For Conclusion and general application of all that hath been spoken, unto our selves. We see the conflicting, but yet sure and hopeful state of Gods people. The victory lieth not upon us, but upon CHRIST who hath taken upon him as to conquer for us, so to conquer in us. The victory lieth neither in our own strength ⟨p. 329⟩to get, nor in our enemies to defeat it. If it lay upon us we might justly fear. But CHRIST will maintain his own government in us, and take our part against our corruptions; they are his Enemies as well as ours. Let us 1therefore be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; Let us not look so much who are our enemies, as who is our Judge, and Captain; not what they threaten, but what he promiseth; we have more for us, then against us. What coward would not fight, when he is sure of victory; none are here overcome, ⟨p. 330⟩but he that will not sight. Therefore, when any base fainting seizeth upon us, let us lay the blame where it is to be laid. We see here what we may look for from heaven. O beloved it is a comfortable thing to conceive of CHRIST aright, to know what love, mercy, strength we have laid up for us in the breast of CHRIST. A good conceit of the Physician (we say) is half the cure; Let us not suffer Satan to transform Christ unto us, to be otherwise then he is to those that are his. Let us make use of this ⟨p. 331⟩his mercy and power every day, in our daily combats: CHRIST will not leave us, till he hath made us like himself, all glorious within and without, and presented us blameless before his Father. What a comfort is this in our conflicts with our unruly hearts, that it shall not always be thus; let us strive a little while, and we shall be happy for ever. Let us think when we are troubled with our sins, that CHRIST hath this in charge of his Father, That he shall not quench the smoking flax, until he hath subdued all. This putteth ⟨p. 332⟩a shield into our hands to beat back all the fiery darts of Satan: he will object, 2thou art a great sinner; we may answer, CHRIST 3is a strong Saviour: but he will object, thou hast no faith, no love? Yes a 4spark of faith and love: but CHRIST will not regard that? Yes, he will not quench the smoking flax. 5But this is so little and weak, that it will vanish, and come to nought? Nay, but CHRIST will cherish 6it until he hath brought judgment to victory.
For Conclusion and generall application of all that hath beene spoken, unto our selves. We see the conflicting, but yet sure and hopefull state of Gods people. The victory lyeth not upon us, but upon CHRIST who hath taken upon him as to conquer for us, so to conquer in us. The victory lyeth neither in our own strēgth ⟨p. 329⟩to get, nor in our enemies to defeat it. If it lay upon us wee might justly feare. But CHRIST will maintaine his owne government in us, and take our part against our corruptions; they are his Enemies as well as ours. Let us 1therefore bee strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; Let us not looke so much who are our enemies, as who is our Iudge, and Captaine; not what they threaten, but what he promiseth; wee have more for us, then against us. What coward would not fight, when he is sure of victory; none are here overcome, ⟨p. 330⟩but he that will not sight. Therefore, when any base fainting seizeth upon us, let us lay the blame where it is to bee layd. Wee see here what wee may looke for from heaven. O beloved it is a comfortable thing to conceive of CHRIST aright, to know what love, mercy, strength we have layed up for us in the brest of CHRIST. A good conceit of the Physitian (we say) is halfe the cure; Let us not suffer Sathan to transforme Christ unto us, to bee otherwise then he is to those that are his. Let us make use of this ⟨p. 331⟩his mercy and power everie day, in our daily combats: CHRIST will not leave us, till he hath made us like himselfe, all glorious within and without, and presented us blamelesse before his Father. What a comfort is this in our conflicts with our unruly hearts, that it shall not alwaies be thus; let us strive a little while, and we shall bee happy for ever. Let us thinke when wee are troubled with our sinnes, that CHRIST hath this in charge of his Father, That he shall not quench the smoaking slaxe, untill hee hath subdued all. This putteth ⟨p. 332⟩a sheild into our hands to beat backe all the fiery darts of Sathan: he will object, 2thou art a great sinner; we may answer, CHRIST 3is a strong Saviour: but he will object, thou hast no faith, no love? Yes a
- 1Eph. 6. 10.
- 2•hes. 6 16.
- 31.
- 42.
- 53.
- 64.
