Of the shield of faith.

CHAP. XIII. Of the shield of faith.

§. Sect. 1 The fourth piece of the Christian armour which the Apostle exhorteth us above all to put on, is the shield of faith, which of all other parts is most necessary, because how ⟨p. 56⟩weak soever it be in it self, yet it doth defend and protect us against all the temptations of Satan; for he that putteth on faith, doth put on Jesus Christ also, it being a property inseparable of faith, to apply unto us Christ Jesus and all his benefits, that is, his merits and righteousness, and everlasting life it self. And this will be not only a glorious garment to cover our deformity out of Gods sight, to preserve us from the heat of Gods wrath, and to obtain the everlasting blessing of our heavenly father, but also it is armour of proof to defend us from the violent assaults of our spiritual enemies. Let us therefore take unto us the shield of faith, that we may also put on the Lord Jesus Christ, ¹as the Apostle exhorteth us, Rom. 13.14. for having him we shall want nothing, which may either defend our selves or offend our enemies; the Lord himself will be our shield and buckler, and therefore it will be impossible for our foes to prevail against us.

§. Sect. 1 THe fourth peece of the Christian armour which the Apostle exhorteth vs aboue all to put on, is the shield of faith, which of all other parts is most necessarie, because how ⟨p. 56⟩weake soeuer it be in it selfe, yet it doth defend and protect vs against all the temptations of Sathan; for he that putteth on faith, doth put on Iesus Christ also, it being a propertie inseparable of faith, to applie vnto vs Christ Iesus and all his benefits, that is, his merits and righteousnes, and euerlasting life it selfe. And this will be not onely a glorious garment to couer our deformitie out of Gods sight, to preserue vs from the heate of Gods wrath, and to obtaine the euerlasting blessing of our heauenly father, but also it is armour of proofe to defend vs from the violent assaults of our spirituall enemies. Let vs therefore take vnto vs the shield of faith, that wee may also put on the Lord Iesus Christ,