The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 11. Of the necessity of true Patience.

Point 4 The fourth general point to be considered, ¹is the necessity of this piece of Spiritual Armour. Though it be compared to leg-harness, which may seem to be least necessary,² yet indeed it is no whit less necessary then any of the rest: we know that if a man be not well fenced on his legs, he may receive such a blow upon them, as will clean overthrow him, notwithstanding the other pieces of armour? but if the way be rough and thorny, and the man bare-footed and bare-legged, and in that respect dareth not march on, what benefit reaps he by the furniture of the other parts? To let the metaphor pass; the gift and grace it self which now we speak of, Patience, is so absolutely necessary, as without it there can be no hope of attaining to victory, glory, and rest, where Christ our chief Captain is.^c The Apostle expressly saith, that patience is needful: to show that he speaketh of an absolute necessity, he implieth that the promise (meaning eternal life promised) cannot be received⟨p. 175⟩ without it: for he had showed^d before, that the Saints in former times through faith and patience inherited the promise, and in that respect both that Apostle, and also ^eSaint James exhort Christians to follow them.

Point 4 THe fourth generall point to be considered,