fpirituall,or temporall, in for- mer times was neither difdained,nor dreaded: The Ie vves went voluntarily tathc ba.ttel^thc quarrellous Ephraimkes contended with fepb- Iu<*g 1 2. r , SH^^SI M,becau(c he did not call them to figbtiagainft t Sam j the children of t^mmom The three eldeftfonnes of fyf*fol- froLpti lowed Sa.nl to the battcll. Our predeccjfonrs (faith Den prcl"

B Ant on j

i Tfo Chrifihn Cotfitf. Ch At •!•

Antony ofGuevaraJ fought in the field with their laHuces, but young men now a day es fight at the table with their tongues, Pythias the Lydian, when be had feaftcd Xerxes and his ' whole Army with great magnificence, profered moreovcrto give him treafure, not onelyforprovifion, but alio for wa- ges, to have his fonne difcharged of the warres ; which was fo difpleafantly taken of Xerxesy that he caufed thcyoang man in his fathers fight to be cut in peeces. Kings and Princes were rot backward to adventure themfelves to fight: Wit- neffe the many Kings of Canaan againft lofkua : Witneffe the two and thirty Kings with Beuhadad, iKing.io.i6/ Wit- ncfth'David, lehff&aphaty&c. Witneffe our owneand for* raine biiloricall narrations.

In like manner the Primitive Chriftians (as Ecelefiafticall Hiftories report) of their owne accord did thruft themfelves into the hotteft brunts of the Chriftian fight and combat, where they werefure to meet with bitter , yet honourable martyrdome. To name but one of many : Luc im a by-ftan- HUfU ECC!' ^cr ^c^°^inS tne cruc^ dealing of Vrbicius , faid; Whati* gg ^ ' 1 7' *&* caufe 1 pray that thou eommandefl nen to bee put to death 9.not for adultery , mi/leading or murder, but onelyfor be- ing Chriflians ? Thefe things do not befeeme an Emperour4 Vrbicius anfwering , and thou feemetl to be a Chrifiian : When Lucius had replied^ lam indeed : Vrbicius commanded himalfpto be put to death : to whom Lucius fdid9 Ithanlee thee fir releafng me from moft wicked mafiers, and fending me to £W, a good And the be ft Father and King of all, .

Yea in fuch honourable repute was the martiall man,that all

or meft of the titles of honour had their originall from the

TtuxdJucenJo. field : W itneffe the titl e of Dulles. For their valour in leading;

Mauhio, or Qf cMarqueffe from defending, fome boundsjind frontiers :

. frafui-Umitar Qf BaronSi for bdng ^ ftrengtfc 0f the warre : witneffe the

! Xat Bradon. title of Kuifbtfigmfy ing a fouldier : oCZaronet or Vsnrettc,

I lib. i.cap. 1. ' becaufc his father was dubbed in the field under a banner : Of

Miles. JEfquire, for being an Armour-bearer to a Knight: Of Gem*

Armiger. tlemanfov puiffance and courage. And witneffe mens Armes,

Zrm*™' S^$ had'their beginning from bearing armes inthe field.

Of a* . I : The ChrijlUn C$KJba. 3

And of fuch honourable efteeme likewife was the Chriftian There ms n6 warfare, that the glorious names of Chriftian, Church Mi- won* r° Sr,(> litant, Proteftant, &c. had their birth and beginning from the ^waCuT pious courage of the Chriftian fbuldier. Times were once zen 0fRQme thus, but now alas, as in the former moft men are defirous ofj in ancient time and applaud themfelves in the warriours honourable titles, of as to fay,gOj Duke, Baron, Knight, Efquire, Gentleman: In bearing their thou Inftne- fore-fathers armes worthily given them for their valour in [^ou^hTup in the field, and to be pictured like fotildiers in harneffe when t", yvarresf tbeyaredead. Yet partly inregard of the little refpec'tthe <dm.u.u fouldierhath, by meanesofour long peaceful fecurity; and the many diibrders and outrages a&ed by that profefTion, (which cannot probably be othcrwifc, whiles election of men for warre is u(ed as a dreyne to vent away the refute and di(- ordered people) partly in regard of mens womanifluffemi- natenefle, they have infufed into themfelves, by their nice and wanton education ; the fouldiers magnanimous actions find few loving couragious prs&icers ; manydifdaining, others dreading their condition , accempanyed with great labour, much danger, many miferics, and fmall efteeme. Even fo in tke latter, although thegreatcft numoer of people, yea all which live within the verge and pale of the Church, are gree- dy of, and glory in the honourable names of Chriftian, Catho- like, Proteftant, &c. Yet partly in regard of the'bafeefti- mate of the beft, and braveft, a«d moft forward fpirits : part- ly in regard of the many enormous, and unordcrly deeds of diverfe p rofe flours : and in regard of mens owne backe- wardnefle to any good , the Chriftian fouldiers pradifes finde few favourers, but many who fcorne sni flee from teem , they being attended with little regard , and much reproach.

Concerning the former, I ceafetofay any more, leaving k to them whom itconcerrcsro worke out of people this in- bred cowardize, to infufe into them courage for Gods and their Countreyes caufe, and ro reftore the martiall mens efteeme (by better choice, dilcipline and countenance) to its priftine repute, thefe being a defence to our lives and

E a livings*

4 Ike chrifiUn ConflM. C h a p . r .

livings. But as for the latter, I having a calling to meddle m the ipirituall battel), not onelyas aChriftian, but more than fo ; will do mine endeavour to ejscT: faint-hearted pufillani- mityout of the hearts of Chriftian fouldiers, and to animate, and encourage them to wage warre agairrfV all the malignant enemies of Chrift Iefus with valorous magnanimity : toin- dure with patient fortitude the bitter conftifts of the grand e- nemy Satan, and the hcllifh excurfions of the Serpents fide, to trample under foot with a holv difdain the taunting reproche* and bafe ufagesof wicked neffe, and to march vi<5toricufly, maugre Satan and his co-ad jurors, through the oppofite pyket ofoppugning temptations, and the utmoft villanies of hcllifh agents. By giving them a fight of their enemies Heights and fedulity, yet weakneflfe : intruding them in the true Chrifti- anwarlike discipline : and ennobling this fo much contem* ned condition,

For this caufe I have fele&ed this portion of Scripture, as the ground-worke whereupon to build the following dif- courfe of the properties and prerogatives, the graces and glo- ry, the fervicc and folace* the furniture and felicity of the fouldiersofthcLordlefus. That thou by them maifi warre* good warfare.

Which words containe a charge and commiflion of warre given by the Apoftie S,Pani punctually and perfonally to Tit mothyzs aPaftour, fotoall Gods meffengers and Minifters, likewift as a Chriftian and confequently to true believers^ name'y to warre a good warfare. In which generall ienkl intend to inlarge my felfe to all forts of perfons, and occafio- ually onely to fpeak of the fpeciall.

i. Thedutyenjoynedistofightorw^rrr.

3. The condition or kind of this conflict, a good warfare.

3.. The means wherby this good warfare is fought,^/ them.

Chap.

Chap. II.

Chriflianitj u 4 warfare^

CHriftianity is a warfare, wherein trie Chriftian doth (as j)0ft%<p he ought of duty) warre a good warfare : i Cor. i o, 3 ,4. <Fer thouqh we walk* in the fle{h> we do not warre*fterthtfleft% for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal} ficc. Eph, 6, 1 1 , I 2. Put j oh on the whole armour ofGod^ for we rvreftle not 4- gainflJlejhandbloudybutagainfly8cc. *Tim.*3. Thorn there •- fore as a good fouldur of Chrifi. zTim.q.j. J have fonghta good fight. Hehr. 10. 32. Fight of afflictions. I Tim. 6. 1 2. Good fight of faith. Or if you pleafe, I will divide this into three branches. Chriftiaoityisawarfare. 2 Cor. 10.3. Eph, 6. II, 12.

Thofe whofe condition, calling and profeffion is to fight , * againft the enemies of Chrift and his Church, their life is a Keaf'l° warfare, and they are fouldiers.

But the condition, calling and profeiTion of Chriftians is to fight againft the enemies of Chrift and bis Church.

Therefore 'the life of Christians is a warfare , and they arc fouldiers.

The latter propofition is evident by the many facred injun- ctions in holy writ, to fight the good fight of faith, 1 Tim. 6. 12. 1 7"<», 2.3,e£r. By the examples of Gods Saints in all ages : Adam foyled in Paradife: lob tempted and tryed by the utmoft of Satans cruelties ; Peter winnowed ; Paul buffeted, and fighting a good fight. And by the admittance of* Chrifti- ans into the Church by baptifme, wherein they receive as it *were prefle-morey, andpromife manfully to fight under trie ' banner of Chrift crucified, againft finne, the world and the Dt- k. veil, and to continue Chrifts faithfull fcrvants and fouldiers to their lives end.

Thofe whofe Lord is a Lord of hofts, fouldiers and armies^ %

thcmfelves being part of his hoft and army, muft needs be fonldiers, and their life a warfare :

B-3 „ But

But the Lord of Chriftians is a Lord of hofts, fouldiers and armies, themfelves being part of his boil, Pfel.to. 4*7,14,1 9. 84.1,5,8,12.

Therefore they muft needs be fouldiers, and their life a warfare.

That which agreeth with warfare in all refpe&s , is a warfare.

But Chriftianity agreeth with warfare inall refpe&s.f Be- caufe as in warfare,fo in this,

1. There is a place of conflict, namely the Chriltiaa Church Militant in this world, Rev. 1 2. 7. There was rvarre in heaven. Not in that third and higheft heaven, where God dwelleth and raigneth, the feat and manfion of bleiTed Angels and godly men; for there is no fighting, but all peace: and the Dragon was caft from thence in the beginning. But.in the vifible Church, the heaven upon earth 1 called heaven, it being a lively picture and image of heaven, the habitation of glorified Saints.

2. There are enemies to fight. For, fincc the fall of An- gels , 1 . There have beebe, and while the world (lands there will be two fides in the Church militant, the feed of the wo- man, and the ferpents; twixt which there is confknt enmity, §**• 3 • 1 5 • Michael and the Dragon who are alwayes in com- bating, Re v. 1 2.7. The Spirit and the fiefli, 'twixt which there is an irreconciliab!e jarre and contrariety, 6V.6.7* God and Mammon, both which none can ferveand obey, AUtthtfji^. 3. And the true Church upon earth hath alwaieshad* and (hall alwaies haveadverfaries and enemies. They not being of the world, Iohn 5. 19 They being chofen out of the world, hhn 5. 19. They reproving the world, teftifying that the deeds thereof are evil], hhn 7.7, They being the womans feed,and borne after the Spirit.

3. There are Generals, Captainesand Commanders, un- der whofe condncl and guidance, at whofe appointment and for whofe fake the fouldiers fight.

Firfr, the Chriftians Generals and Commanders are x. God the Father, who is therefore called ufually in

Scripture*,

Chap. 2. TheCbtijti4nC$r,Jlidi. 7

Scripture, a Lord of hods, beciufc all creatures are under his power and difpofition, as an hoft of foul diets under their Emperour. By him we pull down ftrong holds, ex- alting againftGod, 2fir% 10, 4, £. And with his armour , \ve fight, £>£ 6.11,13

2. Chrift Iefus who h their couragious Captaine, 2 fir. I o. 5 . to the obedience of Chrifi. 2 Tim. 1.3. As a goodfonl- dier of Chrift. Rev. 127. Michael \ .i. Chrift Ieitis that ftrong and mighty Prince and Captaine of the hoft of God,

Secondly, the enemies prime leader and commander is the T>lve\], lam.+.j. Reps? tht'DiveH. Rev.ii.-j. The Dragon fought and his angels : J. The Divell (likened to a Dragon in regard of his terrible fiercenefTe) who is the prince of that ar- my which maintaineth warre againftChrift , Rev.10.2. The Dragon which u the DivcR. As for the king of thofe dreadfull and hcllifh locufts, the angels of the bottomleffe pit, Rev. 9 . 1 1. the monftrous prevailing beaft,/toM$. 1, 2% they are but theDivels fubftitutes.

4. There are ordinary fouldiers in each band,namely every Saint,every widcedone: there are herfmen and chariots of each (Idc : namely,

1. Able and faithfitll Magiftrates and Minifters ; who like valiant horimen and commanders put themfelves in danger, firft running upon the pikes to rout the enemies and break their ranks ; to refcue and deliver, to fave and defend Gods people, are worthily called the chariots and horfmen ofl{rae/f tKing.2.%2.

2. And all true profeflburs which are faithfull family-go- vernours, who (like inferiour officcrs)are helpers to the fore- named, Rom. 1 6.9. 1 Cor. \6.\6.

1 . With their prayers ( Epbef. 6. 1 8, 1 9. Trdjt for all Saints and for me* \ Tim. 2. 1,3. *P raj for Kings and all all that are in authority ) in their Magiftracy and Mini- ilcry.

2. With their purfes in their maintenance, Rom* 16. 3,6.'

64 3. With

6 mikteLimjttanLonpct. v-hap.2.

?. With their paines in preparing and fitting their fa- milies.

4, With their advife and counfell, converfation and good example among their neighbours and families.

So on the contrary,

I. Wicked Magnates, who by

1. Impurity incouragc offenders in mifchiefe, ma- king oft kingdomes thereby gs»tl:y of crying crimfon fimes.

2. Which condemne the harmeleife innocent con- trary to charity, julticc, the good of the common- wealth, and God himfclfe.

3. Andneglecltorcfcuetbe gjiltleffe perfon out of the clavves of the mighty , it being in their power 10 lave them. *

a. Wicked Miniftcrs, w! o by their

1. Pining, caufc Gods people to perifli for want of knowledgc,Pr<M9 iS.Hof^6.

*. Poyfonirg, making men twofold more the children of hell by their endeavours, Mat.2$.i c.

?.. Neglecling to ffce w men the prefent danger of their finfull condition, E^t^^6.

4. Evill counfell and bad example. g. Wicked family-govemours,

1. Who by hurting and hindering Gods faithfully sifters,

2 Who by bad counfell and lewd example, 3. And negligence in inftrufting their families, Glad the bad , make fad the good, difobey the Lord of life,fervc she Prince of darkneffe, damme up the current of found profeffion,/aving practice and knowledge : And open the flood-gates of iniquity to run amaitie with reftleffe ftreames and dre?dftill overflowings ; (hew themfelves peripicuoufly to be the chariots and horfemen, that is, the captaines and chiefe ftrength of the arch-enemy to the Lord of glory.

;. As in warfare, fo in Chriftlanity there is a com-

pleat

pleat armour for the Chriftian fouldier, Ephefians 6*. ir, 12. Oiled the tsfrmour of God, Ephejians 6. n. Of light , Romans 13. 12. Of rijrhteoafnejfc , tfirinth.6.j. .And weapons defenfive and orfenfive : % Corinth. 10. 3. JW *£* weapons of our warfare are not car nail , but might y through god to the pulling downe of firong holds. Neither is the oppofite faclion wanting of weapons of nnrighteouf- fieflc and darkeneffe, Romans 6. ia. which the othc* have caftcfF.

6. As in a warfare the truly valourous and faith full foul- dier hath or ought to have an honourable reward , and renowned repute as a requiting remuneration requifite for his loyall, laudable, and laborious feduliry and fervices, conflicts and conquefts : But the pernicious and perfidi- ous traytour, who by bale and unworthy cowardize, bri- berie, or the like, betrayes his caure, andcountrey, con- digne punilhment. Even ib the truly, valiant inagnanimoui Chriftian fou'dier , coura^ious and confiant for his God and Chrift, their Gofpel. and caufc, andhisownc confei- ence, (hall be rewarded with a crowne of rigbteoufneffe, %Timotb> 4. 7, %. I h*ve fought 4 good fight, hence- forth there is laid up for mee a crowne of righteoufnejft^ which the LORD the righteous Fudge {hall give mee at that day , &c. But the halting treacherous hypocrite , the downeright prophane wretch , yea every one who is a- gainft the Lord and his Chrilt , with the Divell that de- ceived them , (hall bee caft into the lake of fire and brim- ftone, and tormented (or ever and ever, Rcvtlatton to.x o.

Gv*fl

* ™ * wjTiAn conflict . ^ h a p . 5 ,

Chap. III.

Chriftianity u a goo A warfare.

CHriftianity is a good warfare, 1 Tim. 6, ii. Fight the good fight of faith. 2 Tim. 4.7. 1 have fought * good

hht-

That warfare which is with a good warrant, for a good caufe, after a good manner, and for a good end > is a good warfare.

But Chriftianity is a warfare, which is

1. With a good warrant, namely Gods ownecommifllon, lam.qrj. Rep ft the Dived.

2,Foragoodcaufe;namely/ffr/^/^r^/«^g, therefore called thcgtad fight of faith », 1 Tim.6. 12. To obtain* an ineor- r»ptibU crowne^ 1 Cor.g. 25. But we an incorruptible. To keepe a good confidence void of offence to god and men ', Akls 24 1 5. To pleafie Chrift who hath chofen us to be fonldiers% lTim.t.4.

3. After a good manner, Not after the flefh, although they Jive in the flefh, 2 Cor. 10.?. Not with carnali weaponry 3 Cor. -10.4. 7?utjpiritua8: The armour of God, the weapons of righteoufnefle.

4. For a good end ; namely toglorifie God,7^ obtaine the fatvation which id in Chrift lefm with e t email glory , 2 Tim.Z* IO. To ft and in the evillday, Eph.6. 13. And to pull downe

'J}rong holds -—exalting themfelves againft the knowledge of Gody%Cor>iot^y$,

That warfare which is the Lords, Chrifts, the Spirits, An- gcls,aad Saints, againft the Divelljthe world,the flefh,and fin, is a good warfare.

But Chriftianity is a warfare which is the Lords,&c.againft theDivell,&c.

Therefore, &c.

That warfare which is good in the five following refpe&s, is a good warfare.

But

\^ h A p . 4 . Jve unrtjitan lovjuct* j i

But Chriftianity is a good warfare in thofe refpefls,

namely,

i . In regard of the Author of if, who is that God which is

the Author of all good, of noeviil. gen. $.? 5. It was he who

put enmity betvveene the womans bleffed feed, and the fer-

pents curled brcod, and that in paradiie.

2. In regard of the fouldicrs, thefe being all and onely the holy ones of God ; thefe alfo fighting well the Lords battels in the general) calHr.g of Chriftianity , and in their perfonall and particular flat ions.

3. In oppofition to other fights 5 they being terrene and earthly, this fpirituall and heavenly.

4. In regard of the reward of this combat: namely, the Lordlefu?, Gods favour, heavens kingdome, and eternall bliffe.

5. In regard of the matter of this warfare: It-is againft the kingdome of the Divell for that ofChrift, and hrsFatfier: It is againft the flefh, that unregeneratc part of man, which is corrupt,vile, andinfected byfinne : Forthe Spirit that new quality of holineffe which is created by the Spirit in the hearts oftheelcd: It is againft the kingdome.ef death, darkened, and damnation, for heavens kingdome, of life, light and falvation.

Chat. IV. Thii good warfare muft hfattght.

EVery good Chriftian doth.and mr.ft of neceffity fight this -

good right, or warre this good warfare. \Dolt. 3 •

The Lord of hefts vvhofe we are and whom we ferve, al- though he is a God of amity, hath put fuch perpetuall enmity RtrfA. betvveene the feed of the woman and the ferpents, that they fhall ever be at defiance, and ever wage warre againft each o- ther till time be no more. This our God fends us into the field, affords us all warlike neceffaries, bids us be ftrong, and play the man , yeelds us bis helping hand , and prornifeth

crown* s

" lw^nripiw^onjitu. v. ha p. 4,

crownes to thofethat conquer. Therefore of necefficy we ought to fight.

a. The nature of our enemies fhewes the truth of this: They beare an irreconciliable hatred agrinft all mankind,efpe- cially Chriftians. To inftance only in the priiicipall and grand enemy the Divpll : whofe inveterate malice againft the blefc fed condition of the Lords precious ones : whofe infatiable tbirfting after the ruineand perdition of all mankind : and whofe inceflfant unwearied painfulnefle to devourc ibules, are plainely and plentifully decyphered and defcribed in his genu- ine and proper names exprefTing to the full the fame. The Word of truth cals him by the name of 1. A Dragon, tf*tf. 1 2.7. In regard of his terrible fierce- neffe, maintaining warre againft the Lord Ieliis. tAmongfl

Tosi.i. Horn. Serpents (faith Saint Chryfoftome) what u more fell ercruell

1 ],in Mat. than a Dragon ? AndofDragonS) rshofo ontragious and fierce as the great red Dragon the Divoll f

ru" \\ r<Sr«v!rti 2m An °^ Serpent, Rfv.i 2 a. In regard of his wilineffe and

on findiHg o« by craft,furthered by the experience of many thoufand yeares,and

CKpeiicncc. in regard of his venimous fubtilty exceeding dangerous , and contrary to mankind.

5. A lion, yea a'roaring lion, I Pet^. 8. The Divellgoeth • that like a roaring lion, A lion is a beaft excelling others in ftrength and courage, full of violence and fierceneflTe, given to devoure and deftroy , therefore called in Scripture fometimes

iT hick oF™ -A™^ »!- a nearer, renter or plucker, Pfal. 7. 2 . Left he teare m) foule [^Kearieh J like a lion*

t^oh of zH an Labi, .i. couragious, valiant, P/*/.f 7«4» iMjfoule is among

heart. QLebaiofJ/iW.

Hnv " Shachal, .1. ramping, fierce of nature, Pfal. 01 . 13. Thou

fialt trdmpte pn ^Shachal) the Lion. '

rE2 Kephir, .i. lurking in covert places, ^PfahflX 3 . Thou /halt

tread upon £Keph ir] the young lion.

Laiifh, j.fabduinghis prey, Prov. 50. 30. Laiifh, a Lieu which is /?ronge/l,6cc. In all which refpeds the Divell is truly a lion, he being given to teare and devoure,extfeam fierce and crucll, lurking in fecret to deftroy, walking, ranging, roaring end devouring, 4» Satan,

wn

t h a p .4. TU CbriflUn Cwflilt. *3

4. Satan, that it, an efpeciall enemy to God and roan, /•* \woC\w 1.6. Satan came aljoamcngtbem. I Or.5.5. T)el*ver fuchs

•ne to Satan.

5. DiVell,Sbed,awaacr,P/4/. 10^37. Thcjfacrificcd— Wttp **D/W/[Lefliedim3towa(liers. ADivellisa waller.

tf. Thetemptcrofmentofin3ir^if.^5.Z;^^/^^r *■».'-$»

$4«v tempted,&c,

7. A calumniator, ^4^.4. 1. continually acenfog the *#*•' Saints before God, ^v, 1 2 0, icmalicioufly detracting and depraving the perfons, words, a&ions, not of men onely, but

even ofGodhimfelfe, (7*11.3.3.

8. Segbnirim, Levtt. 17. 7 .rough, rugged, andhairie, for cnMc the horroar of their hiew wherein they appeared like Sa- tyres, 7/4. 13.21. and other ugly creatures, and wherewith

they terrified fucrras faw them.

9. The wicked or malignant one, 1 loh.i. 1 3. for moleft- •»»"*•* sng, and with his fierce darts endeavouring mens ruineand mifery.

Therefore foch being the malice, fuch the cruelty, Co great the crafr, and alfo the might 1 yeafince fuch is the nature of our enemy the Divell, that he is an adveriary, an accufer and a tempter of mar kind; It cannot be but thatagood Chrifti- an doth, and muft nectlfarily warre this good warfare a- gainft this grand enemy and his curfed ihitruments : S. Cypri- 0'/>-(5iiodi^^ an fpeakiug of thefe our enemies, faith, Thefe do lurks under j^a dtteslabie idols And images : thefe by their infpiration do in- fpire the heart t of Trophets, animate the inwards ofbeafls, do order the flying of birds, do governe lots, fulfii pr editions, do fold iu often faljhoods with truths y for they are deceived and do- deceive^ they diforder life, ditlurbefleepe, affright alfo (ecretlj the fair its of the fonlc, beginning in the bodies, they w reft afide members, defiroy health, they provoke difeafes to compeUto their ferzice, that being fatted vitb the favcur of altars, and the cea- fed fires of beafis, they may feeme to have cured thofe things which thej had bound fafiytbemfelves being appointed for patne,. tbeyfeekelo themfelves companions ofpainc. Therefore necef- aarily, wc muft either warre this good warfare, orflavi&ly

fubmit

14 The ChriftUn ConfliU. Ch ap.j?

fubmit to theft our continual! fierce and fighting enemies.

