THE UNCONQUERABLE, ALL-CONQUERING, & more-then-CONQUERING SOLDIER: Or. The successful WAR which a Believer Wageth with the Enemies of his Soul: As also the Absolute and Unparallelled VICTORY that he obtains finally over them through the love of God in Jesus Christ. As it was Discoursed in a SERMON Preached at Boston in New-England, on the Day of the ARTILLERY-ELECTION there, June 3d. 1672.  
By Urian Oakes Pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge.  1 Cor. 9 26. 
I so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the Air.  Ephes. 6. 13 
Take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done (or, overcome) all, to stand.  Rev. 13. 7. 
And it was given unto Him to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them.  Rev. 12. 17. 
And they overcame Him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Testimony; and they loved not their Lives unto the Death.  Psal. 108. 13. 
Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our Enemies.  
CAMBRIDGE: Printed by Samuel Green. 1674.   

Christian Reader,  
THat Title of the Book of the Wars of the Lord, Numb. 21. 14 may truly be ascribed to that best of Books, the holy Scripture, wherein accordingly after a short account in the first leaf thereof; of the finishing of the Heavens, and the Earth, and all the Host of them, the Lord of Hosts do●…h presently acquaint us with the enmity put between the seed of the Woman, and the seed of the Serpent, 〈◊〉 3. 15. whereby 〈◊〉 is bid, and which Word of the Lord, hath, in a sense, g●…ven being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Battles that have been fought in the World, for more than 5000 years, even from the beginning thereof unto this day; and whence it is also, that this Earth shall be the continued Field and Stage of War▪ ●…ill the last day; witness the close of this bloody Scene, in the Scriptures last prediction of the great; Pitched, Fatal and Final Battle between the same Serpent, the Dragon and his Seed, in the Book of the Revelation; The upshot whereof will be the last and amazing opening, and so the eternal shutting of Heaven and Hell, filled with the Combatants respectively, for the receiving their Arrears therein. The day of judgement, doubtless, will be the day of publishing (and by sound of the left Trumpet) the compleatest History of the whole fight from first to last; in the interim the Lord General hath his many Heralds at Arms, to denounce his Wars, and so proclaim also his Peace to the World, both by Word of Mouth (as by sound of Trumpet, Isai. 58. 1.) and by Writing also, of some of whom especially it may be said, as sometime of Lucan, viz ut praelia videatur non canere, sed committere, & tonare Classicum, eodemque ardore arma scribe●…t, quo Caesar tractavit, they have not shunned to deliver the whole Counsel of God, and that in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with Power; And blessed be the Lord for all the Alarms, Lectures of War, Instructions and Hortatory Speeches given from the Captain of our Salvation by any of his Commission Officers, for the doubling and fortifying our spiritual Watch. Israel under the Law needed the Priests of the Lord (in order to their 〈…〉 to found the silver Trumpets, Numb. 10. 2, 9 that so blowing an●… A●… that H●… Camp might be remembered before the Lord their God, and saved from their Enemies: and the whole life of every Christian, being that of a Man of War, hence what may tend to aceomplish him in his Heavenly Military skill, and encourage him in his spiritual conflict wherein that Cry is still heard (as Exod. 32. 26.) Who is on the Lord's side? yea, wherein the E●…igent is such, that he must either Fight or Dye, and that the consequence is for no less than Eternity, must needs be welcome to him, and so, without question, will be this following Watchword and Exhortation, delivered to the principal Artillery Company of this Land, at whose request it was first published to the Ear and Heart of the Hearer, and is now (after not a little importunity) to the Eye also of the Reader, from one of our Leaders (Heb. 13. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) under the Chief Leader (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 2. 10.) jesus Christ who is given for'●… Leader and Commander to the People, Isai. 55. 4. this discourse being to animate each one thereof, as a good Soldier of jesus Christ to endure hardness; giving us sure intelligence of the happy success of this Divine Militia, the blessedness of every faithful Warrior, in being more than a Conqueror: and though he may seem to be worsted in this or that Battle, yet as to the whole war, that he shall be, yea, in the language of Truth, that he is an Overcomer, and above an Overcomer. A Christians victory is indeed like to that of his chief Commander jesus Christ, Col. 2. 14, 15. and through that Blood, and infinite Grace, very strange and mysterious; he is overcoming, when i●… appearance overcome, and triumphing, when to the view of others he is a crucified Captius: as dying and behold we live! 2 Cor. 6. 9 A Paradox, and incredible in other Combats; and yet the wonder seems not so great that he should gain such a Victory over all his Enemies of this World, when we consider him as one that hath (with Reverence be it spoken) conquered the Lord himself, as is said of jacob, whom the Lord Dubbed with the Name of Israel, Gen. 〈◊〉. 20. because as a Prince he had power with God, and had prevailed, whence also that strange word from the Lord himself, Cant. 6. 5. turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me; thus do they sometimes come forth, e●…arend, from the dust, Isai. 52. 2. and from their wrestling places of Prayer, as Luther did with those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Faith, vicimus! vicimus! and surely ●…uch as one may glory in, the Lord, and through him humbly boast even as soon as he hath put on his spiritual Harness, because he is here well assured, by the promise, of the victory, before he sometimes strikes a stroke; and for which cause partly he may be said to be more than a Conqueror.  
Every Victory was not celebrated with a Triumph; to be triumphant is ●…orc o'er then to be victorious. There were, and are the Battles, wherein eve●… the victor hath no c●…use so much as to rejoice: of which sort ●…e may 〈◊〉 those, of them (who being not only visibly listed under the B●…er of Jesus Christ, but have Christ in them, the hope of Glory, yet) by whose Divisions and fidings, and warrings one against the other, through the hour and power of darkness, and temptation prevailing, the truth and peace is lost: these are Bella nullos habitura triumphos: and O that a most serious and wise consideration of their common danger from the Gates of Hell, and the necessity of that Brotherly union to which the Lord hath entailed the blessing, by way of command, even life for evermore, might ●…ause a retreat to it, in all quarters of the spiritual Camp sounded, from those hazardous and w●…ful pursuits! shall the Sword devour for ever? will it not be bitterness in the latter end? how will the uncircumeised rejoice?  
The most Warlike Christian Soldier will see, one day, that he had not any Military skill, strength, courage or weapon to spare, wherewith to sight against Christ, in waging any unbrotherly War against any of the called, thosen and faithful followers of that Lamb. As for those of Christ's Enemies, sinful self, the Devil, and this evil World (all Antichristianism) fight agains●… them we should, and not spare them; the severe●… encounters cannot be too sharp; no quarter must either be given or taken here for ever. The Enemy is discovered, and those Stratagems of Faith in the Blood of Christ proposed by the Reverend Author of the following Sermon (whose praise is in the Gates) as that, b●… our right taking the Word, not only victory may be gained, but what is 〈◊〉 transeendent. Thou hast here (by one of the Lords Auxiliaries, expert in warring the warfare of the service of the Congregation (for such will the service of the Ministry be found, Numb. 8. 24, 25.) sent else from asar, upon the relief to us, and in such a day) graphically represented to thy view the Church even Triumphant here on Earth, more than conquering while it is in in●…ate Militant. And though their ancient Triumphs were appointed for the General of the Army, not for the common Soldiers, yet in this Spiritu●… War, the meanest of Christ's followers shall Triumph with him, and divide the Spoils; an earnest and specimen whereof they that are sincere are not seldom acquainted with in this life; whence there are erected in heart and life, Trophies of the lesser victories gained, and all to the Glory of him, in whom when they are weak they are strong, through the power of his might, and may conclude before hand that they are more than Conquerors, and shall abide s●… superlatively for ever; roceiving those dona militaria which are to ●…e distribute●… to all such as are faithful unto death: I will give thee (saith the Lord Rev. 2. ●…0) the Crown of life: There is the corona triumphalis, not for Paul only, a primipilar Champion, But 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. which shall be given by the 〈◊〉 judge, 〈◊〉 them also (even to all them that fight the good fight, finish their course, and keep the faith: and) that love his appearing; and that be would so come quickly (O come quickly) is the Prayer of  
The least of thy Fellow Soldiers, desirous to serve under the Royal Standard of the Lord Jesus, Thomas Shepard.   
ROME 8. 37●…. Nay, in all these Things we are more than Conquerors, through him that loved us. 
IN these Words we have the Apostle Paul's not Ovation, but Triumph, not Triumph only, but Something▪ I know not how to word it) Exhibited in the Name and on the Behalf of Himself and all true Believers, Indigitating and Importing a more than ordinary Triumph over all those Enemies that oppose themselves against the Progress and Advance of a Christian in his way to the Fruition of the sweet Fruits of the Everlasting Love of God in Jesus Christ. Having perspicuously, copiously, and demonstratively asserted and vindicated the illustrious Doctrine of Justification in a way of Free Grace by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the beginning of this excellent Epistle, which is ingeniously styled by the great Melancth●…n, the Confession of the Reformed Churches: he proceeds in the sixth Chapter to Discourse of the Fruits and Consequents thereof, namely, Sanctification and Obedience; the Mortification of indwelling sin in Believers, and the renovation, or rather infusion of a new Principle of Spiritual Life and Holiness. Now because this work is but inchoate and imperfect, and in part only transacted in this World; and there are remainders of sin in this life in the best of Saints; and because Grace and Corruption are vigorous, active, operative Principles, dwelling so near together, under the same Roof, in the same Soul, yea in the very same Faculties: there must needs arise a sharp and severe War in the Soul between these two Neighbouring and Opposite Natures, the particular event●… and successes whereof are various and uncertain; but the Victory is infallibly determined in the issue on the side of Grace. Grace indeed i●… greatly beset, hardly bestead, much encumbered and almost overthrown at some reasons: but it will certainly eluctari, wrestle and recover itself out of all the dangers that threaten it. Now there is a double War which is commenced and waged by Believers in this Life: A War with the evil of sin, and a War with the evil of sufferings or afflictions so far as they would imp●…e or do oppose them in their March to Heaven. Of the War with sin, indwelling sin: (th●… inbred, homebred Enemy, that Mother of all the A●…ominations that are brought forth in the lives of Men, that Adversary that is ever molesting the peace, disturbing the quiet, and endangering the condition of the People of God) the Apostle discourseth feelingly and at large in the seventh chapter of this Epistle: where he finally adjudges the victory to Grace, in the last verse of that, and in the beginning of the eight Chapter also. Of the War with Afflictions, or the evil of sufferings from Satan, or the World, from what hand, of what kind., and howsoever conditioned and circumstanced; he Discourseth Admirably, at the seventeenth verse of this Chapter and ●…o forwards, and he comes in the procedure of his Discourse to give unquestionable Assurance to the good Soldiers of Jesus Christ, of the full and final decision of this grand Controversy, and the happy issuing of all these hazardous conflicts, whether with sin or sufferings, in a glorious and absolute victory: Insomuch as having made sure of God on the side of himself and Believers, he doth in his own and their Name make an open Challenge, and bid defiance to all opposite and adverse powers, ver. 31. If God before us who then can be against us? He ●…ids Sin, Satan, and an evil World do their worst against Believers that are thus entrenched in, and walled about with the Love of God; thus fortified and defended, aided and assisted by the Almighty one, the Lord of Hosts. And having laid his foundation in God's Predestination, and Christ's Mediation, he superstructs upon it, and plainly asserts the invincibleness of every sound Believer, notwithstanding the Relics of sin that encumber him, the Temptations of Satan that molest him, and the afflictions and evils of the World that set themselves in Battle array against Him. He represents to us the Christian as a person that may be opposed, combated and contended withal: but never routed, run down, totally defeated or overthrown in any Engagement. Now this invincibleness of the Christian Combatant, the Believing Champion (that in the Name of the Lord defies all the Hosts and Armies of Earth and Hell that come against him) notwithstanding the Remainders of sin, the greatness and unavoidableness of his Afflictions and Sufferings, is expressed,  
1. Negatively, ●…er. 35. Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? The Argument stands thus: if nothing can separate a Christian from the Love of God in Christ, than nothing can conquer him, but he is invincible. But nothing can make that woeful destructive separation: which he proves by an enumeration or induction of particulars; shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, etc. therefore he is invincible. This negation is clearly imported in the interrogation. For though it may be a stale, yet it is a true and useful observation, that interrogations affirmatively expressed in Scripture are wont to ●…arry in them the force and signification of vehement negations. The meaning of the Apostle in plain terms is, that neither Tribulation, nor Distress, nor Persecution, nor Famine, nor Nakedness, nor Peril, nor Sword, nor any thing else of an ●…imical nature can possibly separate a true Believer from the dear love of Jesus Christ.  
2. Affirmatively, in the Words of the Text; Nay in all th●…se things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us. A●… if he should say●… we are so far from being worsted and prevailed over by the Enemies of our Salvation that war against us, from succumbing under the L●…d they are laying upon us, and losing our Interest in the Fruits of the Everlasting Love of God in Christ, by Reason of the opposition that is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in our way, that we carry the Day, and are sure of a very glorious victory.  
In this Verse we may remark these two things.  
1. A singular Privilege: And that is Victory & Conquest, which is illustrated & amplified, (1.) From the Extent and Universality of it. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all these things: such as he had mentioned before, or what else can be mentioned and imagined by us. (2.) From the transcendent incomparable Excellency of it. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are more than Conqu●…rours, or do more then overcome. It is a Victory, with Surplusage and Advantage, a Victory, and somewhat more than a Victory: a Superlative and incomparable Conqu●…st and Victory that is obtained. (3.) From the Foundation of this glorious Victory, o●… the great and only means of acquiring and obtaining it. And that is, Th●… Lord Jesus Christ. Through him that loved us, saith the Apostle: m●…ning Christ, or God in Christ jesus. (4.) From the first, grand, impulsive ●…use of it, the proegumenical Cause of this glorious Victory which i●… infallibly obtained, and that is, the Love of God in Christ. The special love of God in his Son Jesus Christ is the first Cause of these victorious Atchievmen●…, More than Conquerors through Him that loved us.  
