The Christian Armory, Book 2 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. The generall vse and application of the whole Treatise.
THe quintessence of all that hath beene formerly and at large in this treatise handled, may be aptly and pithily reduced to these …ew conclusions fol…owing.
First, that man by his first creation, was pure, holy, innocent, and liued in a most happy and blissefull estate.
Secondly, that hee by his voluntarie fall, and apostasie from God, and from his former integrity, hath in soule and body corrupted himselfe and all his posterity; and not onelyonly depriued himselfe & all his sucsessours, of all originall holinesse and happinesse; but also, wholly subiected them & himselfe▪ to all plagues and miseries, both temporall and eternall▪
Thirdly, that sinne is very distastefull, odious, and stinking in Gods taste, sight, and nostrils; for otherwise the most iust Lord, would neuer so grieuously, nor with such variety of plagues and punishments execute his indignation, not only vponupon men of yéeres, but also vponupon the very infants that hauehave committed no actuall transgression.
Fourthly, the Lord, that draweth light out of darknesse, life out of death, and in iudgement remembreth mercy, hath giuen his onelyonly sonne Iesus Christ to die, to make a perfect satisfaction to his iustice,1 Iohn. 2. l. 2. for the sinnes of all the elect, and to be a perpetuall intercessour for them; so that they are not onelyonly freed from the guilt, dominion, and euerlasting punishment of sinne, but also entitled vntounto, and shall in time certainely possesse euerlasting and vnspeakable glorie and holinesse.
Fifthly, that Christ hath by vertue of faith in his death and merits, transnatured and changed to all his elect, the temporarie and eternall plagues and punishments of sinne, into certaine gentle, momentanie, & fatherlie corrections and chastisments.
Sixthly, that God hath not left his people, in their crosses, temptations, and afflictions, without hope, helpe, and remedie; but hath giuen them the sacred and all sufficient Scriptures, to instruct, direct, and to confirme and comfort their soules and cosciences in all distresses, inward and outward; in all afflictions, and against all scandals & persecutions whatsoeuer.
Seuenthly, God hath prouided for his people, Ministers, by their pure preching, and iudicious writings, to resolue them in all doubts; and christian friends and acquaintance, to solace and support them: Wherefore wée must daily blesse God for his infinite mercy in Christ; attend vntounto, and consult the Scriptures, our pastours and christian brethren.
Eighthly, wée must make vse of the treatises and volumes of godly learned men, who hauehave trauelled to good purpose in this kind.
Ninthly, wée must in our afflictions and distresses, find out, confesse and bewaile, our particular sinnes, and earnestly entreat God, for Christ his sake to pardon them; for they are the meritorious causes of all our miseries.
Tenthly, we in our miseries and troubles, must not murmurre and repine against God, nor vse any vnlawfull meanes of ease and deliuerance, much lesse despaire of Gods gracious mercy & helpe; but wée ought to commend our soules, bodies, and outward state to Gods blessed gouernment and promises; wee must desire direction, and the spirit of strength and constancie from God, and in hope & patience, waite vponupon him, vntill hée hauehave mercy vponupon vsus.
Eleuenthly, wée in our prosperity, must prepare our selues against aduersity; and wee must with such a sympathy and fellow féeling, remember them that are in affliction, and so endeauour to reléeue and resolue them, as if we were also afflicted in the body. Heb. 13.3.
Lastly, when we are recouered out of any temptation, or deliuered out of any trouble, we must giuegive God all the glory of it: and in our rest and prosperity, g… ther grace and strength, & so hearten our selues, against the next temptation.
Now the God of all grace and consolation, for Christ Iesus his sake, so direct and instruct vsus by his blessed spirit. to performe all these duties, that his Maiestie may hauehave all the glorie, his Church and children good examples of imitation; and we our selues hauehave ioy and comfort in this world, and eternall Saluation in the next: Amen.