English Puritan & Reformed

Tropes and Figures

Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) · 336,974 words · 1498 min

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III. The Church of God is not only of use to hold out the Light of God's Word; but it is also richly adorned with several choice and heavenly Graces, that make it, and every Member thereof, who truly fears God, amiable in Christ's Sight. IV. The throwing down, or removing of the Candlestick, throweth down and removeth the Light or Candle also. IV. So when a Church is removed out of its place, the Light of God's Word is many times removed from a Nation or People likewise; which severe Judgment hath befallen the People of Asia long ago, by God's taking away or removing those seven famous Golden Candlesticks, or Churches, that once were there.

Inference.

LEt the Saints and People of God take heed how they walk before Him: It behooves them to strive to recover themselves from whence they are fallen, lest He remove their Candlestick out of its place.

The Church compared to a Flock of Sheep.

Cant. 1.7. Tell me, O thou whom my Soul loveth, where thou feedest, and where thou makest thy Flock to rest at Noon, &c.

Luke 12.32. Fear not, little Flock, it is your Father's good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

THe Church, or Saints of God, are compared unto a Flock of Sheep.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
SHeep are clean Beasts, tame and gentle; not wild, as Tigers, Lions, Foxes, or Wolves; nor unclean, as Dogs, Swine, &c.	SO the Saints of God are a People tamed, as it were, by God's Spirit, from that natural Wildness and Perverseness, made gentle, willing to come into Christ's Fold, cleansed from Impurity of Heart and Life.
II. Sheep are simple, a harmless Sort of Creatures, not crafty, ravenous, and devouring, as those Sort of Beasts above-mentioned.	II. So the Saints of God are holy; they are taught to be simple concerning Evil: Be ye (saith Christ) as innocent as Doves. They seek the Hurt of no Man; not like Romish Wolves, who delight in nothing more than in Blood and Rapine, shedding the Blood of those who do not wrong or injure them, but desire to live peaceably in the Land.
III. Sheep are meek and patient under Sufferings: Hence our Savior is said to be led as a Lamb to the Slaughter; and as a Sheep is dumb before the Shearer, so opened he not his Mouth. See Lamb.	III. So the Saints and People of God are meek and patient under God's hand, both when they suffer for their Sins, or for the Trial of their Graces; as appeareth in Job, David, Stephen, &c. I held my Peace, I opened not my Mouth, because Lord, thou diddest it.
IV. Sheep, as they are patient, so they are profitable, both in their Lives, and by their Death. There is scarcely any Creature that brings its Owner greater Incomes than Sheep; they are good both for Food and Cloathing.	IV. The Saints are very profitable many ways; the Benefit the World receives by them, or for their Sakes, is very great; they are called the Light of the World, and the Salt of the Earth; now the Profit the World receives in both these respects, is not little. Had there been ten of those Sheep in Sodom, God had not destroyed it; besides, the Angel told Lot, he could do nothing till he was out of the City. What a Blessing was Joseph to his Master, whilst he abode in his House, and Jacob to Laban! They yield the World much Profit, by the Doctrine they preach, by the fervent Prayers they daily put up to Almighty God, and their holy and good Examples: Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
V. Sheep are obedient, and ready to follow their Shepherd whithersoever he goeth. It is the Custom in some Countries, for the Shepherd to go before the Sheep, &c To which our Savior alludes, John 10.27.	V. So Believers, and the Church of Christ, are obedient to him: My Sheep (saith he) hear my Voice, and they follow me; and the Voice of a Stranger they will not follow. Thou shalt guide me by thy Counsel, saith the Psalmist. Christ's Precepts are the Saints Directory, and his Practice their Pattern for Imitation. Hence Paul exhorteth the Corinthians to follow him, as he followed Christ.
VI. Sheep are incident to many Diseases, many of them are weak and feeble; which a good Shepherd taketh pity of, and endeavors to heal and strengthen them.	VI. So the Saints of God are subject to manifold Weaknesses, Temptations, and Afflictions, which moved the Almighty to great Compassion, and sorely to rebuke the Shepherds of Israel, for their Cruelty and great Remisness towards his Flock: The Diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, &c. And therefore saith, He would himself take the Work into his own hands: I will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick, &c
VII. A Flock of Sheep must not be over-driven, lest they tire. Jacob, who was a skillful Shepherd, knew this, and therefore told Esau his Brother, that if the Flock were over-driven, they would die.	VII. So the Saints or Flock of Christ must not be over-driven, they must be led gently along; and God taketh care to lay no more upon them than they can bear. No Temptation hath taken you, but such as is common to Men; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; and will with the Temptation also make way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. He will not lay upon us more than is right.
VIII. Sheep are subject to go astray, and to be lost in a Wilderness; and upon that account need the Shepherd's Care, to seek them, and fetch them home to the Fold.	VIII. So the Saints are subject to go astray from God, and to wander from his Precepts, viz. decline in their Zeal, Faith, and Affection to him, and his Ways, and to get wandering Thoughts after the World; and sometimes they wander, through the Neglect and Carelessness of the Under-Shepherds: My Sheep, saith the Lord, wandered through all the Mountains, and none did search or seek after them. I have gone astray like a lost Sheep, seek thy Servant, &c.
IX. Sheep must be led forth into green Pastures, to be fed: and a good Shepherd will take heed he puts them not into Fields or Meadows that are not proper for them; for some Grounds will soon rot and spoil them.	IX. So Christ's Flock must be fed in good Pastures, viz. with sound and wholesome Truth, good Doctrine, Food that is fit and proper for them; they must not have Chaff of Men's Traditions, nor the corrupt Glosses of cloudy Doctors, that lived in the dark Time of the Church. It behooves Christ's Ministers to take heed they suffer not the Sheep under their Charge to suck in the Poison of Error and Heresy; for nothing rots and spoils Christians more than that. The Spouse from hence inquireth of Christ, Where he feedeth his Flock? that is, Where his blessed Gospel was truly and constantly preached, and his holy Ordinances duly administered, lest she should turn aside by the Flocks of his Companions, that is, such as call themselves so. Christ directs her to go forth by the Footsteps of the Flock, and feed their Kids besides the Shepherds Tents: That is, to follow the Doctrine and Footsteps of the Primitive Church, for that alone is our Rule in all God's holy Worship. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want: He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures, he leadeth me besides the still Waters.
X. Sheep have a shadowy Place to rest in, when the Sun shines hot at Noon, which is a great Refreshment to them, where they chew their Cud; and being saved from the Vehemency of the scorching Sun, they with the greater Alacrity return to their Pasture.	X. So the Saints and Church of God have a blessed Resting-place in the Time of the greatest Heat, Temptation, Affliction, and Persecution, or whatsoever may cause Disquiet, and grieve them; in the midst of which (saith Mr. Ainsworth ) Christ giveth sweet Repose unto his Sheep; they have Peace in Him, though Tribulation in the World. They shall not hunger, nor thirst, neither shall the Heat nor Sun smite them, &c. Under the Shadow of thy Wings will I make my Refuge, until these Calamities be over-past. Hence Christ is said to be as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land.
XI. Sheep have many Enemies, as Lions, Wolves, Bears, Dogs, Foxes, and the like; and all their Safety stands only in the Care of their Shepherd: otherwise these cruel Beasts, besides Men, who kill many in a Night, would soon tear them to pieces.	XI. So God's poor Flock have many strong and cruel Adversaries, who would soon tear them in pieces, and utterly destroy them, were it not for the precious Love and Care of Jesus Christ. We are killed all the day long, and accounted as Sheep for the Slaughter; hence called the Flock of Slaughter.
XII. A Flock of Sheep love to feed and lie down together; it is a difficult thing to scatter and divide them. If they are frighted by an Enemy, or pursued by Dogs, Foxes, or Wolves, and should be separated, they would soon get together again.	XII. So the Saints of God do greatly love to assemble together: They that feared the Lord, spake often one to another, &c. They that fear thee, saith David, will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in thy Word. It is a hard thing to divide Christ's choice Sheep, their Hearts are knit one to another, as Jonathan 's was to David 's. And if wicked Men, like Dogs and Wolves, do endeavor to scatter them by Persecution, they will soon get together again; as is signified, Acts 4.23. And being let go, they went to their own Company, &c.
XIII. A Flock of Sheep are subject to take Soil and Filth, and therefore have need of washing.	XIII. So the Godly and Faithful in Christ Jesus are very subject (as they are in themselves) to contract much Guilt and Pollution, Sin being of a defiling Nature; and therefore it is they are washed by their Shepherd: If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me. The believing Corinthians are said to be washed, they were before very unclean and filthy: Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the Name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, who hath loved us, and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood.
XIV. Sheep will live where other Beasts cannot; they will live upon very hard and barren Commons, where the Grass is exceeding short, and yet seem very well contented.	XIV. So the sincere and truly gracious Soul can live by Faith in a Time of Want and Scarcity, when the Hopes of other Men die, and pine away. And though the World frown upon them, and they cannot see which way by an Eye of Sense they should subsist, yet they make a good Shift to live upon the Providence of God, who careth for them, and are very contented and satisfied with such Pasture that God is pleased to put them into. Altho the Fig-Tree shall not blossom, neither shall Fruit be on the Vine; the Labor of the Olive shall fail, and the Fields shall yield no Meat; the Flocks shall be cut off from the Fold, and there shall be no Herd in the Stall: Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my Salvation.
XV. There are oftentimes in a Flock of Sheep some Goats.	XV. So in the Church of Christ are some evil and corrupt Members, or such who are none of Christ's Sheep, Hypocrites, such as are unsound at Heart, who are also called Goats.
XVI. Sheep are very fruitful; they multiply in a little Time exceedingly, though many are killed by Butchers.	XVI. So the Church of God is fruitful; from a few they have often increased to a great Multitude: Nay, though they have been many of them slaughtered by the persecuting Butchers of Babylon, yet they have rather multiplied the more; from whence that Maxim grew, The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church.
VII. In a Flock of Sheep are likely some fat and strong, and some lean Ones; and the strong are sometimes observed to run upon, and abuse the weak, being grown very wanton; these sometimes leap over the Fold, and the Shepherd hath much trouble with them.	XVII. So amongst the Flock of Christ are some fat and rich Saints, and some poor and lean Ones, who do not thrive; you may take it both in a temporal and spiritual Sence: There are also some whom God rebukes and threatens, who are grown so head-strong, that they are waxed wanton and haughty, that they oppress and abuse the Poor; and these God saith he will destroy; they being grown fat, like Jeshurun, kick against the Lord, and will not live in subjection to his Church, nor abide in the Fold.
XVIII. Sheep are sometimes separated from the Goats, for some special occasion known to the Shepherd.	XVIII. So the Sheep of Christ in the last Day shall be separated from the Goats, by the Lord Jesus: Before him shall be gathered all Nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats; and he shall set the Sheep on his Right-hand, and the Goats on his Left.
Metaphor.	Disparity.
SHeep may be lost, and torn in pieces, and utterly destroyed by Lions, Bears, &c.	BUt none of Christ's Sheep can be lost nor perish; though the Enemy may kill or destroy their Bodies, yet they cannot destroy their Souls. My Sheep hear my Voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand: My Father that gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Touching other Properties and Things relating to Christ's Sheep, see the Metaphor, Christ the good Shepherd.

The Church compared to a House.

1 Tim. 3.15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, &c.

Heb. 3.6. But Christ over his own House, whose House are we, &c.

THe Church of Christ is compared to an House; the great God, whose Throne is above, hath also a Dwelling-place here below.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
A House is a Habitation, a Place built for some Man or Men to dwell in.	THe Church is the Habitation of the Holy-Ghost: I will dwell in them, and walk in them, &c. For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. That good thing which was committed to thee, keep, by the Holy-Ghost which dwelleth in us. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.
II. A House is built by a wise Builder, upon a sure and firm Foundation; some are built upon Rocks.	II. The Church is built upon a sure Foundation, viz. Jesus Christ. Another Foundation can no man lay, &c. Upon this Rock will I build my Church.
III. A House is built with, or doth consist of divers Materials, as Timber, Stone, Brick, &c. which are well hewed and squared before.	III. So the Church doth consist of several Members, who are called or compared to Stones: Ye also, as lively Stones, are built up a spiritual House, an holy Priesthood. And these Stones are also well hewed and squared, by the Word and Spirit of God.
IV. A House hath some main and principal Parts appertaining or belonging to it, as Pillars, Beams, Rafters, &c.	IV. So the Church or House of God hath some famous Pillars, Beams, and Rafters, as the Holy-Ghost calleth them: The Beams of our House are Cedars, and our Rafters of Fir. The Righteous are compared to Cedars in Lebanon; those Trees are tall and durable. Cedar was used in building of Solomon 's Temple, a Type or Figure of the Church; which denotes the Strength, Usefulness, Beauty, and Excellency of the Saints, (or some among them) who are called Pillars, Gal. 2. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be Pillars, &c. And Christ saith, Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God.
V. In a House, Pillars, Beams, and Rafters are of great (though of different) use; all are to support, strengthen, perfect, and complete the Building: the least Material is needful, and cannot be wanting.	V. So in the House of God, the Prophets, Apostles, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons, &c. are of great Use, though of different Offices; and all for the support of every part of the spiritual Building; and the least Member cannot be spared. Some are strong, and some are weak; some have five Talents, and some but two; yet one ought not to despise the other. As in a material House, Beams and Rafters, though divers in Strength and Use, yet all have a firm Connection amongst themselves, to make up one complete Structure; even so in Christ's Church, though there be divers Members, severally gifted and placed, as we see in the Body natural, yet (as the Apostle there shows, verse 25.) there should be no Schism in the Body, but such a Conjunction of one another, as they have of themselves a holy Sympathy in Supportation, Suffering, and Rejoicing.
VI. The House of a Prince, when built, is furnished, and most richly adorned, that it may become a meet Habitation, according to the Degree, Glory, and Grandeur of him who is to dwell therein.	VI. So the Church and Temple of God, being built for the glorious Prince of Heaven and Earth, is most richly and curiously adorned with the precious Gifts and Graces of the Holy-Ghost: For as the Materials of this House are Silver, Gold, and precious Stones; so its Ornaments or Furniture doth infinitely excel, it being the King's Palace: The King's Daughter is all glorious within.
VII. A House is a Place of Security; it defends from many Dangers, which those are exposed unto, that are harborless, and forced to lie without Doors; besides, some Houses have Walls about them.	VII. So the Church is a Place of Security, God having made such a blessed Wall about her: And the Lord will create upon every Dwelling-Place in Mount Zion, and upon her Assemblies, a Cloud and Smoke by Day, and the shining of a flaming Fire by Night; for upon all her Glory shall be a Defense. I will (saith God) encamp about mine House, because of the Army, because of him that passeth by, &c. He hath promised to be a Wall of Fire round about her. Zech. 2.5.
VIII. A House is a Place of Repose, a Resting-place; it is hence greatly desired, by everyone that belongs to the Family that dwells therein.	VIII. The Church of God is a sweet Place of spiritual Repose. Zion is called a peaceable Habitation, and sure Dwellings, and a quiet Resting-place.
IX. A House hath a Way that leads to it, and a Door that openeth into it, that so those who are Strangers, may be readily directed how to find it.	IX. So the Church or House of God hath a Way that readily leads to it. In a strict Sence, Christ is both the Way and the Door. If any inquire more directly, how they may find the Way into the Church, if they take the Counsel of the Holy-Ghost, they cannot miss. Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the Ways, and see, and ask for the old Paths, where is the good Way, and walk therein, &c. This good old Way is the Way of Repentance, Faith, and Baptism; the Saints of the Primitive Time walked all in this Way, and knew no other Door into the Church: And they that gladly received the Word, were baptized; and the same day there was added to them about three thousand Souls.
X. A House is a Place of Devotion; there a Man reads, prays, meditates, and instructs his Family.	X. So the Church of God is the principal Place of Public Devotion; there Prayers are made, the Word is preached, and the Sacraments are duly administered.
XI. A House is subject to go to decay, and therefore needs often to be repaired. By the Slothfulness of the Hands the House droppeth through.	XI. So the Church of God will soon decay, if it be not often repaired by a wise and careful Discipline.
Metaphor.	Disparity.
AN earthly House in which Men dwell, is the Work of Men's Hands.	BUt the Church, or House of God, is called God's Building; the choice preparing of the Matter, and the framing and jointing every part, (as to the Manner) is of God.
II. A House is built with such Materials as are without Life.	II. But this spiritual House consists of Believers, who (though they were once without Life, yet now) are quickened, who are therefore called living Stones, built up a spiritual House.
III. Some Houses are left desolate, without Inhabitants, and so go to decay, and at length fall.	III. But it is impossible that ever the House of God should be without Inhabitants: For the Lord hath chosen Zion, he hath desired it for his Habitation. This is my Rest forever, here will I dwell, for I have desired it. And as for sanctified Ones, they are not only Dwellers in it, but the very Materials of it; so that it can never be without them. It being also founded upon a Rock, cannot fall: The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
IV. Other Houses are liable to be destroyed, either by Fire, or razed by an Enemy, so that one Stone may not be left upon another.	IV. But the House of God hath stood ever since it was erected, notwithstanding the many Plots and Designs of Satan, and his Instruments, by one means or other, if possible, to have destroyed it, so as that there might not have appeared so much as the Dust or Stones; no, nor so much as any Sign left in any Part, or among any People in the World, whether there had been such a Building or no. But blessed forever be Jehovah, that it may yet be said, Walk about Zion, and go round about her, tell the Towers thereof, mark well her Bulwarks, consider her Palaces; that ye may tell it to the Generation following: For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our Guide even unto Death.

Inferences.

THis calleth aloud upon all the Members of God's House, to strive more and more, not only to be a meet Habitation for God, but to beautify and adorn this House by their holy and heavenly Conversations. Holiness becometh thy House, O Lord, forever.

2. Let all take heed how they defile or deface this House, either by plucking out a Stone or a Pin, or touching a Hair of the Head of any that are of this Building.

3. Let all God's People examine what their Zeal is for God's House, or whether they do truly prize the very Dust and Stones thereof.

The Church compared to a Family or Household.

Amos 3.2. You have I known above all the Families of the Earth.

1 Tim. 3.15. The House of God, which is the Church of the Living God.

Gal. 6.16. As we have Opportunity, let us do good unto all Men, but especially to the Household of Faith.

Eph. 2.19. Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners, but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the Household of God.

