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The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of GodWilliam Gouge, 1619

§. 4. The need of Christian courage.

pp. 6–911 passages

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.

:131p. 6

§. 4. The need of Christian courage.

:132p. 6

The matter followeth, the first part whereof is in these words, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: where note, first, what is required, secondly, how that which is required may be performed.

THe matter followeth, the first part whereof is in these words, Bee strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: wherenote, first, what is required, secondly, how that which is required may be performed.

:133p. 6

The thing required is to be strong, the Apostle here speaketh of an inward spiritual strength, the strength of the inward and new man, and his meaning is that we should be valorous and courageous in the performance of those Christian duties which we take in hand.

The thing required is to be strong, the Apostle heere speaketh of an inward spirituall strength, the strength of the inward and new man, and his meaning is that wee should bee valorous and couragious in the performance of those Christian duties which we take in hand.

:134p. 6–7

Christian valour and spiritual courage is a needful grace. ¹Note with what variety of phrase the Apostle doth exhort hereunto,² 1. Cor. 16. 13. Stand fast, quit you like men, be strong: hereunto

:137p. 7–8

Secondly,¹ because of those many oppositions which we are like to meet withal. We heard before how the flesh would hang back, and so labour to hinder us. The world will like wise do what it can, either by vain enticements to seduce us (as it drew away Demas,) or else by reproach, trouble, and persecution, to terrify us, (as those who forsook Paul) But above all the Devil will be ready to resist us, (as^a he resisted Jehoshuah) and to hinder us (^b as he hindered Paul) yea to buffet us (as^c he buffeted the same Paul.) To omit other instances, most lively is this set forth in our Head and General Christ Jesus. So soon as he was set apart to his public Ministry,^d the Tempter came to him: after he began to execute it, Satan stirred up the Rulers, Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, and many⟨p. 8⟩ other to hinder him; yea he moved^e Peter to dissuade him, and when Christ was about to offer up himself a sacrifice, then again^f came the Prince of this world to discourage him. The like oppositions are all Christs members to look for; so as there is no hope, no possibility of holding out and enduring to the end without this Christian valour and magnanimity here spoken of.

Secondly,¹ because of those many oppositions which we are like to meet withal. We heard before how the flesh would hang back, and so labour to hinder vs. The world wil like wise do what it can, either by vaine inticements to seduce vs (as it drew away Demas,) or else by reproach, trouble, and persecution, to terrifie vs, (as those who forsooke Paul) But aboue all the Diuell will be readie to resist vs, (as^a hee resisted Iehoshuah) and to hinder vs (^b as hee hindred Paul) yea to buffet vs (as^c hee buffeted the same Paul.) To omit other instances, most liuely is this set foorth in our Head and Generall Christ Iesus. So soone as hee was set apart to his publike Ministerie,^d the Tempter came to him: after he began to execute it, Satan stirred vp the Rulers, Priests, Scribes, Pharises, and many⟨p. 8⟩ other to hinder him; yea he mooued^e Peter to disswade him, and when Christ was about to offer vp himselfe a sacrifice, then again^f came the Prince of this world to discourage him. The like oppositions are all Christs members to looke for; so as there is no hope, no possibilitie of holding out and enduring to the end without this Christian valour and magnanimitie heere spoken of.

1Reason 2.
aZach. 3. 1.
b1 Thes. 2. 18.
c2. Cor. 12. 7.
dMatth. 4. 1.
eMat. 16. 22.
fJohn 14. 30.