A55301:138
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. True Obedience makes us to grow up into Christ the Head, and to be of near alliance to him. It makes us to grow up into Christ the head, Eph. 4.15. Obedience, being the exercise of all Graces, brings us into a near union with Christ, and makes us more and more like to him: The more we act our Love, Meekness, Mercy, Goodness or any Grace, the more we are united to him and incorporated with him; nay, true Obedience makes us to be of near alliance to him. When our Saviour was told, that his Mother and Brethren stood without to see him, his answer was, My Mother and my Brethren are those which hear the word of God and do it, Luke 8.20, 21. St. Ambrose upon these words tells us,1 Religiosiores copulae mentium quam corporum; the conjunction of Minds is more sacred than that of Bodies. The Obedient Christian is Brother to Christ, being born of the same holy Spirit in Regeneration, of which he was conceived in his Incarnation; nay, he is Mother to ⟨p. 117⟩Christ, bringing him forth in the exercise of holy Graces; somewhat of the Love, Mercy, Piety, Meekness of Christ is still a coming forth from him: In both these respects doth obedience dispose us to suffering; the more we grow up into Christ the Head, the more Divine Power and Virtue we have from him; our chief strength lies not in our selves, but in our Head; we may do, nay and suffer any thing, through him strengthening us: And the more we are allied to him, the more we are bound to adhere to him: Our supernatural Birth obliges us to live to him, nay, and if need be, to die for him; and we are to bring him forth not only in other holy Virtue, but in that of Patience. St. Paul bore about in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 4.10. and the Allies of Christ must be ready at Gods call to suffer with him.
3. True Obedience makes us to grow up into Christ the Head, and to be of neer alliance to him. It makes us to grow up into Christ the head, Eph. 4.15