A HOUSE in the holy Scripture is sometimes put for the Family or Houshhold, and sometimes for the Structure or Building itself: In both these respects the Holy-Ghost runs the Parallel, in respect of the Church.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
IN a great House are not Vessels of of Gold, and of Silver only, but of Wood, and of Earth; some to Honor, and some to Dishonor.	SO in the Church of God, there is a Mixture of Good and Bad, Sheep and Goats, sincere Christians, and Hypocrites; like as in a Eield there is a Mixture of Wheat and Tares; and in a Floor of Grain, there is Chaff as well as Corn: though when any appear unsound, drossy, and ungodly, she turneth them out. When the Family of Christ consisted but of twelve Men, there was a Judas amongst them.
II. In a great Family there are Persons of different Ages, of different Strength, of different Relations to the Master of the Family, and of different Employments.	II. So in the Church of God there are little Children, young Men, and Fathers; there are weak and stronger Christians, some that stand in need of Milk, some that are fit for strong Meat; some that need to be led, and carried in Arms; some that are Teachers and Rulers, and others that are taught and ruled.
III. The Master, chief Head, or Governor of a Family, provides and takes care of all that belong to him; hence the Apostle saith, He that provides not for his Family, is worse than an Infidel, and hath denied the Faith.	III. So God, the great and good Master of this heavenly Family, doth and will provide for all and every Soul that belongs to him. Take no thought for your Life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your Body, what ye shall put on. Why take ye thought for Raiment? Consider the Lilies of the Field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. Therefore if God so clothe the Grass of the Field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast into the Oven; shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little Faith? The young Lions do lack, and suffer Hunger; but they that fear the Lord, shall want no good thing. He will give Grace and Glory, and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly. My God shall supply all your Wants, &c. Casting all your Care upon him, for he careth for you, &c.
IV. A Family is also under the Government of him who is the chief Head and Ruler thereof.	IV. So is the Church under the Government of Christ; and every Member is subject to that Authority, Order, and Rule, which he hath left therein.
V. The Master of a Family defends his Family, to the uttermost of his Power, against all Enemies.	V. So doth the blessed God defend and preserve his Church, whose Power is infinite. So will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem; defending, also he will deliver.
VI. Every Person in a Family, is privy to all such things as are publicly done in the House, many of which ought to be concealed, and not divulged to others. It is a Reproach to a Person of an honorable Family, to make known anything that is done in the House, which ought by all means to be kept secret.	VI. So each Member of the Church is privy to all such things as are done publicly therein; and many things done therein do so particularly relate to the Family, that it is an evil thing, and justly to be reproved, for any Member to divulge or make such private Matters known to others. The Church of God in this respect, as well as in some others, should be as a Spring shut up, as a Fountain sealed, &c.
VII. It is a great Honor to a Family, when it is well governed. It was this very thing that the Queen of Sheba was so much taken with, when she came to see Solomon: It is said, When she saw his Wisdom, and the House which he had built, and the Meat of his Table, and the Sitting of his Servants, and the Order of his Ministers, and their Apparel, and his drinking Vessels, and his Burnt-Offerings, that he offered in the House of the Lord, she was astonished, &c. In a Family, the Governor ought to know his Place, and all the rest to be in subjection; or else great Confusion and Disorder will break forth. Hence a Bishop ought to be one that rules well his own House, having his Children in subjection, with all Gravity. What is more lovely in a Family, than to see everyone behaving himself well, living in sweet Concord, Peace, and Love together.	VII. So it is a great Honor to the Church of God, when it is well and wisely governed. In this respect Solomon was a Type of Christ, and his Family a Type of the Family of the Faithful, or Church of God. The Lord Jesus ought to be acknowledged as the Head, and chief Governor; and next to Him, the Bishop or Pastor thereof must be obeyed, and submitted to in all things, in the Lord. Obey them that have the Over-sight of you, and subject yourselves; for they watch for your Souls. There is nothing that doth more beautify the Church of God, than good Order. What is any Society of Men, without Rule, and good Government? Strict Discipline must be kept up in Christ's Family. Every Member ought to know his Place, and to strive to behave himself well. To this very end Paul wrote to Timothy, That thou mayest (saith he) know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, &c. All the Saints should live in perfect Peace, Unity, and sweet Concord together, as Children of the same Father, and Heirs of the same Crown and Kingdom. Hence the Apostle exhorteth the Saints, to endeavor to keep the Unity of the Spirit, in the Bond of Peace. Nothing is at this Day more grievous to a sincere Soul, than to see the great Divisions, and Want of Love, that is amongst us; nor doth anything more encourage our Popish Adversaries. Jovianus the Emperor, was much troubled at the Divisions that were amongst Christians in his Time, and shown his Dislike at their Contentions, in these Words: I tell you truly, I cannot bear with Contention, but such as are for Concord and Unity I willingly honor and embrace; and certain I am, that such as strive for Truth and Peace, Christ will embrace, Discord amongst Brethren being one of those things he chiefly hates.
VIII. There is, and ought to be, some special Order and Discipline kept up in a Family, that everyone may know his Place, Work, and Business.	VIII. So in the Church, or spiritual Family, there is a special Order and Discipline to be learned and kept up, and everyone is to know his Place, Work, and Business, some of which we shall briefly hint in this place. The first thing that I shall mind is, the Choice of Officers, viz. Elders and Deacons: They should be chosen according to the Rules and Directions God hath left in his Word, viz. Men fitly qualified: A Bishop must not be soon angry, not given to Wine, no Striker, not self-willed, not a Brawler, not Covetous, not a Novice. He must be blameless, one that rules well his own House, apt to teach, a Lover of good Men, sober, just, temperate, able by sound Doctrine to convince Gainsayers. There are Directions also given about their Wives. 2. Every Member hath his peculiar Vote in choosing of their Officers; after Election, they are to be ordained, by Prayer, and laying on of Hands. 3. The Pastor or Bishop is to feed the Flock, to be faithful and laborious in preaching the Word of Life, exhorting, reproving, comforting, according as he finds occasion. 4. It behooveth him, together with the Church, to be careful whom they receive into the Family, viz. none but such as are converted, true penitent and believing Persons, as near as they can. 5. They ought to know the State of the Flock, and to watch over every Member thereof. 6. The Members of the Church ought to study their Duty, (1.) To their Pastor, to provide for him a sufficient Maintenance, that he may not be encumbered with worldly Affairs, and thereby made unfit for his great Work and Business he is called to. See Planters, Laborers, &c. (2.) To pray for him, and show him all due Respect, as the Steward and Embassador of Christ. (3.) As to their Duties one to another, as Fellow-Members of God's Church, it is needful for them to know how they should carry and behave themselves towards their offending Brethren. And as touching this, it is necessary to consider, 1. The Rule touching private Offences. 2. Touching public and scandalous Offences and Offenders. 1. Touching private Offences, Christ hath left us Directions, in Mat. 18.15, 16. If thy Brother offend thee, tell him his Fault between thee and him alone; but if he will not hear thee, take one or two more, &c. But if he still neglect to hear them, tell it to the Church: But if he will not hear the Church, then he is fit for Church-dealing, or Excommunication. Let all take heed they do not make public any Evil or Offence of their Brethren, that is private; for this is an utter Fault, and a Violation to the Law of Christ, and Order of his House. 2. Touching public and scandalous Sins and Offenders, such as expose the Name of God to a Reproach, as Fornication, Covetousness, Idolatry, Drunkenness, Rioting, &c. these, without thorough and unfeigned Repentance, ought forthwith to be delivered up to Satan, or put out of the Church, into the Kingdom of Satan, from whence they came. And truly it cannot be known quickly who hath true Repentance, that fall into such great Sins, until there be some Time of Trial. Reformation of Life is the chief part of Repentance; therefore to clear the Name of God from Reproach, and the better to bring the Offender to the Sence of his Sin, the Ordinance of Excommunication ought, in my Judgment, immediately upon Conviction, to pass against him. 3. In the Administration of Justice and Judgment in the Church, special Care ought to be taken, that with all Wisdom and Impartiality Persons may be dealt withal. Let the Church and Pastor see to it, that the Rich be no more spared than the Poor. Levi was not to know his Father in Judgment.
IX. In a religious Family, Devotion is carefully and duly performed, Prayer, reading the Word, &c. 'It is a Reproach to a Family, especially to the Master, or Governor and Governess, to have this neglected, and a Sin very provoking to God: Pour out thy Fury upon the Heathen that know thee not, and upon the Families that call not upon thy Name.	IX. So the Church of God is the chief Place of Public Devotion; there the Word of God is and ought to be read. And hence Paul saith to the Colossians, When this Epistle is read amongst you, cause it to be read also in the Church (mark) of the Laodiceans. There the Word of God is truly and duly preached, and the Sacraments administered. Out of Zion, the Perfection of Beauty, God hath shined. To the intent, that now unto Principalities and Powers in heavenly Places, might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God. Hence God is said to love the Gates of Zion, ( viz. the Place of his visible Worship) more than all the Dwellings of Jacob. Can there be a greater Reproach to a Church, or anything more provoking to God, than to have Prayer, and other Branches of Public Worship and Devotion, wholly neglected among them?
X. All the Family, yea, every particular Person thereof, ought to be called together, and they diligently to obey that Call, and come together at the Time of Devotion, or when Prayer is solemnly performed therein.	X. So the whole Church (I mean each Community of Christians) yea, every particular Member thereof, ought to be called together, and they diligently to obey that Call, at all Times, when Prayer, or any other part of Church-Service, Devotion, and Worship is to be performed. Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is, &c. They were all with one accord in one Place.
XI. Some Families are exceeding great, consisting of many Persons, especially if it be the Family of a Prince, or noble Person.	XI. The whole Family of Christ, the great Prince of Heaven and Earth, I mean the whole universal Church, both Militant and Triumphant, is exceeding great, the one part of which is in Heaven, and the other on Earth: For this Cause I bow my Knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named, &c. Ephes. 3.15, 16.
XII. It is exceeding commendable and honorable, for all that belong unto a Family, to be truly and cordially affectionate one to another, to be ready and willing to do all Offices of Love and Kindness, so far as the Law of such a Relation doth require of each, in their respective Places and Callings.	XII. So the Lord Jesus, the Head and Governor of his Church, hath strictly commanded, and doth exceedingly commend the Grace of Love in and among all his Family. The Church is never more desirable or comely in this World, than when the Love of each Member doth abound one towards another; when Ministers love the People, and the People heartily love them; and when everyone, in the Station wherein God hath set him, is ready and willing to do any Office of Love: How amiable upon this account is the Church of God!

Inferences.

THis shows, that the Church of God are a choice and peculiar People, such who have given up themselves in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel, walking together in Love, as a holy, religious, and united Family, according to the Order and Discipline Christ hath left in his Word, having sweet Acquaintance and Intimacy one with another.

And now to conclude with this Head, from the Whole we may infer,

I. That God's Church is most dear and precious in his Sight, or a People that he hath most choice Love and Affections to, and takes great Care of.

II. That the Church of God, under the Gospel-Dispensation, is not National, Parochial, &c.

III. That the Church of God are a People separated from the World, in respect of the Worship, Traditions, and sinful Customs thereof, &c. Non-conformity to the World in these respects is an indispensible Duty: Be not conformed to this World, Rom. 12.2. Come out from amongst them, and be ye separated, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, &c. 2 Cor. 6.17.

IV. That the true Church of God is a Number of sincere and godly Christians, who have solemnly covenanted, and given up themselves, to walk in the true Order and Fellowship of the Gospel, according to the exact Rule of God's Word, amongst whom the Word of God is truly preached, and the Sacraments are duly and in a right manner administered.

V. That God's Church hath many Enemies, and yet in despite of them all, shall abide, and the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against her: And though for a time she may be low, and under great Sufferings, yet she shall arise to a great Degree of Glory in the latter Day.

THE Eighth HEAD OF Metaphors, Allegories, and Similes, WITH Other Borrowed TERMS, That respect MEN.

I. Of Men in general.

II. Of the Godly, or good Men.

III. Of Sinners, or wicked Men.

Men compared to Earth.

Jer. 22.9. Hear, O Earth, Earth, Earth.

Psal. 33.5. Let all the Earth fear the Lord.

Let all the Earth keep Silence.

Rev. 12. But the Earth helped the Woman.

BY Earth in these Scriptures, we are to understand Men dwelling upon the Earth.

Earth.	Parallel.
THe Earth is far from Heaven; there is a vast Difference between them.	ALl Men, whilst they remain unconverted, or abide in a State of Nature, are said to be far from God; though not in respect of Place, yet in respect of Condition, Men being by reason of Sin in a State of Enmity: Ye that sometimes were afar off, are now made nigh by the Blood of Christ.
II. The Earth is a heavy, lumpish, and gross Body.	II. So Man naturally is Earth-like, a heavy and lumpish Piece, being taken out of the Earth, and the Off-spring of red Earth: As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy.
III. The Earth hath its great Dependency upon the Heavens; did not the Rain from above water it, and the Sun shine upon it, how hard and barren would it soon be?	II. So Man hath all his Dependency upon God; neither the spiritual Man, nor the natural Man can subsist, unless the Heavens send down Blessings upon them. All human, as well as divine Growth and Fruitfulness, comes from above.
IV. Earth turns and cleaves to Earth, as its proper Center. Tho a Piece of it may by force be lifted up, or thrown upward, yet by an innate Propensity to descend, it naturally falls down again.	IV. So Man naturally cleaves to, and takes delight in earthly Things: He that is after the Flesh, minds the Things of the Flesh. He that is not born anew, born of the Spirit, but is wholly an earthly Man, the Earth is his proper Center; though sometimes his Heart may (in an artificial way as it were) be lifted upwards, yet down he falls again to his own Center.
V. What a dark Dungeon would the Earthly Globe be, did not the Heavens shine upon it!	V. So what a dark Dungeon is Man's Heart, and in what Egyptian Darkness would all Men and Women be involved, were it not for the Light of the God of Heaven, his Word, and blessed Spirit!
VI. Those Things that are fed and nourished by the Earth, are Earth, and (we see) go or return to Earth again.	VI. So the Body of Man, which is fed from the Earth, which was taken out of the Earth, (we daily see) goeth to the Earth again; and therefore Man may be called Earth, Earth, Earth; that was his Original; Earth he was, and Earth he is, and to Earth he shall return again.
VII. The Sun every Spring by its powerful Influences, causeth all earthly Plants and Flowers to come forth, that seemed dead in Winter.	VII. So the Lord Jesus will cause all these earthly Bodies of Men to rise up from the Dead at the last Day. All that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice, &c.

Inferences.

THis may inform Mankind of their Original, and may tend to keep them humble. Why should any Mortals have such high towering Thoughts of themselves, and vaunt in Pride, and Haughtiness of Heart, spotting, trimming, and decking themselves, when, alas! their Bodies are nothing but Earth, Lumps of Earth: They dwell in Houses of Clay, and it is but a little while ere the Worms will feed upon them. Tho now they seem like curious Vessels, or refined Earth, yet in a short space they will be part of the grossest and loathsomest Earth that Eyes can behold, nothing but Filth, and stinking Putrefaction.

O then be not proud of your Bodies, nor of your Beauty: They who are now the fairest and goodliest to look upon, may quickly have a broken and loathsome Skin. A Disease, or one Fit of Sickness may spoil all thy Beauty, deface and blemish thy excellent Feature; and if a Disease doth it not, old Age will: Time will draw Furrows in thy Face, and make Wrinkles in thy Brow. Strength and Beauty are no Matches for Time. All Things were made in Time, and Time will mar all Things: So long as Generation continueth, Corruption must.

The two Externals which Man is most subject to be proud of, are Beauty and Apparel. Cloaths are a Flag of Vanity, and Pride sits upon the Skirts. But remember, how fine soever your Cloathing is this day, God can put you on another Suit before tomorrow: He can put you on such Cloathing, as you shall have little cause to be proud of; He can make you wear Worms, and Clods of Dust.

And if we (saith he) consider it, we have little reason to be proud of Cloaths, for if we follow the best of them to their Original, they will be found to be but a Cloathing of Worms, and Clods of Dust.

What are Silks, Sattens, and Velvets, but the Issue of Worms? And what is your Gold and Silver, what your Pearls and precious Stones? Are they anything, (if you will resolve them into their Principle) but Clods of Earth? They are indeed better concocted by the Heat of the Sun, refined and polished by the Art of Man; but if you search their Pedigree, they are but Clods of Dust, &c. And if you be proud of such Cloathing, God can clothe you with Worms, not only of unrefined and unpolished, but of putrefied and filthy Dust.

Man compared to a Worm.

Job 25.6. How much less Man that is a Worm, and the Son of Man, a Worm!

A Worm is one of the meanest Creatures, and the Word that is here used ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vermis parvus, aut Caseo nascens ) signifieth properly and chiefly those Worms that breed in Flesh, or Cheese, or any other kind of Food when it is corrupted. The Word is used, Exod. 16.24. where it is said, The Manna that was reserved contrary to the Command of God, bred Worms; such a Worm is Man.

