I Have chosen, you see, for your present instruction, Right Honourable and well be­loved, the beginning of the Epistle for this Day. In the first word of which the Apostle [Page 2] signifies, that he was drawing to a conclusion of this Letter, to the Christian Church at Ephesus. Finally, my Brethren, I have nothing more to add, but this; all that remains is to exhort you, to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

He had made his most earnest Prayer to God in the middle of this Epistle (iii. 14, &c.) that he would grant them, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthned with might by his spirit, in the inner man: that so they might be able to perform all their Christian duty; which follows in the insuing part of the Epi­stle, till you come to my Text. In which he puts them in mind that it was not suffici­ent to receive strength from Heaven, in their inner man: but they must also be strong, or strengthen themselves; not indeed in themselves, but in the Lord, in that heavenly strength which our blessed Saviour gives us, and in the power of his might, wherewith He will al­ways assist our weakness.

There lyes the security of Christians; from whom our Saviour expects a faithful obedi­ence, both in their single, and in their relative capacity, either as Men or Women, or as Hus­bands or Wives, as Parents or Children, as [Page 3] Masters or Servants, (all whose duties the Apostle had just before most punctually set down) because He requires no impossible thing; but such an obedience as he strength­ens us with might, by his spirit, to perform: if we will but be careful and diligent to strengthen our selves in him, and in the power of his might.

In which words we cannot but observe these two things.

First, A Christian duty incumbent upon them; which was to be strong, or to strength­en themselves: For it is an Exhortation of the Apostle to the Ephesians; whom he char­ges with this, as the very upshort of his fore­going discourse.

Secondly, The ability they had to perform this duty, which is in, or by the Lord: For there he tells them their strength lyes; in him, and in the power of his might; that is, in his mighty insuperable power.

The first of which supposes that they would need a great deal of courage and re­solution (for that is to be strong, in the Apo­stles language) to be able to do their duty, [Page 4] in all relations, in all times, and in all con­ditions and circumstances of life.

The second supposes, that their own natu­ral courage, or mere Philosophical Resolution, called Fortitude, would not be sufficient to carry them through all difficulties: but upon some occasions their spirit would quail, unless they were supported by a diviner sort of Ver­tue; which he calls being strong in the Lord. By the Lord meaning our Blessed Saviour; who bred in his Disciples souls a new kind of valour, which men were not acquainted withal before; or of which we read nothing in the Books of mere Philosophers. For as they do say little or nothing of that trust and confidence, which all good men ought to repose in God, and of a vigorous appli­cation of their mind to Him, for strength and resolution to be truly vertuous: so they could say nothing, of such devoute addresses to our Lord for it.

Who sending his Apostles into the world to propagate his Religion, which was sure to meet with mighty opposition, furnished them with a suitable courage: which they indeavoured to infuse into all others; who by entertaining their Doctrine, might have need [Page 5] of the like vertue. Which is this here in my text; of a quite different sort from those now named: For it arises not from natural heat, or from the mere soundness of our na­tural principles of reason, and the honest re­solution which we have firmly built there­upon: but from a far higher original, the mighty, invincible power of the Lord Jesus, which was always in their eye, and on which they stedfastly relyed. As there was very great need; having other kind of enemies to grapple withal, than mere natural men thought of; not meerly with flesh and blood, (as it follows after my text) that is, with humane powers and their savage malice and cruelty: but with the Devil and his Angels; who did all they could to dishearten them, and hinder their spreading of this Religion▪ For which end they instigated both the Jewi [...] Rulers, and Heathen Kings and Princes, to persecute them with the greatest rage, and the most Diabolical fury.

And the very same powers of Hell, we have reason to think, are now at work to confound us and our Religion. The Refor­mation of which was little less wonderful, in [Page 6] one regard, than the first publication of the Gospel. For it flew like lightning; and, on a sudden, all these northern Countries purged themselves, from the Romish pollutions, with a marvellous consent: as swiftly and in as short a space of time, as the Gospel, at its first Preaching, ran among the Gentiles; and excited them to free themselves from Pagan Idolatries. And immediately the De­vil set his Agents at work, to disgrace and spoil the Reformation by Sects and Heresies; and to deter men from embracing it, by the most dreadful punishments: just as when the Gospel broke out, he laboured to uphold his Authority by the like arts and instruments of deceit and cruelty.

And now the powers of darkness seem to be making their very last attempt in these Countries; to overthrow that, which was so happily, and by such an extraordinary hand of God established. And who knows but their fury may proceed to such violence, as without an extraordinary courage, we shall not be able to stand fast in the Faith, to quit our selves like men, and to be strong; as the Apostle exhorts in the 1 Cor. xvi. 13?

[Page 7] We had best therefore fortifie our selves beforehand with a good stock of this Divine Vertue: which we shall have great use of upon other occasions (though by the merci­ful Providence of God that trial of it should be prevented, for which we humbly pray and hope) to inable us to do, as well as to suffer all things that would hinder our doing the will of God. I am not able to say, to which of these my Text most relates: whe­ther to the words foregoing, or to those that follow. But which way soever we take them, there will be little or no difference: and it will be best to refer them to both. Because the power of Christ is as necessary for us to enable us to discharge those Christian duties before mentioned; as to withstand those tri­als which he tells the Ephesians in the Verses following, would discourage and dishearten them in their obedience.

