First, 1We will open the way and manner in which Christ obtains a Throne in the hearts of men: and that is by conquest. For though the souls of the Elect are his by donation, and right of redemption; the Father gave them to him, and he died for them: yet Satan hath the first possession; and so it fares with Christ, as it did with Abraham; to whom God gave the Land of Canaan by promise and Covenant; but the Canaanites, Perezites, and sons of Anak had the actual possession of it, and Abraham's posterity must fight for it, and win it by inches before they enjoy it. The house is conveyed to Christ by him that built it, but the strong man armed keeps the possession of it, till a stronger than he comes and ejects him. Luk. 11.20, 21, 22. Christ must fight his way into the soul, though, he have right to enter as into his dearly purchased possession. And so he doth, for when the time of recovering them is come, he sends forth his Armies to subdue them. As it is Psal. 110.3. The people shall be willing in the day of thy power. The Hebrew may as fitly be rendered,2 and is so by some, in the day of thine Armies.3 When the Lord Jesus sent forth his Armies of Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, under the conduct of his Spirit; armed with that two edged sword, the word of God, which is sharp and powerful. Heb. 4.12. But that's not all, he causes Armies of convictions and spiritual troubles to begird and straighten them on every side; so that they know not what to do. These convictions like a shower of Arrows, strike point blank into their Consciences. Acts 2.37. When they heard this they were pricked to the heart, and said men and brethren what shall we do! Christs Arrows are sharp in the hearts of his enemies, whereby the people fall under him, Psal. 45.5, 6. by these convictions he batters down all their loose vain hopes, and levels them with the earth.
First, 1We will open the way and manner in which Christ obtains a Throne in the hearts of men: and that is by conquest. For though the souls of the Elect are his by donation, and right of redemption; the Father gave them to him, and he died for them: yet Satan hath the first possession; and so it fares with Christ, as it did with Abraham; to whom God gave the Land of Canaan by promise and Covenant; but the Cananites, Perezites, and sons of Anak had the actual possession of it, and Abrahams posterity must fight for it, and win it by inches before they enjoy it. The house is conveyed to Christ by him that built it, but the strong man armed keeps the possession of it, till a stronger than he comes and ejects him. Luk. 11.20, 21, 22. Christ must fight his way into the soul, though, he have right to enter as into his dearly purchased possession. And so he doth, for when the time of recovering them is come, he sends forth his Armies to subdue them. As it is Psal. 110.3. The people shall be willing in the day of thy power. The Hebrew may as fitly be rendred,2 and is so by some, in the day of thine Armies.3 When the Lord Jesus sent forth his Armies of Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, under the conduct of his Spirit; armed with that two edged sword, the word of God, which is sharp and powerful. Heb. 4.12. But that's not all, he causes Armies of convictions and spiritual troubles to begird and straighten them on every side; so that they know not what to do. These convictions like a shower of Arrows, strike point blanck into their Consciences. Acts 2.37. When they heard this they were pricked to the heart, and said men and brethren what shall we do! Christs Arrows are sharp in the hearts of his enemies, whereby the people fall under him, Psal. 45.5, 6. by these convictions he batters down all their loose vain hopes, and levels them with the earth.
- 1Nam infinita potestas quantumuis vicaria sit, in hominem nullum cadere potestum etiam est quoddam genus unionis quod vicarium omnem excludat ut Patris, & Filii; Mariti & Uxois, nam hic certe vicariatus no• potest habere locum. Maccov. loc. cem. p. 641.
- 2[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 3In die exercitus t•i, cum scilicet misis Apostolis & aliis ecclesiarum doctoribus voce evangeli inter gentes colliges & constitues tibi regnum Mol•er •n loc.
