Seven Treatises, Treatise 3 · Chapter 7
CHAP. 7. Of the third priuate helpe, which is the armour of a Chriſtian: and of the firſt three points of it.
THe third priuate helpe is the armour, which was next mentioned among the reſt. This being not ſo cleerely vnderſtood, nor the vſe of it ſo well ſeene into, requireth a more full handling, then I purpoſe to vſe in the moſt of the reſt. And this armour God in his merciemercy hath appointed to furniſh the Chriſtian ſouldier withall in his warfare, againſt all his ſpirituall enemies, that by the helpe thereof, and the other meanes in this treatiſe mentioned, he may be able to be directed aright from time to time, and keepe a good courſe in his life, and beate backe the ſtrong and ſubtill aſſaults of the diuell, that he be not led by, nor ouercome of them, nor of the manifold bad paſsions and euill deſires of his own heart, which otherwiſe will draw him continually after them. But before I proceed any further, I will ſet downe the points, worthie to be learned and practiſed in and about this armour, that the reader may ſee better how to make right vſe of it.
Firſt therefore I will ſhew what this armour is, and the chiefe parts of it.Foure points to be conſidered touching the Chriſtian armour. Secondly, that a Chriſtian life cannot ſtand without it, nor be practiſed of any, except he be armed, as God hath taught and appointed him to be. Thirdly, how it is gotten and come by, and how wee ſhould put it on. Fourthly, how we may, by the helpe of it, practiſe godlines from time to time, and be able to ſtand faſt in our Chriſtian courſe, and reſiſt in the time of daunger. By all which, God will make vsus able to liue chriſtianly, which is to hauehave our conuerſation in heauen with our God, as he requireth.
The firſt point ſheweth what the armour is.The whole complete armour therefore, is the ſpirituall furniture of the gifts and graces of the holie Ghoſt, by which, God doth deliuer his from all aduerſarie power, and bring them to the obedience of his will. I ſpeake not here of thoſe who are to bee called, but who are effectuallie called alreadie: and they by the helpe of this armour,2. Cor. 10.4. doe not onelyonly caſt downe ſtrong holds of temptation, and ouerthrow imaginations, and eueryevery high thing which exalteth it ſelf (in the opinion of him that is tempted) againſt the knowledg of God: but alſo bring into ſubiection eueryevery euill thought in them, to the obedience of Chriſt. And this armour is that which is ſet downe to the Epheſians,Epheſ. 6.14. the parts whereof are theſe: Truth or ſinceritie; righteouſnes; the ſhooes of peace, or preparation to beare the croſſe; The parts of the armour.faith, the helmet of ſaluation: which in another place he calleth, hope, and the word of God. This is the full furniture of a Chriſtian, by the which the Lord hath taught him to fight againſt the diuell, and his inſtruments, and thereby to preuaile, in and through their captaine and head Chriſt Ieſus.
And although there are other points of armour ſet downe in other places of the Scripture, yet are they but parcels of this, or the ſame in other words expreſſed. Neither ſhall there neede any other: for he who is attired and armed with this, ſhall not in any point be vnprouided, or to ſeeke of ſtrength in the time of neede. But yet doth not eueryevery man ſee by and by how theſe may be accounted armour, therefore will I deſcribe them ſeuerally.
VVhat ſinceritie is.Sinceritie or vprightnes is that weapon of the ſpirituall warfare, and that fruit of the ſpirit which ſhould accompanie the whole conuerſation (not ſome few actions of a Chriſtian) by the which hee is ſimple and without fraud and hypocriſie bearing ſway in him, both towards God and his neighbour: and it may the more cleerely be diſcerned by conſidering the perſon in whom it is found, namely an vpright man, whom (in the deſcription of Nathaniel) our Sauiour Chriſt calleth a true Iſraelite in whom there is no guile: which vertue although it be a part of the Chriſtian armour,Pſal. 32.2. Matth. 5.8. yet that it is rare, not onelyonly the beſt doe ſee, but euen the bad ſort doe complaine: according to the words of Salomon: Prou. 20.6.Many men will boaſt, eueryevery one of his owne goodnes, but who can finde a faithfull man? that is to ſay, who will prooue himſelfe to bee ſuch an one indeede, as hee will ſeeme to be, by word and ſhew? For to ſay the truth, men are ſo infected with hollownes and glozing, and through cuſtome and continuance therein ſo confirmed in it, that vntill God changeth the heart,Ierem. 13.23. Ieremies words are true of this one, as of other euils, It is as poſsible for him who is accuſtomed to euill, to returne and doe good, as for the blacke Moore to change his skinne, or the Leopard her ſpots.
And this veritie conſiſteth as well in holding and keeping the truth, I meane the ſound knowledge of the word of God in our iudgement, as the practiſe of it in a good conſcience. Which I ſay, becauſe there are ſome, who profeſſe great friendſhip to the Goſpell, who yet maintaine ſtrange opinions not according to the truth of it: as that the law ought not to be preached in any wiſe: and that there ſhould no differences of men be made; when yet the Scripture putteth difference betwixt good and bad, both in their life and in rewards, Pſalm. 1. The holding of ſuch opinions therefore, ſtandeth not with ſinceritie: which freely admitteth all opinions to bee meaſured and cenſured by the word.
