The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 17. Answer to Satan's suggestion of false grounds of Hope.

§. 17. Answer to Satans suggestion of false grounds of Hope.

Suggest. 2. The best grounds of Hope are, 1. A mans own merits. 2. The meritorious works of others, even their works of supererogation, 3. A• mans own honest dealing and good meaning: 4. A man• prosperous estate. Thus he deceiveth men with fal• grounds. In the first of these, he prevaileth with the prou• der sort of Papists, who trust to their own merits. In th• second, with the more silly and foolish sort, who trust t• the merits of others: In the third, with many among• counted civill, honest men, men of their words, just i• their dealings, &c. but savour of little piety to Go• wards: as also in many of the poorer sort, who think an• ⟨p. 311⟩say. They do no man any wrong. In the fourth, with sottish worldlings; who make Earth their Heaven.

Suggest. 2. THe best grounds of Hope are, 1. A mans owne merits. 2. The meritorious workes of others, euen their workes of supererogation, 3. A• mans owne honest dealing and good meaning: 4. A man• prosperous estate. Thus hee deceiueth men with fal• grounds. In the first of these, he preuaileth with the prou• der sort of Papists, who trust to their owne merits. In th second, with the more silly and foolish sort, who trust t the merits of others: In the third, with many among counted ciuill, honest men, men of their words, iust i their dealings, &c. but sauour of little piety to Go wards: as also in many of the poorer sort, who thinke an