2. The Persons that are thus Privileged, or invested in this great priv●…ledge: that have Victory & Triumph ascertained to them. We are more the●… conquerors. Not only the great Apostle Paul himself, that renowned Warrior, and brave Champion of the Lord Jesus Christ: But all true Believers also universally. He ranks Himself with, and discourseth of Believer●… in general, that walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit; Believing, Justified and Sanctified men and women. They are not exempted or Secured from violent Onsets, furious Assaults, hazardous and desperat●… Conflict●… with their mortal Enemies that war against their Souls: But they have this admirable Advantage above all other men, that they are assured of a glorious Victory. The Intendment of the Apostle in the words is Obvious, and may be drawn into this Observation.  
Doct. That all true Believers have a transcendent, and incomparably glorious Conquest and Victory in all their severe ●…agements with the Enemies of their Peace and Happiness, through the Love of God in Christ jesus.  
Believing, Justified persons through the Love of God in Christ have the better by many Degrees of the Enemies of their Salvation, and are m●…h too hard for them in all their sharp Disputes and Encounters with them. All the●… h●…ve believed through Grace, and are admitted into a st●…te of Justification and, Accepration with the Lord a. c' more than conquerors, successful and victorious beyond Expression or Comparison, in their Combats and Co●…flicts with their Enemies (those adverse powers that war against th●…m), through D●…vine Love in Jesus Christ●…, This Proposition which we have laid down, as the Subject of our present Ex●…rcise, and which is evidently founded and comprised in the words of the Text, hath a large Compass and a very great Circumference, as you will readily apprehend. We are now entering into a very large Field, and might traverse a great deal of Ground, if Time and strength would allow us to place it over. We have many Things before us to be discoursed for the due Explication and Confirmation of this observation. The way of quickest dispatch, and greatest Expedition; as well as Clearness, and Demonstration, will be to cast all we have ●…o say to the Doctrinal part into Six or Seven grand Conclusions.  
Concl. 1. Eve●…y true Believer is a Soldier, and engaged in a Warfare. I ●…ould it were reciprocally true, that every Soldier amongst us is a true Bell●…●…am suee every Soldier ought to be a Believer: and of all men Mi●… mwn, when they are commanded out upon real Service, to look Death and Danger in the Face, and carry their Lives in their Hands, had need of Faith and Grace, and Interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thereby the Con●…ition of their Souls well secured for Eternity But it is Infallibly and Universally ●…ue that every Believer is a Soldier in a spiritual Consideration. The whole Body of Christians that walk by Faith in this lower World, the ●…lace of Sin, and Sorrow, and Temptation, and Absence from the Lord, is apt●… and ●…uly called the Church Militant in Contra-Distinction from that ●…hich is, Triumphant in the highest Heavens. Those that are arrived at a ●…te of Glory have fought their fight, and finished the Course of their Wat●…are, and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of pu●…h of Pike or Gunshot, far enough ●…moved out of the Reach of their Adversaries. They are marched out of the Field, and discharged from any further Service, and enjoying their Reward. But the people of God in this world are in a warfaring state and Condition. The first moment that any man is effectually called and converted, and sa●…ingly wrought upon, He is engaged on Christ's side against the world, the Flesh, and the Devil, taken into Christ's pay, puts on his Armour, and is prepared for the Battle. For the Graces of God's Spirit, which are infused at a Christians Conversion, are a Believers spiritual Armour, Eph. 6. 13, 14, etc. Eve●…y Chris●…ian when he is new Born is born a Soldier. It is said of Goliath, the Philistine Champion, that he was a Man of war from his youth, I Sam. 17 33. But it may be truly said of the Christian Champion, that He is a Man of war from his Birth Neither is He a poor naked Creature, as it is with the Children of the first Birth: but He comes into the new world in his Suit of Armour, armed Cap apé with complete Armour of Proof, b●… vested with the Graces of the Spirit of Christ. He hath his excellent and invincible General, the Lord Jesus Christ; and hath taken his Sacr●… 〈◊〉 militare, his Oath of Fidelity and Obedience to his great Lord Genera●… He hath also (if there be opportunity, and he walk orderly) his Com●… that he is listed into, the Church, I mean, He walks in Fellowship with 〈◊〉 at least He is enrolled among the Members of the Church-Militant in general. He hath his Banner to fight under: even the love of Christ displayed for a Defence to his Soldiers and Followers, and a Flag of Defiance ●…o their Adversaries, Cant. 3. 4. He hath his Arms and Weapons, offensive and defensive to fight withal. He hath his Soldierly Qualifications, and military Accomplishments; Courage, Skill, Patience, Hope of victory, Faithfulness to, and Confidence in his General, Orderliness, Disposi●…ion to 〈◊〉 Hardship, or whatever else may be mentioned. Every wicked●…●…dead is a Soldier, but he fights against God, strengthens himself, and ●…ratches out his hand against the Almighty, and runneth on his Neck; and upon the thick, bosses of his Bucklers, Job. 15. 25, 26. He fights against hims●… and his own Soul, keeping those Lusts in pay that war against the So●… 〈◊〉. 2. 〈◊〉 He puts on the whole Armour of the Devil, that He may be able to stand against all the Shocks of Conscience, or encounters of the Word and Spirit of God, and fight it out to the last with the Infinite Majesty, to the ev●… lasting Ruin of his Immortal Soul. But he is neither engaged in, ●…vided and accomplished for the Holy War we are discoursing of 〈◊〉 that is not a Believer is a conquered, disarmed slave, that men 〈◊〉 in the Service of the Enemies of his Soul, and is in no Condition of sight●… with them. If He begin to bestir himself (through the Convictions, awak●… ings and Alarms of Conscience) and to hold up his Hand, or make any ●…sistance, He is knocked down and overcome presently, and ma●… 〈◊〉 th●… a Captive (as the Believer is said to be more than a Conqueror) 〈◊〉 more a Vassal and Drudge to his Lusts, and other Enemies then before. But a Believer is a man of War, a Soldier well appointed, in a good 〈◊〉 pacity and Condition to dispute it out with any of his Adversaries.  
Concl. 2. Every true Believer hath constant fight work before 〈◊〉 There is no End of his war in this world, not any time wherein He any give over fight. 
Nunquam Bella piis, nunquam Certamina desunt:  
●…t quocum certet mens pia semper habet.   
It is not so with other Soldiers. There is a Time when Kings go 〈◊〉 to Batiel, 2 Sam. 1. 1. 1. And there is a Time when they disband their 〈◊〉, or draw them into their winter Quarters, or make a Cessation of ●…ll 〈◊〉 of Hostility by Leagues or Truces. There is a Time of War (saith 〈◊〉 3. 8.) and a Time of peace. Other Soldiers are not always ●…ting: but a Christians Duty and Employment is to fight continually. He cannot assure himself of any Respite or Intermission in the Course of his warfare. This may be convincingly made out in three or four Particulars.  
1. Every Believer reacheth after, march●…th towards the perfect enjoyment of the blessed. Fruits of the everlasting Love of God. This is the prize He runs for, the Crown he sights for, the Recompense of re●…ard He hath respect unto, the End and Aim of his Race and wrestling. He is in his Journey or upon his March towards that City which hath Foundations (Heb. 11. 10.) that better Country, where He may enjoy the glorious Fruits of the peculiar Love of God in perfection. Every Christian is in a wayfaring state, and declares plainly (by the course he shapes and steers) that he is a Stranger ●…ere, and seeking a Country, Heb. 11. 14. travelling towards the Heavenly Can●…an, and the face of his soul is set towards that jerusalem whichis above. He hath Grace and Glory in his Eye, and is engaged in a close and eager pursuit of Happiness. The end of his Faith and Holy Conversation is the Salvation of his Soul, and the perfect and perpetual Fruition of the Love of God in the brightest discoveries and richest effusions of it.  
2. Every Believer meets with great opposition in his March and way to the God aforesaid from Enemies that make Head against Him, and do what they 〈◊〉 ●…o separate Him from the Love of God in Christ jesus. He meets with numerous Adversaries that design and drive at this to hinder Himself and the Rest of God's people in their Travels to Canaan, to divert and turn them out of the Road of Holiness and Obedience, which leads to Happiness, to pluck them (if it were possible) out of God's Hand, to tear them out of his loving Embraces, to cut them short of the blessed Fruition of the Love of God in Christ. God leads every Believer, as it were, through the Land of the Philistines where they must see War, and brings Him to the Heavenly Canaan that way. And he meets with this Opposition,  
1. From Himself, and that sin that dwells in Him. From his own Heart and Nature, as it is depraved and vitiated: from his natural corruption, or that sin that is inlaid and radicated in his Nature. This is the principal, the Capital, the Grand Enemy, that is bred in his Bowels, raising intestine civil Wars, without which his foreign Enemies, the Rest of his Adversaries could do Him no Hurt, nor make any considerable Head against Him▪ ●…t was the great Advantage of the Captain of our Salvation (as our Saviour is called, Heb. 2. 10.) in all his Engagements with Satan and his Instruments, that He was Holy, Harmless, undefiled, and separate from Sinners, Heb. 7. ●…6. ●…hat He know no sin, 2 Cor. 5. 21. that He had no sin in Him. Hence it was that just before his last and greatest Encounter with Satan, He tells his ●…isciples, The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me, Jo●…. 14. 30. There was nothing in our Lord Jesus that complied with, or was ●…itable to the temptations of the God of this World: nothing to close with his suggestions, or entertain his Terrors: the Enemy without had no correspondents within him, Satan could not lay hands, or fasten a Temptation upon him. Christ threw him off with ease in this respect. Hence he was tempted indeed in all points, like as we are, yet wi●…hout sin, Heb. 4. 15. Temptation to Christ was like throwing a But upon a Crystal Glass, which will not stick, but glides off. But alas! the sin of our Natures is Satan's strength and advantage. He finds enough in the best of Believers, that found nothing in our Saviour. Satan's sparks easily e●…me us, because he finds so much Tinder in us. The Lusts within us are ready to take fire at every injection. There is a Traitor in our own Bowels that is ready to open our Ports, and let in the Adversary. Now of the War which a Christian wages with this homebred, intestine Enemy, the seventh Chapter of this Epistle to the Romans gives us a clear account: where the Apostle raises an Outcry, and makes Doleful Complaints of the remainders of sin, the Law in the Members, the body of Sin and Death, and Discourseth of the Nature, Power and Prevalency of indwelling sin, as to some engagements. The Apostle james speaks of the Lusts that War in our Members, Jam. 4. 1. And Peter of fleshly Lusts that war against the Soul, 1 Pet. 2. 11. these make up that opposite party within a Christian that would intercept and stop him in his way to Glory: a secret, subtle, treacherous, designing party that creates him a world of trouble and danger in his journey towards Heaven.  
2. From the World, which is another Enemy that would obviate and intercept the People of God in their Travels. Hence the World was a part of Christ his glorious Conquest. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the World, Joh. 16. 33. And the Believer that is born of God by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ overcomes it too, 1 john 5. 4. which plainly implies that the World is an Enemy. Considerable are the Expressions of the Apostle to this purpose, jam. 4. 4. know ye not that the friendship of the World is enm●…ty with God? whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World, is the Enemy of God. And doth it not follow hence, that he that is a Friend of God is an Enemy to the World, as it lies in opposition to God, and the World (in that respect) an Enemy to him? The World is one of the Associates of that false party within a Christian, and under the conduct of Satan militates against a Believer. Particularly:  
1. The Snares & Allurements of the World, which would 〈◊〉 away and seduce a Chr●…stian from following after God. These make war upon a Child of God; and are dangerous Enemies. As they say, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fight with Silver or Gold weapons, and never doubt of Victory. Some Enemies have bought great Victories, which they could never have won otherwise. All these things wi●… give th●…e, this profit, pleasure, Honour, (saith the flattering World 〈◊〉 Believer) if thou wilt fall down, or surrender to me. These ensnaring and alluring Objects, which the world presents the Sons of Men with, have such a close and intimate correspondence with the Lusts in their Hearts, and what is carnal in them, that they fight against their Souls with great Advantage and Success. The Apostle having dehorted from the love of the World, and the things that are in the World, sums up all that is in the World in those three particulars, the Just of the Flesh, the Just of the Eyes, and the pride of Life. 1 joh. 2. ●…5, 16. The Apostle speaks as if there were nothing else in the world but Lusting: because there is such a curse come upon all Creature-enjoyments with reference to man, that so far as He is of the world, they are Objects of Lust to Him, exciting, drawing forth, invigorating and improving that Lust and Corruption that is in him. By these Lusts the Apostle means the several respective Objects, and puts the Lust which is in us for the things themselves lusted after, Carnal Pleasures, Profits and Preferments. He saith not sensual Pleasures, Riches, Honour (though he speaks of them) but the Lusts of the Flesh and Eye, ●…nd pride of Life; because our Lusts render them evil to us (how lawful soever in themselves the Objects are) and make them Objects of Temptation and Seduction from the Lord, putting a painted Whorish Beauty and tempting Lustre upon them, varnishing them 〈◊〉 and making false representations of them. Yea, it is evident (as the 〈◊〉 Dr. Owen observes Treatise of Temptat. pag. 68 That all th●…se things (the Lust of the Flesh, etc.) are principally in the Subject, not in the Object; in the Heart not in the World: But they are said to be in the World, b●…cause the World gets into them, mixes itself with them, unites, incorporates. As Faith and the promises are said to be mixed, Heb. 4 2. So are Lust and Temptation (from worldly Objects) mixed; they twine together, 〈◊〉 mutual improvement one from an●…ther, grow each of them higher and higher by the mutual strength they administer to one another. From this mixture, Union, and Incorporation of the Objects in the World with the Lusts in the Hearts of Men, and their firm and close combination together, it comes to pass that the enticing, tempting World is a very potent and prevailing Adversary to the Souls of Men: And that Believers themselves ●…n whom the Lusts mentioned are but in part mortified and subdued) have hard work sometimes to stand their Ground against the snares and allurements and bewitching insinuations of a d●…ceitful World. To this Head reduce sinful Examples in the World, Counsels of Carnal Friends, the Friendship of the World, which is E●…mity ●…o God and good men, Jam 4 4 False Doctrines which are spo●… out of the Wo●…ld 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 joh. 4 5. calculated to the corrupt Humours, Inclinations and Interests of the m●… of the World, and therefore of a very grateful resentment with them. In a word, all Worldly Lusts (as the Apostle calls them, Tit. 2. 12) that are so many baits and snares to entangle and entice the People of God to desert the Holy and good ways of the Lord: those Golden 〈◊〉 that are thrown down before a Christian to invite him to g●…ze upon them, and stoop to take them up, that so he may be retarded and stopped in his course, and lose the prize he runs for.  