Now to the end, that we may be furnish­ed with a sufficient strength for both; I shall do these two things;

First, Shew you wherein this duty con­sists, of being strong, or strengthening our selves in the Lord, and in his mighty power.

[Page 8] Secondly, What our work is, or what we have to do, that we may be indued with this mighty Vertue.

I. For the first of these; by the LORD being meant, as I said, our blessed Saviour, who laying down his life for us, is raised again, and made the Lord of all (all power in Hea­ven and in Earth being given to him, as he himself told his Apostles and afterward was proved by sensible effects) to be strong in him consists in these three things.

1. First, To be possessed with a lively faith of the Power and Glory, which our Lord now hath at Gods right hand.

2. Secondly, To keep this Faith alive in our hearts, that it may make us on all occasions repair to Him: representing Him always as actually pre­sent to us, by the Power of his might to aid and succour us.

3. Thirdly, In this Faith to be stedfastly re­solved to stick to him, and not to stir from the duty He enjoins us: notwithstanding any thing that may oppose us, to discourage, nay indanger us in the doing of it.

[Page 9] Of these we have such frequent occasion to treat, at some time or other, that it may be sufficient now only to repeat them.

1. We must represent the Majesty and Power, wherein our Lord reigns at Gods right hand, so strongly to our souls, that they be possessed with a pregnant and lively sense of it; and be disposed thereby to depend upon him continually, as an Almighty Sa­viour.

2. And then this Faith, when it is settled in our hearts, we must actuate and excite; that it may make us look upon Him as pre­sent with us, at all times, by his Almighty Power; to aid and assist us, to support and comfort us; as well as able at last Eternally to reward us.

3. And lastly, This Faith must settle in us a firm resolution and purpose to adhere to his service, and resist all temptations to the con­trary; till by his Power we overcome them, and remain faithful to the very death, expect­ing from him the Crown of Life.

This He expects from us, and this we must charge our selves withal; and be faith­ful [Page 10] to it, and stedfast in it. For if we doubt not of His Power, why should we not de­pend upon it; and, by the force of it, do that for which He communicates it unto us? Hath He not made us many pretious Promises, that by them we may be partakers of a Divine Na­ture? Hath He not said, He will be with us, and give his Holy Spirit to them that ask it, and never leave us nor forsake us, but be our helper, and deliverer? Hath He not bid us, not fear them that can do no more but kill the body; but fear Him that can throw both Soul and Body into Hell? and repeated it again; that we should fear this great Lord; fear to offend Him, fear to lose His favour, and the glorious hope He hath set before us? Hath He not bid us lay hold on this hope; and hold fast our confidence and the rejoycing of our hope unto the end? Hath He not bid us trust to this, that stronger is He that is in us, than he that is in the world? than the Devil, and all his partakers and instruments? who have no power to hurt us, unless He consent to it; and in that case, the thing we ac­count a hurt, shall work together for our good?

We are not Christians, if we believe not this. And what is there more to be belie­ved, but that He hath power to make good [Page 11] his word? And how can we question that; when we remember that He is the LORD? whose power is no less large than his desire: So that He cannot be inclined by his good will, to design or to promise any kindness to his Servants; which He hath not equal ability actually to perform.

He doth not merely wish us well; nor can He be suspected ever to find any impotency in himself, whereby He should be disabled from expressing the love which we think He bears us. And therefore He cannot be more forward, either to conceive good in­tentions towards us, or to make us promises of the good He intends; than He is ready and able to do, to the full, what He pur­poses and what He promises.

The consideration of which power of his, is the great support of our Faith, when we read any of his exceeding great and pretious promises in the Holy Scriptures: and should make us heartily depend upon them, and with a settled resolution go about our duty, in an unshaken confidence of their perfor­mance.

To this Power of God it was that Abraham, the Father of the Faithful, had respect, when [Page 12] God promised to give him an heir; though an impossible thing in Nature. He staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but was strong in Faith giving glory to God, being fully perswaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform, iv. Rom. 20, 21. The object of his faith was the promise of God; who, as He had never deceived him so, he knew could not be worse than his word. But that which preserved him from staggering at such a Pro­mise as this, was his laying hold on the Power of God: which made him strong in faith. And the Glory he gave to God, was his conceiving so highly and magnificently of his Power, as nothing to doubt of what He had said; nor in the least to imagine the thing He promised was beyond it : but to rest fully perswaded that He was no less able to perform, than He was willing to promise it.

