It is true. But in what sense are they against us, and how far are they against us?
They are thus far against us in their wit,* in their plots and policies ; in their wills they would devour all if they could. They are against us in * That is, 'wisdom.' — G.
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their endeavours. They do what thcj' can against the chnrch and people of God. They are against us in their prevailing likewise. Their endeavours are not idle, but prevail very far over God's people, even to insolency : ' Where is now their God ?' Ps. xlii. 10, as it is oft in the Psalms, and to the dejection of God's people ; ' The Lord hath forsaken me ; the Lord hath forgotten me,' Ps. xxxi. 12. God's people are brought very low, to the pit's brink ; the pit almost shuts her mouth upon them. So you see they are against them many ways. God gives a great length to their tether.
And many reasons God hath to let them prevail, both to draw out their malice the more, and then to shew his people iheir corruptions the more, and then to exercise their graces in waiting, and for the just confusion of their enemies at the latter end, and for the sweet comfort of his children at the end — when God sees the fittest time to meet with the enemies — that they might have sweet experience of God's seasonable care, however God put off a long time for some respects. So you see they may prevail a long time. Yet who can be against us in this sense, that is, to prevail alto- gether ? Who shall be against us, so far as to have their will in the issue ? They prevail a great way. What do they intend ? Not to prevail over the person of God's church and people, but the cause, which, in spite of Satan and his instruments, and all, must stand invincibe to the end of the world. They intend likewise to prevail over the courage of God's people. That they cannot neither ; for Saint Paul saith after, in this chapter, ' In all these things we are more than conquerors,' Eom. viii. 37 ; that is, abundant conquerors, a strange high term. But in some sense we are more than conquerors ; for if we consider what weak persons God's chil- dren are, what strong enemies they have, and what weak means they prevail with in the sight of the world, to flesh and blood, that such persons should prevail over such enemies, by such weak means as they do, in this respect, they are more than conquerors. So he may say, ' Who can be against us? ' that is, to have their wills, to overthrow the cause of Christ, and the courage of God's children ; they may prevail in this or that particular, but at the last all their plots and counsels shall prove abortive, and bring forth a lie. All is but to magnify God's power the more in letting them go so far, and then to dash all their moulds and plots. God's children, they have the devil and all his company, the world and the flesh [against them]. But there is God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for them, the blessed Trinity, that are able to blow away the other three, and all the strength and support they have whatsoever. ' Who shall be against us ?'
It is not a question of doubting, or inquisition to learn anything, but it is a question of triumph. He doth, as it were, cast a bank, and bid defiance to all enemies whatsoever. ' Who shall be against us ? ' Let them stand out, Satan and the world, and all Satan's supports ; let them do their worst. There is a strange confidence which is seated in the hearts of God's children, that they dare thus dare hell and earth, and all infernal powers ; they set God so high in their hearts, that they dare say with a spirit of confidence, ' Who shall be against us ? ' The meaning is not, who shall be against us, to take away our lives or liberties, &c. As the speech is, they may kill us, but they cannot hurt us. The worst they can do is to send us to heaven, and make us partakers of that we desire most. First, we desire that God will be with ns here ; and, secondly, that we may be wth God in heaven. They make God's children partakers of their desires by killing
SAINT PAUIi's CHALLENGE. 891
of them. Let tyrants and all persons that have a malignant disposition to the church of God, and armed with power, let them do their worst, the cause must stand impregnable. Christ will have a church and kingdom in the world, and their spirits will be impregnable against them. They may kill them, but they cannot hurt them ; they may kill them, but they cannot kill their courage. As we see in the martyrs, there was the Spirit of God in them above all the dealings of the persecutors; there was a fire of God's Spirit in them above all outward fire whatsoever. You see it must be taken for granted, that the church of God and every particular Christian hath many enemies against them, as it is Ps. cxxix. 1, ' From my youth up,' saith the church, ' the}'- have fought against me, but they have not prevailed.' From my youth up ; from Abel to the last saint that shall be in the world, there will be alway some against God's people, yet their comfort is that none shall be against them to prevail, either over the Spirit of God in them, or over the cause that they manage.