^ Thefe three ground-works I hope are furely laid, and fuffi- ciently ftrengthened, tobe aflrme and fortified foundation, whereupon I may fafely and f urdy build the following dif« Course by way ofufe and application.

ChriHUnity is a rvtrfare. This fhewes its inevitable and infeparable dangers, and uneafie difficulties.

ChrislUnity it a gtotd warfare. This declares its commen- dable glory and praifefull dignity.

Christians muslfi^ht this good warfare. And this demon*

ftrates our many and neceffary- Chriftian duties. Chap. V.

Vfe I, Shewing tbeerrenr eftbofevho thinke Crtfiianitj t*

beetjic.

H Ow ridiculous and abfurdly fool ifli, yetmuch tobe la- mented is the groundlefle fancy and idle conceipt of thofe men, who crowne themfelves with pleafant garlands of reftfull (ecurity , and pleafurefull delights , imagining they may go to heaven (as it were) in a bed of downe and excefc -five jollity ; thinking it the eafieft matter of twenty to go to Church, to receive the Communion, fay over a few pray- ers , to defie the Divell and all hi* workes , -and to ay God mercy for their prodigious oathes, mercilefie ufury, fatanicall lies, and other their bloudy and crimfbn, conftantly commit- ted, and continually crying impieties ; littlecor.fidcring that they are but in a fooles paradife, dreaming altogether ofim- poffibilities. Tor to pray, heare, receive the Sacraments, re- cent, &c. aright, or ro be a through fi ncere Chriftian, is a mat- ter of great difficulty, and no little dan. er, of much hardfhip and no cafie labour. To profeffe fouldiourv, being a wan- dering runnagado, to enjoy a fouldiers ftipend and tirle with a 4narumiffiojr» to folace a mans felfe with friends and familiars: tobeabillitedfouldkr, or maintained in garifon : to be-in- •treachtin field farrc remote from dreadfull foes, arc eafefull,

and

5ect.I# TMCbrtJttMCtopttt. if

and neither toylefome nor troublefome conditions. But to be drawne out to march in battel 1 array, to encounter an impetu- ous, inexorable, puiffant and b'oud-thirfly enemy, not onely to skirmifha little, but to fight it out pelmel, each fide being forced to imploy its bed and utmoft warlike skill, ftrength and valonr to vanquiih and deftroy the other, is (I fappofe) an eftatefull of dreadfull feares, folicitous cares, painefull la- bours, ex ce (live diligence, and watchful 1 vigilance.

The cafe is thine, O thou that art a true Chriftian.Thou haft received pre fle-money from C brill thy Captaine: thy pro* felTiQn is to be his fouldier, than which, what eftate more dif. ficillfr What condition more painefull? What life more la- bourfbme?" Where there are fightings without, and combats within : where thine enemies are not few, but many : not feeble, but mighty : notmeeke, but truculent; not exorabky but implacable : not flefli and bloud, but principalities and powers : not men onely, but DiVels alfb. And is k an eafie mattertobeaChriltian? Areeafefullidlenefleand careleffe fecurity congruent couforts for Chriftianity think you ? Sure- ly no. It is a harder matter to leave and abandon finne, to make progreffe in piety, to live truly a CHriftian life, to mor* tifie the flefh, to crucifie the world, and refift the Diveil : to pray for enemies and perfecutors, to repay becediflions rot maledictions, to deny our felves,to beare the crofle, to fbrfake all,&c. than many vaine dreamers imagine. Ifpeaknottheie things to daunt or difmay any : ( for I hope to make it evi- dently apparent, that the weakeft warriourof the Lord Iefus that will be counfelkd, fhall vi&orioufly vanquilli ) bat to a- wakefuchdotingdreamers, whoarelullM afleepe in Satans fhackles, preferring a little dangerous eafe-feeming fecurity in the Divels flavifti enthral ments, before a little happy and faJ* ying laborious diligence in the ^ords army.

Se ct,

«f TktCbriJtmCtnflttl. Cha*.?;

Sect. j.

Tbeirrour of thofe who thinks earthly contentment t their chiefefl glory.

NO lefle fond and unfoundis their bra indeflc conceipr, whofolacethemfelves in their noble birth, richreve- newes, large pofleffions, dainty diet, gay apparel), perfonall beauty, corporall health and abilities ; deeming thefe and fuch like fading felicities, the greateft glory and molt adorning or- naments of a Chriftian life. Surely (that I may ufe the words of a learned Knight)/ not onelj holdit Uwfull to re'pyce in thefe S*. Walter good t kings wherewith God hath ble fed us, but * note ofmncb fcawlcighJ Mb* untbanleefnlneffe to entertaine them with a fuden and unfeeling j .c. i .fag. a i . diffiofitio*. Yet thefe being common favours,not thofe prime, principall and neceflfary mercies, which are the proper chara- cters ofChriftian fouldiers. Not thefe but thofe following, are the moft glorious adorning ornaments to the Chriftian fouldier, namely, a patient induring affli&ions for the Lords fake, refitting unto blood : an impregnable refolution to be. fikhfull in Chrifts caufe even unto death : an implacable en- countering fin, Satan, the world, and the flefti with an unvan- quiftied valour, not at all moved to entertaine withafmiling looke their fyrcnian and bewitching enchauntments neither appaled a whit by their threatfull menaces, and terrible af- faul ts ; an entertaining of the trecherous fa wnings of this de- ceitfull world, with a loathfomc difdainfulneffe ; a manfull marching through its keeneft darts of fcornfull reproches,bafe ignominy, and all ill reports with undaunted courage ; being compleatly clad with the invincible armour of righteoufnefle, having a dexterity to afethe&uae, with its (everall parts and peeccs at every turne, to vanquifh the enemy , and fafeguard themfaves, &C Wt do not judge a Thilofopher (faith S.Cbry- Ch.yC Tom. J. ftftew) by his bea^d y fiafe or garment , but'byhis mind and Scrin.de vir- manners ; nor a fouldter by his fouldiers garment or arming gir- # g' a'« dlejfut by his courage and magnanimity 2&c9

Sect.

Sict.j; tbiChtiflUnCtnflifa jy

Sect, jJ

The hrhtr oftbofe who condemns Cbrifliamtj btcauft of fame difiords.

IS Cbrifiianity a good warfare ? Then the worldlings ce«* tamelious conclufion is vile and ungodly. Who Secaufe they lived fellowly in a filthy fraternity , in all excefle .of riot before their zealous Preachers came; but fince their fo much paines in preaching, their finftill focieties (feeraingly peace- fiill)are marred : for now if they wantonly dance and drink, fweare and fwagger,or pra&ice any fuch like tricks of youth, to grace and glad, to recreate and refrefh themfelvcs and o- thers ; they arc prefently reproved by fuch medling Mini- fies, and their fa&ious followers(as they call them .) Becaufe many profeffon before tbey forfook their fell© wly fraternity , were joctind and jovial!, pert and plealant companions : But fince they are plunged iato many laborious labyrinths of trott- blefbmc perplexities, and doubtful! diftrefles. They prefently iaferrc that preaching and Preachers, profeffion and Profek faursareneceffarily naught, and inevitably impicus. And why? Love is lacking, peace is periled, unity is vanished, good-fellow(hip is gone: inftead of kindly concord, and ami- able amity, behold diflenting diicord, and auftere averfnefle.' This O thou world is the moftof, yea all thy plea againft the Preachers and Profefiburs of piety. Becauf? we hinder love, we are therefore bad : becaute we occafion difcord, we ther- fbre arc not good. And is there not, O thou infatuated cavil- ler, and intoxicated wrangler, a love which is bad , a hatred which is good? a pious difcord and an impious concord ? a godly averfnefle, and an ungodly aflenting ? Sure I am there is a what peaeey i Kings • * * • A love not, I loh. 2. 1 5 , An hating mth a perfeEl hatred, Pfat. 139.7*. And a have nofdlowftnp, Eph^ .ii. Certaine it is that Chrift our Captaine fet fire up- on earth, jiamely his Gofpell, kindling and railing trouble amongft wicked ones which refill it, Luke 12,40. And it is

C rr.oft

a 8 2w Cbrtfiun Conflict. C h a p . J ,

Hm^umltUa t»oft certaine that there is a peace not of Chrifte, and a van- bonis^un^uam ance of God9 appointing, <JM*ttb% 10.34,35, And without certamina de- all doubt, this fight of Chriftians agamft flefhly Ms, diaboli- ■je?'' uocer- call temptations, and the worlds'dread hall troubles, andin- tet ™mm \i& chaunting vanities, enemies fo reftleffe and labouriome, that a jemper habet. true Chriftian can have no reft, no quiet, is a holy and happy, Sp-ciirp, 340. a pious and profitable warfare : for Chriftianity is a good warfare.

True it is, they hate, but neither God, godlineffe, nor godly men : butfiane,becaufe it is a breach of Gods facred Law, Rom.7. 1 $ . the cvill that I hate.

Truest is, they love not, namely the world, nor the things in the world, becaufe they are enmity to the love of the father, 1M.2.15.

True it if , they arc not fociable, namely with the fruitlefle works of darkneffe, Epb. 5.1 u Hdve no fellow p?ip with the fruitltffe worses ofdtrkneffe.

True it it, theydorefift, but not God, like thofe thatdo

refifthis will,A^w.9.ip. Nor the lawfull powers andordi-

, nance of God, which who fo refifts, refifteth the ordinance of

God, Rim.i 5.1. But theDivell and his Diabolicall fubtilties,

*Pet.$.$.

True it if, they are winnowed and fifted, buffeted , and tempted* troubled and terrified : they have a flefh ever lott- ing againit the Spirit: frailties without,£ghtings within. But are they therefore and their r>rofeftk>n to be abhorred as wic- ked and ungodly ? nothing lerTc. The more they bate, the leflc they love,the more they refift, the leffe they are fociable in the former fenfe,thc better the men: And the greater their combatjthe greater their comfort : for thus doing, they warre agood warfare.

Jicr,

S i c t .4. lbs ChrifluM CCf)fi^*

Sect. 4.

The errottrofthofevtho (nbmitto Sdtan, andfrfofc

goodneffe And piety ,

DOch every ChriHidn of duty, dnd m*jl he of neceffuy vf*rre this good warfare againft the Divell , all his a- poftate angels and their fierie and infcrnall darts ; a- gainft the wicked world, all vile, vicious, and ungodly mens feared frownes and fawning flatteries: againft the flefh and all its fowle and filthy lufts ?

With what a face then ( O you fonnes ©f Belial) dare you (Firft , which flavifhly yeeld without any, yedwith- *nt your beft and utmoH refinance to be led captives by the Divell and his circumventing complices. Secondly, and you which fre profeft enemies to Chrift and his kingdome, ro the power and practice of piety, oppofing tooth and rayle godlinefle and godly men ) with what face fay I dare you take upon you the honourable name of Chriftian? ufe the tranfeendent priviledgcs of Chriftianity ? and glory of the Lord Chrift Ieius?

1. You are Chrift ians: why then doe you not ftand in open defiance with, profeffe hatefall hoftility againft , and oppofe with magnanimous relblutions , the fawning and fraudulent flatteries of this guilcfull , and the fierce and furious conflicts of this raging world ? And thofe other flefhly and hellifh, impetuous, impious and implacable e- nemies of your precious fbulcs ? If a bafe unworthy coward daunted at the firft approach of an enemy , without any refinance : or after fome Height velitation or skirmiflh ; er a male-contented mifcreant , affecting an enemies flavery more than a Soveraignes fervitude , yeelding himfelfe a flaviili vaifall to a tyrannizing foe , may glory in the de- nomination of a fouldier, becaufe he hath received prefte-' money , was recorded in the Generals lifts, and rank'd and

C 2 tra) n'd

Ito Tie chrlflUn Conflict. Ch a * . y.

frayn'd by the captaineof his band. Then may you which cowardly feeing onely afarre off dangers and difficulties ap- proaching to affaile Christianity, without any opposition, or after fome little conflict ? And you who ( aflfeding the igno- minious Slavery of the world, the flefh and the Divell , more than the Lords precious fervice) yeeld up your felves to ferve the lufts of your fkfh, the vanities of this world, and the fug- geftions of Satan, may glory of your Chriftendorne, becanfe you are baptized, your names are recorded and regiftred a- mongft Chriftians, you are taught and trained by the chariots and horfemen of the Lord Iefiis.

2. You are Chriftians, and very aclive and bufie for to withftand and hinder what you can with 'your utmoft abilities fuch and fuch forward feliowe-s and their godly fraternity : you indcavour with mighc and mainc to advance prophane- Hcfle, Antichriftianity and Atheifme,therefore you are iouldi- crs: and being Chriftians, are therefore Chriftian fouldiers. Alas, youcollecl abfurdly, and conclude weakly. A rafcall rebell may as well argue for his prodigious villanics, and fay he is of EngHfli birth, and in continual 1 combats, although a- gainft his annointed Sovcraigne, his loyall Liegemen , and , faithfull iubjecls, therefore a good Englifh fouldier. As fuch a viperine tray tor is no good fouldier in the judgement of that 3ookc3. pag. Mafterin wavrc Smaller Raw/eigb, who faith, It ia not the 547. ptnifhment that makes * martyr— ^-nor fighting that declares a

valiant wan, but fighting in a good canfe : Even fofuch nomi- *iail Chriftians, although they fight, yet are not Chriftian foul- diers, their righting being againftthe Lord and his annointed. CKryf.Tom.4. Te&me (faxhSXhrjfoflonte) how may we difcerne a fouldier ^ Horn. 1 8. m Aether by that, becaufe as an officer 'he doth defeud the King, and is maintained by him> and it called his : or whether becaufe he doth defend his right , being well affe tied to him / To (hew 0* fenly in countenance to take hit par /, to hold on his fide ^ to beare good will to his bufinejfe, and to defend him : bat yet to execute cr atchieve the enemies affaires yit farre worfe we fay ', than if he having cafi off the joke of loyalty Joad wholly given htmfelfe to the <*cmie&c* Thcfe and all true Chriftians are fouldiers, and

both

Sicr.y. thtCbfiftUnCMJliSt. %i

both forts fight, but under contrary captaines ahd cotnmtn- ders, for ends and caufea much diffenting. S*tvUn gives a .

reafen of this repugnancy. The cbiefesl cAtefe of their difiord £*' l ' ,?a*' (faith he) * f be diverfitj of wii, becAnfo either it cAnnot At a119 or fc tree!) come to pA±fc tent Any do th love the fume thing in a- not her, from which bimfelfe doth dijfent : // u not therefore without canfe that they bate thofe in whom they fee a& things envious And kdverfe to tbemfelves* For the one live continual- ly in wickednefle, the other in innocencie : they in Luff,, thefe in chafi tie : they in brotheQ- boa fee, thefe infolitAriefUces : they aim of} continually with the Divitit thefe without intermiffio* with Chrift. Tfcey are not therefore to be efteemed good Chriftian fouldiers although they fight, they not warring this good warfare.

Sect, j.

Qhrifinnitj u a good w*rfAre% which the true Chris? id* doth And mnfi wAtre.

BY thefe three ground-works I having'difcovered the Poo-^ lift* and abfurd conclufiors, the dreadralland defperatc condition of many Chriftians (in briefe thus :

i. ChrifliAnity ie a wArfnre t more dangerous difficulties therefore accompany it than many fondly imagine. Neither-is every one fitted for this fo honourable, yet hard profeffion, it being too harm for nice and delicate perfbns, and effeminate cowards : Neither are worldly rejoycings, as dainty diet, gay attyre, noble birth, richrcvenewes, thegreateftgarnifti- ments of a Chriftian, as diverfe do idly dreame.

* . ChrislUnity u a good wArfare. Palpable therefore is the fooliftiablurdity of fuch conclnders who condemneChriftia- nity,its profeflion and profe flours, for its difcording oppositi- ons, it being fo much the better in general), by how rn^ch thefe are bigger and bitterer*

3. ChrijiiAntdoofdmty^ Andmnfl of neceffitj fight this good warfArt. Miferablc therefore muft they needs be which fh-

C 3 viftily

a* The chrtJlUn C0»Jvcl* Cha* .6 .

vifWy fobsiit to fcrvc the enemy 5 much more they whs fiercely fight againft, bur not this good warfare.) I will now from the Tame fiire and facred truths, joyntly* or if you will, from this inviolable threefold cord conjoyned,and twilled in- to one, thus,

Cbrifi Unity id a good warfare y which the true Cbrifiian doth and m*fi warn* Endeavour to furnifh tbeie warriours with profitable directions how to fight this good fight, lo that they may efcapc and vanquifh their violent and vi- gilant enemies: how to delight their Soveraignc Comman- der the Lord Icfas ; and how to obtainc the crowne of glory after this cruell conflict : and alfo .to con folate and comfort, arme and incourage them againft the many difafterons oc- currences this profeffion doth propofe*

Chap. VL

-A Cbril}Un fonldier muft indure bardnejfe^

A LI yon whkh wilbe good fonldiers of Iefus Chrift, muft refolve with your felyes to indure hardneflfe, 2 Tim. i . $* mf' . Thou therefore as agoodfonUier of Chrift % induce bardneffe ;

?uJfaZr~ orfcffercvill.' I foretell you of this, beca»fe(as faith S.wW- Bookc 2. cap. ter Rawleigb) fbarfe war re and the novelty of fudden violence *8'PaSi63*' t$fe to difmay any ft ate or conn trey , not innred to tbe lil^ei but cuflome of danger btrdeneth even tbofe that are unwarlikf. Sharpe wane , fudden violences , dreadful! dangers arc your portion, you muft through much tribulation, Ldfts 14.22. We muft through much tribulation enter into thekingdomc of God. You muft fuflfer perfection, 2 Tim, 1,1 1. Ait that will live godly in Cbrift /effu finllfafer perfiewtion. You muft go under the erode during your whole life. Ycu muft indure battell all your dayes. You muft proceed from one affliction to another. You have Divels roaring and raging againft you, fecking alwayes your definition, to rcfift continually. Yon GiiU.14. have a wicked world alwayes waging warrc againft you, which you muft crucific, and to which your felvesmuftbc

crucified,

SiCT.ai thtChrijtUnCwflitt' *J

crucified, Ye* hive fle&lylufts fighting againft your fculet, GaLj.i* which you mud mortifie. You mud be winnowed and bufleted; you matt be tryed and tempted: you have con- tinual! boftility : you are environed with aflaylancs > you are of the Church Militant, and arc Chrifts fouldiefs, therefore you muft indure bardneflc. But what hard- neflc r In Ubessrs mere nbnndnnt , infiripes nbove men-fore, ~- Cor. ii.;x4j in prifsns mere fiequewt , in denths §ft: in fujfring fiip+ z1>l6>t7' wrnxke* \ln jeurnryings often* in perils ef waters y in pe- rili cf 'rebbers , in perils by eeuntrtymen , in perils by bed" then y in perils in the eitie , %n perils in the witdernetfe , in perils in the fen , in perils nmengfnlfe brethren. In reenri» neffe nnd pntmefnlnfffe, in wntchsngs eft en , in hunger stud thirfl ; in failings eft en , in celd mnd nn'kednefe, &c. In tor* Hekx i.j< 16 turesandtemptings, mockings and fcourgings, bonds and 37. imprifonments, &c. In fuffering aH , or any oftheic"; or fuchlikcmifeties, if they encounter or environ you for the Lords fake, you rauft indurc haidneffc as good iouldicrt of IcfuiCfuift.

And that I may the better arme and accommodate you to indure the mouthes of lions* the violence of fire, cruel- ty of mocking* j bitternefle of Tcourgings , painefulnefle of (taring, torture of (awing afondcr, uncomfortablencfie of wandring iri tkcep-skins and goatskin*, being deftitute^ afflided, tormented, to fuffcr any of thefe or the like, ( for we mflft not be our owne carveff dr choofers) I will propound and briefly profeeute fome few -motives and in- ducements.

Sect, a.

Motive 1. Dr4wnefrem examples ef pnrticuldeyMMers ^

in this rnnrfdreftomthe C hnrch tn generally *nd

Chrift enr Saviour.

TAke a view of all thofe Worthies who have gone be- fore us.

C4 t.Thn

3 4 7be Chrifiun Cwjlitt. Ch af .6 .

I. The Chursh of Ifrstl was put to fhamc,' fpoyled of their enemies as (heepc appointed for the (laughter, Mat- tered amonglt the Heathen, a reproach to their neighbours, a (come and derifion to them which were about them , a by- word among the Heathen, a ftiaking of the head a- mongft the people , fore broken in the place of Dragons, covered with the (hadow of death , killed all the daylong, counted as fheepe far the daughter , PfiUme 44. They were- cut off, fcattered , (hewed hard things , and made to drinke the wine of aftonifhment, Pfatme 6o, 1, 2, 3, They were prooved , tryed as filver , brought into the net, they went through fire and water, Pfalme d<5.io,i i, 1 2. Their bodies were given to be meat to the fowles of heaven, and their fleCh to the beaftt of the earth; their bloud was fhed like water , and there was none to burie them , P/aime 70. a, 3. They were fed with the bread of teares, and had tearcs given them to drinke in great meafure , they were made a laughing ftocke to their cne* tnies, and a ftrife to their neighbours, 7/dlme 80. 5, 6, They were exceedingly filled with contempt, with the fcorning of thofe that were at eafe, and the contempt of the proud, Tfdlme 113. 3,4. They were afflifted from their youth » the plowcrs plowed upon their backes , and made long forrowes> P/a/me 120. a, g>. Their bones lay fcattered at the graves mouth , as when one cutteth or heweth wood upon the earth > Pfklme 14W 7. They be- came tributarie, they wept fore in the night, they want- ed comforters, their friends dealt treachcroufly withthem,, they went into captivity , they found no reft , their gates were defolate , their Pricfts did figh , their virgins were afflicted , their adverfaries were chiefe , and their ene- mies did profper, their Princes were like harts that find no pafture* going without ftrength before the purfacr. They fell into the hand of their enemies, who mocked ac their Sabbaths, their adverfaries fpread out their hand up- on all their pleafant things , arid the heathen entred into ^tfieir Sanclqary. They Cghed and fought bread , yea they

gave

Sec r iz \l The ChrifiUn ConfliSl. \ 5

gave thefr pleafent things for meat to relieve the foule : Th«y were become vile, no fbrrow like unto their for- row , which was done unto them , wherewith the Lard affli<5led them in the day of his fierce anger : they were made defblatc and faint all the day , the Lord delivered them into their hands * from whom they were not able to rife. Their mighty me© were troden under foot y jheir young men were crufhed , and the comforter which (hould relieve their foule was farre from them, &c. Lament, j. &c. Yet for all this they did not forget God , nor deale falfely in his covenant; their heart did not turne backe, neither did their ftcps decline from Gods lawes , Pftlm* 44.i7,i&.

a. Behold the prime and principal! particular pcrfonsof the Lords band.

it Jacob, that Ifrael or Prince of the ftrong God, one who obtained principall power from the mighty God .• His life was a continued pilgrimage inftrange Countreyes* accompanied with many evils, namely the malice and threats of Efau, a tedious andtoylefbme journey to Me- fopotamia, hard fervice with his unde Lab**, feare of Eft* at his rcturne home , the defiling of his daughter ^Dinah% Simeon and Levies tyrannical 1 cruelty , the wic- kednefle of his firft-borne Reuben , the evill tydings of his fonnes by his beft beloved lofepb^ and of the lamen- table lofTe of his darling fofepb , ltidahs mariage with a Canaanitifo woman > and fharnelefle inceft with bis daugh- ter ThamaTy the heavy and hideous newes from Egypt that Simeon was in prifon* the money reftored, and that BenjAmin mud go, &c.

a. David that man after Gods owne heart, the fweet finger of Ifrael , his life accompanied with much hard* ncfte; the diftaftfull difdaine of his brother: Sauls conti* nuall hatred and perfection : the fcandalous flanderrand falfe accufations of Saul* perverfe parafites : CMerab gi- ven from him : UMichal given to enfharehim:Nhis otter* difcom&ing difcoveries to Sanl by D*t£ and the ZTphims *

the

a 6 ?h* chrifiUn Cwfiitt. Ch a>.£.

the malice and warres of enemies : [divifionof his pcople,and their deftru&ion by the peftilence : The mocki of UHUIaI% *nd the revilinfs of £&»*#: Amnent fbule fa& and fearefull fall : tsfbfoloms prodigious rebellion and infamous iriceft ; the death of his chiefe Captaincs, and revolt of his chiefe Counfellours : his fnamefull reproches, grievous ficknefTe, &c. Yet was he thankeFull, confident, hoping, conftant and patient.

