A85783:403
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 1 › 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, It reproves those who seem to wrestle against sin, but not according to the Word of Command that Christ gives. There is a Law in wrestling which must be observed, 2 Tim. 2.5. If a man also strive for Masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully. He alludes to the Roman games, to which there were Judges appointed to see that no foul play were offered contrary to the Law for wrestling; the prize being denied to such, though they did foil their adversary, which the Apostle improves to make the Christian careful in his war, as being under a stricter Law and Discipline, that requires not only valour to fight, but obedience to fight, by order and according to the Word of Command: Now few do this that go for great Wrestlers.
Secondly, It reproves those who seem to wrestle against sin, but not according to the Word of Command that Christ gives. There is a Law in wrestling which must be observ'd, 2 Tim. 2.5. If a man also strive for Masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully. He alludes to the Romane games, to which there were Judges appointed to see that no foule play were offered contrary to the Law for wrestling; the prize being denied to such, though they did foile their adversary, which the Apostle improves to make the Christian careful in his war, as being under a stricter Law and Discipline, that requires not only valour to fight, but obedience to fight, by order and according to the Word of Command: Now few do this that go for great Wrestlers.
First, some while they wrestle against one sin, embrace another; and in this case 'tis not the person wrestles against sin, but one sin wrestles with another, and 'tis no wonder to see thieves fall out when they come to divide the spoil; Lusts are divers, Tit. 3.3. and 'tis hard to please many Masters, especially when their commands are so contrary; when pride bids lay on in bravery, lavish out in entertainment; covetousness bids lay up, when malice bids revenge; carnal policy saith, conceal thy wrath, though not forgive. When lust sends to his whores, hypocrisy pulls him back for shame of the world. Now is he Gods Champion that resists one sin at the command of another, it may be a worse.