2. The Troubles and Affrightments of the World. Th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the formidable, f●…ightful Afflictions and persecutions that would im●…e, or reta●…d and hinder the people of God in their Travels towards that H●…enly Country, where the sweet Fruits of Divine Love are to be enjoyed in the greatest maturity and perfection of them. That Tribulation in the World against which the Lord Jesus lays in great encouragement from the consideration of his own Corquest of the World, joh. 16. 33. Of this ill 〈◊〉 and Entertainment in the world, the Afflictions that the Children of God must expect to contest withal, the Apostle discourseth here, Rom. 8. 35, 36, 37. Tribulation, Distress, Persecution, Famine, Nakedness, Peril, Sword, and such like formidable things to Nature, oppose the Faithful in their way, and make war upon them. A Christian lies open to many sharp and fiery Trials, 1 Pet. 4. 12. and must look to endure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a great fight or Concertation of Afflictions, Heb. 10. 32. The World can put on two Faces, and change its Countenance as occasion servs. If feigned flattering smiles will not do, then killing Frowns shall, if it be possible. The World hath Terrors to affright, as well as Allurements to entice Believers out of the way of Happiness. The men of the world are usually pricks in the eyes, and Thorns or Scourges in the sides of Believers. Briers and T●…orns are with them in the world (as the Lord tells the Prophet, Ezek. 2. 6) that will scratch the Face of their Reputation, wound them in their outward Concernments, and tear th●…ir Flesh: yea, they dwell among Scorpions, that will put them to great torment, and sting them to Death. Aelian reports concerning the Lybians, ocreatos dormire solere that they were wont to sleep with their Boots on, lest the Scorpions, their Country was infested with, should sting them. I am sure a Christian had need walk Booted, and have his Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, yea, to be defended and ●…med in all respects, or He will be in much danger of t●…●…any scorpions in ●…is way. vid. Greenhil on Ezek. 2. 6. As beleivers have bodies of flesh and mortality, that keep open House for sicknesses, pains, Dis●…ses, and give Entertainment to them: So they are exposed to the Rage and 〈◊〉 of u●…reasonable men. They pass through an Enemy, Country, where they have many Affronts and Indignities offered them. If lies and Calumnies, Scoffs and Scorns, angry looks and cruel threatenings, opprobrious and injurious dealings, or any kind of Cruelty may be likely to scare a Believer out of his way, or force Him to a dishonourable Retreat, or to run from his Colours by quitting his profession; the malignant angry world will be sure (if the Lord permit) to prove Him in that kind. In both the respects mentioned the world is an Enemy, and makes Opposition to Believers in their way to Glory. Furthermore a Believer meets with Opposition,  
3. From Satan, the Prince and God of the World, Eph. 6. 11, 12. If a Christian were to try Masteries, and contest only with Flesh and blood (whether we understand thereby his own Corruptions, or Opposition from men, like Himself) He would have hot and hard service of it. But this is his Case and Lot, to meet with Opposition from Principalities and Powers, the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, and spiritual wickedness in High places. He fights at great Disadvantage with Enemies, that have the Hill and upperground. He combats hand to Hand with the God of the World; as well as his Creatures, the men of the world. Satan is one of the Allies of Indwelling sin, and of Conf●…deracy with our own Hearts, which are ready every moment, if there be not a strict watch kept upon them, to betray us into his Hands, and deliver us up to Him. A Christian had need look to Himself, considering that Satan goes about dai●…y seeking to devour, 1 Pet. 5. 8. A Believer will be sure to meet with this Lion in his way. And our Flesh and Hearts (as was intimated before) are Satan's Correspondents and Confederates against the Spiritual Life, and Comfort, and Happiness of our Souls, ready to open to Him, make a Surrender of all, and comport with him in all his dangerous and destructive Applications of Himself unto us. This Spiritual Leviathan is a p●…ercing Serpent and a crooked Serpent, Isai. 27. 1. Sometimes, he opposes the People of God by Force, and then he is a p●…ercing Serpent, Sometimes he circumvents them by craft, and then He is a crooked Serpent. Vel rectus venit, vel tortuosus. Satan opposes the people of God in a way of Fraud, (He plays the Dragon and deceius them: He is a Serpent; yea, an old Serpent, Rev. 12. 9 and hath his Wiles, Eph. 6. 11. and advantageous Devices, t Cor. 2. 11. his methods of Deceit, and h●…s Depths or deep Contrivances, Rev 2. 24.) and in a way of force and violence. He acts the part of a Lion and rageth: and he hath his venomous Arrows, his fiery Darts, Eph. 6. 16. and makes many violent On-sets upon the Children or God. The Church of God, or the Body of Saints and Called Ones in the world, have the Gates of Hell (Math. 16. 18.) that is (as it is commonly expounded) the Power and Policy of the Devil, and his Instruments, and Under-Agents, to oppose them in their way to Heaven, though they sh●…ll not prevail in that Opposition. Lastly,  
4. From Death itself, which is the last Enemy. 1 Cor. 15. 26. When all the rest are beaten cut of the field, and a Christian is marching off and 〈◊〉 ready to make his Triumphant Entrance into Heaven, Death encounte●… him. This comes in by the Curse: and the natural or direct tendency of it is to separate a Son of Adam from God for ever. It is the great and g●… Executioner of the vindictive justice of God. Here men enjoy some Fruits of (at least) the general and common goodness of God: but when Death comes, it bushes them away from God, makes an everlasting separation between them, and all the fruits of the goodness of God, turns them into Hell, where they must feed upon the bitter Fruit of their own ways for ever. When Death hath done its Execut●…on upon the Condemned Sons and Daughters of Adam, God will then carry away all his goodness from them, and never afford them so much as one drop of Water to cool their Tongues to Eternity. That which makes Death so terrible is, that in the ordinary course of it, it makes a perfect and perpetual separation between the Sons and Daughters of men, and all the Fruits of the Love, and Goodness, and Patience of the blessed God. Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Rom. 5. 12. And where it Reigns and Triumphs, and is Victorious over any man, and fastens its Sting in him (as I may allude to 1 Cor. 15. 55.) it destroys him utterly by putting him into a condition of everlasting separation from God. Now this is the last Adversary that the Believing Christian Soldier contends withal; though upon more advantageous Terms than other men. Thus much for the second Particular under the second Conclusion. Every Believer meets with great opposition in his way.  
3. A Believer cannot possibly make his way through all these Enemies, and ●…ar down all this opposition without fight. He skirmishes with these Enemies, yea, fights many a pitched Battle against them. He must put on the whole Armour of God, Eph. 6. 11. and keep it on, and make use of the weapons of his Christian Warfare, and his Faith and other Graces will be sound put to it. It costs him many a Bickering. He runs, and Wrestles, and labeurs, and strives, and fights the good fight of Faith: as we might demonstrate by many Scripture Instances. By Fight, I mean a vigorous contending and conflicting with the Enemies of his Soul, which is expressed variously by the Holy Ghost in Scripture. He must strive hard that will enter in at the straight Gate, Luk. 13. 24. ordinary seeking will not do it. If the Believer put off his Armour, lay by his weapons, suffer the Sw●… of Faith to rust in the Scabbard, and draw it not forth as there is occasion; 〈◊〉 He hang down his Hands in Prayer, sink in his Hopes, cool in his Courage, and stand still in a secure careless manner; it will be impossible that he should b●…eak through those Legions of Devils, those Armies of Temptations, and make his way through those Adverse Powers, that oppose themselves in his wa●… to Happiness  
4. As the Opposition from, at least, some of his Enemies is perpetual in this life: So the Believer hath no rest, but hath work enough every day to contest with them. A Believer hath a restless E●…my to contend withal, as Hamibal said of Marcellus the Roman Consul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch, Marcel. Let him conquer or be conquered, he would never be quiet nor give over, neither give rest to his Enemy, nor tak●… it himself, he would be at it still, and never have done. So may we say much more of the Believers Enemies. Satan never draws his Forces out of the Field. Corruptions one way or other will be stirring, and the Christian shall be exercised ●…ill with some Thorn in the Flesh, and Buf●…etings of Satan's Messenger. The People in Nehemiab's time, when they were Alarmd ' and afraid of their malicious and malignant Neighbours, wrought with one hand and held a weapon in the other, Nehem. 4. 17. But such is the case of a Christian, that he must not only work, with a Weapon in the other hand, but he must actually use his Weapon whilst he is working; ●…ghting with one hand, and building or labouring with the other. If his Enemies conquer, they will be sure to prosecute their victory to the utmost, and lose no Advantage: if they be worsted and routed in any particular Engagement, they will not fail to rally their Forces, recruit and reinforce themselves presently and fall on again. So that a Christian had need eat and drink and sleep in his Arms. He hath no time to put off his Armour, to lay by his Weapons. He will be hotly engaged till the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 3. 19 the times of refreshing and cooling shall come. He can never be said in this world to be miles emer●…us, or stipendia confec●…sse: which were the Roman Phras●…s for them that were discharged from the Wars. If a Christian live to threescore years of age or more, he is not thereby superannuated, nor can he plead Age or any thing else to excuse himself from the duty of a Soldier. Verily there is no discharge in this Warfare on this side of the Grave. There is no bringing of these Enemies to a composition, no cessation to be made, no League or Truce to be admitted in this Warfare. A Christian must be constantly fight and contending against●… the Enemies of his peace and happiness. Thus much for the second Conclusion.  
Concl. 3. A true Believer is never totally and absolutely conquered in any Engagemen●… with the Enemies that War against him. To be Conquered sin the ●…se I take it here) is to be separated from the Love of God, and utterly deprived of the special fruits of it. Who shall separate us (saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 35) from the love of Christ? that is, who shall conquer us? I am persuaded that neither Death ●…r Life, nor Angel, etc. shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord, Rom. 8. 38, 39 Importing thus much, that a Christian can never be totally conquered, notwithstanding all the opposition that is made against him. Let Enemies do what they can against him, yet if he be not separated from the love of God, he is not absolutely Conquered, or defeated of his Happiness. In this respect a Believer is never Conquered. For,  
1. Nothing befalls him in his Warfare, notwithstanding what his Enemies attempt against him, that turns away the Heart of God utterly from him. Though Sin and Satan may prevail very far in some conflicts, yet never to such a degree as to provoke the Lord to reject him, and cast him out of his favour. God may be provoked by the compliances of a Believer at some turns with Sin and Satan and the World to take away the manifestations of his Love, to deny him some expressions of his Favour, to visit his transgressions with a Rod, and his iniquity with Stripes; but never to take his lovingkindness utterly from him, Psal. 89. 30— 33. A Believer may be so foiled and worsted by his Enemies, through the neglect of his watch, or otherwise, that God may be displeased with him; that there may be a discontinuance of the sensible expressions of the love of God to him, and an interruption of it as to manifestations: and yet there is no intercision of the love of God to him, as to the being of it. His love to him is unchangeable and everlasting.  
2. Nothing fal●…s out in his progress or march that absolutely flops him in, or diverts him f●…om his course of proceeding, or moving towards the enjoyment of the sweet fruits of Divine Love. A Believer may be wounded, Lemed, and retarded; but not totally checked in his way, and turned aside from it. He may receive many a blow that staggers him, that makes him reel and complain, that wounds him in his Graces and comforts. David had his Bones broken, received deep and dangerous wounds that were long healing, that s●…ank and were corrupt, Psal. 38. 5. 7, 8. Because he did not apply a timely Remedy unto them; they were not presently searched and looked after. He was knocked down and lay in a swoon for a great while, that those about him might be ready to fear he would never come to himself again: but he revived and recovered at last. Satan prevailed with him to commit Folly with B●…hsheba, to murder and imbrue his hands in the Blood of Vriah, to vent his pride and vain glorious humour in the numbering of the People, and to incu●…re the displeasure of God thereby: but all this did not ex●…uss and expel the Love of God out of his heart, or divert him totally from prosecuting the enjoyment of it. Take a Believer in his lowest condition, when he is most worsted and prevailed upon by his Enemies: yet at that time there is the Seed of God remaining in him (1 joh. 3. 9) that inclines 〈◊〉 carries him God●…ard. There is a power of Grace, and a work of the Spir●… upon his Heart that gives him an inclination, bend, & tendency Godward cont●…ually; and though temptations may turn him out of the way for a time, and he may meet with many Rubs and Impediments in his Christian race; yet there is the strong Bias of Grace, the poise and impression of God's spirit upon his heart that inclines and carries him Godward; so that he will come in again, though he may be turned off for a while. That general Bent & Inclination of his heart towards God, as his last end & greatest good, & towards his Commandments, as the only best Rules of living and walking, is ever preserved in the Believer by the mighty power of God (according to his Covenant-engagement) even then when his Enemies have gotten him down and laid him at their Feet. So that if the Lord never take away his lovingkindness utterly from the Believer, nor the Believer totally lose his love to God: what follows? but that there can be no separation of a true Believer from the love of God in Christ Jesus, and by consequence that he cannot be absolutely conquered in any, though he may be worsted in some Engagements.  
