Panoplia. Universa arma. Hieron. Or, The Christian compleatly armed

LECT. XII. Decemb. 26. 1649.

(4.) HE that leades a life truly righ∣teous, * 1.1 desires and endeavours every day to be more righteous. He is one, whose care is to cleanse himself from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1. This Character the Holy Ghost gives of the righteous man, Rev. 22. 11. He that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. The particle [Still] denotes not onely continuance, but pro∣gress in holiness. He desires not onely to bring forth the fruits of righteousness, but to be filled with the fruits of righteousness, and to abound more and more: he doth desire daily to put off the old man, and to put on the new man, which (af∣ter God) is created in righteousness and true holi∣ness, Ephes. 4. 22, 24.

First, he seeth the vileness and odiousness of sinne, and therefore would have it further

mortified: he seeth the excellency and beauty of holiness, and therefore he would have it in∣creased: and, to this purpose, desires to make conscionable use of all meanes of Mortificati∣on and Renovation.

Secondly, he seeth what a little measure of holiness it is, which he hath yet attained unto, and this makes him mend his pace.

(5.) The righteous man is one who workes righ∣teousness in all times. Not onely when it is gainful, but even then when it is dangerous and prejudicial. This is David's character of him∣self, Psal. 119. 20. My soul breaketh for the long∣ing i•• hath to thy judgments at all times. And this is that character which he makes of others, Psal. 106. 3. Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doth righteousness at all times. A righteous person will do righteously not only when he may be rewarded, but also when he is sure he shall be persecuted for righteousnesse sake. He can distinguish between fas and ne∣fas, when the generation, wherein he lives, is wholly devoted to wickedness. This is the cha∣racter of Noahs righteousness, Gen. 7. 1. You have a description of that Generation, Chap. 6. 5. In this Generation Noah kept his righteous∣ness.

This the Apostle exhorts the Philippians, Phil. 2. 15. That ye may be harmless and blameless, &c. in the middest of a crooked and perverse gene∣ration.

Yea, a righteous man in such a generation, by a spiritual kind of Antiperistasis, endeavors to walk more righteously. For,

(1.) Times and Ages, Men and Custome, are not the guide of his Life, but Conscience rightly informed by the Word of God.

(2.) The more loose his generation is, the more necessity he sees lying upon himself to practise Holiness, both to keep it up in the world, and to confute the want of it in other men. If he live in a Covenant-breaking, and Covenant-denying, and Covenant-forswear∣ing generation, he sees that he hath the more reason to walk in Covenant maintaining, and Covenant keeping, &c.

(6) The righteous person is one who doth in his heart bewail the unrighteous practices of other men. This is the Evidence of Lots righteous∣ness: vid. 2 Pet. 2. 8. That righteous man dwel∣ling among them, in seeing, and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their un∣lawful deeds. Thus also did the Holy men in Jerusalem, in a time of wickedness, Ezek. 9. The sins, which were a sport to others, were a sad grief to their soules. When others were sing∣ing to their idols, they were sorrowing for that mirth: they did not onely murmure against their sins, but they did mourn for them, and that with sighing and tears.

1. A righteous man knowes both the fil∣thiness of sinne, and the mischiefe of sinne.

2. A righteous person hath fervent love to God, and hearty Affection to the soules of men: this makes him mourn for the sins he cannot mend.

(7) The righteous person is one who is gladly willing to be told of any act of unrighteousness. He is sorry to do unrighteously; but not sorry to be told of his unrighteous Doing. He will thank God for making any an Instrument of reproving, and he will honour and love the In∣strument for his faithfull admonition. He will not like Ahab imprison a Micajah, nor yet with Herod cut off the head of a faithfull Re∣prover; but will be pleased with the discovery of sinne, though from an enemy. Famous and renowned is the example of David for this, 1 Sam. 25. 32, 33. He had received an unwor∣thy affront from a man to whom he had shew∣ed much kindness, ver. 15, 16. The men were very good to us, neither missed we any thing as long as we were conversant with them in the field, &c.

