The Christian Souldiers Magazine of Spirituall Weapons.
Be strong and Couragious, be not afraid nor dismayed for the King of Assyria, &c.
IN these words Christian Courage is cryed up, and all sinfull feare is cryed downe. Even all kinds of dismayings, which put men upon sinfull shifts in troublous times. For which every true Christian is to labour to disswade both themselves and others, under the consideration of Gods command; who as frequently forbids all distracting and distrustfull feares, as murder and Theft, &c. Besides the consequences are very mischievous to our selves, both in soules and bodies, to others, by our ill example, and greatly dishonourable to our God. I will not denie, but grant, The strongest Champion, and stoutest Commander that ever drew sword, being he is but a man, is sometimes subject to be over-powred by them. David, a man after Gods own heart, and a most Valiant Warrior of undaunted magnanimity, hee complaines of his owne shivering Fitts. Psal. 55.3. Fearfulnesse and trembling is fallen upon mee, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed mee. And in another place, he said; I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27.1. And Paul, when his friends [Page] perswaded him not to goe up to Jerusalem, answered with a most undaunted courage and resolution, What mean ye to weep, and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only; but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord JESƲS, Acts 21.12, 13. And yet the self same Paul saies, Without were fightings, within were feares. 2 Cor. 7.5.
Our Saviour complaines even of his own Disciples, crying out, O ye of little faith, Matth. 8.26. And againe, Where is yuur Faith? Luke, 8.25.
This is caused somtimes by divine dissertions, Psal. 30.6, 7. Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled, &c. And sometimes through the black Inditements which Satan is apt to set before mens eyes, if the Lord but allow him that liberty. As the depth of their danger, and the fierce anger of God against sin, &c. Yet notwithstanding, every Christian may get good ground of hope out of Gods Word. Yea, even the most timerous may gather strength in the most troubleous times. It is very observable, what strength David got against such shivering fits. When he said. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me, round about: Psal. 3, 6. It may be objected, that this was but a supposition of Davids, l [...]ke Peters, who said to our Saviour, though all men sh [...]uld forsake thee, yet will not I: but if David had been pu [...] to the tryal, as Peter was, he would have fallen as [...]ully as he did. Ans. Nay, but he was in present danger then he spake these words, as it appeares here, vers. [...].2. and yet he said, I laid me downe and slept, and rose up again, for the Lord sustained me, vers. 5.
Object. O but there's a great deale of difference between [Page] the faith of David, and such a poore weake wretch as I am.
Ans. We have all the same spirit of faith which hee had. 2 Cor. 4.13.
Object. He had great knowledge and interest in the Promises of God, and therefore well may his faith be farre stronger then mine.
Ans. Have not all the people of God an equall rite to all the Promises? No sinne shall have dominion over you, Ro. 6.14. therefore no sinfull feare. The self same faith that David had, all the Saints of God have an Interest in, and we may expect as great a degree of the assistance of Gods Spirit, as David did, having the self-same grounds for our Faith, that he had for his. And our Ordinances, which through Gods great mercy we yet Injoy, are altogether as good. Jesus Christ, yesterday and to day, and the same for ever.
Means to be used, to get rid of these sinfull fears.
1. Labour to make sure of your Interest in heaven, Jo. 14.1. Let not your hearts be troubled, ye beleeve in God, beleeve also in me. vers. 2. In my fathers house are many Mantions, &c. I goe to prepare a place for you.
Our Lord himself has given us his own example, and he has now found the experience of this truth; he [...] indured the Crosse, dispising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of God. Heb. 12.2, 3, 4.
This was it which steeled Moses his faith, and made him esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompence [Page] of the reward. Heb. 11.26.
The Saints also took with joy the spoiling of the goods, knowing that they had in heaven a better and a more induring substance. Heb. 10.34. All we have is not heere; We have something out of the reach of those cursed Cavaliers. It is worth our observing, that in heaven is Substance, here are but the shadows, shells, huskes; there are the kernells, and the sollid graine. That is, a better substance, these reach only the outward man, they come immediately from God himself. And which is best, in inioying that, we have communion with our God. All that is here, are but like snow-balls, which melt in the hand, Prov. 23.5. Wilt thou set thy heart upon that which is not? Riches take to themselves wings, and flie away, &c.