God is so excellent and glorious, that nothing can be found out, that can set forth or illustrate his incomparable Being and Greatness: To whom shall we liken him! So there is nothing so low and base, but Man in his fallen State is compared to it; he is compared to Earth, Dust, the Grass of the Field, to a Lie, to Vanity itself, and here to a Worm.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
A Worm hath its Original from the Earth.	SO Man is Earth, as we shown before; his Original is from thence.
II. A Worm liveth upon the Earth, and there it loves to be, and make its Abode.	III. So Man in his natural State liveth upon the Earth, and the things thereof; he panteth after the Dust of the Earth; his Mind, Love, and whole Desire is after earthly things.
III. A Worm is a Creature of little Worth, and hath no Beauty in it; what is more contemptible than a Worm!	III. So Man in his fallen State is of no Worth, he hath made himself as light and empty as Vanity. He was once of great Worth in God's esteem, whilst he retained his Uprightness; but now naturally there is no Excellency in him, his Beauty is gone, he is but a Lump of Sin and Pollution, contemptible as a Worm.
IV. A Worm is a Creature that lies obnoxious to great Danger; every Foot is ready to crush it.	IV. So Man is open to manifold Dangers from Sin, Satan, and the World; many ways he is exposed to Ruin, and to be undone forever.
V. A small thing may spoil, kill, and destroy a Worm.	V. So a small thing may destroy and ruin Man. First, a little thing may take away his natural Life; a Bit of Bread hath choked some Men; a Tile from a House may beat out his Brains; a Spider, and other small Creatures, may presently destroy him. What is Man's Life! how small a thing will stop his Breath! And then, secondly, a small thing (as it may seem in his Sight) may destroy his Soul: A lascivious Lust, a wanton Look upon a Woman, Jesting, and idle Words, nay, the least Sin, without Repentance, will damn him forever. But remember this, no Sin is small or little in itself, though there be more Venom in some Sins, than in some others. The least Sin is a Breach of the holy Law of God, and the least Breach thereof layeth a Soul under the Curse of it. Also Christ's Blood was shed to save us from lesser Sins, as well as from the greater.
VI. A Worm is a Creature that is not able to make resistance, that way to deliver itself from its Enemy.	VI. So what Resistance is a Man able to make (in himself) against Satan? Is he not as a Worm in the sight of that cruel Enemy, if God let him but once out against him? Besides, God is an Adversary to him, whilst he remains in an unconverted State; and what Resistance can he make against the Almighty? There is a far greater Disproportion between God and us, than there is between us and a Worm.
VII. A Worm is a Creature that is a Prey to the Fowls of Heaven; they (you know) commonly feed upon them, and catch them up at every Turn.	VII. So Men are a Prey to Satan, and evil Spirits, who are called Fowls of Heaven. How often doth the Devil seize upon Sinners, and carry them captive at his Will?
VIII. Worms, when they find the Ground to shake by Men's treading upon it, many times make haste into their Holes, and thereby save themselves.	VIII. So some poor Sinners, when they find their earthly Tabernacles begin to shake, by Sickness, or some approaching Judgment, make haste (their Consciences being thereby awakened by the Lord) to get into that Place of Security God hath provided for them, viz. the Rock Christ, who is called an Hiding-Place.
IX. There are many Sorts of Worms.	IX. So there are many Sorts of Men, [Worms.]
1. Some great, and some small Ones; and yet all are but Worms.	1. So there are some great Men, mighty Ones of the Earth, as Kings, &c. and some small or poor Men; but yet all are but Worms, weak and contemptible Creatures in God's sight. David called himself a Worm: I am a Worm, and no Man, &c.
2. There are some Dunghil-Worms, who love to abide or live in Dung and Muck of the Earth.	2. So there are some Men, (whom we commonly call Muck-worms ) who delight in nothing more than in the Dung or Filth of the Earth or Muck of this World; their Hearts and Hands are always in the Earth. Take them out of this Filth, and they are as dead Men; and let them alone, and you shall presently see them craul to their old Delights. Nothing but the World is in their Mouths; they wallow in their filthy Lusts, and Earthly-mindedness, as the Swine tumbles in the Mire.
III. There are some Worms very loathsome, such as breed in rotten putrefied Flesh, which are called Carrion-Worms.	3. Such a Worm is a wicked Man, a Vermin, a Worm, that breeds in Corruption, as it were, a loathsome Creature in God's Sight. See the Head of the Metaphor.
4. There are some Worms that deceive the Eye, seeming to be what they are not. Many have thought they had seen Fire in the Night, when they have cast their Eye upon them in the place where they have lain. These are called Glow-worms. R. W. tells us a Story of a Parson, that in the Night (being drunk) casting his Eye upon one of these Worms, having his Pipe of Tobacco filled, went bodily towards it, crying out, Fire, I hope; Fire, I hope. When the Light comes, these appear to all to be but Worms.	4. There are some Men who deceive their Neighbors: They take them to be holy and good Men, precious Saints of God, and yet are greatly mistaken in them, they being no better than painted Sepulchers, mere Hypocrites; and notwithstanding their outward Shew of Holinesss and Sanctity, are but Earth-Worms, having the World, viz. external Advantage, or vain Glory, in their Eye, as the great Thing they aim at in their Profession; and in the Day of Christ, they will appear to be what in truth they are.
5. There are some very hurtful Worms, who spoil Trees, Flowers, and the Fruits of the Earth: Such are the Palmer-Worm, the Caterpillar, and the Canker-Worm: Which Sort of hurtful Vermin God hath often brought upon a People and Nation, as a Punishment of their Sins.	5. So there are some Men, who, like to these Worms, are of a very hurtful Nature, and endeavor to spoil Christ's spiritual Trees, Flowers, and precious Fruit, &c. They are called Locusts or Caterpillars by the Holy-Ghost; they are said to come out of the Bottomless Pit: And to them was given Power, as the Scorpions of the Earth have Power, &c. By these Locusts are meant, (as Franciscus Claudius, a Carmelite Friar, and others expound the Place, as is noted by Mr. Wilson ) 'those great Swarms of Popish Priests, Friars, Monks, Cardinals, even the whole Popish Hierarchy, and Pontificial Clergy. These are fitly likened unto Locusts, which are a little vile Vermin, springing (as some say) out of Smoke, &c. And truly this is made too evident of that Sort of Men this day in England, and other Nations of Europe. Never were a more destructive Generation of vile Vermin in the World; none make, or threaten to make greater Spoil of Christ's Vineyard, and precious Fruit-Trees, than they. And in that they are let in upon us, we may plainly read God's Displeasure against us thereby; and nothing but unfeigned Repentance and Reformation will doubtless free this poor Nation from them, for at this very time we are sadly plagued and pestered with them. See God an Husbandman.
6. There are also some profitable Worms, who are very laborious; and clothe the World with Silk; and they are called Silk-Worms.	6. This Sort of Worms resemble the laborious and faithful Ministers of Christ, who spend themselves in Preaching, and in divine Prayer and Meditation, that so they may enrich Men's Souls with Grace and true Virtue. These, as Instruments in God's Hand, may be said to clothe Men and Women with Silk, or gloriously adorn their better Part, though hereby, through Zeal and faithful Industry for God's Glory, they waste and consume their own Carcases, spending, and being spent, as the Apostle speaks.
X. The House or Place of divers Worms is the Earth; they lie hid in the Ground.	X. So Man, who is a Worm, must take up his Place for a short time in the Earth: The Grave is my House, saith Job, the Place appointed for all Living. This Worm must go to his Fellows, to the Worms.

Inferences.

BY this we may see what a poor thing Man is: The mighty Ones of the Earth, who boast of great Matters, are but Worms. And if Man be but a Worm, why doth he swell above the Clouds, as if he would make his Nest among the Stars, when as he must shortly fall among the Clods, and be eaten of Worms?

2. Take heed of having Men's Persons in Admiration; it is a vain thing to give flattering Titles to others. As it becomes us not to reproach or vilify any Man, though all Men are but as Worms; so it is a God provoking Evil, to flatter Men thereby, creating high thoughts in them of themselves; as some once served Herod, crying out, It is the Voice of a God, and not of a Man: But the Almighty, to show how much he abhorred such as gave not him the Glory, made them know he was but a Worm; and therefore the Angel of the Lord smote him, and he was eaten up of Worms.

3. Be not envious at others, though more rich and honorable than thee. The greatest of Men are but Worms: and though some sparkle and shine in outward Glory and Splendor, and seem to excel every way, yet they may be but like Glow-worms; 'tis but for a Night they seem like Stars, in the Morning they will appear like others.

4. Let us learn from hence not to overvalue ourselves, nor our Lives: What is the Life of a Worm!

5. What Fools are the Wicked of the Earth, to muster up their Force against God's People! Whom do they come out against? It is but against a Worm. Could they prevail, what Honor would they gain by it? Is it so great a matter to destroy a Worm? for so Jacob in his low Estate is called: Fear not, thou Worm Jacob. But let them know, this Worm hath a mighty God to take its part: I will help thee, &c. Why should Worms seek to destroy one another?

6. Lastly; What cause is there (these things considered) to admire, that the glorious God of Heaven and Earth should be mindful of a Worm, nay, to set his Heart upon him, and give his Son to die for him; and to take such a poor and contemptible thing as Man into Union and Communion with himself!

Man compared to a Flower.

Job 14. He cometh up like a Flower, and is cut down.

Isa. 40.6. All Flesh is Grass, and all the Goodness thereof as the Flower of the Field.

A Man in his best Estate, and in every Estate, is altogether Vanity; so he is in his best Days, and in all his Days, but a Flower, or may be compared to a Flower.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
A Flower hath a Root, from whence it grows and springs up.	SO all Men have one common Root, from whence they spring up, viz. the first Adam.
II. A Flower springs up out of the Earth suddenly, and at first is but a tender Bud, fresh and flourishing.	II. So Man springs up like a Flower, and at first is like a tender Bud, fresh and flourishing.
III. A Flower hath but a little time of continuance; though some abide longer than others, yet most Flowers last not long.	III. So Man that is born of a Woman is but of few Days, his Time is but short upon the Earth; though some continue longer than others, yet generally their Days on the Earth are but few, in a comparative Sence.
IV. There are divers Sorts of Flowers; some fair to look upon, very lovely to the Eye, but of an ill Savour.	IV. So there are divers Sorts of Men and Women; some very fair and amiable to the outward Sight, but of an ill and stinking Savour in their Lives and Conversations, in the Nostrils of God and all good Men, having no Grace, and are besides of a perverse and crooked Nature.
V. There are some other Flowers that are not beautiful to the Sight, whose Nature and Virtue is most excellent.	V. So there are some Men and Women, who though they are not lovely and beautiful to carnal Eyes, yet are of most sweet and gracious Dispositions, and whose Worth and Excellency is exceeding great.
VI. Great Care is taken of some choice and rare Flowers; they are prized at a high rate by such as own them, and know their Worth.	VI. So the Saints, who are choice Flowers in God's Esteem, are greatly cared for; He esteems them above what Men esteem of their choicest Flowers; they are his Jewels, and prized by him as his chiefest Treasure; of them he hath said, the World was not worthy.
VII. Some Flowers greatly magnify the Wisdom of their Creator, there being many great Rarities to be seen in them.	VII. So the Wisdom of God appears in the Creation of Man. He is a curious Piece of God's Workmanship, in his first Make, in respect of his Body, but more especially touching his Soul. But the greatest Rarity that appears in this Flower, shines forth in his second Creation, in his being new made or transplanted into Christ Jesus, whereby he is adorned with all those most transcendent and incomparable Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit.
VIII. The rarest Flowers grow in Gardens; what is a Field-Flower to some of these?	VIII. So the best and most choice spiritual Flowers grow in God's Garden, (the Church.) What are those sinful Ones, who grow in the Field of the World, to some of these?
IX. A Flower is most beautiful, when it is fully ripe.	IX. So Christ's choice Flowers, his precious Saints, are most lovely and amiable, when they are fully ripe for Heaven.
X. The Owner of Flowers knows the best Time to crop them; and who shall be offended at him, when he takes to himself this or that Flower out of his Garden? He may do what he pleaseth with his own.	X. So God knows the best Time to crop off, or take away by Death this and that precious Flower. Sometimes he cuts them down, before others think they are half ripe; but God knows better than we. He never pulls, nor takes any of his Saints unto himself, till he seeth they are fit to die. And who shall be offended at him in what he doth? though he take such out of the Garden, that we would fain have grow still there, because they are such a sweet Ornament to it; but may not God do what he pleaseth with his own?
XI. Some Flowers are gone on a sudden. Naturalists tell us of a Flower that lasteth but one Day; and I have read of others, that fade in the very Budding.	XI. So some die as soon almost as they are born; they are taken away, and fade in the very Bud. Also some Christians God crops off, and receives to himself, as soon as they are born again; they come up, and are presently cut down, &c.
XII. Some Flowers have Seed in them, which if sown will produce a Flower again the next Spring.	XII. So Man, though he wither away, and die, yet his Body is laid but like a Seed in the Earth; at Spring, viz. in the Resurrection-day, he shall arise again. Every Seed shall have his own Body; it shall not be another, but the same Body shall arise from the Dead: My dead Body shall arise, &c. There shall be a Resurrection both of the Just and Unjust.

Inferences.

WHat a fading thing is Man! Let everyone from hence learn to make ready to die. Happy are they who are fit and prepared for it; for Man in his Beauty and chief Flourishing is near unto withering.

2. How fading and transient is all our Glory!

3. What Fools are Mortals to value themselves so high!

4. How vain a thing is it also to set our Hearts inordinately upon our dearest Friends! There is mention made of the coming up of this Flower, and of its cutting down, but nothing of its growing. Alas! its standing is so small a time, it is not taken notice of; we are born to die, and we die as soon as we are born.

Saints compared to Babes.

11 Pet. 2.1, 2. As new-born Babes, desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.

Simile.	Parallel.
A Babe is begotten. Abraham begat Isaac. Hearken to thy Father that begat thee.	A Babe in Christ is begotten by the Word and Spirit of God: Of his own Will begat he us, by the Word of Truth, not of corruptible Seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, that liveth and abideth forever.
II. A Babe hath not only a Father, but also a Mother.	II. A Saint hath not only God for his Father, but the Church for his Mother. Jerusalem, that is above, is the Mother of us all.
III. A Babe partakes of the same Nature of its Parents: That which is born of the Flesh, is Flesh.	III. A Babe in Christ partakes of Christ's spiritual Nature: That which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit, or spiritual.
IV. A Babe is formed, by the mighty Power of God, in the Womb.	IV. A Saint is formed or created by the mighty Power of Christ, and by the Spirit: We are his Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good Works.
V. A Babe is born, or brought forth into the World.	V. A Saint is born of God: And of Zion it shall be said, this and that Man was born in her. Ministers are said to travail, to bring forth Children to Christ.
VI. A Babe hath all the Parts and Lineaments of a Man, if it be a perfect Birth.	VI. A Babe in Christ hath all the Essentials of a true Christian; he hath all the Parts and Lineaments of a new Creature. There is a Formation, or a gracious Work in every Faculty, a partaking of every Grace, though at first forming not come to full Growth and Perfection.
VII. A Babe, when born, is observed to come into the World crying.	VII. A Babe in Christ, when first born again, or spiritually brought forth, cries to God, is much in Prayer; God hath no Children that are born dumb. Behold, he prayeth; which was a clear Demonstration that he was born again, or a new Creature.
VIII. A Babe new-born desires the Milk of its Mothers Breast.	VIII. A Babe in Christ desires the sincere Milk of the Word, viz. the sweet, saving, and comfortable Doctrine of the Gospel.
IX. Babes are harmless, free from Malice.	IX. Babes in Christ are or should be harmless, concerning Malice, as Children.
X. A Babe, when first born, if not diseased, is observed to grow much in a little time; its Growth is then more visible than afterwards.	X. A Babe in Christ, or a true Christian, when first converted, if not spiritually distempered, grows much. We read of some of the Saints, who soon after they received the Word of Truth, grew exceedingly, though afterwards a Saints Growth in Grace is not so visible.
XI. A Babe needs much tending, must be carefully looked after, or it may suffer much. It is carried in the Arms, dandled upon the Knees, and laid in the Bosom, and hath many a Kiss from the Father and Mother.	XI. Babes in Christ need also much spiritual Tendence, and looking after. Christ, as well as his Church and Ministers, takes much care of them: He carrieth these in his Arms, and layeth them in his Bosom. They have many a gracious Kiss of Christ's Mouth, or Promise of his Word, whereby he seals up his Love to them.
XII. Babes, after they are grown up, are taught to speak plain, not to chatter and cry only, but to talk and speak intelligibly, and also to go.	XII. A Babe in Christ is taught by Christ also to pray, and speak in Prayer more plainly, or to express itself, and make known its Wants more intelligibly, and also how to go and walk in the Ways of God's Commandments: I taught Ephraim to go, taking him by the hand.
XIII. Babes are weak in Knowledge and Understanding: When I was a Child, I thought as a Child, I understood as a Child. From hence they many times are froward, peevish, and soon take distaste; small things will offend them.	XIII. A Babe in Christ is usually weak in spiritual Understanding, or in the Mysteries of the Gospel, and from hence are very subject also to be offended with this thing, and that thing, which strong Christians can bear. Many of the young Disciples in the Primitive Time, were offended at those that did eat Meat, &c.
XIV. A Babe, after it is grown up, doth not expect that its Father or Mother should dandle it upon their Knees, or seem visibly to show that Love to it as at first, when it was very young.	XIV. So Christians, when they are grown to some degree of Ripeness in Understanding, should not expect to be always dandled upon the Knee of Promises, or lie in the Arms and Bosom of Christ; I mean, have such visible Expressions or Manifestations of his Love, knowing they are his Children, and in his Covenant, in his Family, and under his Care, Eye, and gracious Provision and Protection.
XV. A sweet Babe, one that is very quiet, and good-conditioned, is greatly delighted in, and wonderfully beloved by its Parents; when others, though their Parents cannot but have Parental Affection to them, yet have not so great a Love, as to him or her that is so pleasant in their Eye.	XV. So a young Christian, that is of a humble, sweet, and contented Disposition, not cross and froward under the Hand and Providence of God, but takes all patiently, is mightily prized and beloved by Jesus Christ. Is not Ephraim my dear Son? Is he not a pleasant Child? &c. How did Christ delight in John, that sweet and precious Disciple!
XVI. Children need good and careful Education, to be kept under good Discipline, and have good Instruction: Train up a Child when he is young, in the Way wherein he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.	XVI. Young Christians need also good Instruction, many things they are to learn, that they may wisely behave themselves in the House and Family of God. They must more especially be taught the good Discipline of God's Church, that they may know how they ought to go in and out before one another. See Dear Children.
XVII. Some Babes or young Children, if their Parents do not give them what they would have, of this or that, presently throw away what they have, and are angry, and think they do not love them.	XVII. So some young Christians, because God doth not give them such l • rge Knowledge and Experience of Himself, and other good Things of the Spirit, they slight all God hath been pleased to bestow upon them, and conclude God doth not love them.
XVIII. Babes for these and other Faults often feel the Rod.	XVIII. So Christians are ofttimes under the Rod of God for their Faults.

Saints compared to Children.

Rom. 8.17. If Children, then Heirs, &c.

Gal. 3.16. For ye all are the Children of God, by Faith, in Christ Jesus.

Eph. 5.1. Be ye Followers of God, as dear Children.

SAints are God's dear Children, not only Children, but dear Children. Dear Children hath reference to two things: 1. To that high Esteem their Parents have of them; 2. To that gracious and sweet Disposition such Children are of.

Children.	Parallel.
CHildren are begotten of their Parents, and brought forth into this World.	THe Saints are begotten of God: Of his own Will begat he them. Everyone that •• veth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. They are also brought forth by him into a State of Grace.
II. Children partake of the Nature of their Parents, even of their very Flesh and Bone.	II. The Saints, by their being begotten of God, through Faith, In a mystical sort, are Partakers of the Divine Nature: That which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit.
III. Children are called after the Names of their Parents.	III. So the Saints are called after God's Name, Holy, Heavenly, Godly, &c. Christians, from Christ; Spiritual, from the Spirit.
IV. Children are not in everything alike, in Stature, Quality, and Condition. Some are gentle, dutiful, and humble, and have a clearer Sight, and more perfect Knowledge than others, yet ought to love one another.	IV. So the Saints of God are not in everything alike; though all have Grace, yet not a like measure of it; so though all see, yet all have not the same degree of Sight and Knowledge in Divine Things. From hence it is that there are so many Differences amongst the Godly; but since they are all God's Children, it behooveth them to see that they love one another.
V. Children do not grow alike. Some thrive better upon hard Fare, than others do, who feed upon more choice and delicate Food every day.	V. So some of the Saints thrive, and grow faster in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, (who sit under the Ministry of such Men, whose Preaching is accounted by some but as brown Bread) than others, who are daily fed with the delicate Food of the most acute and elegant Preacher.

Dear Children.

