A Guide to Godliness, Book 3 · Chapter 7
CAP. VII.
Of the Chriſtan Armour which we muſt put on daily, and of the benefits which wee ſhall reape thereby.
§. Sect. 1 Of the ſeuerall parts of the Chriſtian armour.
WEE hauehave intreated the more largely of that maine duty of ſeeking God, as being not onelyonly the chiefe and principall of all that are to be performed in the daily exerciſe, but euen the roote and fountaine, ſumme and ſubſtance of all the reſt from which they ſpring, and in which they are compriſed. In which reſpect the other that remaine to be ſpoken of, may be paſſed ouer with greater breuity, as being all but ſpeciall branches of the former duty, and ſtreames that will readily & naturally flow from that fountaine. The third maine duty then in this daily exerciſe, is, that we put on the whole armour of God, which is, that we looke continually vntounto our ſelues, that we bee throughly furniſhed, and as it were, armed at all points with the maine, fundamentall, ſanctifying and ſauing graces of Gods holy Spirit, whereby we may bee inabled to ſtand in the day of triall, and to reſiſt thoſe daily tentations wherewith we are aſſaulted by our ſpirituall enemies. The chiefe & principall whereof, the Apoſtle hath in the Epiſtle to the Epheſians Epheſ. 6. 11, 12.preſcribed vntounto vsus. The firſt is, the girdle of verity; wherby is meant, that we ſhould not onelyonly imbrace the truth of Religion, and frame our iudgements, affections and actions according to the ſincere and pure Word of God; but alſo that our knowledge, profeſſion and practice, be in truth and ſincerity of heart, carrying our ſelues in all things vprightly, and in the integrity of a good conſcience. The ſecond is, the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe, whereby we vnderſtand true ſanctification and godlineſſe, conſiſting in an earneſt deſire, a firme reſolution, and conſtant indeuour of conforming our whole liues according to Gods reuealed will, that wee may pleaſe him in all things, and hauehave both our perſons and actions accepted in his ſight. The third is, that our feete bee ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace: that is, as ſouldiers that hauehave good ſhooes and leg-harneſſe, are thereby enabled to hold on their march in ſtonie and rough wayes, and thorow the midſt of briers and thornes; whereas if they were barefooted, or ill ſhod, they would be pricked and gauled, and ſoone tire and faint in the way: So muſt we daily arme our affections, the feete of our ſoules, with all the ſweete comforts and gracious promiſes of the Goſpell, made vntounto thoſe who hold out vntounto the end, and fight vntill they ouercome, without which we ſhall ſoone be wearied, and faint in the way, ſeeing it is rough and vnpleaſant to fleſh and blood, and full of the thornes and briers of afflictions and perſecutions. The fourth piece of the Chriſtian armour is, the ſhield of faith, which alſo we muſt daily put on, applying afreſh vntounto our ſelues Gods mercies in the merits of Chriſt, the gracious promiſes of the Goſpell, and the ſatisfaction and obedience of our Sauiour and Redeemer, whereby, though we be neuer ſo weake in our owne ſtrength, we ſhall be enabled to reſiſt all Satans tentations, and to quench and beate backe all the fiery darts of the wicked one, ſo as they ſhall not be able to wound or doe vsus any harme. The fifth piece which we muſt daily put on, is, the helmet of ſaluation, that is, we muſt continually renew 1. Theſ. 5. 8.and reuiue our hopes, and expect and waite for with patience, the accompliſhment of all Gods gracious promiſes, which by faith we beleeue and apprehend. And this will notably encourage vsus in all Chriſtian duties of a godly life, ſeeme they neuer ſo irkeſome and tedious vntounto vsus, when as we hauehave daily an eye to the recompence of reward; and to indure any hard meaſure at the hands of the world, and to drinke the deepeſt draught in the cup of affliction and perſecution for Gods ſake and the Goſpels Act. 28. 10. Rom. 8 18 2. Cor. 4. 17.which wee profeſſe, when as wee aſſuredly hope, that the greateſt croſſes and calamities are not worthy the glory which ſhall be reueiled, becauſe they are light and momentanie; but the crowne of happineſſe which they helpe to ſet vponupon our heads, moſt excellent and eternall. The ſixth and laſt piece, is, the ſword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which being rightly managed, is ſufficient to defend our ſelues, and offend and driue backe the Enemie, as wee ſee in the example of our Sauiour Chriſt, who vſed no other weapon to vanquiſh Satan and all his tenons. We muſt therfore daily exerciſe our ſelues in reading and meditating in the holy Scriptures, which will ſerue as a light to guide vsus in all our wayes, as a goade in our ſides, if wee bee ſluggiſh; as cordiall water, if wee bee ready to faint with feebleneſſe; and as a two-handed ſword, to defend vsus againſt all enemies who aſſault vsus in the way, and labour to hinder and diſcourage vsus in our Chriſtian courſe and conuerſation. And this armour we muſt put on, not piecemeale, but compleate and in all the parts. We muſt not put on ſome parts only, and let other pieces of it lye by, but, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, we muſt put on the whole armour Ephe. 6. 13.of God; for if any part be wanting, we ſhall lie open to the wounds of our ſpirituall enemies. Neither muſt we put it one day on, and leaue it off another, but we muſt put it on daily, ſeeing we are continually aſſaulted, and hauehave no one day of truce, till by death we hauehave gotten a full and finall victory. It muſt not like armour in the time of peace lie by, or hang ruſting vponupon the walles; but we muſt alwaies keepe it bright and furbiſhed, fit for daily vſe, & faſt buckled vntounto vsus both day and night, ſleeping and waking, ſeeing we are continually in the battaile, encountred at all times, and euen eueryevery houre, with the tentations of our ſpiritual enemies. And to this end we muſt continually keepe the Chriſtian watch, as the Apoſtle exhorteth, Ephe. 6. 