Concl. 4. Every true Believer manageth a successful War, and is sure of Conquest. My meaning is not that every Christian hath a certainty of persuasion that he shall prevail, or overcome; for many an one is ready to say sometimes that he shall one day fall by the hand of this or that Saul: but there is a certainty of the thing in itself. I speak of the certainty of the object, or the truth of this Proposition [Every Believer shall certainly conquer the Enemies of his Soul] not of the certainty of the Subject, the certioration of the Believer, or his persuasion and assurance that he shall be victorious at last. A Believer shall certainly win the day and conquer all Opposers, whatever his unbelieving heart may at any time suggest to the contrary. Hence Paul speaks of it as a thing done: we do more then overcome. This may be made out thus:  
1. A Believer in this life gets many signal Victories. He is not able indeed utterly to drive out the Canaanites, they will abide in his Land (Heart, I mean) and be rebelling and vexing him frequently: but the Lord gives him many remarkable victories over them. There are some memorable days and happy times wherein the People of God come out of the Field victorious, and triumph over their spiritual Enemies. They set their feet in the neck of their Lusts, and lay their Corruptions bleeding at their feet, and do so resist Satan as to rout him and put him to flight.  
2. If he be for a time overcome, yet he recovers himself at last and gets the Day. He may be overcome, and carried Captive (as the Apostle intimates Rom. 7. 23.) he may be remarkably worsted in some particular conflicts, and taken Prisoner: but he cannot be detained always a Prisoner, all the power and policy of his Adversaries cannot hold him, he will make an escape from them sooner or later, and obtain rescue and deliverance. If he be foiled, and laid on his back for a time; yet it is not long before he recovers himself, and gets up again by godly sorrow, Humiliation and Repentance, and renew; the Combat, and is too hard for his Enemies. I●… he be routed, he rallies again, and never leaves fight, till he carries the day, and go out of the Field a Conqueror.  
3. His Enemies lose Ground by all their partial Conquests of Him. A Child of God gets Good by his Foils and Falls, yea, gets Ground insensibly of his Corruptions and other Enemies thereby. His Enemies by winning the Day, lose it; and by Conquering, are conquered. Every victory that Sin and Satan obtain, makes a gracious Heart more humble, more sensible of his own weakness, and absolute need of the strength of Christ, more watchful against Sin and Temptation, more Cautious for time to come of admitting Parlyes and Compliances with his Adversares, and so turn (through the ●…ver-ruling Hand of Grace) to the singular Advantage of a Christian in many respects. Lay these things together, and it will be manifest that a Believer manages a very successful war, and is sure at last of an absolute Conquest.  
Concl. 5. A Believers Victory and Conquest is incomparably Glorious. His Conquest is most exceeding Glorious. Thence Paul saith, we are more than conquerors. We do not only Conquer, but triumph; we have a triumphant Victory: we are much too hard for our Enemies, we do more then overcome, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 supervineimus, we do over-overcome. It is Gr●…tius his Observation. Amat Paulus componere verba cum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paul loves th●… Composition of words with the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and He gives many other Instances (besides this in the Text) of such Compositions in Paul's Epistles. When He speaks of the Rich Grace of God, or of the great and glorious privileges of his Children, He thinks He cannot over-speak. They are such things, that, as Luther said of God and Heaven, non patiuntur Hyperbolen, do not admit, are not capable of an Hyperbole. No Expression is so high, or Superlative, as to transcend and exceed the measure of the Excellency of such Things. Now the Greatness and Gloriousness of a Believers Victory appears in many Things, which we shall but glance at, as we pass along. Glorious it is, in that the Believer conquers in Suffering, when He is in appearance conquered, overcome and destroyed. When He ●…sslain with the Sword, devoured by Lions, burnt to Ashes a●… a Stake, sawn asunder, or any way violently put to death; yet in all these things he conquers, as the Martyrs have done. They overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of their Testimony, and not loving their lives unto the Death. Gualther takes this to b●… the sense of the Apostle. In all these Things we are more than conquerors. He doth not say we overcome all these things, so as that they shall be no more, or cease to oppose us; But in all these things we Conquer. For afflictions remain, and will remain as long as the World lasts, nor will 〈◊〉 secut●…ons ever cease, which beget Banishment, Famine, Nakedness an●… the Sword to the Godly: but in these things, and among all these pe●…ils and evil●… of Suffering, the Faithful do more then overcome. And this is admirable that they over●…me, when suecub visse, & omnino Victi aut Oppressi esse videntur; when they are slain, or burnt, or destroyed any otherway. They are killed all the day long, accounted (and used) as ●…eep for the slaughter; as in the verse before the Text: And yet more than conquerors. Humane, Carnal Reason cannot comprehend this. It is indeed Mysterious and glorious. Again, Glorious it is, in that he conquers such Enemies as conquer all but Himself, and such as He is. The great Conquerors of the World have been slaves to their own Pride, Ambition, vainglory, Covetousness, and other base Lusts, which a Christian subdues and Conquers. Many of them have been Satan's Slaves, when they have been Masters of the world. But the Believer resists the Devil, and puts Him to flight. He overcomes Himself (which is a nobler Exploit then to evercome and Conquer Nations,) sets his Foot upon Satan, tramples and crushes that Serpent, (Rom. 16. 20.) treads the World under his Feet, as the Church of God, the Woman mentioned Rev. 12. 1. is said to have the Moon (that is, all these changeable Earthly things) under her feet. Nay, he overcomes Death itself, which tramples upon and prevails over other conquerors. Death stings, kills; ruins other men, but cannot hurt a Christian, because it cannot separate him from God. Oh Death! where is thy sting? Oh Grave, where is thy Victory? 1 Cor. 15 55. Those words which are commonly translated the Gates of Hell, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 16. 18. and are thought to import the Power and Policy of the Devil, are rendered by Learned Camero, the Gates of the grave, or Death, alleging that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth never but once in Scripture signify Hell, but either the Grave, or the state and condition of a deceased person: And he conceives the mind of our Saviour in that expression to be, that though the Faithful lie dead for a time as well as other men, Death exercises a Dominion over them, the worm feeds sweetly upon them, they are imprisoned in the Grave, and lie bound hand and foot with the Cords of death. (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…unes vel acerbissimi Cruciatus Mortis. Psal. 18. 3.) yet that the Power of Death and the Grave shall not finally prevail over them. Si quis (saith that Learned man) fi●…urat a ●…ac Loeutione significatum velit, perituram omnem Mortis & Sepulchri vim, is demùm profecto a Spiritûs sancti ment mini●… è aberraverit. The Abolition of the destructive Dominion of Death is intended by the Lord Jesus, according to this Exposition. Christiani (saith Cyprian) mori possunt, vinci non possunt. Christian's may die, but cannot be overcome. Death may kill them, but cannot conquer them. The victory of Believers over their Enemies is very glorious in this respect. Glorious also it is in that a Believer conquers his Enemies by cor quering himself, crucifying himself (the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts, Gal 5. 24.) subduing his own Spirit, beating down his own Body and bringing it into subjection (1 Cor. 9 27.) plucking out an offending right Eye, cutting off an offending right Hand: (Mat. 5. 29. 30.) Doing strange Execution upon himself in a way of Mortification, which is both a noble and a strange way of Conquering. He overcomes himself and thereby overcomes all his Enemies. Moreover glorious it is in that he is so far from being separated from the love of God by the opposition which his Enemies make against him, that he is thereby greatly furthered in the way to the perfect enjoyment of the Fruits of it. His Enemies, whether they will or no, help him to a most Glorious Conquest. For all things (how adverse and opposite soever) work for his good, Rom. 8. 28. that is, for his most Glorious, Everlasting Triumph in the highest Heavens. As the Afflictions and Troubles which happened to Paul in the course of his Ministerial Warfare fell out to the furtherance of the Gospel, Phil. 1. 12. so the Opposition which a Believer meets with from all his Adversaries, falls out to the furtherance of his victorious proceedings in the course of his Christian Warfare, and of his After-Triumph and Glory. Nay this Victory is Glorious, in that he gives his Enemies a total Defeat and Overthrow at last. He hath a perfect and absoute Victory and Conquest over them, so as never to be molested with them more. He passes to Heaven through the midst of his Enemies, and gets out of the reach of their opposition, or molestation, and there Triumphs Gloriously to Eternity.  
Concl. 6. Every Believer ob●…ains this Glorious Victory and Conquest through the Lord jesus Christ. We are more than Conquerors through him that loved us, that is, through Jesus Christ, or God in Christ which is the same thing. The Apostle having discoursed excellently of this Spiritual War with one of the greatest Enemies that a Christian hath to do with, namely, Indwelling sin, issues all triumphantly in thanks to God through Christ for Deliverance and Victory, Rom. 7. ult. And having spoken of D●…ath & the Grave, very formidable Adversaries, & triumphed over them, Thanks God who gives Victory through Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 55, 56, 57 And there is the like Reason as to all the Enemies of a Christian. A Believer obtains this incomparable Victory and Glorious Conquest over all through Christ. For,  
1. The Lord jesus Christ hath procured and purchased this Victory and Conquest for Believers. Therefore he hath Suffered and Died, Satisfied and Me●…ted, that his People might obtain a Glorious Victory over Sin, Satan, World, Death, and all their Enemies. The Foundation of this Victory hath been la●…d by an high hand of Grace in the Death and Medi●… of the Lord Jesus. Man having revolted from under the Government and ●…inion of Gods revealed Will and Law, and thrown off his Obedience, 〈◊〉 made Election of Sin and Satan for his Lords and Sovereigns; The Holy God in Justice and Righteous Severity, delivers him up to the Authority and Sovereignty of Sin and Satan, and his Spiritual Enemies, even Death itself: and they put in their Claim to a Sovereignty, yea, and actually exercise a Dominion over Him; So that man in this Condition is a Captive, Prisoner, Slave, and cannot get his Liberty. If He struggle sometimes, and rise up to war against them; All his Contending are vain, He is overcome presently, and held in bondage. The Reason is, because his Enemies are (in a Sense) as strong as the Law and Justice of God. The strength of Sin (and by pa●…ity of Reason, of other Enemies) is the Law, ay Cor. 15. 56. that is, the Law broken, and the justice of God offended. But the Lord Jesus having satisfied and merited, when there is an Application of that Redemption which is in Christ to any man; Now Sin, Satan, World, have no Right to exercise this Dominion; they lose their Claim and Title to such Dominion, and this is the Foundation of any man●… Conquest of them. Hence though Sin may Tyrannize sometimes, yet it shall not reign over them; not have any of their Enemies any Right to Conquer or prevail, as before. Nay, Christ hath paid 〈◊〉 great price, and bought the Victory for them of Him in whose Hand it is to adjudge it unto them. They overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, Rev. 12. 11.  
2. He hath actually in his own person conquered their enemies for them, Be of good Comfort (saith our Saviour) I have overcome the World, Joh. 16. 〈◊〉. That is, the Lusts of the world, the men of the world, the prince of the world, the shares, temptations, terrors and evils of the World. He hath bru●…sed the Serpent's head, Gen. 3. 15. destroyed the works of the Devil, I Joh. 3. 8. Now (saith the Lord Jesus with reference to the time of his sufferings) is the judgement of this World, now shall the Prince of this World be castout, Joh. 12. 31. The Dethroning of Satan, and destruction of his Dominion by Jesus Christ is that which is intended in that expression. Hence the Apostle saith, that be spoiled Principalities and Powers, and and made a show of them openly triumphing over them in it (that is, his Cross) or in himself, Col. 2. 15. The Lord Jesus took away the Prey or Boo●…y of Souls, which Satan had gotten, and led away the Devil and his Angels, as Prisoners of War: He divested Principalities and Powers, that is, the Apostate Angels, of all that Title they had got to the World by the sin of man, yea he triumphed over them as sawful Captives to be disposed of at his pleasure. He hath bound the strong man armed & spoiled his Goods. Thus Christ is said to wound the Head (for so is it in the Original, not Heads) over many Countries, Psal. 110, 6. By the Head 〈◊〉 the large Earth, Some understand Satan that ruleth as Head over 〈◊〉 the Children of disobedience every where: though I judge it better to ●…pound it to the most comprehensive sense, and then the meaning is, that Christ breaks in pieces the Head, that is, the counsel and power of Satan and all ●…is Instruments, crushing and conquering all the Enemies of his People. He hath conquered Death is self, and having grappled and fought with that Serpent, he hath pulled out the Sting, and he hath disarmed that King of Terrors, that it may be in no condition to hurt and ruin his People. Death can be no longer a Curse to them; but a Blessing▪ An Out let as to Misery●… and an Inlet to all Happiness. He hath Conquered and triumphed over all the Enemies of Believers, virtually on his Cross, but actually and effectually in his Exaltation: when he ascended up on high, he led Captivity Captive, Eph. 4. 8. Psal. 6●…. 18. And he hath Conquered and Triumphed over all out Enemies, not for himself, but on our behalf, and for our behoof and advantage. Victoria Domini est Servorum Triumphus. Hieron. The Victory of the Lord is the Triumph of the Servants. Well may the Army of Believers be assured of Victory and Triumph, when as they fight with a conquered Enemy, and their General alone in his own person hath routed their Adversaries.  