I. A dear Child, one that the Father esteems so, is teachable, ready to learn what he is taught; he will give his Mind to it, is very flexible.	I. So a dear Child of God is very flexible and yielding to the Teachings of God. If God hath anything for Abraham to do, he cries, Here am I. They are like holy Job, What I know not, teach thou me.
II. A dear Child is humble and meek, not proud, stubborn, or self-conceited.	II. So a dear Child of God is little in his own Eyes. How humbly did Abraham express himself to God! I who am but Dust and Ashes, &c. and Job, I abhor myself. David cries out, I am a Worm, and no Man. And the holy Apostles esteemed themselves as nothing: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo? Unto me who am the least of all Saints, &c. I am nothing, &c.
III. A dear Child greatly loves his Father. Many Instances may be given of this, both from Scripture and History.	III. So a dear Child of God dearly loves his heavenly Father, he loves him with all his Soul, with all his Heart, and with all his Strength, loves him sincerely.
IV. A dear Child doth not only love his Father, but also his Mother. and is grieved when she is in distress.	IV. So a dear Child of God doth not only love God, who is his Father, but also dearly loves the Church, who is his Mother. Thus did David, that precious Child and Servant of God: If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my Right-hand forget her Cunning; if I I do not remember thee, let my Tongue cleave to the Roof of my Mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief Joy. How greatly was the Prophet Jeremiah troubled for poor Zion, when he cried out, My Bowels, my Bowels! The Church lay near his Heart, he laments like a poor Child, for the Misery of his Mother that bare him.
VI. A dear Child is very obedient to his Parents, will do whatsoever is right, which either Father or Mother doth require.	V. So a dear Child of God is in all things obedient to God's Commands, as is recorded concerning Zacharias and Elizabeth, and many others: They endeavor to behave themselves as obedient Children in all respects, will not baulk one of God's holy Precepts: Then shall I not be ashamed, saith David, when I have respect to all thy Commandments. And as they are obedient to God their Father, so likewise to the Church their Mother. As it is a horrid Evil to rebel against God, so such will be left inexcusable who slight the Church. Whatever she requires, that is agreeable to God's Word, must be carefully obeyed; and such as err herein, as disorderly Persons, ought to be proceeded against. See Mother.
VI. A dear Child in all things strives to please his Father, seeking his Approbation, whether at home or abroad, present or absent.	VI. So a dear Child of God strives in all things (like our Savior) to please his heavenly Farher: Wherefore we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him, — Walking in all well-pleasing, &c.
VII. A dear Child loves Peace, and cannot endure Quarrelling and Discord in his Father's House.	VII. A dear Child of God greatly delights in, and loves Peace and Union amongst his Brethren; and he hates Discord and Quarrelling in the Church. Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God. Behold, saith David, how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Unity! Endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit, in the Bond of Peace.
VIII. A dear Child is very tender of his Father's Honor, and is much troubled to hear any speak against him, or any way reproach him.	VIII. So a dear Child of God is sorely troubled, to hear the sacred Name of God reproached and blasphemed, and his holy Laws contemned. Rivers of Waters run down mine Eyes, because Men keep not thy Law. How much were Moses and Joshua concerned for the Honor of God's holy Name!
IX. A dear Child is greatly grieved, when his Father is offended with him, and will endeavor to obtain his Favor again.	IX. So a dear Child of God is grieved, when he hath displeased his heavenly Father: Thou hiddest thy Face, and I was troubled. How did David mourn for his Sin, and strive to obtain the Love and Favor of God again: Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this Evil in thy Sight, &c.
X. A dear Child will not be at undue Times out of his Father's House, but make up his Place there, especially when he knows his Father and Mother call for him, and require his Presence.	X. So a precious Saint of God will not be absent from the Church, or heavenly Family, at any time when his Presence is expected there, if it be possible, especially when God calls his People to Prayer and Humiliation, or when sacred Ordinances are administered, or any Work is to be done, which eminently tends to the Glory of God, and the Churches Good.
XI. A dear Child desireth rather to dwell in his Father's House, than in any other place whatsoever.	XI. So a dear Child of God had rather be a Door-keeper in the House of God, than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness. One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my Life, &c.
XII. A dear Child will strive to imitate his Father, and walk in his Steps, in all things that are just and right. Thus Solomon was exhorted to follow the good Example of his Father David.	XII. So a dear Saint takes care to follow God: Be ye Followers of God, as dear Children. Be ye holy, for I am holy: That is the Precept, and a sincere Soul labors so to be; it is his great desire to be like God and Christ as near as he can. Be ye Followers of me, as I am of Christ Jesus. 1. A Saint strives to follow God and Christ in Love: We are taught of God to love one another. 2. In Humility. What a Pattern hath God in Christ laid before us herein! Learn of me, saith our Savior, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, &c. Let the same Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 3. In being merciful and kind to all. Be ye merciful, as your Father that is in Heaven is merciful. 3. In hating and abominating that which is evil. God loathes Sin, and so doth every sincere Christian. 5. In Forgiveness; they strive to be like God in this. He is ready to pardon, forgive, and forget Injuries done to him, and so ought his Children. And be ye kind one to another, and tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. God forgiveth freely, universally, and forever; so must they.

Inferences.

LAbour to follow God, as dear Children, 1. Sincerely, not in Hypocrisy, not for Loaves. 2. Speedily; do not defer it: I made haste, saith David, &c. 3. In whatsoever he commands you. 4. Diligently. 5. Follow him through all Difficulties and Hardships, as Caleb did, &c. and as Ruth followed Naomi. 6. Follow him humbly. 7. Follow him joyfully. 8. Follow him, when others leave him. 9. Follow him constantly, even to the end. 10. And lastly, follow none but him; forsake all those that would lead you astray. Christ's Sheep will not follow Strangers; they will follow God, and not Baal.

II. From hence everyone may perceive, whether they are God's Children, yea or no.

III. This shows also what great Dignity God hath conferred upon Believers. Behold what manner of Love is this God hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God. If David thought it no small thing to be Son in Law to an earthly King, what an Honor hath God conferred on us!

IV. Saints may from hence read their Privileges: If Children, then Heirs, Heirs of God, and Joynt-Heirs with Christ.

Saints compared to Heirs.

Rom. 8.17. If Children, then Heirs, &c.

Rev. 21.7, He that overcometh, shall be Heir of all things.

Note, The Saints of God are Heirs, Heirs of God, Heirs of all things, &c.

Heirs.	Parallel.
THe First-born had a Princely Power and Dominion over their Brethren, who bowed down before them; they were next their Fathers in Honor.	THe Saints are made Kings to God, are called Kings and Princes: A King shall reign in Righteousness, and Princes shall decree Judgment. They shall have Dominion over the Mighty of the Earth, in their Day. They are next to Christ in Honor, and shall sit upon the Throne with him.
II. The First-born were Priests in their Father's Family, till the Levites came in.	II. The Saints are Priests as well as Kings to God: He hath made us Kings and Priests, &c. They are called an holy Priesthood, to offer up a holy and acceptable Sacrifice unto God.
III. The First-born had the Inheritance; the rest had but a Piece of Money. And to this day we see, that Men use to make their Inheritance over to the First-born; and besides the Inheritance, they had a double Portion of Goods.	III. The Saints have the eternal Inheritance made over to them; the World hath but a small Allowance, for all they have amounts to no more than Vanity. God giveth himself, and all he hath, to Believers; they have a double Portion, an Hundred-fold in this Life, and in the World to come Life everlasting.
IV. An Heir sometimes stays a great while, before he comes to the full Possession of the Inheritance; and until then he is under Tutors and Governors, and differeth but little from a Servant.	IV. The Saints patiently wait a while, (being under Age) before they come to the full Possession of the Inheritance purchased for them by Christ; and until they come to full Age, they are under Tutors and Governors, who deal hardly with them, and they seem not to differ from Servants.
V. The First-born had a peculiar Sort of Apparel, whereby they were distinguished from others; such was Esau 's goodly Raiment which Rachel put upon Jacob.	V. The Saints are clothed with a goodly Raiment, viz. the Righteousness of Christ: Holiness is the Saints Livery, whereby they are distinguished from the rest of the World.
VI. The First-Born had the Blessing annexed to them, and (unless they were supplanted, as Esau was by Jacob ) they were blest of their Father, especially when their Fathers were at the point of Death.	VI. The Saints are the Blessed of the Lord; none can take either Birth-right or Blessing away from them; they are blessed, and shall be blessed. The Lord Jesus blessed them at his Departure, and that Blessing shall never depart from them.
Heirs.	Disparity.
AMong Men, all a Man's Children are not Heirs, nor can they fully possess the same Estate entirely to themselves, as if but one had it.	BUt all the Saints are Heirs together, they are all Joynt-heirs, and yet everyone hath all to himself: They have all one and the same Father, one and the same Christ, one and the same Spirit, the same Apparel, the same Grace; all one Faith, Hope, &c. all the same Promises, same Attendance, viz. the holy Angels; the same Crown, Kingdom, and Eternal Inheritance.
II. Heirs among Men have but a small Inheritance. What is all this World? Luther called all the Turkish Empire, but a Crust God casts to a Dog.	II. But the Saints are Heirs of all Things, Heirs of Heaven and Earth too, Heirs of God. And what is there more? what can a Man ask, or desire to have? would he have more than all?
III. An Heir among Men is often deprived, by Force or Craft of his Title, and turned out of all.	III. But the Saints cannot by Force or Fraud be deprived of their Title to Eternal Life. That it may be sure and firm to them, it is made over to them by the Oath of God. See Light in the First Volume.

Saints compared to Eagles.

Isa. 40.31. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength, they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles.

Psal. 103.5. Who satisfieth thy Mouth with good Things, so that thy Youth is renewed like the Eagles.

Note. In some Things the Saints are likened to Eagles.

Simile.	Parallel.
AN Eagle is the chief amongst the Fowls of the Air, as a Lion is the King or chief among all the Beasts of the Earth.	SO the Saints are the chief of Men, the Excellent, as David calls them: Thou art my Lord, my Goodness extendeth not to thee, but to the Saints that are in the Earth, and to the Excellent, in whom is all my Delight. The Righteous are said to be more excellent than their Neighbor. The World is not worthy of them. Hence Jabez, that holy and gracious Man, is said to be more honorable than his Brethren. A godly Man is of a more noble Extraction than the Men of the Earth. Saints have an honorable Pedigree and Descent, they are born of God, are (as it were) of the Blood-Royal of Heaven, and nearly related to the Prince of the Kings of the Earth. They daily converse, have Communion and Fellowship with the Father, and the Son, the glorious Sovereign of all the World. They are delicately and most splendidly fed every day. Others live and feed upon the empty Things of this World, nay, on the Dust of the Earth, on Ashes, Husks, and Gravel; as the Holy-Ghost declares, They feed upon the Wind, and snuff in the East Wind: Whilst Believers feed on hidden Manna: He eats that which is good, and his Soul delights itself in Fatness. He is often had into the King's Wine-Cellar, he is richly clothed, hath more noble and honorable Titles than any Men on Earth. He hath a most glorious Retinue, viz. the heavenly Angels to attend him every day. Never was King (if ungodly) so attended, as the poorest Saint in the World is. Saints are the chief of all the Children of Men, as Eagles are chief of all the Fowls of the Air.
II. Eagles are quick-sighted, they behold afar off. They have not only a quick and clear Sight, but a very strong Sight, able to look fully upon the Sun shining in his Strength. Hence the Proverb is, A Man that hath a clear and strong Sight, is Eagle-ey'd.	II. The Saints are very clear and quick-sighted, they can see afar off, even from Earth to Heaven. They through Christ can behold the Glory of God with open Face. They can see, and do pry into the secret and hidden Mysteries of the Gospel, and Covenant of Grace: The Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him, and he will show them his Covenant. They see the Evil that is in the least Sin, and can discern what the End of the Wicked will be.
III. Eagles are very swift Creatures; they have long Wings, by which means they fly with great Swiftness. Therefore Solomon calling upon us not to set our Hearts upon Riches, saith, They make themselves Wings, and fly away as an Eagle. The Scriptures often express the more than ordinary Swiftness of Men, by the Swiftness of an Eagle. David, lamenting the Death of Saul and Jonathan, gives them this Character, They were stronger than Lions, and swifter than Eagles.	III. The Saints are very swift and speedy in their Motions, when under the powerful Operation of the Spirit, or upon the Wings of Faith and Love: I made haste, &c. saith David. They are said to run, nay, fly like Eagles, or as Doves to the Windows; they are many times carried swiftly along in the way of their Duties, as upon Eagles Wings. The Ministers of the Gospel are set forth by an Angel flying in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the Earth. When God's People are assaulted and persecuted, they fly to God for Shelter; so David, I fly unto thee to hide me.
IV. The Eagles mount up on high. The Word in the Hebrew signifies to get high; and therefore (as it is noted by Mr. Caryl ) it is used in the Noun, to set forth the Highness of God, Job 11.8. Psal. 113.6. Isa. 5.16. & 52.13. Scripture, as well as Naturalists, tell us, that the Eagle's Motion and mounting up is wonderful, she flies quite out of Sight. One of the Ancients says, The Eagle soars above the Air, as if she would visit the Starry Heavens. The common Epithets of an Eagle are, high flying, swift, &c.	IV. The Saints of God mount up on high: Our Conversation (saith Paul) is in Heaven. Men of the World are like Moles and Worms, always digging and tumbling in the Earth and Muck of this World; but Believers, those who are truly risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, they soar aloft; nothing will satisfy them but Communion with God. They mount up by Prayer, as also by fresh Acts of Faith; they mount up by divine Meditation. They are said to dwell on high; Earth, and earthly Things will not satisfy them; they are of a more heroic and sublime Spirit.
V. Eagles are unweary in their Flight; they faint not, though they fly high, and are long before they rest.	V. So the Saints should never grow weary; nay, and the Promise is, They shall mount up as with Eagles Wings; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Tho it be long before they come to Heaven, their everlasting Resting-place, they are held up, and therefore they hold out in all their Service and Sufferings. Faith and Love are two such strong and excellent Graces, that they, like Eagle's Wings, keep them from tiring and fainting in their Minds, though their Work be hard, and their Flight towards Heaven long: I had fainted unless I had believed, &c.
VI. An Eagle (saith one) hath a high Spirit; she flies high, and aims at high things; she will not catch Flies, she scorns to stoop to such low Game.	VI. So a Saint hath a noble, high, and excellent Spirit. Low things are not for high and heavenly-born Souls; they catch not at the Flies, Toyes, and Trifles of the Profits, Honor, and Pleasures of the World, as others do.
VII. Eagles make their Nests on high: She dwelleth and abideth on the Rocks, upon the Crag of the Rock, and strong Place.	VII. So the Saints dwell on high: Their Place of Defense shall be the Munition of Rocks. They make their Nests in the Rock of Ages; they dwell in God; He is their strong Dwelling-Place.
VIII. Eagles renew their Strength by changing their Feathers; though old, they seem young and lively again, and are very long-lived.	VIII. The Saints renew their Strength. When any Oldness (as Mr. Caryl words it) is coming upon the new Creature, they renew their Strength, by looking to Jesus Christ, who is their Righteousness and Strength: He satisfieth their Mouth with good things, so that their Strength is renewed like the Eagle's. As the Lord brings his People low by bodily Sickness and Weakness, and then renews their natural Strength; so when there are Decays and Declinings upon their Souls, he renews their spiritual Strength. And as the Eagle renews her Strength by the Growth and Succession of new Feathers (of the same kind) in the place of the old; so a Believer reneweth his Youth and Strength, by casting off gradually the Old Man, which is corrupt, and by putting on more of the New Man, (who is quite of another kind) created after God in Righteousness and true Holiness.
IX. Naturalists do observe, that Eagles are fed and best nourished by Blood; they suck and take in that, both young and old.	IX. So (saith Mr. Caryl ) do Believers; the feeding of the new Creature is upon Blood; every godly Man spiritually drinks the Blood of Christ, ( My Blood, saith he, is Drink indeed ) as offered to him both in the Promises and Ordinances of the Gospel. A Saint could not live a Moment, nor have any subsistence in Grace, if he had not (as the Eagle) Blood to drink. A godly Man is nourished by a believing Contemplation upon the Sufferings of Christ, and the Effusion of his Blood.
X. Young Eagles are borne and carried upon the Wings of the old Eagle, and thereby are preserved from the Dangers of Enemies.	X. So the Saints are borne, supported, and carried by the Power and Arms of the Almighty, who is pleased to compare himself to an Eagle; As an Eagle stirreth up her Nest, fluttereth over her Young, spreadeth abroad her Wings, taketh them, and beareth them upon her Wings; so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange God with him. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you upon Eagle's Wings, and brought you to myself. [See Christ compared to an Eagle.]

Disparity.

EAgles have many evil Qualities: They are Birds of Prey, &c. yea, and a very Vermin Sort of Creature; and upon that account wicked Men are compared to Eagles, which is opened under that Head of Metaphors concerning ungodly Men and Persecutors, to which we refer you.

Saints compared to Sheep.

John 10.27. My Sheep hear my Voice, &c.

THe Saints may be compared to Sheep in many respects: Sheep are harmless Creatures, meek, sociable, contented with hard Commons, very tractable, patient, fruitful, and very profitable, are made a Prey to evil Beasts, &c. Upon all which Considerations, and many others, the Saints are likened to Sheep, which is fully opened under the Metaphor Flock, to which we refer you.

Saints compared to Soldiers.

2 Tim. 2.3. Thou therefore endure Hardness, as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ.

A Soldier is taken in Scripture either properly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , or metaphorically.

Properly, it is understood of a Person that is employed in Military Affairs, one that bears Arms, and is under Military Command, Mat. 8.9.

Metaphorically, it is to be understood of a Christian, that is engaged to fight the good Fight of Faith, under the Command of Jesus Christ, against the Enemies of the Soul. This Title is not appropriated only to Ministers, (it is not a discriminating Title, only to distinguish them from other Saints, as the Title of Ambassador, Pastor, Watchman, &c.) but a Title that belongs to every Christian, and Professor of Christ. So that Timothy is not called a Soldier, merely because he was an Evangelist, but as he was a Disciple, &c.