The like strong Faith we ought to have in the power of our Lord Christ; from whose Majesty we shall extreamly derogate, if we think there is any thing too hard for Him to do. But to think He cannot do what He hath promised to do for us, is to blemish Him with such a weakness, that there cannot be a greater disparagement to Him. For [Page 13] though it be no discredit to one of us, not to be able to do every thing, that another man can do: yet to put our Friends in hope and expectation, by promises, of what we know is without the reach of our abilities, is such a dishonour; that it reflects scorn and contempt in the face of those who are guilty of it. And therefore if it could be conceived (which we ought not in the least to admit) that our Blessed Lord hath any weakness or defect of Power in Him; yet so great a de­fect as this, to promise things which He can­not make good to those that believe them and depend upon them, must need be far removed from Him. And we being sure that the same Goodness and Love which moved Him to make those promises of Grace and strength to us, will move Him to im­ploy his Power to communicate them; we ought to trust to this, and with an assured Faith depend upon His powerful Goodness: and in that Faith stedfastly and couragiously perform most constant obedience to Him; who, we are sure, cannot fail us.

II. But that we may not deceive our selves [Page 14] with a false dependance on Him, nor vainly trust to his Almighty Power for our aid, let us always remember (which will bring me to the second thing I propounded) that it is such a Faith in Him, and dependance on Him, as makes us use all the means which He hath appointed, in conjunction with our trust in his might, for our pre­servation. Else it is not a right Faith in the power of his Might, nor will derive the com­munications of it into our souls: for He that bids us confide in that, requires us also to do many other things; in the exercise of which, He tells us, we may be confident his Power will give us the better. And if we believe as we ought, we shall take his word as much for the one, as for the other.

According to which Doctrine, the Apo­stle (who could best explain his own mind) immediately adds this injunction, in the words after my Text, Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. It was not enough it seems barely to confide in the invincible strength of the Lord Jesus; but they must put their own hand to the work, and prepare them­selves for the incounter, and valiantly, when occasion was, enter into it and sustain it. [Page 15] For opposition we must expect, as the Apo­stle shows vers. 12. and great opposition, from very powerful, very subtil, very indu­strious, and likewise invisible Enemies. For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but a­gainst Principalities and Powers, against the Rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickednesses in high places. Who among other ways they have to trouble us, stir up the spi­rits of evil men to give us all the disturbance, and do us all the mischief, that is in their power; and stir them up to so high a degree of rage, that they persecute us many times with such inhumane malice and cruelty, as flesh and blood could not invent; were it not acted by a Diabolical fury.

This mighty and frightful opposition we are apt to make an Argument, why we can­not hold out, but should despair of being a­ble to do our duty. But the Apostle, quite contrary, makes it an Argument why we should be strong, and resolved, and watch­ful, and ready arm'd against all temptations, and able to stand: because we have to do with such potent and crafty Enemies, who are so much above us, in high places; from whence they can more easily assault us.

[Page 16] This he repeats again, vers. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God; that is, because you have so many, so great and dangerous Enemies to conflict withal, take unto you (to put it on, that is,) that Divine Armour which God himself furnishes you withal, and let no part of it be wanting, but be intirely at all times covered with it; that so you may be able to withstand or to resist with constancy and patience, in the evil day; or the time when you must indure many calamities for Christs sake: And having done all to stand; that is, having compleated your resistance, by an unyielding resolution to con­sent to nothing against your duty, you may remain as conquerours over all those Ene­mies that assaulted you.

Stand therefore, vers. 14. he repeats it a third time, the more to imprint their Duty in their mind; and to excite and encourage them unto it. He would not have them doubt of getting the better; but be confi­dent they should be able to withstand all manner of opposition: provided they put on intirely that compleat Armour, which he was about to recommend to them from God himself. Without that, their confidence e­ven [Page 17] in Christ, and his mighty Power, would not keep them in safety: but they were to trust in Him; imploying those weapons which He had given them for their defence and security.

Let me therefore briefly explain them, that you may see what you have to do, if you would be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. In which it is impossible, that any body should be able to direct you, so well as the Apostle himself: and therefore I shall seek for no other means of attaining this Divine strength; but those which he hath set down in the remaining part of the Epistle for this day.

1. And first, you must take care, to have your loyns girt about with truth, vers. 14. that is, with a true understanding of all things, that concern our duty, safety and happiness. Which we can receive from no place so cer­tainly, and so amply, as from the Revelation our Lord hath made of the mind of God to us in his Gospel, which is called the word of truth: teaching us, both what is true and false, and what is good and evil, so fully; that we want no necessary Information, Di­rection, [Page 18] or incouragement in our Christian warfare. Only, we must make it our busi­ness throughly to understand the mind of God, and to let it sit close to our hearts : for that is to have it girt about us.