Now therefore if this be ſinceritie and vprightnes to be free, not onelyonly from double heartednes and halting, but alſo, to be readie to yeeld a francke aſſent and practiſe to the truth; and alſo if this vertue bee one part of the Chriſtian armour: he who is voyde of this, muſt needes lie open to great danger, both by error in opinion and by corruption in life: for he wanteth that which ſhould defend him. And contrarily, he who ſeeketh to pleaſe God vnfainedly, his conſcience bearing him record, that he hath ſome true meaſure of this ſinceritie, and ſtill laboureth after it, that is, to be ſimple and plaine (though politike) in his words, actions and meaning, he hath this part of the armour: the vſe whereof how great and gainefull it is, ſhall appeare hereafter. And ſuch a thing is veritie or ſinceritie. But let this be added, that if any will purpoſe this in ſome things, yet not reſolue to ſhew it in all, euen this is the man, who is farre from ſinceritie.
Righteouſnes is that part of the armour,What righteouſnes is. and ſuch a gift of the ſpirit whereby our hearts are bent to all manner of goodnes, and righteous dealing, approouing of it as moſt excellent, deſiring feruently and delighting in it;Prou. 28.1. Pſalm. 7. and that becauſe it is good: and diſliking and hating all naughtines and euill. And he who looketh to be preſerued in manifold temptations to ſinne, and to keepe in obedience to all kind of duties both towards God and men, whiles he liueth, had neede to hauehave no leſſe, then this firmenes and conſtancie of a righteous heart, and to be ſo throughly perſwaded of the beautie and price of this one part of Chriſtianitie, namely, innocent and righteous dealing, that though infinit occaſions ſhall ariſe to diminiſh the credit of it; yet he may cloath himſelfe with it, as with a garment, and weare it as an ornament, that ſuch an one he may ſhew himſelfe to be in his actions,Phil. 1.11. that he may cauſe others to be in louelove with it alſo. Which vertue ſo ſhined in Ioſeph, that ſundrie times, when he might hauehave wrought euill without feare of reuenge to his brethren, who had giuen him ſtrong occaſion, he would not: nay, when he might hauehave been preferred, by hearkning to his whoriſh miſtreſſe, he refuſed it with deteſtation (though thereby he procured to himſelfe no ſmall danger) ſaying, how can I doe this great wickednes and ſo ſinne againſt God? Geneſ. 39.9.
He that ſeeth into this vertue, and liketh it ſo, that he will be wary that he commit no vnrighteous thing againſt God nor man, as farre as his knowledge guideth him, but ſetleth himſelfe to doe that, which is pleaſing both in the ſight of God, and before men: he hath this part of armour, and is fenced with the breſtplate of righteouſnes. Such ſhall ſay with Iob, Iob. 31.35.If mine aduerſarie write a booke againſt me, I will put it behind my backe (reade it, who will) and glorie in mine accuſations. The beautie of this grace and vertue is ſuch, as may appeare in the examples of thoſe who were found innocent when they were charged and accuſed, as in Dauid towards Saul, 1. Sam. 24.17. that if it could be ſeene with eye, it would exceedingly prouoke men to be in louelove with it. And let all marke how fitly theſe two ſinceritie and righteouſnes, or innocencie doe goe together.
To be prepared with the ſhooes of peace by the Goſpell, is this,Shooes of peace▪ that we hauing receiued forgiuenes of our ſinnes, and aſſurance of ſaluation through faith by the Goſpell,Rom. 5.1. and thereby found moſt ſweete peace to our conſcience, we are now by this Goſpell, as they who are readie to take a long iourney, ſhodde and prepared to be readie to deny our ſelues, and to take vp our croſſe, and follow Chriſt, throughout this our pilgrimage. This part of armour did our mercifull father ſee meete for vsus, his weake children, ſeeing we are ſo diſmayed at the beholding,Luk. 22.57. Luk. 22.33. or hearing of troubles to be at hand, although before they come, we were cheerefull. He would therefore that we ſhould not faint, nor be diſcouraged, no not euen by them: but lift vp our heads, and be of good comfort, ſeeing they are but for a ſhort time, & our peace is continuall:Phil. 4.7. Ioh. 16.33. beſides that, for the exceeding greatnes of it, it paſſeth all vnderſtanding: and therefore it is able to keepe our hearts comforted, euen in our tribulations, through hope at leaſt. Which our Sauiour foretold, that the faithfull ſhould hauehave, but he armed them moſt gratiouſly againſt them.
Neither is there indeede any other thing, that is able to ſtay vsus from deadlie vnquietnes and bitter anguiſh at ſuch times. For ſeeing we are going to God, and that muſt be through moſt dangerous rankes of cruell enemies, as through a wildernes of robbers, this is our incouragement to goe on manfully, in that we know by the doctrine of the Goſpell, that we take our iourney to God who is at peace with vsus. He therefore, who hath this peace by the Goſpell, is armed with this part of Chriſtian armour, called the ſhooes of preparation, as the ſouldier with his braſſie bootes, againſt all ſuch hard and ſharpe afflictions, and troubles; which as pikes in the way, would otherwiſe ſo wound him, that he ſhould not be able to ſtand in the battaile; he is armed (I ſay) becauſe he thus thinketh with himſelfe,Rom. 8.31. Pſal. 27.1. if God be with me, who can be againſt me? the Lord is my ſaluation and light, whom then ſhould I feare? the Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom then ſhall I be afraid?
