THese words may not vnfitly be termed The triumph of Faith , and the glorious vaunt of a resolued Christian , grounded vpon the liuely apprehension of Grace , and the infallible expectance of Glory . Both which the Apo. hauing euinced in the foregoing Treatise , by instances and reasons aboue exception , he steps in , in the thirty and one verse with an holy challenge , daring defiance to any encounter , disdaine to any Combatant or resolued Champion , that dare enter the lists with him and accept his challenge . What then shall we say to these things , if God be on our side who can be against vs ? yea Paule indeed t is somewhat that yee say , if God be on our side who can be against vs ? or if they be against vs what hurt can they doe vs ? what skills their prowes and opposition , though it were the plotting of Achitophel , or Rabshekahs resolution ; when as God playes our part , the Lord himselfe maintaines our quarell , against whome there is neither wisdome nor counsell , neither bodily puissance nor courage in the day of battel ? But how can ye make vs beleeue that God is on our side ? how may we be perswaded that we haue such an approued Captaine , of so tried a strength , for prowesse so puissant ? how says the Apostle ? why I will tell you , he spared not his only Sonne , but — how shall he not with him giue vs all things also ; yea euen himselfe which is all in all ? he that hath giuen vs his Sonne , the heyre of all things , is it likely that he will deny vs matters of any value , of any consequence ? he that hath giuen vs his Sonne , his ioy , and delight , how is it possible that he should denie vs himselfe ? nay in that he hath giuen vs his Sonne which is his delight , he hath giuen vs himselfe . For where a mans treasure is , there his heart is , and where his heart is there himselfe is . Now Christ being Gods treasure , and this treasure giuen to vs , we may well with Dauid challenge the Lord as our owne possession : especially sith our Christ is the tresure-house of diuine benediction ; of whose fulnes we haue al receiued : the worker of attonement and reconciliation , that hath made God to be on our side , that to fore was auerted from vs . We may well therefore exult , and chaunt out those chearefull notes of Israels sweet singer that diuine Musitian . The Lord is our light and our saluation , whom shall we feare ? the Lord is the strength of our life , of whom shall we be afraid ? Heereupon the Apostle throwes downe his gauntlet with a challenge to our spirituall enemies , to see if any of them dare appeare in their likenes or admit of his proffer . But when it will not be , he prouokes them to iudgment . Then , who saith he , shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect ? no body answers . T is God that Iustifieth , who shal condemne ? who dare appeare in iudgement against vs ? If they wil go that way to worke , all is husht , no body peeps out . And why I pray you , because we haue such a Captain as none dare meete in the feild : such an Aduocate as none dare oppose : such a friend in the court as none dare looke in the face : Christ Iesus , who was dead but is risen againe with Triumph , ouer the powers of death & of damnation , who now sitting at the right hand of God , makes request for vs ? Yea saith the Apostle , will none of them apeare ? shall we haue none answere in this kind ? wee le euen to our former challenge , call them out by their names , and see what they will say to vs . Ho , saith he , who shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ ? who dare bee so bold as to vndertake that encounter ? what tribulation , or anguish , or persecution ? &c. Will you say any thing to vs ? dare you put in a foot here , yea , I promise you Paule now you haue met with your match , these fellowes will say somwhat to you , they will put you to your shifts I tell you , for heere we go to the wall , These will not greeue and annoy and pursue vs , but depriue vs also of life , and spirits , and leaue vs breathlesse and liuelesse and soulelesse : and yet this perill is so ineuitable , that besides wofull experience , t is the verdict and doome of the diuine spirit , that for thy sake are we killed all the day long , wee are euen counted as sheep to the slaughter . What say you to this Paul ? Do not these coole your courage , doe not these make you to pull in the head ? Do you not thinke that these will abalienate you from Christ ? lay your honour in the dust , and your hopes in obliuion ? Neuer a whit sayes the Apostle , for why should they ? why ! I will tell you what : All these that yee haue named , let them bandy themselues together , with their best forces : let the Deuill be their leader , and bee their warriour : all come rushing against vs with the extremitie of their malice , why they hurt vs not an hayre , they get neuer a foot of ground from vs , neither is our spirituall estate in any hazard by all their stratagems , though they spew out the very gall of their bitternesse , the height of their malice , though they strike straight downe without any remorse , and make euen a lane before them as they goe , yet neuerthelesse this is our reioycing , this is our triumph , and our crowne of glory , that the day is ours , the field is won , ours is the conquest , for in these , yea in all these things we are more than conquerors , through him that loued vs . Which words ( as you see ) by the Apostles Reioynder to the foregoing challenge vpon a supposed acceptation , who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ ; Tribulation and anguish , &c. they take vpon them the combat , they will bee the men that shall doe it ? The Apostle hereupon replies , and returnes his speach in a disiunct proposition to this purpose , Well sayes he , suppose that all these fellowes , you tribulation , &c. doe seaze vpon vs , as wee know they may , and doe vs the worst that they can , as we are sure they will : for , for thy sake are wee killed all the day long , we are euen counted as sheepe to the slaughter : neuertheles we haue no cause of discomfort : for though we be afflicted on euery side , yet are we not in distresse , though we be in pouertie , yet not thereby ouercome , though we be persecuted , yet are we not forsaken , in a word , though wee be cast downe we perish not , yea we are so far from the foile , that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loued vs . As if the Apostle had said , Suppose we be in tribulation , yet tribulation yeelds experience , and experience hope , and hope makes vs not ashamed , nay it giues vs confidence and accesse with boldnesse . Say we be in persecution , and that the butchers of Gods Saints get vs into their fingers , yet so , that wee reioyce vnder the crosse and count it a crowne , we are ioyfull in bonds , and deeme them freedome , yea our very stripes are the marks of the Lord Iesus . ô glorious lashes ! Say we be in anguish , that that bitter fellow hath laid hold on vs : yet so , that though heauinesse lodge for a night , and will not let vs feele the softnesse of the pillow , yet ioy comes in the morning , the Lord renuing his mercies . Say we be in nakednesse , that we haue neuer a rag on our backs , nor so much as an old sacke to creepe into , yet this is our comfort , that one day we shall haue heauenly vestures , rich robes , and long white garments , scarlet with pleasures & golden abiliments . Say we be in perill , in the extremitie of hazard , yet so that in the greatest dangers wee expect the Lords deliuerance : with Dauid ready to bee slaine , wee comfort our selues in our God : with Ionas wee seeme to be cast out of his sight , yet with the same Prophet wee remember his holy temple , his former mercies . In a word , say , wee bee vnder the sword , euen in the iawes and fanges of death , yet this is our rejoycement , that euen in death there is life , death it selfe is great gaine , the graue is hie aduantage . For blessed are the dead that die in the Lord , well therefore may we be said to be Conquerors , yea more then conquerors through him that loued vs . So that to come to our purpose , we haue in this Text two things obseruable , the Triumph of a Christian , the victorie of faith ; the ground of that triumph , the loue of Christ , The victorie of faith makes vs more the conquerors , wee obtaine that victorie through him that loued vs . Our obseruation shall bee none other than the Apostles owne assertion : That the elect of God his owne peculiar , haue this prerogatiue ( a matter of speciall esteeme ) that howsoeuer they be encompassed with many afflictions and grieuances , yet in all exigences , they winne the day , they atchieue the conquest , they are more than conquerors . Or in a word what present enemies soeuer they haue waging warre against them for the heauenly inheritance , they bring them vnder , they doe more than ouercome them . This is the verdict of the diuine spirit vttered from the Oracle of truth , in this text . To the explaning whereof two things are to be vnfolded . First , who bee our worldly enemies heere intimated , next , how we may be said to be more than conquerors . The Apostle aimes at both : at our enemies in that he saith , In all these things : at our conquest , in that he saith , We doe more than ouercome . Our enemies included in the former words , are recited in the verse foregoing , and marshalled as it were in battell aray , Tribulation , &c. A great troope , I promise you ; a terrible armie . So that I may well say of their number with Iehorams watchman , I see a companie , and of their comming , t is like Iehu the sonne of Nimshi , for they march furiously . And to giue you a view of their seuerall forces & prowesse , in the forefront is placed tribulation , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and it doth properly note out vnto vs , all such bodily grieuances and afflictions , as doe offer violence vnto our outward man , and put it to pressure and torture . The next is anguish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in which ranke doe march all such inward vexations , as doe euen hem in and strayten the soule and bring it into a narrow roome , that it wants the vse of it selfe and is brought to it wits end . In the third place is persecution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is as it were a seconding of the former forces , by a continuall supply of might and malice to aggrauate our grieuance , and to continue our vexation . The next is famine , want of food necessarie , an enemie that the Wiseman prayes against Prou. 30. of which kind is Nakednes , likewise , Want of vesture to couer our shame , and keep vs from annoyance , the one being an enemie to the backe , the other to the belly . Vpon these two bands followes Peril , and therin all the dangers that do or may betide vs in this present life , and put our state in hazard . And the last the sorest enemie , is the Sword , all kind of violent death which the godly are put vnto , for the profession of the Lord Iesus , and the testimonie of a good conscience . These are our enemies which heere are mustred against vs : and infinite more of the like kind , vnto all which the Deuill is the chiefe leader , the generall