The Christian in Complete Armour

Use 1 First, let this (O man make the plumes of thy pride fall, whoever thou art that gloriest in thy power; hadst thou more then thou or any of the sons of Adam ever had, yet what were all that to the power of these Angels? Is it the strength of thy body thou gloriest in? Alas, what is the strength of frail flesh, to the force of their spiritual nature? thou art no more to these then a child to a giant, a worm to a man: who could tear up the mountains, and hurl the world into a confusion, if God would but suffer them. Is it the strength of thy parts above others? doest thou not see what fools he makes of the wisest among men? winding them about as a Sophister would do an Idiot, making them believe light is dark, bitter is sweet, and sweet bitter; were not the strength of his parts admirable, could he make a rational creature as man is, so absurdly throw away his scarlet, and embrace dung: I mean, part with God and the glorious happiness he hath in him, in hope to mend himself, by embracing sin? Yet this he did when man had his best wits about him in innocency. Is it the power of place and dignity got by warlike achievement? Grant thou wert able to subdue Nations, and give laws to the whole world, yet even then without grace from above thou wouldest be his slave. And he himself for all this his power is a cursed spirit, the most miserable of all Gods creatures, and the more because he hath so much power to do mischief; had the devil lost all his Angelical abilities, when ⟨p. 203⟩he fell, he had gained by his loss. Therefore tremble (O man) at any power thou hast, except thou usest it for God. Art strong in body? who hath thy strength? God, or thy lusts? some are strong to drink, strong to sin, Thy bands shall therefore be stronger, Isa. 28.22. Hast thou power by thy place to do God and his Church service, but no heart to lay it out for them, but rather against them? thou and the devil shall be tried at the same bar, it seems thou meanest to go to hell for something, thou wilt carry thy full lading thither. No greater plague can befall a man then power without grace. Such great ones in the world, while here, make a brave show, like chief Commanders and field-Officers at the head of their Regiments, the common soldiers are poor creatures to them;

Ʋse 1 First, let this (O man make the plumes of thy pride fall, whoever thou art that gloriest in thy power; hadst thou more then thou or any of the sons of Adam ever had, yet what were all that to the power of these Angels? Is it the strength of thy body thou gloriest in? Alas, what is the strength of frail flesh, to the force of their spiritual nature? thou art no more to these then a childe to a giant, a worme to a man: who could tear up the mountaines, and hurle the world into a confusion, if God would but suffer them. Is it the strength of thy parts above others? doest thou not see what fooles he makes of the wisest among men? winding them about as a Sophister would do an Idiot, making them believe light is dark, bitter is sweet, and sweet bitter; were not the strength of his parts admirable, could he make a rational creature as man is, so absurdly throw away his scarlet, and embrace dung: I mean, part with God and the glorious happinesse he hath in him, in hope to mend himself, by embracing sin? Yet this he did when man had his best wits about him in innocency. Is it the power of place and dignity got by warlike atchievement? Grant thou wert able to subdue Nations, and give lawes to the whole world, yet even then without grace from above thou wouldest be his slave. And he himselfe for all this his power is a cursed spirit, the most miserable of all Gods creatures, and the more because he hath so much power to do mischief; had the devil lost all his Angelical abilities, when