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

LECT. VIII. Novemb. 28. 1649.

EPHES. 6. 14.

Stand therefore, having your loyns girt about with truth, &c.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

IN the former Verse, the Apostle gives a * 1.1 general Exhortation to the Christian Soul∣dier, to cloth himself with the whole Ar∣mour of GOD, and to withstand Satan in the evill day of Temptation. In this and the fol∣lowing Verses, which contain the second ge∣neral part of the Text; He gives him a parti∣cular Catalogue of the several pieces of this Armour, Offensive and Defensive, with Dire∣ctions how to make particular use of them, that he may be enabled to overcome. There are, in the whole, seven pieces of this Armour;

two of which, are laid down in this verse, viz. The Girdle of Truth; and, The Breast-Plate of Righteousness. He doth allude to the Habit, wherewith Souldiers were used to be accou∣tred in those times, that they might be fit to encounter an Adversary: And he doth com∣pare the several Graces of the Spirit, to the se∣veral pieces of that Armour, to let Christians see, that the graces of God, are as necessary for the soul, to resist and overcome temptation, as Armour is for the Souldier, to resist and over∣come his enemy in the day of battel. We may in the general, note from this comparison, made between the graces of God, and the Soul∣diers Armour.

That Spiritual and Heavenly matters * 1.2 are ordinarily, in Scripture, set out by Earthly and Natural things. The graces of God are set out by Armour; and the Christian mana∣ging of our graces, is taught us by the Souldi∣ers right using and managing of his Armour in the day of battel. The glorious Mysteries of Religion, in Scripture, are commonly delive∣red and held out by the resemblance of out∣ward and natural things. A Christians fruit∣fulness, and growth in grace, is set out by growth and fruitfulness of trees, Psal. 1. 3. He shall be like a tree planted by the Rivers of waters, &c. The glory, and beauty, and fragrancy of graces, is set out by the beauty and fragrancy of flowers, and sweet perfumes, in many places of the song of Solomon; particularly, Cap. 3. 10,

11, 12, 13, 14. The great Mystery of our union with Christ, is set out by the vine and branches Joh. 15. ••nit. and of the Foundation stone, and the rest of the stones builded upon it, Ephes. 2. 20, 21. Spiritual security is set out by the natu∣ral sleep, Cap. 5. 2. applying of Christ, by Faith, is set out by natural eating and drinking, John 6. 56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Justification by the Righteousness of Christ, imputed to a sinner, is, in Scripture, set out by the garments put upon the body, Isa. 61. 10. I will rejoyce in the Lord &c. for he hath clothed me with the gar∣ments of salvation, &c. The Communion be∣tween Jesus Christ, and a Believing Soul, is set out by the joy and delight of friends feast∣ing together, Rev. 3. 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock, &c. I will sup with him, &c. Spiritual Desertion, is set out by the horrour of Natural Darkness, Isa. 5. 10. The preaching of the Word in the publike Ministry, is set out by the work of the Husband-man in sowing his Seed, Matth. 13. 3, 4. The carrying on of the Work of Grace, and Conversion in the Hearts of men, is set out by the growth of the seed sowen in the earth, Mar. 4. 26, 27, 28. The glo∣ry of the Saints at the Resurrection, and in the other Life, is set out by the glorious shining of the Sunne and Stars, Dan. 12. 3. They that be wise, shall shine as the brightnes of the Firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the Stars for ever and ever.

I note this for these two Reasons:

1. That Christians may see what use they may make of Natural and Earthly things: There is not any natural Action; there is not any kind of Employment, or Trade of Life; there is not any Creature, by which a Christian might not learn some Spiritual Lesson, did God but give him a Spiritual Heart. When thou seest the Merchant busle about his business, then migh∣test thou learn diligence in the things of the Gospel; For the Kingdome of Heaven is as a Merchant man, &c. When thou seest the Souldier buckle on his Arms, and march with them to meet the enemy, then mightest thou think of the putting on, and using thy graces, &c. And for this cause, it is that our Saviour did so frequently preach in Parables and Simi∣litudes, drawn from earthly things, that by this meanes the sons of men might be the bet∣ter able to conceive of Heavenly Matters when they are thus delivered in their own way: And that they might have ever before them visible Monitors to bring to their minds the things of God. Indeed, if these spirituall things had not first been revealed and taught in the Scriptures, the beholding of things Na∣tural would never have taught us such Doct∣rines; but being now made known in the written Word, our Memories, Understandings, and Affections, may be very much helped by the studying and contemplation of things na∣tural which set them forth.

