A85783:137
The Christian in Complete Armour
The Christian in complete armour. Or, A treatise of the saints war against the Devil, wherein a discovery is made of that grand enemy of God and his people, in his policies, power, seat of his empire, wickedness, and chief design he hath against the saints. A magazine opened: from whence the Christian is furnished with spiritual arms for the battle, helped on with his armour, and taught the use of his weapon, together with the happy issue of the whole war. The first part. / By William Gurnall, Minister of the Gospel in Lavenham. Imprimatur, Edmund Calamy.The Christian in compleat armour. Or, A treatise of the saints war against the Devil, wherein a discovery is made of that grand enemy of God and his people, in his policies, power, seat of his empire, wickednesse, and chiefe designe he hath against the saints. A magazin open'd: from whence the Christian is furnished with spiritual armes for the battel, help't on with his armour, and taught the use of his weapon, together with the happy issue of the whole warre. The first part. / By William Gurnall, Minister of the Gospel in Lavenham. Imprimatur, Edmund Calamy.
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 1655
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.
Secondly, ask thy soul whether thou hast been thankful for that little strength thou hast; though thou art not of that strength in grace, to run with the foremost, and hold pace with the tallest of thy brethren, yet art thou thankful that thou hast any strength at all? though it be but to cry after them, whom thou seest out-strip thee in grace, this is worth thy thanks. All in Davids army attained not to be equal with his few Worthies in prowess and honour, and yet did not cashier themselves: thou hast reason to be thankful for the meanest place in the army of Saints, the least communications of Gospel mercy and grace must not be over-looked. As soon as ever Moses with his army was through the sea, they strike up before they stir from the bank-side, and acknowledge the wonderful appearance of Gods power and mercy for them, though this was but one step in their way; a howling wilderness presented it self to them, and they not able to subsist a few days with all their provision, for all their great victory, yet Moses, he will praise God for this handsel of mercy. This holy man knew the only way to keep credit with God, so as to have more, was to keep touch, and pay ⟨p. 49⟩down his praise for what was received. If thou wouldest have fuller communications of divine strength, own God in what he hath done. Art thou weak? bless God thou hast life. Doest thou through feebleness often fail in duty, and fall into temptation? Mourn in the sense of these: yet bless God, that thou doest not live in a total neglect of duty, out of a profane contempt thereof, and that in stead of falling through weakness, thou doest not lie in the mire of sin through the wickedness of thy heart. The unthankful soul may thank it self, it thrives not better.
Secondly, ask thy soule whether thou hast been thankful for that little strength thou hast; though thou art not of that strength in grace, to run with the foremost, and hold pace with the tallest of thy brethren, yet art thou thankful that thou hast any strength at all? though it be but to cry after them, whom thou seest out-strip thee in grace, this is worth thy thanks. All in Davids army attained not to be equal with his few Worthies in prowesse and honour, and yet did not cashiere themselves: thou hast reason to be thankful for the meanest place in the army of Saints, the least communications of Gospel mercy and grace must not be over-look't. Assoon as ever Moses with his army was through the sea, they strike up before they stir from the bank-side, and acknowledge the wonderful appearance of Gods power and mercy for them, though this was but one step in their way; a howling wildernesse presented it self to them, and they not able to subsist a few dayes with all their provision, for all their great victory, yet Moses, he will praise God for this handsel of mercy. This holy man knew the only way to keep credit with God, so as to have more, was to keep touch, and pay