of the armie , that great commander , who puts in vre , the best of his policie , and the proofe of his strength to giue vs the foyle . And that wee may see by his manner of ordering them , how that he leaues the sorest till the last , euen the sword to diuide asunder the life and the spirits , that if all the former , tribulation , anguish , &c. will not bring vs on our knees , yet that may be sure to speed : and rather than loose that , we will vndergoe hard conditions . I but may some man say vnto vs , how is it that Satan himselfe is not heere set against vs , seeing he is that great Muster-master , the commander of so many Legions , he it is that owes vs all the spite , and sets all these a work : but for him all their blowes were but fleabytings , easily awarded ; all their plots but like Sampsons bonds easily broken . The answer is that Satan is not heere excluded . Hee is not like those carelesse Kings that will lie at home , and send their Leiuetenants ; not like Dauid gazing vppon his Pallace , when as Ioab is in the brunt of the battell ; nor like Senacherib in his Temple at home , when his Captaines be marching abroad : he is alwaies at hand in the forefront , & in the rereward , in the midst , and at either wing , but the reason as I take it , why he is not here expressed , is , because his warfare is spiritual , and not so easily discerned in it selfe , but is manifest vnto vs , in these his soldiers , and 2. in regard of our meannesse and foolish disposition , who do vsually stand in more dread , of these his attendants , then of Satan himselfe . Whereas on the contrary , we should learne this spirituall wisdome , a speciall point of military discipline , not so much to looke at these things as punishments of sin , for so the sting of them is taken away in Christ , but especially as they are Satans Ianizaries , his accomplices in whom he seeks to worke our ruine , to depriue vs of the hope that we haue here in God , and of the happinesse that hereafter we expect in heauen . And thus you see beloued , what fellowes they be , that we are to grapple withall , we had need to be no children that must go to this geare , if these be they whom we must conquer . Why but you will say , is it possible that euer we should deale with such as these ? is ther any hope that euer we should get the victory of such aduersaries ? who cannot be hurt themselus ? they are impenetrable , all the danger lights vpon vs : if any body go to the wall , t is we , if any body catch the foile , it must needs be we . yea , indeed are ye at that point ? nay but by your leaue S. Paule telleh vs an other tale , the diuine spirit will giue vs better hartning , for he saith heere that we are conquerors already . Conquerors ? yea more then conquerors , through him that loued vs . yea will you say , and you can proue vs that point , it is some thing , it is a matter worth the talking of , if you could assure vs of the victorie , before we goe into the field , you would put some life and and spirit into vs . Well ( beloued ) me thinkes you may easily bee persuaded of this , if wee had no more suretie but the promise of the diuine Spirit , the warrant of this Scripture , t is sufficient to giue vs encouragement . Suppose that two men were going into the field to reuenge their priuat wrongs , and a third man that had the mastry and commaund of them both , in so much that he could bid them giue ouer when hee will , hold their hands at his owne pleasure , so that neither of them could strike a stroke beyond his designement , and this man should say to one of them , be not dismayd , but haue a good heart , for I will stand by thee , and hee shall not giue thee a blow to do thee hurt , nor strike a stroke but as I think good , but as for thee I wil giue thee thy free scope to doe thy best , thou shalt assuredly giue him the foyle , would this man now doubt of the victorie ? would hee be afraid to meet his foe in the very face ? O , fy , no , he would goe with courage and resolution , and why ? why ? because the victorie is promised him . Why ( beloued ) the Lord hath Satan in his power , he is at his becke , all these his follwers are at the Lords command . Further then he permits they can neither strike nor stirre , but as he sayes to the Sea , stay thy proud waues , and to the deuouring Angell hold thine hand , t is enough , so if he but speak the word , these haue done , not a word , nor a blow . Now this Lord heere of this power and commandement , hee promiseth he will stand by vs , hee assures vs we shall haue the conquest , hee sends vs word so from heauen by his spirit , speaking in the Apostle . Why ? shall wee doubt now ? shal we distrust the issue and euent ? vndoubtedly , if we beleeue not we doe , for as he that beleeueth hath sealed that God is true , so hee that denyeth credence to the promise , denyeth credit to God . O then let our faith embrace this promise , and we are sure . All things are possible to him that belieueth . When the people of God were to wage warre with their enemies , and came to God for counsell , if he said but once goe vp , they were presently all in armes , yea so resolute were they vpon this assurance , that when they were to fight against their brethren of Beniamin , for the reuenge of a notorious villanie , Iud. 20.28 . and two daies before had had the foile throw their owne rashnesse in ill handling a good cause : yet the third day when the Lord bad them go vp with hope of victorie , they readily obeyed and sutably ouercame them . Would they put their affiance in God for bodily victorie , and shall not we rely