A55301:135
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. True Obedience flows from a good and an honest heart; nay, I may add, it flows from the holy Spirit of God. It flows from a good and honest Heart; many unprofitable hearers that are, but the good and honest Heart brings forth fruit. It was an high Character which the Apostle gives to the Romans, That they had obeyed from the Heart, that form of doctrine, which was delivered to them, or (as it is in the ⟨p. 113⟩original) into which they were delivered, Rom. 6.17. The Gospel was not only delivered to them, but they were delivered, and, as it were, cast into the mould of it, and that was the reason that they obeyed from the heart. Nay, further, Obedience flows from the holy spirit; it is a choice Promise in the Covenant, I will put my spirit into you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, Ezek. 36.27. Obedience being a mere supernatural act, comes from the holy Spirit as the prime Cause thereof; a general Concourse suffices not, there must be a peculiar Motion and Impulsion of the Spirit in it; which made Gerson say, That all spiritual life was founded in miraculo influentiae divinae, in the miracle of a Divine Influence. We see what are the Principles and Fountains of Active Obedience, and the very same will produce Passive too. The good and honest heart brings forth fruit with patience, Luke. 8.15. The words (with patience) are very remarkable; the good and honest heart may meet with Persecutions in the world, yet it would blossom and bring forth fruit in the midst thereof. The righteous flourishes as the Palm-Tree, Psal. 92.12. The Palm-Tree is a Symbol of Immortality, growing under its burden; and the Righteous, who hath an Immortal ⟨p. 114⟩seed in him, flourishes under all the pressures of a persecuting World. Again, the holy Spirit; which makes good men do Gods will, will enable them to suffer it too; St. Paul took pleasure in persecutions, because when he was weak, then he was strong,