3. Ub like whom there was none upon earth, a perfe& and upright man, fearing God and efchewing evill, endured abundance ofhardnefle, for when God had opened a gap to Sathan, leaving hbs fubflance to his mercileflc cruelty : the 3ivell robs him ofhis fifty yoke of oxen,and fifty (hee affes by theSibeans: fpoyle* him ofhis feven thou&nd flveepe by fire, takesaway his three thoufand cammels by the Caldeans : bereaves him ofhis (even fonnes and three daughters by tern- pcftuous windes overturning the houfe of banqueting : and depriving him ofhis great houfhold (thofe fbure meffengers of evill tydingsand fome few other excepted) by the afore- faid meanes, and all in one day. And after when the Divel! mooved God againft him, and gets leave to fliew his utmeft force and fury againft him, his life being faved, his body Was fmittenandfurcharged with fore and fmarting biles and bot- cbesfrom the fole of the footto the crowne of the head,C^. 1.7. his wife tempts him, Vcr. 10. His friends were refera- ble comforters, 16.2. His brethren and acquaintance were eftranged from him, ip-.T?. His inward friends abhorred him^r.i^. His wife and fervant's accounted him a {trangeiy Ver. 1 5, 1 6,\ 7. Young children defpifed him, Ver.1%. Bafc fboles and unworthy vile ones fcorned and derided him : Ghtp.io. His griefe and calamity was heavier then the &nd : Chap.6. 2,5. The arrowes of the Almighty were within him, thepoyfon whereof did drinke up his fpirit?,?^ 4.H1S flefti was clothed with wormes and clods of duft : his skin was broken and become loathfome, 7.5. 'He was full of toffingstodandfro. feared, with drearies and terrified with

a s c r . I, The chnjlm CMflsct. a y

I might inflancc in Icwah^EUjah, and who not ? But I will enlarge my fclfe toname butonc more

2. ChriftlefusourCaptaineand Commander, whofe J he was generally contemptible as afervant, turfed as afinrer : loaden with miferies and acenftomed to hardrefle, from his birth tohisbwiall. His parentage was pc ore, his birch with- out honour, his company being cattell, his chamber a ftable, and his cradle a cratch, Luke 3.7. His life without eafe; per- fected by #/fW being but a babe: driven into exile, being but an infant, iMatth. 2.13,16. His body was e nfeebled with watching and fafting hunger and thirft, andhisfoule afflicted with fearesand fbrrowes, but efpecially at his death, befides thofe terrible conflicts of his with Gods wrath in his agony andpaffion: befides his bufferings and fcourgings, nayling, piercing and crucifying, how were his unfupportable Offe- rings amplified and enlarged in regard of

1. Theperfonsafflicling, 1 their nnmber being great, un- certaine and indefinite.

1. Their fever all forts beeing various, paffengcrs too and from Ierufalem, <JMatth> 2 7. 39. High-Priefts,?Vr.4 ? .Scribes, 4 1. Elders 4 1 . Pharifees,6 2. And theeves,4J .

3. Their nature being brutifh, barbarous, blondy,cruell, fpightrall,malicious,fcornehjll,anddifgraceftill, 3 8./* 4?.

4 . Their condition being bafe, Ver. 3 9 .44 . And honoura- ble^, bond, 44 and free, 3 9.4 2. learned,42. and unlearned, 39-&vill,42. and Ecclefiafticall, 42. religious, ^r.42. and propbane, 39.44.

5 . Their drift being to bring into oblivion>hatred and ut- ter contempt the perfon,officef doclrine and miracles of our Saviour amongft the people ; and to provoke and inftigate our Saviour Chrift to murmuring, impatience and grudging: to prefumptuous tempting of God: to diftruft full doubtful 1- neifeand defperation.

6. And theirbehaviour being 1 unfeemely and uncomely in regard of their places and callings, fomeof them being Rm fcrs; and profeffion it being holy and religions, they being Scribes and Phariiees. And a Impious and ungodly, In regard

of

% 3 The Cbrtfiun CcpftM* C h a p . 6.

of their fpeech it being fpightfull and reproachful!; andge« fture, it being fcornemll and difdainefiill, 7*M0»4X>4*>44«

1. Of the place moant Calvery,the high way, plame field and place of paflage too and fro..

3. Of the time, It being at the houre ofdreadfull and dtfc snail death in his greateft and^xtrearaeft mifery : In hit hea- vie paffion, laft and grievous agony. When he was wearied, and as it were worne out with Gods fuflfcrings. When he was wounded with the arrovves of Gods wratto,when he was raoft to be comforted and pitied.

But did not the miferies and perfections of Chrift and his members expire upon the Croffe, and then ceafe ? No fuch matter : Piter and lohn were imprifoned, threatned, A #.4. and beaten, 5 .40, The Proto-Martyr Steven was ftoned, 7. Great perlecution was raifed againft the Church, Cbap$. lames is beheaded and Peter imprifoned, 1 2. Pant is perfec- ted from /r0«/#w, and ftoned at Ljftrt, Chap, 14. Panl and Silas are whipped and imprifoned at Pkilippi, 1 6. 7**ul is perfected at Tbefa/o»$ca9i 7. Taken and bound at Icrufalem, lis Bufietedaadfentprifonerto Felix,v$. Accufed felfely by Tertnflus and the le wes,2 5 . And by him fent a dangerous voyage prifoner to Rome. Defcend a little lower^and from Saint Uhat time to the end of the world, fee the lot of the godly.

ri. The Church of god which is the beloved Citty and new Ierufalem, Rev, ?o.p. 21.2. Gods tabernacle and his habitation^ 1.3. The Lambes wife, 1 £.7.21.9. The woman eloathed witfuhe Sun,having the Moone under her feet, and upon her head a crowneof twelve ftarres, 12.1. led by the Lambe tothc fountaine of living waters, 7. 1 7. Having God and his Chriftto ruleher,i.i. 2 2. 3. was to be trodden downe, 1 1 .2. forty moneths or one thoufand two hundred fixty daies: wastofleeand eicape into the wildernefle as the Israelites fleeing from Pharaoh, 12 ,6, where {he was to be hid and nou- rished being perfecuted by the bcafl: and Dragon, 11 .7. And overcome 1 3.7. although afterwards ihee prevailes, 17.14* 19*19* HThl

o a c t. * . The Chrift'm anflecl. 29

1. The Truckers of fhriFt lefts, which arc ftarres and !Angels 1,2,3. preaching Prophets, 11.3.14.*. A gainft Ba- by l©n,which hath made all rations drinke of the wrath of her fornication, 1 4. 8. And thofe who worfhip the beaft and his image, and thofe which receive his marke^r.^. And exhor- ting men to fear e God, and worfhip him, Verq. Thefeare kil!ed,l 1. 7.And beheaded,: o 4.

3. True Chriftiant who are laid to dwell in heaven, rj £• which worfnip God, 1 i.i6\ which are without guile, 14. 5. Notdefiled with women, * 4.1 fi. who reverence the voice of Chrifts Minifters, 4.9,10. 5.14. follow Gods Commande- ments, 14.12. which arc written in the Lambes booke of life, 21.27. Refnfe to take the beaft smarke, 15.2. who have the Lord and his waiesin admiration, 1 5 -3)4. who followed the Lambe,i4 4. having his fathers name in their foreheads, V*r. 1 .which were fealed for ailurance,C£^.7.Thefe were & are to be afflicled,i 1 .^.overcome and killed,x ? .7.H0W thefc things have been verified is related in Ecclefiafticall Hiftories, which record of the ten bloody and barbarous primiriv e perfe- ctions, which were fo cruell, thai under Trajan(ln whofe reigne Simeon the fecond Bifhop of Icruiiriem a man of 120. yeares old, wa6 tortured and crucified) fach a weight of per- iuf.Eccl.Wft. fecutitns did prejfe the Church, And fttcb infinite number cf lf*'*' '-3z-i*® Martyrs were daily flaine, that Pliny the fecond which then did governe the proline being very much troubled at the mul- titude oftbeflatne, declared to the Smpereur that innumerable thou fads of men were daily killed, in whom by enqniry there vis found no offence committed nor any thing done againft the Romane /awes but this only ,t hat they didflng before day hjmnes to a God they called Ckrift. Yea tbe number of the perfected Was infinite. fb that fl&riv wot noplace empty in tbeprifonsy and lib $.c.6.pag. that the whole count rey did fee me rather to got to prifon% them 186. the guilty to be led toprifen. And as for the torments, they were divers and intollerable. Their bodies were tome with tibXc^^ag. fconrges and then given to beaft s : Lyons, Beares, Libardt, l*7- Bulls, and every leinde of cruell beaft were ufedy yea the cruelty tf all foafcmcnandflemjeMs were armed again ft the worfhip*

* PrA

3 ° The ChrijlUn Cwflitt. Ch a p .6.

Ibid.c.S$.i$l . fers *f(/od. Some of them after fc our gings and bonds y tortures and other horrible torments of divers kinds were burnt. Some cafl into the fea^ foms Jl*ine, fome crucified with their feet upl ward, &c. Some had their fit fh tome of with pot/beard;, fame cfp'-i'o. Tent ** ?eeee* w"b trees bowed together, Cbap.£. They were

beaten with ftatses, with rod/, with whips, frc. They were hanged up their hands beino bound behind themt firetched out withpulUyes^ and pulled in pieces limme by limm*. Yea flich tib.&.c.ii.pag and fo great were the torments, that the "Hiftorian faith, who 19 * • can repeate ? who can difslofe ? who can exprejfe how they were

flaine with axes, their thighes were broke** they were hang dtp Jikefwinesflefb, andfmotbered with fmoke >difmembred>roafted. Yet for all thefe things, their courage was undaunted and im- pregnable, witneffe the brave and blcffed anfwer of Pclicar- Ltb+.c.n-pag ptujourefcor* and fix y ear es Ihaveferved Chrifi and he never hurt me% how can I now blafpbeme my King which hath faved Lib, ;.*<£. i,*. me ? Witnefle the invincible patience of 'Blandina and Atta- pag.ioh&c fa : Witnefle the free and voluntary fpeech oCPhiloromusyo£ Phtleas, why doe you vaincly tempt the conflancy of the man * Why would you make him who U a behever an infidcll f 'Doe you not fee that his eares he are not your words ? His eyes fee not Lib.$tc.io.psT yourteares} How can he wbofe eyes fee and fledfaflly regard heavenly glory be turned with terrene tearest Witnefle that rich and faithfull Fiftoriautu greatly in favour with his King who anfwered the meflengers from his Soveraigne. Tell my lib.; fDe perfc. K*»g let hi m broyle me with fire Jet him fcrce me with beafisjet <U0rtd-p> 6 $<?, him torture me with divers kjndes of torments, if I confent I am baptised i n vaine in the Catholike Church* WitnefTc all thofe Primitive Martyrs and our late blefled brethren of hap- py memory in thofe bloudy Marian daies and fince. 1 Did Chrift himfelfe our head Mafter and Govcrnour? Did the Church (the body and building of Cfirift) in all ages ? (fome few fhort breathings excepted) and its particular members? 'Doth the Church at this day in other places endure much bardneffe as the fouldiers of Chrift ? Are the two witnefles now warred againft overcome and in killing as fome proba- bly thinke? ^Wflhallnotwe the fouldiers of this Captaine,

the

Sue t.j. Tit Chrijikn CtnfliB. 3. 1

the members of this body, the Warriour9 of the fame band prepare us patience, and refolve to endure hardneffe as the good fouldiers of Chrift i>

Sect, 3.

Motive 2 . D rAWfte from our condition.

WE are men, therefore we have few daies, mam/dan- gers : few yeares, but many evils : a fhort time but much trouble, Ub 1 4. 1 . Man that is borne of a woman is of few daies and full of trouble : We are Chriftian men, there- fore to be hated of all men for Chrifts fake, ^4//£. 10.22. Being as (hcepe amongft Wolves, and lillies among thornes. Chriftians arc like Merchants in great perills, before they can enjoy their wiftied haven ; like travellers inan enemies coua- trey abiding much hard (hip, before they are free from dan- ger : we muft through much tribulation inter into the king- dome of heaven, /?#/ 14.22. Yea all that will live godly in Chrift muft fuffer perfecution, iTim.i.iz. We are Gods Per varjofca+. wheate which muft bethrefhed : we are Gods grapes which fm pcr tat dif- tnuft be preffed : we are Gods gold which muft be tryed. As crimina rerum wewafhand wring that linnen which weeweare next our tendimusaJp*- skin ; but let facks and fuch like lie without beating : even fo niam veT*m our molt wife God wringeth with afflictions thofc children, ^^ *" which are moft deare and neare unto him, even when he letteth others whom he maketh not fuch account of enjoy their reft and quiet. Let us of necefiity make a vertue, fince as being men we arc (ubjetf to innumerable evills, as Chri- ftians to many mere, armeweour felves therefore as good Chriftian fouldiers of Chrift Iefus to endure hardnesjand as the magnanimity and valour of the Romanes was moft admirable and excellent in their greateft adverfities ; folet ours accor- . ding to the antient rule, hard&ip ennobleth vertue. ?/£<%£*

SlCT.

3 1 Tfo ChriftUn Cwfiitt* Ch a* . 61

Sect. a\*

Motive g. Drtwxefitm the h4rmetff*efepf them?

LEt the harmelefneffe of affli&ions perfwade to fuflrr them, we being content with patience, and perfcverancc to endure that which hurts us not. Although the(e are hideous, yet not bunfull ; although drcadfull yet not difadvantagious : thayare tolerable although terrible. Like the formidable waves of the overflowing deluge, which tofled the Arke,b«| dro wnd it not : like the fire in the bu(h, which burned with- out confuming the fame : like hnabs whale,which fwallow- ed,yetdcftroyedhimnot: like the venemous Viper hanging on 'Tauls hand not harming him at all : many a time have theyafflicled me from my youth, yet theyhave not prevailed againft mefaidIfraellongagoe,P/*/.i2p.!,t. upon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell (hall not prevaile againft it faith our Saviour, Mattb. 1 6. 1 8. we are troubled on every fide yet not dirt rcfled ; we are perplexed, yet not in defpaire: perfecutedbutnotforfaken: caft downe, but not deftroyd, faith Saint 7W, * Cor^.Stf.isfffltftions doe not withdraw fiomtbs verity of price and faith, but doc$rr$bor4te

Wpritn h °r ftre"£the* '»£™f* with Saint CjfrU*, who himfelfe was

Mirta * Martyr,

Se c t. f.

Motive 4I Drwnefrom their benefit 94nifreftK

T He fourth motive fliall be drawne from the benefit of fuchlike afflictions; each man fuffereth patiently that which hehopeth may doc him good : many perilleus blafts and boyftcrous ftormes : much toylefome travaile by fca and land,and abundance ofpainefull labours are -endured by ven- trous Mariners and martiall men, yea by all forts of traders and traffiquers to get gainc : bitter pills,piercing plaifters, un- - """' . comfortable

5ect.5. IheChrifliAnCMfttt* 35

com 'crtable cuttings, and fearefull launcingsare frfferedto ol rail c health. Incure we therefore as the goodicuidicrs of Chrill hardnefle or afflictions.

i . Theie being to Chriftian k uldiers as the waves toiTing the ark, yet laving Noc.h : As the Whale (wallowing up, yet pre- ferring/«**£ from drowning. As the Dragon purfuing the woman,/?**'.! i.i . yet procuring her greater prelcrvation. As the file grating the iron,yet making it clearer and brighter. As the furnace melting, yet purifying the gold. As the mill grin- ding, yet making the wheat more ufefull. As the cards break- ing^ yet fitting the wooll for commodity. As the coales heat- ing, ) et makir g perfumes more odoriferous.

2. Thefeare as the redfea, preferving Ifrael, drowning rphnTAch and his hoft, advantagious to the Saints, although hurtful] to ungodly men : for although they procure defpera- tion to thcfe,yet they caufe a raoft certaine hope in thofe.

They being inlUuments by which thegoodneffe and power of God doth appeare in comforting and fuccouring us: as alfo occafions of the moft excellent good things : for by theie our daily flips are fatherly and favourably corrected : our pride and arrogancy is preiTed and pulled downe : the flefh and wantonnclTc is cooled and quailed : our old man is deftroyed and new renewed, floth and fluggiftmelTe is fhaken off : the confeffion offaith isexpreffed; our weakeneiTe is manifefkd : we are provoked to more earned and ardent prayer : we dai- ly underlland the fragility and frowardneffe of our nature,and accuftome our (elves to patience.

3 . Thefe arc fpirituall exercif es to cxercife, precious medi- cines to cure,' and whohome balm to heal the foul ; to purge us of the droiTe and reliqucs of fome old finnc which we arc loth to leave.

4. Without thefe the rich and radiant graces in Gods Saints are often like fire covered in aheapc of afhes', and oyntment flopped into a clofc box.

5. Yhefe ft arpen the lpir its of Gods children, and make them oftentimes do things farre more excellently and ccofide- rately than they do in profperity .

D 6. Thefc

34 IheCkrijitAnConfliti. Chap.c?.

6. Thefe make tryall ofour zeale, love and conftancy, be- ing to us as the furnace to the gold, to try and proove us, Prov. 17.5. and our hope waiting, Pfalm. 123. 2. Rom% 8.34. Faith not feene, 2 Cer.4. 1 8.^/^.11.7.1 3#2©.and patience in- during, fam.$.^.He^.i2.i.

7. Thefe ftirre up our zeale, love and devotion inprai- fing and ferving God, and make us more diligent in the fame.

8. Thefe are as thornes in our waves, left we run wrong andftrayafide.

9. Thefe oft times turne to the inlargement of Gods Church, fuch being the riches of his mereifull providence, that he turnes the weaknefTe of his children, and wickednefle of their enemies to the good of the Church : the cruelty of the one, and the cowardize of the other to the increafe of Re- lig'on, and inlargement of the Church, .^^8.1,4. The Lord workes by contraries , and beats the Divell with his owne weapons , he fhewes that mens wiidome is foolifli- rieffe with him: for when they thinkejtoput out the name of Chrift by perfecution ; when they feeke to quench the light of the Gofpell , by driving away the Preachers and ProfelTours thereof, then doth he mod of all publifh, it, making thofe painefull Preachers, and pious Profeffours like fragrant fpices , brayed and pounded , to fmell the fweeter,and fpread their fmell the further, ABs 1 1 .19. One Martyrs death oft caufirg many to be converted.

xo, Thefe are advantagious beyond expreftion to the Chriftian Worthy, affording hi ma threefold excellent com- modity, namely,

Firft gainfull profit ; witneffe that facred fpeechof David that worthy Warriour of Chrift Iefus, P/alme 1 19. 71. ft u good for nte that I have hene tfflifted. And of that mag- nanimous fouldier of God the Prophet hremie^ Lament \ 3. 27. 7t « good f fir a man to beare the joke from hit youth* Namely for a man which is elecled , which is the faithfull fervant of GOD, aoid fouldier of C HR 1ST, who is armed wjth the armour ojf G O D 9 ajnd indued with faith,

h°Pe*

S e c t . 5 ^ The Chrifiidn CttfliSt. 3 ?

hope, patience, meekneffe, andfiich like gifts and graces, for this man it is good% that is, a thing honcft, juft, right, comely, commendable and of good report, M» 15.20. Or a blefPed and happy , profitable and gainefull thing for him to beare the yoke, namely of Chriit Ielus, both of fub;*c"tion and cbedience, and of afflictions, crofles, ca- lamities of all forts , inward temptations and cut ward trou- bles. From his youth, that is, continually and daily: ufe'ma- ting perfect, cuftome being another nature.

Secondly , Pleafurefuil delight. Though this is a mar- vellous ftrange paradox to mod men , yet not fo ftrange as true, *Acls 5. 41, Teter and lobn departed rejoydng that they were counted worthy to fuffer fhame for Chrifts name , Chap. 1 6. '2 5 . Paul and Silts fang praifes to God after they were beaten with many dripes , thruft into the inward prifon , their feet being made faft in the ftockes. Affii&ions ( wee fee ) did quicken np the Apoftles , ma- king them more chearefull and lively , they being glad to be (6 honoured, and preferred of God. Their confeience was to them acontinnall feaft , 'Proverbs 15. 15. And their good caufe increafed their comfort under' the crofTe, yeafo that the greater their crofle, the greater was their comfort , a Cor. 1.4,5.

Thirdly, Whether it be true or no (I know7 not) that is re- corded of the Mufcovians , that it is holden for a great grace inMufcovia forafervant to beftrickenof his matter, a wife of her husband , or a Noble of the great Duke. For if any of the Nobles happen to be frricken with a cudgell, he replies , Health and ftfety attend yoa my Lord and great King, vho bafl vouch fafed t§ reclaime me by thefe flripes. Yet I am fure that renowncfull honour is from hence. From hence it was that the Saints did glory in tribulation, Rom. ?. 3. And Saint Paul in the croffe of our Lord lefts Chrift, Gal. 6. 1 7. Thefe being glorious fcarres and honourable maimes : Thefe being laudable liveries of a Chriftian fouldier, making him conformable to Chrift his heavenly Captaine and prevai- ling Conquerer, 1 P<?f .4.13,14. By thefe we glorifie the Gad

D 2 of

3 6 The ch^iffun Cfi*fl<cl. Chap,^,

or all glory, Uhn\i> %9, y*a the Church and our fclves, £^.3,1}. Yea fo far re forth, that the greater the croffe, the greater the comfort in this languifhing life, and more iiluftri- ous crowne in that haven of happinefle, and heaven of biifle, Rom 8,17. lTk*jf.i.<$

OfyB* I« Bi\t many of Godi dearefl: darlings and beloved favourites

are deftroyed in fiery tryals, and open perfecution by fire and faggot, flaughtering fwords, fainting famine,and other dread- full and direfull deaths.

Attfa* True, yet they die not in Gods difpleafure, but in his fa-

vour. Their death is no fhame , but an honour to them. They are not deftroyed in foule, but in body. By the loflfe of a temporall life full of miferics y they obtainc and enjoy life eternall which is mod: happy. Stormes and tempefts drive the mariners to the haven ; fo troubles and afflictions the eleel: to their happy haven , and inexpugnable rocke, Chrift Iefus. As the vine is then fit for the tafte , when it hath beene crufiied in thepreffe : the corne is then fie to make bread of when it is ground : the gold is then pure when it hath beene tryed in the fire: fo the godly aremoft pleafing vnto God, when they have beene in the farnaceof affliction.

Oijeft. 2. But perfections and afflictions caufe backfiidin* apoftafic

in diverfe , who Demos-like fall away ; or like the Itony ground , who when perfecution or affliction arifeth for the • WotfJs fake,immediatly are offended, /W^.4. 1 7.

tAnfo* True in counterfeit, not in currant Chriftians : intime-

fervers,not in truly religious, 1 I oh. 2. 1 p. Though the fpu- ming droffis metals are confumed , yet the pure and precious gold is purged by the fiery fining furnace. Though the dufty chafFe and empty grafnes are driven and blowne away by the winnowing wind, yet the good and (blidcorh is r>erby clean- fed ; although the rotten leaking veflell perifheth by the ra- ging fea -. yet the found Chriftian like a good fliip, governed by a difcreet and wife pilot, the more he is locked and toffed with thefe boyfterous billowes, the falter he failetb. A ihip >nd (tip-man arc of great credit afcer (but not before) they

have

S i c t . £ iht ChrlftUn Qinflitt. 3 7

have indured many fturdy weather-beating (torines,according to that of S. Cyprian, A Pilot it k»or¥»t in a tempt ft ; afonldier is tried in battcil*

Sect. c\

Motive f . Drawne from the perfons affliEling^ boik principaU and inftrnmentall.

