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

USE II.

A Word of Exhortation. I shall direct this, 1. To all those who have this shield of faith, to them I have two things to say. 2. To such as are destitute of this piece of Armour, to them I have onely one thing to say.

That which I would say to you that have ob∣tained this pretious Armour of faith, is compri∣sed in these two words.

1. Take heed that you do not suffer your selves to be disputed out of your faith. The Devil useth all meanes to beguil wicked men into a fond per∣swasion that they have faith, upon such evidences that will not hold, for the prevention of that, I did in the former Use, both discover such mi∣stakes, and lay down some positive evidences. On the other side, Satan doth what he can to argue true Beleivers out of an opinion of their faith, labouring to perswade them, that they have not this grace in their hearts. For the helping of the Servants of God against this stratagem, I shall propound some of those arguings, and give an∣swers to them. They are these three.

1. Satan will argue a nullity of faith sometimes from the absence of assurance, and sense of present comfort. This is an Objection which ordinarily Beleivers make against themselves, to their very great prejudice.

For the answering of this Argument, I shall lay down these two propositions.

1. That there may be, and ordinarily is, true sa∣ving faith where there is no assurance. There may be the faith of adherence, where there never yet was the faith of evidence. The sons of Jacob had their money in their sacks mouths a good space before they knew of it; the treasure of faith is in the soul often very long before the soul have assurance of it: These three Arguments will prove this position.

1. From the descriptions that are made of faith in the word of God. Its called, coming to Christ, Math. 11. 28. Its called, casting our burden upon the Lord, Psalm 37. 5. Its nothing but the souls venturing it self upon Christ; faith is but the coming to Christ, as Esther did to Ahasuerus, If I perish, I perish. Its called, looking upon Christ, Mic. 7. 7. None of all these are words of assu∣rance. A man may come to another, and not be assured that he will not turn from him. A man may roll his burthen upon the shoulder of ano∣ther, who is not assured that he will carry it for him. A man may look for a person, whom he is not assured he shall find, &c.

2. From the instances given in Scripture of some that have had true faith, and wanted assurance. The father of that Daemoniack, of whom we read, Mar. 9. 22. he was not assured that Christ was able to cast out the dumb spirit, much less was he assured that Christ was willing: If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us and help us: This was far from assurance, and so that which he saith ver. 24. Lord, I beleive, help thou my unbeleif: here

was no perfect assurance, and yet true faith, as the * 1.1 issue of the story sayes; the Devil was cast out of his child.

3. There must be faith from the nature of the thing, before there can be assurance. Therefore there may be faith without assurance, Make your cal∣ling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. A man may not onely be elected, but called, and yet not sure of his effectual calling: you must have a title to a possession, before you can be certainly assured of such an interest. Sealing with the holy Spirit of promise comes after beleiving ordinarily, Eph. 1. 13. A child as soon as he is born hath rea∣son, but he wants a reflected act to know that he hath reason; so it is in Regeneration.

2. Assurance may be lost for a time in those, who have formerly enjoyed it. He that hath walked in the light of Gods countenance, may come to walk in darkness again, Esay 50. 10. There are three cases in which this doth ordinarily fall out. 1. In the hour of temptation, when God lets Satan loose to buffet the soul, assurance may be lost in such a time. 2. in the day of spiritual de∣sertion, when God hides his face from the soul: Jesus Christ was in this condition, My God, my God, &c. Math: 27. 46. A man in a swound doth not know he lives. 3. In the state of relapses, when a beleiver hath fallen into some sin, God withdraws the assurance of his graces and leaves him to gain his faith and other graces, takes away the joy of his faith, and leaves him nothing but deadness and horror in his conscience. This was the Prophet Davids case, Psalm 51. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. Though he had

not lost the grace of faith, yet he had quite lost the joy of his faith.

2. Satan endeavours sometimes to argue Chri∣stians out of their faith, by comparing it with the faith of other of God Servants which hath been very strong. Abraham, saith Satan, was strong in faith, he did not desceptare, but was mighty in faith, Rom. 4. 20. Job he had a powerful faith: Though he kill me, &c. Job 13. 15. but thy faith is weak, &c. To help you against this stratagem, I shall lay down these four considerations. Viz,

1. That the strongest of these great Champions have had their staggerings and their faintings. A∣braham though he was mighty in faith at that time when God promised him a son, yet at ano∣ther time did both stagger and fall: Twice he denied his Wife for fear of men; once in Egypt, Gen. 12. 12. a second time at Gerar, Gen. 20. 2. David though he had so much strength of faith at one time, that he durst encounter Goliah with his sling, when the hearts of all the valiant men of Israel trembled, 1 Sam. 17. 32. yet at ano∣ther time his faith was so faint, that he said, all men were liars, Psalm 116. 11. and for want of faith fled out of the land of Israel into the coun∣try of the Philistines, 1 Sam. 27. 1. Moses whose faith was so strong, that he forsook the pleasures of Pharaohs Court, and chose rather to suffer affliction, &c Heb. 11. 24, 25. and yet at another time, when he had had many experiences of the power of God, was not able to beleive that God could bring water out of the Rock, he smote the Rock twice, Numb. 20. 10, 11. God bids him speak to the Rock, and he smites it twice out of unbe∣leif.