3. He puts them into a Conquering-capacity. He sends his Spirit to make the Application of his Redemption to all his Redeemed ones by working ●…aith in their Hearts, drawing them to himself, giving them an actual Interest in himself, and his Benefits, and putting them into a State of Justification, which is a State of Victory and Triump●…. A justified person is in a Conquering-capacity and condition. He is under Grace, and not under the Law, therefore neither Sin, nor any other Enemy shall have dominion over him, Rom. 6. 14. Take an Elect person, that was given to Christ by the Father from Eternity, and Redeemed by Christ in the fullness of time, yet before his effectual vocation, he is under the feet of his Enemies, in no better condition to fight it out with them then other men; Sin, and Satan, and World are much too hard for him. But when once the Spirit of Christ hath wrought an effectual work of Grace in his Soul, & by uniting him to the Lord Jesus hath brought him into a state of Justification: now he is in a condition to dispute it out to the last with all his Enemies, and to get the day also. 〈◊〉 Justified person is invincible, he cannot be Conquered; and he is victorious, none of his Enemies can stand before him. Victory & Triumph are adjudged by the Lord to a state of Justification, and are infallible consequents thereof. Hence Paul's comfortable persuasion, and Triumphant Expressions, Rom. 8. 38, 39 Now all the People of God are admitted into this state of justification, and ●…ested in the Glorious Privileges of it, through the Lord jesus Christ.  
4. He furnisheth Believers with skill, and Strength, and Courage, and Weapons, and all Warlike Furniture, and Military Qualifications, and Accomplishments. They are in all respects well appointed for the ●…ar: and it is the Lord Jesus that sets them fort●…, and furnisheth them with A●…s and Weapons for the Battle. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Christians Magazine. All those Arm●… and Weapons which a Believer useth in his spiritual conflicts (of which you have an enumeration, Eph. s. 6. 13, 14, etc.) are such as come out of Christ's Armoury. As he puts the Believer into a conquering state, in his Justification; so he gives him conquering Abilities in his Sanctification. He gives them Skill and Valour, and Resolution, and all other Qualifications and Endowments that a Militant condition calls for.  
5. He Administors' seasonable supplies and recruits of Grace and Strength unto them. He sends them Auxiliary Forces, and gives them such Assistance as they need for every Conflict. He giveth Power to them when they are faint, and when they h●…ve no might, increaseth their strength, Isai. 40. 29. He gives them a sufficiency of Grace, and his Power rests on them. Hence when they are we●…k, yet than they are strong, 2 Cor. 12. 9, 10. Because habitual inhevent Grace will not carry them through their difficult Engagements, therefore he affords actual, and occasional Assistance as their necessities require. All that▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that seasonable help which is Admininistred to Believers from the Throne of Grace (Heb. 4. 16.) comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. They have the immutable Assistance of the Spirit of Christ that dwells in them. They must needs overcome in this respect, because greater it be that is in them, than he that is in the World, 〈◊〉 Joh. 4. 4. Hence the Apostle, that had low thoughts of himself, and was as much nothing in his own eyes as any man, yet attributes a kind of Omnipotency to himself. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, Phil. 4. 13. He strengtheneth them with all might, Col. 1. 11.  
Concl. 7. The Love of God in Christ is the absolute first cause of those ●…torious proceedings, and this infallible conquest of Believers. For,  
1. The Everlasting love of God determines, that the Victory shall fall on the side of Believers. The will of God is that all Believers shall conquer. Hence the Apostle lays the Foundation of this Triumph in Divine Predestination, and in Gods being for us, Rom. 8. 30, 31. Those that are appointed to obtain Salvation by Jesus Christ (as it may be concluded of all Believers; ●…ving Faith being a special fruit of Election) may meet with many Enemies in their way, but shall infallibly break throughall opposition, & g●…t to Heaven at last. The Love of God hath Decreed them Victory.  
2. The everlasting Love of God lays in suitable provision of means for an infallible conquest. Divine Love concluded upon the mission of Christ into the World, to purchase it for his People, and obtain the victory in his own person, as a common person representing all Believers. This Love gives them a Leo●…▪ and General (the Lord Jesus Christ) that is invincible, the Captain●… the Host of the Lord, that appeared to joshuae, Josh. 5. 13, 14. It arm●… them with invincible Graces, offensive and defensive; and orders them the insuperable and invincible Assistance of the Spirit of Christ, and the needful supplies and recruits of Assisting Grace. The Love of God in Christ furnisheth the Christian Soldier completely every way with all that he needs in order to the Conquest of his Enemies; so that he is better provided for the Combat, and hath more Assistance in the Combat, and more assurance (consequently) of success, than any other Conquerors have. The Christian Soldier is well appointed and set forth for the War, Recruited and Assisted in it at the cost and charges of the Love of God in Jesus Christ.  
3. The Everlasting Love of God adjudges them Triumph at last, and Crowns them with it. Divine Love sets the Glorious Crown upon the Head of the persevering, victorious, all-conquering Believer. There is a Glorious Day coming, wherein the Believer shall receive the reward of all his Labours and Travels and Combating with the Flesh, the World, and the Devil: And this reward will be adjudged to him that overcometh, and actually conferred upon him by the Grace and Love of God in Jesus Christ. Not his Merit, but God's Mercy and Love will then Crown him. His present sufferings in the time of his Warfare are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in him, Rom. 8. 18. When Paul had fought his good fight, and finished the cou●…se of his warfare, he expected his Triumph●… Crown from the Lord, the Righteous judge, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8 A Crown of▪ Mercy and Grace it is, and also a Crown of Righteousness: there being a sweet concurrence of the Remunerative justice of God with his Infinite Mercy, Grace, and Love in that Glorious work of Crowning a persevering Christian Soldier with everlasting Triumph and Glory. Divine Love adjudges and bestows upon Believers at last the Heavenly Prize they run for, and the incorruptible Crown they fight for in this World. That they Triumph Eternally is from the Love of God in Christ. Thus much for the Doctrinal part.  
Use 1. We might improve this Observation, To crush that Erroneous conceit of the Arminians, concerning the possibility of a Regenerate man's total and final Apostasy. For to assert this, is to say, that a Believer may be totally defeated and overcome, and Sin, Satan and World may prevail over him to his utter Ruin. The Truth we have discoursed, is ready pressed to militate against the men of that Heteredox persuasion: and is alone (without the Levy of any other force●…) of strength sufficient to fight that Enemy and beat him out of the field. This Text of the Apostle, and the Observation we have deduced from it, smites those Adversaries of the Doctrine of Perseverance under the fifth Rib, or rather stabs their fifth Article concerning the Apostasy of Saints to the Heart. This one Weap●… if it be well managed and wielded will do real and through Execution. For if ●…re may be a total & final defection of Believers, or falling from Grace, & ou●… of the favour of God, then there is a possibility that a Believer may be totally & finally separated from the love of God: & so totally conquered; which is diametrally opposite to the Strain and Genius, and Intendment of the Apostles Discourse & what we have been regularly superstructing upon it. But let it be enough to have thus Faced that Grand Enemy the Arminian, without engaging further on this occasion in any pitched confutation of him.  
Use 2. This makes it appear who are the bravest Soldiers, the most Renowned Warriors, Persons of the greatest Bravery and Gallantry in the World. They are Believing Men and Women. A Christian Man or Woman is by many degrees a better Soldier than Caesar or Alexander. Sincere Believers, of all degrees and conditions, are persons of eminency this way. Among the victorious Worthies, whose Famous Exploits and Achievements are Recorded, Hib. 11. The Apostle doth not leave Believing Women out of the Catalogue. We read of great Exploits that have been performed, even by those of the weaker Seu, both in Sacred and Common History: but none to be compared with those which Believing Women, through Faith, have enterprised and accomplished. O Woman, great is thy Faith, saith our Saviour, Mat. 15 28. Why then it might be said also, O Woman, great is thy Victory: For this is the Victory that overcometh the World, even our Faith, 1 Joh. 5. 4. True Faith, though it be but as a Grain of Mustard Seed, will overcome and bear down all that opposition the World can make against it. As to this Christian Warfare, Victory and Triumph, Believers of all sorts share in it: there is no difference in this matter, but jew and Greek, Bond and Free, Male and Female are all one in this respect through Jesus Christ. The weakest Believer will be too hard for the strongest Adversary. This is a clear Consequence from what we have discoursed, that a Believer is the bravest, and most victorious Soldier in the World.  
Use 3. A word of singular Encouragement and Comfort unto all that ●…ourn for the sorrowful state and Condition of Jerusalem. Know it, and Believe it, that the Church of God, however aff●…icted and oppressed in the world, shall certainly prevail and get the Day at last. The Victories & Triumphs that God hath decreed and determined shall certainly be awarded and given to the conflicting Militant-Church in the Season thereof. How might we expostulate the Case with the mightiest of the Church's Adversaries? with the High and Low, Great and Small ones of the Earth in this respect? why do the Nations rage and People imagine a vain Thing? vain it is, and will be found so in the Issue, to oppose the Lord Jesus, to fight against his M●…mbers, to plot and pr●…ct, design and endeavour the Ruin of the Inter●…st of Christ in the W●…. For the Lord Jesus, and his called, and Faithful & Chosen, shall certai●… 〈◊〉 more than overcame at last. The Lamb and his Followers shall be Illust●…ious so quero●…s. The Beast may arise out of the Bottomless pit, and raise the Posse Inferni, or Inferorum, come with Legions of D●…vile, and their Instruments, and set their Hellish▪ Armies in Array, and make war upon the Witnesses and overcome them for a while: but they shall overcome at last in a glorious manner. Verily, no Weapon that is form against the Church shall prosper: Christ laughs at all the Confederacies and Complotments, and mad Rage of the world against his Interest and Members: Psal. 2. 4. And his People (that are at present in a sad and sorrowful Condition in the Heat of the Engagement) shall laugh too, and Triumph over all. Excellent were the Expressions of that man of Faith, Martin Luther to this purpose. That the Kings and Princes & People do so rage against the Lord and his Christ, I account (faith he) an Happy Omen, and much better than if they fawned and flattered: For it follows (in the second Psalm) He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh at them. Hoc autem principe nostro illos ridente, non video cur nobis fle●…dum sit a fancy illorum. As long as our King laughs at them, I see no Reuson why we should cry for them. They that make Christ laugh by their ridiculous Opposition, should not make his People cry. Verily every Believer hath that in his Heart (I mean the Victorious all-conquering Grace of Faith) whose Prerogative it is to laugh to scorn all the foolish plots, and ill contrived Designs, and feeble Attempts of men against Christ and his Church. For indeed their wise●… Contrivances are Foolishness, and their strongest Endeavours against the impregnable and invincible Interest of Christ and his Church, are weakness itself, and will appear so at last. And if Christ laughs at them, why should not his Friends and Followers also? For he laughs (as Luther goes on) not for his own, but for our sake, that we also through Faith may laugh at the vain Counsels of Men: S●… much need there is of Faith, that the Cause of Faith may not be managed without Faith, Ne Causa Fidei sit sine Fide. He that is sure of Victory may well laugh in the Face of his Enemies. Now though wicked men are ploughing and making long Furrows on the Backs of the Righteous, yet the Lord will certainly cut their Traces. The blessed Lord Jesus leads and assists his People, and the Shout of a King and General is among them, Numb. 23. 21 And that is assurance enough of Victory. What an invincible Army must the Body of Saints and Believers needs be, whereof not only the General, but every private Soldier is Invincible? They shall say at last, Lo this is our God, we have waited for him, And he hath saved us,: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, and n●…w we will be glad and rejoice in his Salvation, when all Moabs shall be trodden down as Straw for the Dunghill, Is●…●…5 9, 10. O Beloved! Lift up your Heads and Hands and be encouraged. Though it is a day of Trouble and perplenity and of doub●…ful Ex●…ectations in ma●…y respects, yet in the eye of Faith it is an hopeful Time and a promising Sease●…, when the world (this blind and mad world) is in a Tumult and Upro●… against the Church of Christ. The great and glorious Things that are to be fulfilled, the faithful and true sayings of God cannot be accomplished by the Quietness and sitting still of the Nations. When the world rageth against the Church, and is up in Arms to make havoc of it; then Christ Jesus, and those Veteran Legions, the glorious Angels; the Lord jesus, the Man upon the Red Horse among the Myrtle Trees, attended with Red, speckled and white Horses, Angels deputed to several Offices and Administrations, (Zech. 1. 8.) are in a posture of readiness to charge the Enemy, and bring off the people of God with Safety and Honour, that are hotly engaged in the Conflict with their Adversaries. The Witnesses may be overcome and killed, but they shall live again. They that mourn for jerusalem, shall have a Time to rejoice for Her, and with Her, Isai. 66. 10. men that wage war against Heaven, and bid open defiance to the great Interest of the Lord Jesus (who is Faithful and True, and in Righteousness doth judge and make war; who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19 11, etc.) shall be confounded; and jerusalem shall be a Burdensome Stone and a Cup of trembling to the Adversaries thereof. Indeed we must wait Christ's Time for the exerting of his Power, and the Lighting down of his Omnipotent Ar●…▪ the Day of his power and wrath, when He shall gird his Sword on his Thigh, and his Arrows shall be sharp in the Heart of his Enemies, and he shall Smite through the Loins of them that rise up against him, and of them that hate Him, that they rise not again. There is a Day coming when the Right Hand of Christ shall teach Him terrible Things, Psal. 45. 4. In the mean while our work is to wait and pray, and exercise Faith and Patience (For here, or in this matter is the Faith and Patience of the Saints proved and exercised) and when the Day comes which God hath determined, your very General alone can win the Field, and turn the Battle to the Gate●…, and give you a signal Victory: and will do it right-early for his Suffering Servants, that shall need to do nothing then, but stand still, and see the Salvation of the Lord, and what Destructions He will make among their Adversaries. If one Saint be thus Victorious (as you have heard) never question but the whole Body of them shall (in God's Time and way) prevail and Conquer in a glorious manner.  
