Object. But, notwithstanding my striving, I seem to stand at a stay.
Ans. 1. Grace, as the seed in the parable, grows, we know not how, yet at length, when God seeth fittest, we shall see that all our endeavour hath not been in vain. The tree falleth upon the last stroke, yet all the former strokes help it forward.
Ans. 2. Sometimes victory is suspended because some Achan is not found out, Judges xx. 26, or because we are not humble enough, as Israel had the worst against the Benjamites till they fasted and prayed ; or be- cause we betray our helps, and stand not upon our guard, and yield not presently to the motions of the Spirit, which mindeth us always of the best things, if we would regard it. Our own consciences wiU tell us, if we give them leave to speak, that some sinful favouring of ourselves is the cause. The way in this case to prevail is, 1, To get the victory over the pride of our own nature, by taking shame to oiirselvcs, in humble confession to God; and then, 2, To overcome the unbelief of our hearts, by yielding to the promise of pardon; and then, 3, In confidence of Christ's assistance, to set ourselves against those sins which have prevailed over us ; and then pre- vailing over ourselves, we shall easily prevail over aU our enemies, and conquer all conditions wo shall be brought into.
AND SMOKING FLAX. ' 91
[Chapter XXTV. — All should side with Christ.]
Use 2. If Christ ■v^'ill have the victory, then it is the best way for nations and states to ' kiss the Son,' Ps. ii. 12, and to embrace Chiist and his religion, to side with Christ, and to ovra his cause in the world. His side will prove the stronger side at last. Happy are we if Chi'ist honour us so much as to use oiu- help ' to fight his battle against the mighty,' Judges v. 23. True religion in a state is as the main pillar of a house, and stalf of a tent that upholds all. 2. So for families, let Christ be the chief governor of the family ; and 3, Let every one be as a house of Christ, to dwell familiarly in, and to rule. Where Christ is, all happiness must foUow. If Christ goeth, all will go, T\Tiere Chi-ist's government in his ordinances and his Spirit is, there all subordinate government will prosper. Religion inspu'eth life and grace into all other things ; all other virtues, without it they are but as a fair pic- ture without a head. Where Chi-ist's laws are written in the heai't, there aU other good laws are best obeyed. None despise man's law but those that despise Christ's fii'st. Nemo hiimanam authoritatem contemnit, nisi qui divinam prius contempsit. Of all persons, a man guided by Christ is the best ; and of all creatures in the world, a man giiided by wUl and affection, next the devil, is the worst. The happiness of weaker things stands in being ruled by stronger. It is best for a blind man to be guided by him that hath sight, it is best for sheep, and such Hke shiftless creatures, to be guided by man, and it is happiest for man to be guided by Christ, be- cause his government is so victorious that it frees us from the fear and danger of om* greatest enemies, and tends to bring us to the gi-eatest happi- ness that our natiu-e is capable of. This should make us to joy when Christ reigneth in us. A\Tien ' Solomon was crowned, the people shouted,' so that the earth rang,' 1 I\ings i. 39, 40. Much more should we rejoice in Christ our king.
And likewise for those whose souls are dear unto us, our endeavour should be that Clmst may reign in them also, that ihej may be baptized by Christ with this fire. Matt. iii. 11, that these sparks may be kindled in them. Men laboiu" to cherish the spirit and mettle, as they tenn it, of those they train up, because they think they wUl have use of it in the manifold affairs and troubles of this life. Oh, but let us cherish the sparks of grace in them ; for a natm-al spirit in great troubles will fail, but these sparks will make them conquerors over the greatest evils.
Use 3. If Christ's judgment shall be victorious, then popery, being an opposite frame, set up by the wit of man to maintain stately idleness, must fall. And it is fallen akeady in the hearts of those upon whom Christ hath shined. It is a lie, and founded upon a lie, upon the infallible judg- ment of a man subject to sin and error. When that which is taken for a principle of truth becomes a principle of error, the more relpng upon it, the more danger.
[Chapter XXV. — Christ's government shall he openly victorious.]
It is not only said, judgment shall be victorious, but that Christ will bring it openly forth to victory. Whence we observe that grace shall be glory, and run into the eyes of all. Now Christ doth conquer, and hath his own ends, but it is in some sort invisibly. His enemies within and without us
92 THE BEUISED KEED