A01979:2836
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.
§. 169. Of searching into the depth of the Gospel.
§. 169. Of searching into the depth of the Gospell.
The Gospel being a mystery, 1such a mystery as we have heard, it is not lightly, and slightly to be passed over: it requireth our best study and meditation, and it is worth the best pains that we can take: men naturally are desirous to have knowledge of deep and profound matters: this maketh some scholars to spend much time, and take great pains in reading the School-men, because they account them profound Authors, in regard of the many deep questions which they discuss: others in studying Astrology, Astronomy, Geometry, and other parts of Mathematics, because they are accounted deep Sciences, above the common conceit and capacity of ordinary men: there is no mystery in any Science which men hear of, but they are very inquisitive into it, and desirous to know it. Lo here is a mystery of mysteries, wherein out happiness consisteth: so as the knowledge thereof cannot but be most needful and behoovefull. Use we therefore all the means that possibly we can to understand it, and to all other means add faithful and earnest prayer to God, to give us the spirit of illumination, that so we may the better conceive it. In studying it, let us not measure i• by the last of our own capacity: for it is a mystery abou• ⟨p. 531⟩our capacity: they which know it best, know it but in part: when it is opened as clearly as can be by mans tongue, it still remaineth to be a mystery. Faith therefore in this respect, must be placed above our reason, and we must believe more then we can conceive: herein hath faith a preheminency above reason, that it is of an infinite capacity: for whatsoever God revealeth, faith believeth, though reason cannot fathom the depth of it.