Use 4. Of Exhortation, to such as have Believed through Grace; in several Branches.  
1. Be Encouraged then to fight this good Fight, where there is so much Hope, nay such Assurance to Believers of a Glorious victory. They must needs C●…quer, that fight on such Terms as we have mentioned, and have such ●…rovision laid in for Victory and Triumph. They must needs Conquer, whose very General alone, is able to Conquer all their Enemies. Well may the Christian Soldier be hardy, daring, venturous, courageous, resolute in his way to see upon his Enemies, that hath such Assurance of being Triumphantly successful in all his Engagements. Here is encouragement enough, one would think, to make any Coward valiant in fight. Never despair nor give in then, but fight this good fight of Faith. Therefore for Direction;  
1. Let all Believers know and consider well that they are Soldiers, and have fight work before them. That they have many Foes to deal withal, and that they are in the Field deeply eng●…ged in a sharp contest about the things of their Peace: And that there is no retreating, or drawing off, or looking back without shame and misery. That they are waging a War, that is of greatest importance, of everlasting Consequence, and of infinite concernment to them. Do not rest in slight Apprehensions, transient and overly Thoughts of your State and Condition in this respect; left you fall into a Laish like frame, (Judg. 18. 27.) and dwell securely and carelessly in the World, and expose yourselves to the inroads and inculsions of your Enemies. Know that you do not dwell far from evil Neighbours: you have Mortal Enemies bordering upon you, that will make all Advantage of your Security. You have a Troublesome, Quarrelsome Inmate, one that was bred and born with you, and hath grown up with you, and is a constant Lodger in your House, and Companion at home and abroad. Indwelling sin (I mean) with its Confederates, that hold exact intelligence one 〈◊〉 another, and watch all Advantages against you.  
2. Labour to get accurate Intelligence of the Policies and Designs of your Adversaries. Acquaint yourselves with the deceitfulness of sin, the Frauds and Impostures of the World, the Wiles, Methods, Depths and Advantages of the Devil, the desperate wickedness of the Heart, and the deep waters of evil Counsel there. Find out the Cabinet Counsels and Politic design of your Enemies against you: what they design, what Stratage●… they use, what advantageous seasons they choose to fight you in, what false Colours they put out, that they may surprise you in the Disguise of Friends, what politic Retreats they make, what Ambushments they lay, what Reserves of fresh Forces they have in readiness, what gradual and secret Approaches they make, where they plant their Artillery, and are designing to make a Breach in your Graces or Comforts, that they may Storm your Soul, and make themselves Masters of all. Do what you can to inform yourselves what it is they drive at, how and where, and which way they are like to Assault you. In waging of War there is (as One speaks) the greatest improvement of Humane Wisdom and Industry. Discover as 〈◊〉 as may be the Subtleties and Policies, and Forces and Advantages of your E●…ies, that you may be provided to obviate them.  
3. Get Skill and Dexterity in using the Arms and Weapons of your Spiritual Warfare. How to put on the Girdle of Truth, and Breastplate of Righteousness: how to use the Shield of Faith, and Helmet of Hope, and to wield the Sword of the Spirit, (the Word of God) and to improve all the pieces of your Spiritual Armour, and all the Weapons that your General puts into your Hands. A Christian is completely armed and appointed, but many times knows not how to use his Weapons. Have your Arms in readiness, and learn to make a ready and dexterons use of them. That you should not only have Grace, but be well Skilled in the vigorous, lively, seasonable Acting and Exereising of all the Grace you have, is the meaning of this Direction.  
4. List yourselves into some particular Company that is engaged in the same Warfare. It is a great Disadvantage to a Christian to stand and fight alone, and not to have a particular and peculiar Interest in the Help of other Christians: which is the Case of those that live out of Church-Fellowship, and do not put themselves under the Watch and Discipline, and Conduct of particular Churches. We (saith Solomon, declaring the Inconveniency of Solitariness) to Him that is Alone, when he falleth, for he hath not another to help Him up: And if one prevail against him (that hath a Companion and Helper) two shall withstand him, Eccles. 4. 10, 12. It is as true in Spiritual ●…s in Civil and Common Cases. It is a great Advantage in our Spiritual Conflicts to have good Company, whose Help and Assistance is engaged to us. It is the Lords Appointment that Mankind should live together in Socioties, as in Families, Commonwealths, Churchis, in order to common Help-fulness. It is the singular privilege of Church members to have a peculiar engaged interest in the Prayers, & Counsels, & Help of their Fellow-brethrens, which is a very desirable Thing, and a considerable Advantage, 1 Cor. 12. 25, 26. Do not therefore Combat alone, but get into some particular Body of Saints Militant.  
5. Keep Order. Fight every one in your own places where you are set. Be sure you keep Rank and File. Order is the Beauty of the World, and of an Army in Special (In Allusion whereunto the Stars are frequently called the Host of Heaven, because of the exactness of their Order & Regularness of their Motion) and of the Christian Army (the Church of Christ in its Militant Condition) most of all. Of the Spouse of Christ it is said, Thy cheeks are comely with Rows of jeweh, Cant. 1. 10. that is, the outward Face and Countenance of the Church is Comely, Beautiful and Glorious with keeping their right place and order, as well as the manner of Gods own Ordinances, as some Expound it. A Church well ordered is Beautiful as Tirzab, comely as 〈◊〉; and terrible to her Adversaries as an Army with Banners, Mars●…led and Ordered under their Banners and Ensigns Cant 64. This of Order is one respect wherein Churches are well compared to Armies that are well ordered and diseiplined. This is the Glory and strength of such Christian Societies, and no small Advantage to every Christian. Those are the best Soldiers that are best exercised to keep their own Place and Order. So Material a Thing it is, that it is the Character and Description of good Soldiers, that they were such as could keep Rank, 〈◊〉 Chron. 12. 38, 36, 38. The private Soldier must not straggle, or leave his place, or thrust Himself into the place and Command of the Officer, but every one keep the place assigned Him. A Soldier that is commanded to stand such a Ground, must not sti●… from it, though He is sure to die upon the place: If He leave it, he dies for it by Martial Law. No personal danger will excuse him for such breach of order. There is no dispensing with it. A Christian Soldier must not be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, One that keeps not his place if I may so render it. Nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One that breaks orders, and be haves himself disorderly. Rules of Order must be carefully attended. Many of you see the Beauty, and acknowledge the benefit of Order in other Societies, and observe it with much exactness at your Training and Artillery Exercises, and must do so in real Engagements. And why should not Christians apprehend the like necessity of attending Order (Christ's Order I mean) in every Christian Army, every Ecclesiastical Society, and the like inconveniences of the contrary.  
6. Maintain Peace and Union with your Fellow-soldiers, or with those of the same Company, or Regiment, or Army, as much as in you lies: Communion I mean with the Members of the Church wherein you stand, and with the rest of the Churches of Christ. There are some cases wherein peace with men cannot be kept; nay, wherein it is a duty to contend against them earnestly for the Faith, for the Truth, for the Glory of God, and for the good of the Public: But if it be possible, as much as lieth in you (as for as it is possible, lawful and expedient) live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12. 18. especially s●…k and follow peace with your Fellow Soldiers, your Brethren and Companions in Tribulation, and in the Kingdom and patience of jesus Christ. Peace among, and mutual Communion of Churches and Church-members is as necessary a thing, as peace and union in an Army. I wish with all my Soul that this might be attended in this great Town of Boston. That these three Churches might be as a threefold Cord, so twisted together, that they might not be easily broken. Mutinies in an Army between one Company, or Regiment, and another, are hazardous to the safety and good of the whole, and therefore severely punished. A wise General will take the least: him of any Overture that way, because it is a thing of dangerous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Army. Christ, your Centeral, is as apprehensive and jealous of such things among his People. Wo●…ul was the case of jerusalem, when besieged by the Romans on this account of divided parties and Factions Wi●…hin, which hastened their ruin, and facilitated the Roman Conquest. And do you think that Divisions in and among Churches are not of threatening Consequence to such societies? The Lord be merciful to us in this respect. Must the Sword devour for ever? Do you not know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? I hope you do not wage here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An irreconcilable War. If the Sons of men should be implacable, yet one would think the Sons of God should put on (as the Elect of God, Holy and Beloved) Bowels of Mercies, Kindness, Humbleness of Mind, Meekness, Long-Suffering, Forbearing one another, a●…d Forgiving, if any Man have a Quarrel against any, as they expect Forgiveness from the Lord jesus, putting on Charity, which is the Bond of perfectn●…ss, Col. 3. 12. 13, 14. Shall that of the Apostle, speaking of the worst of the Heathen, (Rom. 1. 31.) be verified in any of the Professor●… among us, that they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Implacable God forbid. They are your Enemies, yea, common Enemies to the Interest of Christ, and his people that will go about to Foment these Divisions, or advise to the perpetuating of these Differences. If I were not well assured that Christ's Name, and Interest, and your own Souls suffer unspeakably hereby, I should not have opened my Mouth in this manner. However I hope none here are so much in love with Contention as to be angry with Counsels of Peace. It is a matter of great Consequence. O les us not turn our Swords into one another's Bowels, as the Midianites (Judg. 7. 22.) Philistines (1 Sam. 14 15, 20.) Moab tes, Ammonites and the Inhabitants of Mount Seir (a Chron. 20. 23.) as well as others, have done to their own Destruction. I believ●… really that it is with these Churches, or Companies of Christian Soldiers in this place, so far as there is any Contention among them, as it is with Soldiers now & then in the Heat of Battle. Sometimes through mistake in the Hurry and Consusion of Battle, one Reg●…ment or Company chargeth another of the same Army, slaughtering and destroying their own dear Friends, engaged on the same side, and for the same cause, instead of their Enemies. This hath occasioned great Mischief. So through Darkness, Confusions, Mistress understandings, and Misrepresentations of Persons and Actions in an Hour of Temptation, it comes to pass that Brethren contend and quarrel, and wound one another with the wound of an Enemy, and of a cruel One. Mistakes and Misapprehensions are the usual, sad occasions of great Divisions. We had need watch and Pray, that we enter not into Temptation in this respect, and to exercise Charity towards such as differ from us in Circumstantia●… 〈◊〉 in matters of Doubtful Disputation only; lest we bl●…ndly and pr●…pitately run over and ruin, hack and hew down ou●… Friends and Brot●… under the notion of Enemies. Oh make and Maintain Peace among yourselves, you Sould●…ers and Military Companies of J●…sus Christ A Cessation of Arms for the Present is not enough. It is a League of Amity and Friendship, and Brotherly Communion that I contend for. O that is might be speedily effected! lest a Common Enemy prove the only effectual Mediator between the Brethren at variance, and a pacification be made at last by such Instruments and Means as neither Party will have any joy or pleasure in. And the Blessing of the Peacemaker be upon the heads of those persons that shall be graciously instrumental in God's way to settle a good and lasting Peace and Correspondence among these Churches, or sincerely and vigorously endeavour it.  
7. Make it your chief care and business all the time of your Warfare to please your Great General the Lord of Hosts, the Lord jesus Christ in all things. That is the property of a good Soldier, 2 Tim. 2. 4. He design●… to please his Commander in chief, by a ready Obedience. This was the singular commendation of the Centurion's Soldiers, Mat. 8. 9 Luk. 7. 8. No Men are under more absolute Command then Soldiers, that must not dispute, but obey the Orders of their General. In like manner do you observe all the Orders of the Lord Jesus, obey all his Words of Command, adventure upon the hottest and hardest pieces of Service, when he requires it; hold no Intelligence, or Treacherous, close Correspondence with his Enemies; In every Motion or Action consider with yourselves whether this or that course, and carriage and Posture will please Christ. And in particular please him by a ready and cheerful Obedience to Inferior, Commissioned Officers for his sake. Obey them that have the Rule over you, is one great word of Command which our Lord & Saviour gives, Heb. 13. 7, 17. Though I am as truly & heartily opposite to the Presbyterian Persuasion (with due respect to the Piety and Learning, and Orthodexy and Excellent Abilities and Accomplishments of those our Fellow-brethrens, and Soldiers that march on that side of the way, be it spoken) wherein it lies in direct Opposition to the Substantials of the Congregational-way, as any of you: and though I am remote enough from the intention of improving the Text but now mentioned, to the establishing of such an Absolute and Arbitrary Rule in the Presbytery, as is really inconsistent, and incomportable with the due privilege and liberty of the People: yet I am sure that all are not Guides, Overseers, and Rulers, but that there are Rulers and Ruled, the Governors and the Governed in all particular Churches according the Sovereign Institution of Jesus Christ; there are Officers and Private Soldiers according to the appointment of our Lord General: And I must say freely, that that way of Church-Government that allows not the Rule, and Government truly and properly so called, to Church Officers, is not the way of Christ's Institution. Obey therefore such as the Lord Jesus hath set over you in the Lord, if you mean to please him. Otherwise you may be sure that your General will severely punish the undue contempt of the meanest Officer in the Christian Army.  