18.that wee be not through our ſloth and ſluggiſhneſſe ſurprized at vnawares. And becauſe it is not armour of our owne making and prouiding, but of Gods owne workemanſhip, and of his free gift, whereof it is called, The Armour of God: and ſeeing when we hauehave it, it is not in our Verſ. 10.power to put it on, but it is God alone, that both beſtoweth and buckleth it vntounto vsus; therefore vntounto our watchfulneſſe, wee muſt adde feruent and daily prayer vntounto God, both to giuegive it vntounto vsus, and to aſſiſt vsus ſo with his holy Spirit, that we may be inabled, not onelyonly to put it on, but alſo to keepe it continually faſt buckled vntounto vsus. Neither let vsus feare that the daily and continuall wearing of it will bee tedious and troubleſome; for though at the firſt it may ſeeme ſo, when like freſh water Souldiers wee enter into the Chriſtian warfare; yet by daily vſe, it will become ſo eaſie and familiar, that it will trouble vsus no more then our ordinary apparell.
§. Sect. 2 That the putting on the Chriſtian Armour is very neceſſary.
Now that we may be mooued with cheerefulneſſe to exerciſe our ſelues in this daily duty, let vsus conſider that the continuall putting on and wearing of this Armour, is both exceeding neceſſary and profitable. It is moſt neceſſary, becauſe the ſpirituall enemies of our ſaluation are alwayes in readineſſe, watching their opportunity, when by their firie aſſaults they may vanquiſh vsus, and bring vsus to deſtruction. And therefore it is as neceſſary that we ſhould vſe like or greater diligence, and be alwayes in readineſſe to withſtand their encounters. Secondly, this daily vſe of the Chriſtian Armour is ſo neceſſary, that all other helpes are in vaine, if this be neglected. For though we ſhould be continually exerciſed in religious duties, as prayer, hearing the Word, reading, conference and meditation; and in the works of iuſtice and charity, and the ordinary duties of our callings; yet if this Armor be not put on, they will do vsus no good, ſeeing they will not bee done in truth and ſincerity, faith and a good conſcience: and therefore euen in them our ſpirituall enemies will ſet ſnares to catch vsus, and finding vsus naked of our Chriſtian Armour, will lay ſecret ambuſhments, euen in theſe religious and charitable exerciſes, and aſſaulting vsus at vnawares, will giuegive vsus the foyle, and leade vsus captiue vntounto ſinne.
§. Sect. 3 Of the manifold benefits which ariſe from being thus daily armed.
Secondly, it is moſt profitable to be thus daily armed, as may appeare by the manifold fruits and benefits which will accrew vntounto vsus by it. For hereby we ſhall be ſtrengthened againſt all the aſſaults of all our ſpirituall enemies, ſo as they ſhall neuer be able to preuaile againſt vsus, but at laſt bee vanquiſhed and ouercome. And therefore hath God made for vsus, and giuen vntounto vsus this ſpiritual Armour, and to this end he exhorteth vsus to put it daily on, that we may be able to withſtand in the euill day, and hauing done all, Eph. 6. 11, 13.to ſtand againſt the wiles of the deuill, and all encounters and attempts of the enemies of our ſaluation. Therefore hath he put into our hands, not carnall weapons, which are farre vnfitting this ſpirituall warfare, but ſuch as are mighty through God, to the pulling downe of ſtrong holds, and caſting downe 2. Cor. 10. 4, 5.imaginations, and eueryevery high thing, that exalteth it ſelfe againſt the knowledge of God, and bringing into captiuity eueryevery thought to the obedience of Christ. And therefore we may be aſſured that God will not be diſgraced with the weakeneſſe of his workemanſhip, nor faile of his end for which hee hath made it, and ſo ſpend his labour in vaine: but ſeeing hee hath made it, and put it into our hands for Armour of high proofe, let vsus aſſure our ſelues that it will neuer faile, but will at all times be ſufficient to beate backe the bullets of Satans tentations, and to defend vsus againſt the aſſaults of all our ſpirituall enemies. Againe, if we daily put on this Armour, it will make vsus valiant and couragious, ſeeing before the fight it aſſureth vsus of victory. Whereas, though wee hauehave neuer ſo much valor and fortitude, yet if we be but naked men, and ſo lye open to bee wounded continually with the firie darts of the deuill, our courage will be ſoone cooled, and like cowards, we ſhall betake our ſelues to a ſhamefull flight. It will make vsus cheerefull in our pilgrimage, and to goe on in the wayes of godlineſſe and righteouſneſſe with much ioy and comfort; when as being armed, we ſhall not neede to feare any ſpirituall theeues that lie lurking in the way to rob vsus of Gods graces, nor to goe out of the right way, either to the right hand or to the left, for any worldly terrour or diſcouragement which ſhall affront vsus in our courſe of Chriſtianity. It will preſerue vsus from falling into ſuch ſinnes as will wound our ſoules and conſciences, and ſtrengthen vsus alſo againſt our frailties and infirmities, ſo as they ſhall not preuaile againſt vsus. It will bee a notable meanes to continue vsus in peace; for as nothing more preſerueth our worldly peace, then to be continually prepared for warre; ſo nothing bringeth vntounto vsus a more ſound and ſecure peace, euen peace with God, peace, of conſcience, and peace alſo in reſpect of the malicious attempts of our ſpirituall enemies, then to keepe daily this Armour faſt buckled vntounto vsus. Finally, it will bring with it much Chriſtian ſecurity, when as we are aſſured that we are free from all danger, and that none of our enemies ſhall be able to hurt vsus; ſo as we may lye downe in peace and take our reſt, becauſe the Lord onelyonly maketh vsus Pſal. 4. 8.(hereby) to dwell in ſafety.