vpon him for a spirituall conquest ? Was hee then a God of his word in meaner affaires , and shall he not now be trusted in greater employments ? Far be it from vs beloued , the Lord being the same in power , in loue , in fidelitie : being able by his power , willing by his loue , and faithfull in his promise , that wee should either deny his power , disclaime his loue , or call his fidelitie into question , seeing he hath heere affirmed , we shall bee conquerors ; else where assured , that hel gates shal not preuaile against vs , and daily giues vs experiment of his speciall aide and assistance , and of the victorie of faith , which bringeth vnderfoot all worldly encumbrances ▪ But that we may giue more euidence to this truth , let vs take a view of it in the experiment of Gods Saints , and let vs see how in closing with these our enemies wee get the victorie , and all the Apostle heere tels vs , we do more than conquer . It were well , if we might but ouercome , and that we are sure of , for our faith ouercomes the world , and it quencheth all the fierie darts of the deuil , giues them a recoyle , and him a retraite . For if we stand to it , he runs away , if we resist him , he flies from vs , and when the Captaine is gone , these fellowes are like the Philistims , they will either runne after him , or turne to our side and helpe vs to war against him . But that we should not ouercome onely , but be more than conquerors , this is the preheminence of a Christian souldier aboue all other warriours . But may that bee , may some say ? I answer , we may be said , to be more than conquerors in 4. respects , which I wish you to take notice of as worthy obseruation . 1. In that before wee enter into the lists , wee are sure of the victorie : worldly conquerors we know , are not sure of the day , before they goe to the field , they are not sure of the victorie , till they see the end : and therefore if Achab threaten Mica , it must be but with yffs & ands : if I returne in peace , then Mica must pay for the pinnes . If Rabshake will needs dominere ouer Gods inheritance , and sound the retraite before the Alarme , hee shall be taught to know , that his tongue was a little more hastie then his wit , for the issue of war is doubtfull , and he that puts on his armour , may not exult , as he that puts it off . But we ( beloued ) that march vnder Christs banner , haue this priuiledge aboue al worldly Martialists , that we are sure of the victorie , before the fight , we are sure to returne with Triumph and Renowme at least for the finall Conquest . Insomuch that that which the old Israelites had sometime assured by diuine verdict , we haue alwaies assured by the vertue of the promise and the current of the couenant of Grace . The truth whereof is most apparant , In that Christ our Capt: hath subdued their forces , he our head hath led them in Triumph , this conquest is appropriated to vs , the like victorie according to our Model is merited for vs . The power of his strength is daily at hand to giue vs strength , to affoord vs assistance , to infuse courage , & adde dexteritie , how we may handle our spiritual armour , how we may take our foes at aduantage , and how we may best giue them recoyle . So that , that which is counted meere folly amongst men , in Christianitie is held a point of wise resolution , vz. to triumph before the victorie : for before the victorie , we are sure to be conquerors , & in this surely more than conquerors . 2. We are more than conquerors in this , that we who euerie way are so silly and simple , of so meane forces , and so litle power , doe obtaine the victorie . In earthly conquests , we know the victorie is vsually obtayned by valiant and resolute Spirits , great Commanders , and experienced souldiers , as the worthies of Dauid , the sonnes of Zeruiah , but here it is far otherwise . We that are very earth-wormes , the outcast of the world , in the hands of all these grieuous aduersaries , Tribulation , anguish , &c. euen as Lambs before the rauenous creatures , as little Dauid before that Gyant-like Goliah : we , I say , that are so vnequall matches , we breake through all their forces like the three mightie men through the host of the Philistims : they be all subdued vnto vs , death it selfe the last enemie is turned into life , Bethmaueth into Bethel , the doore of death into the gate of heauen . So that a Christian lying in the agonie and anguish thereof , and finding small solace in regard of the exigent , when it pleaseth the Lord to open the eyes of his soule , by deliuering it from the prison of his bodie , as he did Iacob from his dreame , lying in the field , he may well say with that holy man , This is the house of God , and I was not aware , this is none other then the very gate of heauen . But to our purpose ( beloued ) If you should see a little boy , bicker with a mighty Giant , of great strength and puissance , and that he should bring him vnder , giue him the ouerthrow and quite vanquish him , would ye not say , the child were more than a conqueror ? Surely the Israelites thought so of Dauid , and sutably they gaue him an eminent and superlatiue applause in their triumphant gratulation , Saul hath slain his thousand , and Dauid his ten thousand . Why euen so it is with vs , we that are thus weake and feeble and vnweldie to see too , that haue neither forme nor beautie in vs , nor any thing to be desired , we obtaine the victorie . And that God , who doth by the foolishnesse of preaching confound the wisedome of the wise , by the weake and despised things of the world , make the strong to stoope