Faith.To hauehave this ſhield of faith, is to build our perſwaſion on Gods faithfull promiſes, that Chriſt Ieſus is ours: and that God hath giuen him to vsus, to obtaine forgiuenes of our ſinnes and ſaluation by him; yea and all other good things alſo,Rom. 8.32. meete for this preſent life: As the Apoſtle ſaith; He that hath giuen vsus his Chriſt, how can he, but with him giuegive vsus all things alſo? So that he which hath embraced theſe pretious promiſes and reſteth vponupon them, as certaine and not doubtfull, no more to be remoued, and vnſetled, as (if it be well weighed) there is no cauſe he ſhould: he hath this part of the armour, and therefore ſhall not be ouercome by thoſe fearefull temptations of Sathan to ſtrong diſtruſtfulnes,Col. 1.23. which as firie darts be deadly to all which are not thus armed with a true and ſound faith: and ſuch an one may be rightly ſaid, to put on the Lord Ieſus, which cannot be done but by faith.
VVhat hope is. Rom. 12.12.This hope is a ioyfull longing, and ſtedfaſt deſire, Luk. 2.30. (as we may ſee in old father Simeon) and looking for the performing, and accompliſhing of all thoſe mercies temporall and eternall, which God hath promiſed, and we by faith are aſſured of. For this the Lord would hauehave vsus to know, that he hath made no one promiſe to vsus, but he meaneth to fulfill it, that we may ſee it, and glorifie him, for ſuch louing kindnes of his towards vsus: and therefore would hauehave vsus alſo in reuerence to hope perfectly, 1. Pet. 1.13.that is, confidently and conſtantly to the end, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, for ſuch gratious gifts, as he hath bequeathed vntounto vsus. The which holy boldnes, whiles we are propped vp withall, our hearts are ſo well ſatisfied and contented, that we paſſe our dayes cheerefully, and walke in our callings ioyfully, ſeruing God therein: we like our portion marueilous well, and we inioy our proſperitie with much thankfulnes.
And all this we doe, becauſe we hauehave hope from God of all good things which ſhall be meete for vsus; yea and all this we doe, not after the fleſh, or becauſe we hauehave whatſoeuer heart can wiſh, or eye luſt after (for our God indenteth not with vsus after any ſuch manner) but becauſe we hauehave ſome meaſure of godlines with contentation, and hauehave learned to be perſwaded, that to be beſt for vsus, which he bringeth to paſſe; and ſo to hope ſtill, that all things ſhall fall out to vsus for the beſt, becauſe he hath ſo promiſed.Rom. 8.28. And if it were not for this ſweete hope, our liues ſhould be moſt weariſome, except we ſhould ſuffer them to be meerely diueliſh. And without this of the armour of hope, all other hope is vaine and deceitfull, and as the ruſh without mire and moyſture which withereth: and as the ſpiders webbe which is ſodainly ſwept downe.
Laſtly, the armour of the word, which is called the ſword of the ſpirit,The word of God. is to be well inſtructed in the ſound and liuing knowledge of the Scriptures, and to digeſt the ſame, and ſeaſon our vnderſtanding with it, in ſuch wiſe, that we may know the will of God, and hauehave the ſame in remembrance, in the things which moſt concerne vsus (as we can) that thereby we may at all times, and in all caſes be readily led by it. That this may be a light to our feete, Pſal. 119.105.and a lanterne to our ſteppes, as the Prophet teacheth: that ſo neither hereſie in opinion, nor errour in our life which ſhall be daungerous,1. Pet. 3.17. may carry vsus away from our ſtedfaſtnes in our Chriſtian courſe: no nor ſo much as deceiue vsus ſecretly, but we may be able to draw forth this ſworde of the ſpirit, and to ſay, it is written▪ that ſo no ſuch thing may be done of vsus.
Such knowledge therefore of good and euill, cannot be wanting in vsus, nor the daily increaſing of it be neglected, but fore and perilous wounds will by the aduerſarie pearce our ſoules: ſo farre is it off, that the moſt experienced and skilfull Chriſtian ſhould thinke, he knoweth enough. Yet leaſt any ſhould deceiue himſelfe about this, thinking that he hath knowledg, this (I ſay) that if he be not counſelled and guided by that he vnderſtandeth,2. Cor. 3.18. Prou. 1.6. Prou. 9. He knoweth nothing, as he ought to know. For the feare of offending God is the beginning of wiſedome, and he that keepeth (that is) faithfully indeuoureth to keepe the commaundements of God, is moſt wiſe. And ſo ſpeaketh our Sauiour to his Apoſtles:Ioh. 13.17. If ye know theſe things, happie are ye, if ye doe them. This knowledge therefore, and the experience that we learne by it, how we hauehave proſpered, by liuing after it; is that part of Chriſtian armour, which is called the ſword of the ſpirit: and who doth not ſee, what a ſingular and neceſſarie helpe it is, to the practiſing of a godly life? for as a blind man is without a guide; ſo is a man without it.
