Hence saith the Apostle,1 Gird up the Loins of your Minds, be sober, and hope to the End, for the Grace that shall be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ. 2Now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity. We desire every one of you to show the same diligence, to the full assurance of Hope, unto the end.
V. A Soldier, that hath his complete Armour on, (as the having on the Helmet doth import, because it is usually the last Piece of Armour defensive that is put on) is ready for Service, when his Captain commands him forth; and from hence he is animated, and becomes very diligent, and doth great Execution oftentimes upon the Enemy; yea, and more is expected from him, than from one that is unarmed. | V. So a Soldier of Jesus Christ, having the whole Christian Armour on, is ready for any Service or Suffering for his Captain, and waits but for the Word of Command, and he adventures forth, as Abraham did, not knowing whither he went. Hope of Salvation particularly maketh a Man very active; it is called a lively Hope; more is expected from him, than from one that is hopeless. Alas! he goes on without any Heart, that hath no grounded Hope of Heaven, and the blessed Enjoyment of God and Christ for ever.
⟨p. 24⟩Metaphor. | Disparity.
AN Helmet which Men use in War, hath been, may be pierced through, to the loss of the Life of the Soldier that hath it on. | But this spiritual Helmet, called the Hope of Salvation, which hath God, and all Good both here and hereafter, for its Object, against this there can be no Assault made, nor Force of Weapon used, to the endangering of the Life of the Soul.
II. An Helmet used in War amongst Men, tho it may preserve the Head from Danger, yet it cannot preserve the Breast, but that may be wounded by Sword or Dart. | II. But a well-grounded Hope, the Helmet of Salvation, doth wonderfully preserve the Conscience, as well as the Judgment, from being corrupted by the Wounds of Error, and rotten Principles, carried on by the cunning Craftiness of Men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
III. Men may have Helmets on, and yet notwithstanding lose the Day, be overcome, and fly before their Enemies, with Shame and Disgrace. | III. But he that engageth in this spiritual Armour, of which the Helmet is a part,3 (having on the whole Armour of God) doth not only make a Christian to withstand the Enemy, but also to stand against any Assault.4
Hence saith the Apostle,1 Gird up the Loins of your Minds, be sober, and hope to the End, for the Grace that shall be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ. 2Now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity. We desire every one of you to shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of Hope, unto the end.
V. A Souldier, that hath his compleat Armor on, (as the having on the Helmet doth import, because it is usually the last Piece of Armor defensive that is put on) is ready for Service, when his Captain commands him forth; and from hence he is animated, and becomes very diligent, and doth great Execution oftentimes upon the Enemy; yea, and more is expected from him, than from one that is unarmed. | V. So a Souldier of Jesus Christ, having the whole Christian Armor on, is ready for any Service or Suffering for his Captain, and waits but for the Word of Command, and he adventures forth, as Abraham did, not knowing whither he went. Hope of Salvation particularly maketh a Man very active; it is called a lively Hope; more is expected from him, than from one that is hopeless. Alas! he goes on without any Heart, that hath no grounded Hope of Heaven, and the blessed Enjoiment of God and Christ for ever.
⟨p. 24⟩Metaphor. | Disparity.
AN Helmet which Men use in War, hath been, may be pierced through, to the loss of the Life of the Souldier that hath it on. | BUt this spiritual Helmet, called the Hope of Salvation, which hath God, and all Good both here and hereafter, for its Object, against this there can be no Assault made, nor Force of Weapon used, to the endangering of the Life of the Soul.
II. An Helmet used in War amongst Men, tho it may preserve the Head from Danger, yet it cannot preserve the Breast, but that may be wounded by Sword or Dart. | II. But a well-grounded Hope, the Helmet of Salvation, doth wonderfully preserve the Conscience, as well as the Judgment, from being corrupted by the Wounds of Error, and rotten Principles, carried on by the cunning Craftiness of Men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
III. Men may have Helmets on, and yet notwithstanding lose the Day, be overcome, and flie before their Enemies, with Shame and Disgrace. | III. But he that engageth in this spiritual Armor, of which the Helmet is a part,3 (having on the whole Armor of God) doth not only make a Christian to withstand the Enemy, but also to stand against any Assault.4
- 11 Pet. 1.13
- 21 Cor. 13. ult. Heb. 6.11, 12.
- 3Ephes. 6.
- 4Rom. 5.5.
