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

EPHES. 6. 15. Having your feet shod, &c. * 1.1

I Observed three things in this verse. 1. The Title or Epithite given to the Gospel, The Gospel of peace. 2. the Armour enjoyned, The prepara∣tion of the Gospel. 3. The part of the body on which this Armour is to be put, The Feet. I have done with the first of these, from whence this lesson was gathered; That the Gospel is a Gospel of peace. I shall now speak to the two other together, Having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel.

Having your feet shod: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The phrase is an allusion to the custom of War∣riours in those times, who when they went forth * 1.2 to war did use boots or legharness, whereby they defended their legs and feet against cold and other things which might lie in their way. It was the manner of Souldiers in those dayes, to stick in the way of their enemy, nails, pikes, and other such things as might offend and wound the legs and feet of the enemy, and so hinder them in their march, and make them retire: to prevent this danger, they used leg Armour, which the Latines called Calligas, the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Goliah, its said, had greaves of brass upon his legs, 1 Sam. 17. 6. To prevent the like inconve∣niences

in this spiritual war, the Apostle would have the Christian Souldier to have his feet, that is, his affections, which are as the feet of the soul, shod with this piece of Armour, which he here cals, the preparation, &c.

With the preparation of the Gospel: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Interpreters are of different opini∣ons about this piece of Armour.

Some understand it to be meant of the know∣ledge of the Gospel: of this opinion is Beza, Sicut 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 milites graeci, caligas milites latini gerebant, ita ad in eundum praelium & vitae istius cursum inter medios hostes tenendum, vult Apo∣stolus ut Evangelii pacis cognitione simus prepa∣rati.

Others understand it of peace of Conscience, Rogers pract. Cat. part. 3. p. 169. So Gualter.

Others understand it of the Gospel it self, making it an allusion to that in Psalm 119. 105. Thy word is a lanthorn to my feet, &c. So Gualter, Tota instituenda vitae ratio ut in Evangelio curra∣mus. Non proprii sequendi Affectus, sed verbum Domini. Vide Bullinger in loc. This I suppose would confound it with that piece of Armour, v. 17. the Word of God.

Others expound it of a readiness to preach the Gospel, making it a parrallel place with that in Isa. 52. 7.

Others expound it of the promises and com∣forts of the Gospel: Downham.

Others expound it of readiness to promote the Gospel: So Estius, Studium Evangelii pro∣pagandi.

Others expound it of patience: D. Gouge.

Others expound it generally of such kind of furniture as the Gospel of peace helps us to. Baynes p. 784.

Now of all these opinions none are contrary to the Analogy of faith, each of them afford use∣ful instructions.

That which I shall pitch upon, as that which I humbly conceive to be nearest the meaning of the Apostle, is this, viz. A firm Resolution to go through with the profession of the Gospel against all impediments and difficulties which may lie in our way. Vide Ʋsh. Cat. p. 334. This I suppose to be his meaning.

1. Because he makes mention of the feet. The feet are the instruments of travelling, journeying is the proper work of the feet, and the shooes up∣on the feet fit you for travel. When Moses would have the people resolved to march out of Egypt, he tels them they must eat the Passover with their loins girded, and their shooes on their feet, Exod. 12. 11. The shooes note, both readiness to depart, and resolution to go on till they came to Canaan, though they should meet with oppo∣sitions and hardships.

2. Because of the word Preparation, which is used in other places for firmness of resolution to go on with the Gospel, notwithstanding all diffi∣culties: Vide Acts 21 13. I am prepared, not onely to be bound, but to die, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 So 1 Pet. 3. 15. speaking of trouble and affliction, saith he, Be not afraid of their terrours, but sanctifie the Lord in your hearts, and be ready to give an an∣swer, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 understanding

it thus, it teacheth us this lesson: viz. That,

He that would overcome the Devil in the day of temptation, must be stedfastly resolved to go through * 1.3 with the profession of the Gospel, notwithstanding all impediments and oppositions which he shall meet with∣all in the world.

In the handling of this Doctrine I shall open these two things.

• 1. That God requires this resolution.
• 2. That this is very necessary for him that would stand in the day of temptation.

1. That God requires that every Christian should have these shooes upon his feet, is expresly taught in the Scriptures: Vide Luke 9. 22, 23, 24. he foretels his own sufferings, and the sufferings which those that profess his Gospel must expect, and then he armes them with this resolution. To take up the cross and to follow him. This is that for which the Angel of the Church of Pergamus is commended, Revel. 2. 13. Thou holdest fast my Name, and hast not denied my faith, &c. This Reso∣lution is that which was in Peter and the rest of the Apostles; Christ tels them, that they should all of them be offended because of him, and they should all be scattered from him, Math. 26. 31. Peter tels him, that for his part he was resolved that though he should die with him, yet he would ne∣ver forsake him or deny him, and all the other Di∣sciples were of the same mind, v. 35. here they had these shooes upon their feet, though they shortly after fell off when the storm came.