This will make us ready against all as­saults, and they will find us better prepared to receive them: we shall be the more at liberty, and have nothing interpose to in­tangle our mind, and hinder us from doing our duty. For that was the end of a Souldiers girding up his cloaths about his loyns; that he might be the more nimble, and expedite in action; when he was not incumbred by his garments, hanging loosely about his heels. Such will the clear knowledge of things, es­pecially of the Truth as it is in Jesus, render our minds. Which will find themselves fit for any service, and able to perform it with ease and freedom: when they are delivered by this illu­mination, from all vain opinions about those things which we call Good and Evil in this world; from all false principles; from cause­less doubts and scruples; from confusion of thoughts, and uncertainty of mind; which weaken and discourage the hearts of men, in any incounter with their spiritual enemies. [Page 19] Whose great advantage lyes in our ignorance and folly, mistakes and false perswasions; which this Divine Light shining in us will chase away; and let us see through all the thin pretences whereby we are tempted to commit any Sin, or to neglect our duty; and make the vanity of them so transparent, that we shall never be cheated by them any more.

For Truth is great and will prevail; not indeed unless it be seated and rooted in our minds; but if it have taken fast hold there, it hath the Lord on its side; whose mighty power resides there where his sacred Truth doth: which being the sense of his own mind, is something of himself residing in us.

There would not, for instance, be so ma­ny deserters, and revolters from their Reli­gion, so many cowardly and timerous spirits who will do nothing for it, so many cold and indifferent persons who care not what be­comes of it; if we understood the truth of it better, and its principles did not hang loose in our minds: but we had a lively sense of its excellency, purity, simplicity, and Divine original. Which would preserve us also from doing any thing unbecoming our [Page 20] Religion, while we make profession of it, and pretend to admire it, and love it, and to endeavour to preserve it. For who could act contrary to its principles, whose heart were affected deeply with this single truth; that he who knows his Masters will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes? It will go exceeding hard with that man, and he will lye under the severest lashes of his own Conscience, as well as under the heavy dis­pleasure of his Lord and Master: who taught him the way of God in truth, if he would have taken care, and set his heart, to walk in it. Which leads me to the next.

II. Unto this clear knowledg of the truth as it is in Christ, we must add the Brest-plate of Righteousness. Which is nothing else, but integrity of heart, and loyal Affection to our blessed Lord and Master Christ: a sincere and unfeigned love to the business of Christi­anity; which we understand to be the will of God.

For a Brest-plate you know is the defence of the region of the heart; and Righteousness I take here to be as much as uprightness and sincerity in what we pretend: and therefore [Page 21] both put together signifie the unfeigned bent of our will, the cordial consent of our heart and affection, to all that we know to be the mind of Christ; aiming at nothing in the world, but to keep a good Conscience; and thereby to preserve the love of God, and at last to obtain favour with Him in the day of the Lord.

Which, besides that it is most highly e­steemed by our blessed Saviour, above all knowledge and wisdom in the world, and may certainly depend upon His power for the maintenance of that which is so dear un­to Him; hath many singular advantages in it, to make us successful in our Christian warfare.

For a constant sense of our fidelity to our Lord, naturally gives us a stronger confi­dence that He will be faithful unto us.

This makes us also as bold and fearless as Lyons; when we have nothing within to dismay us: but all the reason in the world to be secure and confident, that we shall still attain our end; which is, to approve our selves to our Lord and Master, whatsoever befals us.

And on the other side, nothing more [Page 22] daunts all opposers, or strikes such a terror into our Enemies: who are in dread of those alone, who fear nothing but to lose their integrity.

If this be the sole thing we resolve to pre­serve, and upon no terms part withal, we shall have this advantage also by it; that we shall the more clearly discern what is the su­rest way to safety in dangerous times, if it may be had together with innocence. Whereas they that bend every way, and sail with every wind, where they think their worldly interest lyes; are alwayes blinded so much by that, as never to see the rocks up­on which they run, and are split at last.

Now the surest mark of this integrity, is an equal uniform zeal for all manner of goodness and vertue, diffusing it self, like the spiritous blood from the heart, through the whole body of our Christian duty; though never so cross to our natural inclination, or worldly interest.

And (as this is the surest mark of it so) the surest way to preserve it, is to give daily proofs of it to our selves, upon all such oc­casions as continually present themselves: [Page 23] which will wonderfully incourage and ani­mate us to go on, when we meet, at any time, with more dangerous opposition. This will make us undaunted, in case any hard service be put upon us, when we are not conscious to our selves of any hypocrisie, or base design, or unworthy behaviour, in lesser trials of our Christian resolution, in the daily, common course of our life: Or if at any time we have prevaricated, our Repentance for it hath been so sincere, that in those in­stances, especially wherein we did not keep our Faith with God, we since have appro­ved our selves better unto Him, and given testimony of our renewed, settled purposes, by no means to displease Him.

This will arm us against the most terrible impressions that can be made upon us by the enemy of mankind; against the sorest suffer­ings, of which the Apostle here particularly speaks; even against Death it self, the last and greatest Enemy we have to conflict withal, in whatsoever shape it shall approach us.