And though he was so strong in faith, that at one time he could beleive that the red Sea should be divided, Exod. 14. yet at another time he was so weak in faith, that he thought God had over-spoken his power, when he promised to give the people flesh for a moneth: Numb. 11. 21. The people amongst whom I am are six hundred thousand footmen, and thou hast said, I will give them flesh for a whole moneth, &c.

2. Though these had never staggered, yet is the promise made not to degrees of faith, but to truth of faith. The Devil is not able to shew one word in all the Book of God, which requires such a measure of faith for salvation! Yea, the Promi∣ses are made to the weakest acts of faith: Look unto me and be saved, all ye ends of the earth, Esay 45. 22. Looking is but a weak act of faith, and yet salvation is promised to it. Weak faith unites a person to Jesus Christ as well as strong faith. A shaking hand can receive an almes as well as a strong hand. He that shoots in a long Bow, draws all by the strength of his arm, much strength is required to draw the bow, but he that shoots in a Cross-bow hath strength enough if he can but let off the string, a child may shoot as far as a Gyant, because the strength lies in the Bow, not in the Arm; so is it with faith. If the King should pass a grant, that every living man in his Kingdom should enjoy such and such pri∣viledges, do you think weak men would be exclu∣ded? They are men as well as the strongest. God hath made such a Charter, that one that hath true faith in him shall enjoy such and such priviledges, and the weak beleiver is a beliver as well as the strongest.

3. Weak faith hath defacto found very gracious acceptance with God. That in Mark 9. 22, 23, 24. And the promise, Mat. 12. 20. He will not break the bruised reed, nor qvench the smoaking flax. A reed when it is whole hath no great strength in it, but when it is bruised it is then weak indeed, and yet that hath been and will be averted.

4. Though every beleever have not so much faith as Abraham, and Paul, and David, &c. yet every beleever hath as much merit as they had. The ve∣ry same Christ, the same Righteousness, the same Covenant of Grace, the same Promises.; None of all these were justified by their faith as an act or work, but by their faith as an instrument ap∣prehending Christ the object of faith. Now though every beleever have not the same faith, yet he hath the same object of faith, and there∣fore the same acceptance.

3. Satan sometimes argues nullity of faith, from the non-acceptance of our prayers. If you had faith God would hear your prayers, but you have prayed a long time for such a mercy, and can get no answer from God, therefore your faith is not true faith, but a groundless presumption. For the answering of this objection, I shall lay down these three Considerations, viz.

1. We are to distinguish between Gods act in ans∣wering prayers, and mans act in receiving that an∣swer. A Beleever may think his prayers not to be answered sometimes, because he doth not mind the answer of his prayers. I will hearken saith the * 1.2 Psalmist, what the Lord God will say, for he will speak peace to his servants, &c. Beleevers are some∣times

stupid and cannot hearken, sometimes sul∣len and will not hearken; they do not look after their prayers, they do not stand upon the watch tower, as the Prophet resolves, Hab. 2. 1. Gods answer to our prayers are sometimes given in si∣lently and secretly, that without very much at∣tention we cannot tell what the answer imports. Very often the soul thinks his prayers are cast out when he hath the answer of them in his bosom.

2. God hath more wayes of answering Prayers than one. God may give a very full answer to our prayers, though he do not answer them in that particular way we desire. God hath no where promised to answer the prayers of beleevers in Kind, though he have promised that he will an∣swer them according to their benefit. We have three remarkable instances of this. That in Acts 1. 7. Our Saviour refused to answer them accor∣ding to the matter of their desire, It is not for you to know the times and seasons, &c. But yet he ans∣wers them according to their necessity, You shall receive power from on high, &c. That in 2 Cor. 12. 8, 9. God refused to answer Pauls prayer in Specie, the thorn in flesh, whatsoever it was, whe∣ther a bodily disease as some think, or a spiritual distemper as others conceive, was not removed, and yet his prayer was answered, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. And that of our Saviour Heb. 5. 7. He was heard in that he feared. The particular thing he desired was not granted. If it be possible let this cup pass from me. The cup did not pass away, but Christ had assistance and enablement to bear it without sinking, and therein his prayer was

heard. We ask sometimes that which is not good for us, at least not so good as some other thing. Now if God give us a better thing for a thing which is less good, doth he not hear? If God deny Moses to go into Canaan, and take him in∣to Heaven, what loss doth he sustein? Deus non audit ad voluntatem ut audiat ad necessitatem. There's denial in mercy, as well as hearing in mer∣cy, and there is hearing in judgement, as well as denial in judgement, Psal. 78. 30.

