§. 6. Of the Churches assaults in this world.: Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three… by William Gouge | AskReformation

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:903p. 192–193

That enmity which is betwixt the seed of the serpent, and ⟨p. 193⟩of the woman, (Gen. 3. 15.) is an especial cause hereof. The seed of the one is of a contrary disposition to the seed of the other: and there is an inbred antipathy betwixt them (as we heard before, §. 3.) This is not so much to be understood of the visible serpent, as of the spiritual serpent, to whom it ¹doth much more agree. As well therefore may calves where lions, and lambs where wolves, and hares where hounds, and mice where cats, and birds where buzzards are, think to be quiet, secure and safe, as the Church in this world. The Devil himself as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5. 8. And he is the God of this world, 2 Cor. 4. 4. As a God he reigneth and ruleth in this world: and the men of this world do subject themselves to him as to their God: wherefore he is also styled ^eThe Prince of this world, and his hellish brood ^fworldly governors. By this spirit are all the men of this world guided, he ^gworketh in them. He is their father, and ^hthe lusts of their father they will do. Prince and Subjects therefore will (in what they can) annoy the Church, which is the kingdom of Christ

That enmity which is betwixt the seed of the serpent, and ⟨p. 193⟩of the woman, (Gen. 3. 15.) is an especiall cause hereof. The seed of the one is of a contrary disposition to the seed of the other: and there is an inbred antipathy betwixt them (as we heard before, §. 3.) This is not so much to be understood of the visible serpent, as of the spirituall serpent, to whom it ¹doth much more agree. As well therefore may calves where lions, and lambs where wolves, and hares where hounds, and mice where cats, and birds where buzzards are, thinke to be quiet, secure and safe, as the Church in this world. The Devill himselfe as a roaring lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devoure, 1 Pet. 5. 8. And he is the God of this world, 2 Cor. 4. 4. As a God he raigneth and ruleth in this world: and the men of this world do subject themselves to him as to their God: wherefore he is also stiled ^eThe Prince of this world, and his hellish brood ^fworldly governours. By this spirit are all the men of this world guided, he ^gworketh in them. He is their father, and ^hthe lusts of their father they will do. Prince and Subjects therefore will (in what they can) annoy the Church, which is the kingdom of Christ

1Quod si de sensi bili serpente haec dicta sunt, multo magis accipienda sunt haec de spirituali serpente. Chrys in Gen. 3. Hom 17.
eJoh. 12. 31.—14. 30.Ioh. 12. 31.—14. 30.
fEph. 6. 12.
gEph 2. 2.
hJoh. 8. 44.Ioh. 8. 44.

:911p. 194¶5

5. His wisdom, in turning that to Israels advantage, which the enemy intended to his great damage: as is manifest by the reasons following, which show how God herein aimed at Israels good. For hereby 1. At their entrance into the wilderness an evidence is ¹given of that success they should have when they should come into Canaan: so as their faith might thus be much strengthened. 2. A means was afforded to furnish them with armour. For Amalek coming prepared against Israel, by the victory which Israel had, was spoiled of all his preparation. 3. An occasion was given of exercising them to war before they entered into Canaan. 4. Joshua, their Generals authority and courage was evidenced before hand.² 5. The power and efficacy of prayer was demonstrated.

5. His wisdome, in turning that to Israels advantage, which the enemy intended to his great damage: as is manifest by the reasons following, which shew how God herein aimed at Israels good. For hereby 1. At their entrance into the wildernesse an evidence is ¹given of that successe they should have when they should come into Canaan: so as their faith might thus be much strengthened. 2. A means was affoorded to furnish them with armour. For Amalek comming prepared against Israel, by the victory which Israel had, was spoiled of all his preparation. 3. An occasion was given of exercising them to warre before they entred into Canaan. 4. Ioshua, their Generalls authority and courage was evidenced before hand.² 5. The power and efficacy of prayer was demonstrated.

1Enemies assaults prove good to the Church.
2Uses of the Churches assaults. Ultima Ecclesiae nota est foelicitas temporalis. Bellarm. controvers. 2. l. 4. c. 18. de notis Eccles, At contrà, August. de Civit. Dei. l 2. c 23. Ne magni pendamus terrenam foelicitatem, quae malis etiam plerunque conceditur.Vses of the Churches assaults. Vltima Ecclesiae nota est foelicitas temporalis. Bellarm. controvers. 2. l. 4. c. 18. de notis Eccles, At contrà, August. de Civit. Dei. l 2. c 23. Ne magni pendamus terrenam foelicitatem, quae malis etiam plerunque conceditur.

:912p. 194–195

The fore-mentioned condition of the Church, to be subject to assaults, 1. Discovereth the uncertainty of that note which by many is pretended to be a note of the true Church, Temporal felicity. If this were so, Israel was no true Church, nor they of whom Christ said, In the world ye shall have affliction, Joh. 16. 33. 2. It instructeth us in the difference betwixt the Militant Church here on earth, and the triumphant in heaven. Nor Satan, nor any other enemies of the Church can enter into heaven to assault it there. 3. It putteth us in mind to be always well prepared ⟨p. 195⟩against assaults. The greater danger we are subject unto, the better furnished, and fore-armed we ought to be. This providence ¹must be manifested in regard both of corporal, and also of spiritual dangers whereunto we are subject. Yea the Israel of God, they who are of the true Church must apply this to themselves. For it was Israel against whom Amalek fought. 4. It affordeth comfort to such as are assaulted, that notwithstanding God suffer Amalek to come and fight against them, yet they may be Gods Israel. 5. It is a means of making Christian unity more firm ²and perfect; yea, and of causing more and more to increase. For the more fiercely Christians are assaulted, the more closely will they cling together. 6. It is a motive to make us willing to be dissolved, when it shall seem good to the Divine providence, because so we shall be translated to the Triumphant Church, where is freedom from all assaults.

The fore-mentioned condition of the Church, to be subject to assaults, 1. Discovereth the uncertainty of that note which by many is pretended to be a note of the true Church, Temporall felicity. If this were so, Israel was no true Church, nor they of whom Christ said, In the world ye shall have affliction, Ioh. 16. 33. 2. It instructeth us in the difference betwixt the Militant Church here on earth, and the triumphant in heaven. Nor Satan, nor any other enemies of the Church can enter into heaven to assault it there. 3. It putteth us in mind to be alwaies well prepared ⟨p. 195⟩against assaults. The greater danger we are subject unto, the better furnished, and fore-armed we ought to be. This providence ¹must be manifested in regard both of corporall, and also of spirituall dangers whereunto we are subject. Yea the Israel of God, they who are of the true Church must apply this to themselves. For it was Israel against whom Amalek fought. 4. It affordeth comfort to such as are assaulted, that notwithstanding God suffer Amalek to come and fight against them, yet they may be Gods Israel. 5. It is a means of making Christian unity more firme ²and perfect; yea, and of causing more and more to increase. For the more fiercely Christians are assaulted, the more closely will they cling together. 6. It is a motiue to make us willing to be dissolved, when it shall seeme good to the Divine providence, because so we shalbe translated to the Triumphant Church, where is freedome from all assaults.

1See The whole armour of God. Treat. 1. Part 3. §. 2. & Part 4 §. 10.
2Ubicunque à perditis ista commissa sunt, ibi ferventius atque perfectius unita• Christiana proficit. Aug Bonefac. Epist. 50.Vbicunque à perditis ista commissa sunt, ibi ferventius atque perfectius unita• Christiana proficit. Aug Bonefac. Epist. 50.