2. He citeth Scripture, and thereby teacheth, that the Word of God laid up in the heart and used pertinently, will ward off the blows of every temptation. This weapon Christ used all along with success, and therefore it is well called, the Sword of the spirit, Eph. 6. 17. It is a sword and so a weapon both offensive and defensive, Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper then any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul ⟨p. 158⟩and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart. And a sword of the spirit, because the spirit is the Author of it, 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy men of God spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, he formed and fashioned this weapon for us; and because its efficacy dependeth on the spirit, who timeously bringeth it to our remembrance, and doth enliven the word and maketh it effectual. Therefore it teacheth us to be much acquainted with the Lords written Word. The timely calling to mind of a word in Scripture is better than all other Arguments, a word forbidding or threatening such an evil, Psal. 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee: pressing the practice of such a duty, when we are slow of heart, Psal. 119. 50. Thy word hath quickened me: or a word speaking encouragement to the soul exercised with such a Cross, Heb. 12. 5. Ye have forgotten the exhortation, which speaketh unto you as unto Children, my son! despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him, Psal. 119. 92. Unless thy Law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction, still it breaketh the strength of the temptation whatsoever it be.
2. He citeth Scripture, and thereby teacheth, that the Word of God laid up in the heart and used pertinently, will ward off the blows of every temptation. This weapon Christ used all along with success, and therefore it is well called, the Sword of the spirit, Eph. 6. 17. It is a sword and so a weapon both offensive and defensive, Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper then any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul ⟨p. 158⟩and spirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart. And a sword of the spirit, because the spirit is the Author of it, 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy men of God spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, he formed and fashioned this weapon for us; and because its efficacy dependeth on the spirit, who timously bringeth it to our remembrance, and doth enliven the word and maketh it effectual. Therefore it teacheth us to be much acquainted with the Lords written Word. The timely calling to mind of a word in Scripture is better than all other Arguments, a word forbidding or threatning such an evil, Psal. 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee: pressing the practice of such a duty, when we are slow of heart, Psal. 119. 50. Thy word hath quickned me: or a word speaking encouragement to the soul exercised with such a Cross, Heb. 12. 5. Ye have forgotten the exhortation, which speaketh unto you as unto Children, my son! despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him, Psal. 119. 92. Unless thy Law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction, still it breaketh the strength of the temptation whatsoever it be.