But we have in heaven a better and a more induring Substance.
It was the saying of a holy man (who is now with God) There is but one short life between us and a crown; and when this momentary life is ended, we shal injoy an incorruptible Crown of glory unto all eternitie. Labour therefore for Spirituall Purity. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, Matth. 5.8.
2. Labour to set your judgements right concerning those things that occasion your sinfull fears. In the night time we are apt to thinke that theeves are comming into our houses to rob us, when our friends are coming to visite us. Matth. 14.26, 27. VVhen the Disciples thought they had seen a Spirit on the water, and thereupon cryed out through causelesse feare, the Lord is pleased to shew them their errour, and calls unto them, saying, It is I, be not afraid.
[Page] Can there be evill in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? Amos 3.6. Inform your selves, that the Lord doth over-power all those men that come against you.
2. All that which seems to threaten our ruine, can reach onely to the outward man. Luk. 12.4, 5. My friends, fear not them that can kill the body, &c.
3. They have but a little time allotted them, and allowed to vex and trouble you. And then follows Eternall joy. These light afflictions, which last but for a moment, cause unto us a far more exceeding, and eternall weight of glory, &c. 2 Cor. 4.17.
4. That very time is determined by God, both for the beginning, continuance and end, Isay 51.12, 13. I, even I am he that comforteth thee; Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man, which shall be made as grasse. And forgetest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundation of the Earth, and hast feared continually, every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the Oppressor, &c.
Lastly, all things whatsoever befalls you, shall be for your good in the end, Rom, 8.28. Doubtlesse goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life, saith the Prophet David. Psal. 23. last.
Directions or means, by which the Servants of God may free themselves of sinfull fears in the time of the deepest dangers.
1. By diverting the stream another way. As Phisitians, [Page] when they would stanch bleeding at the nose &c. use to let the Patients blood in some other part of the body, so Gods people, to cure themselues of this ill humour of sinfull feare of men, should get the feare of God setled in their hearts, Luk 12.4, 5. Isa. 8.12, 13. Feare ye not their feare nor be afraid. But sanctify the Lord of Hosts himselfe, and let him be your feare and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary, &c.
2. Do not feed your feares nor fancyes with such thoughts as are apt to terrifie and affright you, Isa. 33.18. mention is made of meditating terrour. Isa. 51.12, 13. The Lord cheeks such fearfull ones, and incourages them in his comforting of them.
3. We should take up our thoughts with a more taking feare; which is to be gathered from the consideration of that dreadfulnesse which is in God. As suppose a King be angry: though the wrath of the King be as the roring of a Lion, much more fearfull and terrible is the wrath of God. who would not feare thee O King of Saints, &c. Ier. 10.7. His wrath reaches the soule and burns to the nethermost Hell. O It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10.31. For our God is a consuming fire, Heb 12. ult.
4. This is affected by stocking up the originall of sinfull fears by the very roots, whereof there are cheifly two or three. 1. An inordinate love to the things wo are in danger to lose, as riches and honour, and the things of this life, which perish even with the very using. Ier. 45.4, 5. The Lord comforteth Baruch in this regard. Promising to giue him his life for a prey. 2. An inordinate love of liberty and life, but Christs [Page] Champions should shake off all base sinfull feare in regard of these things. And learne of zealous Paul not to count our lives deare unto us so that we may finish our course with joy. &c. Act. 20.24. 3. Distrustfull suspitions concerning our own present condition. As fearing overmuch least the Lord is now filling up a cup of his wrath and making me to drink deep of it. But remember David reasonning with himselfe in the like case, and say with him, Why art thou so full of heavinesse O my soule, and why art thou so disquieted within me? still trust in God, &c. Psa. 42.5. & 11. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom then shall I feare, the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraide. Psa. 27.1.2, 3. 5. Walke exactly, and carefully keepe at a distance from all sins against Light and against Conscience. Adam so long as he kept himselfe free from sin, was not at all subiect to these feares, but as soone as he fell into sinne, immediately the poore man betakes himself to vaine shifts, and runnes among the trees of the garden, thinking to hide himself from God, Gen. 3.9, 10.