And thus I hauehave giuen the reader a taſte of the armour of a Chriſtian, what it is: who by due conſideration of the power and vſe of eueryevery part of it, may eaſily ſee, that he who is furniſhed with the ſame, may be able to doe wonderfull things, in reſpect of him, which goeth to worke by his owne aduice and power, or (which is all one) by mixing it with the word of God. And yet ſo doe the moſt, who profeſſe the Goſpell: they will not altogether exclude the commaundements of God, ſo that they refuſe altogether to be gouerned by them: yet for all that, they will not binde themſelues to be ruled by them, in one thing as in another: and therefore doth their life, and talke iarre and iangle, in reſpect of the knowledge of dutie which they hauehave, and is euen harſh and vnſauourie to good and bad, and to themſelues alſo, if they would but ſearch and looke into their waies ſeriouſly and carefully at any time. And this briefly bee ſaid of the firſt point concerning the Chriſtian armour, to ſhew what it is, and which are the parts of it.
The ſecond point, that the Chriſtian life cannot ſtand without it.Now to go forward to the ſecond, which is, that the Chriſtian life cannot ſtand without it. He that is willing to liue Chriſtianly throughout his life, (for God giueth vsus no libertie of intermiſſion or ſtay) hee muſt not be content to hauehave this knowledge of the armour ſwimming in his braine, or lying by him in a booke, but to be digeſted of him, and made his owne, and no more ſtand at the putting on of this holie armour, then to doubt of the truth of it: he muſt alwaies bee readie to cloath and furniſh his ſoule with the ſeuerall parts of it (to couer the nakednes and ſhame thereof, and to make it comely and well fauoured in the ſight of God) as his bodie with apparell: and to arme it therewith as the ſouldier is with his Corſelet, head-piece, ſword, &c. becauſe by it, God hath appointed to defend him, from the ſpirituall craftines of his deadly enemie the diuell, and from the deceitfulnes of the moſt noiſome ſinne.
And moſt ſure it is, to him who will look into it, that all other good helps to godlines, as prayer, reading, conference, though in themſelues very profitable; yet they doe Chriſtians the leſſe good, if they be without the armour. And therefore when the Apoſtle had taught the Epheſians to practiſe the particular duties of Chriſtianitie, he ſendeth them to this armour, to enable them to ſtand faſt therein, without the which, the diuell (he telleth them) would with his ſubtill baites and deluſions, draw them from whatſoeuer he exhorteth them vntounto; yea although they had deſire to bee obedient to the ſame.Epheſ. 6.13. Thus he writeth, ſaying: Take vntounto you that whole armour of God, that ye may be able to reſiſt in the euill day: that is, in the hard time, when Sathan bendeth all his force againſt you, and proclaimeth (as it were) open warre; as well as when the daunger ſeemeth to be ſmaller: and hauing done all things, that is, reſiſted your enemie, ſtand by the ſtrength thereof, and keepe your ſelues armed ſtill againſt new aſſaults. By this it is cleere, that ſeeing the diuell is a profeſſed enemie of ours, and one that woundeth vsus ſecretly, when wee are not aware, and is at hand to doe vsus moſt harme, when we doe not ſo much as dreame of any ſuch matter: it is cleere, I ſay, that if wee be not prepared againſt ſuch daungers, we muſt needes be ſore hurt. Who goeth foorth naked and vnarmed vntounto the battell, where ſo many kinds of weapons are readie to take away his life? nay all is little enough, though hee be armed in euerie part.
That which I ſay in generall of the whole, will better appeare if wee goe through eueryevery particular part of it. For who will aduenture to goe barefooted among thornes and ſtubbes, yea to runne vponupon the pikes, but hee will be well ſhod? euen ſo,Shod with the preparation. who will be bold to goe thorough the manifold ſtormes and tribulations of this life, which riſe vp in his way, in eueryevery place, not to pricke his feete, but to pierce and goe thorough his heart: as it is ſaid of Marie her troubles, that they ſhould pierce thorough her ſoule, euen as a ſword,Luk. 2.35. which goeth to the intrailes: who (I ſay) will go thorough theſe ſtormes, but he will be well armed againſt them, and ſtrongly prepared and ſetled to ſtay himſelf vponupon God by the peace and comfort which he draweth from Chriſts owne words, euen theſe: Though in the world ye ſhall hauehave tribulation, yet be of good comfort, for I hauehave ouercome the world?
And that which I ſay of this one kinde, I may in like manner ſay of all the parts of the armour which God hath furniſhed a Chriſtian with: that he can walke in no ſafetie thorough the Campe of this world without them,The ſhield of faith. and eueryevery of them. Who can be free from deſpairing of Gods merciemercy (which is a firie and venimous dart) or els from dreadfull doubting and feare (which are companions thereunto) or (which is as deadly and daungerous) from preſumption, vaine hope, and deceiuing of himſelfe, which hath not the ſhield of faith; and is not certaine thereby of eternall ſaluation; and of the fauour of God to guard him in this life? And though this man had no other thing to make him vnhappie: yet who doth not ſee, that euen this is enough to make al his pleaſures vnſauourie, if he ſhould either feele the one, or might be perſwaded of the other?
Beſides, what is his life (euen at the beſt) when hee hath no truſt in Gods manifold promiſes? And although theſe things being not ſeene with eye, be as little thought vponupon of the moſt part in the world; yet the Scripture hath concluded, that there is no ſound peace to any ſuch; yea rather that the diuel hath, as a raging lion, his paw vpō their throte ready eueryevery houre to take away their ſoule: as the Apoſtle ſheweth (though this ſeeme leſſe, ſeeing it is not knowne nor felt) whereas if they were ſhielded by this faith, and that in their neede, it ſhould not be ſo with; them but thereby they reſiſting him, 1. Pet. 5.7. Iam. 4.7.hee ſhould flie from them.
