The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

4 From denial of Christ, which may be done on fear (instance Peters example) or other like temptations.¹ It is an ancient heresy of the Novatians to deny repentance and pardon to such as have once denied Christ.²

4 From deniall of Christ, which may be done on feare (instance Peters example) or other like temptations.¹ It is an ancient heresie of the Nouatians to deny repentance and pardon to such as haue once denied Christ.²

1. 1Mat. 26. 69.
2. 2Aug. lib. de her. & lib. de quaest.

5 From Apostasy from the faith, and profession of religion, which also may be done not on malice, but through the violence of some temptation. It is noted of Solomon, ¹that he continued not to follow the Lord, but turned after other gods, through the persuasion of his wives. When a Kingdom changeth Religion, as England in Queen Mary's days, many prove Apostates, and fall away from the profession of the Gospel, and profess idolatry for fear of persecution, or for too much love of this world, to hold their places and offices, their honours and dignities, their houses and lands, or else on an infirm and weak persuasion, that they can keep their hearts pure, and their faith sound, though with their bodies they outwardly subject themselves to idolatry. The Levites which in the captivity fell away,²