A85783:589
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 5 › Section 4
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.
Thirdly, ply the throne of grace. Bene orasse est bene studuisse; he is the best student in divinity, that studies most upon his knee. Knowledge is a divine gift, all light is from heaven. God is the Father of light, and prayer puts the soul under the pupillage of God. If any one lack wisdom, let him ask it of God. This is more then naked knowledge, wisdom how to use it. Study may make one a great Scholar in the Scriptures, but prayer makes a wise Christian, as it obtains sanctified knowledge, without which it is no perfect gift, but [Greek or Hebrew], a gift and no gift. Pray then with an humble boldness, God gives it to all that ask, and that [Greek or Hebrew], candidly, liberally; not like proud man who will rather put one to shame who is weak for his ignorance, then take the pains to teach him. Thy petition is very pleasing to God. Remember how Solomon sped upon the like occasion, and promise thy self the same success. Christs School is a free School; he denies none that come to him, so they will submit to the orders of the ⟨p. 244⟩School; and though all have not an answer in the same degree of knowledge (it is not needful that all should be Solomons in knowledge, except all were to be Solomons in place) yet the meanest disciple that Christ sends forth shall be furnished with saving knowledge, enough to fit him for his admittance into heavens Academy. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and after bring me to glory.
Thirdly, ply the throne of grace. Bene orasse est bene studuisse; he is the best student in divinity, that studies most upon his knee. Knowledge is a divine gift, all light is from heaven. God is the Father of light, and prayer puts the soule under the pupillage of God. If any one lack wisdom, let him ask it of God. This is more then naked knowledge, wisdome how to use it. Study may make one a great Scholar in the Scriptures, but prayer makes a wise Christian, as it obtains sanctified knowledge, without which it is no perfect gift, but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a gift and no gift. Pray then with an humble boldnesse, God gives it to all that ask, and that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, candidly, liberally; not like proud man who will rather put one to shame who is weak for his ignorance, then take the paines to teach him. Thy petition is very pleasing to God. Remember how Solomon sped upon the like occasion, and promise thy self the same successe. Christs School is a free School; he denies none that come to him, so they will submit to the orders of the