THe fift Motive drawne from the perfons afflicting. Firft , The prime and principal! , the Author and efficient of all our affli&ions is the Lord : of 'Davids re- proachfull reviling*, iSamneli6. 10. of lobs extraordinary and unfpeakable lofTe, Job i. »i. And of all evill, Amos 3.7. Confider therefore advifcdly,

i. What this God is to us, namely amoft mercifulland tender-hearted Father, loving us entirely,yea beyond all com- parifon and expreffion.

2. W hy and for what caufes the Lord fo gracious doth af» flid as, namely,

1 . Either to make manifeft and reve'al openly the proper lot and peculiar portion of the godly,as in AbcL

2. To try and take an experiracntall proofeofthe faith, hop?, patience, zeale, love, conftancy, and other graces of the righteous, as in lob.

3. Toexalt and elevate from contemned bafeneflc,to mag- nificent gloryj as in lofepb.

4. Tomanifeft andfhew Gods glory, as in the man who W*s blind from his birth, 7*6.9.3.

5 . To declare and make it evident that Chrift his kingdomc is not of this world, as in his Apoftles, lob. 18.36*.

6. To correct and chaftife for finne already committed^ ii> David, % Sam. I 2.14.24.

7. To preoccupate and prevent fin to come, as in S. Pan/, 2 Cor. 1 1.7.

8. To renew and re-eftablifh dying and decaying grace, as in the Ifraelites, Hof. 5.15.

D 5 ' * U

3 8 ihe Chriftia* Conflict. Ch a p . 6.

p.To wean and withdraw our doting defires from the fweet and fiigred baits and bewitching enticements of this deceitful! world , thefe criicifyiig us to the world, and the world to us, CjaL 6. 14. As a nurfeufeth to annoint her breils wich fome bitter woraewood to weane her child from fucking : fo our gracious God to withdraw us from the poyfmouspleauVcs and delights oi this world , giveth us periecutions and af- flictions.

10, Or to make mute and put to fhamefull filence Sa- tan and his curfed co-ad jutours , divellifhly cavilling a- gainft the Saints, faying, fuch and fuch are religious for finifter refpecls ; gaine, favour , or the like : But if per- fection fhculd come, their hypocrifie will be perfpicu- ous. lob It. 9, II. 'Doth lob fearc God for nought? Haft thou not made an hedge about him , and about his houfe , .and about all that he hath on every fide f Thou has! blef fed the tzorke of his hands , and his fub fiance is increafed in the laud : But put forth thine hand now , and touch all that he hath y and he will curfe thee ta thy face. Chap. 2 . Verf. 4. Satan anfwered the Lord , and faid % Skj*»e for skinne.% ysa all that a mm hath mil he give for hts Ife ; 'But put forth thine hand now , and touch his bow and' hit fi?/b9 and he vrill curfe thee to ihy face-, lob and other fin- cere fervants of God , delivered into the hands of Satan and bis cruell complices , have manifefkd the contrary to thefe fianderous objeclers, that they ferve God faithfully as well in afflicting adverfity , as in delighting profperity, lob I 3 . 1 5. lA-lthfugb he ktU me , yet-wiM I truft in him. %, Corinthians 6 '. 4, 5. 'But in all things approeving our felves as the LMwijlers of Cjod , in much patience , in ,af* pBions , in nccefftiies , in diUreffes > in firipes , in impri* fonmcntSy in tumults y in l&bours , in veatchivgs , in fail- ings , &c.

If for either, any, or- all thefe caufes the Lord doth or (hall affM us, it is for cur owne good, and therefore we fliould with patience indureit.

a, The perfons affii&ing us , inftruraentally being as Gods

iods-

S e c t • 6. The Citiftian CenpSt. 3 £

rods, whereby he fmires ; hislhffe, wherewith he beats us j and having no ability to touch, fmite, or do any thing againll us without leave and lipenfc from our good and gracious God, are either

1. Men, inch as cruel! Cain, fcoffing/^wf**/, profane 2T- fau, the ungodly Philiftims, Midianites, Moabites, Egypti- ars,&c. Among!} whom the peculiar people of God Jiva likelilliesamongftthornes, likefheep amongft wolves"; yet not therefore tobedauntedordifmayed,butroindure with in- vincible resolution, undaunted valour,andall chear full alacri- ty, their utmoft fpight and extreameft oppofitions. Which that we may do, let us wifely and advifedly confider,

t . That they are but Gods rods, I fa. 1 o . 5 . 0 Affyrian the rod of mine anger, Pfal, 1714 Fr&m men which are thine hand O Lord. By which and with which our heavenly rather doth correct us ; they not having the leaft power of themfelves to beatand buffet, to afflict and fcourge : for had they ,tbej would fvrallgw m up q*dckf,T9ben their wrath tpos \eindled again ft pu% <PfalA*4 1. 120.3,

1. That when they doe their worft, executing their com- miffion with the keeneft edge of exafperated violence, and bloudy cruelty, whetted on, and fharpned by hellifh fury, and humane malice, yet can they onely kill our bodies, Luk. 1 2.4, which muftofnecelTity die, fW.9.27. It being appointed un- to all men once to die.

3. That although they aime at nothing leffe , yet their fcourging of us tends to our greater good, Rom, 8. a 8. we knowing that all things w?ork together for good to them that love God.

4. That thefe bedlam beads and barking Belials fhall Severely fmart for grieving us : for as a tender-hearted fa- ther when he hath fufficiently correded his child, rends and teares the rod in peeces, throwes anefcafts it from him with indignation, or into the fire to be cemfumed, even fodeal- eth our companionate Father with thefe his rods » wit- nelTc Pharaoh , *Ah*h , lenbel \ Saul, sAchitofhet, Ha- ***n, yea all the favage and bloudy pcrfecutors of Gods

D 4 people

4& TnchrtpHn Conptct. Chap .6.

people, from their great grandfather Cain] with whom the Lord is fore difpleaied , for he was but a little difpleafed (with his children) and they helped forward the affli<flion, Zaeh, 1. 1 5. The Lord was wrath with his people, he gave them into their bands, they flic wed them no mercy, therefore &c. ffa.47. 6< Take a view of Gods vifible revenge in this life upon the barbarous and favageperfecutors of his people m all ages. The bloudy Egyptians which drowned the new-born babes of the Krael of God , were by him drowned in the red fea, EW. 14.28. /***£*/ thir-fting after, and greedily drink- ing the bloud ofthe Lords Prophets, becomes meat and drinke to the dogs oF/e^eff/y 2 Kingy 36.

loofb who commanded his fervants to flay ZacharUh the (bnne of Jehojads , was flaine himfelfe by his fervants , 2 C hr o '0.24.21,?;.

fcx/*fi^/tf thatbarbarou8 bealt who had tormented other mens bowels with many and ftrange torments, was plagued with a paine of the bowels which was remedileffe, and fore torments ofthe in ward parts, &c. 2 tJMaccab.g^fi. Yeaall the members of his body were much pained,ver.7.the worms rofe up out of die body of this wicked man,and whiles he lived. in forrow and paine, his flefh fell away, and the fiJthincfTeof his fmell was noyfome to all his army ,fo that no man could in- dure to cane him for his intolerable ft inke, 9. 10. And then this murthercr and blafphemer having fuffered mod grievouf- ly, as he intreated other men, (b died he a miserable death in a ftrange countrey in the mountaincs, 2 8.

The Herodian family,by whofe cruell commandements the harmleffe infants, lobn theEaptifl and the Apoftle S. lames were martyred,plagued with dokfull & drcadr'ull deflruclion. Herod thegreat,befides the many miferies and tragicall cala- mities which befell his family, he was fmitten with a difeafe fo hideous and horrible that manifefted the Lords wrathful. re- venge for his bloudy anderimfon crying cruelties. From that EuCel Hift Tib tim*?ctyes did qntcklj tdkf hii whole bodj, and made it fnbjeU 1 e.g. p. i q, ox tofssndfj griefs fir he had a b timing feaver$ an intolerable itch Jofepk. evert be whole skinne^ continjtaH paints of the fundament, About

hii

S * c r \69 The Chrifiian dnflifi. 4 1

bis feet a4i rftrt drofficftv el lings, an inflammation tfthe bUd- deryr0'C*nejfe of tbtfrivie members, full of vrormes, befidts •fa' *"d difficult breathing, convmlfions of all the members : ftthattbej that were infptred from above (aid that thefe fttk? neffes were a revengement* And this monfter of men know- ing how hee was hated for his cruelty, commanded that the principal! men of the Ievves Should be imprifbned,and flaine at his death, that fo the Iewes might be forced to lament at the fame.

2. Herod Antipas that notable hypocrite who beheaded EafebML: lohn^ni derided Chrift, an enemy to the Church and truth, 1 i-peig.iz* was vanquished and banifhed with Herodiai to Vienna.

3. Herod Agrifpa a violent perfecutor of the Church, fbtd* A8t 12. was fm it-ten by the Angell of the Lord and eaten with wormes.

Pilate that wicked judge who condemned ourblefledSa- Mhreldescd, viour being called home a gaiue to Rome, laid violent hands mofpagzzi* upon him(elfe,his dead body was tormented by fpirits after a dreadfull manner,&c.

Nero that infernal 1 fury, breathing out rigorous and raging perfecutions againft Gods people,aficr divers dreadfull dr- itreiTes, hearing that he was jadged by the Senate an enemy, Sncton.Nero6o and was fought for to bee puni&ed after the ancient cu- ?<*<£• 249» flome, namely his necke to be put into agallowes, and his body being naked to be beaten to death with rods, he flew himielfe.

Domitian as Sufbiu* reports, a great perfecutor of the Sumn^°^ Church of God, was ilaine in his chamber by his owne fcr- z't&*lSm vants, his wife Domitia being privy thereunto, and his dead body was contemptuously caried out by the bearers of dead bodies like a cur-throatc.

Trajtw,Hadrianar)d Antoninus* not oneiy tafted o£ but alfo drtinkc deepe of the Lords cup of plagues and pu- uiflMients for tbebloud or his Saints, which they with fuch beaftly and greedy crueltie and immanity had fhed as water upon the ear:h. ste&clwj

Sfarjti betrayed and flaine by his ownc fouldiers. lib. i.e. i.j.ziQ

'Decius

42 The CbrifiUn Confltii. QH AP . 6,

pain'7tC% U *&***** before he had reigied two yearns was u-mQ witli

^6' ' his children.

VaUrianus his feare full end is thus fet dp wne by C**ft**tfae

Pag.it i. in his Oration to the Saints. *^U(o thou Valeriana* fhewu^ the fame cruelty -on Gods fervants, hjifi determined as it were before all mens eyes the jusl and holy judgements of god, yphenlbou being taken captive and bound wasl led clothed in purple, and other like kingly apparell; and after by Saporet the King of the Per fans, was! commanded to have thy skjn plucked off \ and thou to be powdered with fait : thou h*ft fet up before all mens eyes, an everlasling figne of thy ca- lam; tie.

thil 'Dioelejiatts (under whom was the greateft and moft grie-

vous perfccution) direfull and delerved deftrudion for his cruelty againft the members of the Lord Iefus, is delcribed in the Chapter following in the fame Oration, -.V./hio. Galerius was killed with an ulcer in his privie mem-^ bers full of wormes, and moft loathfome with a deadly ftinke.

CMaximiates vanquished by Licinius was plagued of God as followeth, Therefore a torment fent by thcfficciall appoint-* went of God did fuddenly take him, taking its beginning from kieflcfb, andmakjngits progreffe even to his foul*: for afud* daine mattering happened to him in the inmoslfccretsef hie bo- dy, afterward in the loweft parts a fi flu lorn ulcer, and from thefe a certaine raging eviS feeding upon the inward bowellst and a\ bidden multitude efwormes breaking out, and breathing out a deadly fi inks, the whole rifing of the body being changed through the abundance of meat e before the difeafe into fat neffc\which then being matteredyeelded an int otter *blc and horrible jpe blade to thofe which came neare himjheref ore font* of the Phyfttians not being able to indure the intoBerable ftinlte wereflaine : others bc~ caufe the whole body being fweffed, there was no hope of health remaining, and becaufe they could net do any thing to keale him9

gufcb.Eccl.hi ft were alfi cruelty flaine. At the I aft when he was affliiled with

lib 9xap.\7. fuch evi3s,he began to thinks what he had done,cauflejfely againft

ty i*. the pious worftjtppers of God>&et

Maxentm

S * c t '. 6. The chr.iJIUn Conflict. 4 J

UHaxertw was drowned like PbarathjavA his army van- Eu.Cjhb9> quifhcd-ty Conftantms.

AKrwardstheArrians perfection raged fb through : yp'ajfe caslerr.e partsy y ea tie rrhcle Romane empire, effect Couftaminople, that Jcarce any bUud-thir sly Kero did x.rcife fuch cruelty as the Arrians did againsl Ort bodcxe Chriftians. Mlcrcl. p. 5 6 j .

'But behold the revenoini eye efCjod, tthicb fent donne fir ft §faH baylehlee a bowletn the greatnejje ef hands, hl(e flouts t* kardneffr, and fmote many m?n and, catteiy afterwards over- threw Nicaa : after that dtfiroyed Pbrygiawitb a very great famine , and Valns himfelfe ting -Rounded by the Goths it fghty whe* be did convaj bimfelfe into a fhepheards Cot- tage, was burnt with {ire throwne inr and wanted to mm** bur tail.

Arrive fitting to cafe nature his inwards and all his bowells j?uj;n. Mift. did run our,and fo in fuch a place he came to naught and feare- Ecd.iib. 1 . cap* fully periled with a kinde of death fitting fuch a blafphe- " 3 p- l *9- ihous and filthy wretch.

Jutianthc ApoPtata,and tyrannical perfecitor of the Sains, Abrah.B- warring agai aft the Pet funs, was wounded with a dart (by a cerp.6$o. horfcman,or as Theodoret reports, be was found ireunded, un- L^ eertaine whether by an Angell ot 'man, but sertain? wbofoever paT.^6^. didit,he was a 'Jliinifttr of Cjods wi/l) andbeinn thus wounded 3 be filled his hand with bloud, threw it into the ayr*, utter isg thefe words , O CjaliUantbou haft cvrcom*. ssi little before tbe death of this blond? wretch Libanius Iulians teacher in Pa- ganifmc,fcoffingly asked a CbrifHnu Schooltm tiler, what the Abral B. Carpenters fo»ne was doing, keatfwtred , hefrepareth * coffin p-(~ for Iulian, *>£#>& w is ic*tiy fulfilled.

Iulian Vnkletothe fore named Iulian, was takf* with a grievous difeafe, and periled, kisbowells rotting, whentheex- crewnntswere no more.canvajed out by their parages, but that cuffed mouth, which had been* the inHrument ofblafpbemy^was tbep.%ff>igeoftbem. They report tbtt his wife, awomanftngu- Tlcol i": largoed tn faith, faid to her husband, it is meet ( 0 htufund) cap 1 j. J>.g6j , that thou (hou/defl fraife Chrisl the Saviour, who by this in- ftrufian bath fawedtbec bis power : for thou did ft net know,

againft

fAl

* CprihM Ar~

27.^537. b Lib .6. c. 17. Abrab. Buchol,

p.66

ikinp.Gt').

Hlcrclp^67*l

Abrab Buchol. p.66}.

!&M ib-£.6Ci

ffc^p.JJ.

44 T** Chripm Confliil. Ch a p . 5.

4£4**/? whom thou didft contend, &?.

Felix alfo wasatfailed with a divine fcoiirge ; for f*edding bloud night and day by his mouth, when from all the ?arts of his body, alihis blond in his body was come out of ins mouth he dyed.

EudoxU the Empreffe of Conftantinople, that wretched Herodiasy and implacable perfecutrix of renowned Chryfo- flow, who al waies breathed out bloud and bitterneffc againft him, was fmitten with death the fourth day after his banijh* mint for that canfe, and both flee dad other bis enraged * ene* mies brought Gods judgements upon tbe city (namely afeare- full hayle) and them/elves, as a Socmen and b Socrates report.

AnaftaftHs% terrified with thunder, and lightning, running from chamber to chamber through feare, was flainc by thun- der and lightning.

Radagaifus, although he had in his army above two hun- dred thoufandGorhes, yet being terrified from heaven, was taken alive, and flaine,and that huge holt mifcrably fcattered, foldorflaughtered.

gundecins the Vandal was flaineby the DivelJ. Hunericust called fceleratiffimus, mosl wicked in whofe dayetif 'any /hall got about to [hew thofe things which are done in the city of Carthage he cannot Jhew, no not the names of tbe torments. This barbarous bloody butcher had Gods hand fe upon him, that his body was Jo putrified with wormes crawling and bur/ling out of it, that not a body9 but the farts of a body were buryed*

Attila the King of the Hunt, having largely drunJeewiue at 4 marriage feafi in the night Jf] bloud comming forth ofhisowne noflrills was choaked.

Alboinus who vowed to root out allChriftiaus, andragiugfy began to per forme tbe famey compelling bis wife Rofomond (being merry in Verona) to drinke out of her fathers skf*U9 whom he had flainc, was flaine by Helmichild, perfwaded fa to doe by Rofomond in revenge of that indignity 0 feted u her*

giUmtt

S b c T.7, The Chrijltin Cwflifi. 45

gitimer a bloudy parricide and cruell persecutor of the Abrab Bucfol, faithfull being overcome by Hellifarius, and inclofed in a hill £.^7» defired a friend of his to fend him a harpe,a loafe and a fpunge, aloafe,becaufe of along time he had not feene any baked bread, aharpetoaiTvvage his nailery, andafpunge to wipe away his tea res.

De Kqm 1, (a blouiy perfecatour ofthempf ~Msriniol)wu AthSc Mo.t. tht m?j} wick*d and cruell m \n andaffli:led the poors Chrjfli* ans *itb mo& cruell tormfnts that could be dtvifed, the leafl painethat ever he tormented any by, was thiix to fill their bootes full of boy ling greafe,*nd toeaufe them to be pulled on, and to be holdm before a great fire, andfo to end their lives \ whereof the King bring advertifed commanded that hefbwld be cajl into prifbn and condemned, whereof he having knowledge^ withdrew himfelfe to Avinion, whereas within afhort (pace he fell fick* of a terrible difeafe, unknowne to any Phy(itioa,ex+ treamepaines and torments were in all his body, and there was no ointment, nor fomentation that could eafe him one minute of an homer, neither was there any man that could tarry neare about him9 wherefore he was car ied to the Hofpitall, and there commanded to be well intreated, but no man dnrfl come neare unta him for the great ft inch that came out of hid body, infomuch that the fit lb fell away by great peeces and gobbets : hti body wis repleate with fores full of vsr mine, and wormts, and, oftentimes in great rage he would fay, in wbatpaine and torment am I now ? now I remtmber the great eviUs, and oppreffions that I have done Mnt§ the poors men,and k*ow that for that only caufe lam affaild oneverypart. Who will kill me ? and deliver me out of this di* ftretfe that I languifh not in theft torments ? And he himfelfe mt heino^able to abidf the flinch of hid body, afaied divers times to kill himfelfe but he had not the power fo to doe, thus this cruell Homi-side and bla/pbemer received C9nfujton,os ajvsl reward of bis cruelties,

To reherfe onelj the horrible end of Rock wood the chiefs A&.& Moa. (hrrerup, ofalltheaffUBions aforefpo^en of (againffc the Prote- ctants in Ca'lice) when cvtn to the la ft breath (larizg and raging, he cryed he wxs utterly damned, being willed to as{ God mercy

who

4^ The ChriftUn Conflict. Chap. 6.

who was ready to forgive all that asked mercy of him, be brayed and cry ed out, all to late, for 1 h me fought mattciettjlj the deaths of a number of the honesleft men in the townc, and though 1 fo thought them in my heart, yet I did that lay in mee t$ bring them to tv'tU death, all to late therefore all to late.

2. Gr Divels.Truzh is, the divcls malice againft as is inve- terate, and fo exceeding great, that he will not be wanting to doe us what mifchiefe foever he can, although thereby he ag- gravates his ownc damnation.* Neither is his cra^t inferiour to his hatred, he being the old fubtill Serpent. He is alfo as cruell as fraudulent, being the great red Dragon, and the roa- ring Lyonfeeking whom he maydevoure. And as powerfull as truculent, being the ftrong man armed, the prince ofdark- neffe, the God of this world,and daring to contend with Mi- chad. Yet need we not either Faint or feare but rnuft. and may encounter his fierce and fiery darts.with comfort and courage, with patience and puiftance. To this end confider

i. That this divell fo potent and politique, fo malevolent and mifebievous, isfubjed and fubordinate to God our mer- cirlill protedor and gracious father, from whom the evillfpi- rit received a commifTion to deceive Ahabs falfe Prophets, I King. 22. 21,13. Sathan had licenfe and liberty given and granted to affiid fob, lob 1. 11. 2.6. And without whofe leave the Divells could not enter into fvvine, iJMatth.

8.31.

2. That as the raging reftleflfe Ocean cannot exceed its li- mited bounds, lob 2 S.i 0,1 1. So neither can this raging rave- nous lyon tranfeend his permitted limits : He may fife Saint Peterytt can he not make his faith to faile, Luk^i 1.31,3 2. He may buffet Saint P*«/,but not vanqwifti him , 2 Qor* 1 2. p. en- dure we therefore hardneffe.

SectJ

OEcr.j, TbcChiJtunC$nfli8. 47

Sic t. 7.

Motive 6. Drawne from the kind* s of them. I Loffe of

riches. 2 Famine. 3 Exile. 4 Death. 5 want of

bnrifdl. 6Reproches.

THe fixt Motive drawne from the kindes of afflictions. Stay a little, paufe a while, examine ftri&ly and ferioufly, fome of thofe particular preffures which feemc moft dread- full and diftaftfull, ponder punctually and precifely upon them : fearch and fee if any affliction is fo adverfe ; if any hardnefle is fo barm,that a Chriftian fouldier may rot endure with patience and piety conftancy and cheerefullnefie.

Firft, Is the lofle of riches incompatible and infufferable in thy conceit and apprehcnfion, O thou felecl fouldier of Chrift. Then

1. Heare what Bus a heathen man, when he loft all by the Omnia mea enemies fpoy ling his countrcy Priene, faid, I carry whatfoe- meeumpom* vcr is mine with me meaning his vertue aud learning. Tul.parad.

2. Heare what rich and religious ?<*#/***/, Bifhop ofNola faid, when the cruell Goths had ruined the citty and robbed

him of all as well as others, Lord I am not grieved for gold and Aug.lihiJe Jiivcrython knowefi inhere all my treafure £, namely in heaven, civit.VcL cap* where it could not be taken from him. I0»

3. Heare how joyfully the primitive, Chriftians tooke the fpoyling ofali their goods, £k£. 10.34. And took* \oy fully the fpojh»g of your goods.

4, Heare how patiently and piciifly that holy man lob fuffe- red the lode of all, lob 1.2 1. nakedcame 1 out of my mothers womb^and naked fjall I return thither active : the Lord bath given and takeuawajJ?U{fed be the name of the Lord.

5 . Heare what Saint Avguflinc faid of Chriftians ftript and

fpoyled of their fubftance. They have loft all : whether have AvgM. 1 2>e they loft their piety t whether the irfaithi whether the good things civit> ^ei tap. of the inveard mAU> which is rich before god I Thefe are the ri- l °' *hes of Chriftians. Qodlineffe « their gune^ looftng therefore

theft

4* 7ktChtifihn Cctfiicl. Ch a p. 6\

the fe things they cry aU stitb lob, rich within, fcerenitbout, naked came I9&c. bleffedbethe namty&c%

6. Conftder and iee that thefe riches arc fuch, which wee neither brought into this world, neither can we carry them away, I Tim.6.j, We brought nothing into xhu nor id, and tt is

tbid. certaine we can cary nothing cut. Saint Augttfiim would not

have Chriftians grieved for the lofle of thofe thirgs whiles they live, which they mull fbone leave when they die.