Saints are compared to Soldiers; every true Christian is a spiritual Soldier of Jesus Christ.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
A Soldier is listed under some Captain or Commander; he gives up his Name to him, and enters himself into his Service.	SO every true Christian listeth himself under the Command of Jesus Christ, who is the Captain of our Salvation; He gives up his Name to him, to serve him in all Uprightness, as becometh a faithful Soldier to do, making a solemn Covenant with Christ, and his People, to be on their side; and this is visibly done in Baptism.
II. A Soldier leaves all other worldly Affairs and Incumbrances, to follow that particular Employ. No Man that warreth, entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life, that he may please him that hath chosen him to be a Soldier. They ought not, like Reuben, to abide among the Sheep-folds, to hear the Bleating of the Sheep.	II. So a true Christian forsakes all, and follows Christ; he becomes dead to this World; he is crucified to it, and that many times to him. His Heart is not set upon Things below, but upon Things above; he looks upon Religion and Godliness, as his great Work and Business. They that are after the Flesh, do mind the Things of the Flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the Things of the Spirit.
III. A Soldier, after he is listed, and entered into his Company, he is armed, and put into a fit Posture for that Work and Service he is called to.	III. So a true Christian also is no sooner converted, listed, and entered into Christ's Company, viz. his Church, but he is armed likewise. He puts on the whole Armor of God, hath his Loins girt about with Truth, and hath the Breastplate of Righteousness, his Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And because most of those Parts or Pieces of a Christian's Armor are spoken to and opened under that Head of Metaphors respecting the Graces of the Spirit, we shall speak no more of it here.
IV. A Soldier is known by his Habit, Armor, and Weapons, from other Men; they put off their own Clothes, and put on the King's, especially if poor and ragged when they are listed.	IV. So a true Christian is known by the Clothes he hath on, from the Wicked and Ungodly of the World. He is clothed with the Garment of Holiness and Humility; and hath on all the precious Graces of the Spirit, as Armor of Proof, fast girt to him by the Girdle of Sincerity; and this shows him to be one of Christ's Soldiers.
V. Soldiers many times are clothed at the King's Charge; and it is greatly for the Honor of a Captain, to have all his Men bravely clothed, and glittering in their Armor.	V. So Christ clothes all his Soldiers, and they are all attired alike, clothed in white. Their Robes cost dear, viz. the Price of his own most precious Blood; and it greatly tends to his Honor, to have them kept clean, and without Spot or Stain, all glittering in their spiritual Armor, viz. adorned with the blessed Graces of the Spirit.
VI. It is a Reproach to Soldiers to be mere mercenary, to fight for Money, and to mind their own private Advantage, more than the Credit and Glory of their Sovereign, and Honor of their Captain.	VI. So it is a Reproach to a Christian, to aim at Self in all he doth in Religion. Many Men care not to do anything for the Honor of God, further then it makes, as they conceive, directly for their own Interest and Advantage. Tell some Men of this or that Ordinance and Command of Christ, they presently object, May I not be saved without it? Is it necessary to Salvation? These Men only make Religion as a Bridge to carry them to Heaven; mere mercenary Souls! Alas! a true Christian obeys and serves Christ sincerely, that he may glorify and honor his holy Name, knowing he deserves more at his hands, than he is ever able to perform, not doubting his Labor shall ever be in vain in the Lord; the very Work is Wages to him. Paul was resolved, Christ should be magnified in his Body, whether it were by Life, or by Death.
VII. A Soldier hath his Warfare appointed him, and his Enemies discovered to him, and Orders to fight.	VII. So a Christian hath his Warfare appointed him, his grand Enemies are made known to him, and he hath received Commission also to enter the Combat with them, whosoever they are, whether Foreign or Domestic, whether external or internal, secret or open. First; His Foreign or External Enemies are these: 1. The Devil, called the King of the Bottomless Pit, Prince of the Power of the Air, the great Dragon, the Captain-General of the black Regiment, and of the Hellish Militia, that makes War against the Lamb, and his Followers. Every Christian is commanded to enter the List, and to fight against these Principalities and Powers. 2. The World; this is another grand, potent, and subtle Adversary; many have been overcome and subdued by it. (1.) The Things of the World, viz. the Pleasures, Honors, and Profits of the World. These (as one well observes) have their Hooks and Snares hid under their pleasant Baits, they usually prevail by Craft; their Flatteries and Allurements are very dangerous. By this part of the World Satan set upon our blessed Savior, Mat. 4.8. (2.) The Men of the World, who are the Subjects of the Prince of Darkness, and his Soldiers, the Militia of Hell, and the Auxiliaries of Satan, the Seed of the Old Serpent, who are filled with Enmity against the Woman's Seed. He that is born after the Flesh, persecuteth him that is born after the Spirit, &c. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Lusts of your Father ye will do. These continually oppose the Truth, and hate Godliness, and those who profess it. (3.) The Worships of the World. Saints have been often exposed to great Dangers, for opposing the Ways, Inventions, and Superstitions of Men, the Worship of the Beast, and cursed Fornications of the great Whore; but whilst they are able to stand, or have Life in them, they must oppose and resist all false Ways and Worshippers, such as strive to make void the Doctrine of Christ, and the Commands of God, by their Traditions. (4.) There are also the Lusts of the World, the Lusts of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, which Saints are engaged to fight against, and oppose. Secondly; They have their Domestic Enemies: 1. Sin, which is a wretched and treacherous Inmate, and cursed Adversary. 2. The Flesh. These two made the holy Apostle to cry out, O wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me! &c. Hence we are exhorted, as Strangers and Pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly Lusts, that war against the Soul.
VIII. A Soldier expects, and therefore ought to prepare to meet with his Enemies; he knows he is chosen, listed, and placed under the Command of his Captain, on purpose to fight.	VIII. So a Saint expects, and therefore ought to make ready to meet with spiritual Opposition from the Enemies of the Soul, as soon as ever he is listed, and entered into Christ's Service. As it fell out with the Captain himself, who no sooner was baptized, but presently he was led into the Wilderness, to be tempted of the Devil: So a Christian must always be prepared and resolved to engage and fight them: Whom resist steadfastly in the Faith.
IX. A Soldier goeth not on a Warfare at his own Charge; his Prince bears the Expence of the War, and furnisheth him with whatsoever is necessary for that Atchievement.	IX. A Believer goeth not out in the Spiritual Warfare at his own Charge. Christ furnisheth him with Clothes, Armor, Weapons, and with all Things needful and necessary, all is managed by his gracious and blessed Spirit.
X. A Soldier ought to be expert, and well-skilled in Martial Discipline, to know all the Postures of War, particularly the Word of Command, and to obey presently: He must not dispute the Matter, nor make the least Pause. Those Soldiers that were under the Centurion, were very tractable upon this account, as himself confessed: I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh.	X. So a Saint ought to be well-skilled in all things necessary for a Christian Soldier; it requires much Wisdom and Experience; he must understand the Word of Command, and be ready to obey his Captain, as soon as ever the Word is given. David had learned this part well: I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy Commandments. And Paul saith, He immediately obeyed the heavenly Vision. It is a very unbecoming thing in Christians, to stand, or make a pause about their Obedience to Christ, in those Things they are convinced to be their indispensible Duty; it argues they have but little regard to the Honor of their Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ. Shall Soldiers be so careful and ready to obey their earthly Leaders, who are but Men? and shall not we be as ready and forward to obey the Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Leader, who is the most w • se and blessed God.
XI. Soldiers must know their Places, how to keep both Rank and File. Military Discipline hath appointed every Officer in the Army his proper Place, and every private Soldier to abide in the same Rank and File, or Place where he is set by his Commander: and none may alter their Station, or change their Postures upon their own private account; they must not break their Order upon their Peril: for that is a Dishonor to the Captain, and Standers by will laugh and reproach him; besides, if it be in a Time of Battle, he exposeth himself and others to great Danger. If an Army or Body of Men are once broken, and in Confusion, they are soon routed by their Enemies.	XI. So must a Saint know his Place and particular Station, where he is set by his Captain, the Lord Jesus. If he be set as a File-leader, or made an Officer to lead a Party, it is needful for him to see to his proper Work and Business; he may not acquit his Command when he pleaseth. The Commander in chief may prefer or degrade his Soldiers, as seemeth good to him; but he may not, he cannot dispose of himself. Pastors must keep their Places, Deacons keep their Places, Members of each Church keep their Places, and not when they please withdraw themselves, and get into another Company, but must abide under particular Command, where Christ hath set them. Shall any one think, that God, who hath placed such Order in other Creatures in Heaven and Earth, is not strict touching that holy Order set and appointed in his Church? If the Sun, Moon, and Stars keep in their own Sphere, and move in their own Orbs; if the Sea hath its Bounds and Limits set, beyond which it must not go; can it be imagined, that the Church of Christ should be a more disorderly Piece, than the inanimate and irrational Creatures? God is the God of Order, and not of Confusion, in all the Churches of the Saints. Therefore if any Christians, that are of this or that particular Company or Church, do break the holy Order, and regard not to keep in their Stations, or neglect their proper Work; what a Reproach is it to them, and to Religion itself! Besides, the Danger they are exposed to, if Saints neglect Prayer, or hearing the Word, or the Lord's Supper, or are divided amongst themselves, is very great; unless they rally the sooner, and unite again, and keep their Ranks, they are in danger of being utterly routed and undone by Satan. Many hence have been enticed by the Subtilty of the Devil, to desert their General, and fly from their Colours.
XII. Soldiers must follow their Leader; this is one Word of Command.	XII. So must every Christian follow Jesus Christ, he ought to have his Eye upon him; how often hath he commanded us to follow him! Shall any list themselves under his Command, and refuse to be subject to his holy Laws and Authority? or follow him for a Time, and then grow weary? If any Man will be my Disciple, let him take up his Cross daily, and follow me. We read of a great and famous Army, consisting of Forty Four Thousand, a certain Number put for an uncertain, that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. We must follow Christ in every Ordinance, follow his Doctrine, and follow his Example, in everyone of his gracious Qualifications, viz. in his Patience, (how contented was he in the midst of his greatest Poverty!) in his Lowness of Mind, and deepest Humility; in his Tenderness, Bowels, and Compassion towards those that deserved nothing; how kind, loving, and merciful was he! Follow him in his Reproaches, Afflictions, and Indignities; follow him in all Difficulties and Dangers; with Peter, follow him to Prison, and to Death itself, when he calls us thither. Be ye Followers of me, as I am of Christ Jesus. My Sheep hear my Voice, and they follow me.
XIII. It behooveth a Soldier to be well-skilled in all Stratagems of War, for that conduceth much to his just and needful Accomplishments, Policy having many times out-done Power, and human Strength.	XIII. So a Christian ought to be well-skilled and expert in all Divine Wisdom and Policy, in the Management of the Spiritual War against the Enemies of the Soul. Christ's Counsel is, Be ye as wise as Serpents, but as innocent as Doves. And indeed nothing is more necessary for spiritual Soldiers than Wisdom and Policy, in the carrying on of the War against their internal Adversaries, because of their Craft and Subtilty. Their Adversary the Devil is compared to a Serpent upon this very account; and in other Places we read of his Devices and Wiles: Eph. 6. That ye may stand against the Wiles of the Devil. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , properly the Methods of Satan; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , which signifies that Art and Order one observes in handling a Point; we say such a one is methodical. Now because it shows Ingenuity, and Acuteness of Wit, so to compose a Discourse; therefore it is transferred to express the Subtilty of Satan, in laying of his Plots against a Christian. Indeed the expert Soldier hath his Order, as well as the Scholar; there is Method in forming an Army, as well as in framing an Argument. The Devil is a subtle Enemy, and Saints are most endangered by his Craft and Policy; he hath always got the greatest Advantage upon Christ's Soldiers by this means. It was the way he took when he set upon Man at first, and if he overcame him when he was in his perfect State, no marvel if he prevail upon him in his depraved and maimed State. And therefore Wisdom is needful, and more especially to discover his Stratagems: We are not ignorant (saith the Apostle) of his Devices: Some of which I shall note here, for the spiritual Soldier's Profit and Observation, with respect to his drawing Men and Women to Sin. First; He shows his Subtilty, in choosing the most proper and advantageous Season for Tempting. An hundred Soldiers at one time may turn a Battle, and save an Army, when Thousands will not do it at another. Satan knows when to make his Approaches, and the Time when he is most likely to prevail. The Time he takes to tempt in, is: 1. When newly converted. No sooner is the Child of Grace, the new Creature born, but this Dragon pours a Flood of Temptations after it. 2. When a Saint is beset with some great Affliction; this is a blind Lane, or solitary Place, fit for this Thief to call for his Purse. 3. When a Christian is about some notable Enterprize for God's Glory, then Satan will lie like a Serpent in the Way: An Adder in the Path, that biteth his Horse Heel, so that his Rider shall fall backward. Thus he stood at Joshua 's Right-hand, to resist him. The Right-Hand is the working Hand, and his standing there, implies his Desire to hinder him, and his Enterprize. Indeed the Devil was never a Friend to Temple-Work, and therefore that Work is so long a doing. What a handsome Excuse doth he help the Jews unto? The Time is not come. When our Savior was baptized, and was just entering upon his Ministry, then Satan set upon him. 4. When he hath the Presence of some Object to enforce his Temptation. Thus he took Eve, when she was near the Tree, and had it in her Eye. 5. After great Manifestation of God's Love, then the Tempter comes. Such is the Weakness of Grace sometimes in a Believer, that he can neither well bear Smiles nor Frowns from God. When Paul was exalted with abundance of Revelation, then was the Time that Satan set upon him with his strong Temptations. 6. At the Hour of Death; Satan knows, that if he cannot prevail then, he never can. 'It is the last Onset, and therefore he resolves to try his Skill. If he cannot break his Head, so as to keep him out of Heaven; yet he will (if possible) bruise his Heel, and send him limping thither: I mean, fill a Saint full of Fears and Doubts about his eternal State. Secondly; He hath many other Stratagems to deceive by Temptations. 1. He hangs out false Colours, and comes to a Saint in the disguise of a Friend; he transforms himself into an Angel of Light: Master, pity thyself. 2. He strives to get Intelligence of a Saint's Affairs. This (saith my Author) is one great Wheel in this Politician's Clock, to have Spies in all Places, by whom they are acquainted with the Counsels of their Enemies. He labors to find out what Sin it is that most easily besets a Person, or that he is most prone to. 3. In his gradual Approaches to the Soul. When he first comes to tempt, he is modest, and asks but little, knowing he may get that at many times, which he should be denied, if he should ask it all at once. A few Men are let into a City, when an Army, coming in a Body, would be shut out. Remember, he draws to Sin by little and little: First it may be the Thought of this or that Evil is darted into the Mind, and after a while lodged quietly there, and then a little after further Proceed is made in Sin, &c. 4. Satan, like a cunning Warrior, hath his Reserves; like a wise Captain, he hath some fresh Troops at hand, if need be: So that if one Temptation will not prevail, he hath a second, nay, a third and fourth, nay Multitudes. What fresh and new Attempts did he use, when he set upon our Savior? 5. Another Stratagem of his is this: He will in a politick way retreat, as sometimes you shall have an Enemy fly as overcome, when it is on a design of overcoming. We read not only of Satan's being cast out, but of the unclean Spirit's going out voluntarily; yet be sure it was with a purpose to return more strong than before. 6. He will strive to make use of fit Instruments to carry on his Temptations to the Ruin of the Soul. I might proceed, but by this all may see, That it is needful for the Christian Soldier to be well instructed in the Stratagems of War.
XIV. A Soldier ought to know the distinct Beats of the Drum, and Sound of the Trumpet; an Alarm, a Call, a March, a Battle, &c.	XIV. So a Saint must understand the distinct and d • fferent Sounds of the Word of God, daily ministered by his Servants; for a Preacher is a spiritual Trumpeter: Lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet. And as it greatly behooves a Trumpeter to be well skilled how to blow his Trumpet, (for if it give an uncertain Sound, who shall prepare himself to the Battle?) so it doth a Minister rightly and distinctly to preach the Word of God, that a Christian (like a Soldier) may have an Alarm sounded in his Ears, when Danger is near, or an Enemy coming upon him; as also a Call to Duty, to Prayer, to Fasting, Mourning, and Sackloth, when the Day requires it, &c. A good Soldier of Christ will observe the distinct Sound of the spiritual Trumpet; sometimes it sounds out Reproof, sometimes Counsel, sometimes Comfort; all is carefully observed by a sincere and wise Christian.
XV. A Soldier ought to be a Man of Courage, bold and resolute, not soon daunted, nor dismayed by the Threats, Malice, or Strength of an Enemy. He ought (as God bid Joshua ) to be strong, and very courageous.	XV. So a Saint ought to be of a courageous Spirit, not timorous, faint-hearted, or soon dismayed, but a Man of an undaunted Heart, not fearing the worst that Men can do unto him: Tho I walk (saith David) through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil. The Wicked flee when none pursue, but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion. There are three or four things, which tend to embolden, and increase Courage in a spiritual Soldier, in the midst of the greatest Danger, when nothing but Death and Misery seems to stare him in the Face. 1. The Goodness of his Cause. Nothing administereth more Life and Zeal to a Saint, than the Consideration of that holy Cause, which in the Strength of Christ he stands up for, and is s • t to defend. 2. The Consideration of the Power and Strength of that God who hath engaged to stand by him, help and aid him in all his Conflicts with the worst of his Enemies. Fear not, Worm Jacob, and ye Men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord. Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, &c. Ye are of God, little Children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the World. 3. A good Call. Every Christian, in all his Enterprizes, must see to his Call; let him see that whatsoever he doth in Religion, both in matter and manner, it is what God hath enjoined him. He that undertakes any Work or Cause, that is not warranted by God's Word, hath cause to tremble. And also let him see he is the Man that God approves of, and hath employed in and about that Work and Duty, whatsoever it be; and when he sees that his Call is undeniably good, this will add Courage to him. 4. A good Conscience. This made Paul so bold in the presence of his incensed Adversaries: Men and Brethren, I have lived in all good Conscience before God until this day. A Soldier who hath much Guilt upon him, cannot (if his Conscience be at all awakened) engage an Enemy with that Courage as another Man may, in the high Place of the Field, (when he knows not but the next moment he may be sent into another World.) 'It is Innocency and Uprightness that puts Life and Magnanimity into a Christian. Having a good Conscience, that whereas they speak Evil of you, as Evil-doers, they may be ashamed, who falsely accuse your good Conversation in Christ. 5. Lastly; The Assurance he hath of Victory. A Saint knoweth he shall have the Day, and come off a Conqueror: Before he enters upon the Conflict, his Captain hath told him, He shall overcome at last, and have the Crown of Life.
XVI. A Soldier must expect to endure Hardness, and therefore prepares himself for it. It is a Life attended with many Hardships and Difficulties; they often lie in the Field, and fare hard, when others know the want of nothing.	XVI. So the Saints of God must expect to endure Hardness. A Christian's Life is attended with many Difficulties and Afflictions, which they must endure as good Soldiers of Jesus Christ. He is no good Soldier, that cannot endure Hardness. But here it may not be amiss to inquire, What is that Hardness that the Saints do and must endure? First; They must endure all that Hardness, that either their Sins, or the Profession of the Gospel, may expose them unto. 1. Saints are exposed to Hardships by means of their Sins; their own Iniquities bring great Sorrow and Trouble upon them. It made David many times cry out, and water his Couch with Tears. 2. Sin is not sweet to a Saint in the committing of it. He is overcome sometimes to do that which he hates, and his own Conscience afterwards sorely lashes and wounds him for it. Sin brings not only Hardships upon the Soul, but many times sore Distress upon the Body and Family, and a Blast upon a Man's outward Estate. Secondly; A Saint meets with the Hardship of Self-denial; he bears the Pain of having a Right-hand-Lust cut off, and a Right-eye Lust pulled out; he parts with the best, the nearest, and choicest of his outward Enjoiments. Unless a Man deny himself of Father, Mother, Brethren, Sisters, Children, House, and Land, &c. for my sake, he is not worthy of me. This Hardness some cannot endure; the young Man could not bear it: When he heard this Doctrine, he went away very sorrowful, &c. Thirdly; They endure the Hardness of Mortification, or of crucifying the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts. Circumcision was painful to the Body, and let me tell you, the Circumcision of the Spirit is more hard and difficult to a Saint to undergo; Which is made without hands; cutting off the Foreskin of the Heart, or putting away the Body of Sin by the Circumcision of Christ. Mortify your Members which are upon the Earth. The killing of Sin, is as the killing or destroying the Members of the Body. Fourthly; Saints endure Hardness from Men. 1. By hard Words. All the cruel Reproaches, Slanders, Revilings, Tauntings, Scoffings, Backbitings, &c. that the Sons of Beliál can invent, they are forced to endure. They bend their Tongues like their Bow for Lies, and their Tongue is as an Arrow shot out. The Tongues of some Men are like cruel Weapons: As with a Sword in my Bones, my Enemies reproach me, &c. The Sword in the Flesh is painful, but the Sword in the Bone is much worse. Mockings are ranked amongst the great Sufferings of the Godly: Others had Trials of cruel Mockings. The Archers this way shot hard at Joseph; and what a poisonous Arrow did the Jews let fly upon Christ! Behold a Drunkard, a Wine-bibber, a Friend of Publicans and Sinners. He casteth out Devils by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. As for this Fellow, we know not from whence he is. Paul was accused for being a pestilent Fellow, a Mover of Sedition, and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens, &c. These things are hard to bear. 2. There is the Hardness of Men's Hands, as well as of their Tongues. Wicked Men (saith a Learned Divine) have Iron Hands, which many times fall heavy upon the Soldiers of Christ. How heavy was the Stroke of Cain upon his righteous Brother! and what heavy Hands did Pharaoh lay upon the Israelites in Egypt! What Hardships did the Primitive Saints endure, under the Heathen Emperors, in the ten Persecutions! And what sore Sufferings, and cruel Torments, hath the Woman's Seed borne and endured under the Papal Power! What Burnings, Roastings, and Flayings alive! All along, from the Beginning to this Day, the Saints have endured great Hardness from wicked Men. See Heb. 11.35. to the end. They were tortured with Scourges, Bonds, and Imprisonments; they were stoned, th • y were sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the Sword; they wandered about in Sheep-skins, and Goats-skins, in Deserts, and Mountains, and in Dens and Caves of the Earth, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. Fifthly; Saints endure Hardness from Satan. He comes out with open Mouth against them, like a roaring Lion, seeking to destroy them. Christ's Soldiers encounter with Devils, they wrestle with Principalities and Powers; Satan daily lets fly his fiery Darts against them. Sixthly; They meet with some Hardness and Trouble by the Withdrawings of God himself. Some Afflictions come more immediately from the Hand of God. Job complains of the Arrows of the Almighty; David cries out, as if the Lord had broke his Bones. Yet God in all the Afflictions and Trials he brings upon his People, designs their Profit: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as Gold. It is that we may be Partakers of his Holiness. Yet nevertheless the Strokes and Chastisements of the Almighty are hard to be borne. Seventhly; Christ's Soldiers meet with Hardness, whilst they attend upon their proper Work, in their particular Places and Stations unto which they are called. Some have harder Service than others; as the Forlorn Hope, and the Van (saith one) may meet with harder Service than the main Body of the Army; the Frontiers, and File-Leaders, may meet with more difficult Service than the Rear; and the Watchmen that lie Perdue, and stand Sentinel; with harder Duty than those that abide on the Guard. But though some endure more Hardness than others, yet all must take what befalls them in the Place and Station where they are set. The Ministers of the Gospel (likely) are the Men mostly exposed, and yet sometimes others suffer as hard things as they; yet everyone must see to discharge his Duty in his respective Place. The Sentinel must not quit his Watch, because it is cold, or Danger approaches; the File-Leader must not face about, and fall back in the Rear, because of the Hardness of the Service; the Leaders must not bid the private Soldiers fall on, and themselves run away; the Colours are most aimed at, yet the Standard-bearer and Ensign must stand by them, and display them in the Face of the Enemy. So whatever comes, Ministers must preach, and People must hear, and the Public Worship of God must be maintained, the Banner of the Word must be displayed, Saints must keep their Ground and Station, where they are set by Jesus Christ. Necessity is laid upon me; and woe is me, if I preach not the Gospel.
XVII. A good Soldier exposeth himself to endure Hardness voluntarily, patiently, courageously, constantly, and sincerely.	XVII. So the faithful and good Soldier of Jesus Christ is not hailed, dragged or forced to his Duty, and to undergo Difficulties for the Gospel-sake; but freely and with a ready Mind engages in the Work. I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the Name of the Lord Jesus. Christ cares not for pressed Soldiers, his are all Volunteers: When the Gospel-Trumpet sounds, Come away, come up hither, immediately they are upon their Feet. 2. They endure patiently, taking their Captain for their Example: When reviled, they revile not again. In Patience possess ye your Souls. 3. They endure the Hardness of their Service courageously: They took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods. The Wicked fly when none pursue, but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion. Shall such a Man as I fly? was the Saying of a brave Soldier of this Captain's. When Modestus, the Emperor's Lieutenant, threatened Basil with Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, and Death, how courageously did he bear it! If you have anything else, threaten it; for these things are nothing. This was somewhat like that of Paul; notwithstanding Bonds, Imprisonment, and Death was threatened against him, yet saith he, None of these things move me, neither account I my Life dear unto me, &c. We glory in Tribulation. 4. Saints endure Hardness constantly; the whole Life of a Christian is a Time of Warfare: till this Life is done, his Warfare is not done. The Righteous shall hold on their Way, and he that hath clean Hands, shall grow stronger and stronger. A Saint must never cease being a Soldier; Godliness must be his Trade as long as he lives. As Satan will never have done tempting, so he must never cease from resisting his Temptations. 5. And then all this is done sincerely; he hath holy Aims and Ends in what he doth.
XVIII. A good Soldier spares none of the Enemy, when he hath such a Command given him: And Saul, for not complying with the Requirement of God in this respect, lost his Kingdom, viz. in sparing Agag the King, and the Fat of the Cattle, when the Word of Command was, Go, smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both Men and Women, Infant and Suckling, Oxen and Sheep, Camels and Asses, &c.	XVIII. So a Saint, or good Soldier of Jesus Christ, spares not one Lust: Every Sin, like the cursed Amalekites, must be put to the Sword. He is no sound Christian, that suffers any Sin to abide quietly in his Heart or Life unmortified. If there be any one Darling-Lust spared, it is a palpable Sign of Hypocrisy. Some Men are ready to excuse their evil Lusts, as Saul did: They will cover their covetous Designs under the Pretence of doing good, and distributing to the Necessities of the Poor; but alas! this will not do, Obedience is better than Sacrifice. A Saint must kill all, put all his Sins to the Sword, or die to them. One Sin spared, as Agag was, will exclude thee the Kingdom of Heaven: If ye live after the Flesh, ye shall die; but if ye mortify the Deeds of the Body, ye shall live.
XIX. A good Soldier will keep with his Colours. It is punishable by Martial Law, for a Soldier to lie behind his Colours; and Death without Mercy to depart quite from them.	XIX. So a good Soldier of Christ will keep and abide with the Banner of Truth. The Gospel (saith Ainsworth ) is the Saints Ensign: And he will lift up an Ensign to the People, &c. Christ will lash such as lie behind. Peter was made to weep bitterly for straying from his Colours. And it will be Death without Mercy to those that quite depart from the Truth, and embrace Heresy or Idolatry. And here let me caution all Christians to take heed, lest they are deceived by their Enemies. Satan, like a cunning Pirate, sometimes transforms himself into an Angel of Light, he puts out false Colours, comes with a seeming Banner or Ensign of Truth; he can make use of Scripture, when it will make for his purpose to deceive.
XX. A good Soldier will not turn his Back upon the Enemy, to the dishonor of his Captain; though his Life be in danger, he will not fly, nor cowardly betray his Trust.	XX. So a good Soldier of Jesus Christ will not turn his Back to fly from the Enemy, or utterly depart from the Truth, whatsoever befalls him; such is his Love to the Lord Jesus, and Zeal for his Glory. And besides, he knows (if he doth) the great Danger he exposeth his own Soul to thereby: for among all the Armor that Christians should take unto them, we read of no Back-piece; for if they turn their Back,, they are gone and undone forever: If any Man draw back, my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him.
XXI. A Soldier is greatly animated and encouraged in all his Encounters and sharp Conflicts with the Enemy, by considering the Reward and Honor he shall receive, if he manfully holds out, and gets the Victory.	XXI. So a Saint is carried on with much Zeal and Courage, by the consideration of the eternal Reward he shall receive in the end. This made Moses despise the Glory of Egypt, and refuse to be called the Son of Pharaoh 's Daughter. He saw him who was invisible, and had an Eye to the Recompence of Reward. Christ himself this way animates his Followers, and faithful Soldiers: I appoint to you a Kingdom. Be you faithful unto Death, and I will give you a Crown of Life. I have (saith Paul) fought the good Fight, and finished my Course, and kept the Faith: And henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which God the Righteous Judge will give me at that Day, and not to me only, but to all them that love his appearing.
XXII. Some Soldiers of an Army are now and then singled out as Champions, to engage an Enemy alone. Tho every Champion be a Soldier, yet every Soldier is not a Champion. A Captain will not choose any Soldier to this Work, but such only as he knows are Men of Courage and Experience, &c.	XXII. So Christ sometimes calls forth one of his spiritual Army, to engage the Enemy alone, and as a Champion of the Truth, to sacrifice his Life in the behalf of it. What greater Honor can be conferred upon a Christian than this? Such a Champion was St. Stephen, Antipas, &c. who were brave Men, Saints of undaunted Courage and Resolution; who loved not their Lives unto Death.
Metaphor.	Disparity.
NO earthly Soldiers know what the Event or Issue of their Wars will be; they cannot tell whether they shall overcome, and get the Victory, or not; though they be never so valiant and courageous in their Service, and faithful and true to their Captain and Leader.	BUt a true Christian knows, and is assured, that he shall overcome, and obtain the Victory. He fights not at an uncertainty, the Issue of the War being made known unto him by Christ in his Word. And altho a Christian may sometimes doubt of the Truth of his own Sincerity; yet being sincere, he doth not doubt of obtaining the Conquest.
II. Earthly Soldiers many times lose their Limbs and precious Lives in Fight; and it is not in the Power of the wisest Captain in the World, to repair or make up that Loss again.	II. But Christ's Soldiers never engage their Enemies to the Loss of Limbs or Life itself in his Cause, but he can restore it with great Advantage. He that loveth his Life, shall lose it; but he that hateth his Life in this World, shall keep it unto Life eternal.
III. Soldiers are armed with carnal Weapons, and fight with Men like themselves, and yet many times are overcome, and lose the Victory.	III. But Saints fight with spiritual Weapons, and not only with Men like themselves, but with the Devil, and his infernal Crew; and yet through Christ their Captain they get the Victory. For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, &c. For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities and Powers, &c.