and lay their honour in the dust , and their port in obliuion , that God ( I say ) perfits his owne strength in our weaknes , & assists vs so with the sufficiencie of his grace , that we may well be said to be more then conquerors . Againe we are more then conquerors , in that by euery victory we grow the stronger , yea by euery foil we grow the more puissant . Worldly conquerors ( we know ) tho they win the victory , yet it is vsually with the losse of much blood , their forces are long time after much weake , and therfore the lesse vnable to bicker againe . But we ( beloued ) get the better by all these brunts , we get more strength by all our incounters , not in experiment only , but likewise in ability , if not somtimes for the present yet alwaies in time conuenient . If we be in tribulation , why Peter telleth vs it bringeth forth patience , and patience experience , and experience hope , and hope maketh vs to lay faster hould vpon God , and to hould vp our heads with comfort . So that for one affliction we get fower vertues , for one enimie fower asociats ; for tribulation , namely , we are armed with the buckler of patienc , the brestplate of experience the helmet of hope , and the shield of faith , and what loosers then are we by the bargaine ? are we in affliction , why Dauid will tell vs it was good for him that he was afflicted , for therby he learned to keep Gods law . Did not he get good strength ? before he could not make straight steps to Gods statutes . But he was fetting byasses and compasses , hee went limping and ill fauouredly in the way to heauen , but now , now he had learned to goe vpright , and to runne with cheerefulnesse , and so shall we doe ( beloued ) if our afflictions bee sanctified vnto vs . Are wee reuiled and persecuted for the name of Christ and the profession of his trueth ? why Christ tells vs we are happy and blessed . The Apostles thought they were highly dignified , yea strangely preferred , that they were thought worthy to suffer any thing for the name of Christ . And surely it is an high dignitie , to be a Captaine as it were against Satan , and to breake a speare , in the cause of Christ . For this encouragement wee get by it , that whereas before we were ashamed of the name of Christ , we were afraid to professe the truth , now we are as bold as Lyons , and as resolute as may be in the cause of God . Peter that before durst not looke a silly wench in the face , but would sweare and lye , rather than he would take notice of Christ , is now of so couragious a spirit , that he dare euen stand for him to the very face of the high Priest and the Elders . Is Paul in bonds and imprisonment for the Gospell ? why that gaines freedome to the Gospell , and makes it famous euen in Neroes court . Is Lazarus ready to starue for hunger , and in the faintnesse of his spirit does hee giue vp the ghost ? I , but what loseth he by that ? what looseth he ? nay he is a great gainer , for hee comes so much the sooner to heauen , for death the Lord of our enemies is swallowed vp in victorie . I , it is made a passage of life , being past it , we are out of all gun-shot , for then for euer we are conquerors , our triumph shal be celebrated to eternity , the greater danger the more glorious victorie , thus wee are likewise more than conquerors . Lastly , wee may bee said to bee more than Conquerors , in that , when we seeme to be ouercome , and all men deeme we haue the foile , why then haue we the day , then doe we celebrate the Triumph , then wee may sing with Deborah , O my soule thou hast marched valiantly . This is especially seene in death , when as that fearefull Combatant , that gastly Aduersarie , assailes vs , and sets vpon vs , and therfore wee will instance onely in that , and shew you , how euen in death , when we are laid full low , why then is our Triumph at the highest , our Conquest is most supereminent . A strange conclusion to humane reason , but an euident truth to the eye of faith . For when as the godly are brought once to this passe , that the wicked haue bereaued them of their liues , O , then they thinke all is well , they are rid of them , they haue now brought them vnder . So the Deuill thought , and hee could get Christ nayled to the crosse once , all was well , nay , but and if he be laid in the graue once , and the stone sealed vp , all is sure , there will be no more talking of him , vnlesse it be in disgrace , to call him a deceiuer , who said , he would rise within three daies , but could not , and therfore there would be no more doings , vnlesse his Disciples should come and steale him away by night , to gull the people . But they would watch them for that , they would set souldiers to keepe the Tombe , and see who durst be so bold , as to come and stirre it . Thus the Deuill and his impes did euen dance as it were vpon the graue of Christ , and fetch their friskes and Moriscoes as it were , singing as it is in the Psalme : Surely hee is now so low , he can neuer rise againe . Thus they trampled vpon him , as vpon a dead Lion , but the mightie Lion of the Tribe of Iudah , rose valiantly from the dead , grappled with that mightie Dragon and ouerthrew him : and like that valiant Sampson caried the gates of Azzah , the gates of death vpon his backe in triumph , so that they are now no more the gates of death , but the gates of life , whereby all the godly enter into glory . So that if the Deuill come vnto Gods children and tell them , skin for skin , and all that a man hath will he giue for his life , they may tell him he lyes , for if it so pleased God , they had rather giue