Againe,The breaſt-plate of righteouſnes. to ſhew how impoſſible it is to bee in ſafetie without the other parts of the Chriſtian armour; how can any man walke innocent and harmeles among his neighbours, though others ſhould walke ſo towards him, except he hath put on the breaſt-plate of righteouſnes;Prou. 3.30. and armed himſelfe with this cogitation, to doe no man any wrong; and not onelyonly ſo, but alſo to doe no other iniquitie or euill, which might offend any, or wound his owne ſoule? How many waies ſhall hee be carried to ſinne againſt God, and his neighbour? I ſpeake not of an vnbeleeuer, who can doe nothing but ſinne; but euen of a Chriſtian, who hath an heart which hateth ſinne: yet euen he, if he indent not from time to time a freſh with his heart, againſt all vnrighteouſnes, and the parts of vnholie life, he ſhall be disfigured with many blemiſhes, and diſgrace himſelfe and his holie profeſſion alſo, by his many vnlawfull actions: ſo farre is it off, that innocencie is in his heart, and in his hands, and that he liueth vnrebukeable, and without blame amongſt men.
And therfore it is that S. Paul teaching the Corinthians how they ſhould be apparelled with the parts of Chriſtian armour, as puritie and vprightnes, 2. Cor. 6.4.5. &c.knowledge of the word of God, and with patience and long ſuffering, which hope ingendreth, doth among the reſt, commend to them this one, by his owne example, namely, the armour of righteouſnes, both on the right hand, and on the left, that is, in proſperitie and aduerſitie, that ſo they ſhould giuegive no occaſion of offence in any thing, but in all things approoue themſelues as the ſeruants of God.
The ſvvord of the ſpirit.The ſame may be ſaid of the other parts of the Chriſtian armour, that I hauehave ſaid of the ſhooes of peace, of the ſhield of faith, and of the breaſt-plate of righteouſnes. For if there be not ſome cleere and ſound knowledge of the word of God (which as a ſword may cut the bands of ſinne aſunder like a cord) how ſhall a Chriſtian be able to diſcerne the deceitfulnes of ſinne, but be led by it and taken with it, as with a baite? How can he chooſe, although he be zealous and deſirous to doe well, but to be led into many errours, and ſo goe without the ſweete life, which in Chriſtianitie is to be found, if hee hauehave not well learned and digeſted this in the depth of his heart, it is written, to the contrarie?The girdle of truth. So if he be not girded, as it were, with ſinceritie, that hee may be adorned with it whereſoeuer he become, and all other good gifts of God in him be bound together by that, that hee hath them in truth, that hee delighteth in them indeed;Prou. 20.6. how ſhall he be infected with hollownes and hypocriſie, what ſhew of holines ſoeuer appeare in him?
The helmet of hope.To conclude, what can there be in his life daily, but fainting, vncomfortablenes, and ſundrie diſcouragements, whiles he is weaned from the fooliſh and vaine delights of this world, and ſeeth not the pleaſures of heauen with mortall eyes; what can there els be to him (I ſay) if the hope of ſaluation be not as an helmet, to keepe life in his ſoule: and with this hope of ſaluation, which cannot deceiue him, a cheerefull hope of well paſſing the courſe of theſe conflicting daies alſo vnderunder the wings of Gods protection, till he come thither? As for other hope, who knoweth not, that all other hope of earthly peace, or long life, is like to a broken tooth, and ſliding foote? But by this hope, tediouſnes is remoued, and cheerefulnes to waite contentedly in this pilgrimage for a full deliuerance, is obtained. Therefore how truly may this bee ſaid, that the Chriſtian life, without the armour of God, cannot be continued?
For if eueryevery part of it be ſo needfull throughout our life (as hath bin ſaid) who ſeeth not, that euen ſuch an one, as hath receiued grace from aboue, by the preaching of the Goſpell, to be borne a new, and to be begotten to a liuely hope; yet for all this, ſhall not thriue, nor proſper, without diligent and vſuall nouriſhing of this new birth in him, nor grow vp to a perfect age in Chriſt, deliuered from the hindrances by the world and the diuell, except he be ſtrongly armed, as God hath taught him to be?
This is ſo truly verified in all Gods children, that euen they who are not the forwardeſt of others, yet if they hauehave any ſtrength againſt euill at any time, they hauehave it from God thus, euen by the meanes of the armour. If they were not ſometimes armed, they ſhould make as great breaches, and fall as dangerouſly, one day as another: and yet if they were acquainted with this armour thoroughly, they ſhould make their worſt and moſt vncomfortable day in the weeke, equall with the beſt and the happieſt (which they ſometime inioyed) in heauenly paſſing of their time, and in ſweete comfort. And for want of this armour (either for that men know it not, or for not hauing vſe of it) the infinite irkeſomneſſes, heauines, diſtraction, dumpiſhnes, doubting, and feare doe vexe them, and ſuch like deadly poyſons doe occupie the hearts euen of Chriſtians, as alſo light reioycing in a fleſhly manner, vaine hope, phantaſticall dreames of peace and ſafetie, where none is. And for want of this, their liues alſo before men are kept from ſhewing foorth light and good example in one thing, as well as in another: yea rather, they are harbourers of ſundrie euill qualities, in ſo much that few are incouraged to waxe better by them, nor to ſuſpect that any thing is amiſſe in them, but are hardened to goe forward in their old courſe ſtill.
