. 7 ' . . ' .... 168 For we wrefile. SECT. IV. Secondly, to the Saints, feeing your life is a continual wreft- linghere on earth, 'tis your wifidorn to Rudy how you may belt manage the combate with yours lilmsit enemy, which that you may 'do,take thefe few dire aim. Firft, look thou goeft not into the field without thy Second ; my meaning is, engage God by prayer to Band at thy back ; God is in a league offenfive and defenfivc with thee, but he looks to be call$d. Did the Ephraimitet take it ill, that Gideon called them into the field, and may not God much more ? as if thou mearlecift to fteal a viectory before he fhould know it. Thou 'haft more valour then Moles, who would not ftir without God, no, though he fent an Angel for his Lieutenant. Thou art wi- fer then lacob, who to overcomeEfau,nowmarching up, turnes fromhim, and falls uponGod ; he knew if he could wreffle with God, he might truft God to Beale with his brother. Engage God and the back-door is fbut, no enemy can come behinde thee, yea, thine enemy fhall fall before thee. God tante the counfel of Achitophel into foolithneffe, faith David, Heaven faith Amen to his prayer, and the wretch hangs himrelf. Secondly, be very careful of giving thine enemy hand-hold. Wrefilers strive to fatten upon fome part or other, which gives them'dvantage more eafily to throw their adverfary ; to pre- vent which, they ufed, Firft, to lay afide their garments. Secondly, to anoint their bodies. For the firft, Chriftian, la- bour co put off the old man which is moil perfonal, that corru- ption, which Davidcalls his own iniquity, Pfal. I$.. 23. This is the skirt which Satan layes hold of, obferve what it is, and mortifie it daily, then Satan will retreat with shame, when he feel thehead of that enemy upon the wall, which fhould have betrayed thee intohis hands. Secondly, the Romanewreftlers ufed to anoint their bodies; fo do thou, bathe thy foul-with the frequent meditation of Chrifts love. Satan will finde little wel- come, where Chrifts love dwells, love will kindle love, and that will be as a wall of fire tokeep off Satan, it will make theedif- damn the offer ofa finne, and at oile fupple thy joynts, and make agile
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=