A01979:1775
The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God
The whole-armour of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keep him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well use it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sin against the Holy Ghost. By William Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Black Fryers London. ...The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...
London: printed by John Beale, 1619London: printed by Iohn Beale, 1619
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The best general means that he could prescribe, is prayer: for that Armour being spiritual and heavenly, we fleshly and earthly,1 we are as unfit to use it, as a Child to use a Giants Armour.
The best generall meanes that hee could prescribe, is prayer: for that Armour being spirituall and heauenly, wee fleshly and earthly,1 we are as vnfit to vse it, as a Childe to vse a Gyants Armour.
- 1Some take prayer to be a distinct part and piece of Christian Armour: whereunto I agree not for two reasons. First, The forenamed pieces are so complete (for by them a man is armed from top to toe) that there is no part wanting. Secondly, No outward piece of Armour is annexed to it, whereunto it should be resembled: therefore I rather take prayer to be an especial means to help us well to wield and use the forenamed Armour.Some take prayer to be a distinct part and piece of Christian Armour: whereunto I agree not for two reasons. First, The forenamed pieces are so compleate (for by them a man is armed from top to toe) that there is no part wanting. Secondly, No outward piece of Armour is annexed to it, whereunto it should bee resembled: therefore I rather take prayer to be an especiall meanes to helpe vs well to weild and vse the forenamed Armour.
In setting down this heavenly exercise of prayer, he so setteth it down in the last place after all, as it hath a reference to all, and such a reference as implieth a joint use of it with all the rest: for he useth the participle praying, 1as if he had said, put on the whole armour of God praying, take Girdle, Brest-plate, Shoes, Shield, Helmet and Sword, praying