A85783:176
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.
First, when a person useth a duty appointed by God, not as Armour of defence against sin, but as a cover for sin. Who would think him an enemy that wears Christs colours in his hat, and marcheth after Christ in the exercise of all the duties of his worship? such a one may pass all the Courts of guard, without so much as being bid stand, all take him for a friend; and yet some such there are, who are fighting against Christ all the while. The hypocrite is the man, he learns his postures, gets the Word, hath his tongue tipped with Scripture-language, and walks in the habit of a Christian, merely on a design to drive his trade the more closely; Like some high-way men in our days, who rob in the habit of soldiers, that they may be the less suspected; this is desperate wickedness indeed, to take up Gods arms, and use them in the devils service; of all sinners such shall find least mercy; false friends shall speed worse then open enemies.
First, when a person useth a duty appointed by God, not as Armour of defence against sin, but as a cover for sin. Who would think him an enemie that weares Christs colours in his hat, and marcheth after Christ in the exercise of all the duties of his worship? such a one may passe all the Courts of guard, without so much as being bid stand, all take him for a friend; and yet some such there are, who are fighting against Christ all the while. The hypocrite is the man, he learnes his postures, gets the Word, hath his tongue tip'c with Scripture-language, and walks in the habit of a Christian, meerly on a design to drive his trade the more closely; Like some high-way men in our dayes, who rob in the habit of souldiers, that they may be the lesse suspected; this is desperate wickednesse indeed, to take up Gods armes, and use them in the devils service; of all sinners such shall finde least mercy; false friends shall speed worse then open enemies.