7 Conftder what promiles cur Saviour makes to all foch who for fake houfes, lands, or any thing for his fake and the Gofpels, Mattb.i^.iS, faying fuch fhall receive an hun- dred fold, that is, he fhall obtains fo much glory yfo much grace, fo much wonder full felicity, that (hat profit him an hundredfold more then the thing which he lc&. He who bath for faken afa~ thery andchofen god tobehu father, it is mwifeft that he hath received more, then an hundred fold a car nail father. He who for fakes a mother ,e hat he may love more his mother the Church, hath not he an hundredfold more then a carnail mother I He

ebryfoft.Hom. who for fakes a brother that he may have Chrijl his brother,

tt.incapi?. hath not he better then an hundred brothers f faith Saint

Mtt.v.iS. Chryfoftome,

And methinkes you cannot but contentedly part with your fubftance when the Lord, the right owner of it requires it,and to take /oyfully and Chriftianly the fpoyling of your goods, knowing in your felves that youhave in heaven abetter and

Hcb.10.34, an enduring fubftance.

Secondly, Art thou aftonicd and affrighted with fearcof famine, a mifery fo ponderous and infupportable, that David made choyce of the deftroying peftilence, 2 Sam. 24. The diftreffed Lepers of the (laying (word rather then this, 2 Kin. 7.4,5. That it is called one of Gods evill arrowes, £>.?£. 5. 1 6. And no rnarvaile, it caufing the Ifraelites to defire Egip- tiacall bondage rather then this,£*. 1 6.3. It conftrainmg ten- der-hearted mothers toeat their owne children, 2 King,6.229 19. Notwithstanding armc and animate thy felfe to endure even this. And that by confidering t . The good that it hath done and may doe. It brought the

riotous

S i c t .f. 7le Cbriflidn fiv/Iiff. 49

riotous lafcivious prodigall tofight and fenfe of hisfin,totrue

and faving repentance,L*^, 1 5 . 1 4, 1 %, 1 6. It bath taken thofe

whom it bath killed from the miferies of this life, as the fclpeffes

of the body y whom it bath notktlledjt hath taugbt to live more ^¥M^

tfariugly,tofasl more often fihh S. Augufline. ZlTi!

2. The hurt it cannot doe. Ic could not caufe our Saviowr to yccld to Sathans fuggeftions, UMatth^.^^lt never coufd, tior can conftraine Gods people to prove Apoftates, Rom.%. 35. What iliall feparate us from the love of God in Chrift ? foall famine? Nay,&c. 2 Cor. 11.27.

Thirdly, Doth the thought of captivity Co cruell,which ufii- ally is accompanied with wofull lamentation, fpightfall rc- proachesjunaptnene to ferve God. Tfal. 1 27, 1 , 7 ,4. Loffe of peculiar inheritance, bitter bondage, and flaviffo fiibjedion e- ven to icrvants, Lam.*) .2. 5 .8. Yet animate thy felfe to endure this alfo,which indeed is moft miferable, ifChriftians could AngXteeti- be afligned to any place, where they could not find their God, wtrDtUap* 1 <v Butfince theearth is the Lords therefore thou canft not be cap- Pa£-17* tivated out of thy tathersland and countrieyfow* the paflage or fare condu& of a Saint or holy one to heavc.is ea(y & free From every nation. Since while thou art Commorant in thine owne native countreyjthon art a pilgrim, and apaflenger, and when tliou art in captivity thou art but a ft ranger and forreincr. He is a QhrifHan faith S. Auguftine, who acknowledged bimfelfe to Aug. Tom. 1 9 ' he a granger in bis own houfe>andin hi* own country \our country Serm.i --de it above jthere we [boll not be ft rangers* For every one here even ^trbk 7)amin% in hie owne country is ague ft : if he it not ague fl he /hall not paffe thence : if he is about to depart he is a gut rft :, let hint not deceive bimfelfe, will he ni3he,be is a g ueft. And a certaine writer faith, Thy country u where focver thou art weBz to be well is not in a place Jtut in a man htmfelfc—*(bort exile fhafi tranflate thee fee- . ner to thy country , and give thee smother country better by f arte, * '* Cmit whence theyfiaSbe banifbedthat wifbed thee an exile. Since the X °* lord doth never faile to be a comforter,to leave & forlake his although in excruciating captivity, although under barbarous Bzck,ix.i£ ] fevages,al though in the bowels of the whale, & bottome of the fca^ witnefle lofeph, DanieL and lonah. Since the Churchof

E God

JO JhcChrljliA* Conflitt. Chap.5,

God in general, and many the deareft favourites of God in particular, have drunke deepcand often of the mod (harpc and aigre ingredient mixtures of this bitter cup : Since heathen men, having no hope nor promife of future felicity have en-

Tu&.Of.lib-s. dured patiently and willingly, dreadfull captivities, for their honour and countries fake: witneiTe Marem Anilim Reg»liuy who forhU honours fake promifmg to returne himfelfe, or their Carthaginean Captives rand for his countries fake,know- ing that the prifoners to be exchanged, would be more peril- lous,then he could be profitable to his country, did voluntarily returne te captivity in Carthage, to finiffe his daies under hor- rible tortures.6" Let every fouldier of Chrift Iefus for the glory of God and his Gofpell, forChriftand his conscience lake, having an affured hope of the unperifhable crowne of glory, grounded upon the infallible promife of the Lord of glory,rcfolve to endure even this alfo.

Fourthly, "Doth violent death wholly difquiet and difmay thee, this fecming infufferable,infupportable : yea fo that the

0tjo3% very remembrance thereof doth amaze and appale thee? for

thou art certainly perfwaded thou canft not endure fiich and

Anfw% iuch terrible tortures and dolorous deaths,as the glorious Mar-

tyrs have formerly fuffered. And wbj maift not thou have the feme Chriftian resolution to endnre,the fame pious courage & comfort in fu&ering, which the former Martyrs had? you are men & fo were they. To them it was given in the behalfc of Chrifttofurrerforhisfake, Pbil.%.i9. and why may it not be

Obieft. granted to you al fo? we want thofe valourous refolutions, that

undaunted courage, and thofe impregnable confolating com-

Anfw* forts which they had. What then? we give our children fmall

knives to-make & mend pens for writing,greater to carve and cut their meat, not fwords, not bills or fuch like inftruments, becaufc not ufefull, unneceflary for mch imployments. We give our fervants and workmen hatchets, wedges, aud beetles to cleave and cut wood, axes to fell trees; we fend our fouldi- ours into the field with armour and weapons, not with knives or fuch like things: The imployments requiring ftronger and moreufefulltooles, we afford them i And will not God ?

doubtleffe

Sect. 7* TheCbtilHanC$hflif3. 51

doabtleffe he will add abilities, as hec addcth afflictions* Certainely he will caufe our confolation to abound by Chrift, as the fuflferings of Chrift abound in us, 2 CVr.1.5. Aa yet we need not fuch graces in fo great and ample meaforc, we therefore want them. But if our gracious God and mer- ciful father hathdefigned and marked us out for the lame furfcrings for the fame caufe, and we ufe the fame confcioi*a« b!e care and diligence by the fame fandified meanes to ob- taine the felfe lame graces, we need not feare the enjoyment of them. *But *hj O you Chriftian fouldiers are you afraid to endure and fuffer death for Chrift and his Gofpels lake ? That a man whofe chiefeft treafure, hearty affections, hea- ven and happinefie is here upon earthly felicities, Ihould trem- ble at the fight and remembrance of death, is no unwonted thing, it marring all his mirth and merriment : impayring all his joy and jollity : (tripping, and making him naked of all his hopes and happinefle. Tint that you whofe God is the Lord, who are the fouldiers of Chrift, whofe treafure is laid up in heaven, (to whom I onely now fpeake) Ihould bee afraid of death, ftiould not eutcrtaine it as welcome metlen- ger of gladfome newes, is not a little to be wondered at, and much to be lamented. S.Cyprian faith well, To the enemies of ChriHit U a plague, to thefervamts of god a profitable depar- ture : the righteous are called to comfort f ho vickfd are drawrti topuniflmetit.

i. This ends our toylelbme rigorous race, and brings us to our triumphant reward.

2. This arrives us out of the forging lea of dolefull forrow* at the glad fome haven of endlefle ha ppineffe.

3. ThU fi niftieth our fatall fight,giving us a mod honoura- ble viclory over all our hideous and hurtfull foes.

4. Thi* accomplifheth our lalTitudinous wearifomenefle and tiring painefoll labours, bringing us to perpetiull peace, and never-ending red.

5. By this we are exempted and freed from the corruption of our nature and inquinating iniquity, offending ©ur uood God,andladdingour©waioiiles 2 toperfc&i©nofgrace,and

E z full-

*5 z The chiflUn Conflict. Chap. 6 J

fullnefle of fanflification : from mournefiill miferies and fid- ding forrowes to immortall glory and incredible folace: firom innumerable ficknefles, inevitable and infupportable difeafes^ to immutable fafety,and perfect fanity.

6. £j>f£« we are taker* from dolefull paine, to delightful! pleafure : from fervile bondage, to joy full liberty 2 from our wearifome pilgrimage, to our wi&ed home : from our earth* ly rotten tabernacles, to our heavenly manfions : from the fociety of Saints militant with and mixed amongft beafts and" Belials, abfurd and unreafonable men, where we fee as in a glafle darkely, but a glimpfe and glimmering of the m- somprehenfible communion of glorified Saints to which this brings us, namely an immediate fellowfhip of Father,. Sonne and Holy Ghoft, that holy Trinity, bleffed forever, of all thofc holy and heavenly Angells, which continued irt their firfteftate, and of the ianumerable companies of godly and pious Patriarks and Prophets,patient and zealous Martyrs 1 yaaand of all forts of Saints, whofe robes are waflied in the bloud of the Lambe, and follow him whetherfoever he goeth? where we fhall fee and know Adam, Snoch^ Abrabtm^Mofety D*v$J>EliJ4hy,and other ourcorafortablcconfbrts, compani* ens and coheires.

1. Our knowledge there being infinitely more cleare and perfect then here ^where yet we know each other,

2. Our knowledge then being like that of Angels, who know each other perfectly.

3 . Our knowledge then being abundantly more excellent then Adamt in Paradife,, whofe then was fucb, that at the firft view and fight he knew all creatures, and his wife fo exactly, as to give names fignifying their natures.

4. Our knowledge then without all comparifon fur* paffing that of the Difciples in the Mount, and of Dives in hell: whichwasfuch that by the former they knew Mo- pes and Elij*b> and by the latter hee knew tsfbraham and La^arta.

5. We being members of that heavenly company, mnft needs know our head Chriil Icfus and our fellow members.

6. Bruit

S a c t . j". *lht ChripUn Cwflitt. 5 }

* 6. Bruit beads, having here a kind of knowledge oneof ano- ther for their mutuall delight : this knowledge in that life, cannot be wanting to our full and perfefl felicity and pleafure.

7# This is .neceffary to bring to life: we mud dk that we may be changed , and that our corruption may put on incor- ruption , that our mortality may put on immortality. This is the common condition of all mankind, HeSr. 9. 27. This I know (faith S. Augufline) that no man hath died, which mufi not * ... . fome times have died '. Yea the Heathen Poet could fay. It it cw.2>eLc:i\ necefary for a3 mortal! men to die. Indure we therefore this, fipgnju-n* « which all, both good and bad, juft and unjuft , have or mud fuflfcr. This being a neceflaryi path-way to etemall life ; by which we are changed from evill tegood , from woe to weale, for which we friall rejoyce when we arc departed. By which we {hall exchange our travaileintp reft , our fickneiTe into health , our earth into heaven , life tranfitory into im- mortal!: arc we now well, we fhall then be better: are we now happy, we (hall then be more happy, being delivered from this evill world, and exempted from Sathan, to live for ever with Chrift our Saviour.

'But it's violent. Care we not what kind cf death we fuf- ObjeSL fer. What doth it matter with what kind of death this life is end- Anfw. ed,whenheto whom it is ended, is not compelled to die against Lib.iJeCiJt. fmhS.Augusline. 2W*n.

But I am young. Care not how (bone it cornea ; theHea- objefl.z. then Poet could fay , Hee fhall die young whom god loves. Anfw, And S. isfngnftine faith , For as much as innumerable deaths lyyi?^iyA^h in a manner do threaten every man in the daily perils of this life, * *"9^*« **] 4U long at it is uncertaine which of them fhall come , / fray » whether is better , tofufftrcne by dying, or feare all by living f Neither am 1 ignorant, how foolifhly men choofe to live long un- der ft are ofifo many deaths, rather than bj once dying to feare AugJib. 1J0 none afterwards. Crj.Vei.c.iir

But it is an evill frjamefull death. That death is not to be Qy « . counted t viS which foSowet a good life , neit her doth any t king I r make death ~evi3 five that which foSoweth death \ therefore ™W they who mu(t neeejfarily die, need mot much care what doth

E J bapfc*

J4 * h* Cmjtttn Conflict* Ch a p . 5.

bapp t* to taufe them to dtey but dying whither they are confirai- IhiL tted ** g*y faith S. Augufline.

Be you therefore who ate good (ouldiers of Chrift Iefiis ptrfwaded to arrae your felves, not onely to be bou nd, but to die al fo for the name of the Lord Iefus. Beare patiently a few rough and alperate ftormes, which do bat drive you fooner to your defired haven : a little harm and currifti u&ge by this churlifli/aylor, dragging and violently driving you from this earthly prifon to an heavenly paradife.

y . Artthoudauntedand difmayed/earing that thy dead bo-, dy mall want buriall, which is a promifed olef!ng,G>*.i j.i$. The deniall whereof a threatned curfc,. Ur. 22.1 9-. For which the holy men of God have beenefo carcfuH as to provide their fepulchers before their death, t King.i 3.3.0. JMat. 27. 60. And to take order for their fepulture whiles they lived, G**#40.29. $0. ? 13. 1 King.i 3.11. Conlblate thy felfea- gainftthis, confidering,. that although it is a blefli ig unto the godly, yet onely an outward y earthly , temporal] favour % to whom the want thereof is no curie, nor any wayes hurt* foil: for,.

1 . Cannot want of buriall let or hinder the refurre&ion of our bodies to glory and immortality?

2. Hath this beene the lot and portion ofGodsdeare and beloved Saints to want buriall? P('aI. 79. 2, 3 .

Augd.i.fo $• Did S.Aaguftine comfort Chriftians againft this with

CtvZXU. 1 2. fuch like fayings asthefc ? It is not the fault of the living who

P* H ■• could net give it, nor a punifhment of the dead who could not feel

it* If honour able fepulture doth any whit profit a wicked man9

then vile or no buriall doth hurt a good man*

4. Did the heathen men fo little regard where they mould lie when they died for their countrey, or to what beaft the/ were given as meat, that Theodorus Cyrenane anf^ered Zj* fmachxs threatning this to him after death. Let this be dread*, fall to thy Teerel or States of thy realm?, I care not whether I putrifie under or above ground. And Diogenes y If I Jball not feele it> what hurt will tearing inpeecesdo me I Yea they had away generall conizations againft want af bariall,as thefcand

fuch

S e c T.7. 7 he ChriftUfj Cerfitti. J ?

fuch like. He u covered by the heaven which »*nti 0 grave : nature hath given fepulture unto *B : The fame reave of tetter which cau/eth men to fujfer fofwracke, d&thhurie them: the bodies ofthofe nhich are faftned unte gibbets con fume into bn> ria/l : * tor mint doth burse thofe vthkh are burnt alive.

And&allwe fearethis which may never come , or if it doth come, is no whit dreadfull or hurtfull ?

6. Do qnipfimg taunts , fcorne'ull reprodies, flanderout backbiting*, iniofent mccks and flouting nick- names dread thee , thou deeming them fo infupportabte that thou canft not indure tbem ? tbefe being threatned as a great and grievous eommination, 7^.24.9 £-5.^.14. 8. Thefe having caufed the moft patient men to complaine and cry as lob, Chap. 30. 1 J 'But now thej that ate younger than /, have me in derifton, &C. Vzxi.g.Andnowaml their [ong and by-word. The Church of God, *?/*/. 79, 4. We are become A reproach to our neigh' b&rs9 a feorne and derijion to thofe that are round about w* D avid, Pfat* 574 KjMy ftule id among lions 9 and 1 lie even a- mong them that arefet on (trey even thefonnes efmenjehefe teeth arefpeares andarrowes, and their tongue ajharpe /word, Ure- mic, Chap. 1 8. 1 8, 1 p. Then [aid they, come and let us [mite him with the tongue -y &c. Thefe having urged Gods deareft jewels and peculiar people to imprecate zsElifla 2 King. 2. 24. And* he turned backe, and looked in them, and cur fed them in the name of the Lord. David to wifhevill to*Doeg, and Ie- r*«w*againft thofe whofmotehim with the tongue, 7f.t8.ar. Thefe being fo keene and cutting, that they are called perfect!- tion, Gal. 4. 2 9 . Perfecuted him that was borne after the $irit. Yet let not thefe difcomfort and difhearten thee, who art a iouldier of the Lord Iefus. For although thelc forenamed are truethefes, yet to inferre thence, Therefore it is not tolera- ble , not inferable to indure reviling obtredhtions , and op- probrious upbraid ings with bad fpeeches for Chrift and his Gofpell , it ra/h and ridiculous. For thine encourage- ment to , and comfort in futfering the fcourge oi tongues , confider,

I. Tbatifalltbeblack-mouth'd barking bedlam Belials of

E 4 Satans

-f'5 ThechriftUnConfltct. <^hap.£#

Satans kennell in the whole world, (hould belch out the mod imbittered obloquies and hell ifh calumniations againft us; de- ride us with the moft fcornfull mowes, nods,girings, and di- vcllifh grinnings : and vomit out upon us and our good names the moft Clan derous maledictions, envenomed back-biting^ pernicious lies, and malicious curfings, that hell i. fclft can batch, Satan and his abettors faine and forge, and his malignant jpinifters acl and execute : yet can they not deale worfe with us in this kind, than their curfed companions have done to ourbleffed Saviour and his happy Saints, who have beeneas fliarply ftung by the fcrpents kcd, as we can : and have drunk as deep ofthis diftaftfull cup of infamy and difgrace, as is po£ fible ; and (hall we think much to pledge them ? lob was a fong and a by- word to bate fbolcs, Chap. $ o.p, David a fong to filtbydrunkards,P/4/.6'9.i2. Elijah accounted and called the Kings enemy, i Kinti\.io. and atroubler ofIfrael,Chap* 18.17. S.Pah/ a peftilent fellow,a mover of fedition,an herc- tick,^S.24. 5. 1 4. Our Saviour blefled for ever,a blafphemer, Mat.9. 3, a drunkard andaglutton,! 1 p. a deceiver, 27. 6\% WcrcDavUy/c^S.Pduhhc Saints&our blefled Saviour falfly accniedjfcornefully mocked,&c.& (hall we unwillingly walk in thole paths wherein fuch pious people have ufually walked. 2. That, the better any man is,the more fubjecl he is to flan- derous reports,and the utnaoft mifchiefs the fons of Belial and their father theDivell can coy ae, againft, and caft upon him* The Divell and divellifh men throw moft cudgels of calumny and contempt at the fruitfulleft trees in Gods vineyard: bark moft bitterly againft the brighteft parts of Gods Church mili* tant, like dogs againft the Moone, and labour tooth and riaile to obnubilate, and obfcure moft, the moft ihining and glorious lights with contumelies and difgraces. And ifany good man (as many have) hath the applaufe and commendation ofthis viperine brood, yet, it's 1. either to hurt him by bewitching him by thefe fawning flatteries,to fip a.little pf the times cor- ruptions, though he will not drink a full draught; ortkkling and enticing him hereby to de(ireearneftly,andaflfecT:promi{^ circus reputation, or wooing him by this meapcs towi»keat

their;

S h c T.7. The Chriftm Cwflift. 5 7

their wkkednefle, and groflely neglecT: ChrXHan reproofs. Zt Or to harme others : thus the Pharifees oppofed Cbrift by John the tBapriFt,A4ar. 2.18. Uhn is a good man, he fafts, but thou and thy Difciples faft not. Thus carpers at godlinefle and goodnefle fet godly men one againft another, little confider- ing that one man may be more infirme and weake thanano* ther; one may do a thing in feme refpeel lawfully which-the other cannot. Thus thefe fubtill Satanicall tongue-fmiters of Saints and fanclity commend fome excellent and eminent men to difcredit others more clofcly, cruelly and cunningly>not out of any We or liking they have to their rare gifts, or precious graces; not for their found profeffion and fincere piety ( thefe being as repugnant to.them as the bright fhining light to ob- fcuredarkneffei thefe being a fhame to them, ?nd condem- ning them to the pit of hell) but by fuch fawned flatteries to pierce more cruelly even the felfe fame men, and all the con- forts of their blefled fociety,including in the end, even thefe in their black bill of aH are nought. As for example, fuch and fiich men are good men, yet they will do fo and Co. But fuch and fuch are fo precife, &c. yea all the company and pack of them be ftark naught.

3 . That thefe railing Rtbfhakthh fcoffing Ifimaelt, and all the infernall troupe and rabble of thofe who revile and re- proach , difgrace and deride men for godlinefle fake , are but fboles or men deftitute of wit, yea men out of their right minds. Marvell not that I call them fooles,or men out of their wits; for not onely doth the Word of God terme them foin divcrfe places, buttheir owne deeds and actions demonftrate them fo to be. As for example.

1 . Should we fee a man tumble and wallow willingly and delightfully in the myre, we would certainly conclude the man is mad, drunk, out of his right mind: but thefe wallow willingly and delightfully in the fink of fin, more foyliag than all the molt noyfome mud and mire under the Sun.

2. Should we fee a man wound &mangle his body,break bis bones,and tear his flefh in pieces,bccaa(e fome who have been grievoufly wounded,their joints disjoined^heir bones broken,

their

55 TheChrtftunCnfltft. Chap.£.

their flefo rent, have obtained perfeft recovery, although with much coft and charge, (mart and forrow : would we not fay,furely the man is mad ? But thele men do therefore, wound and pierce themfdves with finnc , the greateft of fores and (kkneflcs, beeaufe David , Peter, and other the Saints of God,after long labour and feeking after, much fmart and forrow, were throughly healed.

3. Should we fee a man all the time of feeding, fummet and narveft, when all good husbands are budly imployed to fit andfurnifh themfelvcs with necefTary livelihood, to run gadding after babies and butterflies,unnece{lary, unufefull,and unfruitful], would we not aver re the man to be a foole, if not mad ? But thefc manner of men in this blefifed feeds-time and fumrner ofgrace, when all wife merchants ferioufly with all fedulitydo providently, principally feek thofe precious hea- venly pcarles, trading and trafiquing for the fame in the con- fcionable ufe of the meane*, do then with earreftneffe and ea* .gernefle purfue die fruftleife and not need full fading fbme and froth of this tranfitory world.

4. Should we fee a man. to reject and refufe fuch a (ervicc wherein he might have fulncfle of comfort,credit and content- ment, and choofe to be a galley-fiavc to fome tyrannicall ty- rant , from whom nothing could be expected fave terrible tortures, rerrours and tormenrs, would we not avouch the man to be mad ? But all wicked men difdainfully~(if not de- fpightfully) rejecl Gods fervice accompanied with , and af- fbrdingall comforts and contentments, for Satans flavifh fer- vitude, wherein there is not the leaft fhew or fhadow of con- folation and contentment, but the truth and fubftance of all kind ofintolerablewocand mifery.

5. Should we fee a man to exchange pearles for paultry pebbles ; refined gold &r ftinking droffe, would we not af- £rme the man to be a foole, if not mad? But all wicked worldlings in effect fay, farewell fbule and confeience, adieu jholinefle and faving graces, fo be we may but thrive and grow great in this world, buy and fell, and get gaine.

6, Should we fee a mm prefer re a loathforae prifbnbefone

Sec T.7. The Cmftttn Conflict. 59

tpkafantpallace, would we not fay, ftrelythe man is out of his wits. Butalltbcfonnes of £*/*</ choofe rather perpetu- all hellifh tortures and thraldomc, than the matchlefle pcere- leffc cro wne of glory.

