Metaphor. | Parallel.
A Girdle was of use in former times by Soldiers, it was part of their Habit or Armour. | The true Doctrine of the Gospel, or the holy Principles of Religion and Sin erity, are of great use among all Christ's Spiritual Soldiers, in order to the arming of them completely.
II. A Girdle cleaves close to a Man when 'tis well girt to him, and it is not easily unbuckled by an Adversary. | II. So th• Truth of Christ should be fastened in •ur Hearts and Judgments, that we may not be wavering in our Minds; Stand fast in the Faith, &c.1 Sincerity ought to cleave to our inward Parts, as a Girdle doth to the Loins of a Man.
III. A Girdle compasseth a Man about. | III. So the Truth of Christ, and Sincerity of Heart should compass Christians about, they ought to keep always in the bounds of Truth and Uprightness; God hath set Bounds to his People, out of which they must never go: we must not swerve aside to the Right-hand or Left, nor play the Hypocrite, for such that do so, cannot be said to be girt about with Truth
IV. A Girdle strengthens the Loins of a Soldier, or him that is well girt therewith:2 Gird up thy Loins, and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee; 3be not dismayed: as much as if God should say,4 be strong for thy Work: Thou hast girded me with Strength, &c. Their Loins shall be loosed; 5I will loose the Loins of the Kings: He weakeneth the Strength of the Mighty: the Girdle of the strong; so the Heb. | IV. The true Doctrine of the Gospel, or that Religion that is according to Godliness, joined with Sincerity of Heart, is the strength of every Christian, or Soldier of Christ; if he hath not this Girdle on, his Loins are loose and weak, and he is as unstable as Water, as Jacob speaks of Reuben. Let Truth go, nay,6 one Truth go, and how doth it weaken our Hands? or profess it with a false and deceitful Heart, and how unable are such to stand against the Assaults of the Enemy? On the other hand, when a Person is well girt with Truth in both these respects, he is thereby made strong and courageous.
V. A Girdle was used to gird on the other parts of the Soldiers Armour; Let not him that girdeth on his Harness boast himself, as he that putteth it off: 1 King 20.11. | V. Truth is that which fasteneth or girdeth on every part of the Christian's Armour, Sincerity completes and perfects all;
Metaphor. | Parallel.
A Girdle was of use in former times by Souldiers, it was part of their Habit or Armour. | THe true Doctrine of the Gospel, or the holy Principles of Religion and Sin erity, are of great use among all Christ's Spiritual Souldiers, in order to the arming of them compleatly.
II. A Girdle cleaves close to a Man when 'tis well girt to him, and it is not easily unbuckled by an Adversary. | II. So th• Truth of Christ should be fastened in •ur Hearts and Judgments, that we may not be wavering in our Minds; Stand fast in the Faith, &c.1 Sincerity ought to cleave to our inward Parts, as a Girdle doth to the Loins of a Man.
III. A Girdle compasseth a Man about. | III. So the Truth of Christ, and Sincerity of Heart should compass Christians about, they ought to keep always in the bounds of Truth and Uprightness; God hath set Bounds to his People, out of which they must never go: we must not swerve aside to the Right-hand or Left, nor play the Hypocrite, for such that do so, cannot be said to be girt about with Truth
IV. A Girdle strengthens the Loins of a Souldier, or him that is well girt therewith:2 Gird up thy Loins, and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee; 3be not dismaied: as much as if God should say,4 be strong for thy Work: Thou hast girded me with Strength, &c. Their Loins shall be loosed; 5I will loose the Loins of the Kings: He weakeneth the Strength of the Mighty: the Girdle of the strong; so the Heb. | IV. The true Doctrine of the Gospel, or that Religion that is according to Godliness, joyned with Sincerity of Heart, is the strength of every Christian, or Souldier of Christ; if he hath not this Girdle on, his Loins are loose and weak, and he is as unstable as Water, as Jacob speaks of Reuben. Let Truth go, nay,6 one Truth go, and how doth it weaken our Hands? or profess it with a false and deceitful Heart, and how unable are such to stand against the Assaults of the Enemy? On the other hand, when a Person is well girt with Truth in both these respects, he is thereby made strong and couragious.
V. A Girdle was used to gird on the other parts of the Souldiers Armour; Let not him that girdeth on his Harness boast himself, as he that putteth it off: 1 King 20.11. | V. Truth is that which fastneth or girdeth on every part of the Christian's Armour, Sincerity compleats and perfects all;
- 11 Cor. 16.13.
- 2Jer. 1.7.
- 32 Sam. 22.40.
- 4Isa. 45.
- 5Job 12.21.
- 6Gen 49.2, 3.
