A55301:148
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. Patience makes a Christian to have inward content and satisfaction in suffering. It is the Apostles Exhortation, Let patience ⟨p. 126⟩have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing, Jam. 1.4. He that hath not Patience, is but a lame and imperfect Christian; he may go a little way in Religion, as far as his Principles reach, but if he come to suffering, which is beyond them, he will halt and turn aside: But if a Christian hath an effectual Patience, he is then perfect and entire, wanting nothing; he hath every thing that may fill up his Christianity or happiness in this Life. The Cross may come, but he hath Principles to bear it: Outward Blessings may be taken away, but he hath all in God. St. Austin brings in patient Job, 1stripped of all, but only his God; speaking thus, Quid mihi deerit, si Deum habuero? quid mihi alia prosunt, si Deum non habuero? What can I want, if I have God? What can other things profit, if I have him not? Patience gives the suffering Saint quiet and sweet satisfaction in God, and, not only so, but in the very suffering as it is a pious submission to his will: There is a sweetness and a secret reward in the doing of Gods will, much more in holy suffering for Him. The blessed Martyr Baynham at the Stake told the bloody Papists O ye Papists! ye talk of Miracles, behold here a true one, these Flames are to me a bed of Roses. It's true, ⟨p. 127⟩all holy Sufferers cannot say thus; but all of them find by experience, that there is a sweet satisfaction in suffering for the good God.
3. Patience makesa Christian to have inward content and satisfaction in suffering. It is the Apostles Exhortation, Let patience ⟨p. 126⟩have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing, Jam. 1.4. He that hath not Patience, is but a lame and imperfect Christian; he may go a little way in Religion, as far as his Principles reach, but if he come to suffering, which is beyond them, he will halt and turn aside: But if a Christian hath an effectual Patience, he is then perfect and entire, wanting nothing; he hath every thing that may fill up his Christianity or happiness in this Life. The Cross may come, but he hath Principles to bear it: Outward Blessings may be taken away, but he hath all in God. St. Austin brings in patient Job,