all they haue to be rid of their life . If I should here enlarge my speech , to relate the valour , and confidence , and reioycement that the constant Martyrs and faithfull witnesses of the Lord Iesus haue had , in suffering for his truth , I might liuely paint out vnto you , more than a conquest . Steuen vnder the stones sees heauen open , and Christ at his Fathers right hand , ready to receiue him : the apprehension whereof did euen so solace his Soule , that hee laid downe his life with solace , showing greater valour in bearing the blowes , then they crueltie , in their enraged malice . We read in the stories of the Church , of a young man that was put to the racke , for the profession of Christ , and being kept vpon it with much torture from morning to noone , hee lay all the while quietly , with a sweet smiling countenance , as one that had been in a pleasant slumber : which being much admired , when he was deliuered from the racke , it was demanded of him , whether he felt no paine all the while , because his countenance was so cheerefull , he answered indeed that hee did feele some paine , but all the while ( as hee thought ) there stood by him a beautifull yoong man , who wyped the sweat off his face alwayes , and besprinkled him with cold water , insomuch that the paine was greatly allaied , and it was not so much , when he was on the Racke , as after he was taken off . How euer all the godly haue not such extraordinarie apparitions ; yet they haue the power of Christ supporting their weaknesse , and the presence of the spirit , giuing them courage and abilitie , to beare all with courage that is laid vpon them , for the name of Christ . I might giue many instances of rare constancie in this our Land , in the time of Queene Mary , in which the Lords people did euen after a sort seeme lauish of their bloud , to shed it for the witnessing of the Lord Iesus , who had not spared to shed his hearts bloud for them . Who all being ayded by Gods speciall assistance , did breake through all difficulties , and freely gaue their liues for the Gospell , and therein became more than conquerors , in that being conquered , they conquered , yea in that they seemed to bee ouercome , therein stood the very glory of their victorie : for that same Christian valour the Lord had put into them , it made them resolue to cleaue to Christ in life and in death , to make him their portion . To which purpose excellent is that speech of that Reuerend Hooper , laying out vnto vs the combat betweene the frailtie of the flesh , and the resolution of the spirit : and letting vs see how the grace of God preuailes , against the disgraces and greeuances of the world .

Imprisonment ( saith he ) is painfull , but yet libertie vpon bad conditions is more painfull . The prisons stinke : I but not so much as sweet houses , where the feare of God is wanting . I but we must be alone and solitarie : why it is better to be so , and haue God with thee , then to be in companie with the wicked . Losse of goods is great : But the losse of Gods fauour and grace is greater . I , but I am a poore simple creature and cannot tell how to answer , before such a great sort of noble , learned , and wise : It is better to make answer before the pompe and pride of wicked men , then to stand naked in the sight of all heauen and earth , before the iust God at the latter day . Why , but I shall die then by the hands of the cruell man ? Why he is blessed , yea a thousand times happy , that loseth this life full of mortall miseries , and findeth the life full of eternall Ioyes . Thus ( beloued ) the holy ones of God haue resolued to lay downe their liues for the Lord Iesus , and in loosing their liues , they haue found them , for they haue found Christ the life of their soules , according to his promise , He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it , and haue they not then been valiant conquerors ? yes vndoubtedly more than conquerors . The vse of all this that hath been said , is , to let vs see the excellencie of a Christian , and what a priuiledge it is to be the child of God , for euery state is sanctified vnto vs , and we thereby are brought nearer vnto God , and therefore alwaies to reioice , continually to solace our selues in the Lord , and in him to cheere vp our spirits in euery condition , knowing , that the most grieuous estate we can be in , is sanctified vnto vs , and that when God lets any crosses betide vs , why it is because he hath some good to worke vnto vs out of them , either that hee may thereby curbe some sinne , and so driue the Cananites out of his owne Inheritance , or else that he may giue vs scope to exercise the graces wee haue receiued , and so to make vs more nimble and actiue , more politicke and experienced against a greater encounter . And therefore wee should not be so timorous and faint-hearted , as we be , at the very hearing of any affliction comming toward vs , like the Israelites running away at the very sight of Goliah , no , wee should plucke vp our hearts , and cheere vp our spirits , knowing that the greatest of our aduersaries is but an obiect for vs to shew out valour vpon , and to make proofe of our spirituall puissance . Why , what care I how stout mine aduersarie be ? what doe I feare how strong an arme hee hath , or what a big legge or how well appointed he come , when as I know I shall ouercome him ? The stouter he is , and the better weaponed hee comes , the more shall be my glory , for I know ( relying vpon God ) I shall giue him the foyle , and therefore the better he is appointed , the gladder I am . Thus should