And now he was upon his march in the heat of blood to avenge that wrong: It was but a woman who came to meet him, and one who was so neerly related to Nabal, that what she said, might be rendred suspected; and yet be∣cause

she spake both Reason and Religion, Da∣vid was convinced of his sinne, blessed God, and blesseth her, retreats from his march; yea, his soul was so knit to Abigail for her faithful ad∣vice, that as soon as her husband was dead, he took her to wife, & she was ever after precious in his sight. Solomon maks this a distinctive note between the godly wise, and the wicked: the one loves sinne, but hates rebuke: the other loves rebuke, but hates sinne, Prov. 9. 8. A faithful Reprover, is as a Looking-glass, where∣in our spots are seen; and he that loves to be clean, hates no Looking-glass, unless it be a false one, that makes him fairer then he is. A faithful Rebuker is as a Physician to the soul, he comes to lance, but it is in order to a cure: no man that loves to live, hates the Physician, unless he be in a distemper; but honours him, and bids him welcome. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; let him reprove me, it shall be a precious oyl, which shall not break my head: so the righteous person thinketh, and so he speaketh, Psal. 141. 5. A righteous person is as willing to have his sinne discovered, as his graces; and as willing to be smitten for his sinne, as encouraged for well-doing. He loves a plain-dealing Ministry, that will tell him of his sinne without flattery: he would not have bitter put for sweet, or sweet for bitter.

Secondly, wherein the usefulness of this Breast-plate stands, as to the resisting of Temp∣tation.

I shal shew you this in these three Par∣ticulars, viz.

(1) Righteousness gives boldness and courage to the soul in the day of Temptation. Resolution of spirit is of very great advantage to a soul∣dier: If the heart be faint, the hands tremble. When the people of Israel went out to War against their enemies, God gave this Law a∣mongst others, that the Officers should make a Proclamation in the head of the Army, That whosoever was fearfull and faint-hearted, should go and return to his house, lest his Bre∣threns heart faint as well as his, Deut. 20. 8. Cowardliness doth give a very great advantage to the enemy. Now Righteousness, and In∣nocency of life, makes the soul valiant. Hic murus aheneus esto, Nil conscire sibi nullâ palles∣cere culpâ. Innocency of life, is the best Cor∣dial to remove tremblings from the soul. Pro: 28. 1. The wicked flee, when no man pursueth; but the Righteous are bold as a Lyon. The word is, as a young Lyon, in the Hebrew: Of all Beasts, the Lyon is most valiant; he is the King of Beasts; and of all Lyons, the young Lyon is most valiant, in regard of the abundance of na∣turall heat which is in him. Righteousnesse gives a Lyon-like boldness to the soul in the day of Temptation: guilt makes the heart melt. Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth, &c. And it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me, Gen.

4. 14. Carnificem fuum gerebat; his Conscience was his Tormenter, and the guilt of his sinne did so infeeble his spirits, that though there was not then a man living besides his Father, yet he thought he should be taken away by a violent death.

Now the ground of the courage arising from Righteousness, is, not from the merit of Righ∣teousness; for, in respect of Merit, all our Righteousnesses are as a filthy rag, Isa 64. 6. But, upon these considerations, it makes the soul valiant, in that (1.) It pacifieth the Con∣science, by giving us an evidence of our Justifi∣cation, and of the acceptance of our persons, through grace, in the sight of God. Holinesse, and Righteousnesse, is an Argument that we are the redeemed Ones of Jesus Christ, Luke 1. 74, 75. Righteousness of Conversation, gives the soul an evidence of its election, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Departing from Iniquity, is a testimony that a person is sealed up for salvation, and e∣ternal life: vid. 1. Ioh. 3. 9, 10. (2.) It gives courage, in that it lets a soul see that it hath a right to all the Promises. All the Promises are made to righteous walking: Promises of Support, Promises of perseverance, Promises of deliverance; Righteousness gives the soul a propriety in all these, and so makes it valiant: See but that one Promise, 1 Ioh. 5. 18. that is a Promise of security against Satan.

He shall not touch him, that is, not with a de∣structive Touch; he shall not draw him into that sin which is unto death; he shall not fi∣nally overcome him, &c. This Promise is made to every one that is born of God; and who∣soever is born of God, doth righteously, as he is righteous: the righteous man, and the rege∣nerate, are all one.

(2.) Righteousness makes the soul strong, as well as valiant. Strength and Power is of very great use to a souldier in the day of battel: it makes him able both to defend himself, and to offend his enemy. Now Righteousness, and Holiness, strengthens a Christian two ways.

First, In that it doth demolish and destroy that which makes the soul weak. Sin is the weakness and infirmity of the soul: it is the Devils great strength, and that which gives him all the advantage he hath against the soul: Our sins, are Satans Armour, that wherein he tru∣steth, and with which he fighteth against us: if he did not find assistance within us, he could not do us any mischief by that which is with∣out us. The Prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me, Joh. 14. 30. and because he had nothing in him, he could do nothing a∣gainst him. Our sinnes are the Devils strong Holds, in which he fights against us. Now Righteousness doth expell sinne, as the Light expelleth the darkness: It doth cast down these strong Holds; it doth dissolve the works

of the Devil, and taketh from him that Armor wherein he trusteth and so gives us strength.

