Among other motives to stir us up to arm our selves well,1 and constantly to stand and fight against the Devil, this is none of the least. It is no small matter that we fight for, but a matter of the greatest weight and consequence that can be. Satan could say (Job 2. 4.) All that a man hath will he give for his life: yet is life but a temporal⟨p. 94⟩ and earthly matter. If all for his life, what for his soul, and the salvation thereof, which is an heavenly matter? so as there is no comparison betwixt them.p What then shall it profit a man, though he should win the whole World, if he lose his own soul? or what shall a man give for recompense of his soul? 3When wise Captains see that a sore and fierce battle is to be fought, which with the very rumour thereof may dishearten their soldiers, they use to hearten and encourage them by bringing to their mind, and setting before them the prize, or cause of their fight: some will say, Lo, ye fight for whole Townes, and Cities, and Kingdoms: others, Ye fight not to get that which is other mens, but to keep that which is your own; ye fight for your Country, your lands and inheritances, your wives and children: others, It is not honour and conquest, they are not goods and lands that ye fight for, but liberty and life: stand to it therefore, if the day be lost, ye are either dead men, or slaves.
Among other motiues to stirre vs vp to arme our selues well,1 and constantly to stand and fight against the Diuell, this is none of the least. It is no small matter that we fight for, but a matter of the greatest weight and consequence that can be. Satan could say (Iob 2. 4.) All that a man hath will he giue for his life: yet is life but a temporall⟨p. 94⟩ and earthly matter. If all for his life, what for his soule, and the saluation thereof, which is an heauenly matter? so as there is no comparison betwixt them.p What then shall it profit a man, though hee should win the whole World, if he lose his owne soule? or what shall a man giue for recompence of his soule? 3When wise Captaines see that a sore and fierce battaile is to bee fought, which with the very rumor thereof may dishearten their souldiers, they vse to hearten and encourage them by bringing to their mind, and setting before them the prize, or cause of their fight: some will say, Loe, ye fight for whole Townes, and Cities, and Kingdomes: others, Yee fight not to get that which is other mens, but to keepe that which is your owne; yee fight for your Countrey, your lands and inheritances, your wiues and children: others, It is not honour and conquest, they are not goods and lands that ye fight for, but liberty and life: stand to it therefore, if the day be lost, ye are either dead men, or slaues.
- 1Vide quomodo vires inimici nos excitant eo quod scimus de rebus magnis esse periculum. Chrysost.
- pMat. 16. 26.
- 3Simil.