Inferences.

THese things being so, let all true Christians take Heart, and be valiant, and fear not the Face of Enemies.

1. Consider the Worth and Dignity of your Captain. Christians have the best Captain and Leader in the World.

(1.) He is of a most honorable Extraction, of a most high and noble Descent, the Heir of all things, the Father's First-born, the express Image of his Person: He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lord's; and he is (saith one) Generalissimo of all his Majesty's Forces in Heaven and Earth.

(2.) Consider his Strength and Valour: He hath an Omnipotent Arm, and is of a most valiant, undaunted, courageous, and heroic Spirit. What was Sampson, Gideon, David, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Skanderbeg, or any other mighty Warrior, to the Lord Jesus? This is he who cuts in pieces the Gates of Brass, and breaks asunder the Bars of Iron; that hath the Keys of Death and Hell; that flew Rahab, and wounded the Dragon; who is terrible to the Kings of the Earth, and will come upon Princes as upon Mortar. This is He that is the Terror of Devils, the Dread of Mortals, who will make other Captains tremble, and cry out to the Rocks and Mountains to hide them in the Day of his Wrath.

(3.) Consider his Wisdom. His Skill and Policy far exceeds the Craft and Subtilty of all the Machiavellian Politicians in the World. He knows how to assault and harm his Enemies, and to carry on, and bring off, to preserve and defend his People, and faithful Soldiers. Let Men and Devils be never so skillful and politick, Christ knows how to outwit them, and over-reach them all. He knows where all their Mines are digged, where all their Forces, Flankers, and Ambuscadoes do lie; He knows their Plot, and how laid this day against his Interest, Gospel, and Covenant-People, in this and other Nations; He knows how to confound them, and catch them in their own Craftiness, and to bring them to Shame. He is wonderful in Counsel, and mighty in Working. He hath an Omniscient Eye, as well as an Omnipotent Hand. He makes his Countermines, and blows them up, or burieth them in the Pit they have digged. He outshoots the Devil and the Wicked in their own Bow. He will bring down the Beast, and Whore, and all their Abettors, and make them ashamed of their Hope. Mark the Issue of this present Dispensation. See Captain in the First Volume, and God a Man of War.

2. Consider the Excellency of your Cause, which is just and righteous.

3. The Goodness of your Call, against which nothing can be objected.

4. For your further Encouragement, consider the Strength of your Fortifications: They are all impregnable, and impenetrable, of most invincible Strength. Your Out-Works, your Walls, your Bulwarks, your Forts and Towers, all your Defense is admirable. The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower. Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks. O how formidable and terrible are the Attributes and Threatenings of God to his Enemies!

5. Consider, Tho your Number be the fewest, yet your Side is the strongest; God is for us, and on our Side: With them is the Arm of Flesh, but with us the Lord our God, to fight for us. How many, said Antigonor, will you reckon me for? Poor Mortal! How many then may we reckon God, Christ, the Holy Ghost for? The whole Trinity is engaged for us.

6. Consider, Tho your Service be hard, and Conflict sharp, yet it will be short. It is but a little while, and your Enemy shall trouble you no more. Our light Afflictions which are but for a moment, &c.

7. Consider, the Devils, and all other Enemies, though never so potent, cruel, and malicious, yet they are all conquered and spoiled: Having spoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a Shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. The Romans were wont in a triumphant manner to carry those they had conquered about with them, and to brandish their Swords, and display their Colours, and carry their Arms in open View, as Trophies and Emblems of Victory: So the Lord Jesus, having conquered Satan, and the Powers of Hell, rode as it were in Triumph through their Kingdom, (the Air) and made a Shew of them openly, as a glorious Victor. 2. Again, the World is subdued: Be of good cheer, saith Christ, I have overcome the World. And we through him are hereby made more than Conquerors. Come Tribulation, Distress, Persecution, &c. with all their Blackness, Darkness, Threats, and Terror; what will they do? Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? or hinder us of eternal Life. 3. Death is subdued, Christ hath got the Victory over that. What Joy and Comfort is this to Believers, to hear that all their Enemies are conquered; your Captain-General hath broken them all to pieces.

6. The Enemy cannot hurt you; the worst you can meet with will work for your Good.

9. Consider, Tho you meet with hard Things, Christ can and will make them easy to you. All your Wounds he can heal, and all your broken Bones he can set. The more you suffer for Christ, the greater your Reward will be.

10. Consider what great and glorious Pay you shall have in the end. Is not a Kingdom, a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away, worth fighting and striving for?

11. Look to Christ, remember what he hath done and suffered for you; and consider what many Saints have endured for his sake before you, that were most precious in God's sight. Is it not better to suffer here, than to suffer in Hell? What is the Pain and Sorrow of the Godly in this Life, to the everlasting Pains and Torments of the Damned in the World to come? Get much Faith, and provide yourselves with all your Armor, and the right Use of it, the Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head. Get your Hearts loose from the World: No Man that warreth, entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life. Labor for much Love to God. It was a notable Saying of Mr. Bland the Martyr, when he was at the Stake: This Death (saith he) is more dear to me than Thousands of Gold and Silver; such Love, O Lord, hast thou laid up in my Breast, that I hunger for thee. Take heed you consult not with carnal Reason; rely wholly upon Christ, and never consult thy present Strength with thy future Sufferings. Take heed you do not overvalue your Lives. Alas! you cannot live long; what if you die a little sooner than you might do according to the Course of Nature? Also consider, is it not better if God calls you to it, to glorify him by dying, than to die otherwise? Remember, You are not your own; let God therefore make what Improvement of you he pleases.

Lastly; Pray continually, pray always, for this is the way to overcome. Prayer hath done wonderfully. And this is one great Thing that is enjoined on the Christian Soldier.

Ephes. 6.18. Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication, in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perseverance, and Supplication for all Saints, and for me, &c.

HEre are two Things to be noted:

1. A Duty enjoined, Prayer.
2. Blessed Directions about it, Viz.

1. The Time, Always.

2. The Kinds, All Prayer and Supplication.

3. How, viz. (1.) In the Spirit. (2.) With Diligence. (3.) Constantly.

4. For whom; (1.) For all Saints. (2.) More particularly, for the Preachers of the Gospel.

Note. Soldiers of Christ ought to pray, to be much in Prayer, to pray always, to pray in the Spirit, to pray for themselves, and to pray for others also.

First; Tho we are to pray always: Yet there are some special Times for this Duty. Prayer is twofold, 1. Ordinary, 2. Extraordinary. We must in some Seasons more especially be at this Duty, to pray hard, to pray mightily, &c.

Quest. What is meant by praying always?

Answ. 1. It is as much as to say, Pray in everything, according to that Word, Phil. 4.6. In everything, by Prayer and Supplication, let your Requests be made known to the Lord. Some pray in nothing they do. In all thy Ways acknowledge him.

2. In all Conditions, in a full State, in a naked State, in Poverty, in Plenty, in Sickness, in Health, in Prosperity, and in Adversity.

3. For every Thing we need, for Spirituals, for Temporals, so far as God seeth them good for us.

4. Daily, frequently, Morning and Evening. David said to Mephihosheth, Thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually. He cannot mean, thou shalt do dothing but eat, (he would not have him to be such a Cormorant) but commonly every day, &c.

5. To have a Heart always for this Duty, to be always fit and ready for this sacred Ordinance.

Quest. What are those special Times and Seasons for Prayer? Or when is extraordinary Prayer to be made?

Ans. 1. When a Saint hath any great Work to do for God, or eminent Business and Service for his Church. See Nehem. 1.5. Acts 4.2, 9. When Abraham's Servant had special Work to do for his Master, he was much in Prayer.

2. When a Saint is in the dark concerning any one Truth of God, and cannot get Satisfaction, then 'tis a Time for extraordinary Prayer. When Daniel was at a loss about the Time of Deliverance out of Captivity, how much did he give himself to Prayer!

3. When a gracious Soul is under any sore and grievous Affliction. David in his Distress and Affliction cried mightily to God. Is any afflicted? let him pray; that is, let him be more abundantly in that Duty. James 5.13.

4. When Sin abounds, or in a Day of great Rebuke and Blasphemy: When Hell seems to be let loose, or the Flood-gates of Wickedness opened wide in a Nation, then it is a Time for the Godly to be much in Prayer. Jer. 13.19. Isa. 37.23.

5. In Times of great Distress upon the Church; when the Danger is imminent, as at this Day; this is a Time for extraordinary Prayer. See Isa. 22. When many Nations came up against Judah, then Jehoshaphat cried mightily to Heaven, 2 Chron. 20.12. When Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, and cut off Israel at once, and the Writings were sealed, and sent forth, then Esther and the godly Ones pray mightily. Thus did Jacob, when his Brother was coming to meet him, fearing he would cut off the Mother with the Child; how did he then wrestle with God!

6. In Times of Temptation. When Christ was assaulted, and his Hour was come, he prayed hard, he spent a whole Night in Prayer, Mat. 26.44. And what saith he to his Disciples? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into Temptation. When Paul had that Thorn in the Flesh, the Messenger of Satan to buffet him, he besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him. That three times (as some conclude) might be threescore times.

7. Lastly; In a Time of great Expectation, when great Things are near, and much looked for. When Daniel expected great Things, understanding by Books, Deliverance to the Church was at hand, he set himself to seek God. Dan. 9.2.

Secondly; Consider, Prayer is a great Ordinance. And that doth appear,

1. In respect of God; it gives him the Glory of three great Attributes.

(1.) Of his Omnisciency: We hereby acknowledge, that he knows our Wants and Necessities: All my Desires are before thee, and my Groanings are not hid from thee.

(2.) His Omnipotency. We acknowledge, in our crying to God, and relying upon him in this Duty, that he is able to help us, and supply all our Wants.

(3.) It gives him the Glory of his Goodness: O thou that hearest Prayer. A Saint knows, and confesseth hereby (if he pray aright) that God is willing and ready to help and save him.

