722 S A I N T S coMPARED To S 0 L D I E R S. Book IV. METAPHOR. D IS PAR IT Y. Chrift in his Word. And although a Chrillian may fornetimes doubt of the Truth of his own Sincerity; yer being fincere, he doth not douot of obtaining rhe Conqudt. come, and get the Victory, or not ; though they be ever fo va– liant and courageous in rhcir Ser– vice, and faithful and true to their Captain and Leader. II. Earthly Soldiers many II. But Cluift's Soldiers never engage their Times lofe their Limbs and preEnemies to the Lofs of L im bs or Life it!df in his . cious Lives in Fight; and it is C :ufe, but he can reftore it with great Ad van– not in the power of the wifeft tage. He that loveth his Life, jha/1 loft it; but Captain in the World, to repair be that batetb his Life in this World, jball keep it or make up that Lofs again. unto Life eternal, John xii. 25. Ill. Soldiers arc armed with 11 I. But Saints fi ght with fpiritual Weapons, carnal \1\leapons, and fight with and net only wirh Men like rhemldves, but with Men like themfelves, and yet the Devil, and his infernal Crew; and yet through h>any Times are overcome, and Chrift their Captain they get the Victory. For lofe the Victory. the /Veapons of our fVarfare are uot carnal, but mighty throug.b God, &c. Fer we wreji!e not againfl Flejb and Blocd, but againfl Principalitzes anJ i'cwers, &c. l!_pb. vi. 12. 1\' F E R E N C E S. THESE Thing< being fo, ler all true Chriilians take heart, and be valiant, and fear nor the Face of Enemies. 1. ConfiJer the W orth and Dignity of your Captain. Chriftians have the bell: Captain end Lt'ader in the··World. ( 1.) He is of a moft h.onora ble Extraction, of a moft high and noble Defrcnt, the Heir of all 'Things, rhl' Fat'/Jer's Ftrfl-born, the exprefs Image of his Perfon : He is King of Kings, and L~td of L ords ; and he is, faith one, Genera/i.ffimo of all his Ma– jefty's Forces in Heallen and Earth. (2.) Confider his Strength and Valor: He hath an omnipotent Arm, and i< of a moft valiant, undaunted, courageous, and heroic Spirit. What was Sampfm, Gideon, David, /llexandor, Julius C.efw, Scanderbeg, or any other mighty \Varrior, to the L ord jefus? this is he who curs in pteces the Gates of Brafs, a'nd breaks alimder the Bars 9f Iron ; that harh the Keys of Death and H<ll; that Oew Rahab, and woumled-tli'c Dragon ; who is terrible to the Kings of the Earth, and will come upon Princes' as upon Mortar. This is he rhat is the Terror of Devils, the Dread of Mort.'l,\s, who will make other Captains tremble, and cry out to the Rocks and Moun– ·tain~ to hide them in rhe Day of his Wrath, !fa. li. 9· (3.) Confider his Wildom. His Skill and Policy far exceed rhe Craft and Sub– .cilty of all the Machiavellian Politicians in the World:'· He knows how to aiTault and harm his Enemies, and to carry on, and bring off, tO preferve and defend his l'eople, and faith ful Soldiers. Let Men and Devlls be ever fo fkilful and politic, Chrifl: knows how to outwit them, and over.reach them all. He knows where all their Mines are digged.' where all their Forces, and Ambufcatles do lie: He knnws their Plot, and how laid this Oay again it his lorereft, Gofpel, and Covenant·Pcople, in this .and orher Nati ns. H e knows how to confound them, and catch them in their own C raftinefs, .and to bring them ro ihame. He is wonderful in Counfel, and mighty in fF'o;·kiitg. He hath an omnifcient Eye, as well as · an omniporenr Hand. H e makes his Counrermines, and blows them up, or burieth them in the Pit they hFe digged. He outfhoors the Ocvil and the 'Nicked in their own Bow. He will b ring down the Be,tft, and Whore, and all their Abettors, and make them afhamed oi their I fope. Mark the Iffue of this prefcnt Difpenfarion. See Captain, and God a lo1an of Wcr. z. ConGder rhe Excellency of your Caufc, which is juft and righteous. 3· The Goodnels of your Call, againft which nothing can be objected. 4· For your further Encouragement, confider the Strength of your Fortifications: They arc an irnpregnabie, and impenetrable, of moll: ,in.vincible Strengr.h. Your O ut-Works, your Walls, your Bulwarks, your Forts and Towers, all your Defence is aclmirlhle. '1 be Name ;f the L ord is a jlrong 'Tower. Salvation will God appoint for fVc!ls ad Bu:.;;arks, Prov. xviii. 10. !fa. xxvi. 1. 0 how formidable and ·.ter.ribk are the Attnbutes and Threatcnings of God to .his Enemies l 5· Confider,
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