1It is necessary that a Christian should live by faith in that condition. For all spiritual soldiers must put one courage and resolution not to fear the assaults of mighty enemies, nor be dismayed at any difficulties. Let not your hearts fear, tremble not because of your enemies; quite your selves like men, 2be strong. But true valour cannot be had without faith in Christ. Stand fast in the faith, be strong. The Devil is like a serpentine Crocodile, whose property is, if one follow, it flieth away, if one fly, it pursueth him Resist Satan, and he will fly: be afraid, and he will follow. Cowardice doth encourage the adversary, courage daunts him. But courage issueth from sound onfidence in the Lord,3 who is the rock and shield of them that fly unto him. Waite one the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Of our selves we have no strength to prevail against the strong one in the world: all our victories must come of God,4 his power doth all our works for us. We are kept by the power of God unto salvation, he bruiseth the Serpents head, he dissolveth the works of the Devil, he treadeth Satan under feet. The chiefest strength of soldiers lieth in their Captain, who yet must fight for themselves and him, by their own power and skill: but all our strength lieth in Christ, the Captain that leadeth us to salvation, from whom we receive all power and ability to do what is good, whose Almighty power subdueth all things for us. We our selves before our conversion are of no strength,5 not sufficient to think a good thought: all our sufficiency is of God. But we cannot be strong in the Lord, and in ⟨p. 303⟩the power of his might,6 unless we believe and lean upon it. Gods strength is the matter apprehended,7 faith the hand whereby we apprehend it. This is our strength, stand still, fear not, behold the salvation of the Lord. If we had the strength of our first parents and were left to our selves, we should come short of happiness: this is all our security,8 that it is Gods strength being trusted unto by faith, that must help us to salvation: Through God we shall do valiantly: he is our shield, tower,9 rock strength and glory.
1It is necessarie that a Christian should liue by faith in that condition. For all spirituall souldiers must put one courage and resolution not to feare the assaults of mightie enimies, nor bee dismaied at any difficulties. Let not your hearts feare, tremble not because of your enimies; quite your selues like men, 2be strong. But true valour cannot be had without faith in Christ. Stand fast in the faith, bee strong. The Deuill is like a serpentine Crocodile, whose propertie is, if one follow, it flieth away, if one flie, it pursueth him Resist Satan, and he will flie: be afraid, and he will follow. Cowardise doth encourage the aduersary, courage daunts him. But courage issueth from sound onfidence in the Lord,3 who is the rocke and shield of them that flie vnto him. Waite one the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. Be strong and of a good courage, feare not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God he it is that doth goe with thee, hee will not faile thee, nor forsake thee. Of our selues we haue no strength to preuaile against the strong one in the world: all our victories must come of God,4 his power doth all our workes for vs. Wee are kept by the power of God vnto saluation, he bruiseth the Serpents head, he dissolueth the workes of the Deuill, he treadeth Satan vnder feete. The chiefest strength of souldiers lyeth in their Captaine, who yet must fight for themselues and him, by their owne power and skill: but all our strength lyeth in Christ, the Captaine that leadeth vs to saluation, from whom wee receiue all power and abilitie to doe what is good, whose Almightie power subdueth all things for vs. Wee our selues before our conuersion are of no strength,5 not sufficient to thinke a good thought: all our sufficience is of God. But we cannot be strong in the Lord, and in ⟨p. 303⟩the power of his might,6 vnlesse we belieue and leane vpon it. Gods strength is the matter apprehended,7 faith the hand whereby we apprehend it. This is our strength, stand still, feare not, behold the saluation of the Lord. If wee had the strength of our first parents and were left to our selues, wee should come short of happinesse: this is all our securitie,
- 1It is necessary a Christian should live by faith in this condition. Deut. 20.3.It is necessary a Christiā should liue by faith in this condition. Deut. 20.3.
- 21. Cor. 16.13.
- 3Psal. 31 2. & 71 3. and 61.2.3 Deut. 32.4. Psal. 27.•4. and 31.24. Deut. 31.6.7.8.
- 41. Pet. 1.5. Gen. 3.15. Rom. 16.20.
- 5Rom. 5.6. 2. Cor. 3.5. Act. 3.16.
- 6Eph. 6.10.
- 7Exod. 14.13.
- 8Psal. 108.13.
- 91. Joh. 5.4. Math. 16.18.