§. Sect. 4 That eueryevery ſeuerall part of this Armour bringeth ſpeciall profit.
And as the whole Armour in generall bringeth vntounto vsus ſingular profit; ſo eueryevery ſeuerall piece and part of it is for ſpeciall vſe and benefit. For by the girdle of verity, wee ſhall be preſerued againſt all errours and hereſies, and keepe a right courſe in the way of truth; and our hearts being vpright and ſincere in the ſight of God, we ſhall carry our ſelues as in his ſight and preſence, in all our thoughts, words, and actions, and bee kept ſafe from being ſowred with the leauen of hypocriſie; from lameneſſe, which cauſeth vsus to halt betweene God and the world, and from guile and diſſimulation, the poyſon of the ſoule, which tainteth and infecteth all vertuous actions. By the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe, whereby we deſire, reſolue, and indeuour to doe Gods will, and pleaſe him in all things, our vitall parts will bee preſerued from being wounded with the poyſonous darts of the deuill; and howſoeuer with his tentations hee may make vsus ſlip through frailty and infirmity, and with his helliſh darts, inflict ſome little ſcratches in the more remote and ignoble parts, yet he ſhall not bee able to pierce our hearts and vitall parts, with any mortall wounds of ſinne, becauſe they are ſtrongly armed with this breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe. By hauing our feete ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of peace, we ſhall be inabled to continue our march in the Chriſtian warfare, and ſo prepared againſt all afflictions and troubles, which like thornes and briers moleſt vsus in our iourney, that we ſhall not be diſcouraged, nor faint in the way; but by that inward peace which the Goſpel bringeth vntounto vsus, wee ſhall be confirmed and comforted in the middeſt of all worldly garboyles and troubles. By the ſhield of faith wee ſhall repell the firy darts of Satans 1. Pet. 5. 8.tentations, and reſiſt and beate him backe when he aſſaulteth vsus with greateſt fury; we ſhall alſo thereby ouercome the world, on the one ſide 1. Ioh. 5. 4.tempting vsus with the wages of earthly vanities, by contemning it in compariſon of heauenly happineſſe, of which faith aſſureth vsus; and on the other ſide, threatning and terrifying vsus with croſſes and afflictions, whilſt it receiueth them as tokens of Gods louelove, and ſignes of our adoption, and perſwadeth vsus that they ſhall worke together for the beſt, and ſerue as Rom. 8. 28.meanes to further our ſaluation. By the helmet of ſaluation, wee are alſo notably ſtrengthened in the ſpirituall conflict, ſo as though Satan the old Serpent may bite and bruize our heele, yet he ſhall not bee able to hurt our Head; wee are alſo thereby incouraged to labour diligently after ſanctification, and hauing hope of inioying with Chriſt heauenly happineſſe, it is a notable meanes to mooue vsus to purge and purifie our ſelues, 1. Ioh. 3. 2.as he alſo is pure. Finally, we are incouraged to fight valiantly the Lords battels, by aſſured hope of victory; and to paſſe with patience and comfort throughout all worldly diſcouragements, becauſe we expect, that after we hauehave trauailed thorow a little ſpot of foule way, we ſhall come ſafely to a Palace of pleaſure, and to all the ioyes of our heauenly Countrey. Laſtly, by the ſword of the Spirit, if we can skilfully vſe it, we ſhall be fitted for all purpoſes, ſtrengthened againſt all enemies, ouercome all difficulties, anſwere all obiections, repell all tentations: Yea, ſuch a glorious light commeth from this glittering weapon, that it is ſufficient, not onelyonly to defend vsus, and beate downe (like that light which appeared to Saul Act 9.and his company) with feare and aſtoniſhment all our enemies, but to guide and direct vsus in all our wayes, and to make vsus perfect and wiſe for attaining vntounto ſaluation.2. Tim. 3. 15, 17.