tlie field, rand thank their prince too for the honour of their employment. Paul, upon these terms, was willing to have his day of coronation in glory prorogued, and he to stay as companion with his brethren in tribula- tion here, for the furtherance of the gospel. This indeed makes it operce prefium vivere, worth the M'hile to live, that we have by it a fair opportunity (if hearts to husband it) in which we may give a proof of our real gratitude to our God for his redeeming love in rescuing us out of the power of the prince of darkness, and translating us into the kingdom of his dear Son. And therefore, Christian, lose no time ; but what thou meanest to do for God, do it quickly. Art tliou a magistrate ? Now it will be soon seen on whose side thou art. If indeed thou hast renounced allegiance to Satan, and taken Christ for thy prince, declare thyself an enemy to all that bear the name of Satan, and march under his colours. Study well thy commission, and when thou under- standest the duty of thy place, fall to work zealously for God. Thou hast thy prince's sword put into thy hand, be sui'e thou use it, and take heed how thou iisest it ; that when called to deliver it up, and thy account also, it may not be found rusty in the sheath through sloth and cowardice, besmeared with the blood of violence, nor bent and gapped with partiality and injustice. Art thou a minister of the gospel? Thy employment is high; an ambassador, and that not from some petty prince, but the great God to his rebellious subjects ; a calling so honourable, that the Son of God disdained not to come in extraordinary from heaven to perform it, called therefore the ' Messenger of the covenant;' yea, he had to this day staid on earth in person about it, had he not been called to reside as om- Ambassador and Advocate in heaven wilh the Father : and there- fore, in his bodily absence, he hath intrusted thee and a few more to carry on the treaty with sinners, which when on earth himself began. And what can you do more acceptable to him, than to be faithllil in it, as a business on which he hath set his heart so much? If ever you would see his face with jo)^ (you that are his ambassadors,) attend to your work, and labour to bring this treaty of peace to a blessed issue between God and those you are sent to. And then if sinners will not come off, and seal the articles of the gospel, you shall, as Abraham said to his servant, be clear of your oath. Though Israel be not gathered, yet you shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord. And let not the private Christian say he is a drjr tree, and can do nothing for Christ, his Prince, because he may not bear the magistrate's fruit or minister's : though thou hast not a commission to punish the sins of others with the sword of justice, yet thou mayest show thy zeal in mortifying thy own with the sword of the Spirit, and mourn for theirs also : though thou mayest not condemn them on the bench, yet tliou mayest, yea, oughtest, by the power of a holy life, to convince and judge them ; such a judge Lot was to the Sodomites. Though thou art not sent to preach and baptize, yet thou mayest be wonderful helpful to them who are. The Christian's prayers whet the magistrate's and minister's sword also. O pray. Christian, and pray again, that Christ's territories may be enlarged ; never go to hear the word but pray, ' Thy kingdom come.' Loving princes take great content in the acclamations and good wishes of their subject,-* as they pass by ; a I'hrif Bex, Long live the king, coming from a loyal breatli, though poor, is more worth than a subsidy from those who deny their hearts while they part with their money. Thou servest a Prince, Christian, who knows what all his subjects think of him, and he counts it liis honour not to have a nudtitude feignedly submit to him, but to have a people that love him, and cordially like bis government ; who, if they were to choose their king, and make tlieir own laws, they should live uiider every day, would desire no other than himself, nor any other laws than what they have already from his mouth. It was no doubt great content to David, that he had the hearts of his people so, as 'whatever the king did pleased them all,' 2 Sam. iii. 2G. And surely God took it as well that what he did pleased David ; for indeed David was as content luider the rule and disposure of God, as the people were under his; witness tlie calmness of his spiiitin the greatest affliction (hat ever befell him, 2 Sam. xv. 2G : ' Behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good imto him.' Loyal soul ! he had rather live in exile with the good will of God, than haA-e his throne, if Gtod will not say, It is good for him.
ACAINST POWr.RS.
CHAPTER IV.
OF THE GREAT POWER SATAN HATH, NOT ONLY OVER THE ELEMENTARY AND
SENSITIVE PART OF THE WORLD, BUT INTELLECTUAL ALSO THE SOULS OF
MEN.