The pastors farewell, and wish of welfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermonThe pastors farevvell, and vvish of vvelfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon

Thirdly, To be your Buckler against opposition. The Gospel is a Magazine, out of which Christians may be furnished with spiritual weapons in their holy war against the kingdom of darkness. Other armour, as of parts and gifts, morality and examples is (as Alexander said of the Persians, ¹when he saw them come into the field so richly clothed to fight with the Grecians) rather a prey to the Enemy then a defence to the Soldiers that wears it. Tis the word which is a shield against evil principles, Mat. 22.29. it may fitly be called (as Austin sometime was) Haereticorum malleus, the Hammer of Heresy. He that is mighty in Scripture, is the man that can hit this unclean Bird in the eye, and wound it mortally with one blow, Act. 18.28. Even Women, that are the weaker sex with this Sword in their hands (having learned from the Spirit how to use it) have encountered with great Doctors, disarmed them of all their Philosophical weapons, and shamefully foiled them. A Fryer being angry at Luther for spoiling their market, said, That had it not been for Luther, they could have persuaded the Germans to have eaten; lay aside Scripture, and seducers shall prevail with you to eat poison.

Thirdly, To be your Buckler against opposition. The Gospel is a Magazin, out of which Christians may be furnished with spiritual weapons in their holy war against the kingdom of darkness. Other armour, as of parts and gifts, morality and examples is (as Alexander said of the Persians, ¹when he saw them come into the field so richly cloathed to fight with the Grecians) rather a prey to the Enemy then a defence to the Souldiers that wears it. Tis the word which is a shield against evil principles, Mat. 22.29. it may fitly be called (as Austin sometime was) Haereticorum malleus, the Hammer of Herisie. He that is mighty in Scripture, is the man that can hit this unclean Bird in the eye, and wound it mortally with one blow, Act. 18.28. Even Women, that are the weaker sex with this Sword in their hands (having learned from the Spirit how to use it) have encountred with great Doctors, disarmed them of all their Philosophical weapons, and shamefully foiled them. A Fryer being angry at Luther for spoiling their market, said, That had it not been for Luther, they could have perswaded the Germans to have eaten; lay aside Scripture, and seducers shall prevail with you to eat poison.