And if it be thus with ſuch, as hauehave ſome good and ſound beginnings in Chriſtianitie, let no man meruaile, though they, who are vtterly deſtitute of faith, and of other parts of the Chriſtian armour, be ſo farre off from good life as they be, ſeeing they renounce this arming of themſelues, which I hauehave proued, that a Chriſtian life cannot be without.
And now by this which hath been ſaid of the armour hitherto, it is the eaſier to vnderſtand what it is, and what the parts of it are,The third point is how the armour ſhould be put on. and how the Chriſtian life cannot ſtand without it. Now I will proceed (as I hauehave promiſed) to the third point in this matter concerning the armour, namely, how it ſhould be put on, and be worne, that ſo wee may better ſee how to take that good by it, which God offereth vsus. For which end and purpoſe it is to bee marked, that eueryevery true beleeuer in his firſt conuerſion to God, is thereby made partaker of all things pertaining to life and godlines, 2. Pet. 1.4.and therefore is not deſtitute of any common grace of a true Chriſtian: hauing them, as a childe lately borne, all the parts and faculties of ſoule and bodie, though weake in all: amongſt which, theſe that are here compared to armour, are principall.
This being ſo, a faithfull Chriſtian need not wonder, when he is willed to hauehave this grace, and parts of this holie armour in a readines; hee neede not wonder (I ſay) where he ſhall hauehave it, or doubt how to come by it:Luk. 17.31. For we ſee he hath it alreadie; and as our Sauiour Chriſt ſaid; The kingdome of heauen (that is, the glorious raigning of his in the elect) commeth not by obſeruation, neither ſhall men ſay, loe here, loe there; for the kingdome of heauen is in you: So (I ſay) this armour, which God hath appointed to defend his militant Church withall, from infernall ſlauerie, it is not to be ſeene, nor to be gazed vponupon with the eye, but it is in the faithfull, and poſſeſſeth their ſoules, euen now, when many will (perhaps) aske how ſhall we come by it? or, where is it? For if any ſhould imagine, that he hath it not after beleeuing (as through ignorance he muſt needs) can ſuch an one chooſe, but be exceedingly troubled about this, how hee ſhould come by it, and put it on? Col. 3.13. Ephe. 6.13.14for ſuch a charge the Apoſtle giueth.
Let vsus know therefore, that this armour is not alway to bee in ſeeking, (which had not need to be, whē it ſhould be in occupying) but the Lord according to the neceſſitie of it, which he ſeeth to be in eueryevery one of his children, againſt the infinite dangers of the world, doth prouide it for eueryevery one of them; and furniſheth thē with the ſame. EueryEvery one of them hath ſome meaſure of true faith and hope, though this be weake in them: eueryevery one hateth iniquitie, and is readie to worke righteouſnes, according to his skill: and the moſt feeble Chriſtian hath an vpright heart, and ſome ſpirituall wiſdome to diſcerne good from euill (which yet a man of greater knowledge, if he be not inlightened with the ſpirit of regeneration, cannot) although one more then an other. And the ſame I ſay of the reſt.
Obiection.But ye will obiect, why doth the Apoſtle will vsus to put it on, if we hauehave it alreadie? and will ſay, this doubt is not yet anſwered, neither can ye tell what he meaneth by that, when he ſpeaketh thus, Put on the whole armour? To this I anſwere, that his charge is, that Chriſtians ſhould not hauehave this ſpirituall armour, as men in time of peace, hauehave bodily armour hanging by, and ruſtie, and vtterly vnfit for vſe; but as ſouldiers hauehave theirs in battaile, that is, girded to them, and put vponupon them, and this alſo whiles the battaile continueth: So he commaundeth vsus, that we let not the parts of this armour ſo to be vnoccupied in vsus, that we hauehave no feeling of it, and ſo no benefit by it, but be ſure continually that we hauehave it on, and readie for vſe; that we lie downe with it, and riſe vp with it, and be well aduiſed, that through the day in all places, and whatſoeuer we goe about we hauehave it with vsus, as farre as we can be able.
Epheſ. 6.14. Col. 3.13.This is his meaning when he ſaith, put on the whole armour: and in an other place, put on tender merciemercy, and kindnes, as the elect of God. For our battaile laſteth all our life long; and our enemies be deadly, and all our ſtrength is by our armour: Therefore who ſeeth not now, that a Chriſtian can ſafely be no time without this armour? If this be darke and hard to any, euen they may know themſelues to be thoſe, who hauehave not skill to put on this armour, and who hauehave been ignorant of the vſe and power of it: they hauehave not well learned the will of God about the neceſſitie and benefit of it. And therefore euen ſuch, though they may be the Lords; yet doubtles the diuell holdeth them in ſtrong chaines of darkenes, and ignorance: and therefore alſo in great ſlauerie and bondage, which God for his part hath ſhewed them the way to come out of, if they could once come to ſee the ſame, and be perſwaded that they hauehave a part in it.
For through the vnskilfulnes of men in the right vſe of the armour, and vnacquaintance with eueryevery part of it, the liues euen of the deare ſeruants of God, are much blemiſhed, and vnglorious amongſt men, and to themſelues (beſides the idlenes, and vnprofitablnes, of them) exceedingly vncheerefull. Therefore, ſeeing God hath giuen them all helps needefull for their defence from this preſent euill world, from ſubiection to Sathan, and their owne damnable luſts; ſeeing alſo he hath taught them to know this their libertie and priuiledge, to hauehave the daily aide and benefit of their armour, for the ſtrengthening of them in all good duties, I know nothing to remaine doubtful, which ſhould neede to trouble them hereafter, no not the weakeſt, ſaue this one thing: namely, how this armour ſhould be put on.