2. How necessary it is for the Ministers of Christ, who are to interpret, open, and apply the Scriptures to men, to have an universal knowledge of all kind of Learning. Many think, that Hu∣mane Knowledge, and Learning, is of no abso∣lute necessity to fit a man for the Ministry. If he have but knowledge in the History of the Bible, and a gracious work upon his heart, he is sufficiently enabled, without the knowledge of other Learning. This Text shewes us the contrary: some places of Scripture cannot be well interpreted, without the knowledge of Natural Philosophy. Others cannot be rightly understood, without some skill in Astrology. Others, require the knowledge of Agriculture to expound them to profit. Others, of the Art of Navigation. Others, of Military Affaires. Similitudes, almost from all kinds of Arts, Sciences, Trades, are used in the Scriptures; and the more general a Ministers Knowledge is in all these things, the better will he be inabled to interpret the whole Word of GOD in the course of his publike Ministry. He must study all kind of books. And make his Observation from all kind of employments of men, that he may be compleatly fitted for this great Work.

But I come to the Particulars:

First, The girdle of Truth: [Having your Loyns girt about with Truth.] In lumbis maxima vis est stantium. His malè affectis contrahitur corpus; aut certè vacillans, vel modicè impulsum,

corruit, Bullinger. Therefore, the Apostle begins with these, which he would have gird∣ed with Truth. Truth, in the Scripture, is used to fet out two things: there is a two-fold Ac∣ception of Truth.

1. It is used for the Doctrine of Truth. That Doctrine which is held out and revealed to the sons of men in the written Word; and thus Truth is opposed unto Errour. In this sense it is used in many places? as, Gal. 3. 1. O foolish Galathians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth? And, 1 Tim. 2. 4. God will have all men saved, and to come to the know∣ledge of the truth. And 3. Ep. Joh. 4. I have no greater joy, then to hear that my children walk in the truth.

2. It is used for the grace of truth: And so it's opposed to Hypocrisie: In this sense it's used, Psal. 51. 6. Thou desirest truth in the inward parts; that is sincerity and integrity of heart: so Josh. 24. 14. Fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and truth; and so, Joh. 4. 24. God is a a spirit and they that worship him, must worship him inspirit, and in truth. Spiritual Worship is there opposed to Ceremonial; and Truth of Worship is opposed to Hypocritical Worship. Now, amongst Interpreters, there are some who expound this Text of the grace of truth: so doth Calvin, and others. Others, understand it, as spoken of the Doctrine of truth: Baldwin, vera Doctrina & Religione, Zanchy. Constantia in Doctrina veritatis. Dickson.

1. Both Interpretations are agreeable to the Analogy of Faith.

2. Usefull Instructions may be gathered from both.

3. There is nothing in the Text which doth necessarily limit and confine it to one; and therefore I shall refer it to both: for, Ʋbi Scri∣ptura non distinguit, non est distinguendum. And so I shall lay before you a two-fold Observa∣tion from this two-fold Interpretation.

1. Understanding it of the Doctrine of Truth, as some do, we note this Doctrine, viz.

That firmness and stability in the Doctrine of * 1.3 Truth, is an excellent meanes to be preserved, and to overcome Satan and his Instruments in the day of Temptation. I say, Firmness and Stability, because the phrase of being girded about, notes constancy and firmness in the Truth: When the Loyns are fast tyed, and compassed about with this girdle, they are in a good way of se∣curity from the assaults of Satan, when those who forsake and fall from the Truth, are sna∣red and overcome: then shall those who ad∣here and stick fast to the Doctrine of Truth be delivered and escape. This is promised to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia, upon this very consideration, Rev. 3. 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come up∣on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

If a Church, or Person, be stedfast in the Doctrine of Truth, God will either keep them from temptation, or else he will preserve them in temptation; that when others fall, they shall stand.