2. Wherein the usefulness of this Armour lies, as to the resisting of temptation.

1. These resolutions will exceedingly strengthen the soul in the day of temptation. He that wants these shooes will be weak when Satan sets upon him; whereas he that hath these upon his feet will be bold and valiant. There is not any better bulwark in the day of battel then Resolution of heart before the day of battel. Opposition may come suddenly and violently, but it will not come so terrifyingly upon him that hath armed himself with Resolution to stand it out. Our Saviour sets out this by a double Parable, Luke 14. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. which of you intending to build a Tower, &c. A man will never be able to finish, that doth not resolve to be at the full cost of the building.

2. These Resolutions will weaken and discourage Satan in his Assaults. Where he shall perceive these shooes upon the feet of the soul, he will be much danted and dishartened in his undertakings. When the Rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, the instruments of State, saw the resolvedness of Pe∣ter and John to go on in their way, notwithstan∣ding all their threatnings and persecutions, they were much astonished, saith the Text, Act. 4 13. and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. They thought that there was something more then man in them, which made them so regardless of their power; and this for the present abated their fury, they threatened them and let them go, v. 21. had they seen that they had been bare-footed their carriage would have been more fierce, but seeing them shod with these

shooes, they were glad to be rid of them.

Information. 1. This lets us see why it is, that * 1.4 Apostates and Back-sliders are so easily carried captive by Satan in the day of temptation. They want these shooes upon their feet, and therefore they cannot stand. The Heretick fals into the net of Satan, because he wants the girdle of the Truth of Doctrine. The hypocrite he fals, because he wants the girdle of Sincerity. The prophane per∣son cannot stand, because he wants the breast∣plate: and the Apostate is overcome, because he is without the shooes of the preparation of the Gospel, either he hath no resolution, or no well-grounded resolution. The Apostate is the stony ground, he may hear the Word, and receive it with joy, but when persecution ariseth because of the Word, he is presently offended, Math. 13. 20, 21. if you would be preserved from falling by temptation, you must labour to be preserved from backsliding from profession.

2. This lets us see, that it is a difficult and hard thing to keep the right profession of the Gospel, espe∣cially in times of opposition. It were needless to commend this unto Christians, if it were not an hard work, to go on with it at such a time. They all forsook him and fled, Mar. 14 50. When storms were high, and persecution hot, the Disciples of Christ were offended: he whose profession is but counterfeit will fall off quite, he whose professi∣on is in truth may be offended with Christ and his Gospel. I note this for two reasons. 1. That none might be too confident of themselves: 2. That none be too censorious against those who retreat and shrink in such a time.

3. The excellency of perseverance in the profes∣sion of the Gospel. Its excellency, as in other respects so in this appears clearly, that its a mighty de∣fence in the day of temptation.

4. What cause they have to bless God, who find such Resolutions wrought in their hearts. These shooes are not onely their beauty, but their safe∣ty. How beautiful are thy feet with shooes, O Prin∣ces Daughter, Cant. 7. 1.

Exhortation. To perswade all Christians to * 1.5 arm themselves with these Resolutions. Get these shooes upon your feet, resolve that whatever trouble come, whatsoever storms arise, yet you will go through with your profession, and never forsake it. It is necessary for those that live in such black dayes as these of ours are, to set themselves to this work. The winds begin to grow loud, the skie is dark and lowring, persecutions may come suddenly, and they are like to fall violently; its time to get, and necessary to keep these shooes on their feet. I shall lay down something by way of Motives: something by way of meanes.

1. Mot. All the promises are made to them that persevere. It is not he that beginneth, but he that continueth unto the end, that shall be saved, Math. 10. 22. When the even was come the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the Steward, Call the labourers and give them their hire, Math. 20. 8. Nemo coronatur ante quintum Actum. Be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life, Rev. 2. 10. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for honour and glory, and immortality, eternal life, Rom. 2. 7.

2. Mot. Tis difficulty and opposition that distin∣guisheth

true profefsion from false profession. Math. 13. 20, 21. A rotten ship may sail very fast, and carry the passengers safe in a calm Sea, but onely a sound vessel will hold out when tempests arise. Persecutions are called, the tryal of our faith, 1 Pet. 1. 7. because when a soul is under persecuti∣ons, then it appears whether his profession was gold or dross. A temporary profession is like the house built upon the sand, it stood all the sum∣mer time, but when the winds blew, and the rain came, and the flouds lift up their voice, then it fell, Math. 7. 24, 25, 26, 27.

3. Mot. Adhering to the profession of the Gospel in times of opposition, doth most of all honour the Go∣spel. Obed Edom honoured the Ark of God much by taking it into his house in a time of danger, 2 Sam. 6. 9, 10. It was no great thanks to David to fetch the Ark into the City of David, when it brought prosperity with it, v. 12. any one would entertain a prosperous Ark, but he that is a right Christian will make room for it when it brings affliction.

4. Mot. The Gospel will abundantly recompence all their sufferings. The Ark did make good satis∣faction to Obed Edom for taking it in in a boy∣strous time, 2 Sam. 6. 11. Its a Gospel of comfort at every time, but never so full of comfort as in a time of affliction. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ, 2 Cor. 1. 5. The Gospel is alwayes a Gospel of peace, but the peace of it is most discovered in a time of trouble. He that forsaketh father or mo∣ther, &c. for my sake and the Gospel, shall have an hundredfold in this world with persecution,

and in the world to come everlasting life, Math. 19. 29.

