A85783:206
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
A TREATISE Of the whole Armour Of God. › Introduction › Chapter 4 › Section 3
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, because Satan is completing his skill and wrath. 'Tis not for nought that he is called the old Serpent, subtle by nature, but more by experience; wrathful by nature, yet every day more and more enraged; like a bull, the longer he is baited, ⟨p. 79⟩the more fury he shows. And therefore we who are to grapple with him, now his time is so short, had need come well appointed into the field.
Secondly, because Satan is compleating his skill and wrath. 'Tis not for nought that he is call'd the old Serpent, subtil by nature, but more by experience; wrathful by nature, yet every day more and more enraged; like a bull, the longer he is baited, ⟨p. 79⟩the more fury he shewes. And therefore we who are to grapple with him, now his time is so short, had need come well appointed into the field.
Thirdly, it is the end of all Gods dispensations, to complete his Saints in their graces and comforts. Wherefore doth he lop and prune by afflictions, but to purge, 1that they may bring forth more fruit (that is, fuller and fairer?) Tribulation works patience; 'Tis Gods appointment for that end: It works, that is, it increaseth the Saints patience, it enrageth indeed the wicked, but meekens the Saints. 'Tis his design in the Gospel preached to carry on his Saints, from faith to faith, Rom. 1.17. And accordingly he hath furnished his Church with instruments, and those with gifts, for the perfecting of the Saints, and for the edifying of the body of Christ, Eph. 4.14. Wherefore doth the Scaffold stand, and the Workman on it, if the building go not up? For us not to advance under such means, is to make void the counsel of God: Therefore the Apostle blames the Christian Jews,