8. Be willing to endure Hardship. This is another Qualification of a Soldier, 2 Tim. 2. 3. Church-Officers are called to this in a special manner: but it is the duty also, of every Christian Shoulders, that must expect to wrestle with many Difficulties. A man must never think to be a Soldier that is nice and delicate, and loves to favour himself and indulgeth to pleasure and ease. Nimi●… delicatus es Christiano, qui voluptatem hec seculo concupiscis. Tertull. Every Soldier must resolve upon enduring, Hunger, and Thirst, and Cold, and Wet, and Weariness, and lying upon the Ground, many Hardships and Inconveniences in the course of his Militery Employment. As A●…cas the Scythian said to Philip of Macedon: You Command Macedonians that can fight with men; But I Command Scythians that are able to fight with Hanger and Thirst. A Course of Warfare is usually a Course of Hardship, as well as 〈◊〉. Christian's must look for many hardships in their way, ill Usage, and course Entertainment, and sore Inconveniencies, and hard Duty in their Warfare. It is their great Wisdom and Duty to exp●…ct them, and learn to comport ar●…ght with them.  
9 Do not encumber yourselves with other Occasions, or with any thing that may take you off, or hinder you in your Warfare. No man that Warreth en●…angleth himself with the Affairs of this life, 2 Tim. 2. 4 Soldiers are greatly taken off from other employments; they cannot follow Merch●…ndizing or Husbandry, or this or that Trade to any great purpose. They have enough to do to attend their Watchings and Wardings, Marching and Motions, the Orders and Commands of their Leaders. True it is that a particular Calling is very well consistent with the General Calling of a Christian Soldier, and should be so attended and managed, that it may be a furtherence and no hindrance thereunto. But may we not fear that there is a fault among Christian Soldiers in this respect? and that they are generally too much engaged in other matters, and entangled with the World and the Affairs thereof, and thereby rendered less disposed to the service of Christ in their Christian Warfare? Certainly inordinate Affection to the thing of his World, and over eager pursuit of them doth in no wise become a good Soldier of Christ.  
10. Be content with your Wagc●…. That is the good Quality of a Soldier, as john the Baptist intimates, Luk. 3. 14. A Christian properly hath no wages, because all he enjoys is of mere Grace and Courtesy. When he hath done all, He is an unprofitable Servant, Luk. 1●…. 10. But my meaning is, be contented with what the Lord Jesus Christ affords you at present for your sustenance and encouragement. Yea, though he keep you at shore Allowance as to comforts and spiritual suavities, and such a sufficiency of Grace to prevail, and conquer, and tread down all your Enemies, as you could desire; yet he quiet and contented with your present portion; do not Mutiny or Murmur, but be Humbly Thankful for, and well sufficed with such things as you have, Heb. 135. And be assured that the Lord Jesus, though he owe you nothing, and keep you short at present, will pay, you well at last. The time is coming, when you shall be drawn out of the Field, and discharged from this Warfare, and then he will pay you all your Arrears, over and over, and gratify you for all your Service (such is his Grace) with that which you may comfortably subsist on to Eternity.  
This is the first Branch of the Exhortation. Let all true Believers he greatly encouraged to fight against their Spiritual Enemies; & that both in their private and pubilek Capacities. For every Believer must engage in a Warfare, not only General and Common to all Christians, but also proper and peculiar to himself in his place and Condition. Therefore I would crave leave to Address myself here with a word or two of 
This Sermon was Preached, when the General Court was sitting, and in the Audience of the much Honoured Members of it.  Encouragement to our Pious, Faithful, Honourable Rulers in their 〈◊〉, not as they are Christians only, but as they are Christian Magistrates also, and the Nursing Fathers of our Commonwealth and Churches. It would indeed be a most importune and intolerable Thing, notorious Boldness and Rudeness in me this Day, and on such an Occasion, to stand here and dictate to our Honourable Patriots and Worthies, or to direct and advise them about the particular management of their Civil Affairs. As every man should be wise●… in his own Calling and Concerns: So it is the great Happiness of New-England that we have Persons of great worth and Wisdom, Integrity and Experience, ruling over us, and guiding us by the Skilfulness of their Hands; and such as have no need of the Instructions of such a piece of weakness and unworthiness as stands before you. They know their own Business, and are taught of God to manage the great Affairs under their Hands. I remember well, that I am an unworthy Minister of the G●…spel; not a Statesman, or projector. And therefore I am very fair from the Design of obtruding upon you (much Honoured my raw and indig●…sted Apprehensions about the Condition of your Affairs, and what m●…y seem Counsellable in that respect. But I would with all id●…lity, Respect and Affection, administer to you a word of Encouragement, in a 〈◊〉 Application of what hath been disco●…sed of the Christians Warfare in Gen●…ral to your W●…rfare in Special. You must Combat with Profaneness, with turbulent He estes, with Blasphe●…ies, with Injust●…e, with Disorders of many Kind's: and in so doing will be exposed to 〈◊〉 and hard Speeches, yea, to many 〈◊〉 and Discouragements, And if you should be ready sometimes to ●…t in this pub●…ick 〈◊〉, and complain ●…hat you are not able to bear this ●…avy Burden that is laid upon you: it would be no more than what we read of Moses, the meekest man, and one of the best accomplish●…d Leaders and Governors that ever was upon Earth, Numb 11. 11. 12, 14. The Eminoncy of your place and work makes you the more conspicuous, that you will be the fairet Mark for Setan, and his Instruments. Qui regit Signum est in quod Sat●…nas omnia jacula dirigit. Satan and his Followers, that fight under his Banner, will be casting all their Derts at you. Magistratus indicat vir●…m. Magistrate's places are as Furnaces to try them in. Place of Government trieth the Spirit of a man, whether he be just or corrupt, liberal or covetous, valiant or fearful, for God or for Man; as Mr. Cotton observs 〈◊〉 Eccles. 3. 18— 22. Every Calling hath its Temptation: and yours (as High and Honourable as it is) is not privileged in that respect. You are Gods indeed in the Scripture Dialect (Psal. 82 1, 6.) but you are Men too, subject to the like passions, perturbations, Conflicts and Temptations, that other men are: nay, more exposed thereunto on some Accounts. Your Places are High, end you dwell in the upper Region; but you are wiser than to look for nothing but Stillness and Serenity there, where you are not out of the way & walk of the Prince of the Power of the Air, who will be sure (if he can) to raise many a Storm and Tempest upon you. I am not much acquainted with the State of your Affairs: but if I should improve my Observations, and conjecture from what I have noted elsewhere, I might well conclude, that you have Difficulties more then enough before you in your way. You are continually travelling in Birth with the public good; and there may be some that (as it is said of the Dragon, that he stood before the Woman that was ready to be delivered, to devour her Child as soon as it was born, Rev. 12. 4. So) will be ready to stifle the Issues of your Counsels in the Birth, or to overly them, and devout them as soon as they are born. Now the word of the Lord to you is (as sometimes to joshua, Josh. 1. 9 Be strong and of a good Courage, be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: For the Lord your God is with you. O take Courage and acquit yourselves as the good Soldiers of Christ, and ●…aliant Worthies in your Warfare. You have growing Sins in a growing Commonwealth to grapple withal. O be Courageous, and fight your Fight against such Enormities. Do not draw your Sword merely to flourish and beat the Air; but strike home: And if you have not Swords that are sharp enough, or long enough to reach, to do through Execution upon the Enemies of our peace, the God-provoking & State disturbing Sins & evils among us; Be sure you get such as may do it; I mean such Laws as may be keen and comprehensive enough to reach them. And the Lord bless you, (with the Honoured ●…puties) at your great Councii of War, as I would take Liberty, th●…●…ay, ●…o style your General Assembly, where you are considering wh●… to do d●… b●…lare, to conquer and beat down the Sins and Disorders that lift up the Head amongst us, and are the great Enemies of the Prosperity of our Commonwealth and Churches. I might also particularly apply this word of Encouragement to the pious an laborious Servants of the Lord in the work of the Ministry. O my Brethren and Fathers! you are the good Soldiers of Jesus Christ in a peculiar manner, 2 Tim. 2. 3. Paul calls Epaphroditus the Pastor of the Church of the Philippians, his Fellow-soldier, Phil. 2. 25. Both E●…raordinary and ordinary Church-Officers are Soldiers. Your Life is a Warfare in a way of Specialty. Besides the Enemies you have to Engage with as you are Christians, you have Enemies also to conflict with as you are Ministers. I speak not of the persons of men which are to be pitied and tendered: but of their Vices, which must be opposed and combated withal You have Unruliness, Disorderly Behaviour, Prejudices, Reproaches, base Nicknames, hard Usage, and injurious dealings among men; the Pride, Ignorance, Obstinacy, Unfruitfulness, and Ingratitude of some you have to do with, besides your particular Temptations from Satan (who maligns the Ministers of Christ more than other men) to conflict and combat withal. Some of you may be in Paul's Case, Fears within, and Fightings without, and Trouble on ev●…ry side, 2 Cor. 7 5. You are Soldiers and must expect Knocks and Blows in your Warfare: but you may be assured of a most Glorious Victory. We live in ●…imes of great Degeneracy, and in special of great Disaffection to the Ministers of Christ: Times wherein Satan industriously instills and infuses endless Jealousies and prejudices into the Heads and Hearts of People concerning the Faithful Ministers of the Gospel. As the King of Syria said to his Captains, Fight neither with small nor Great, save only wi●…h the King of Israel, 1 King. 22. 31. So doth Satan seem to say to his Follower●… at this Day; Do you fight neither with one or other, so much as with the Ministers of Christ. This is the Ball that Satan hath 〈◊〉 his Foot, the great Game that He is playing, up and down; to asperse, and vilify, and bring down the price and esteem of Christ's Messengers: as well knowing then how to destroy the Souls of Men and Women, Heaps upon Heaps, as it were. Well, you are Soldiers, and must not be discouraged. You are well appointed; you have Arms to fight withal. Prayers and Tears and Ministerial Au●…horitative Dispensation of the word and Ordinances of Christ, with Courage And undaunted Resolution, are the Weapons of your Warfare, which are not Carnal, but Sp●…ritual and mighty throug●… God assisting, 2 Cor. 10 4. And if it would not sound too much like the Word of a Commander; if it were not too much Boldness and Arrogance, I would say to my Reverend Fathers and Brethren, Fellow Soldiers Stand to your Arms. The Day is your own, and the Victory will be finally determined on your side. Your Sighs, and Groans, and Prayers, and Tears, and M●…nilleria! Conflict shall not be in vain; but the Lord will shortly give you the Victory Take heed of Short-spiritedness, of Impatience, of Fainting in the Contest, though it may be sharp and severe for a time. The Ill●… terarian Spirit the Antiministerial Spirit, the Heretical evil Spirit, the ●…velling and Disorderly Spirit, or whatever else it is that you combat withal shall be routed, run down, put to flight; And the folly of such Things and persons will be made manifest to all men. Nothing will abide, but what is built, no●… on the variable and uncertain Fancies and Affections of men, but on, the Everlasting Foundations of Scripture and Reason. Reason and Truth will stand their Ground, and keep the Field when all that is opposite thereunto will be put to flight and totally discomfited. I shall say no more to you but in the words of the Lord to the Prophe●…, ●…er. 1. 18, 19 The Lord hath made you Defenced Cities, Iron Pillars, and Brazen Walls; and though men fight against you they shall not prevail; For the Lord is with you. Nay, further, If I could but get into the Hearts of any of the People of God in this Assembly, and make discovery of the particular Corruptions and Temptations that this or that Believing Man or Woman is Conflicting and Combating with; I would say to them, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. As the Priesis were ordered by the Lord to give a Word of Encouragement to the People of Israel, when they were approaching to Batrel against their Enemies, Deut. 20 3, 4. So give me leave at the Head of this Christian Camp here Assembled before the Lord, to bespeak the Israel of God, and to say, Let not your Hearts Faint, Fear not, and do not tremble, neither here terrified, because of your Enemies: For the Lord your God (even your great Lord General, the Lord jesus Christ) is he that goeth with you to sight for you against your Enemies, and to save you. What should I do but say to them that are of a fearful Heart, Be strong, fear not: strengthen ye the weak Hands, and confirm the feeble Kn●…es, Isai 35. 3, 4. You are it may be Buffeted with Satan's Messenger, pained with the Thorn in the Flesh, Molested and Tortured (as persons held upon the Rack) with Temptations to Atheism, and Unbelief, with Blasphemons' Injections, and Amazing Suggestions, Tormented with the poisonous fiery Dares and Arrows of that evil one, Combated with ●…shly, Worldly Lusts and Corruptions that give you no rest. Oh Courage, Courage, Dear Hearts, Fight it out to the last. And if you are Foiled, get up again by Repentance, and renew the Combat in the strength of Christ, and never ask Quarter, or make a Surrender of yourselves to the Will of your Enemies; for you shall obtain a Glorious Victory. Possibly (O Believer) thou hast been sleeping in the Lap of some Daliloh, and hast lost thy strength, and art ●…en into the Hands of the Philistine●…, that have bound thee with Pett●…s, and made thee to Grind (which is the sad condition which some Christian Soldiers through Security reduce themselves unto) yet let me tell th●… for thy Encouragement, that though thy Locks are shaved off, yet (〈◊〉 Grace) the Locks of thy Strength will grow again, and thou shalt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those Ph●…stines. Let all the Followers of Christ be warned by the Falls and Surprises of themselves and others to stand upon their Guard, and continue in a vigilant fight Posture, that they may not give up themselves to the Will of their Adversaries, that lie in Ambush, and watch all Advantages against them. Watch ye, stana fest in the Faith quit you like men, be strong, 1 Cor. 16. 13. Yet a little while, and you shall triumph over all your Enemies. The Lord will shortly deliver you from Sin and Sorrow, and the S●…res of an evil World, and bruise Satan under your Feet, Rom. 16. 20. The God of peace shall do it for you, when the time of your Warfare shall be accom●…shed.  
Thus much for the first Branch of the Exhortation. The Second is.  