2. Prayer is a great Ordinance, if we consider the Power and Prevalency of it Luther ascribed to Prayer a kind of Omnipotency. It hath prevailed over Fire, Water, and Earth; it hath stop'd the Sun in its Course. It hath prevailed over evil Angels it hath cast the Devil out, and broke his Kingdom down. It hath had Power over the good Angels, as appears in the Case of Elisha; it fetched them from Heaven to be his Guard and Protection, 2 King. 9.6, 17. Nay, it hath prevailed with Christ himself, the Angel of the Covenant, as appears in Jacob 's Case: As a Prince, thou hast wrestled with God, and hast prevailed. It hath healed the Sick, raised the Dead, stop'd the Lion's Mouth, and hath subdued and put to flight the Armies of Aliens; hath opened Prison-Doors, and broke in pieces Chains, Gates, and Bars of Iron and Brass. There is none of the battering Rams, or Artillery of Hell can stand against it. 'It is like an Engine (as one observes) that makes the Persecutors tremble; and woe to them that are the Buts and Marks that it is level'd at, when it is fired with the Fire of the Spirit, and discharged in the Strength of Faith. 'It is said, Mary Queen of Scots dreaded more the Prayers of Mr. Knox, than an Army of Twenty Thousand Men; she had more cause, than an Army of Ten Hundred Thousand. 'It is said of the Witnesses, that They have Power to shut Heaven, that it rain not in the Days of their Prophecy; and have Power over Waters, to turn them into Blood, and to smite the Earth with Plagues, as often as they will. How do they this, but by Prayer?

3. That Prayer is a great Ordinance, will appear, if we consider the Promises made to it, 2 Cor. 7.14. Psal. 50.15. Mat. 21.22. Job 15.7.

4. That it is a great Ordinance, will appear, if we consider how it co-works with all other Ordinances and Duties, to make them effectual, whether Moral or Evangelical: Every thing is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer.

5. That Prayer is a great Ordinance, doth appear by the Influences it hath over all our Graces. (1.) 'It is the Means for getting Grace; hereby a Soldier of Christ obtains his Armor. (2.) And for the Increase of Grace, in order to the acting of it. (3.) For the evidencing of Grace. It is that which brings the Soul into God's Presence, and fills it with Divine Joy and Peace in believing.

6. It is the Divine Breath of the Soul; can a Man live longer than he breaths? A Saint dies, when he quite ceaseth Praying.

Quest. What hinders or obstructs the Answer of the Saint's Prayer?

Answ. 1. When we pray not according to God's Will; God's Will must be the Rule of our Prayers. And this is the Confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his Will, he heareth us.

2. When the End or Aim of a Man is not right: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it on your Lusts.

3. When we pray not in Faith; Unbelief hinders the Answer of Prayer: But let him ask in Faith, nothing wavering, &c.

4. When Endeavors after the things we want, are not joined with our Prayers. As we have a Mouth to beg, we must have a Hand to work.

5. When any one Sin resteth in the Bosom unrepented of: If I regard Iniquity in my Heart, the Lord will not hear me, &c.

6. When we are not fervent. Prayer must be with Affection unto God.

7. When we pray not in Spirit. Our Spirits must pray; and not only so, but if the Spirit of God doth not act and assist our Spirits, our Prayers will not prevail.

8. When we are not constant in the Duty. We must be importunate and constant, pray always, and not faint, if we would have our Prayers heard.

9. When we come not to God in the Name of Christ, the Door is shut. We must ask in Christ's Name, and come to God by him, if we would be heard and accepted by him.

The Celestial Race: Or, the Saints compared to Runners.

1 Cor. 9.4. Know ye not, that they which run in a Race run all, but one receiveth the Prize: So run that ye may obtain.

Heb. 12.1. Let us lay aside every Weight, and the Sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us.

CHristianity, or the Life of a Christian, is in these Scriptures compared to a Race; So run that ye may obtain. A Christian is compared to a Man that runs a Race.

What sort of Race the Apostle principally alludes to, is not (as we conceive) so material; besides, many worthy Men do not agree about it, some being subject to think, the Apostle alludes to the Olympic Games. We shall therefore run the Parallel, with respect to such Things concerning a Race, which all generally agree in.

To run, is variously taken in Scripture. 1. To break through, Psal. 18.29. 2. To strive with the greatest Speed and Celerity, or to make haste, Prov. 1.26. 2 Kings 4.22. 3. Eagerly in Affection to be carried after. 1 Pet. 4.4. 4. To pass without Let, Psal. 147.15. 5. To labor with Earnestness. 6. To go forward, Gal. 5.7.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
A Man that runs in a Race, takes great care to begin well. It behooves him to be exact in his setting out, 1. In respect of Time, 2. In respect of Place; he observes the Place from whence he must begin to run. A little Time lost at the beginning of a Race is dangerous.	SO a Christian ought to take great care how he begins or sets out in the Race towards eternal Life. 1. In respect of Time, it behooveth him to set out early enough; he must not defer the great Concernment of his Soul; Delays are dangerous. Seek the Lord whilst he may be found, call upon him whilst he is near. I love them that love me, and they that seek me early, shall find me. Behold, now is the accepted Time; behold, now is the Day of Salvation! Some Men begin too late, they mind not the Call of God. To day if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts. Because I have called, and ye have refused, &c. — I also will laugh at your Calamity. Then they shall call upon me, but I will not answer. 2. They ought to observe the Place from which they must depart. He that would go to Zion, must leave Babylon; as he would go to Zoar, so he must depart out of Sodom. He must leave the Way of Sin, yea, all the evil Courses, Customs, Traditions, and Inventions of Men: Ye did run well, &c.
II. A Man that runs in a Race, ought to know the Way well which he is to run; if the Path be not plain before him, he is not like to win the Prize.	II. So a Christian ought to know the Way to Salvation, to be well-instructed in the Path of eternal Life. Christ is the Way: No Man (saith he) cometh unto the Father, but by me. There is no other Name under Heaven given, whereby we must be saved. 1. Christ is the Way, as a Priest, who offered himself up as as a Sacrifice to God for us, to atone and make Peace between the Father and us. 2. Christ is the Way, as a King, who hath appointed us Laws and Ordinances, which we must obey and follow, to manifest our Subjection unto him: I will run the Way of thy Commandments. 3. As a Prophet, who hath laid down all Rules and heavenly Directions necessary for us in Matters of Faith and Practice, whom we must hear in all things. 4. Christ is the Way, in that holy Example he hath left, that we should follow his Steps. A Saint observes the very Footsteps of Christ, and of the Primitive Church; he sees the good old Way plain before him, as it is recorded in the holy Scripture, and thereby knoweth which way to steer his Course.
III. A Man that runs in a Race, must see to put himself in a fit Equipage. He puts off his upper Clothes, and gets meet and necessary Garments for the purpose; because the Clothes that a Man usually wears, would much encumber him in his Running.	III. So a Man that would set out in the spiritual Race, or in a speedy Course towards Salvation, must cast off the Rags of his own Righteousness, and put on the Righteousness of Jesus Christ by Faith; for that Garment, with the Garment of Holiness and Humility, is only necessary, and must be put on by all that would run the Race set before them, so as to obtain the Prize.
IV. A Man that would run in a Race, so as to obtain the Prize, must lay aside all Weights whatsoever: For all know, that if a Man have a Weight or Burden on him, it will greatly hinder or obstruct him in his running; nay, if he doth not cast it off, it will soon cause him to be weary, and faint in the Way.	IV. So a Christian that would run in this heavenly Race, must cast off every spiritual Weight. This the Apostle directly counsels the Saints to do: Let us lay aside every Weight, and the Sin that doth so easily beset us; and let us run with Patience the Race set before us. Now these Weights are, 1. The inordinate Affections. Our Hearts must not be set upon Things below, not inordinately upon Father or Mother, Son or Daughter, House or Land; for he whose Heart runs out in a covetous manner after the World, as the Prophet shows, is like a Man that is laden with thick Clay. It is impossible for a Man to run this Race with the World upon his Back. What was it that weighed down the young Man in the Gospel, that came running to Christ, who seemed to be in a full speed towards eternal Life? Was it not the inordinate Love to the World? 2. Sin; Sin is a Weight: That Sin that doth so easily beset us. Some understand, the Sin of Unbelief is meant hereby; others, a Man's Constitution-Sin, or the Sin of his Nature, that which he is most easily overtaken with, whether it be Pride, Passion, &c. Sin, yea, every Sin must be cast off, take it how you will, (though I rather adhere to the latter) if a Man would so run as to obtain; for nothing like Guilt tends to make a Christian grow weary, and faint in his Mind.
V. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, must not be overcharged with inordinate Eating and Drinking; for Experience shows, how that unfits a Man for running a Race, or for any other Enterprize whatever. And a Man that striveth for Mastery, is temperate in all things.	V. So a Christian must take heed he be not overcharged in a spiritual Sence; there is spiritual Gluttony and Drunkenness spoken of in Scripture. Hence saith our Savior, Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting, Drunkenness, and the Cares of this Life, and so that Day come upon you unawares. What is meant by Surfeiting, Drunkenness, &c. but all kind of loose Living, 1 Thess. 5.7. wanton Riotousness, excessive Delight in, or Desire after the Pleasures of this World, &c. Or on the other hand, being overwhelmed, and sorely afflicted or perplexed with inordinate Cares about earthly Matters? All these things must be avoided by those, who would run the spiritual Race so as to obtain the Prize.
VI. A Man that would run in a Race, so as to obtain the Prize, must see he doth not lessen his Pace; he must run swiftly, and run constantly; if he loiter, or grow careless, and idle, no wonder if he lose the Prize.	VI. So a Christian must run with speed, he must be very diligent, swift-footed, which is signified by running; and also he must be even in his Course. He must not be like the Galatians, only run well for a Time, but continue always to the end the same Pace, i. e. keep in a constant Course of godly Zeal and Holiness, according to that of the Apostle, We desire that everyone of you do show the same Diligence, to the full assurance of Hope to the end. Some Men seem very zealous in a Fit, they are all on a Flame (as it were) none more forward and lively in God's Ways, and in his holy Worship, than they; but on a sudden ofttimes (as hath been observed) they flag, and grow weary. It may be, as the Proverb is, a zealous Apprentice, a lukewarm Journey-man, and a quite cold Master.
VII. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, ought to be strong and healthy. A distempered Person, or one that falls sick in the Way, is not likely to obtain the Prize; a consumptive Man, or one that hath feeble Knees, or a distempered Heart, is not likely to hold out.	VII. So a Christian, that runs the heavenly Race, ought to labor after spiritual Strength: Be strong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might. Thou therefore, my Son, be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. Distempers are as subject to seize upon the Soul, as upon the Body, viz. the Tympany of Pride, the Feaver of Passion, the Trembling of the Heart through slavish Fear, the Stone of a hard Heart, the spiritual Consumption, or Decay of Grace; Want of Breath, or Difficulty in breathing out constant and fervent Prayers and Desires to God, or any other Decay of the inward Man, or Disease of the Soul. If any of these seize upon a Christian in his Course to eternal Life, without sp • edy Cure, they will cause him to faint, and fall short of the blessed Prize.
VIII. A Man that runs in a Race, if he falls lame in the Way, is not likely to obtain the Prize.	VIII. So that Christian that falleth lame (in a spiritual Sence) in the Race to Glory, is in danger of miscarrying. Make strait Paths for your Feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the Way, but rather let it be healed. Some by Lameness understand Want of Sincerity, when there is a Work upon one Faculty of the Soul, and not upon another; i. e. When the Conscience is awakened, and the Understanding somewhat enlightened, and yet the Will and Affection is for Sin and the World. This Man is lame, he is no sound Man, he goes limping as it were along; he will not run long, as he runs not well. Others by Lameness understand more directly, a wavering Mind about some main Truths of the Gospel, or about the public and visible owning and professing of Christ and the Gospel, in respect of those Truths that are most opposed by Men, in the Day and Generation in which we live. Some are like those in the Prophet Elijah 's Time, they halt between two Opinions, stand wavering between God and Baal, and know not which to cleave to, whether to the Protestant, or Popish Religion. Now these are lame Professors; they are corrupt, or not sincere; they will not, unless healed, hold out to the end of the Race, but be turned out of the Way.
IX. A Man that meets with bad Way in running a Race, is thereby many times hard put to it, and in danger of losing the Prize: As when he is forced to run up-hill a great while together, or meets with a rough and untrodden Path, or is fain to run through a deep Mire, or a very dirty Lane; this tries his Strength, Courage, and Resolution.	IX. So when a Christian meets with hard Things, or passeth through great Difficulties in his Way to Heaven, he is much put to it, viz. when he is forced to mount the Hill of Opposition, and pass over the Style of carnal Reason, and through the perilous Lane of Persecution, and Valley of the Shadow of Death; Being accounted all the Day long as a Sheep for the Slaughter. He then is tried to purpose. Many that have set out Heavenwards in a Day of Peace and Prosperity, have in a Time of Tribulation and Persecution grown weary, or being offended, have fallen away.
X. Men that run in a Race, have many Spectators, who steadfastly look upon them, to see how they run, and who will win; some hoping one will gain the Prize, and others hoping the same Man will lose it.	X. So the Saints of God have many and eminent Spectators, who steadfastly look upon them, with great Expectation, to see how they behave themselves, whilst they run the Celestial Race, viz. God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit, the one Almighty and Eternal God. Yea, and all the holy Angels, on the same side, behold them with great Earnestness, hoping they will hold out to the end, and obtain the Crown of everlasting Glory, and to that purpose help and encourage them in their Course. On the other side, there are all the Devils, or wicked Angels, who have their Eyes upon them for evil, who do not only hope and long to see them grow weary and faint in their Minds, but also strive, as much as in them lies, to hinder and resist them in their Race, so that they may lose the Prize.
XI. Some Men run a great while, and afterwards grow weary, and slack their Pace, nay, quite give over running, and so lose the Prize.	XI. So some Professors seem to run well, to be zealous for God and Religion a great while, it may be for many Years together; but when Trouble arises, or Temptation seizes upon them, they grow weary, and indifferent about these Matters, and (with Demas ) cleave to this present evil World, and so turn with the Dog to his Vomit again, and lose Eternal Life.
XII. Some Men that have run in a Race, have run for a great Prize, yea, for a Crown, (as some have observed) and when they have won it, have been praised exceedingly, it being esteemed a mighty Honor; it hath not only enriched them, but been to their great Renown and Glory.	XII. So the Saints of God, who run this heavenly Race, run for a great Prize, viz. a Crown of Glory. And every Man that striveth for the Mastery, is temperate in all things: Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown, but we an incorruptible. Be thou faithful unto Death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life. I have (saith Paul) fought the good Fight, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of of Righteousness, which God the Righteous Judge will give me at that Day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. This Prize will not only enrich the Soul that obtains it, but raise his Renown and Glory to Eternity. He shall be honored of all, nay, he is the Man whom the King delights to honor: They shall sit down with Christ on his Throne, &c.
XIII. The Man that runs, who resolves to win the Prize, breaks through all Difficulties, will not regard any vain Allurements, but presses on with his utmost Strength, Celerity and Speed imaginable; the Thoughts of the rich Prize animating his Mind, and prompting him on so to do.	XIII. So a true Christian, who resolves for Heaven, he makes haste, he breaks through all Difficulties, and regards not the Golden Balls Satan throws in his Path, viz. none of the vain Allurements of this World, but with his uttermost Strength, Celerity, and Eagerness of Affection, presseth forward. I press towards the Mark, &c. He strives to enter in at the strait Gate. He strives against Satan, against the World, against Sin, strives in Reading, in Hearing, in Praying, being greatly animated and encouraged thus to do, by seeing him who is invisible (to the natural Eye) and by having a Sight of the excellent Reward, or that glorious Crown and Kingdom he knows he shall receive, when he comes to the end of the Race.
Metaphor.	Disparity.
SOme Men in running a Race do their best; they do whatever in them lieth to obtain the Prize, but nevertheless lose it.	BUt now a Christian, whoever he be, that doth his best, does what he can in all Uprightness of Heart, to believe, to close in with Christ, to love, serve, and obey him, shall never miss of eternal Life. Never was any Man damned, saith a worthy Minister, that did what he could to be saved.
II. Many run in a Race, but one only obtains the Prize.	II. But though Thousands run in this spiritual Race, yet they may all obtain the Prize.

Inferences.

WE may infer from hence, That the Work and Business of a Christian is hard and difficult; Heaven is not obtained without running, wrestling, striving, warring, &c.

2. That many Professors, who set out Heaven-ward, and run well a little while, are not like notwithstanding to obtain eternal Life; 'tis only he that endureth to the end, that shall be saved.

3. It may also inform us what the Reason is, that so many Persons faint or grow weary in this spiritual Race. (1.) Their Weights which they have upon him may occasion it. Or, (2.) The Way being bad, or up-hill. (3.) Their not being temperate in all things. (4.) Their being diseased or lame. (5.) Satan beguiling them with his Golden Balls. (6.) They being not thoroughly affected with the Worth of that glorious Prize they run for. (7.) By means of their trusting in their own Strength, &c. (8.) Their growing lazy, loving present Ease, &c. (9.) And lastly, which is the Sum of all, their not being truly converted, never effectually wrought upon by the Spirit of Grace.

4. It may serve to stir us all up to the greatest Diligence imaginable, to the end. Whatsoever we meet with in the Way, Heaven will make amends for all.

Saints compared to Salt.

Mat. 5.13. Ye are the Salt of the Earth; but if the Salt have lost its Savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and trodden under Foot of Men.

BElievers, as well as Ministers, are called by our Savior the Salt of the Earth; for Christ preached this Sermon not only to his Apostles, but to all the Disciples; it is not appropriated to Ministers alone, but to all Believers.

Why the Godly are and may be compared to Salt, is briefly opened in the following Parallel.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
SAlt is very profitable, it keeps and preserves Meat from putrifying, which would soon stink, corrupt, and perish, was it not for it. Salt (as one saith) is the Blossom of Nature, it is mingled with all mixed Bodies, and preserves them from Corruption.	SO the Godly are most profitable in all the Earth. 1. They keep the World from being totally corrupted by evil and pestilent Errors and Heresy. (2.) From being spoiled by Profaneness and Hellish Debauchery. They by their holy Lives, Doctrine, and gracious Deportment, put a check to the over-spreading Wickedness of those Places where they live. The World would soon grow much worse than it is, were it not for the Saints and People of God; it would stink, and be so abominable in God's sight, that he would not endure it any longer. And besides, God many times spares a People, Family, and Nation, for the sake of the Righteous who dwell among them. The Godly are the Interest of People and Nations, (as is elsewhere shown.) Had there been but a little more of this spiritual Salt in Sodom, viz. but ten righteous Ones, it might have continued to this day. And he said, O let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once, Peradventure Ten shall be found there, &c. And He said, I will not destroy it for Ten's sake. Nay, though there was scarce ever a godly Soul in it, but righteous Lot; yet what said the Angel? Haste thee, escape thither, for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. As Zoar was saved for Lot 's sake, so Sodom could not be set on fire, till he was out of it. Again, was not Joseph the Interest of Potiphar 's House? was not his Master blessed for his sake? And was not Laban, and what he had, blessed for Jacob 's sake? And was not the whole House of Israel and Judah preserved and saved from utter Ruin, for the sake of a holy Remnant that was amongst them. Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a very small Remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and been like unto Gomorrah.
II. Salt draws putrifying Humors out of Meat; it is of a purging and cleansing quality.	II. So gracious Christians, by their Doctrine and holy Example, and in particular, Preachers, draw out Rottenness and Filth from the Hearts and Tongues of Men.
III. Salt seasons Meat, and makes it savoury.	III. The godly Christian by his Wisdom seasons, the Minds of good Men. Hence Sapientia is derived à Sapore, from Savour. The Latins express wise and witty Speeches, pleasant Discourse, a good Grace in speaking, and Salt, by the same Word. This agrees with that of the Apostle: Let your Speech be always with Grace, seasoned with Salt, that ye may know how to answer every Man.
IV. Salt is of a hot and fiery Nature; being cast into the Fire, it sparkles, and burns furiously.	IV. So Christ's Disciples are by the Spirit made hot, fervent, and zealous for God, and his Truth; yet this Heat should be mingled with Discretion, lest they fly out, as those did who called for Fire from Heaven.
V. Salt stirs up Thirst.	V. So the good Example of Christians stir up others to thirst after Christ, and heavenly Things. We should not so much look for Examples from others, as give Examples ourselves.
VI. Salt makes Meat fit for Food, and meet to be received by such as want it.	VI. So by the Salt of a holy Conversation, or a good Life, in them that preach and profess the Gospel, the Word becomes fit to be received. This makes it relish, and this way a Preacher or Professor may be said to season his own Doctrine. And on the other hand, how unsavory doth that good Doctrine seem to be, and what little Relish is there in it, that is preached by an unholy and unsanctified Person?
VII. Salt may lose its Savour, and become good for nothing, but to be trodden under Feet of Men. It is not fit for the Land, nor yet for the Dunghill, but Men cast it out. Naturalists tell us, that Salt having lost its Savour, being laid upon Land, it causeth Barrenness.	VIII. So Professors, if they lose their Savour, if they become vain, vicious, and carnal in their Conversations, what are they good for? A Christian to turn an Apostate; he that seemed once savoury and serious in his Words and Behavior, to become filthy, unclean, proud, ambitious, covetous, &c. is one of the worst of Men; such are fit for nothing but to be cast into Hell. Of these the Apostle speaks, It is impossible to renew them again by Repentance, &c. Unsavoury Professors, and wicked Apostates, tend to make the Church barren; they hinder the Increase thereof.

