A01979:1776
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.
§. 2. Of the mean betwixt presuming, and tempting God.
§. 2. Of the meane betwixt presuming, and tempting God.
Use BE careful in keeping the golden mean betwixt two enormous extremes: one of tempting God in neglect of the means which he hath appointed for our safety: the other, of presuming against God, in trusting so much to the means, as we seek not to him for help and succour. Into both these extremes fell the Israelites: ione while they would not venture to fight, and so tempted the Lord:k another while they would needs fight of their own head, without seeking help of the Lord, and so presumed obstinately. Rebellious are they who reject the means: they clean cast themselves out of the protection of God. Presumptuous are they who trust to the means, and call not upon God; they provoke God either lto strip them of such things as they glory in, or else to turn them to their own destruction,m as he did the strength of Goliath, nand wisdom of Ahithophel. The middle way betwixt the rock of rebellion, and gul•e of presumption, is, so to show our obedience in using all the means which the Lord prescribeth, as we manifest our⟨p. 343⟩ confidence in him, by seeking strength of him.