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. ...
William Gouge 1578–1653London: printed by John Beale, 1619London: printed by Iohn Beale, 1619
[26], 626, [12] p. · 196k words · STC 12123 · ESTC S103304
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 Gospel is it,1 against which this sin in particular is directed, and not every part of Gods word. By the Gospel, I mean that part of Gods word, which God hath revealed for mans salvation, even after his fall: and in that respect commonly called the glad tidings of salvation. So as the very object matter, whereabout this sin is occupied, doth in part discover the heinousness thereof, and declare a reason why it is not pardoned.
The Gospell is it,1 against which this sinne in particular is directed, and not euery part of Gods word. By the Gospell, I meane that part of Gods word, which God hath reuealed for mans saluation, euen after his fall: and in that respect commonly called the glad tidings of saluation. So as the very obiect matter, whereabout this sinne is occupied, doth in part discouer the hainousnesse thereof, and declare a reason why it is not pardoned.
To oppose against any part of Gods truth,1 is a monstrous and heinous sin: for an especial part of Gods honour consisteth in his truth, which is as dear and precious to him, as any thing can be: to gain-say it, is to deny him to be God:2 for he is styled, The Lord God of truth. But to gain-say the Gospel, that part of Gods truth wherein Jesus who was sent to save his people from their sins,
peculiar love of God to man is revealed, and that for mans good, even for his eternal salvation, is more then monstrous. For this is not only a denying of Gods truth, but of his mercy also: yea (if we well consider the extent of the Gospel) of the wisdom, power, justice, and all other properties of God. It addeth unto other sins (to make up the heap of them) ingratitude. It taketh away the means of pardon and life: for in the Gospel, only in the Gospel is pardon offered, and life to be found; without it, is nothing but death and damnation. When the Gospel is not received, what hope can there be of pardon? This is it that bringeth God (who by a solemn oath hath protested,
that I have not done? If not to receive the Gospel be a deadly and damnable sin, what is to reject it. To reject a thing is more then not to receive it: it is to put it away, as the Jews, who in that respect are said to judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life.
It is as if traitors and rebels being risen up against their Sovereign, and he offering pardon unto them, if they would lay down their weapons, and turn to be loyal subjects; they should reject his gracious offer, and say they will none of his favour, they care not for pardon: they had rather be hanged, drawn, and quartered, then be beholding to him for favour and pardon. Doth not this rejecting of favour much aggravate the crime? Yea, is not this a more heinous crime then the treason and rebellion it self?
To oppose against any part of Gods truth,1 is a monstrous and hainous sinne: for an especiall part of Gods honor consisteth in his truth, which is as deare and precious to him, as any thing can be: to gain-say it, is to deny him to be God:2 for he is stiled, The Lord God of truth. But to gain-say the Gospell, that part of Gods truth wherein Iesus who was sent to saue his people from their sins, 3wherein the riches of Gods mercy, & wherein the* peculiar loue of God to man is reuealed, and that for mans good, euen for his eternall saluation, is more then monstrous. For this is not onely a denying of Gods truth, but of his mercy also: yea (if we well consider the extent of the Gospell) of the wisdome, power, iustice, and all other properties of God. It addeth vnto other sins (to make vp the heape of them) ingratitude. It taketh away the meanes of pardon and life: for in the Gospell, onely in the Gospell is pardon offered, and life to bee found; without it, is nothing but death and damnation. When the Gospell is not receiued, what hope can there be of pardon? This is it that bringeth God (who by a solemne oath hath protested,5 that he⟨p. 600⟩ desireth not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked should turne from his way and liue) to complaine and say What could I haue done any more, 6that I haue not done? If not to receiue the Gospell be a deadly and damnable sinne, what is to reiect it. To reiect a thing is more then not to receiue it: it is to put it away, as the Iewes, who in that respect are said to iudge themselues vnworthy of euerlasting life. 7It is as if traytors and rebels being risen vp against their Soueraigne, and hee offering pardon vnto them, if they would lay downe their weapons, and turne to bee loyall subiects; they should reiect his gratious offer, and say they wil none of his fauour, they care not for pardon: they had rather be hanged, drawne, and quartered, then be beholding to him for fauour and pardon. Doth not this reiecting of fauour much aggrauate the crime? Yea, is not this a more hainous crime then the treason and rebellion it selfe?
Hereinto all that commit the sin against the Holy Ghost do fall: but yet all that fall thereinto do not commit that sin. For as none that perish in their sin receive the Gospel, so all incredulous persons which live under the Gospel, and ministry thereof, whereby pardon is proclaimed and offered unto them, do refuse and reject it: so as this part of the general matter of this sin is common to all that, at least living under the ministry of the Gospel, believe not.
Hereinto all that commit the sinne against the Holy Ghost do fall: but yet all that fall thereinto do not commit that sinne. For as none that perish in their sin receiue the Gospell, so all incredulous persons which liue vnder the Gospel, and ministry thereof, whereby pardon is proclaimed and offered vnto them, do refuse and reiect it: so as this part of the generall matter of this sinne is common to all that, at least liuing vnder the ministry of the Gospel, beleeue not.
To reject the Gospel despitefully, doth make the matter much more desperate: for it implieth an inbred hatred against the Gospel it self, the Word of salvation: whence proceed open blasphemies against God and his Word,⟨p. 601⟩ and fierce and cruel persecuting of the Preachers, and professors of the Gospel.
To reiect the Gospel despitefully, doth make the matter much more desperate: for it implieth an inbred hatred against the Gospell it selfe, the Word of saluation: whence proceed open blasphemies against God and his Word,⟨p. 601⟩ and fierce and cruell persecuting of the Preachers, and professors of the Gospell.