Inferences.

HOw unsavory is the World! Sinners by Nature are loathsome and stinking in God's Sight: Their Throats are like open Sepulchers.

2. It shows Saints their Duty, which is to season others. They should season the Place, Town, Family where they live: (1.) By good Doctrine. (2.) By a good Conversation. (3.) By good Counsel. Jacob told his Sons, Simeon and Levi, by their slaying the Shechemites, they made him to stink among the Inhabitants of the Land. The Speech, as well as the Practice of Christians, should be a seasoning and savoury Pattern, that it may administer Grace to the Hearers, and Observers thereof.

3. O let it stir up every Christian, as well Preachers as others, to be savoury! How can we season others, if the Salt hath lost its Savour? Take heed of scandalous Sins. (1.) By these the Name of the Lord is blasphemed. (2.) Religion brought to Contempt and Reproach. (3.) The Hearts of all sincere Ones greatly grieved. (4.) The Conversion of Sinners hindered. (5.) Men's Damnation furthered. Hence saith Christ, Woe be to the World because of Offences.

But on the other hand, (1.) A holy and savoury Life makes a Man lift up his Head with much Boldness, though reproached: Whose Ox have I taken, or whose Ass? Or of whose hands have I received a Bribe? (2.) It tends to stop the Mouths of the Wicked, 1 Pet. 3.16. (3.) It is many times not only a Means of Conviction, but Conversion of others; nay, and of such as will not be won by the Word: 1 Pet. 3.1.

4. If Saints are the Salt of the Earth, and Interest of Nations, it shows the Folly of those wicked Men, that strive to root them up, and turn them out of the World.

5. Lastly; It may caution all that profess the Gospel, against Apostasy. Remember Lot 's Wife. She for not being savoury, or for looking back, was turned into a Pillar of Salt, nay, and into a standing Pillar, &c. May not one Reason of it be this, viz. To show, that that very Example of God's Severity upon her, might serve, or be sufficient to season all Christians, to the end of the World, against Apostasy, or looking back?

Saints compared to Merchants.

Mat. 13.45, 46. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant-Man, seeking goodly Pearls, who when he had found one Pearl of great Price, &c.

Simile.	Parallel.
A Merchant is a great Dealer in the Things of the World.	A True Christian is a great Dealer in the Things of Heaven; his Affections are set upon those Things that are above, where Christ fitteth at the Righthand of God.
II. The best and greatest Merchants trade and deal in the richest and choicest Things on Earth, viz. Jewels, Pearls, &c.	II. The true Christian desireth, and seeketh after the Riches of Grace, and Riches of Glory, called Pearls, which are of the greatest Value and Worth, in which he may be most happy. He seeketh for Pearls, but he fixeth most upon the Pearl of greatest Price, Jesus Christ.
III. Merchants in their first Trading are not so skillful in their Merchandize, as they are afterwards, when by commercing with other Merchants, they have found out the true Worth of their Merchandize, and the manner of their Dealings.	III. So the true Christian, when he is first concerned in the Matters of Christianity, is not so skillful as afterward, when he hath by Christian Converse found out the Worth of spiritual Things, and the Deceitfulness of Satan, the World, and his own Heart, together with the Faithfulness of God.
IV. Merchants are most careful of their Concerns, when they have met with some Loss; then they begin to fear they shall be undone, if such Losses increase upon them.	IV. Christians are most careful in their spiritual and eternal Concernments, when they have met with some spiritual Losses, and are attended with a holy Fear, lest eternal Ruin should follow.
V. Merchants that deal in precious Stones, are very careful lest they should be deceived with counterfeit Stones, which are very like the true Ones.	V. The true Christian is very careful lest he should he deceived in his Spiritualities, viz. have a false Faith, a false Repentance, and a false Obedience, and counterfeit Grace, which may be very like the true.
VI. Merchants trade to Foreign Parts or Countries; their chief Concerns come from thence, whereby they grow rich.	VI. True Christians have their chief Concerns from Heaven, whereby they grow spiritually rich. Heaven is called a far Country.
VII. Merchants have Correspondents in those Countries to which they trade, who receive their Merchandize which they send, and make Returns of more gainful Things.	VII. The true Christian hath his Correspondent in Heaven, who manageth all his Concerns, viz. Jesus Christ the Righteous; He is their Advocate and Intercessor, he appears in Heaven for them, Heb. 9.24. He receives their Duties, and makes Returns of Mercy; He will receive their Tears of Godly Sorrow, and return the Oil of Joy. Thou puttest my Tears into thy Bottle, &c.
VIII. Merchants are strongly engaged by the Profitableness of their Trade, to follow it very close. O how diligent are Merchants, when they find Riches come in apace upon them!	VIII. So should it be with true Christians; the Gainfulness of Godliness should engage them to follow the heavenly Trade more closely, because it hath the Promise of the Life that now is, and that which is to come; for Time and Eternity is little enough to make up the Revenues of a godly Life; what Time cannot do, Eternity shall.
IX. Merchants are diligent in attending the Exchange, where they have an account of their Foreign Affairs, and also an Opportunity to trade further, either in selling or buying; and they that are negligent in this Matter, do give just cause of Suspicion, that they will soon fail, and cease to be Merchants.	IX. True Christians do make Conscience, and exercise a godly Care in attending the Meetings of the Saints, in their solemn Worshipping of God, whereby they get Understanding and Knowledge of their Affairs in Heaven, as managed by Jesus Christ. And there they have the Opportunity to put off spiritual Duties, and receive heavenly Blessings. And such as do neglect this Practice, may justly be suspected that in a little time they will cease to be Christians.
X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their Accompts; they are often in their Compting-Houses. They who are wise, will be sure their Books are well kept, and that their Accompts are in good Order, that so they may see a good End of their Affairs, and enjoy Comfort in the Management thereof.	X. True Christians are, and ought to be very careful in keeping up their Closet and secret Communion with God, by private Prayer, and Self-Examination, that so they may give their Account up to God with Joy, and not with Grief; and may also enjoy divine Consolation in the faithful Performance of the Duties of Christianity.

Saints compared to Pilgrims.

Heb. 11.13. They confessed, that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth.

1 Pet. 2.11. I beseech you, as Strangers and Pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly Lusts, that war against the Spirit.

Note. The Saints of God are in these Scriptures compared to Strangers and Pilgrims.

Simile.	Parallel.
A Pilgrim is one that travelleth from one Place to another, and is far from home.	THe Saints of God are spiritual Travelers, they are far from their Father's House, Heaven is their everlasting Home, and thither they are going. All the holy Patriarchs and Prophets confessed they were Pilgrims on the Earth. Jacob said, The Days of the Years of my Pilgrimage, (rather than the Days of my Life, ) because of the Uncertainty of his Abode here, and in respect of his removing from Place to Place.
II. A Pilgrim that sets out in a long Journey, takes care to free himself of all manner of Weights, and unnecessary Burthens, and whatsoever else may tend to weary, or unfit him for his Journey.	II. So the spiritual Pilgrim, when he first sets out in the Ways of God, lays aside every Weight, and the Sin that doth so easily beset him. It greatly behooves him so to do; for one Sin carried in the Bosom, or the inordinate Love to any Thing or Person of this World, will prove of dreadful consequence to him. The young Man in the Gospel had gone a great way, seemed to be a very zealous Pilgrim; but he had such a cruel Burthen upon his Shoulders, that he tired before he came to the end of his Journey. Covetousness, or an unsatisfied Desire after the Things of this World, is compared to a Burthen, or Load of thick Clay: Who enlargeth his Desires as Hell, and cannot be satisfied, &c. Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his; how long? And to him that ladeth himself with thick Clay. Would not a Man that hath a long Journey to go, be laughed at, should he carry with him a heavy Burthen of Dirt and Rubbish? Such Fools are many Professors. See Runner.
III. A Pilgrim in his Travels goes up-hill and down-hill; sometimes he meets with good Way, and sometimes with bad Way: Sometimes he passeth over Stiles, and through dirty Lanes; and then again through green Fields and pleasant Pastures, and delightful Paths, till he comes to his desired Place.	III. So the Pilgrim that would travel to the New Jerusalem, meets with various Ways and Passages. 1. He must go out of the horrible Pit of Profaneness; that is Work enough for the first Day's Journey. 2. Through the Brook of sincere Repentance, or true Contrition, (for everyone that leaves open Profaneness, is not truly penitent.) 3. Down the Valley of Self-denial, a very difficult Passage. 4. Over the Mountains of Opposition; for the Devil and all will straightway make head against him. 5. Over the Style of carnal Reason: Immediatly I consulted not with Flesh and Blood. 6. Into the pleasant Ways of the New Covenant. 7. So upon the Top of the Rock of Ages, and there he may take a Prospect of his own Country.
IV. A Pilgrim, that hath a long and difficult Way to travel, is very thoughtful how to find the right Way, being a Stranger in that Country through which he must pass. And besides, being told there are many cross Ways and Turnings, and hard difficult Passages to find, he takes care therefore to get a good and skillful Guide, lest he should lose his Way.	IV. So the spiritual Pilgrim spares no Cost, omits no Study, to get the best Information imaginable, of the ready Way to the Land of Promise. He ceaseth not to inquire of such as pretend themselves to be Guides, and such as know the Way; but finding them to be short-fighted, and ignorant of the Way themselves, he seeks further. And as he goes along, one cries, This is the Way, another, That. Some bid him believe as the Church believes, and he shall never go astray. Others bid him co • form to the Laws of Men, and do whatever the Supreme Authority of the Nation doth enjoin in Matters of Faith and Religion. Others call upon him to be led wholly by the Light of his Conscience, and that will bring him unto the Land of Promise, the Place he longs for. And at last he meets with another, that seems yet to differ from them all, and greatly to slight and condemn one grand Fundamental God's Word holds forth, under plausible Pretences. He cries up Holiness, and just Living, which all confess is required; but in the mean time strives to persuade him to cast off the Satisfaction of Jesus Christ, and trust to his own Righteousness, or to refined Morality, rendering Faith in Christ crucified little more than a Fancy; and that the main Design of Christ in coming into the World was, only to be a Pattern of Holiness and Humility. But he perceiving the Danger great upon this account, and that none of these Pretenders could give any convincing Evidence why they should be believed, and their Counsel followed, above others, he rejected all their Directions, and resolved to be led by none of them, further than their Doctrine agreed with a certain Directory, which through the Grace of God he hath obtained, namely, the written Word of God; and that tells him plainly, The Way is Christ, viz. Christ, as a Priest, dying for him, to appease the Wrath of God, and make Atonement for his Sin, fulfilling the Law, and bringing in everlasting Righteousness. Christ, as a King, to subdue his Sin, and to rule and reign over him, according to those blessed and wholesome Laws, Ordinances, and Institutions, given forth by him, and left in his Word. Christ, as a Prophet, to teach and instruct him. Christ, as a holy Pattern and Example, to imitate and follow, so far as by the help of Grace he is able. [See Surety, Sin a Debt, The Word compared to Light, The Spirit to a Teacher and Guide. ] He hath learned of Christ to be holy, and is helped therein by the Holy-Ghost to excel his Neighbor, and denies all his Ungodliness, and worldly Lusts; and yet casts himself only on Christ, relying upon his Merits, laboring to be like him in all things, as the Apostle observes: He that hath this Hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pure. He lets his Sins go, nay, loathes that which is evil; he lives a mortified Life unto the World, and yet trusteth not to anything that he hath done, or can do, for eternal Life, knowing there is no Salvation but by Christ alone. He is as godly as any Socinian in the World, and yet magnifies the Riches of God's Grace, and Christ's Merits, so as not to expect Justification any other way.
V. A Pilgrim often meets with Trouble, and great Difficulties in his Way, by Winds, Storms, and Tempests, hard Weather, Cold, Frost and Snow, deep and bad Ways, and many Dangers, which he narrowly escapes.	V. So the spiritual Pilgrim is also exposed to many Difficulties in his Journey Heaven-wards. Terrible Storms sometimes arise, Winds of Persecution and Temptation blow so hard, that he is scarce able to stand upon his Legs. My Feet were almost gone, my Steps had well nigh slipped, &c. He is often beset with Crosses and Afflictions, that he is as a Man in the Mire, and can hardly get out.
VI. A Pilgrim is a Stranger in the Country through which he passeth; and being not known, he is much gazed on, and sometimes abused by the rude Rabble; all which he takes with patience, and makes no resistance.	VI. So the Godly are Strangers in this World: — And confessed, that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth. David breaks forth, Hold not thy peace at my Tears, for I am a Stranger with thee, and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were. Hence they are made oftentimes a Gazing-stock to Men, by Reproaches and Afflictions. And how grievously have they been abused by the wicked Rabble of the Earth, as Jesus Christ himself testifieth: If ye were of the World, the World would love its own; but because ye are not of the World, but I have chosen you out of the World, therefore the World hateth you. All these things will they do unto you, because they know not him that sent me.
VII. A Pilgrim is a Man that stayeth not long in a Place where he comes; he is but a Sojourner for a Night, and is gone; his Heart is upon his Journey.	VII. So the Saints of God have here no continuing City, but seek one to come. This is not their Rest; their Abode is here but as in a strange Land, and therefore they go forth on their spiritual Progress towards that City, that hath Foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.
VIII. A Pilgrim is not always in the same good Disposition of Body and Mind, fit and necessary for his Journey, but sometimes may be distempered, or grow dull and heavy, and out of Heart, upon the account of the great Difficulties that attend him, which when he is delivered and eased of, it much rejoiceth his Heart.	VIII. So a Saint is often attended with spiritual Distempers; his Heart is out of Frame, and in a very unfit Disposition for any Duty; the Troubles and Incumbrances of this Life dull and deaden his servant Desires after God, and make him go on heavily, nay, ready to tire him, and cause him to faint in his Mind: yet by the help of the Spirit, and serious Meditations of the Excellency of the Country to which he is travelling, he is soon quickened again, and gets fresh Strength and Resolution. He expostulateth the Case with himself after this manner: Shall wicked Men pursue after the Vanities of this World with such Pains and Unweariedness! and shall I be ready to faint, that have Assurance of a Crown of Glory at the end of my Journey! O how disproportionable are their Labors to their Gains! Blush, O my Soul, at thy own Neglects! and be astonished, either at their Diligence, or at thy own Sloth! Do they labor in the Fire for very Vanity? and wilt thou show such a sottish, dead, and unbelieving Frame of Heart, as not to pursue with more Zeal and Diligence after that glorious Country, and endless Felicity before thee? Is not Heaven worth striving for, and travelling to?
IX. A Pilgrim is glad when he meets with good Company in the Way, especially other Pilgrims, such as are travelling to the same Place to which he is going himself. What is more desirable to a Traveler, than a faithful Friend and Companion? This makes (saith one) evil things little, and good things great; by this sweet Society our Griefs are divided, and all our Joys are doubled. What Calamity is not intolerable, without a Friend, (a Companion)? And what Society is not ungrateful, if we have none to share with us in it? We suffer not so much, when we have some to condole and suffer with us; and we rejoice the more, when our Felicity gives a pleasure not only to ourselves, but to others also. If Solitude, and Want of Company, be so horrid, so dreadful a thing, it is not to be understood of the Want of Men, but of the Want of Friends, (meet Company) for it is a good Solitude, not to dwell with those that do not love us; and a Man would choose such a Hermitage, where he might not be troubled with them who bear no benevolous Affection to him. But for my part, I cannot think that Man to be happy, which hath no Friend to participate in his Pleasures. A Man may more easily bear the hardest Calamity with his Friend, than the greatest Felicity alone, &c.	IX. So a Saint, or spiritual Pilgrim, is glad when he meets with good and gracious Companions in his Journey to the Land of Promise. They that fear thee, will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in thy Word. I am a Companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy Precepts. What sweet Fellowship have God's Children one with another! How much doth their heavenly Converse and Communion refresh and cheer each others Hearts, under all their Sufferings and Hardships, which they meet with in their spiritual Pilgrimage? We took sweet Counsel together, and walked unto the House of God in Company. If earthly Society be so desirable, how pleasant is the Society of Saints, or Communion with those we shall dwell with forever! Christian Pilgrims have great Advantage in their Journey, by travelling together. If the one be poor, and the other rich, the one relieves his Fellow; or if the one be weak, and the other strong, the one can take the other by the hand, and afford some help to him, when they meet with bad Way, or go up-hill.

Tropes and Figures

Inference.

The Church compared to a Flock of Sheep.

The Church compared to a House.

Inferences.

The Church compared to a Family or Household.

Inferences.

THE Eighth HEAD OF Metaphors, Allegories, and Similes, WITH Other Borrowed TERMS, That respect MEN. I. Of Men in general. II. Of the Godly, or good Men. III. Of Sinners, or wicked Men.

Men compared to Earth.

Inferences.

Man compared to a Worm.

Inferences.

Man compared to a Flower.

Inferences.

Saints compared to Babes.

Saints compared to Children.

Dear Children.

Inferences.

Saints compared to Heirs.

Saints compared to Eagles.

Disparity.

Saints compared to Sheep.

Saints compared to Soldiers.

Inferences.

The Celestial Race: Or, the Saints compared to Runners.

Inferences.

Saints compared to Salt.

Inferences.

Saints compared to Merchants.

Saints compared to Pilgrims.

THE Eighth HEAD OF Metaphors, Allegories, and Similes, WITH Other Borrowed TERMS, That respect MEN.

I. Of Men in general.

II. Of the Godly, or good Men.

III. Of Sinners, or wicked Men.