7. Should we fee a man for no gaine tocaft himfelfe into dangers inevitable and unfpcakable, we would notonely con- je&ure, but conclude that chc man wanted wit : But all wk-. iced men throw themfelves unavoidably into Gods fore difc pleafure, which is unutterably dangerousanddreadfull for the enjoyment of the works of darknefle which are not onely fil- thy, but alfounfruitfolL

8, Should we fee a man toyling hard to do that which he muft undo againe with hard labour and much paines,or els be hang'd, drawne and quartered, we would without any perad- venture inferre, furely the man is befides himfelfe. But all ungodly men endeavour with tooth and naile to do fuch thing! by committing of finne, which they muft neceflarily undo a- gaine, by true, yet bitter repentance, or elsperifli eternally. So then, difgracefullderidersof men for godlineflc, they arc butfooles, yea bruit beafts in the Scripture ienfe, which ter- meth them , In regard of their ignorance, Oxen, Pfd. a 1. 1 2 . Kinfy Amos 4. 1 . Wild Ages, lob 24. 5. And Mules, P/4/. 32. 12. In regard of their luxury, goats, £^.34.17. Axiikor-

fis, 7*r.$.8. In regard of their cruelty, Liows, Pfdl. 22. 1 3. Dragons, &«*{.. 29.3. £**»/, 37. 17>*1* Biuret, If*, tx.j. And Do^s, 7yy.a2.1d. Inregard of their fubtilty, Wolves, Ifaii.6. ArA Foxes, E^t^ 1 3.4. And in regard of their malice, Afpes, 7/4.II.8. Cockatrices, Spiders, 59.5. Vi- per s, Mat. 1.7. And Scorpions, Rev f 3. If a mad manor an ignorant ideot fhould revile us, raile at us, fcorne, deride and fay all manner of evil lagainft us, we would pitic the raw, and no whit regard his fawcy fair rilities, and fcotfiiig derifions. If fnarling dogs bawlc and barjee, fordid fwine grunt and grum- ble at us, we mind our bufinefle, and fleight thefe as frivolous trifles. Why then when thefe fooles, of allfbrrs themoft fcolifa,gna(lr their teeth, nod their heads, make mowesand fay ail manner of evill againft us, do we not piue t he men, and

difeegard

vo TheChrijtMnCoKftct. Uhap.5.

difregard their abfurd fpeecbes, and irkfome geftures ? Why therfo re cannot we endure,yea altogether flight and difregard the bra wling barking of thcfechurlifhteurres, thehiffings of thefe Terpentine afpes and adders,the bleatings and blatterings ©r thefe beads and vaine bablers, feeing they doe but tbeir kinde ?

4. That the fmiting of the tongue doth a good man no hurt at all: As Kings and Potentates, wife and wealthy menfu- ftaine no loffe of fubjcflion, reverence, or of anything they hare intereft in becatife mad men, fooles and beafts put no difference twixt them, and other men : fo godly men have Kotthekefteeme lefforicd with God, and good men, have their prayers as pleafing to God, and prevailing at Jthc throne of grace, have their graces as radiant and glorious, and their right and intercft to the blond of Chrift and crowne of life as certaine and well fealed, when they aro loaden with the heavieft preflures of reprochfull difgraces, infamous indignities, fcurrilous taunts, and helliQi girds for piety fake from the Terpentine tongues and geftures of all deboift ftigma- ticall varlets. Excellent is the faying of Titm Vefpa(tanySinca I doe nothing worthy for which I fyonld fa /tendered 3 I do nothing regard lies.

*. ^**muchgood, fo faith our Saviour, iW*f/fc. 5; . 11,12. B(effed~~when aR men fieake all, wanner of Mil again & you f*lflyformyfal(e, rejoyce and fa exceeding glad, for great U jour rewardin heaven, \ Tet,^. 1 4. //* y* fa reproched for the name of Chrift Jhappy areyo#,for the (pirit of glory and of Cod re He th upon yon. , Say not, how can we endure the fcourge of tongues, fince

Object.!* by this meanes, All true profeflbrs, as well as we in parti- cular arc deepely damnified, for by meanes of fuch falfe afperftons caft upon us, the raging tongues of dogged Doegs arcftirrcdupandfetonworketo fnarle and fnapatall for- ward profeffours : Sec {fay they) what thefe precife profeffors are, behold their pra&ife they arc all nought.

a. Andourowne good names, which are more precious then odoriferous ointments, and of greater worth and value

£hen

Shct.7. Th*Cbrifti4*Ci»fliZl. €t

than all our fubftance, by thcfc currifh, barking, and enveno- med biting Belials , lie wounded and bleeding even to ex- trearne difgrace, being gored and pierced by thekecneand cutting tongues (more fharpe than fwords) of ftigmaticall Sa- tanifts, which being alofTe fa invaluable and irrecoverable, whocanindurc?

For if you give juft occafion of offence, either by doing that Anfv>\ which you ought not to doe , or leaving undene duties that mult be done, then woe to you by whom the offence corn- metb, tWttth. 1 1. 7. 2 Sam. 12. 14. becaufe by this deed thou haft given great occafion to the enemies of the Lord to blafpheme, the child alfo that is borne unto thee (hall furely die. But you onely (candalizing,why fhould the men of this world purfue fo enragedly with fierce and furious out-crfes , all pious Profeflburs of the fame truth ?* Were all the twelve felecled Apoftles incarnate Divels, becaufe one of their number was fo? Were all fincere primi- tive converts lyars againft the blcrTed Spirit of God, becaufe facrilegious inantat and Safkira were ? Are all Profeflburs diffembling hypocrites pra&ifing contrary to their profeffi- oh, becaufe there are many fuch?- God forbid. Thoubiin- ded world , why wilt not thou fee ? You uncharitable fonnes of men , why will not you underftand , but rafhly and reprochfuTly condemne the unblameable carriages and harmlefle converfations of Gods dearcft Saints, for the cul- pable crimfon crying impieties of diffolute diflfemblers ? You are not fo unwife, fenflefTe and uncharitable, as to inferre, much copper gliders, therefore all bright and glittering gold is copper: A painted connterfeited Sun gives no radiant light, therefore that mining bright Runner in the firmament is ob- fcure and darke. ludai was a fonne of perdition, therefore 'Peter ■, lames , and lohn \ fome men are heires of damnation, therefore all men. Be not therefore fo malicioufly cenfori- ous, as to conclude, fuch and fuch are fhamefully delinquent, therefore all Profeffours are fo.

2. But if you walk harmlefly and inoffenfively, living un- blameabiy and uprightly, doing iuch duties which God com- mands,.

6i The GhrijtUn Conflict. C h ap . 6.

mands, allowes, loves, and will reward, from a pure heart, and faith unfained,tothe praifc and glory of Goi,confequent- lytheworkesofGod, lobn6.i%. or good works, Epb. i. 10. In regard of matter, manner, and end, and fhunning theevill you ought to avoid, and yet are taunted and fcomed, as Dsvid by fcoffing Alichal, 2 Sam.6. 20 . for dauncing before the ark : barbaroufly and bloudily back-bitten, as Abimeiecb, for relie- ving D*wW, 2 £409. 22. 9, or otherwife wounded by cruell tongue*, it being unjn(tly,with evils never a&ed nor intended; or wrefHng good things to make them fceme evill. What ,. lone of Christian reputation ? Sarely none.

Opje&. gut wc fa^fe un jnftly cenfured, rafhly judged, and fport-

, ing table-talk to difdainfull abjecls by this meanes.

Jlnfrt* And^ho was ever free? was Chrift? Did they n«t judge,

and in judging hardly cenfure ourblefled Saviour? Did he therefore leave off doing his Fathers will f Grew he to paf- fionate impatience ? Nothing leffe.

Sect. 8.

Motive 7. Drawnefrim the nature of them, [hewing how ' the j are eifiU, bow good.

THe feventh and lad Motive drawne from the nature of affli&ions.True it is, the uneafie dangers,unpleafant trou- bles and rough afflictions of Gods children, Chrifts fouldiers, are exceeding great: Pf*l.4%.%. horrible pit. And very ma* ny9 Pfitf.34.i9. Andasboyfterousiinpetujus (urging waves fucceeding one another.The Lord our gracious Father having fo appointed and decreed : our conformity with our bleffed Saviour requiring that it fhould be fo , and God being more thereby glorified in our deliverance. Yet it is as true, that there is no danger fodeepe, no griefe fo great, no temp- tation fo tumultuous and troublous,no trouble fo tempeftuoiis, out of which God cannot or will not deliver his Church and chofen children, P/4/.40. ». He brought me out of an hor- rWcpftj out of the myvkehy7Scc.P/kfme. 34.19. Butthe

Lord

Sec t .8. The chriftU* Confitft* 4$

Lord delivers Hm out of all. He being their ftrong and power- full Redeemer, //i.4 5.1. Hebeingthe mighty rock of their falvation, P/4/.05.1. Their impregnable /nield and invinci- ble buckler/PyW. 1 8. a . The Lord of hofts and armies, Pf*f. 46.7.1 1. And that great and potent Prince, ?>d».i a. i. And therefore Though they are dread full, yet (hall they not be du- rable, Though they are laborious, yet friall they not be long lafting. Though they are cruell, yet but momentany, and of fliort continuance.

But they are evill.

And what patience to endure that which is good? Who cannot ? Who will not ? Chrifts fouldieTs being more then ordinary men, muft doe more then they doe.' They muft love even thofe who hate them, <JM«tth.<> .44. They muft pray for fuch who hurt them. They mutt render arcquitall of good for evill, They muft endure wkh comfort and coi> ftancy evill.

a. Admit they are evill to fome, yetthey are notfotoal^ they were good for David, P/i/.i 19.71. And arc good to be borne of fome from their youth, Ldment.^.i 7. Although in their -owne nature of themfelves properly. At they arc fignes and demonftrations of Gods juft indignation and anger againft any. /frthey are plagues and puniftimcots for fin ; As they are a part of Gods curie for the fame : ±As they are lets and hinderanccs from any pious and holy duty : er occafions of any fin, namely of murmuring, grudging, impatiency or the like, they are evill . Tat are they good by Gods grace and b!efltiig, being fandtirled in the Croffe of Chrift. As they are an argument and evidence of Gods love and fatherly care z As they are a meanes of fantftifi cation, mortification, vivifica- tion, converfion, repentance, reformation of life; Asxhey caufcustoknowourfelvesandourfins, gen.41.11. As they fliew to others the corruption of nature in the Siints,£%*^, 3 9* a 3. A s they teach men truo obedience, lob 33.1 p. lcr. 3 1 . 1 8, 1 9. As they provoke and ft irre up to fervent prayer, Pjd. 1 © 7. 6. As they fhe w the certainty and equity of Gods threats • At they purge from fin and corruption, Pr^ao.3.0. 464?.?.

At

OhjeR. Anfw.li

^4 TkehriftUn CtnfliZl. Ch a *.$.

*sts they preferve from definition and evill, 1(k. J 7.1,1. A thep are a path- way to the kingdome of heaven, ABs 1422* wf / they conforme a man to Chrift, 4W as they make us com- panionate and able to comfort others* They arcnot evill but good. Endure them therefore.

Vponthefe undeniable truths and grounds fo certaine,rca«» (on and refolve as followeth :

1 . titth Chrift our faultleffe Mafter,that Lamb without fpot and blemifla, and his holyeft Saints and members endured a£- fli<?tions,Chrift for our fakes, they for his ?

2. Are they inevitable and unavoidable : we being mCfy much more we being fan&ified men.

3. tsfre they harmeleffe neither rmrtfuil nor inju- rious ?

4. *Are they bcneliciall and many waics advanta- gious?

$. Come they from our gratious fathers love, juftice and mercy principally and primarily : from our hatefull enemies inftruaientally only and fecondarily ?

6. ^rrtheyrnoft truculent or terrible in countenance of them as namely The fpoyling of outward fubftance, fo fad- ding ; affrighting famine fo dreadfull : cruell captivity fo uncomfortable : violent death fo difmaying : want of }buriall fo unfeemely ; and the fcourge ©f tongues fo fmarting : not fo hideous and terrible as: and more tolerable for Chrifts caufe then they feeme to be?

7. They being but momentany and of no long continuance^ Then (ixrely we as the fouldiers of Chrift will refolve to en- dure hardneffe, undergoing it with willingneflfe, Heb. 1 1 .a J . iubmittmg our felves to it with readineffe, cftf**. 26. 3 p. yea the tarteft tryalls,moft rongh and cruell calamities and dread- fell perfections through Gods hctpe and afliftance, for the Lords fake: namely,

1 . For righteoufnefle,confcience, Chrift, and Chriftianity fake, iPet.2.20. 3.17. 4. 1 6. 1/4.59* 1?. for welldoing fuffering for thefe endsiaeing thank- worthy, 1 7V*.2.ro.ancl acceptable with GodaKrr.2Q.to which we are called, Vcr.*i.

foe

Si c t.3. The Chriflwj finflrft. 6f

for which we arc pronounced blefled and happy,l ^*f .3.14. 4.T4.ofwhich wc need notbeaftamed}4.i0\ and for which we have caufe to glorifie God,ii#df. namely

1. We fuffcring After a right manner,/<ri/.with enduring p*- titnce^iTbeg.l.^ I Tit. 2.'40.7>er/t fling cenftattcj, L*k* *2. *8. Hck.\o$9. Cbenre/u//rejoycing9 Cct.l.14. I Pft.+*£* And Uvi*£pr*j*r£cT our af Aiding perfecutors according to Chrift s commandement,/!/**. 5 .44 The pious prafUfe of eur blefled Saviour, £*t*3«34> And his happy Saints, AH. 7.60,. And to right ends, not lor vainc-glonous oftentationor other carnall refpeds,but for the Lords and confeience fake, that is, rather then God fhould loofe his glory, and we a good confid- ence rowards God, wepurpole confiantly to endure grkfc, hatrcd,perfecution or any manner of afflictions as the fouldiert of Chrift Iefus.

Chap. VII.

The ChriftUus *rm**r, ^ % Duty.

ChrtftiamfouUitrs mufi fo armed.

AS a fculcrier ought not onely to have a forehand refohi* don to endure hardneffe,but he moft likewife fit and fur- nifhhimfelfe with ncceflary defenfive and offensive weapons, and with expert skill to ufe and marmage the iame to difable, difadvantage,difcomfit, diiTlpatcand difpoyle the enemy :and for their o wn prefcrvation fafety and protection : even fo the fouldierofthe Lord Iefus muft joy ne to his conftaat purpofc of fuflrring, 1 . Knowledge eft he parts and pieces of the armour of God, Epb.6. 1 1 . fo called becaufe it is prefcribed by God in bis Word,given of God by his fpirir,and agreeable to the will of God. That divine and fpirituall armour,neceffary againft the fpirituall aflaults of fpirituall enemies. That pnwp/iaorcom- pleat armour furficicnt to defend us in every part,availeable to Iceepe ofFand tbrult backc every aflatf t, and every dart of our Spiritual 1 enemies* a. And * putting and keeping on,and ufing

F of

I 66 The chriftun Conflict. Ch a p .7.

of the fame] and every part thereof (God having made none of them in vaine, they being all needful! and py nt-companu ons,fo that he that hath not all Jiath none at all) todefend hirn- fclfe and his own right which Chrift hath dearely bought with his precious bloud. And to repcll and drive away the divcll and bis inftntments.Learne we all therefore who are the fouldicrs of Chrift, what this armour is, how to put on and ufc the fame. The parts of feverall pieces of which impregnable armour ofproofe arc fix in number, largely deciphered anddefcribed bytheLordhimfelfc, Eph.6.i^yi$y&c. namely a girdle, a breaft-plate, fhooes,a fhicld,a helmet and a fword. A helmet lor the head,a brcaft-platc for the middle, a girdle to knit them together,(hooes for their feet,a (hield for their lefc hand^nd a fword for the right,ofeach particular fome what.

Sect. 2«

1 part of a*. ']

mour# The Chr&tans girdle*

Their girdle nth At it it, hew f Ml eny its 'neceffttj% dignity <> 4*d feversll part*.

THe firft piece of a Chriftians armaur is the girdle of truth. AsMartiallmenofwarhave afayre, ftrong, fubftantialL girdle wherewith they 1 knit their armour hb and clofe unto them,and keepe the feverall pieces together,fo that they can- not (hake or loofe. * Tye and binde their loy nes thereby hol- ding the fame firme, and their bodies fteddie, that they may be able to ita nd the furer and hold out the longer. 3 And hide the / oynts of their armour that they may not be feene, fo ufing the fame for neceffity, (trength, and ornament, as we may fee, lob i*.i8,2i. 3$. 3. //*.*$. io.Evenfo the Chriftian fouldier, hath his girdle of truth,namely

Firft,Truthof judgement,or a rectified judgement agreeing with the Word of God, grounded upon it and warranted by it,defirous by it to be reformed, wherein it hath beene mif-in* formedato receive further illumination from it^and increafe of

favin§

S i c t.2 . ihe Chriflidfi Ccnflitt. #y

faving knowledge by ic,remaining found in praflittH faylings, giving no warrant to any decaycs,2 TVf . 1.12. And therefore the true do&rinc oftheGofpell may be called, not onely true dodrine, but truth it felfe,or the girdle of truth, it being to the foulc to ftrengthen it, as a girdle to die body of a fou'dier in warre. And the word of truth^CW. 1 .5 . becaufe all truth muft be learned out of it, as for example.

1 . The true worfhip of God in general!, Mic.6.%. He hath fiewed thee O man if hat ugocd: and what doth the Lordreqnire ofti:eeybnt to do)ufUjyand to love mercy tand to &c. 1. True holinefle and falsification.

3 . True faitb,f/r £. 1 1 . 1 . Faith is the fnb fiance of lhi*gsy&cl

4 . True love, I Cor. 13.4. Charity fnffereth fang and is kinde,

charity envieth nct,cbarity vanntetb not itfeifc. l Ic^5 **•.

5 .True humility, M.i 3 . 1 5 . Tor I have given yo$t an exam* fie that you [hculd do as J have donefPhil.i. 1 3 .

6. True meekenefle, UHatth.11.2p, I am meeke and lowly in heart.

7. True wifflome,/rfiw. 3 . 1 j.Unt the wifdome that is from #> bove is fir ft pure ythcnpeaceab Urgent leyeafe to be^c.

8. True knowledge,/*^ 7. 3./* islife eternall to k**» thee and him whom thou haft pent. Phil. 3.8./ account \&c.

$. True hope, Rem.% 24 For we arefaved by hopey&c* 10. True pray er,almes-decds and fafting,c^f4/.6. 1 1 .True patience,/4w.$ .to.Take my brethren the Prophets^ who havtfpoken in the name of the Lordjfor an example offnjfe- ring afflitlion and of patience yHeb.\ 2.2.

la.True righteoufnes, -#/**. y. 20. Except yonr righteonfneffe exceed the righteonfneffe of the Scribes and Pharifees,&c.

Secondly,Truth ofheart or uprightnefle and fiocerity which is void of deceipt and counter feting, which afliircth a man that his fins are pardoned, Pfal 31.2. That his waies pleafe God, 1 1 p. 2. That he is a citizen of the heavenly Ierufalem,?/. 1 5 .a. 24.4. Mat.i&JVhicb intcreiTeth a man that owns and poflef- feth it in all good things. Which covereth a multitude of fin*, 1 King j 5.14.2 Cbro. 1 0*. o . which makes Gods graces thrive iathefoule,/*£.i.47. And theenjoyenhereqfto approve his

F 2 heart

I 6& TkechrifttAn Conflict. Chap. 7.

heart to the fearchcr of al hearts.*P&#V& is a comfortable cordi- allatthedifnaal! day ofdcath,//4. 5 S. 3. And makes a man ac- ceptable with the Lord, Pfy 1.6. without .whicji no true repen- tance,/^/ 2.1 2. No profitable hearing of the Word of Godr Luk$. 1 2,1 ?>*4, 1 5 . No prevailing prayer,: P/4/.66 1 8. And without which the molt glorious and glittering a&ions are but filthy abominations and odious hypocritical] performances..

Thirdly, Truth of fpeech,uttering things as they be without guileful] fraud & falftiood the mouth agreeing vvith the minde & matter which is iucercd,P/:i $.1, ^.4. 2 5. which is confo- nant to the will of God .correfpondent to the end of fpccch,& ufc ofthe tongue the oiindes interpreter.Thecontrary where- of is not of God, 1 MXiU butof chcdiveV/^.8.44. Con- demned by Pagans unacquainted with the myfteries of falvati- omCaufing the lyar toloofe faith & not to be credited when he fpeakestrutb:provoking God to wrath & indignation, /y 5. 6\ Depriving of that match! efle crow ne and incomparable king- dome ofglory,R*z/.2 a. 15. And plunging into that hideous and horrible infupportable lake offire and brim(tone,#*t/,2 1 . 8.

Fourthly, 7>*f* of action when deeds are juft being done truly and uprightly when there is fidelity and faithfullneffe betweene man and man in keeping juft covenants promifes, and bargaines,P/4/. 15.4. 1 Cor.13.tf.

This truth of Judgement, heart tongue and action is thiVgir— dJe wherewith the Chriftian fouldicr mud be girded. And all thefe mud concurre to make up the ftrength and beauty of the &me.trithdut the firft we run into ablurd opinions, & erroni* qus hcrclksiwitbeut the fecond we are guilty of gro{fe& dam- nable hypocrifie/odious & abominable to God and good men:. Without the third men are but loth (bine lyars fpeaking againft their mindes & confeiences : And without the laft diabolical de- ceiversand odious diuemblers.But by the firftour opinions arc feafonedand made found r *By the fecond our affections are re- formed and rectified. By the third our communication is orde- red and directed : By the laft our conventions are guided and governed. All which conjoyncd make up the firft piece of the Chriftian man* armour, the girdle of truth.,

1. So

Sect.3. TbeChriftUnCenJlilt. 69

j .So great an ornament to the Chriftian fculdietir that it he- fioureth and graceth him before God & man:for what greater beauty to religion (which the more true the more excellent) then foundncs & evidence of truth? what greater ornament to a Saint then truth & finglencs of heart winning approbation Be commendationfromGod, ^#.13.11. What An^dicall elo- quence or rhetoricall difcourfing fo grace fall & praifc- worthy as to fpeake truth? yea and what doth crowne and commend a man fo much as houeft plaine and faithfull dealing. ■ a. And fuch an excellent means of ftrengtb,that it lirlcs,holds fift & couples other graces of Gods fpirit together, and fo up. holds the Chriftian fouldier. Nothing f© ft rong as truth to con- firme&fettk the judgement of man. Truth of heart was the ground of Ids courage & conftancy,^!^ . a 7. 5 y6 gave an edge & qtiickning to Hez,ely*bs prayer, !(*.% 8.3. and made D*v$d bold to appeale from mens,and refer himfelf to Gods tryall & examination,P/;a6. 1 . Truth in communication flowing from fincerity of beart,not any br-refpe<ftf , being in all a mans fpee- ches, concerning matters of greatcft confequence, andthofc which are fleight and trivial!. And truth ioeonverfation, pro* ceedingfrom aright ground and extending to all and every action of a man, are notable encouragements, and firong flip— porters to pious men, hb 31.5. And undeniable deiaonflrati- ons, that the heart k a good foontaine, the fincerity whereof keepes the tongue from lying, and the whole cariage of a man from deceitfull diffimulation. This girdle of truth being both beautifall and beneficial l,honorable and helpful],ador ning and afTHting/or ftrength and ornament

1 .You who are not furoifVted with this defenfive ornament, do you buy!t,fV#,i3.i i.Tlnythtnubi But what muft we give? A diligent painefull and conftant endeavour, to obtaine this holy and heavenly trafique.

1 .Search the fecred Scriptures diligently :frequent the Word preached confeionably with a ctre to bete ve & confeience to obey.//. 5 5 .1,1. hide & treafure up y word in your hearts care* &lly,P/Ti ip.il. Let it dwtlirtjo* fhtifullj&richlj in *l wifdtm, O/. 3 io\ Let Gods heavenly word be alwajes a light to your

F 3 > ftct

yo TheChriftUnConflift. Chap. 7.

feet and alamhorne unto your paths, Pf*l. 1 1 «. 1 © 5 .And your continual 1 conftant counfellours,P/4/.i 19.24. ^}

That you may bcclcanc through this wordjob.i f.g.Being ^purged

By the word ofexbortation,from flothfull idleneflc and neg- ligence in all holy and facred duties.

*Bj the word of remembrance from {infill! forgetfullneffe.

By the word ofconfolation from dreadfull defperation and diffident diftruftfullneffe in Gods mercies and Chrifts merits.

