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Saints compared to Souldiers.
2 Tim. 2.3. Thou therefore endure Hardness, as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ.
A Souldier is taken in Scripture either properly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or metaphori∣cally.
Properly, it is understood of a Person that is employed in Military Af∣fairs, one that bears Arms, and is under Military Command, Mat. 8.9.
Metaphorically, it is to be understood of a Christian, that is engaged to fight the good Fight of Faith, under the Command of Jesus Christ, against the Enemies of the Soul. This Title is not appropriated only to Ministers, (it is not a discriminating Title, only to distinguish them from other Saints, as the Title of Ambassador, Pastor, Watchman, &c.) but a Title that belongs to every Christian, and Professor of Christ. So that Timothy is not called a Souldier, meerly because he was an Evangelist, but as he was a Disciple, &c.
Saints are compared to Souldiers; every true Christian is a spiritual Souldier of Jesus Christ.
Metaphor. | Parallel. |
A Souldier is listed under some Captain or Commander; he gives up his Name to him, and en∣ters himself into his Service. | SO every true Christian listeth himself under the Command of Jesus Christ, who is the Captain of our Salvation; He gives up his Name to him, to serve him in all Uprightness, as becometh a faithful Souldier to do, making a solemn Covenant with Christ, and his People, to be on their side; and this is visibly done in Baptism. |
II. A Souldier leaves all other worldly Affairs and Incumbrances, to follow that particular Employ. No Man that warreth,* 1.1 entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life, that he may please him that hath chosen him to be a Souldier. They ought not, like Reuben, to abide among the Sheep-folds,* 1.2 to hear the Bleating of the Sheep. | II. So a true Christian forsakes all, and follows Christ; he becomes dead to this World; he is crucified to it, and that many times to him. His Heart is not set upon Things below,* 1.3 but upon Things above; he looks upon Religion and Godliness, as his great Work and Busi∣ness. They that are after the Flesh,* 1.4 do mind the Things of the Flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the Things of the Spirit. |
III. A Souldier, after he is listed, and entred into his Company, he is armed, and put into a fit Posture for that Work and Service he is called to. | III. So a true Christian also is no soo∣ner converted, listed, and entred into Christ's Company, viz. his Church, but he is armed likewise. He puts on the whole Armor of God, hath his Loins girt about with Truth, and hath the Breast∣plate of Righteousness, his Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace,* 1.5 the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And because most of those Parts or Pieces of a Christian's Ar∣mor are spoken to and opened under that Head of Metaphors respecting the Graces of the Spirit, we shall speak no more of it here. |
IV. A Souldier is known by his Habit, Armor, and Weapons, from other Men; they put off their own Clothes, and put on the King's, es∣pecially if poor and ragged when they are listed. | IV. So a true Christian is known by the Clothes he hath on, from the Wicked and Ungodly of the World. He is cloathed with the Garment of Holiness and Hu∣mility; and hath on all the precious Graces of the Spirit, as Armor of Proof, fast girt to him by the Girdle of Sincerity; and this shews him to be one of Christ's Souldiers. |