A85783:278
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.
Use 3 Study the wiles, and acquaint thy self with Satan's policy. Paul takes it for granted, that every Saint doth in some measure understand them; We are not ignorant of his devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. He is but an ill fencer that knows and observes nothing of his emies play; many particular stratagems I have laid down already, which may help a little, and for thy direction in this study of, and enquiry into Satan's wiles, take this threefold counsel.
Ʋse 3 Study the wiles, and acquaint thy self with Satans policy. Paul takes it for granted, that every Saint doth in some measure understand them; We are not ignorant of his devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. He is but an ill fencer that knows and observes nothing of his emies play; many particular stratagems I have laid down already, which may help a little, and for thy direction in this study of, and enquiry into Satans wiles, take this threefold counsel.
First, take God into thy counsel. Heaven over-looks hell. ⟨p. 113⟩God at any time can tell thee, what plots are hatching there against thee. Consider Satan as he is Gods creature, so God cannot but know him. He that makes the Watch, knows every pin in it. He formed this crooked Serpent, though not the crookedness of this Serpent, and though Satan's way in tempting is as wonderful as the way of a Serpent on a rock, yet God traceth him; yea, knows all his thoughts together. Hell it self is naked before him, and this destroyer hath no covering. Again, consider him as Gods Prisoner, who hath him fast in chains, and so the Lord, who is his Keeper, must needs know whither his Prisoner goes, who cannot stir without his leave. Lastly, consider him as his messenger, for so he is, An evil spirit from the Lord vexed Saul, and he that gives him his errand, is able to tell thee what it is. Go then and plough with Gods heifer, improve thy interest in Christ, who knows what his Father knows, and is ready to reveal all that concerns thee to thee,