The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 12. Exposition of words.

Now consider we the particular branches of this description of our enemies. There are four distinct branches distinguished by this particle against. ¹Much ambiguity and obscurity is in this description. I will therefore as plainly as I can clear the meaning of the words.

NOw consider we the particular branches of this description of our enemies. There are foure distinct branches distinguished by this particle against. ¹Much ambiguitie and obscuritie is in this description. I will therefore as plainely as I can cleare the meaning of the words.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

From these several branches many collect divers and distinct orders of Devils, one subordinate to another: as among men there be divers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earls, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Devil, mentioned^b before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principalities under him: powers under them, and so in the rest. For my part, I think these distinctions in this place over-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Devils, even as amongst thieves, pirates, connycatchers, &c. There is an head and^c Prince of them. For mention is made of the^d Devil and his angels. There may be also distinct and several offices among them (as among the forenamed pirates) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should do the same thing, how should the other things be done? but that certain be always tied to one place, person and function, is both uncertain and unlikely. Further, that here in this place there should be so many orders and ranks of Devils, as are distinct branches, is also uncertain; neither can any such thing by any just consequence be collected.

From these seuerall branches many collect diuers and distinct orders of Diuells, one subordinate to another: as among men there be diuers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earles, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Diuell, mentioned^b before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principallities vnder him: powers vnder them, and so in the rest. For my part, I thinke these distinctions in this place ouer-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Diuels, euen as amongst theeues, pirats, connycatchers, &c. There is an head and^c Prince of them. For mention is made of the^d Diuell and his angels. There may bee also distinct and seuerall offices among them (as among the forenamed pirats) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should doe the same thing, how should the other things bee done? but that certaine bee alwayes tyed to one place, person and function, is both vncertaine and vnlikely. Further, that heere in this place there should be so many orders and ranckes of Diuels, as are distinct branches, is also vncertaine; neither can any such thing by any iust consequence be collected.

1. bVers. 11.
2. cMat. 9. 34.
3. dMat. 25. 41.

The first title is Principalities, or governments: so termed, because they have great rule, power, and dominion, not so much over other Devils, as over wicked men.

The first title is Principallities, or gouernments: so termed, because they haue great rule, power, and dominion, not so much ouer other Diuells, as ouer wicked men.

The second is powers, to show that their principality is not a mere titular matter, but is armed with power, so as with their powerful government, they are able to do great matters.

The second is powers, to shew that their principallitie is not a meere titular matter, but is armeed with power, so as with their powerfull gouernment, they are able to doe great matters.

These two titles, principalities and powers, are^a thus set down, rather then^b powerful governors, to amplify both the one, and the other.

These two titles, principallities and powers, are^a thus set downe, rather then^b powerfull gouernours, to amplifie both the one, and the other.

1. aIn abstracto.
2. bIn concreto.

The third is worldly Governors. This I take to be added as an exposition of the first, or rather as a limitation thereof, showing over whom the Devils are governors: not over the chosen and called of God; but over the world (For^c Christ maketh a direct opposition betwixt these:) therefore the Apostle useth a compound word, which expresseth not only their government, but also their subjects.

The third is worldly Gouernors. This I take to be added as an exposition of the first, or rather as a limitation thereof, shewing ouer whom the Diuels are gouernours: not ouer the chosen and called of God; but ouer the world (For^c Christ maketh a direct opposition betwixt these:) therefore the Apostle vseth a compound word, which expresseth not onely their gouernement, but also their subiects.

1. cJohn 17. 9. [Greek or Hebrew].John 17. 9. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

But the^d elect also are counted to be of the world while here they live,² because in the world they were bred, brought forth, brought up, and ended their days.

But the^d elect also are counted to be of the world while heere they liue,² because in the world they were bred, brought forth, brought vp, and ended their dayes.

1. dJohn 3. 16.Iohn 3. 16.
2. 2Object.Obiect.

They are in the world,¹ but not of the world,^c after that they are effectually called: therefore for more perspicuity sake, the Apostle addeth this clause, of the darkness of this world, whereby particularly he showeth whom the Devils govern in this world; namely; such as are darkness: here again for emphasis sake, he rather useth this word^f darkness then^g dark: and he understandeth the darkness of ignorance and wickedness: so that in plain terms they are the ignorant and wicked men of the world, over whom the Devils reign.