our hearts rise within vs , and euen leape for ioy , that we may haue an opportunitie to shew our loue to Christ , and to beare a stroke for his sake . And therfore if God should call any of vs to greater triall , euen to loose our liues for his truth , yet still wee should reioyce , knowing , that the greater the outward greeuance is , the more neere it brings vs to God : and that God vnto whom it brings vs , is so gratious , that where our triall and combat is the greater , he supplies and seconds , yea and doubles his strength the power of his spirit . And againe t is a speciall prerogatiue , and an high grace for a Christian , that God shall chuse him out before many others , as a speciall man , to be a Captaine as it were , and one of the worthies of Israel , to venter further for the Lord , than a great many other shall doe , and to combat and bicker with the Deuill , euen at his owne weapon , his owne life . And it is the Cup likewise our blessed Sauiour begun to vs of , why who would not bee glad to pledge him ? me thinkes hee should thinke himselfe highly graced , that may haue the first and the fullest draught , for this is a true drinking of an holy health , a speciall potion for the health of our soules . And lastly , what a blessing is it , to haue those things which are punishments of sinne , turned into witnessings and testifications of the truth of God , to be a grace and a glory and an ornament to the Gospell of Christ ? And for the hurt , that afflictions can doe vs , why we must know they are but like the furnace of Babilon , which burnt not the three children , no , not so much as scorched not the hayre of their heads , but only loosed their bandes . So all the hurt that afflictions do vs , is , but to loose the bands of our corruption , to purge and purifie vs from our sinnes , a most happy losse . A child seeing his Father cut a grape from the vine , lookes at it , and it seemes very prety vnto him , hee thinks it were pitie it should be prest ; for then t is spoild : but the wise Father knowes that stamped it is the best , for if it should be let alone , it would not presently : but being pressed it wil yeeld it own blood , that comfortable liquor which cheares the heart of man . Such children and fooles are we , we thinke if wee might serue God in peace and quietnesse , without any 〈◊〉 , all were well , whereas God our wise Father knowes if wee were let alone , we would be naught , we would rot in our corruptions , and therefore in his wisedome hee lets vs be stamped in the wine presse of afflictions , that wee may be made according to his minde , such as may euen cheate his heart , and such examples of constancie , as may euen draw vs on to the embracing of the truth . For the bloud of Martyrs hath been the seed of the Church , and neuer did the Church flourish so much as in time of persecution . But alas poore silly soules that wee are , what cowardly hearts haue we ? if a man giue vs but a disgracefull tearme , wee are ready with those Disciples , Ioh. 6. to leaue Christ , to follow him no more . What a dastardly part is this to cast away our weapons before we haue any blow ? why we should reioice we are counted worthy to suffer any thing for Christ , and wee should persuade our selues , that he that giues vs power to beare that , he will afterward giue vs courage to endure an harder brunt . And as for the wicked that delight in the persecuting and disgracing of the Saints of God , let them learne hence what fooles they are , for wheras they thinke , they doe the worst that can bee to Gods children , in mocking them , in disgracing them , the truth is , they could not do them a greater pleasure , for by this means , they make them more than conquerors : by this means they make them atcheiue a most glorious victorie , for let them know , that howsoeuer they can discerne nothing in the Saints of God but miserie and basenesse , and a life worthy to bee lothed , yet the truth is that when they seem to them to bee at the lowest ebbe , then are they indeed in the sight of God , and in the feeling of their owne soules most glorious conquerors : insomuch that , ( as one saith well ) Contraries may euen be predicated of them at the same instant , and that they may well be said to be , the foulest , and the fairest , the poorest & the richest , the foolishest and the wisest , the highest and the lowest , the basest and yet the noblest , the weakest & the strongest . They are the foulest in that to the worlds eye , there is neither form nor beauty in them : and yet the fairest , for they are the spouse of Christ , his faire one , his loue , his doue , his beloued , the Kings daughter that is all glorious within . The poorest they be , for they vse this world as though they vsed it not , and yet the richest , for they haue laid vp treasure in heauen . The foolishest , for such God chuseth to confound the wisdom of the wise , and yet the wisest , for the feare of the Lord is true wisdom , and to flee from euill the chiefe vnderstanding . They be the basest , as being deemed , the very refuse and off-scouring of the world : and yet the noblest being the sonnes of God , the heyrs of heauen . They are the weakest as being continually exercised with tribulation , anguish , persecution , perill and sword : and yet the strongest , for in all these we are more than conquerors , through him that loued vs . So that me thinks , if it were for nothing else , then this , the wicked should cease to persecute Gods children , namely , because by this means , they greatly aduance them , they make them most glorious victors . I