Now to hauehave the feeling of eueryevery part of this armour (faith againſt diſtruſt at any time, hope againſt fainting, vprightnes againſt hypocriſie, knowledge againſt the deceitfulnes of ſinne, righteouſnes againſt all kinde of iniquitie, and the preparation of the Goſpell of peace againſt croſſes) to hauehave (I ſay) this armour in a readines to ſafe cundict and keepe vsus throughout our life in the practiſe of our Chriſtian direction, this is to be done: Watchfulnes continuall, and prayer hartie and oft is to be vſed of vsus;Matth. 26.41. which alſo is preſcribed of the Apoſtle himſelfe, when he ſaith (after he willeth the Epheſians to take to them this whole armour) pray alway withall manner of prayer, Epheſ. 6.18.and watch thereunto with all perſeuerance, &c.
We ſee God will hauehave vsus perſwaded that this whole armour may be had and put on, and therefore to pray to him for it. But in any wiſe, theſe prayers he will hauehave to be made without doubting and wauering, Iam. 1.6.without which manner of praying, we cannot looke to receiue any thing. For it hath pleaſed our good God, ſeeing we are ſo prone to doubting, to giuegive vsus a moſt ſure word of promiſe, of all ſuch things as we hauehave neede of, that if we thinke God to be credited, we may looke for them without feare or wauering.
He that hartily craueth this, as a thing which he cannot be without (ſeeing he asketh according to the will of God) and that which God commaundeth him, as we ſee Epheſ. 6.14. he hath and obtaineth the ſame which he deſireth, 1. Ioh. 4.16. and Matth. 6.7. aske and ye ſhall receiue. Gen. 21.16.17.For if Hagar praying in her diſtreſſe was heard, when ſhe ſaw not how; and if our Sauiour did ſay to the woman of Samaria, if thou haddeſt but asked, Ioh. 4.10.I would hauehave giuen thee water of life: is it to be doubted of, that Gods deare ſeruants ſhall be denyed their requeſts? If a naturall father will giuegive that which is meete to his childe, who yet neither knoweth alwayes what is beſt, neither is at all times ſo kinde as he ought; ſhall we call the readines of our heauenly father into queſtion, eſpecially about ſuch a gift, as both he hath bidden vsus aske,Epheſ. 6.14. yea and alſo take? yea and ſuch a gift, as without the which, we cannot honour nor ſerue him aright?
This I ſpeake to hearten and incourage all, to pray oft and earneſtly (which is in ſo little requeſt in the world) for this gift, that they may know that by this meanes, they ſhall put on this holy armour of God, eſpecially when they ſhall herewithall, watch, that they doe receiue ſtrength by their prayers, indeede ſo to doe. And if this be not found and obtained by ſuch as yet doe pray for it, let them know, that they pray faintly and coldly, or ſlackly and negligently: for otherwiſe this is the way to put vponupon vsus the whole armour; as Dauids dealing with Goliah doth prefigure,1. King. 3.9. Pſal. 51.12. & 77.5. and the example of the Saints of God for the particular parts of it; as by their eſpeciall neceſſities they hauehave been prouoked: as Salomon for wiſedome. Dauid did thus vſually ſtirre vp his faith, which was the putting on of it, which before lay by, as it were, vnoccupied, and ſo of the reſt. And to get wiſedome, whereby to be prepared for the croſſe, and to beare it meekely,Iam. 1.6. the Apoſtle willeth to pray without doubting.
With our prayer, holy meditation is to be vſed of eueryevery part of our armour, when we hauehave been taught it, till we know the vſe and benefit of it. And vntill the matter of it bee more familiar to vsus, conferre about it with ſuch as hauehave knowledge and experience therein: that whatſoeuer is hard to be vnderſtood or practiſed, may bee made eaſie. This I ſpeake for the benefit of the weake, ſeeing eueryevery thing is moſt hard to them, before they hauehave attained to it, although it be neuer ſo plainely ſet downe to them. And reade either this which I hauehave for thy ſake written of this argument, or any ſound treatiſe concerning this matter. Stirre vp, and perſwade thy ſelfe hereto, by this reaſon, that thou walkeſt naked, except thou be clothed with it: and as an vnarmed man fighting with many ſtrong enemies throughly furniſhed; ſo art thou in this world without it.
And when by reading, hearing, or conference, thou ſhalt ſee what helpe commeth by thine armour to the well framing of thine heart and life, and by meditation ſometime on the ſeuerall partes of it (as I hauehave preſcribed) and haſt dulie weighed and muſed vponupon the ſame, to affect and ſeaſon thy heart therewith, and by prayer haſt with confidence deſired of God, that euen thou particularly maieſt finde, as thou ſhalt ſee cauſe, thy ſelfe ſtrengthened with eueryevery part of this armour: when (I ſay) thou haſt done this, then haſt thou put it on. This is the way of putting it on: that when thou knoweſt eueryevery part of it, and whereto it ſerues, and canſt be willing to walke in this ſpirituall attire, thou mayeſt be kept ſafe (as they ſay) from winde and weather, euen from world and diuell.
