A55301:26
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.
This Preparation is of very great moment to Christians: Upon their having, or not having of it, depends their Happiness or Misery.
He that is prepared for Sufferings, come what will come, is a happy man; if sufferings do not come, he is yet a Martyr in mind and purpose. God sees the suffering frame that is in him; his willing mind is accepted as much as if his blood were actually Shed; and being ready to dye for Christ, ⟨p. 11⟩he is ready to live with him in Heaven; If Sufferings come, he is provided for then. St. Paul was ready to be bound and die for the name of Jesus. Polycarp, when threatened with Various deaths, made this reply, Quid tardas? Why dost thou delay? Inflict what thou wilt. The prepared Christian is ready for all the Will of God, which is an happiness that no Suffering can interrupt: He is in a posture to overcome all the World, and he will do it. The very Pagan Emperors did observe the primitive martyrs to be Victors in death. It is said of the Martyr Vincentius, 1that according to his name, he overcame in Words, and overcame in Punishments; overcame in Confession, and overcame in Tribulation; overcame in Fire, and over came in Water; overcame Living and overcame Dying. The prepared Christian is a Vincent, a Conqueror of the World; his Love is above the smiles of it, his Fear above the Terrors of it: Nay, he is more than a Conqueror; he overcomes by suffering, and lives by death; nay being dead, he yet speaks forth the truth he suffered for, and propagates it to all posterity: Neither need we wonder at this Conquest, he is not alone but hath God with him: And, as the Emperor Antoninus Verus said of the Primitive Christians, ⟨p. 12⟩He carries God about with him in conscience; and where God is, there must be happiness in the most afflicted Condition; the whole sacred Trinity are present with him; the everlasting Father will strengthen him; the Son will walk with him in the fiery Furnace; the holy Spirit will come to him with all his cordials. Stephen was never so full of it as when he was stoned.