A01979:3175
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.
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, 3wherein the riches of Gods mercy, & wherein the* 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,5 that he⟨p. 600⟩ desireth not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked should turn from his way and live) to complain and say What could I have done any more, 6that 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. 7It 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?