The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

This word put on, is a word of practise, by which the Apostle followeth his former metaphor, taken from soldiers which are in the field: they do not as householders in the time of peace, let their armour hang on the walls without use of it, till it rust, but they make use of it by putting it on, wearing it, and putting it to the proof; so

This word put on, is a word of practise, by which the Apostle followeth his former metaphor, taken from souldiers which are in the field: they doe not as housholders in the time of peace, let their armour hang on the walles without vse of it, till it rust, but they make vse of it by putting it on, wearing it, and putting it to the proofe; so

Christians ought to be well furnished always, ¹and well prepared with the graces of Gods Spirit: they must ever have them in readiness at hand to use them, and make proof of them. In this sense is this^c phrase of putting on oft used, and^d applied to many particular graces, yea to ^eChrist himself, whereby is implied, that we should apply Christ unto our selves, and so make use of him, and of all his actions and sufferings: yea also of all those graces, which he conveyeth into us. Other Metaphors are also used to set forth the same point:^a stir up the gift of God which is in thee (saith the Apostle.) The Metaphor is taken from a fire, which is of little use when it is covered over and smothered up with ashes, but stirred and blown up, it is of great use. Again, our Lord useth another Metaphor to the same purpose,^b