. 'By the word of commination, from prefumptuous and o^« ftinate rebellions.

By the word ofreprehenfion from open aclualltranfgreffi- ons in word or deed.

'By the word of admonition from inclination unto evillor entrance into the fame.

'By the word of confutation from dangerous and damnable errours.

'Bfthe word of knowledge orinftruclion^from fpirituall blindnefFe,,darknes and ignorance in thofe things which ought tobeknowne.

That you may be wifer then your enemies,. Pf*l.\ io.o,8> have aiore underftanding then your teachers,F«r.op. And un. dcrftand more then the ancient,F<?r, 1 oq. And that you may get this truth in judgement, the true do&rine of holy writ.

This being amiable and lovely beyond exprefllon, Pftl.i 1 p. 97, Sweet and lufcious beyond comparifon, Vcr.\ © 3 . preci- ous and profitable beyond imagination, 105. 1 6%. comforta- ble and cordiall beyond apprehenfion, Vcta^. This being troth,yeathcwordoftruth,/b£.i7.i7. 8.51,52. CV*/Ti.y. It containing the firme and fare doctrine, and teaching the true way to attaine eternall falvation. So that.

Would you know what and how to beleevc ? That will foftru&you.

Would you know how to live ? That willfteach you*

Would you difecrne errours? That will enlighten you.

Would you amend your lives? That will perfwade and crefcribehow.

Would

Sect.1. TheChriflianCdrfiH. 71

Would you find Confolation : That will atfbord if.

This being the fcuntaine of truth, from whence flow forth the bleffed ftreames of facred truth by the Miniftcryof the Word.

This being alfo part of this girdle oftruth,(trengthening and adorning the foule of a Chri(tian,as a girdle doth the body ofa fouldierin warre.

2 . Confider how vengeance unconceiveable purfues as hi* proper euerdon the glorying hypocrite. He fturil not come before God, Job 1 5. \6. He hcapes up wrath, j6\i 3. And he is moft wofull, Matth. 2 %* And hew mercy ineftimable and ineffable attends the fincere and upright man. See one place for inftance, Pfal. 84. 1 1 . The Lord wii give trace and glory, dec. Where fivefpeciall prerogatives and priviledges of fuch men are fet downe : Two metaphorically, Sun And Shield, and three other familiarly, Grace and g/oryt and every good thing*

The Lord who is refembled to a Sua in regard of

1. The purity of the Sun : for although there be many compound and mixed lights in the Churth ; yet it there but one perfect and pure : although many dimmeand obfewre, yet one onely cleare and without darknefle.

a. The fmgnlarity and fbveraignty of the Sun compared with the ftarres : He being that one and onely originall, et ientiall, and authenticall light and fpirituall Sun, though there bemanyfecondaryandinferiour, or inftrumentall lights and ftarres in the Church ofGod.

5 . The Efficiency t He alone and onely he being able to give Efficient light to the whole Church.

4 The liberality of the Sun, He and he alone gives light^ t>r (nine to all.

5 . The brightnefei for though the Sun be more beautifull, bright and glorious than all other ftarres : yet the Lord is thoufands of degrees brighter than the Sun.

6. The ft ability*. For although the light of the Sun be of long continuance, yet the light of the Lord iafteth Ionger,even

>revcr.

F 4 7. The

Ji The Chrijllan CtnfliB. CHAP.7.

7. Tin 'fficscj : For although the Sun have great power over mens bodies, and workes upon them both by his light, heat, and influence, yet the Lord himfelfehath greater power over their foules. I fay, the Lord who thus is refenabled to the San, is their Sun ; that hf illumination,dire#ion, coniza- tion: therefore,

I. Such cannot want light, either understanding, judge-

mentjknowlcdgejor comfort,1ife,ftrength,and health. a. The Lord will guide their wayes, and direft their

thoughts and counfels. 3. The Lord will comfb? t theroin all their aflMions, tri- bulations and perfections. *. The Lord&tbik fiictdox fifety, protection and prefer- ration,

A (Weld he is, not artificiall,natural],or politicall : but mo* rall,fpirituall,celeftiall, fbveraigne,fureandfuffidcnt. Shield- ing thefe fore-named, by his mercy and favour, P/i/. y . 1 2.6 1 . 7. By his powerrull right hand, Pfai.i 8:35. By his omnipo- tent arme,7y4/.4f 3. Ky his faithfull truth, P/4/.p 14* And by his grace, * Car. 1 2 9.

He is their fhield, to beare offthe bitter blowes, beat back the direfiill darts, brealcethe furious force of, and to cover, ftiadow, and fave from the empoyfoned (lings of the diaboli- cal 1 a {Vaults of their implacable and hellifh adversaries*

The Lord is their fhield, preferving thenairom deftrufti- ©n, delivering them from danger and diftrefle : fo that no- weapons of the wicked, nor darts of Satan can harms or hurt them, this their Shield being fure, fufficient,.pre(ent and per-- petuall. Great therefore is their happinefle in this regard; for, having God their fhield, they have

r. Themoft bright and glorious fhield,. which doth not onely delight, but alfo dazzle the eyes of thole thatdobe* hold it.

s. The mod ready fhield, alwayes at hand to help, fuccour atid fave them.

5, The raoft durable and lading fhield, which cannot \y W.aftcd or worncour* .

Sac t:*. The ChrifiU* CtnflUt. 7 j

4. The ftroogeft and fareft flikld, which w31 never fcrink.

1 . Earthly ftiklds can fa vc the body ondy ; this both body andfoule.

». Earthly (hklds five and fhcltct from bodily darts one- ly ; this from ipirituall alio,

3. Earthly fhields feve and (kelter from feme kinds of -bo- dily dangers, this from all.

The Lord will give diem * grace* Take the word for the *. 'B^jjn£jjj anions ofaflifting grace, a*naoKly>prefervation* confervati- x#Uc \n GeH.s. on and protection . Take the word for faith and repentance, £* iirG^ccot whkh amongft faving graces are the raoft prkicipaJl. They ^m«hS being more often* more ear neftly^ind more umverfaUy urged foun<i S**" \* . and inforced, than any other, in the Prophets, by him B+ftifl% our Saviour, and his Apoftlet . Takeit for thofe greateft works of grace wrought together at one irritant $ namely union with Chrift, adoption, juftifTcatton, converfioa Take it for thofc other principall graces of faving knowledge jbyned with faith, jAn 17. 3. Regeneration* Uhn £.5. Spiriroall regi- k ment, Rtm.S. 1 4. Reprefling ill motions, Odi. j . 1 7. Stirring up good, //*. 1 1 . * . Which are the fruits ©f the Spirit, G*l. 5 . 2 a. Amongft the whkh thefe are in number of the beft, fc. an titter diflike offinne becaufe it is finne, Remq* An hungry de- fire to be at unity with God in Chrift, Pf$t.^.4: And the gift of hearty prayer, Z*cb. 1 a. 1 o.R&m. 8. 2 6. Sound and faving oomfortindiftrcne, as in outward calamities, and troubkof conference,. £*/*.?.*,?. Inward,, fpirituall,. found and faving ftrengthto do the waightieft ditties of a mans calling, asare thefe and fuch like following, i . At the fight of his finnes to- lift up the hand of faith to heaven, and to catch hold of Gods mercy in Chrift. a. In-time of temptation to refift thefame, being as hard a matteras for drk wood to refift the fire^ 3. To fbrfake all for Chrifts fake. 4. To acknowledge Gods pro- \ vidence, tore jayce in it9 to rely upon it in the want of ordina- te meanes, as hard a thing to do (without Gods fpcciall affi- Hnce^ as to fliake the whole earth.

Take it for inward or .outward grace with God or men,

which

74 - The ChriflUn Conflict. Chap. 7.

which Ac upright man fo farre enjoyes. That though he if not gracious with all, yet he is with fomc. Though he is not great in favour, yet he is in fome. Though he is not al waves, yet fometime he is, more or Idfe, fooncr or later. Though not vvitlnnen, yet with God.

Take it for all or any ofthefe, it &ewes that God will ho- nour thofe that honour hiraby fincerity and aprightnefe

4. The Lord will crowne the upright man with unipeaka- ble and immortall glory. Though therefore they may be ab- ject in vainc mens, yet arc they moft glorious in Gods eyes, • Though they may be vile in the eyes of vile and wicked men* yet are they not in the eyes of al 1. Neither are they altogether bafc, but in part honourable and glorious. Nor alwayes con- temptible,but (bmtimes(fooner or later)glorious, exalted, and honoured; yea they fhal be made glorious hereafter, and ex* alted above the heavens.

5. Laftly, the Lord will increafe and multiply his bleffinga upon the righteous more and more, fo that wbatfoever good things the godly want, were not good for them to have, the Lord witb-holding no good thing from them totally, finally, without a fupply, if it be good for them.

$. Have a continuall defire, and a holy unquenchable tbirfting after the Word, to grow, as in other, fo in this grace of fincerity or truth of heart, l Pet. 2. 2. As new-tone bnbeg defire the fncert mtl^eofthe PForcl9 that ye may grew thereby \

I . New-borne babes defire the milkie nourifliing breaft.

a. They defire it without mixture or adulteration.

J . So infatiably and unce(Tantly,that though you chaunt and (ing to them as melodious lullabies the fweeteft voices, and moft ravifliing harmonious inftruments can found by art and nature : though you give them golden garments, pearles and precious ftones , crownes and kingdomes, yet they regard themnotarufti, neither are they quieted or pacified without the breaft, by fuch golden and glittering promifes or perfor- mances.

4. Whereas the fruition and enjoyment of the famef*

thek lowdeft out-crie« , and fils their hearts with abuH'*

cr^orts

Sec t.j . The chriJlUn Conflict. y j

comforts and contentments,. which they plentifully teftifieby their Trailing countenance :, and oiher childifti toyes, expreffi- ons of their no little joy and gladnefle.

$. By their conftant and continutll fucking fuch fvveet and favoury nutrinaeritjthey grow in comelineffe and courage, in ftrcngth and ftature . Thus do we

1 . Thirft after the nouridiing milk of Gods Ward.

1. Defire this pure Word without mingling or cor- rupting.

3. Let no inchaunting fyrenian fbngs of worldly dcligfetfull plcafures,nor golden offersor enjoyments of earthly content- ments Gakc or atfwage your earneit longings after this iubftan- tiall, found, and favoury fbule-fcafting food. , 4. Let the poUeffionand enjoyment of this comfort in the greateft diftrefles, ravifli your hearts andfoules withunpe- rifhablc and ineffable confoiations. Loveic unconceiveably beyond expreflion, P/*/. 1 19.97. Preferreand prize it above thoufands of gold and filver, Ty*/, 1 19.7** Rejoyce in it »ore than in great fpoyles, Verf. 161. Relish it more fa~ vourly and fweetly than honey and the hon€y-combc, Verf.

5 . Defire it, labour far it, delight in it, to get and increafey at other graces,, fo this of fincerity, ©r truth of heart. For, therefore it is called the fincere milk, becaufeitis not mixed with errours, traditions, and herefies : As alfo, becaufe there is no deceit in it, and becaufe it produceth, and increafeth fin- cerity.

4. Daily and diligently examine your ownc hearts, which are as evill fervants with whom you need oft to reckon ; and like waters, which ((landing) are ready to corrupt. That by this carefull and confcionable Searching and founding of them, andthofe other meanes> you may get this truth of heart*

3. Togcttruthinfpeech. Confiderwithadvifedcircum- fpefl ion, that,

1. This is the precife precept and commandementof your noftabfolutc Soveraigne Lord 3 and the dire A will of your

good

7* The ChrifiUn ConfHZt. Cha*«7*

good God and gracious Father, <Pfal. 1 5 . a . ^. 4.25.

2« One mains <nd of fpecch is to declareaad expicflcthc meaning of the mind and heart.

3. That the contrary hereunto, namely lying, isdreadfoll and damnable.

1 . Being the Di vcls darling daugbtcr,whofc father he b, jM.8.44

2. Being fercrelycenfiired and fharpcly condemned by the light of nature in meerely morall Heathen men.

A figc Garamant in an Oration he made to Alexander rc-

&ial /.M.J4- porting hiscountrey lawesand cuftomes, faid: We ordeine

that a& men andmmtnff take the truth in all thing J y and if any

ke taken in a lit ^ commit ting no ether faulty that immedoatly be

iefnt to death.

Amengft the Lawes which Periauder made for the Corin-

Cb-\ & thianc , this was one, We ordaine and command % that if any man

or woman which to the prejudice of another /haS tell any lie, fia&

fir the [face of a moneth carte a flout in thetr mouth : for it u not

meet that he which ie wont to liejhouldalwajet be authorized to

ffieake.

fa&.6u It was facriledge amongft the Philoiophers of Athena to

kearealie.

3. Notbeing of the truth. No lie h of the truth, iloh.%. at. Namcly,notof God, who is truth it fclfe, and the Au- thor of all truth in his creatures, Pfal. ; 1. 5. O Lord God of truth. Not of Chrift, who is the way and the truth, fohn 1 4 . 6 . Not agreeable to true Religion tanght and contained in the Gofpell which is truth, Gal. j. 1. Not confbnant to the Word of God containing true doftrine, therefore called truth,/**. 17.17.

4. Occasioning many formidable fruits and execrable ef- fects, for neceffarily and inevitably a lyar

i. Crackes and cruihethfo farrc his credit, thathelofeth iaith when he fpeaks truth.

s. Abominably abafeth his tongue to wrong and contrary ends.

j. HeprwkciGods ferere wrath, PfiL y6. Thou /halt

deftroj

S e c t.2 • The Chrifiitn CtnfliB. 77

destroy them that fpea\e leafing. Doing that which is abomi- nation to him, Prov. 12. 22. Ljinghfs ar*s* abomination to the Lord.

4. He lofeth all right and intcreft in the tree of life, (huts himfelfe without the Church triumphant in heaven, ta have part and portion with damned rebels and reprobates in that lake which burneth with fire and brimftone* which is tftefc- cond death, Rev.t*. 14,1 j. and 21,8.

Hnv like you this you licentious lyars? You'l lie for ad- vantage to cozen and cheat men in buying and bargaining , to defraid your brethren, to clofcc your other horrid impieties ; to hide and cover other mens haiuous enormities : to make your felves and othtrs fporr, and merriment $ or toharme and hurt the innocent convention* of men better than your felves. Do you like your infcraall father ? Do you not blufh for fhame (profefling Chriftianity) to be worfe than Pagans ? D jth it pleafe you to have no intereft in God,nor yet to be cre- dited fpeaking truth ? If fo,.go on : yea. if heaven it of little or no worth with you, and if you fo much deffre hellifh tor- ments. Heare the Poet and Phiiofbpher fjteake. a He is as ? "?mI1:*» batefmR to me as heft, who thinkes one thing and ft cakes Mother, 1«>J VSfi)/«» faith the Poet. b A Ho in it felfe is vile and odious, faith the »*>»«» '* x'fo»-

To get truth in cariagc and in your outward con venations, *«?«• ftt your felves alwayes in Gods prefence, and before his ^^f/^l* judgement-feat. Remember that from his all-feeing prefence rfu 4«^« ><«*•> (whole eye is in every place, beholding the good and the bad, Hmi ^*?"' *Prov. 1 5.3 . who is the fcarcher of the heart and rcines ) nor- thing canconcealeor cover either your felves or yourciofeft a&ions: Notany place in the fpacious and fplendent heavens t nor any dark or difmall creek or corner in hellfo horrible and hideous; nor yetany nooke or biding place in the utmoft parts of the whole earthy PfaL 139.7, 8, 9. For be is privy to the many motions,into and from all places: to every way and pafTage of thefc motions 1 ye* to every ftep in this way : and to all and every pofition of downe-fitting, up-rifing or lying 4owne : Vcr. V3,4j 5. Yea to every fecret thought of the

inmod;

7* Tl Cha».7.

•roftke Heart, i?.i 5.13. ^thereat! any part or prcc)}, degiee or criftx-clion of diBC,bkfc frcxr «, bom

thedres dfes

i ;p. i J. 2nd a tfcoiriandyearesgone and psft art bet «s yefteiday; ax! therefore C«w/ cnidl crimfon crime as frefh wirhh!rr?,3sit"cveTTtKrwk w*inafh'rg. Live therefore al- wayes in Gods ptclence : approve your (elves and yoor (eve- i ^clionstoGad,that *s I*fob$ tbvouallffiay bcopr

tnx and boneit in yoor a&ions.

a. And yc« who havt it, icllftno^,Pr#p.2 5.13. Malcenot a Height reckoning of it as mer; commonly do or foch thingi thcyfcU. Let it not goby 3*7 rrca res, upon any condition t for any refpecS, let not Sitawthat ftbtiti ferpent, let no adulte- rating Priefts and Tefuites^ot any otter imp or inffrment of that deceitfull DiveO wreft away by faire enticements, pfatv &fc arguments , or bine rperic anion, mis gmflc of troth from us.

OfyB.i. Lettbew^rbattfwhmjWgemcTitiiWBjecel^ fry and very dangerous.

1. That rretrWn hero brirfpi»irard QhrniJcs , and hard and barfceer fares of wife and worldly sen* i *

5. Let them fay there is no living in mis loofe andlkenti- oa age without lying.

4. And rhatp-aire andhoceft dealirg wTJdfe a beggar; and lKTia<coTnefkII disgrace, sr^reproa*fcfuH obloquy.

Yet feB it cor, partBOC withir, lent not go, boidk 6ft: for,

•A* V t T>* Hoty Gboft puwurih men danced, who believe riot trje truth, a7A/f.a.x. aJdxwgb thefe iedu- eers 6y n 9 not neccfey. And confidently affii ineili that k u anc" ^efle,anda matter of lrjovdng ta infer &r

tbetrmn, i^fMtb. 5.10,11. Though tfccfc i*oiioiBJtek pe- ri; ^cn?.

a. As for antk or heart, it is tlsesx&abfelaae foveraigne

■nridbte aedptdttvitiv^a^f^difbirbingde^itiui^ , J*t vj^fi. Afaoftflrot^firf^oftkigpropaxxtp

Sb c t.»# The Chriflm Ctnflitt. J*)

a man in the midft of his manifold miferics and mifcariages : and a moft cordiall comforter in the moft fcarefull diftreffes, //*. J 8. $. Remember O Lord hew I have walked before thee in truth y4nd with a perfeB heart.

Thefwayingof theregall Scepter of the common- wealth ofthc moft potent and politikc people of the Icwes,Gods pe- culiar people.

The foveraigne rule and command over a nation which was the moft warlike and potent under the cope ©f hea- ven.

The £fc conduit of many mighty vigilant conftant guar- ders*

The advifed poUcie and deliberate counfels of fage Se- cateurs.

The daily and diligent attendance of heroicall and princely Servitours.

The arcandinduftry of the moll learned and skilfull Phi- fitians.

The mod curious cates, coftly garments, harmonious mu- fickc, fwcet perfumes, and all other delights of the fonnes of men, which do mod abound in the Courts of Kings, could not folace He<,ekiab (6 on his bed of fickne(Te,asdid the foundnefle and (incerity of his pare and perfedfc heart. •

Ndcher are thofe many judgements infli&ed upon the up- right, tokens of Godsirefuli indignation, bun of his fatherly love and favour, Heb. 1 2.6. And as for the harfh conceits and ram contumelious cenforious conclufions of other men, they may not diftiearten nor cannot difmayan upright man, who hath boldneffe towards God , when his owne heart doth not condemne him, 1 /0&.3.JI.

3. And as for thofe pernicious periclitations propofeda- gainft plaine dealing and true fpeaking, they are not reall,one- ly pretendcd,witne{feche common and ufuallpraftifes of moft men, defiringto deale and commerce with fuch whom they are perfwaded will dealc truly and plainly. VV itnefc Gods curfc againftgaine gotten deceitfully, Prev.iot\ 7. And Gods many mercifull favours promifed to the upright man , PfaU

na.

So The chriJUan Cwfltft. Ch a p .7.

1 1 2.i,i,3,&c.And as for thofe railing Teproacbes,diftruftfull difgraces,and virulent upbraidings for venue and uprightneflfe lake, they aTC but as Co many radiant and refulgent pcarles,and garnishing gemms faftly joy ned and firmly fixed, toourim- mortall cro wne of joy and glory.

T

The ChriM*** Hrefl-ptet.

He fccond peece of armour you fouldiers of Chrift mutt buckle about you and keepe faft, is, the breft-plate of TighteoufncfTe , or a brcft-plate which is righteoufneflc, that is , a ftudy and endeavour to keepe a good confei- «ncc, and to lead a holy and upright life, in thegenerall calling of Chriitianity , and in your particular vocations This is not rightsouf iclfe of imputation which is by faith: but of imitation, an excellent fruit flowing from the former, confiding in godlineflfe towards God, innocency of private life/neighbourly love, and a faithfull performance of particu- lar duties of perfonall callings.

O hjtS. Say not beloved brethren, that this righteoufneflTe of imita- ^

Anfn. tionis needlefle, where that of imputation is enjoyed ; This

beingancceffary inevitable path-way, wherein we muftcon- ftantly w-alktoattainceternallfalvation, £*£.?. 7?. 1 Cor. 6* 9* ^Cf *"r*£b*eow per fox, &c. Thisbeing necerfar y to teftifie our obedience, to witnefle our thank ful neflfe, to evidence our juftification and election, to manifdt our faith, and maintaine our caufc againft contradi&ers cavills : as that is need- full to apply the righteoufneflTe of Chrift, and fupportour felves againft our manifold imperfedions , defections and wants.

QijiQ. Say not beloved brethren, that this ri^hteoufnefle is no-

thing worth , all our things being but loflfe, and dung , Tktl.

v4*fa 3* 3- and our righteoufneflc as filthy rags, 1ft. 64. 6 For

though in it felfe it is defective and oppofed to Chrifts rightGoufheffe, it is but lone : Yet as it is a heavenly

workc

Sic t.J. fheChriftUnCtoflilt. it

worke of Gods holy and blefled Spirit, as it procccdeth from a regenerate heart purified by a lively filth , and as its imperfections are covered with Christs perfect righteoufneflfe, itpleafeth the Lord, and profits the Pro- fe flour.

Say not my beloved brethren , that a man may bee too juft or righteous, Ecclcfiaftcs 7. it. Bee not righteem _*. ver mush : Which words may fceme at the firft fight to bee

A needkfle perfwafion, in regard of mens curfed cor- rupt nature, neither prone nor apt to wifedome and ju- ftice. A- caufeleffe admonition, righteous men being geafon,?™*

up * ''itleffe exhortation in regard of wife mens judgements, who fo highly commend thofe vertucs of wifdome and righ- teoufneffe.

A gracelcfle and godlefle kind of perfwafion or precept in regard of the counfell of the Holy Ghoft,which fo oft and ear- neftly exhorts, perfwades, and provokes men to the ftudy and praclife ofwildome and righteoufnefle.

Yea fbme ftrange paradox of a Heathen Philofopher, rather than a parable of a holy and heavenly Preacher.

Yet in truth the words containe a double dchortation, from a double extremity, in a double venue inforcedby a double reafon drawne from a double danger, or difcommodity de- pending upon the forclaid extremities*

There is a double rigbteoufhefle or juftice.

Firft, Theologicall or celeftia11,which is alio

1. Active, wrought or infufed into us, called in the lan- guage of holy Writ

1 . The juftice or righteoufnefle of God,becaufe he reveals it and imputes it, Rom. 3.21,22. Bmt now the righteonf- nejfeofQod.

2. The righteoulnefle of Chrift,becaufe he hath merited or defer ved-ir.

5. The righteoolhefle of faith, becaufe faith apprehendeth

if.

12 '-* 0* cmpun conjua. ^ h a p .7.

ft, andapplycthk tQthc finfull fouleof fuch as fliallbc faved. %. Paffive, a) together freely befto wed upon us, which is called inherent, and ftiled in the Scripture the righteoufnefle of man, of workes, of the law. Both thefe kinds meeting in' one man , are fame times implied in , and fignifted by one word , the fame which is here ufed. Thus was Noah a j'uft man, Gtwf.6. lob, Chap. 1 . 8. Ztchariah and EH^ahetb ,L*^. I . Iofepby MAtth. 1 . were juft men. And in this ienfe a juflr man, a righteous man, a religious maa, a godly and fauhfull man are all one.