Caine, After he had committed that horrible sin in murdering his Brother, was afraid without any sense or reason, that whosoever met him, would kill him, when as his brother was dead, and there was no man else of whom he needed to stand in feare. Gen. 4.14.
6. VVhen upon reconciling of Conscience and the VVord of God, it appeares we are guilty of sinnes, we must labour to get rid of all. As Jobs friends advised him. Job 11.14, 15. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot: ye [...], [Page] thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not feare, &c. Take the example of David. Psal. 51. From the VVord of God, labour to see the height, the depth, the bredth and the length of the sin that lies heaviest upon your Conscience, and labour to doe your utmost to make up the breach, and to cure the wound from the bottom.
7. Flee to the Throne of Grace. For God alone can quiet the heart. Nehem. 6.9. Psal. 3.3.7.
For Direction herein, Take the example of Jacob. Genes. 32.9, 10, &c.
1. Labour to make it appeare with a cleere Conscience, that you are in Gods way, as he did, being afraid of his Brother. vers. 9. And that it is for his Cause, that you goe forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
2. Humbly and thankfully acknowledge God to be the Authour of all mercies and favours, which you Inioy.
3. Humbly acknowledge your self unworthy to receive any favour at the hands of God. vers. 10.
4. As he pleades the promise of God, vers. 12. So doe thou tell the Lord. Lord, thou hast said, thou wilt forgive my iniquities, and remember my sins no more, that thou wilt love me freely, that thou wilt cast all my sins into the bottom of the Sea, that thou wilt heale all my back slidings, &c.
5. Make good I beseech thee now these precious Promises to mee: hold on persevering in prayer and other duties, notwithstanding all the checks and controulments, as Jacob did, ver. 26.
[Page]6. Take heed thy eye and heart be not taken off from Christ, in flying to the Throne of Grace: for Christ is an Alsufficient Mediatour, and Gods Favourite, able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him, and be thy sinnes what they will, or can be, there is vertue and efficacie enough in his most precious blood, to wash them all away. Nay, thou canst not commit so much sinne as he can pardon, &c.
7. Adde to all this, the exercise of precious faith, Psal. 112.7.8. David saith, The heart of a Godly man is fixed, trusting in the Lord, &c. Prov. 29.25.
Rules to be observed in relying upon God.
1. Labour to apprehend from the light of Gods VVord by the helpe of Faith, so much in God, as is sufficient to sinke all sinfull and slavish feares. For it is not sufficient to say, I beleeve in God, with all my heart, or I put my whole trust and confidence in God, but we must get firme and grounded footing for our Faith to rest upon, from the word and Promises. Isa. 12.2 3.
Behold God is my Salvation, I will trust, and not bee afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength, and my song, he also is become my salvation. Therefore with ioy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation. Moses saw him that is invisible. Hebr. 11.27.
2. Labour to see how the Promises may imbolden you to come up to God for helpe and succour in time of need. Psal. 56.4. In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid what flesh can doe unto me.
3. Be imboldned by the mediation of the Lord Jesus [Page] to present with confidence all your suites and supplications before the Throne of God. Jobn 14.1. Let not your hearts be troubled, ye beleeve in God, beleeve also in me, otherwise selfe-sinfulnesse and self-unworthinesse will utterly discourage and affright you.
Lastly, Come unto God Improving your former experiences of his mercies in delivering thee from dangers, and freeing thee from troubles. David said I have slaine a Lion and a Beare, &c. And that God which hath delivered me out of the mouth of the Lion, and out of the paw of the Beare, he will deliver mee from this uncircumcised Philistine.
And have not we been many a time wonderfully delivered from heart-shaking dangers, by the powerfull hand of the same God. O how should this incourage us still to rely upon him, even in our greatest straights.
Call to remembrance the marvellous mercies, and miraculous victories and deliverances from the bloudy hands of those mercilesse men at the Battle in Kenton feild, at Causeham Bridge, at Branford, and especially now of late on Hessammoore neer Yorke, Each of these requiring a large Volume to set forth to the full the manifold more then marvellous workes of our most mighty Lord God of Hosts, who when the Enemy came in like a floud, by the Invincible force of his spirit lifted up a Stander against them. And have a special care for ever hereafter to honour this God by casting all thy care upon him, for undoubtedly he careth for you and will not faile thee nor forsake thee.