To be conscious then to our selves of no enormous crime, or to call to mind how so­licitously [Page 24] we have made our peace with God, and what full satisfaction we have given, for any injury done to our neighbour; to have nothing then to agast us; nothing to fill us with pale fears; no guilt, unrepented of, to stare us in the face and threaten us; will be as good a Brest-plate, as if we were invi­ron'd with a wall of Brass. ‘Take a man that is just and upright, unmoveable from his honest purpose, that hath setled a firm love to Goodness in his Soul; and neither the rage of the People, nor the countenance of stern Tyrants, commanding him wicked things, will shake his solid mind: but though the world should be supposed to crack, and break in pieces, and fall about his ears, the ruin of it will oppress a fearless person.’

Thus an Ancient Poet could boast, in­spired only with a natural sense, which he had of the courage and strength, that true integrity and sincere love to vertue, gives the heart of him in whom it dwells. He hath inward peace and tranquillity (as an upright Christian feels more lively than any other man can do) which makes him less regard all outward accidents. Whereas, if a mans [Page 25] heart correspond not with what he knows to be the truth; what contentment can he have to suffer any thing for that, which doth him no good? Who can doubt but the covetous man will rather forsake the Truth, than his Riches; which he takes to be infinitely more pretious? and an ambitious man rather quit it than his preferment; and an intemperate man abandon it, than forego his pleasure? For they have corrupted his Soul, and there­by made it weak and feeble: and deprived it of that Breast-plate, which a man that in­tirely loves the Truth, and follows it, is armed withal.

In one word, if we have not sincerely practised that which we understand to be our duty, or if we have done it lamely and by halves: this will give us the most grievous wound, when we reflect upon it, and so gall our Consciences; that we shall find it to be the sharpest Enemy we have, in a day of trial.

III. But the Apostle further advises them, if they would be strong in the Lord, to have their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, vers. 15. In which advice he sup­poses, [Page 26] that they who believed the Truth and heartily loved it, would be desirous to pro­pagate their belief, and perswade others to entertain it. For all men are naturally in­clined to endeavour to make others of their opinion: and the more necessary they ap­prehend any thing to be, with the greater earnestness they press to have it generally re­ceived.

But he would have them be sure, not to forfeit the reputation of true wisdom, nor to lose their integrity (which he had spoken of before) by being turbulent in this business: but dispose themselves to go (for that is the end of putting on shoes) and endeavour to spread the Gospel, or Christianity among their neighbours, after a peaceable manner.

Which are two counsels that contribute much to the securing our Christian Resoluti­on. For he that designs sincerely to promote Religion in others, will not easily forsake it himself. And the more good any man doth, the more he is like to receive from the hand of the Lord. But we shall do little good, unless we do it in a peaceable manner: with the spirit of meekness, and love, and quiet­ness; without which a man can neither be [Page 27] thorougly Religious himself, nor make others so. For nothing more takes us all off from the business of true Religion, than contentions and quarrels, though they be about Religi­on. Therefore we must follow Peace, as well as that Purity, without which no Man shall see the Lord: and be readily prepared rather to suffer any thing, than to make a bustle and a stir about that which teaches us all to study to be quiet; and is very much disho­noured and indangered too by our unnatural and unseasonable contentions.

For Souldiers, to whose warfare the Apo­stle here alludes, are never safe, but when they all agree, and are in unity one with a­nother, as well as with their chief Comman­der: whose great lesson is this in the Christi­an discipline, be at Peace among your selves, By Christian Love, Charity, and friendly Communion, we shall be much stronger a­gainst all assaults, whether from the Devil, the Flesh, or the World, than if we fight single against them, or, which is worse, be divided, and at last, perhaps, fight one with another. For, to omit other reasons, we shall invite more of the Divine power into our hearts, when we live in Unity, and [Page 28] Peace, and brotherly accord, wherein He delights: but shall weaken our selves ex­treamly, and lye open and exposed to the common Adversary (both to the Devil and all his instruments) when like quarrelsome Souldiers, we fall out and are at fewds one with another. For where envying and strife is (iii. Jam. 16.) there is confusion, and every evil work. The Devil gets in at this breach a­bove all others; and tempts men to the most dangerous sins and most spiritual wicked­nesses. Which prove not only the ruin of particular souls, but of whole Societies and Churches: and therefore the causes of such divisions ought most carefully to be avoided; if we would stand fast like men, and be strong in the evil day.

This is a point to be now most diligent­ly studied, because it is of great necessity to this Church and at this time. When we had need be all prepared, to maintain, at least, the Truth which we profess: but cannot in all likelyhood secure, unless we strengthen our selves, by being knit together most hear­tily and firmly in such Brotherly affection; that, though there be too many Dissenters, [Page 29] God knows, who cannot or will not con­form to the publick Laws yet, the peace be preserved, and not the least thing done to disturb the settlement of this Church. Which, whatsoever defects any man may think it hath, is so well constituted; that as there is little hope to see a better, so if it be disturbed, we shall find, to our cost, that we have changed for one infinitely worse: though it be one of our own making and devising.