3. God many times delayes, when he doth not deny.

1. We many times ask the present enjoyment of things not so good at that season, Rev. 6. 10. 11. How long Lord, &c. They must yet tarry till the mercy was seasonable. Their feet shall slide in due time, Deut. 32. 35. 2. We are not so importu∣nate in our suits as we should be, our prayers though for things seasonably good, may be too faint; God in such cases delayes to quicken our zeal. Anselme in his meditations speaks excel∣lently to this purpose: Gloria mea, Deus meus, abs∣condis the saurum tuum ut niciles cupidum, recondis margaritam, ut augeas quaerentis amorem, differs * 1.3 dare ut doleas petere, dissimulas audire pellutem ut facias preserverantem 3. God is well pleased with our musick, therefore he lets us lay begging. This is the first branch of the Exhortarion.

2. Labour earnestly to repair, confirm and streng∣then this shield of faith. Though weak faith if it be true, will carry you to heaven, yet will not weak faith carry you through strong Assaults. If this shield be crackt and broken, you may be sore∣ly foil'd in the day of temptation. I shall pro∣pound a few Helps for the strengthening of faith.

1. Be frequent in acting your faith. Habits are weakned by being idle, but they are strengthen∣ed by dayly exercise. Scribendo disces scribere. and Credendo disces credere. The more frequent a Christian is in putting forth acts of faith, the stronger will the Habit of faith be. There is this difference between the shield of faith and other shields, those by too much use are made weak; but this shield is the stronger by every battel, it cannot be used too often. Vide Rom. 1. 17.

2. Be much in fervent prayer to God that he would strengthen your faith. The Apostle made use of this help, Luke 17. 5. Faith and Prayer are sup∣porters one of another, our faith teacheth us both what to ask, and how to ask; and our praying helps beleeving. If prayer be restrained, faith will be weakned, but if prayer be continued faith will be confirmed.

3. Be frequent in the right use of the Word and Sacrament. The Word is the ordinary means for the breeding of faith, and the Word and Sa∣crament are the food whereby faith is nourished and increased. The Sacraments are the seals of the righteousness of faith, Rom. 4. 11. He that is fre∣quent in the application of these seals, is like to be most confirmed in beleeving. Christians do very much prejudice their faith by neglecting of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which is ap∣pointed of God for the nourishment of faith.

4 Study carefully the promises of the Covenant of grace. Gods promises are made of purpose to confirm faith in us. The promises are the fewel of faith.

5. Study the Attributes of Gods Nature. His

Power, Wisedome, Faithfulness, Truth, Mer∣cy. This was that which strengthned the faith of Moses, Heb. 11. 27. These are strong props which will keep faith from sinking when its rea∣dy to dye. This is the first branch of the Ex∣hortation which concerns Beleevers.

2. That which I would say to unbeleevers is this, That they would labour for this grace of ju∣stifying and saving faith. There are many things which may be as motives to press you to it.

1. All the promises of grace are to you of none ef∣fect. They all run upon the condition of belee∣ving. The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that beleeve.

2. All the blood and sufferings of Jesus Christ is of none effect to an unbeleever. Tis faith that gives the soul an interest in Christs blood.

3. All their holy duties and religious actions without faith are displeasing unto God. Heb. 11. 6. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Sacra∣fices without faith is no better than the cutting off a dogs neck, Incence without faith is no better than the blessing of an Idol, killing of an Oxe, is no better than the killing of a Man, of∣fering of Oblation, is no better than the offering of Swines blood, &c. Isa. 66. 3. But I shall on∣ly urge it upon this ground, you can never do any good against Satan in the day of temptati∣on, if you want this shield. As it happened to the accusers of Daniel, when they were cast into the Lions den, so it wil happen to you in the day of temptation if you want this shield. Its

said the Lions had the mastery over them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came to the bottom of the den, Dan. 6. 24. So it will be with you, the roaring Lion will have the mastery over you and break you into pieces, if you want this shield.

But you will say, what course should we take to get this grace.