This despitefulness added to rejecting of the Gospel, brings a man into a most fearful and desperate estate: yet all that ascend to this high pitch of impiety, do not simply therein sin against the holy Ghost: for all this may be done on ignorance. Instance Pauls example: he was so zealous of the traditions which the Jews received from their Elders, as he hated the Gospel, which he deemed to be contrary thereunto:1 in which respect, He thought that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus: 2and so he did: for out of his inward hatred He breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord: he did much evil to the Saints: he destroyed them that called on the name of Jesus: he compelled many to blaspheme, 3and waxed mad against the Saints: yea, he himself was a blasphemer. 4But all these he did ignorantly: for a man may hate and blaspheme that which he knoweth not. Great was that despite which many of the Jews showed against Christ, and against Stephen: 5They were cut to the heart, and gnashed at Stephen with their teeth: 6yet both Christ and Stephen prayed for them:7 which they would not have done,8 if they had sinned the sin unto death, because it is forbidden so to do.
This despitefulnesse added to reiecting of the Gospell, brings a man into a most fearefull and desperate estate: yet all that ascend to this high pitch of impiety, doe not simply therein sinne against the holy Ghost: for all this may be done on ignorance. Instance Pauls example: he was so zealous of the traditions which the Iewes receiued from their Elders, as he hated the Gospell, which he deemed to be contrary thereunto:1 in which respect, Hee thought that he ought to doe many things contrary to the name of Iesus: 2and so he did: for out of his inward hatred Hee breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord: he did much euill to the Saints: hee destroyed them that called on the name of Iesus: hee compelled many to blaspheme, 3and waxed mad against the Saints: yea, he himselfe was a blasphemer. 4But all these he did ignorantly: for a man may hate and blaspheme that which hee knoweth not. Great was that despite which many of the Iewes shewed against Christ, and against Stephen: 5They were cut to the heart, and gnashed at Stephen with their teeth: 6yet both Christ and Stephen prayed for them:7 which they would not haue done,8 if they had sinned the sinne vnto death, because it is forbidden so to doe.
The particular form whereby it is distinguished from all other sins, is in these words (After that the Spirit hath supernaturally persuaded a mans heart of the truth and benefit thereof.) Out of which I gather these conclusions, concerning the persons that commit this sin.
The particular forme whereby it is distinguished from all other sinnes, is in these words (After that the Spirit hath supernaturally perswaded a mans heart of the truth and benefit thereof.) Out of which I gather these conclusions, concerning the persons that commit this sinne.
1 They must have knowledge of the Gospel: their judgement must be evicted of that truth which they oppose:⟨p. 602⟩ whereby they come to sin against their own knowledge and judgement.
1 They must haue knowledge of the Gospell: their iudgement must be euicted of that truth which they oppose:⟨p. 602⟩ whereby they come to sinne against their owne knowledge and iudgement.
2 This knowledge must not only swim in the brain, but also work upon their will, and dive into their heart: so as their will give consent, and their heart assent to what their judgement conceiveth to be true. There must be a persuasion as well as knowledge; whereby they come to sin against conscience, that judge which God hath placed in mens souls to accuse or excuse them.
2 This knowledge must not onely swimme in the braine, but also worke vpon their will, and diue into their heart: so as their will giue consent, and their heart assent to what their iudgement coneiueth to bee true. There must be a perswasion as well as knowledge; whereby they come to sinne against conscience, that iudge which God hath placed in mens soules to accuse or excuse them.
3 This knowledge and persuasion must be wrought not only by evidence of undeniable arguments, (for so an Heathen man may be evicted, and persuaded) but also by a supernatural and inward work of Gods Spirit, whereby they are in their very souls persuaded that they gain-say the undoubted word of God, and so sin against the work of the Spirit in them.
3 This knowledge and perswasion must be wrought not onely by euidence of vndeniable arguments, (for so an Heathen man may be euicted, and perswaded) but also by a supernaturall and inward worke of Gods Spirit, whereby they are in their very soules perswaded that they gain-say the vndoubted word of God, and so sin against the worke of the Spirit in them.
4 This inward supernatural persuasion must be of the benefit of the Word, as well as of the truth thereof: that the Word which they despitefully gain-say, is the Word of salvation (which, whosoever believeth, shall not perish, but have life everlasting) and the only means of salvation (whosoever rejecteth it, shall be damned.) Thus in sinning against the forenamed work of the Spirit, they sin against their own souls, and bring swift damnation upon themselves.
4 This inward supernaturall perswasion must bee of the benefit of the Word, as well as of the truth thereof: that the Word which they despitefully gain-say, is the Word of saluation (which, whosoeuer beleeueth, shall not perish, but haue life euerlasting) and the only meanes of saluation (whosoeuer reiecteth it, shall be damned.) Thus in sinning against the forenamed worke of the Spirit, they sinne against their owne soules, and bring swift damnation vpon themselues.
1 A rejecting of the Gospel: 1which the Apostle in his description of this sin evidently noteth: for first he maketh an opposition betwixt despisers of the Law, and despisers of that against which they sin, that fall into this unpardonable sin: now what can that which is opposed⟨p. 603⟩ to the Law be,2 but the Gospel? Again, his description of that which is despised, can agree to nothing so well as to the Gospel.
1 A reiecting of the Gospell: 1which the Apostle in his description of this sinne euidently noteth: for first hee maketh an opposition betwixt despisers of the Law, and despisers of that against which they sin, that fall into this vnpardonable sin: now what can that which is opposed⟨p. 603⟩ to the Law be,2 but the Gospell? Againe, his description of that which is despised, can agree to nothing so wel as to the Gospell.