know there is neuer a wicked persecuting man , but he would be loth to do any good to Gods children : if he knew any thing that would further their preferment , he would be sure to reape it from them , if it lay in his power : why then what a foole art thou to persecute them ? thou dost by this means , make the graces of Gods spirit to shine more eminent in them thou giuest them occasions to master their corruptions , so that they are conquerors both ouer thee & themselues , and get more strength and puissance daily , fight more couragiously vnder the banner of Christ , & shall haue more garlands & wreaths of renowme set vpon their heads , then if they had not gone through those brunts . So that in steed of doing them hurt , thou doest them a great pleasure , making them heere to grow in grace like the Palme , which the more it is pressed , the faster it riseth , & heereafter to expect a greater glory , for he that ouercomes with courage shall be crowned with Triumph , and haue those speciall preheminences that ensue such a conquest . What hurt therefore canst thou doe vnto vs ? who euer thou art , that delights to be doing with the Saints of God . What hurt ? nay thou dost vs much good , for thy curses are turned into blessings , there is neither sorcerie nor witchcraft against Iacob , and as Salomon sayes , the very mercies of the wicked are cruelty ; so we may well inuert the speech , and say , that the crueltie of the wicked is mercy , through his mercy who hath loued vs , for wee are onely conquerors through him that loued vs . A word of which and so an end . The power of this victorie is from Christ , all our sufficiencie is from him , by faith it is that we receiue it , his spirit infusing that courage into vs , that makes vs play the men , and winne the field . His loue was the cause of all this good , for his loue to vs made him leaue heauen , the seat of his glory , & to descend to the earth , the footstool of miserie , and there to fight that same first bloudy field , and to giue Satan the foyle , since which time Satan could neuer finally ouercome any of his chosen . Well then beloued did Christ come into the world to make vs conquerors ? Did he descend from heauen , that hee might giue vs the victorie ouer all these enemies , Tribulation , Persecution , &c. I that he did , our text sayes so . And doe wee now celebrate the memoriall of that comming , the remembrance of his Natiuitie ? I that wee do , for now is the time of that solemnitie . Why then my beloued wee must remember , so to keep this time of solemnitie , that we still retayn our victorie , that we still keepe the conquest that Christ hath purchased , for else it were a right mock-holy-day indeed , to celebrate the time of Chr: comming into the world , and to bereaue our selues of the end wherfore he came , of the benefit we reap by his comming . His end was , sayes my text to make vs conquerors of all these our enemies , Tribul : Anguish , &c. this was his end . We must then take heed , that we do not againe beslaue our selues , to the commission , to the entertainment of such sins , as may bring all these enemies in vpon vs againe , iustly for our sinne , and subiect vs vnto them . If a Towne or a Citie should keep a festiuall day in the memorie of some great victorie , their King had got , in the ouerthrow of their enemies , and should in the meane time send for those enemies that the King had put to flight , & bring them into the City , and not only so , but vrge them to the banquet , & reioyce with them , & in them , and bid them welcome , and make them good cheere , and let them take possession of it againe , would the King take this well thinke ye ? would hee thinke it were a good remembrance of his venturing of his life for the safetie of that city ? well quoth he ; why it would so incense and enrage his spirits against them , that hee could not hold his hands , but presently as it is in the Gospell : hee would send forth his warriours , to slay those traitours and burne vp their city . Why thus the case stands with vs beloued . Christ our King the King of peace and glory , came downe from heauen to deliuer vs from the power of hell , from all our enemies , hee got the victory with valour , we now celebrate the time of his comming to conquer , if wee shall now celebrate it in passing the time , and solacing our selues with those sins , that he hath conquered , as intemperance , idlenesse wanton pastims , if we send for the enemies , that he hath subdued , and giue them possession againe , why what do we els but lose the victory , cashiere Christs conquest and mock his bloudshed ? And what may we then look for but the fearful doome before named , that as we haue equalled those traitors in sinne , so we may drinke as deepe of the punishment ? O therefore beloued , let vs be wise , let our reioycing be such as we may fit the time , spirituall reioycing , let our mirth be such as may stand with our victory , spirituall mirth , not foolish laughter , which is madnesse or worse , not iesting and iybing which becomes not Saints , not vnclean speeches , which should not once be named among Christians , not winter tales , and foolish stories , the diuels chronicles , which neuer need printing we can so well remember them . Wherefore let vs rather beloued , cheere vp our soules in the spirituall memory of Christs victory , of the victory of faith that ouercomes the world . In the prerogatiues of Christianity , which are most singular , yet so that we alwaies refer them to him that loued vs , for we only enioy them through him that loued vs . Let vs pray . &c.