Let us consider that if the Apostles and o­thers, thought themselves obliged to propa­gate the Truth it self in a peaceable manner; even the most necessary and essential Truths of the Gospel of Christ, which they Preached without any disturbance to the publick Go­vernment: much more ought we to be very careful not to unsettle a Christian Church well established, nor to make a rupture in it, about those things, which are now contro­verted. Which might be better handled, and to more advantage, and hope of convin­cing one another, if we did live in Unity, and in the same Communion, notwithstan­ding our differences; than when we separate and divide one from another: For then we begin to look upon each other as Enemies, [Page 30] and are not so apt to be moved by those Ar­guments; which might be very effectual, if we continued knit together in the same Society.

But if this cannot be, yet whatsoever dif­ferent perswasions we have about Rites and Ceremonies, and such like things, I am sure, it is every mans interest to be thus far a peace­able Dissenter; as to comply with the pub­lick order so far as he is able with a safe Con­science; and where he cannot comply, to be quiet, not to make a stir by contradiction and opposition; but merely to omit, what he cannot do: Not reviling the Publick Esta­blishment, nor indeavour to bring it into contempt, and to overthrow it.

For whosoever spends his zeal that way, and takes himself for a man of spirit, doth but abuse himself and the Gospel, in giving the name of courage to hardness of heart; and calling that resolution, which is mere in­sensibility of Gods Holy Laws, about Humi­lity, Meekness, Patience, Peaceableness, long-suffering, and such like Vertues. Which great things did we lay to heart, we should be more quiet, and not make a quarrel about the small matters, which now divide us: but [Page 31] rather bear with what is well settled, and not impious; than go about to mend it by fierce oppositions. Which commonly pro­duce bitter strife and contention; and that is followed by worse disorders: which the A­postles to avoid, connived at many things a­mong the Jewish Christians, which they by no means approved of, but desired to see re­formed.

And after men have done all they can, if they be not able to endure some things peace­ably, which they do not like; they must seek for another kind of world than this, and for more perfect Creatures than Men.

There will be defects in all humane con­stitutions; there will be variety of apprehen­sions, even in those things which God him­self hath declared: after never so many changes, we shall be as far from settlement as ever; if we will not be quiet till all things be according to our mind. And therefore I take it to be much better (as a wise man re­solved many years ago) to be driven on shore by a storm, though in a crazy vessel; than in a stronger to be still upon a tempestuous sea, in the power of the winds, and in dan­ger of Shipwracks.

[Page 32] As for us who have consented to be go­verned by the Laws of this Church, and have submitted to its orders; there needs not many words, sure, to perswade us to lay aside all our enmities, though never so small, at such a time as this: together with all jea­lousies, suspicions and evil surmises; much more all evil-speakings, and whatsoever is con­trary to that love which ought to be between us. We ought not, now especially, to be so much as cold towards one another; be­cause of any differences that may happen to be in our opinions: (or which we fancy to be between us) but embrace each other with a fervent Charity; as those who are linkt to­gether by the same common faith, and in­gaged in the same common cause, and must stand or fall together.

But in the prosecution of this weighty point I have been transported so far, that I have left but little time for the remaining; which I must therefore pass over the more briefly.

IV. The next is the Shield of Faith, v. 16. which the Apostle saith, we must above all things guard our selves withal. That is, we [Page 33] must continually represent to our minds, by a strong and lively Faith, the great rewards which Christ hath promised to his valiant followers. These we must ever carry before our eyes, as a Souldier did his shield; that by an actual present sense of them, we may beat off all assaults either from pleasure or from pain, which are made upon us to move us from our duty. For either of them may be understood by the fiery darts of the wicked, which the Apostle here speaks of: the motions to inordinate pleasure being sometimes no less hot and violent, than the grief and pain which we feel by sore persecutions; which are more peculiarly cal­led in the Holy Scriptures by the name of the Fiery Trial. As those work very fierce­ly upon fear, so do pleasures upon desire: and by this Faith we shall be able to van­quish both. Witness the Confessors and Martyrs, who having first overcome them­selves; could not be moved from their sted­fastness, when they saw a real Fire before them, into which they were threatned to be thrown, if they did not recant the pro­fession of Christianity. This Shield of Faith was their security, they being fully perswa­ded, [Page 34] that Christ our Lord, who is greater than all Kings, having all power in Hea­ven and Earth, would raise them from the dead to an immortal, and more glorious life; if they did not, to gain or save the best thing in this world, break any of his Sacred Laws.

For this Faith was so potent, that it wrought in them a lively hope; which is the next thing.

V. And take the Helmet of Salvation (vers. 17.) which in the 1 Thess. v. 8. is called the Hope of Salvation. This he compares to a Helmet (which you know is the Armor of the head) because the blessed hope of im­mortal Glory hereafter, and of Gods speci­al favour, love and protection here, makes a Man erect himself, and lift up his head, as we say, with confidence and boldness, in the midst of the greatest terrors and dangers; knowing they shall not hurt him, but rather bring Salvation to him. With this Hope therefore we must fill our hearts; which is the fruit of Faith, when Faith works by love and makes us faithful unto God. Then we may have a lively hope in [Page 35] him; and this Hope will make us not only strong, and so full of courage, that we shall not quail or be cast down by any dreadful appearance of dangers, but inable us to re­joyce in Hope of the Glory of God.