I shall give you three Reasons of this, viz.

(1.) Truth unites us to God, and God to us: It is of God, and hath a Divine Strength. God is truth; and so far as a person hath the truth, he hath God; and so farre as he loseth the Truth, he loseth God. 'Tis true, a person may have the Truth of God sticking in his Judg∣ment: He may be very stedfast and constant in it; so that he may willingly part, not onely with his substance, but even with his life, to maintain it, and yet not be savingly united to God, by Christ, for salvation. 'Tis not the fides quae creditur, but the fides quâ creditur, which is the bond of this Union. But yet the very holding of the Doctrine of Truth, gives a person some kind of union with God; by which union, he is more able to stand when any storm comes, then he that is destitute of the Truth.

(2.) Truth helpes a Christian both to discover a Temptation, and to answer Arguments used to set on the Temptation. The Truth of God, in the Judgment, is one of the Eyes of the Soul: he that wants this, is blind, and cannot see afar off. Now as a clear Eye is a very great help to the Souldier, for the discovering of the

Dart, or the Bullet, before it be upon him: so is the clear distinct knowledg of the Truth a very great help to a Christian, to discern the tempta∣tion before it be upon him. He is better able, by the power of Truth, to see the reach of Satan, and what it is that he drives at, when he spreads his snare to surprize him, then another can be, who hath lost the Truth. Any fallacy is easily put upon a person that is destitute of the truth of an Art or Science; whereas he that hath the knowledge of that Art, is able presently to avoid it, and to answer it. And therefore the Devil when he comes to tempt the woman to sinne, first labours to blind her Understanding; Ye shall not die, but ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evill, Gen. 3. 4, 5. and when he hath stollen that principle of truth out of her judgment, We may not eat, lest we die, He doth, without any difficulty, perswade her to eat of the fruit.

(3.) Truth doth much help a Christian in the managing of all other parts of his Armour aright. He that hath lost the Doctrine of Truth, will be unable to use the Bread-Plate of Righte∣ousness: For, to the using of this after a right manner it is requisite, that the Doctrine of the Imputation of Christs Righteousness, to a sin∣ner, be t••roughly understood, and firmly be∣lieved. The Helmet of Hope will soon be knocked off the head of a Christian, if he do not well understand the Nature of the Grace Hope.

The shield of faith will be presently pierced by Satan, if he that weares it do not rightly understand the nature of faith: and prayer will do but little good, if he that makes the prayer be unsound in the truth. Prayer is to be made in faith, else it doth not prevail; it is to be made not only with the grace of faith, but also accor∣ding to the Doct: of faith. A Doctrinal errour in prayers, will nullifie them, as well as want of the grace of Faith; for this is the confidence we have in him, that if we aske any thing according to his will, he heareth us, 1 John 5. 14.

Information. We may from this Doctrine * 1.4 gather these three conclusions, viz.

(1.) This shews us how necessary it is for a Christian to have a clear and exact knowledge in the Mysteries of Truth. It is not in vain, that the Scripture doth so earnestly call upon men, to learn, and to get, and to keep, the truth of Doctrine delivered in the Scriptures. Buy the truth and sell it not, Prov. 23. 23. Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our Epistle, 2 Thes. 2. 15. not unwritten traditions, the Doctrines and Commandments of men, but such as have been taught by the Apostles, either by word, or by their writings. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong, 1 Cor. 16. 13. The word of God is full of such warnings, and admonitions, as these are. And not with∣out cause, whether we consider the worth of truth in it selfe, or the usefulness of it unto