They are in the world,¹ but not of the world,^c after that they are effectually called: therefore for more perspi•uitie sake, the Apostle addeth this clause, of the darkenesse of this world, whereby particularly he sheweth whom the Diuels gouerne in this world; namely; such as are darknesse: here againe for emphasis sake, he rather vseth this word^f darknesse then^g darke: and hee vnderstandeth the darknesse of ignorance and wickednesse: so that in plaine termes they are the ignorant and wicked men of the world, ouer whom the Diuels reigne.

1. 1Answer.
2. cJoh. 17. 6, 16. [Greek or Hebrew].Ioh. 17. 6, 16. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
3. fIn abstracto.
4. gIn concreto.

The fourth is spiritual wickedness. This declareth their nature, that they are spirits, and their condition, that they are evil, and malicious. The phrase which the Apostle useth is somewhat strange, word for word it is this,^a Spirituals of wickedness, or spirits of wickedness, that is, most monstrous wicked spirits.

The fourth is spirituall wickednesse. This declareth their nature, that they are spirits, and their condition, that they are euill, and malicious. The phrase which the Apostle vseth is somewhat strange, word for word it is this,^a Spirituals of wickednesse, or spirits of wickednesse, that is, most monstrous wicked spirits.

1. a[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

Lastly, is added a phrase somewhat ambiguous, because that whereunto it hath reference, is not expressed: it is this, word for word,^b in heavenlies. Here some to make up the sense add places, whereby is implied that these evil spirits are over us in the air: for there are three places in Scripture termed Heaven.² First the air where⟨p. 61⟩ fowls are.³ Secondly, the firmament where the •tarres are. Thirdly, that place of glory, which is called Gods Throne,⁴ where Christ in his body, and the souls of the just and perfect men departed are. This is called the third Heaven,⁵ the highest Heaven.

Lastly, is added a phrase somewhat ambiguous, because that whereunto it hath reference, is not expressed: it is this, word for word,^b in heauenlies. Heere some to make vp the sence adde places, whereby is implied that these euill spirits are ouer vs in the ayre: for there are three places in Scripture termed Heauen.² First the ayre where⟨p. 61⟩ fowles are.³ Secondly, the firmament where the •tarres are. Thirdly, that place of glory, which is called Gods Throne,⁴ where Christ in his body, and the soules of the iust and perfect men departed are. This is called the third Heauen,⁵ the highest Heauen.

1. b[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
2. 2Mat. 6. 26.
3. 3Gen. 22. 17.
4. 4Matth. 6. 9.
5. 52. Cor. 12. 2.

Now if the place of spirits be here meant, by heavenly places must needs be meant the air, which is the lowest heaven: for^c out of the highest heaven they are excluded. Other add things, whereby is implied the cause of this combat, which is not any light, fading earthly trash, but heavenly and spiritual treasure. Of the difference of these expositions, I shall speak more fully, when I come more distinctly to handle this clause.

Now if the place of spirits be heere meant, by heauenly places must needs be meant the ayre, which is the lowest heauen: for^c out of the highest heauen they are excluded. Other adde things, whereby is implied the cause of this combate, which is not any light, fading earthly trash, but heauenly and spirituall treasure. Of the difference of these expositions, I shall speake more fully, when I come more distinctly to handle this clause.

1. cReu. 12. 8, 9, 10, & 21. 27.

Of these four fore-named branches; two, namely the first and the third do in the general scope set forth one and the same point; namely the dominion of the Devils▪ the fourth containeth three distinct points. First, the nature of Devils. Secondly, their quality. Thirdly, the place, or cause of the combat.

Of these foure fore-named branches; two, namely the first and the third doe in the generall scope set foorth one and the same point; namely the dominion of the Diuels▪ the fourth containeth three distinct points. First, the nature of Diuels. Secondly, their qualitie. Thirdly, the place, or cause of the combate.

Our enemies then are in this affirmative part described by five arguments; 1. Their government: 2 Their power: 3. Their nature: 4. Their quality: 5. Their place of abode, or cause of fight.

Our enemies then are in this affirmatiue part described by fiue arguments; 1. Their gouernment: 2 Their power: 3. Their nature: 4. Their qualitie: 5. Their place of abode, or cause of fight.

§. 13. Of Satan's dominion.

§. 13. Of Satans dominion.