The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...

§. 1. The Summe and seuerall Heads.

SAint PAVL hauing deliuered such a 1.1 doctrines of faith, andb 1.2 precepts of maners (bothc 1.3 generall concerning all Christians, andd 1.4 particular con∣cerning the distinct degrees of se∣uerall persons in a family) as hee thought most meete, in the closing vp of his Epistle, giueth a worthy direction for the bet∣ter performing of them all; which is, to bee couragious and well furnished against all those difficulties and dangers,* 1.5

wherewith they are like to meete in their Christian course. Wel knew the Apostle that the best Christians while here they liue in this world, are both prone to faint by reason of their own weaknesse, and also in hazard to be foiled by reason of their enemies power; therefore he taketh vpon him the person of a wise, vigilant, and valiant Captaine; and in souldier-like termes animateth the Lords Soul∣diers, that they neither faint in themselues, nor be daun∣ted with their enemies.

This Direction is continued from verse 10. to 21.

The parts of it are two:* 1.6

• 1. That wee bee couragious, verse 10.
• 2. That we be well prepared: v. 11. &c.

In the former note

• 1. The manner
• 2. The matter

of the Apostles exhortation.

The manner is in these words, Finally my brethren.

The matter in these, Be strong in the Lord, &c.

In the lat∣ter note

• 1. The Meanes, how
• 2. The Motiue, why

wee must be well prepared.

The meanes is to bee well armed, which point is first in generall laid downe: and then in particular exemplified.

Thec 1.7 generall is once declared, vers. 11. and againe, (because of the necessitie thereof) repeated vers. 13. and in both places amplified by thef 1.8 end.

g 1.9 In the particular exemplification there are sixe spiri∣tuall graces, fitly resembled to sixe pecces of Armour.

Now because of our selues we are as children, and no better able to weild this Armour of God, thenh 1.10 Dauid the armor of Saul, the Apostle addeth that heauenly exercise ofi 1.11 prayer, teaching them how to pray for themselues and others: especially for him who was one of their chiefe guides.

The Motiue is taken from the danger, in which wee are by reason of our spirituall enemies, whom he describeth vers. 12. Euery word almost in this Direction is of weight, and worthy to be searched into.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Chap. 1, & 2, & 3.
• b 1.2

  Chap. 4, 5, & 6.
• c 1.3

  From Chap. 4 vers. 1. to Chap. 5. ver. 22.
• d 1.4

  From Chap. 5. vers. 22. to Chap. 6. v. 10.
• * 1.5

  The suns.
• * 1.6

  The Reso∣lution.
• c 1.7

  Put on the whole Ar∣mor of God.
• f 1.8

  That yee may be able to stand, &c.
• g 1.9

  Vers. 14, 15, 16, 17.
• h 1.10

  1 Sam. 17. 39
• i 1.11

  Vers. 18. &c.