A55301:112
Armatura Dei, or, A preparation for suffering in an evil day showing how Christians…Armatura Dei, or, A preparation for suffering in an evil day shewing how Christians…
Armatura Dei, or, A preparation for suffering in an evil day showing how Christians are to bear sufferings, and what graces are requisite thereunto : suited for all good Christians in this present time / by Edward Polhil ..., Esq.Armatura Dei, or, A preparation for suffering in an evil day shewing how Christians are to bear sufferings, and what graces are requisite thereunto : suited for all good Christians in this present time / by Edward Polhil ..., Esq.
London: printed for Tho. Cockerill, 1682
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.
1. I shall consider what that Fear is which prepares us for Suffering; and this ⟨p. 91⟩I shall dispatch in three things.
It is not the Fear of man but of God that doth it: It is not the fear of man, that can do it; God gives us a charge against this, Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye? Isaiah. 51.12. There is no cause to fear a weak piece of Clay, a very Breath, a fading Leaf; he must dye and there is an end of him, and all his thoughts perish with him. The wise man tells us, That the fear of man bringeth a Snare, Prov. 29.25. It made Abraham dissemble as if he had no wife; David change his behaviour as if he had no reason; Peter curse and swear as if he knew not his Master: This Fear disposes to apostasy, and must be cured by that Fear of God, which disposes to suffering: When we are ready to drown in worldly sorrow, it is of singular use to spring another, a godly sorrow in our hearts; and when the Fear of man puts us into trembling fits, it is an excellent remedy to raise up the Fear of God in our Souls above the other. Thus God directs his People not to fear the confederate Enemies, but to sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and to let him be their fear and their dread, Esa. 8.12, 13. He is Lord of Hosts, God over all, and the fear of him should be above all other fears; this is the way to have him to be a Sanctuary to us, as it follows. ⟨p. 92⟩If we Fear him he will be an inviolable place of retreat where we may repose our selves in a day of Trouble.
It is not the Fear of man but of God that doth it: It is not the fear of man, that can do it; God gives us a charge against this, Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye?