A85783:275
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, take heed of hiding sin when thou hast committed it. This is one of the devices that are in mans heart, and as much Art and cunning is shown in this, as in any one part of the sinners trade. What a trick had the Patriarchs to blind their fathers eye with a bloody coat? Josephs Mistress to prevent a charge from Joseph, accuseth him for what she is guilty, like the Robber who scaped by crying Stop the Thief. God taught man to make coats to cover his naked body, but the devil learnt him to weave these coverings to hide the nakedness of his soul; the more subtle thou seemest in concealing thy sin, the more egregiously thou playest the fool. None so shamed as the liar when found out, and that thou art sure to be. Thy covering is too short to hide thee from Gods eye, and what God sees, (if thou doest not put thy self to shame) he will tell all the world of hereafter) however thou escapest in this life.
Secondly, take heed of hiding sin when thou hast committed it. This is one of the devices that are in mans heart, and as much Art and cunning is shewen in this, as in any one part of the sinners trade. What a trick had the Patriarchs to blinde their fathers eye with a bloody coat? Josephs Mistresse to prevent a charge from Ioseph, accuseth him for what she is guilty, like the Robber who scap't by crying Stop the Thief. God taught man to make coats to cover his naked body, but the devil learnt him to weave these coverings to hide the nakednesse of his soule; the more subtile thou seemest in concealing thy sin, the more egregiously thou playest the fool. None so sham'd as the liar when found out, and that thou art sure to be. Thy covering is too short to hide thee from Gods eye, and what God sees, (if thou doest not put thy self to shame) he will tell all the world of hereafter) however thou escapest in this life.
Thirdly, take heed of subtlety and sinful policy, in compassing that which is lawful in it self; 'tis lawful to improve thy estate and husband it well for thy posterity, but take not the devils counsel, who will be putting thee upon some tricks in thy trade and slights in thy dealing; such may go for wise men a while, but the Prophet reads their destiny,