When thou hast done this, Rise up, and buckle on the shield of faith, Rule. 7 which is able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, Ephes. 6 16. Clothe thy soul with an heroic confidence, in the power and faithfulness of thy God, and in the name and majesty of the Lord of hosts, bid battle to thy lusts, and to all the powers of darkness.1 Take heed of going out in thy own single strength, for lust hath cast down many strong men wounded. While thou art keeping thine own heart with all diligence, forget not by faith to bring the great keeper of Israel ⟨p. 104⟩in. If any other man could have kept his own heart, sure the man after Gods own heart could have done it.2 —Si Pergama dextra, Defendi possent etiam hac defensa fuissent. But the matter of Uriah and Bathsheba stands on record to all posterity to the contrary: For except the Lord keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain, Psalm. 127.1. Do not venture to grapple with the roaring Lyon, but in the strength of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, who is also the Lamb of God, and the great shepherd of Israel, 3that carries his lambs in his bosom; and whether should the pursued Lamb betake it self, but into that shepherds arms? In time of trouble (spiritual as well as other) he will hide thee in the secret of his Tabernacle, in his pavilion will he hide thee, and set thee as upon a rock, Psal. 27.5. He never fails the eyes of them that look up to him, nor makes his people ashamed of their hope. What time thou art afraid trust in him. His name is a strong tower, Cast thy care upon him, and expect the same pity from thy God, which the men of Jabesh-Gilead found from Saul, when Nabash (the barbarous Ammonite) would have put out their right eyes, To morrow ere the Sun be hot ye shall have help, 1 Sam. 11.9. If the King of Israels bowels yearned over those poor men, shall not the bowels of the God of Israel over those that fear him? Yes, upon his honour, truth and faithfulness,4 he will not suffer that cruel Nahash (to allude to the signification of the word) that old Serpent, to have his will upon them: if he doth not come to day, he will to morrow ere the Sun be hot. Lift up your heads therefore O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle, Psal. 24.7, 8.
When thou hast done this, Rise up, and buckle on the shield of faith, Rule. 7 which is able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, Ephes. 6 16. Cloath thy soul with an heroick confidence, in the power and faithfulnesse of thy God, and in the name and majesty of the Lord of hosts, bid battle to thy lusts, and to all the powers of darknesse.1 Take heed of going out in thy own single strength, for lust hath cast down many strong men wounded. While thou art k•eping thine owne heart with all diligence, forget not by faith to bring the great keeper of Israel ⟨p. 104⟩in. If any other man could have kept his own heart, sure the man after Gods own heart could have done it.2 —Si Pergama dextra, Defendi possent etiam hac defensa fuissent. But the matter of Ʋriah and Bathsheba stands on record to all posterity to the contrary: For except the Lord keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain, Psalm. 127.1. Do not venture to grapple with the roaring Lyon, but in the strength of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, who is also the Lamb of God, and the great shepheard of Israel, 3that carries his lambs in his bosome; and whether should the pursued Lamb betake it self, but into that shephea•ds arms? In time of trouble (spirituall as well as other) he will hide thee in the secret of his Tabernacle, in his pavilion will he hide thee, and set thee as upon a rocke, Psal. 27.5. He never fails the eyes of them that look up to him, nor makes his people ashamed of their hope. What time thou art afraid trust in him. His name is a strong tower, Cast thy care upon him, and expect the same pity from thy God, which the men of Iabesh-Gilead found from Saul, when Nabash (the barbarous Ammonite) would have put out their right eyes, To morrow ere the Sun be hot ye shall have help, 1 Sam. 11.9. If the King of Israels bowels yerned over those poor men, shall not the bowels of the God of Israel over those that fear him? Yes, upon his honour, truth and faithfulnesse,4
- 1Prov. 7.16.
- 2Virg. Aeneid.
- 3Isa. 40.11.
- 4[Greek or Hebrew] Serpens hebr.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Serpens hebr.
