A01979:423
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.
§. 22. Of the restraint of Satan's power.
§. 22. Of the restraint of Satans power.
5. For the fifth,1 though the word here attributed to the Devils do properly signifya a liberty to do as one list, yet it may not, nor cannot be denied, that that power which is given them is so limited and restrained by an higher and superior power, even the power of God, that they cannot as they list themselves exercise the uttermost of their power, and do what they are able to do, if they were not held in. Fitly may I apply that to the Devil, which is said of the Sea,b that God hath set bars and doors before him, and said, Hither to shall he come, and no further. In this respect they are saidc to be delivered into chains, and dreserved in everlasting chains: By which phrases is implied that the Lord dealeth with Devils,6 as men use to do with curst mad ban-dogs, which will fly at the throat of every one with whom they meet, they tie and chain them up for fear of doing hurt. For proof hereof, note what God said to the Devil under the Serpent, e Thou shalt bruise his heel: by which phrase is implied a restraint, namely, that he should not come so high as the Saints head to crush it, he should only snarl at his heel, and bite it; that is, he should not be able utterly to destroy their souls, but only annoy them with smaller temptations.
5. FOr the fift,1