2. Learn and Labour to improve the Lord jesus Christin all your Spiritual Conflicts and Engagements. For want of this Holy skill Men do but 〈◊〉 the Air, and make a vain flourish; and contend to no purpose at all with the Enemies that War against their-Souls. Here all the false Religions in the World, and that of the Papists in special, fail Exceedingly. They are wholly unacquainted with the Mystery of the Gospel, the Efficacy of the Performances of Jesus Christ, the orderly way of improving the Satisfaction, Merit and Intercession, or the Humiliation and Exaltation of the Mediator: and what course do they fix upon? Truly they think to Vanquish their Corruptions in the strength of their Vo●…s, and Fast and Pe●…nances, and self-devised, self-●…acerating Austerities; which may possibly kill the Natural Man, but will never destroy the Corrupt Old Man: and to fright away Satan (the tame and timorous Devil) with their Cross and Holy-Water, and such like Fopperic●…. That which lies at the bottom of all their Miscarriages in this business is, that they know not how to improve the Lord Jesus in order to the Defeat and Overthrow of their Spiritual Adve●…saries: without which Divine skill Men may Scuffle and Skirmish wit●… their Foes, raise much Dust, and make a great noise and bustle, as if they would do great Exploits; and yet all end in Shame and Disappointment. 〈◊〉 you see that all the Victories and Conquests which Believers obtain are through him that loved them; even the Lord jesus Christ. O therefore 〈◊〉 that Spiritual Art of improving the Lord Jesus in all your Combate●…, 〈◊〉 do nothing. Much should have been said here about that sulne●… of Provision that is laid up in Jesus Christ for the support, Relief and Assistance of Believers in their Conflicts, and their Enablement to make a Conque●… of their Enemies: and about the Actings of Faith upon the Lord Jesus, and f●…tehing in all suitable and seasonable supplies of Strength and Grace from his store. Time and Strength would fail me, if I should enter upon so large and spacious a Subject; and I had rather say nothing, then speak generally, superficiarily, and slightily to a matter of such importance; therefore I shall thus pass it with a brief mention of it. The thi●…d Branch is;  
3. Acknowledge the Love of God in Christ, and bless the God and Father 〈◊〉 our Lord ●…esus Christ for all your partial and present Victories and Conques●… 〈◊〉 any of your Engagements with the Enemies of your Souls. Doth the Lord help you ●…o asquit yourselves like Men (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) or like Christians rather, & the Soldiers of Jesus Christ in any Conflicts with your own Corruptions, or Satan's Temptations? Oh remember that it is through the Love of God in Christ that you Prevail and Conquer: And therefore bless God and be thankful to him for all your Victorious Achievements, and offer him the Sacrifice of Praise and Thank●…giving. When 〈◊〉 and his People went forth against that great Multitude of Moabites, Ammonites, and the Inhabitants of M●…unt Seir with full assurance from the Lord of Victory; Singers to the Lord were appointed, that should praise the Beauty of Holi●…, 〈◊〉 they went out before the Army, and say, Praise the Lord, for his m●…cy e●…dureth for ever, 2 Chron. 20 21. They met the Enemy with Thanksgiving in their Mouths for promised and assured Victory. And when their Enemies were overthrown in a wonderful manner, they Assembled in the Volley of Berach●…h, so called, because they blessed the Lord there: and they returned to jerusalem with Psalteries, and Ha●…ps and Trumpets unto the House of the Lord, ver. 26, 28. In like manner Believers have Assurance from the Lord of the utter Defeat and Overthrow, and of the absolute Conquest of their Fo●…s through the love of God in Christ; and may well go forth against their Enemies in the strength of the Lord, with the High praises of God in their Mouth, and a two edged Sword in their hand, even the S●…ord of the Spirit, the Word of God, that is sharper than a two edged Sword, and will not fall, if it be rightly managed, to do notable Execution. And when they obtained any signal Victory in this or that particular Engagement with their Spiritual Enemies, what should they do but give the name of Berac●… 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 and Places of Retirement, and bless the Lord and his Holy Name (in which they are to set up their Banners (Psal. 20 5.) and through which they have done valiantly, and trodden down all their Enemi●…s, Psal. ●…8. 〈◊〉) with their Souls and all that is within them. Though you cannot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Life hope for the total Defeat and overthrow of the Enemies of your Souls! yet be sure to erect a Trophy, and rear up a Monumental Pillar of thankful Acknowledgement and Remembrance to the Power and Grace and Love of God in Christ, upon every partial and particular Victory you obtai●… in the Field against them.  
4. Lastly, Wait, a●…d Pray, and Look, and Long for that Glorious Day, when your Warfare shall be ended, and you shall go out of the Field Victorious, and Pri●…mphant, y●…, absolute Conquerors. I persuade not to any Impatience during the neat of your present Engagements. Take heed of tiring and fainting in your Conflicts, and in the laborious course of your Warfare: Though your General p●…t you upon hard Duty and Service. H●… 〈◊〉 ●…eth for Mastery is not Crowned, exc●…pt he s●…ve lawfully, 2 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gitime cer●…are (saith judicious Calvin) est pro●… qui certamen quant●… 〈◊〉 quoad Lex praescribit: ●…quis sibi modum ante tempus definiat. To 〈◊〉 ●…awfully is to hola on the Contest, or continue and persevere in the Confli●…, as long as the Law prescribes: and no man is to give over before the Time appointed. He that is tired with a first or second Conflict, and withdraws himself out of the Field before his Time; will lose his Crown. ●…erseverance in a Course of Running and Wrestling, and Combating, with Patience, and Submission to the good will of God, is the Duty of every Christian. But withal, it is the Duty, as well as Allowance, of the Followers of Christ, to have respect to the Recompense of Reward, and the joy that is set before the 〈◊〉: and to wait (with Hope and Desire) all the Days of their Appointed 〈◊〉 or of their Warfare (as the Original hath it) 〈◊〉 th●…ir change come, Job. 〈◊〉. 14. that happy great Change, when their present Warfare shall be changed into everlasting peace and rest from trouble, and their Helmets sh●…ll be changed into Cro●…ns of everlasting joy upon their Heads, and their Swords and Spears (not beaten into Flow-shares and Pruning-hooks, as Isai. 2. 4 but) changed into Palms in their hands in token of assured Victory and Triumph. O therefore let all Christian S●…uldiers love and long for the ●…orious Appearance of Christ: And when you are beset and encumbered, and engaged in any hot dispute with your Enemies, Look upwards, and Sigh to Heaven, as for present Assistance and Enablement, so also for after perfect Deliverance, Victory and Triumph, which shall be brought to you at the Appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.  
With this word I should have concluded and issued the whole Discou●… and put an End to the present Engagement; but that I conceive it may ●…e rationally expected that I should address myself in the close (in a word ●…r two at least) to the Military men, the worthy and much Honoured Gen●…men, that have pressed and called me forth to the Service of this Day▪ I need not tell you that I am no Soldier. Possibly mine ine●…t Usage of some Military and Mar●…ial phrases in the past Discourse may but too plainly ●…ll you, that I am but little acquainted with the Military Science or Faculty. I am no Friend to war, but an unseigned lover of Peace. I long for an End of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Bloudsheds, the Destructions and Des●…lations that the poor world ●…lled withal. O when will th●…s Ir●…n-Age expire, ●…nd that glorious Morn appear, that Lightsome Day dawn, wherein the Nations shall be●…t their Swords into ●…lough-Shears, and t●…eir Spea●…s into Pruning-Hooks, 〈◊〉 shall Nation l●…ft up Sword against Nation, ●…or t●…e So●…s of men learn 〈◊〉 any more? The God of Peace will certainly put an end unto these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, In the mean time it is the wisdom and duty of the people of God ●…o improve all Advantages that are providentially put into their Hands, to secure their peace and precious Enjoyments, and to put themselves into a Posture and Condition of disputing it with those that may invade or assault them. Military Sk●…ll is necessary in Military times and Martial Days; and these Military exercises are not only Lawful and Allowable, but jaudable, yea, and necessary also: and the persons by whom they are suppor●…ed and carried on deserve singular Commendation and Encouragement. David's Mar●…l mighty men are Cataloguised in holy writ, as men of Renow●… and worthy to be had in Honourable Remembrance: And surely the Gentlemen among us that are men of Skill and Conduct, and expertness in Military affairs should not be s●…ghted or discouraged. We live in times of great Commotions and doub●…ful E●…pectations. How long we may sit under our Vines and Figtrees and have none to make us afra●…d, The God of our Pea●…e, our great Protector, only knows. The Day may come upon us, when we may wish there were many more worthy men of Martial Spirits and Military Accompleshments, than yet appear among us. True it is, that I have not directed my Discourse to the Soldiers this Day: Considering that I was not (unless I mistook my Summons) to make a Military Oration (which is more proper for some Gentleman of that Profession) but to preach a Sermon, on a Military occasion, that might be of Use (if the Lord please) to the whole Assembly. I have weakly, but designedly endeavoured to imitate and tread in the steps of our Blessed Saviour (the Ca●…ain of our Salvation, Heb. 2 10. with whom it was usual and Customa●…y in the Days of his Commoration and Converse upon Ear●…h, to take the least Hint to make a Sp●…ritual U●…e and Advantage of Common Things, and to improve obvious Occasions and Occurrences in a Pa●…abelical, Alleg-rical, and Spiritual way. In like manner I have taken Rise and Advantage from the Military occasions of this Day to discourse (as the Lord ha●…h enabled of the Spiritual and ●…stian Warfare. Soldier's love to hear of Battles at Land or Sea, of Victories and Triumphs, and the Cons●…quents thereof, the Sp●…ils, the Plunder, the Booty, the Re●…ds of Gallantry and good Behaviour in such ●…ngagements: And I have been acquainting you with such Th●…ngs in a Spritual way. And I hope none of you will judge this wholly impertinent, unless you have so far put on the Artillery man this morning, that you have also put off the Christian Soldier. I shall say further (by way of Defence and Apology) that what I have disc●…sed may be of great Use unto the Gentl●…men I am speaking to in their M●…tary Ca●…ity. That which cond●…ces ●…o the making of men good Cori●…ns hath a general Influence into the due department of men in all Capacit●…es and 〈◊〉. That man that ●…th Conquered and Subdued Himself will know how to command, how to obey, much better than One that is a sl●…ve to Himself, and his own perverse will, and in Bondage to his own Lusts and Corruptions. Such a ●…an will give serious and conscionable Attendance to the Improvement of all means afforded him, that may accomplish Him in a Military way, and furnish Him with Skill and De●…terity, whereby He may be enabled to fight the Lords ●…attels against I●…jurious and malignant Adversari●…s. He will depend on that God that teacheth his H●…s to war, and his Fingers to sight, (Psal. 144. 1.) and umpires or determines the success●…s and Events of all Military Engagements according to the Counsel of his own will, sometimes contrary to the Law and Common Rule of second Causes: So that the Battle is not always to the strong, but Time and Chan●…e (some interveni●… providential Occurrences) happen to this, as well as other Affairs, Ecc●…es. 9 11. He will go forth, when God calls to the Defence of Civil and Religious Liberties in the strength of the Lord, and not in his own might or Sufficiency, having had such sensible and instructing Experience, that all his Spiritual and grea●…er Conquests are acquired through him that loved Him. He will be one of the Legio Fulmina t●…, the thundering Legion, that by their powerful and princely Prayers will obtain signal Victories over their Enemies. He will be one of the Called, and Faithful, and Chosen, that will follow the Lamb whithe soever he leads them. He that (through the Grace and st●…ength of Christ) hath conquered Sin, and Self, and Satan, and an evil World, and is sure to conquer his last Enemy Death (which is the happy Condition of a Christian Soldier) will not fear the Face of any man in a Righteous Cause, but have the Spirit, and Courage, and undaunted Resolution of a Soldier indeed. He will say, as Nehemiah in his Case, Nehem. 6. 11. Should such a man a 〈◊〉 flee? well may He be above Fear and Frights, and Coward see, and acqui●… H●…mself in all respects as a Magna●…imous Person, who hath Deliverance from the fear of Death, to the Bondage whereof all men are naturally Subject, H●…b. 2. 15. He that expects to gain by dying (as that Champion Paul did, P●…l. 1 21.) and therefore H●…es rather than Fears to die, will not be afraid of the ●…oint of the Sw●…d or mouth of the Canon, or any other Instruments of Death, when God ca●…s H●…m to adventure Himself. If Alexande●…, julius Caesar, and others icc●…hed such great Things by their natural Courage and Valour; walt wil●… not that man do that hath the Spirit and Valour of a Christian So●…ldier? He will not be act●…d o●… the pride, and Ambition, and vain glorious Ham●…r or mercenary Spirit that other Soldiers are car●…ied with, but will bear upon the Grea●…ness of his God, and the Goodnese of his Ca●…s, and so jeo●…ard Himself in the H●…gh pla●…es of the Field. These and the l●…ke Thing●… considered, my Discourse may not seem to be wholly Forreig●…, or unaccommodable to the affairs of this day. Whether it hath been perts●…at and proper to the Design and Business of the Day is lest to the judgement of my 〈◊〉. But sure I am that I have discoursed of the Best and 〈◊〉 Important Warfare, and the most desirable and glorious Victory and 〈◊〉. And though I cannot but approve and commend and wish the prosperous Continuance of your Training and Artillery-Exercises: Yet behold (as Paul speaks in another Case, 1 Cor. 12. 31.) I have been showing you a more excellent way. Of all Soldiers, the Christian Soldier is the best: No War, nor Victory, nor Triumph can be comparable to His. He is more than a Soldier; more than a Conqueror. And happy will that man be that at the end of his Race, and when he is marching out of the Field, shall be able to say (as that great Apostle and Renowned Soldier of Jesus Christ, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.) I have fought a good fight, I have finished the Course of my Warfare: and henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous judge, shall give me at the Blessed Day of his Glorious Appearing.  
FINIS.