VI. To which he adds, The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, or the Holy Scriptures. For they are the Treasury of those Sacred Promises, which are the great support of our Souls; the Repository or Ma­gazine (as I may call them) wherein are laid up those Truths (spoken of in the beginning) which we must oppose to all the tempta­tions, which either assault our Faith and Hope, or would seduce us from our Obedi­ence. And therefore our business must be to study the Holy Scriptures diligently, till we be well skill'd in them, and have learnt to wield this weapon aright; and thereby cut in sunder all objections, as our Blessed Saviour did, when the Devil tempted him in the Wilderness. And by no means suffer any body to wrest this Sword out of our hand: for if they do, they have so effectually disarmed us; that we may in time yield to any thing. They may make us believe [Page 36] what they please; having our Faith in their keeping: and likewise do what they please; perswading us the best service we can do to God, is to be the greatest Ene­mies, disturbers and destroyers of mankind.

VII. Lastly, All these will be the more effectual, if by ardent Prayer (as the Apo­stle advises, vers. 18.) we call in the assist­ance of Heaven; Praying alway with all Pray­er and supplication in the spirit, watching there­unto, with all perseverance, and supplication for all Saints. For, as it is not enough to be thus armed and appointed for the combate, un­less God be present with us, (which we ought to believe He will, as I told you at first, because he hath said He will) so it is not sufficient to rely upon his word and stedfast­ly believe it; but He expects to be solicited for his aid, by our earnest Prayers and Sup­plications.

This He hath commanded, as much as for the other we have his promise. And our very Prayers make us strong, by giving us a more lively sense of God (if they be not cold and careless) and a more vigorous apprehension of his love, and of our Hea­venly [Page 37] Country; to which they lift up our minds. And besides, they derive more strength from Him; when we faithfully im­portune Him, that he will inable us to dis­charge all the duties of good Christians, in every condition. And they intitle us also to his powerful protection, when we com­mend our selves intirely to His Providence, and trust all we have with Him. Which likewise mightily raises our spirits, and gives us a higher degree of strength, confidence, and courage; when we think we have made Him our friend by thus intrusting Him, and relying wholly upon Him, to make us hap­py in what way He himself pleases.

And if all Christians made a Conscience also, to Pray one for another, it might still be of greater force, and avail more toward our Salvation. For so the Apostle would have us, make supplication for all saints, that is, Chri­stians: that they also may be indued with the power of Christ, and get the victory over their spiritual Enemies.

And these Prayers would be still more prevalent, did we all persevere, as he says, in our Supplications; and Pray always, at all times of prayer; and that in the spirit; very [Page 38] ardently, and with such fervent desires for spiritual aid from Heaven, as we feel for those things, we most need for this mortal life. And this also, with so great care and solicitude, that we watch for opportunities of Prayer: and, when great dangers press us, take some time from our sleep, or other occasion, for this Heavenly converse with God our Saviour.

This is a thing wherein we are too de­fective; and so find our selves faint and weak in the performance of the rest of the duties of Christian life: because we languish in our Devotion, especially in our COMMON PRAYER; when we meet together to Pray, not only for our selves, but for one a­nother; for the King particularly, the Royal Family, the great Council of the Kingdom, the Clergy, and all People, of whatsoever or­der or condition they be. Whom if we did commend to God with greater earnest­ness, and true fervour of affection, we should find, I am confident, as happy effects of our Prayer, as we our selves desire. We should either, for instance, prevail with God, to turn from us all those evils, which we most righteously have deserved; or to en­able [Page 39] us, so to put our full trust and confidence in his mercy, as notwithstanding any troubles, to serve him evermore in holiness, and pureness of living, to his honour and glory.

To summe up all that hath been said; The Apostle in this Discourse compares Chri­stians unto Souldiers: who being to con­flict with their Enemies, took care, as not to want weapons themselves so, not to leave any part of their bodies uncovered and exposed to the weapons of their Adversaries. The middle of their body they girt about with a Belt; upon their Brest they wore a Brest-plate; up­on their Head a Helmet; Greaves (as they are called in the story of Goliath) upon their legs; a shield they carried in their left hand, and a sword in their right; and being thus ap­pointed they called upon their Gods for help and succour. Such a complete Armour must we Christians put on, if we will con­flict successfully with our spiritual Enemies: who are of little force to do us any harm; if they always find us armed with Truth in our mind, with Integrity to our heart, with Purity and peaceableness in our affections, with Faith in Gods promises, and hope of his Sal­vation [Page 40] (working both in mind and heart and affections) with the word of God often in our hand, and with devout Prayers and Sup­plications in our mouth (proceeding from our very heart and most intimate desires) where­by we constantly implore both for our selves and our fellow Christians, the gracious as­sistance of Him, who is the Captain of our Salvation; and by these means got the victo­ry, and won the Crown, which He now wears at God's right hand.