1. Study the mischief of an unbeleeving heart. The Apostle calls it an evil heart of unbeleef, Heb. 3. 12.

1. Its sinfully evil. Hard, dark, dead, impe∣nitent, filthy, deceitful and false, deceiving o∣thers and it self also.

2. Its penally evil.

1. It makes all the Ordinances ineffectual. Heb. 4. 2.

2. It binds all a mans sins upon his own back. It seals up all our sins, because it keeps us from that which is the onely remedy against sin.

3. It defiles every thing to a man. To the clean all things are clean, but to the unbeleevers and them that are defiled is nothing clean, but even their Consciences are defiled, Tit. 1. 15.

4. It brings certain condemnation. As sal∣vation is the end of our faith, 1 Pet. 1. 9. So is damnation the end of unbeleef, John 3. 36. He that beleeveth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

2. Study the Insufficiency of Self, Look upon the rottenness and nothingness of all Moral Ci∣vill

righteousness. Too high thoughts of Civill righteousness, is that which hinders thousands from beleeving. Remember that of the Apostle Phil. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh, if any other man think∣eth he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh: I more. Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the Tribe of Benjamine, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, &c. Concerning the righteousness which is in the Law blameless, &c. But what were gain to me, those I counted loss, &c. Yea doubtless I account all things but loss, &c.

3. Study thorowly the All-sufficient fulness of Jesus Christ, who is the object of faith. He is not a broken reed, he is not an house of sand, but a rock; a corner stone, upon whom whosoever beleeveth shall never be ashamed. The igno∣rance of Jesus Christ is that which hinders many from beleeving in him. Isa. 53. init. Who hath beleeved our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? for he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground, he hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men, &c.

Study him well therefore, in Point of Merit; in point of grace. Study him in all his Offices of King, Priest, Prophet, and then you will say as the Daughters of Jerusalem did, Cant. 6. 1. Whether is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest, &c.

4. Study the deep guilt of Adam, in the polution of thy own Nature. Those that are whole need not the Physitian, but they that are sick. Con∣viction of our guilt and misery, is a necessary preparative to saving faith. Now the Scripture doth clearly affirme, that all men have sinned and are come short of the glory of God, Rom. 3. 23. And Rom. 5. 12. And then take in this consideration that neither your selves, nor any other Creature, is able to free you from that guilt, that there is no other way of salvation but onely by hanging upon Jesus Christ alone, He it is which God hath sanctified and set apart for the satisfying of his own Justice, and recon∣ciling the World to himself.

5. Consider the willingness of Jesus Christ to ease, and save, and take of burthens. Though the disease be never so desperate, and the Physitian never so able, yet if his willingness be not known little encouragement will be to any to go to him, but Jesus Christ is as willing as able.

1. He was sanctified for that work. Vide I∣sa. 61. 1. 2. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, for he hath annointed me to preach good tydings to the meek, &c. The Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost.

2. Read and peruse all the solemn invitations which are given unto men to beleeve in him, Mat. 11. 28. Come unto me, &c. Isa. 55. 1. 2. And Christ is not in jest, but very reall in making these tenders.

3. Read and peruse seriously all the Assevera∣tions which are used to assure men that if they will come, they shall not be refused. Vide John 6. 37. Verily verily I say unto you, he that com∣eth unto me, I will in no wise cast out. Never any was cast out, never any will be cast out, that comes to him after a right manner.

4. Read and consider all the Lamentations and sad Complaints made by Jesus Christ, of the backwardness and unwillingness of men to lay hold upon him. Ye will not come unto me that ye may have life. John 5. 40. And that in Luke 13. 34. of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jeru∣salem, &c. How often would I have gathered thy Children together, as an Hen doth her brood, &c. and ye would not.

6. Wait constantly upon the publick Ministry which God hath appointed to be the ordinary means of working faith in the heart. He that neglects this means, and doth not conscionably attend upon it, will dye either presuming or dispair∣ing.

And you will be encouraged to this, if you consider how many thousands have been brought out of themselves unto faith in Christ, by the power of Gods Spirit working in and by this meanes. Hereby Lydia was brought out of unbeleef. Hereby the Jewes who crucified Christ were brought to beleeve in Jesus Christ for the saving of their souls, Acts 2. 37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, &c.

There is still the same Institution, and the same effectual Power of the holy Spirit in this Ordi∣nance, for the working of the same disposition in thy heart.

Thus much for the fourth piece of this spiritu∣all Armour, the shield of Faith. The next is the Helmet of Salvation, of which in the next verse,

Notes

• * 1.1

  Esay 50. 10 Psalm 38. per totum. Heman a true beleiver
• * 1.2

  Psal. 55. 8.
• * 1.3

  P. 194.