Secondly, Civill or political], which only is not here under- flood, but both kinds probably joy ntly .

1. The words being general!, and generally underftoocT 1 they comprehend the fpeciall. „\\

a. Becaufe piety is the ground of all good policy, celeftiall » the mother of civill jufticc.

3* Becaufe Salome* doth oft confound precepts of piety and policy.

4* Becaufe the beginning of that wifdome which Sa~ hmon commends unto us in all his bookes, is the feare of God.

Therefore thofe words are to be underflood of that righte- oufneffe alfo which reachetb to religion.

But if fo : How agree thefe words with Salomons wif* dome els where ? Exhorting, perl wading, and earneftly pro- voking all men to a continuall and careful! ftudy of wifdome and juft ice ?

Is Salomon contrary to bimfelfe ? Doth hee contradict the whole courie of Scripture ? For who is hee among the Prophets or Apoftles, Fathers or Philofophers , that doth not exhort to a contrary courfe ? To grow and. in- creafe, to ftudie and, ftrive for perfection, both in know- ledge and practice of honefty, piety, and godlineffe ? Anf*. Salomon neither croftetb others nor co ntradids himfelfe in

this place : For, here he diffivades

Not from the practice of piety ,nor yet of jufticc and equity,

but

OijeS.

S e c t . j. The Chrifthn C*vfli&* &$

but from the vaine perfwafion of them.

Not from the love and liking of the feme, bat onely from the vaine opinion.

Not from the inward defire nor outward endeavour to attainc this vertue, but onely from the deceiptfull conceipt of it.

Not from the practice of righteoufnefle , but from pri3e ii it.

Not from the care, but conceipt of it.

Not from travailing for, but from trotting in it.

Not from found wifdome or juftice, but from feeming wifdome , and a feeming (hew of juftice that is fained and falfe, 7*7.9.23.

Not that any felfe-wifedome can bee counted too lit- tle, or any feeming juftice not over-much. For, felfe* wifedome and feeming juftice have no meane , but arc themfclves the extreames of true and found wildome and juftice.

Firft, Some are righteous or religious neither in fhewnot fubftance, but onely in name, as vile Belials and prophane un* godly men.

Secondly , Some in fhew, not in deed, as hollow-hearted halting hypocrites, who are ufually too juft , being ftticl in a righteoufnefle they frame and make to themfelves , not grounded on Gods Word , cJW^^# 7, 4 counting fiich things to be finne , which by Gods law arc not made finne, being cenforious bufie-bodies without -juft ground or war- rant.

Thirdly, Some are righteous or religiow in deed, not in (hew, as weake believers.

Fourthly, Some both in (lie wand fubftance, asalKincere- bearted and open Profeff urs. Thefe can never bee too fuft ; For, in true righteoufnefle no man can be over- juft , that it, :oo ftrift in avoid Ittg finne, all being damnib'e and deadly : yr-k\ performing ?ny{>oundenduty, he being to y>ive anac- irountofthemall. Say not therefore (I fay) a man may be tcfo juft or righteous:

G 2 For,

94 Tw Chrsjtian Cwfta. <~h af .7.

For, although in palpably prophane perforw , there is-too little righteoufneffc or juftice,too much in Pharifees, Brow- nifls and Papifts : yet they who go along by the Word of God , and hold clofe to it , the rule of righteoufnefle, cannot be over-juft , or over-righteeus. And although fcwpmUm ftper/fiiioniluMar, 7.2. (jl^inghjpocrifieyCM(Hth^. 3,4, %• And blind prcpofterotu z,e*hy Rom. 1 0.2. are too much juftice, by which men are too religious : yet in the found aiid fnffici- ent praclice of piety, obferving to do all the commandements ofthe Lord, *!><?**. 6*2 5. fearing God and keeping his com- mandements, Ecclef.x 2.1 3 . Following the Lords direction in his Word, kJMica%6&.

No man can be too juft , becaufe none can be too much truly religious.

1. You honourable and venerable Magiftrates, the Lord Iehovahs and his Lievetenants, our dread Soveraignes De- puties.

1 . Do not you by impunity encourage wicked men to mif- cbiefe , for thus doing , you not onely incite to iniquity, but alfo make the Land guilty of (inne, and the inhabitants li- able to Gods judgements, D^/jp.10, :©. 1 King, to ^ tfm' 3.5.31,32,23,34.

2. Doe not you (likethafe corrupt govemours of Ifrael, 1 Kings %i . and prophaue perplexed P*Utey hhn 9. 1 o, 1 1 .y fit in judgement upon the righteous, and give fentence of condemnation againft the innocent : For , fo doing , you finne againft charity , which bclicveth all things. Againft juftice , which would have the good preferved and prote- cted. Againft the common- wealth, each good man being a common good. And againft God ,. fuch being the apple of his eye, Zacb.t. &

3 . Doe not you by fuborning, fupporting-, or fettingothcrs on worke> harme the guiltleffe : For, fo doing, your felvcs. fiaould be chicfe actors and. agents, As David flew Vri- *h with the fword of the children of sstimmon, tSam.12. 9,10. 1 1.1 j.

4. Do not you fuffcr others to condemne or kill, to harme

or

5ect.$. TheCbriJtidnCtnJiitl. S5

or hurt the harmelefle innocent, it being in yoor precinct and power to patronize and protect, to favc and i uccotir them, for fo doing you are?ccefTariesatkafr,E*^.2I.20. Det'.n* 8. Ithlf I2,l3,I7.7>r#t;.24.if,i2.

y Doe not by inhumanitie and crueltie oppreffe thein- feriour helpelefTe men. For fo doing , you will fill your hands with bJoud, //*. 1. 15. Swallow up the needy, Ames $4.7. Eat up people like bread, PyW.14 4.5? 4. Andpw)- cure many bitter pitteous cries to God and men againft you, JMr.j i.ti.13.

But doe you deale juftly and uprightly in your jurif- di&ior*.

Loving TJghteoumcfle and hating iniquity, Excd. i?. ir^

Having your eares open to the crie of the poqre, Tr** verbs 1 1.8,9.

Regarding their caufe although they cry no:, Pre. 31.8.

Giving fentence according to truth and equity.

Executing judgement according to truth given.

That fo you may imitate the Lord Iebovah, whofe perfon you reprefent.

That fo you may follow your pious fore-runrers, Luke 1 3. 50. and teftifie your fincere obedience to Gods fcveraignc commandements, Z*cbt$.i6.

a. You fathers begetting, i^r.4.14. Mothers travailing ffi birth,(7rf/4. 1 9. And Nurfes,2 Tbef.i. Feeding fbulcs toe- ternall life : You Shepbeards to draw waters out of the Wels of falvation, not for beafts, but men : not for bodies , but for foulesrnotforfinners, but for Saints. You AmbafTadours of the Lord of glory, co-workers with, and labourers for God : Airgds oftl e Churches, fait of the earth; lights of the world; andmenofGod. Let us not cither

1. By pining, caudng Gods people to be cut off and de- ftroyed for lack of knowledge, W^.4.6.

2 . By pernicious poyfoninq, departing out of the way , caufing many to Humble at the law, corrupting the covenant of Lcvi9t3M*/.%.$. Teaching exorbitant crrours forfacred

G 3 truths,

j. rsy v»r/r»i»rMw vvvi»w*i

truths. Mixing and mingling the dreggy lees of our owne droffic devices,vamidfl: the delicate divine doctrine of the om^ nipotent, omnifcient,unchangeable Iehovah.

Like thofe corrupt gloflers, who taught as truth that {Wea- ring by the Temple was nothing, by the gold thereof a great offence, 444M.3.18.

3. By XlothfulL negligence, occafioning the keene and glit- ter ingfword of divine difpleafure to fweepe away obftinatc offenders inieir iniquities. And }u(lly jncenfing the incom- prehenfible Iehovah to require their bloud at our (his watch- mens) hands, Ez-el^ 33 d>

4. By over- lading our faint and feeble brethren with theo* netous burdens of unneceflary things, thereby incurring the inevitable woe of the Lord Ieius, Luke 1 1 .46. And the (harp check and controll of that ancient Primitive Apoftolicall Sy- nod, Atts 15.10.28.

5. By corrupt contagious counfell and evill example,(tun> hling, fcandalizing or weakening our brethren,, Rom. 14,21. J7*/.2.I$.

1 . But let us imitating the Lords holy Prophets, iS*m 1 24 l£, 2?. His well-beloved bletfed Sonne that great and faith- full {hephcard, 7<j/m 7. And his pious Apsftles, zTim.*.i\ Fr*j without effing for the Lords people.

2i Let us obeying thofe facred injunctions fo frequently inculcated in £cred Writ, Feed my Umbis^ Feedmyjbeep% PrcAoh in feafo* , And out ef feafon. That is, preach on limes fet and appointed : When people are willing and forward to heare ;■ and when occafion is offered, this be* ing in feafon. Yea out of feafon, namely, at times-extra- ordinary, or when people are backward to heare. For, their backwardneffe cannot excufe our negligence. Our labour is with God though lolt with men, 7/^.40. 14. We reuft fpeake although they will not heare , E^ek^. 2. 5. That we may magnifie the riches of Gods mercies, juftifie bis righ- teous judgements, leave them without excufe, Ez,ekfi. 5 • and fave our owne foules.

3. Let us becarefullof the falvation of all and everyone

that

Sect. J. TheChtiftUnCdnflttt. 0*7

that is committed- to our charge. Being careful! tokeepeour felvei free from thebloud ofall men, AUt 20. 26. Namely of all with whom we (land charged, to whom we are fent, and amongft whom we come , keeping back nothing, either Pre- cept or Law, Promife or .Gofpell : either words of inftrutti- on,exhortation, admonition,comminatiop, confolation, or no- thingvvhich is ncceflary or profitable to ialvation : But (hew- ing unto them all thecounleil of God, namely, his revealed will in his Word, truly ,foundly and fufficiently,although wC cannot wholly, throughly, and perfectly .

4. Let us be examplestq bur flocks, in word, in converfatH on, in charity ,&c. 1 Tim.q.u. That they maybe followers of us, and we of Chrift, t Cor. 1 1 . 1 .

3, Yea let every particular Chriftian in his feverall cal- lingjfaithfully performethc duties thereof.

That fo both they, we, and you may ferve God , not one- ly in the generall calling of Chriftianity , endeavour- ing therein to live uprightly, walking in the righteous fta- rutes of God, But alfo in refpecl: of our particular functions, Rom. 1.9. Doing the duties of our perfonall callings to the glory of God, and the good of his people fn Church and com- mon-wealth.

That fb we may notonelybe free from the Divels, (for he armes his fouldiers with oppreffion , cruelty , deceipt, falfe weights and meafures ufually , &c ) but alfo weare Gods breft-plate , which is love , mercy , godly and faith- full dealing to our brethren with a good confidence , as l*cob towards Lab an, Cjencf. 31. 37. And Samuel, 1 Sam. 1 7. 7. Zachnry arid £tiz*btthy Luke 1 .6. lob 3 1 . And Paul who endeavoured to keepe a good confcience towards God and all men, A&t a 4. 1 6*.

Pur therefore this armour into your breads, that is, your hearts, that fo your hearts being upright, they may teach our eyes to fee, our eares to heare, our tongues to fpeake, our feet to go,our hands to labour, and all according to righteoufnefle in the fight of God and man.

That by abftaining from all evil! , and doing aright every Al$u

<} 4 good

88 The Chnpda Confliff. Ch a p .7.

good duty, the two effentiall parts of this breaft-plate of righ- teoufnefic.

1 . Our mighty Lord and dread Soveraigne Iehovah;whofe fouldiers we are, and whom we fervc, may be honoured,

t . We may beautifie and adorne out noble Chrittian pro- feflion thereby.

1 . Winning even wkked ones, who as yet are without* 1 P*t.$* 1.

1, Strengthening and confirming thofe our brethren which ftand,r Tbefit6yj.

%. Procuring a good name in Gods Church while wee live, 3 £#r. 8, 1 8' And a blefled memoiie after death, Prav. IQ. 7.

4. Stopping the mouthes of barking Bclials, making themaftiamcdtofpeakeeviil of us, 1 TV*. 3*1 d,

j. We may be affured of our erT:duall calling and fpiritu- all adoptions Uh.t. 2p.and alccrtained oi our eternal! electi- on and falvation,2 Pet, 1 . 1 o.

4. And prefei ved from being mortally wounded by fin :. for' where the brealt-platc is well put on, fin harh no power to kill downerightj this being as contrary to fin, as water ts.tar fire*

S £ c T. 4

Tbt ChrifttAHs (hoot*. Their {boots, what they areytttdhMBpfttM,

T He third piece of this armour is the preparation of the Golpell wherewith you muft have your feet (hod. The feet of the body its loweft members the organs and in- firuments of motion of fupporting the lame,, carying it from place to place, being fafe kept and guided, uphold the body, paffing through or over many rough or ragged waies, hard aadhajftipaffages. Whereas if theic are maimed, naked or

un-

•7 £ C T » ? • IOC L>t7Tl]ll** C OnjllCTi % $

unfcnced (although the other parts have fufficient furniture} roan marcheth forward efpecfally if through thorny and crag.- gic paths ,and againft the keene and glittering, the (narpe and piercing {words, fpeares and pikes ofin raged foes, limpingly, fearfully, uncomfortably, and dangeroufly defperately.Hcnce is it that we all are carefull enough to fence and guard our feet aid leggs with £hooes,bootes, and other fuch commodi- ous defences, againft fuch miferiesand inconveniences, btirts and incumbrances thofe members (and in regard of them our bodies) arc incident and liable unto. And martiall men (as. we fee in Goliab, i Sam. 1 7 6) rhey have their leg-harrefle to faregiiard and protect their leggs, and feet from hurts and wounds, leaft thefe being battered and broken, harmed and hurt, and able toftand no longer themfelves fhould dangerou- fly pcrilK

Tha will,aflR:clior,s,dcfires, cares and endeavours of the foulc (its feer,thefe being the beginning of our actions as feet arc the infttuments of motion : thefecarying carmindes up and downe as reet do our bodies) are to be looked unto>when we goe into the houfe of the Lord, Ecclcf. 5 . 1. We are to pon- der the path* of thefe our feet and remote them from evill,. Pr#.4 1^,27. To make Gods Word a light and lampe un:o thefe our feer,P/<i/. 119.105.. To defire the Lord to uphold our going in his paths that thefe footfteps do not flip, Tyi/. \nm 5. And to have them (hod with the preparation of the Go- fpell of peace. That like as fhooes defend and cover our feet fromthorrcs, cold, and other injurious hurts and hinderan- ccs to which they are fubjeel, and make them more apt and able to travaile fafely and fecurely in the way. So the Gofpell of peace armeth and prepareth the feet^or affections of a Chri- ftian fbuldier, to paffe undauntedly through the manifold, ftiarpe dangers and difficulties of the way : defending them, from the hcllim rage and malice ofS3than and his cruell com*. plices,and guiding them in the happy and heavenly journey t o> the kingdome of God.

Wh*t though many careleflc Chriftians want this weapon being naked and barefoot, or too flenderly flaod to endure

90 ThcCbrtJtunConpta. k^kkv.J.

and abide all the galling girds, and bitter brants of Sathan* fide?

What though many arc fhodby the Divell with his iliooes, fc. a preparation againft the Gofj^ell, to afflid Gods Church, . punim his children, persecute his fervants, fpeake evill of them and (lander the Gofpell ?

Tet letusthefouldkrsof Chrift be carefull that our feet •may be ftedfaft and fafe ; for if cur legs be wearied and woun- ded, brufed and beaten, we cannot goe a fouldiers pace, nor iighttbe Chriftian warfare. Profeffc we therefore tbeGo-* ipellofGodfothat if God call us to mifery, to death, we may be prepared to goe, and fuffer rebukes and taunts, death and diftrcfles, any thing all things for the Gofpclls fake. Or be we (hod with the preparation of the Gofpell of peace ; fa called. Becaufe it worketh atonement with God : peace with our brethren,and with our owne confcicnces. Called the pre- paradon,not onely becaufe it prepares and makes us ready for the comming of Chrift; butaifo becaufe it prepareth us to fuffer all adverfity and trouble for the Gofpell. Mttive i . Is it neceffary O you fouldiers of Cbrift to perfwadc you

to be (hod with the preparation of the Gofpell of peace ? Sure lam each rcafonable man knowing the feet to be naturally (b nice and tender that if we goe abroad barefoot (lones will hurt them, thornes will pricke them : and perceiving the ne- ceflary ufe of (hooes to cover andkeepe our feet from fuch like incommodious inconveniences, is carefull to have thefe members well fortified, fenced and food, that he may goe on with boldnefle and courage wbatfbeverthe way be. And (hall not every fouldier of Chrift being to pane through a very hard, har(h,and rough way, full of difgracefull reproches; troublefome taunts , variety of vexations, terrible temptations: many times full of perfections by tortures and torments,lofle of good'?, lives and liberties, and all forts of afflictions, more harfh and grievous to a naked heart and foule, then thornes and thiftles, briars and brambles to bare and unguarded feet: bea9carefulltohavehi9 foule well armed, and fenced with tfie preparation ofthe (SofpcH of peace ( withoot which there

is

S e c t;$.. The chrijlisn Conflift. p x

is no poffibility of going on, much lefTe ofholding out in that way) that fo he may not onely dare to adventure into, but al° fo endure to hold out in this way fo hard and harfh, paffing with undaunted courage through all the tempeftuous, and ter- rible troubles, of this malicious and maligning world ?

Thus armed andfhod, the Lords valiant Worthies in all ages have pa fled through the piercing pikes of the aioft outra- gious oppofing occurrences, of their many and maligning ene- mies, not daunted with nor dreading, but c^uragioufly endu- ring, the bitter blafts and brunts of (comes and fcourges, of bonds and prifonments, of fire and faggots, and innumerable fundry kindes of crofTes,to which from time to time they have bcene brought.

a. As the waatoffhooes in fuch places where they arc of neceflary and important ufe, and maybe had is (hamefull and nnfeemely 2 And as cleancand decent fhooes fit for our feer, and thereto clofely tyed, are an ornamenr,decking vnd ador- ning our bodies ; So (as the Laodicean Church being poorer blinde,and naked, was wretched and miferable,/?*?!/.}, 17.) it is a fhamefull and fordid thing, for us Chriftian fbuldiers who havefalong and with fuch liberty enjoyed the Gofpell, not to be food with the preparation ofxbe Gofpelkrf peace. Where- as thefcfpirituallfeooesdeckebeautifie and adorne our fteps and goings, making our waiesand vvorkes feemely and right* Cant. 7. 1.

Thattherefore we may be alwaies really and readily 'pre- pared and protected againft ail the forehand feverall kindes of troubles and temptations.

1. Sothat they never flnde us unfitted and unfurni/hed,/rf 3.25.

2. So that we be not difmayed with their dread, nor over- whelmed with their weight,! CV.4. 8,9.

3 . So that we be not degraded nor difcorrtfifed in the irridfi: and mod of them,buc more then conquerors in all thefc things,

4. So. that our confolations may abound by Chriftas the fuffc rings of C hr ift abound in us, 2 Cor. 1 . $ .

J. So

f% The Chifthn Conflict. Ctf av .7.

5 . So that we may be (lengthened and enabled to che arc up and confolate others groaning under like burdenfbmc *prefllires,2 £>. 1.4,6.

K So that' wee may ftand out to the end to fight a good: fi^hr,to finifh our courfe and obtai-ie thecrowne of rightcoliS nefle, 2 Ti m> 4 7,8. Let us be ca re fill 1 to have our feet flhed yA h the preparation of the Gofpell of peace.

Sect, j.

The Christians fhield.

■

Their (hicldyits excsihKcyi*ieceffity% and thsir duty com* cermvg the fame.

THe fourth piece of the armour of righteoufnefle, is tbc ih'e\d of taith. A (nield is a defenfive inftrument of war, *o award and keepe off the blowes of an enemy, having a fburefoldufe ; namely, 1. To receive andbearc blowes and frrokes. 1. To beate backe darts, arrowes, flones, and bullets, &c. $ To breakc die force of fwords, halberds,<£r. 4. To . cover,fave and fhadow the whole body.

Thus «ood Mag Urates a re fliields (Pfaf.47.9. The fhields of the earth belong unto God) being inftruments offafety and defence to the good. Thus God is a fhield (<7**.i?.i. lam th) buiktr. Pf*f.l% t.The Lord fe my Irmckjer) to thofc which tru'ft in him, Pfal. 1 8 3 o. Thus is faith a fhield bearing off and beatiigback the fierce temptations ofSjthan, as carrtallc3nfi- dence, prefumptuous (ecurity,diftruftfull infidelity ,and other fierce darts of the world, the flcfli and the divell.

I having formerly fpoken unto j 0:1 of this mod neceflary, profitable and comfortable, of this firft and mother grace of graces, moft of all fetting forth Gods glory, acknowledging his wifedome, truth, power, holineflfe, juftice and mercy, in another difcourfe, namely of the fociety of Saints, much I will not, yet fome things I muft needs fpeake of this capital} grace and head yfirtuc.

Firft,

S e c t . 5 • The chrijtian Ctrtflilf* $$

Firft, ^Although many prophage pcrfons and popiflify perfwaded thinke and fay, that fo much preaching and lear- ning of faith is a let and hinderance to good workcs, making men carelefle of piety and charity. Little confidenng rhe certainty of that irreprehenfible divine truth, Ucb+ \i.6. With- out fsitb it is if»p6Jft'*U to fUafe God, For

i . Ypon whom Gods wrath abideth, they cannot pleafe God.

But Gods wrath abides upon al 1 raif-belee vers, hb. 3.35. 2. Without Chrift it i$ impoffible to pleafe God. But without faith no man can have Chrift, Epbff.$* 13. 17.

3 . Without Gods fpirit it is impoffible to pleafe God. But without faith no man can have Gods fpirit, G*l.

4. Without the root there can be no fruit.

But faith h the root of all acceptable obedience, Heb. 11. 4.

5. They who are in the (late of reprobates cannot pleafe God.

But all that have not faith are in that ftate, 2 Cor. 1 3 . 5 .

6. They who are dead in trefpaffcs and nxs cannot pleafe God.

But all who want faith are dead in trefpafles andfinnes, Epkef.i.iyZ.

7. Thofe wbofe confeiencet are defiled cannot pleafe God.

But all who want faith even their confeiences are defiled, Tit.l 15.

Secondly 9*s4lthougb godlefle A theifts conceive faith to be fbmefained fi&ien,or forneunneceflary thing, for difcourfe and difputation onely, little con fiderin^ That it ismoft preci- ous and excellent, 2 'Pet, 1. 1 .

1. /* the account and eft imate of the raoft wife un-erring md oranifcient Lord Iehovah, with whom faid. finds favour, M*t.% sg. 15.18.

a. IjithceiUmationand judgement of the fanclified and

ilkmi-

94 The Chrifttirt CQ*fttft* Chap .7.

illuminated people of God affirming,and profefllng that faith is more pretious then gold, 1 Pet,i.y.

3. In regard of the giver, and doner, God himfelfe, ?&/,

I. 20.

4. In regard of the worker, Gods facred and holy Spirit, ?. In regard of the inftrumentall meanes whereby it is

wrought, the Word of God>Rom.io 14. this being amoft precious and excellent thing.

1 . Containing in it mod pure, and precious promifes, Heb.%%6.*

2. Being compared to things mod excellent and eminent, namely

A rich treafure,and pretious pearle, UWaf . 1 3 .44,4?. An heritage, and thoufands of gold and filver,?/i/.iip. 1 1 1.72.

6. In regard of the object, Chrift Iefus himfelfe bleflcd for cver,vY#.i<5.3i.

7. In regard of the ground of faith, the promifes in the Gofpell ; whichpromifesareofthegreateftbleffings, 2 Cor. 6.i<*,i 8 1 77*14.8. 27V/W.4.8. And the fureft promifes tha * ca n be made, 2 Car. 1 . 2 o . Heb. 10.23.

8. In regard of the ufe and end thereof, the fakation ofour fbules,j Pet. 1.9.

Thirdly, +A It bongh fottifh,and fecure ignoTant peoplc,and loofe,licentious,and lewd loflels content themfelves with that