And be you well assured, that in this way, by being trained up in Christian knowledg, and sincere love to what you know to be your duty; by Faith, by Hope, by reading and meditating in the Holy Scriptures, by ar­dent Prayer to the Almighty (especially in sincere fellowship and communion one with another) you shall prevail likewise: and get the better of every thing that opposes your sincere resolution to do and suffer the whole will of Christ Jesus.

In Him therefore incourage your selves, and receive this word of Exhortation which the Apostle here gives us, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Fortifie [Page 41] your selves with a firm belief, that he is able to send you relief, and that He will not fail to succour you from above; if you resolutely indeavour to do your du­ty, in the way that He hath prescribed you.

The words seem to me, to be the very same with those of the Lord to Joshua (when he was to enter into Canaan, and subdue that Country) which are repeated thrice within the compass of a few Verses. i. Josh. 6. Be strong and of a good courage; and vers. 7. only be thou strong and very couragious; and again vers. 9. Have not I commanded thee? be strong and of a good courage: neither be thou dis­mayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, whi­thersoever thou goest. From which words you may take the truest interpretation of my Text; and look upon Joshua and the Israelites, as a lively picture of the state of us Christians. The Lord promised to be with him, whithersoever he went, and bad him nothing doubt, but by his strength he should vanquish all the Canaanites. But for all this he and the Israelites were to go up armed against them, and both to fight [Page 42] according to such directions as He gave them, and to keep themselves from every polluted thing, which He forbad them: and not depend merely on the arm of the Almighty, to give them the victory. Even so must we strengthen our selves in our Blessed Lord, and the power of his might; and think we hear Him say to us, Have not I commanded you? be strong therefore, and of a good courage: be not dismayed, I the Lord am with you, whi­thersoever you go, and whatsoever you do; and by me you shall overcome all dif­ficulties. But we must not so trust to this Power of his, as to be remiss and negli­gent our selves; no, He will strengthen and impower us, if we put on the whole Armour of God; and fight against our own passions and evil desires, the worlds temptations and the Devils suggestions: continually opposing to them, Faith, and Hope, and the word of God, and Prayer, and an honest resolution not to yield by any means to their impor­tunities; but to be the more excited by their solicitations, to use our most earnest indeavours to vanquish them. Then as Da­vid saith to his Son Solomon (perswading him [Page 43] to enter upon a great work, 1 Chron. xxviij. 20.) so may I say to every one of you: Be strong and of a good courage and do it: fear not, neither be dismayed: for the Lord God will be with thee, He will not fail thee nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the House of the Lord.

It is for God and for His glory, that we fight resolutely against the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, and therefore why should we doubt of his aid, when by the Victory He will be honoured as well as our selves? We, not only may but, ought to ask it, and to expect it with a humble confidence in his Almighty Goodness: who hath told us He will deny us nothing, which we beg in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And what can we beg of Him more acceptable to Him, as well as necessary for us, than this; that we may be able (in our place and station, and in every condition) to do Him all faithful service? And when will his Name, think you, be more prevalent, and obtain greater Salvation for us, than when (according to his own particular order and last desire) we make mention of it, and [Page 44] commemorate his love, in the Communion of his body and blood?

There we may offer up our Prayers and Meditations in the most acceptable and pre­vailing manner. There also we may ex­cite our Faith, and quicken our Hope, and inflame our Charity, and knit our selves one to another in Brotherly love, and in­gage to Him our Fidelity : and by all these means receive a greater increase of strength and courage, to do and to endure whatso­ever He would have us.

And therefore let me admonish you of this, for a conclusion of this discourse (in which I have delivered, or rather the Apostle taught us, many important truths, but none perhaps of greater moment than this) that when the Apostle advises us here to Pray with all Prayer and Supplication, this way of praying and supplicating, by making a com­memoration of Christs Death and Passion in the Holy Eucharist, where we represent to God how He offered himself a Sacrifice for us, is certainly included. This is one sort of Prayer; and the chiefest among Christian people: nay, the most proper to them of all other.

[Page 45] From whence we may safely conclude, that they who neglect this, lye more open to temptations than other men. They have not put on the whole Armour of God; but want a principal part of it, and that part which is most properly Christian: and therefore must blame themselves that they are no better men; but are so frequently overcome, and fall into sin, even against their resolutions (perhaps) and notwithstan­ding their Prayers, and their looking up to the Lord Jesus for help. There is a great thing still wanting; they do not use all the means that He hath appointed for the obtaining of his help. There is one manner of address to Him, which they ei­ther live in a constant neglect of, or but seldom apply themselves seriously to its so­lemn use. For if they did in good earnest and with all their hearts, do this often in re­membrance of Him, as He hath required; they would find their Christian resolution mightily fortified, and their souls indued with much strength, to do all the rest of the will of Christ.

Nay, they would at last do their duty, though in it self difficult, chearfully and [Page 46] triumphantly, saying with St. Paul, else­where (viij. Rom. 35, &c.) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or naked­ness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerours, through Him that loved us. To whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be Glory and Majesty, Do­minion and Power, both now and ever. Amen.