A55301:77
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. Faith fixes upon his Grace and mercy: ⟨p. 61⟩Men are cruel, but God is gracious and merciful to his People at all times, but especially in a time of Trial: He chooses them in the Furnace of Affliction, Isaiah. 48.10. When men reprobate them as the off-scouring of all things, then God doth as it were choose them afresh; I mean, his electing love, which was in his heart towards them, as early as eternity it self, doth then break out in fresh acts of Grace towards them. St. Paul tells the Philippians, that it was freely given to them in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1.29. Faith which is the first gift, and Suffering which is the last in this life, do both issue out from the Fountain of Grace. Cast thy self, O Christian, upon the Grace and Mercy of thy good God; that Grace, which calls, justifies, sanctifies thee, will also give thee the gift of suffering; that mercy, which spares thee in thy ordinary duties, will in a time of Suffering be indulgent over thee in a more then ordinary manner: The mercy of God will be upon us according as we trust in him; the sweetest Strains of Mercy are reserved for the highest acts of Faith, which are seen more in Sufferings then in other things. If we carry Faith with us into Prisons and fiery Furnaces, Goodness and Mercy will ⟨p. 62⟩follow us thither in an eminent way. Faith hath a respect to Christ, it comes to him as to a Centre of rest, receives him as a precious gift, leans on him as a sure foundation; nay, [Greek or Hebrew], it individuates and appropriates him to the Soul. There are three things in Christ which Faith looks to in order to Suffering.
3. Faith fixes upon his Grace and mercy: ⟨p. 61⟩Men are cruel, but God is gracious and merciful to his People at all times, but especially in a time of Trial: He chuses them in the Furnace of Affliction, Esay. 48.10. When men reprobate them as the off-scouring of all things, then God doth as it were chuse them afresh; I mean, his electing love, which was in his heart towards them, as early as eternity it self, doth then break out in fresh acts of Grace towards them. St. Paul tels the Philippians, that it was freely given to them in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his sake,