A01979:2945
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.
§. 196. Of Ministers forbearing to preach, being inhibited.
Quest. What if Ministers be inhibited by Magistrates to preach: may they notwithstanding that inhibition preach?
Quest. VVHat if Ministers bee inhibited by Magistrates to preach: may they notwithstanding that inhibition preach?
Ans. Difference must be made betwixt times of persecution (when infidel or idolatrous,1 or any such Magistrates as are open enemies to Christ bear rule, who seek utterly to suppress the truth of the Gospel, and root out the professors thereof) and times of peace (when Christian Magistrates, who defend the Gospel, & seek the progress thereof, govern the Church) The inhibition of infidels, and idolaters made simply against preaching of the Gospel, because they would have it utterly suppressed, is in this case no sufficient inhibition to bind the conscience: it is directly and apparently contrary to Gods word. But when Christian Magistrates inhibit Ministers to preach, it is because they think them unfit and unmeet, either for some notorious crimes, or for some erroneous opinions, to exercise their ministerial functions. In these cases, such as are so inhibited, so far forth as they are inhibited, ought not to preach. Neither are particular and private men to judge of the cause of the inhibition, whether it be just or unjust: but as they who are appointed by the present government to ordain Ministers, are to judge of their fitness