A55301:115
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.
3. It is not a servile Fear, but a filial one that doth it: He that hath a mere servile fear of the wrath to come, may forbear an act of sin; but he hath the Love of it in his heart, adbuc vivit in eo peccandi voluntas, ⟨p. 93⟩the Love of sin lives in him still, as an Ancient hath it. Such an one is not in a fit case to suffer for the Truth; he hath not a Love to God to move him to it, nor a capacity to have Heaven after it; and how can he suffer? It is very hard for a man to suffer for a God that he Loves not: Or part with the good things of This World, when he hath no hope of those in a better. That Fear, which prepares for Suffering, is not servile, but filial; it stands not in conjunction with the love of Sin, but with the Love of God; the nature of it is such, that he that hath it will displease man rather then offend God; part with a World rather then let go the Truth and pure Worship; nay, and lay down his Life rather then forfeit the Divine Presence and Favour which are better then Life. Thus much touching the nature of that Fear, which prepares us for suffering.
3. It is not a servile Fear, but a filial one that doth it: He that hath a meer servile fear of the wrath to come, may forbear an act of sin; but he hath the Love of it in his heart, adbuc vivit in eo peccandi voluntas, ⟨p. 93⟩the Love of sin lives in him still, as an Ancient hath it. Such an one is not in a fit case to suffer for the Truth; he hath not a Love to God to move him to it, nor a capacity to have Heaven after it; and how can he suffer? It is very hard for a man to suffer for a God that he Loves not: Or part with the good things of This World, when he hath no hope of those in a better. That Fear, which prepares for Suffering, is not servile, but filial; it stands not in conjunction with the love of Sin, but with the Love of God; the nature of it is such, that he that hath it will displease man rather then offend God; part with a World rather then let go the Truth and pure Worship; nay, and lay down his Life rather then forfeit the Divine Presence and Favour which are better then Life. Thus much touching the nature of that Fear, which prepares us for suffering.