us. Its necessary to the soul in many respects: its the light by which we see our way, by which we know what to do, what not to do: its a great part of our spirituall Armour, by which we fight against temptations. Its as great a strengthening to the Christian, in fighting against Satan and his Instruments, as the Souldiers belt or girdle is to him in the day of battel. Take two Christians of equall grace, and let them be assaulted with the same Temptation, and let the one be sound in the Doctrine of Truth; and the other corrupt, and you will easily see the difference between the one and the other, by the issue of the temptation: the Doctrine of truth is as ne∣cessary for fighting against Satan, as the grace of truth. I note this to let all of us see, what little reason any have to be displeased, either with the Ministers of God, or other of the Servants of God, for their earnestnesse & per∣tinacy, (if I may so speak) in preserving the truth of Doctrine, both among themselves and others. They know the many advantages of it, and therefore they are so zealous for the maintaining of it. Paul though he was of as flexible and condescending a spirit as any o∣ther, whether Apostle or ordinary Saint, in all other things (for he became all things to all men, that he might by all means save some, 1 Cor. 9. 19. 20, 21, 22.) yet he was so posi∣tive, and peremptory for the Doctrine of truth, that he would not give place by sub∣jection

to false Brethren for an houre, that the truth of the Gospel might continue with the people of God, Gal. 2. 4.

(2) 'Tis no wonder to see Satan use such en∣deavour to deprive the Sons of men of the Doctrine of truth. In all ages of the Church he hath raised up his Instruments to draw men aside, from the truth of Doctrine. There shall be false Teachers, saith the Apostle, amongst you, as there were false Prophets amongst the people, 2 Pet. 2. 2. The Church of God, as it was ne∣ver destitute of true Prophets, so never was it without false Prophets. In the Church of Is∣rael there were a numerous Company of sedu∣cing Prophets: As there was an Elijah, a holy and zealous Prophet of God, so there were 456. Prophets of Baal, 1 King. 18. 22. The state was corrupted, and they made to themselves a corrupt Ministry of their own, an apostati∣zing State must have an apostatizing Clergy, that will humour them, and subscribe to them in every thing they do: when Satan had per∣swaded Jeroboam to set up golden Calves, he helped him to a Ministry that would worship them, and teach others to do the like. State Ministers will cry up Calves for gods, rather then want promotion, or lose preferment. And thus it was in the Gospel Church. All Pauls Epistles shew it. This ariseth (1.) part∣ly from the sinfulness of men. They must have their lusts, and a lust cannot thrive, if it have not a false Prophet to nurse it, and give it suck.

And (2) partly from God, he in his wisdom and justice permits it to be so, that they that would not obey the words of a true Prophet, should follow the pernicious Doctrines of fal•• Prophets, 1. Reg. 22. 23. And then (3) it comes to passe from the policy and malice of Satan, that he may by this means rob men of the truth, and so make them fit preys for his temptations. And we need not much won∣der at this policy, Satan knowes he is in dan∣ger of being foiled, if he suffer this girdle to be upon the soul; and that he shall certainly overcome, if he can but pluck this off the loyns: therefore he is so diligent in attempt∣ing it, laying snares to intrap the true Mini∣sters of God, and opening a wide door for false Prophets and seducers to enter in, and corrupt the truth.

(3) We have no cause to wonder, to see the Devill so prevalent amongst hereticall and erro∣neous persons. Woful experience shews us, what desolations are made by Satan in our corrupt Generation: what mischievous wayes of iniquity many are led into. Many are drawn aside, into great profanenesse of life: others are sunk deep into rebellion, others are gone aside into the way of perjury and Cove∣nant-breaking, others into wayes of cruelty, persecution and oppression, others almost into grosse Atheisme: we may take up the Com∣plaint of the Prophet Isay 59. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers

with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness: none calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth, they trust in vanity and speak lies, they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity, they hatch Cockatrice Eggs, and weave the Spiders Webs: he that eat∣eth of the Eggs dyeth, and that which is crushed, breaketh out into a Viper: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evill, and they make haste to shed Innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not, and there is no judgement in their goings: they have made them crooked paths, whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. A man would wonder to see and hear the horrible wickednesses that many are fallen into: some openly profane the Sab∣baths, others defile their Neighbours wife, and think they do not sin in so doing. The cause of all these may be given in the words of the same Prophet Isay 59. 14. 15. Truth is fallen in the streets, yea truth faileth. The Devil hath taken away from them this Girdle of Truth, and now they stop at no kind of abominati∣ons. The Girdle of truth is quite loosed, and this doth so enervate and weaken them, that they are forced to do what ever the Devil re∣quires of them. And can ye wonder at it? The losse of truth will certainly introduce all kinde of iniquity. And that both ex Natura Rei, and ex justo Dei judicio. (1.) Ex Natura

Rei. The understanding is the first wheel in man, it turns about the whole man, as the Helme doth the Ship: if the judgement be rotten, neither the heart, nor the life can be sound. We finde therefore in Scripture, these two joyned together, faith and a good Consci∣ence. Ever when men have been corrupted in the head, they have been corrupted in their lives, 1 Tim. 1. 19. holding faith and a good Conscience &c. he that puts away faith, must put away a good Conscience, whether he will or no: he that makes ship-wrack of faith, will soon make ship-wrack both of Conscience and Conversation. (2.) Ex justo Dei jud••cio. Its Gods way to punish the rejection of truth, with giving men up to ungodline••s of life. Thus God punished the Heathen, Rom. 1. 25. 26, 27, 28, 29. where you have both the sin, and the just punishment of it. So 2 Thes. 2. 10. 11, 12.

Exhortation. Let all Christians be careful to keep fast about them this Girdle. We have a kinde of Popish Proverb among us, ungirt, un∣blessed. There is a truth in it, in this sense. If Satan finde you without your Girdle upon your loyns, he will easily prevail with you in the day of temptation. Labour therefore to get and to keep this Girdle; and if you see it grow weak, labour to strengthen it. Let me add a few helps by way of direction, and I have done.

(1.) Avoid the company and breath of known Seducers. They will either quite take away your girdle, or else they will much slacken it in a very short time, if you have to do with them. If any man come to your house, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not, nor bid him, God speed, 2 Joh. 9. 10. They have sleight of hand, they can cut your purses, while they look in your faces; from such turn aside, 2 Tim. 3. 5.

(2.) Do not think meanly of such Truths, as are of an inferiour Nature, and more remote from the Foundation. He that cuts off every day a small shred from his girdle, will very soon snap it quite asunder. Though every Truth be not fundamental, yet every Truth is a guard to the Foundation: the outer skin of an Apple lies remote from the heart; yet if you pluck that off, the very heart will be sooner rotten. The finger is not a vital part; but a Gangrene in the finger, will (in a short time) reach to the very Vitals, and corrupt the blood and spirits.

(3.) Be much in prayer to him that keepeth both the hearts and the feet of his Saints, that he would keep the Truth in you, and you in the Truth.

Holy Father, saith our Saviour, keep through thine own Name, those whom thou hast given me, Joh. 17. 11. Let us often pray this Prayer of Christ; Holy Father, keep us through thy Holy Name. Tie on this girdle of Truth that it may nei∣ther slip off, nor be taken off. The Apostle Jude puts

these two together, ver. 20. Building up your selves in your most Holy Faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

(4.) Take heed, as of all sins, so especially of the sin of Pride. As Heresie is the mother of pride and scornfulness; so Pride is the High-way to be Heretical. A proud person will soon be an erroneous person: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, &c. he is proud knowing nothing, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4. Pride will make the Heart swell so bigge, that the Girdle of Truth about your Loyns, wil soon be knapt asunder. Humility, and Watchfulness, are the best Buckles for this Girdle, and the way to preserve Truth; but Pride and Care∣lesnesse is the way to lose it.

(5.) Keep a good Conscience in all things to∣wards God, and towards Man. As the falling off from the Mystery of Faith, will corrupt the Conscience; so a corrupt Conscience, and an ungodly Life, will, in time, destroy the Mystery of Faith. There is this Reason for it: The Doctrine of godliness, reproves the Deeds of ungodliness: and therefore whoever goes on in ungodly Practices, will, at last, cast off the Doctrine of godliness, that he may not be a Reprover to himself. Keep the Grace of Truth, that you may preserve the Doctrine of Truth also. Thus for the first Interpretation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  LECT. 8
• * 1.2

  Note,
• * 1.3

  1. Doct.
• * 1.4

  1. Ʋse.