For then ſhalt thou, hauing this grace of beleeuing, hoping, righteous liuing, vphight meaning, &c. bring forth the fruite of it, as thou ſhalt hauehave occaſion through the day, that is to ſay, to giuegive credit to Gods promiſes from time to time: to hope at one time, as well as another: to be vpright and without fraud in one thing as well as in another; and yet remember that I can ſpeake to thee, when thou art at the beſt, but as to a man ſubiect to infirmities; and laſtly to giuegive duties to God as well as to men, and to one man, and in one action, as well as in another: which to doe, is to ſhew forth the fruite of the armour of righteouſnes. And the ſame I ſay of the reſt.
The armour being put on, muſt be kept on. Phil. 4.4.But with all this, it is to be knowne and regarded, that as it is thus to be put on: ſo it is after the ſame manner to be kept on. For example: for the retaining, or recouering of this one peece of the whole armour, I meane peace, or reioycing,Prou. 15.15. 1. Theſ. 5.16.17 which we ſhould not be voyde of at any time, continuall prayer is required: for he hauing ſaid, reioyce euermore, he addeth, pray continually. And as Saint Paul ſaith, that by this putting on of the whole armour, a Chriſtian may ſtand faſt in the euill day of temptation, Epheſ. 6.14. 2. Pet. 1.5.6.which is the hardeſt time: So Saint Peter ſaith, that if we giuegive all diligence hereto, that we ioyne with our faith, vertue, knowledge, patience, &c. (which who knoweth not, that it is cheefely done,2. Pet. 1.10. by watching and prayer?) we ſhall neuer fall, that is, dangerouſly: to take any great hurt, or annoyance thereby. Whereby, he ſheweth that he agreeth with Saint Paul, namely, that for the furniſhing of our ſelues with the graces of the ſpirit, which are the ſeuerall parts of the armour; continuall care and diligence bee vſed by prayer and watchfulnes, which is the only way to put and keepe it on.
But here let the reader remember and conſider to whom the Lord ſpeaketh, when he willeth to put on, and to hauehave in a readines this armour againſt all ſpirituall craftines: For as he, who is not yet reſolued fully to be a Chriſtian,Euen the weakeſt Chriſtian as well as the ſtrongeſt, muſt weare the armour. and to leade a godly life, is vtterly vnfit for this armour, and hath neither minde nor deſire to it, neither can poſſibly put it on: ſo on the contrarie not onelyonly the ſtronger Chriſtian; but alſo the new borne babe, and he, euen the weakeſt youngling in Gods familie, who hath neuer ſo ſmall abilitie to reſiſt ſinne, and withſtand the ſame, God hath bidden him to take it to him, and to gird himſelfe with it, and to put it on. It is munition appointed to him of God, to ſaue him from daunger, euen the greateſt that can bee raiſed againſt him: who therefore ſhall withhold him from it? It keepeth his ſoule and his life; what ſhould therefore make him ſo ſlauiſh to feare, and full of diſtruſtfull phantaſies, and diſcouragements, as to caſt away his weapons, and wittingly to offer himſelfe into the lions mouth? EueryEvery ſuch therfore muſt put foorth himſelfe to be more bold with reuerence, to take vntounto him this armour which none can want with ſafetie) when hee ſeeth who incourageth him, euen hee that is able to ſtrengthen him, to the obtaining of that which he ſetteth him about, namely, God all-ſufficient. He muſt be more bold to keepe his crowne, and honour, euen this holie armour,Reue. 3.11. which is more pretious to him, then life it ſelfe, and ſuffer none to take it from him.
This I ſpeake for their ſakes, who deſire, as much as I exhort them to:2. Theſſ. 3.4. who yet doe but weakly know, that there is ſuch armour, or that it hath any ſuch vſe to make a Chriſtian ſtrong againſt ſin and Sathan: much leſſe doe themſelues receiue any ſuch benefit by it, to their knowledge; and yet are not without it, that they may ſee their caſe better then they hauehave thought it, and that God hath prouided for them farre better, then they were perſwaded. Therefore let them, for whom God hath prouided this, not onelyonly not be ignorant of it hereafter, but neither let them be ſlouthfull, or backward to get a part in it, by putting and keeping it on.
And therefore let them vrge themſelues (if they waxe cold or vntoward) to vſe the meanes before mentioned, wherby this armour is put on and held in a readines. And if the meanes themſelues grow vnſauourie with them, ordinarie prayer (I meane) and watchfulnes, as they may eaſily doe, if the heart be diſcouraged or ſet in euill delights, let them driue out that diuell with faſting and prayer, and giuegive no reſt to their eyes, nor eaſe to their hearts, vntill they hauehave in ſome comfortable manner, recouered their firſt louelove and ſtrength, which they had once by this armour; I ſay, let them not reſt till they hauehave recouered it againe.
And let them perſwade themſelues, that fearefull daunger is not farre off from them, if they awake not, and that ſpeedily. For although it be at the firſt, with a weake Chriſtian in the putting on of this ſpirituall armour, as with a freſh ſouldier, in putting on his bodily armour, namely, to account it ſtraunge and weariſome, as not being acquainted therewith; and therefore to wiſh to be vnburthened of it: yet weighing with himſelfe, that God hath giuen it him for his ſingular benefit, he will be admoniſhed, and take counſell to doe otherwiſe.