Secondly, It strengthens the soul, in that it brings with it all strength. Wheresoever Righ∣teousness is, there is God, and there is Christ, and there's the Spirit; the Spirit of Might, and the Spirit of Power. 'Tis true, Righteous∣ness is not either in the heart, or in the life, till God have wrought it. Righteousness doth not bring God, but God brings Righteousness unto the soul: but when God hath wrought this Work, then doth Holiness engage God. Righteousness puts the soul under the shadow of Gods wings, so that whatsoever strength, power and vertue is in God, is engaged for the righteous mans defence. This ye have clearly laid down, Psal. 92. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. It was the great happiness of the Israe∣lites, that the Eternal God was their refuge, Dent. 33. 27. This was their strength in all the battels they fought; and he that walkes holily is under this happiness; Psal. 84. 11.

(3.) Without righteousness of life, no use can be made of any other pieces of this Armour. 1. He cannot gird himself with Truth: Righteous∣ness of life, and truth of heart, are as the tree and fruit, they alwayes go together: he that hath an unholy life, is certainly unholy in heart: the Kings daughter is all glorious within, and her Cloathing of wrought gold, Psal. 45. 13.

2. He cannot put on the shooes of the Go∣spel of peace; for there is no peace to the wicked, saith my God, Esa 57, 21.

3. He cannot put on the Helmet of Sal∣vation. A man who is unholy in life, is desti∣tute of all true hopes of Heaven; for every one that hath this hope purifyeth himself, as God is pure, 1 Joh. 3. 3.

(4.) Nor can he take the Shield of Faith, Faith is alwayes an heart-purifying grace, Act. 15. 9. A wicked life is the consequence of an unbelieving heart.

(5.) Nor can he take the Sword of the Spi∣rit: This sword is not a defending sword, but a wounding sword to an unholy life: every part of Gods Word, is, for the present, against him: the word terrifyeth and condemneth him.

(6.) Nor will Prayer and Supplication do him any good: God hath no ear for the pray∣ers of a wicked man, Psal. 66. 18. yea his pray∣ers are turned into sin, Prov. 28. 9. But now he whose conversation is righteous, can make use of all the other. He can use the girdle; he can, and may draw comforts from the Gospel of peace; he may cover himself with the shield of Faith; the Sword of the Spirit is a defend∣ing Weapon to him, and his prayers are full of virtue and efficacy.

Information. (1) This may apologize for * 1.2 the care and exactness of the servants of God in their endeavours after purity and holinesse

of life. Wicked men are ready to blast, and re∣proach the children of God for their diligence in labouring after purity, because they will not run with others into the same excess of Riot, therefore they speak evill of them, 1 Pet. 4. 4. Let such men consider what followeth, ver. 5. They shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. In the day of judg∣ment it shall appear, that such exactness was not unnecessary: when you shall see such as you have reproached numbred among the Saints; then you will befool your selves, and say, We fooles counted their lives madness, and their end full of reproach, Wisd. 5. init. How are they rec∣koned amongst the sons of God, and have their Inheritance amongst the Saints? You that are now troubled at their holy lives, will be then astonished at their unexpected salvation. The servants of God know the usefulness of holi∣ness here, and the eternal happiness of it in the other world; and you also will in the day of the Lord return and discern between the righte∣ous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not, Mal. 3. 18. Men do not use to blame a souldier that goes to meet a cruel and potent enemy, because he is carefull to provide a strong Breast-plate: they rather blame his rashness and indiscretion, that shall go naked: Righteousness is the onely Breast-plate to keep out Satans arrows, and therefore they are very wise, whatever men think, who

are careful both to provide it, and wear it.

(2.) We need not wonder to see men of dissolute and leud lives, to be so wofully subdued unto the will of Satan, and so unable to resist any temptati∣on. Well saith the Apostle, Eph. 2. 2. That the Prince of the power of the Air, worketh in the chil∣dren of disobedience, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; he doth work effe∣ctually, as the word signifies; he commands, and they obey; he tempts, and they yield; he suggests, and they consent to his suggestions; if he tempt them to swear, to lye, to murther, to commit adultery, they make no resistance, but are carryed captive, by sin, at his Will, 2 Tim. 2. 26. Amongst many other Reasons that might be rendred, the Doctrine gives us one, which is sufficient to stay our wonderment: Their breast lies naked to his arrows, and ther∣fore they cannot but fall; and when they are fallen, they cannot recover. As the Heretick and Hypocrite are overcome for want of the girdle of Truth, so the prophane person is sur∣prized for want of the Breast-plate of Righte∣ousness.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lect. 12.
• * 1.2

  1. Ʋse.