5. Mot. All the sufferings which arise for the Gospel are for this end, to try whether men will ad∣here to it or no. There must be heresies, that they which are approved may be made manifest, 2 Cor. 11. 19.

6. Mot. Tis a priviledge to suffer for the Gospel. Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, &c. Phil. 1. 29. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 All the elect are called to be believers, but not to be sufferers: suffering for the Gospel is in some respects a priviledge a∣bove beleiving the Gospel.

7. Mot. He that is not willing to cleave to the Gospel in a day of suffering, shall have no benefit by the Gospel in the other world. He that will not suffer for it, shall not be saved by it, Mark 8. 38.

8. Mot. He that is not willing to suffer for the Gospel, shall suffer without the Gospel, Mar. 8. 35.

Thus much for motives.

The Meanes or Directions are these,

1. Study the excellency of the Gospel. A thorough perfect knowledge of the Gospel will make a Christian resolved to goe through with professi∣on of it whatsoever follow. Beza expounds the preparation of the Gospel to be the knowledge of the Gospel. The knowledge of it will help us to the preparation of it. He that knows the ef∣fects of it, and the comforts of it, and the privi∣ledges of it, will not onely live with it, but be content to die with it. Its a Gospel of peace: Its a Gospel of grace, Its a Gospel of holiness: * 1.6 Its a Gospel of salvation: Its a Gospel of life: Its a Gospel of glory.

2. Learn perfectly that christian Lesson of self-denial. This will make you cleave to the Gospel in the worst condition, Math. 16. 24. He that knows not how to deny himself will be easily in∣duced to deny the Gospel, especially when the cross and the Gospel go together, he may follow Christ when he can take up Christ and pleasure, but he will never be able to take up the cross, un∣less he be able to lay aside himself.

3. Get your hearts above the world, and all world∣ly entanglements. No man that warreth intan∣gleth himself with the things of this life, 2 Tim. 2. 4. It is not possible to embrace the Gospel and the world together, especially when the world and the Gospel are at variance Sell all thou hast, and give to the poor, and follow me, saith Christ to that young man, Luke 18. 22, 23. Abiice terram, accipe Caelum? you know what the issue was, he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich. He that would go through with the profession of the Gospel, must say to life, and friends, and all worldly things, get ye hence, when these things and the Gospel stand in competition. Demas hath forsaken me, having embraced this present world, 2 Tim. 4. 10.

4. Get a great measure of Christian patience. He that hath not patience to enable him to suf∣fer for the Gospel, will forsake the Gospel when suffering comes. In your patience possess ye your soules, Luke 21. 19. and Hebr. 10: 36. Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

5. Have your eye often upon the cloud of witnes∣ses. Study the examples of the servants of God,

who have gone through with the profession of the Gospel, notwithstanding all oppositions. They have followed Jesus Christ, and stuck to the Gospel, in contempt, in poverty, in reproach, in nakedness, &c. and by the Gospel of peace through Jesus Christ they are now laid up in everlasting peace. They were stoned, they were sawen asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword, they wandred about in sheep-skins, and goat∣skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, Heb. 11. 37.

1. Consider the danger of Apostasie. Many dreadful things are spoken against backsliding from the profession of the Gospel.

2. The Apostate is in a worse condition than he * 1.7 that never made profession of the Gospel. It had been better not to have known the way of truth, than after they have known it to turn aside from the holy commandement, &c. 2. Pet. 2. 22. He lo∣seth all the benefit of his former profession.

2. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own wayes. Prov. 14. 14. God will give him up to himself, to be his own guide, to be his own rule, he shall be given up to his own passion, to his own lust, to his own pride, &c. of all sinners the backsliders are usually greatest, God takes his hand from them, and lets them follow their own counsels, and he who is his own guide will soon work his own ruine, Rom. 1. ver. 24, 26, 28, 29, &c. The soul of God shall have no pleasure in him. Heb. 10. 38. As he takes no delight in the Gospel, so God will take no delight in him. Yea, its a Mejo∣s••s. God will take displeasure in him here, and he will take vengeance on him hereafter to the

full. No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God, Luke 9. 62.

7. Make your resolutions in the strength of Christ, and by daily fervent prayer give up your selves to the keeping of God, that he would pre∣serve you to the end. Take heed with Peter of resolving in your own pride, Math. 26. 33. And then pray that God would keep these resoluti∣ons in your hearts, and your hearts in these re∣solutions: these shooes will fall off if you doe not tie them on, and keep them on. Davids prayer, 1 Chron. 29. 18. should be yours every day.

So much for the third piece of Armour.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lect. 16. Janu. 23. 1649.
• * 1.2

  Calvin in Loc.
• * 1.3

  Doctrine.
• * 1.4

  Ʋse 1.
• * 1.5

  Ʋse 2.
• * 1.6

  Act. 20. 24.
• * 1.7

  The Gospel is worse for him, and he for the Gospel.