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. ...

§. 5. All strength from God.

BVt alasse,* 1.1 what are we weake flesh and bloud? What strength can there bee in vs to fight against such ene∣mies as will set on vs?

For remouing this scruple,* 1.2 the Apostle addeth this clause, in the Lord, &c. whereby he sheweth how we come to be strong, not by any strength in our selues, but by see∣king strength in the Lord, casting our selues wholly and onely on him, and on his power.

The strength and valour whereby wee are enabled to fight the Lords battaile,* 1.3 is hid in the Lord, and to be had from him. Fora 1.4 all our sufficiencie is of God,b 1.5 without Christ we can doe nothing. Hence is it that Dauid saith vnto God,c 1.6 I loue thee dearely, O Lord my strength: The Lord is my rock and fortresse, &c.

It is more euident then needs be proued, that this our Apostle was a strong and valiant champion of the Lord; but whence had he this strength?d 1.7 I am able (saith he) to doe all things through the helpe of Christ which strengtheneth

mee. That which in particular he saith of himselfe, he al∣so affirmeth of other Saints, whoe 1.8 were strengthned with all might through Gods glorious power.

The Lord hath thus reserued all strength in himselfe,* 1.9 and would haue vs strong in him: partly for his owne glo∣rie, and partly for our comfort.

[ 1] For his glory, that in time of need we might flye vnto him,* 1.10 and in all streights cast our selues on him: and being preserued and deliuered, acknowledge him our Sauiour, and accordingly giue him the whole praise.

[ 2] For our comfort, that in all distresses wee might bee the more confident. Much more bold may wee bee in the Lord, then in our selues. Gods power being infinite, it is impossible that it should bee mated by any aduerse power, which at the greatest is finite: were our strength in our selues, though for a time it might seeme somewhat sufficient, yet would there be feare of decay: but being in God, we rest vpon an omnipotencie, and so haue a farre surer proppe vnto our faith, as we shall heare in the next Doctrine.

[Vse 1] Learne wee to renounce all confidence in our selues, and to acknowledge our owne inabilitie and weaknesse.* 1.11 Thus shall wee bee brought to seeke for helpe out of our selues. They who ouer weene themselues, and conceit that they are sufficiently able to helpe themselues, will bee so farre from seeking strength, that they will foully scorne it, when it is offered vnto them Marke what is said of the wicked man, who is proud in his owne conceit,a 1.12 He con∣temneth the Lord: asb 1.13 he that is full despiseth an hony combe, so he that is confident in his owne strength, despiseth help from any other.

[Vse 2] Hauing seene our owne weaknesse, and thereupon re∣nounced all confidence in our selues,* 1.14 our care must be to

flye to a sure ground, and rest thereon: so shall we be safe and sure, yea so may wee bee quiet and secure. This sure ground, and safe rocke is onely the Lord: strong he is in himselfe, and can both strengthen vs, and weaken our e∣nemies. In this confidence didc 1.15 Dauid come against Go∣liah, and preuailed Thus may wee be sure of victorie: d 1.16 Through God we are more then conquerours.

[Vse 3] But vaine is the confidence of such as trusting to themselues and their owne strength, defie all their ene∣mies. Proud crakers they are,* 1.17 whose pride at length shall haue a fall. Such in regard of outward power weree 1.18 Go∣liah, andf 1.19 Senache••ib. Intollerable is this presumption, e∣uen in outward strength: note their end, 1. Sam. 17. 50. & Isa. 37. 36, 37, 38. But more then most intollerable in spiri∣tuall strength, whereof we haue not one dramme in our selues, but in that respect are asg 1.20 water spilt vpon the ground.h 1.21 Peter was too confident therein: had hee not seene his presumption after he began to be puffed vp, and speedily humbled himselfe, fearefull had beene the issue thereof: for nothing more prouoketh God then spirituall a 1.22 pride, because nothing is more derogatory to his glory.

Vaine also is their confidence who goe from weake to weake, from themselues to other creatures; like theb 1.23 Is∣raelites, who went to the Egyptians for helpe. Fitly doth thec 1.24 Prophet compare them to a reede, whereupon if one leane,* 1.25 it breaketh and renteth his arme. Such are the si••ly Papists, among whom some thinke to bee strong in Pope Gregorie,* 1.26 Pope Boniface, Pope Alexander, and such others, whom without breach of charitie wee may thinke to bee very feenes in hell: other in Saint George, Saint Christopher, and such other who neuer were: the Histories of them are meere fictions: other (who thinke they haue a far surer ground of confidence) in Saint Peter

and Saint Paul, and such like holy and worthy Saints: but the best Saints that euer were, had no strength to helpe o∣thers; they only had a sufficiencie for themselues. Thus it commeth to passe, that in their greatest need, when they seeke and looke for best help, they are all like thosed 1.27 who came to the wels and found no water: they returned with their vessels emptie: they were ashamed, and confounded, and coue∣red their heads.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Obiect.
• * 1.2

  Answere.
• * 1.3

  Doct. 2. Our strength is in the Lord.
• a 1.4

  2 Cor. 3. 5.
• b 1.5

  Iohn. 15. 5.
• c 1.6

  Psal. 18. 1, 2.
• d 1.7

  Phil. 4. 13.
• e 1.8

  Col. 1. 11.
• * 1.9

  Reasons.
• * 1.10

  2. Cor. 12. 9.
• * 1.11

  Renounce all confidence in the selfe.
• a 1.12

  Psal. 10. 3.
• b 1.13

  Prou. 27. 7.
• * 1.14

  Rest on a sure ground.
• c 1.15

  1 Sam. 17. 45
• d 1.16

  Rom. 8. 37.
• * 1.17

  It is vaine to trust in ones selfe.
• e 1.18

  1 Sam. 17. 8.
• f 1.19

  Isa. 36. & 37
• g 1.20

  2 Sam. 14. 14
• h 1.21

  Mat. 26. 35.
• a 1.22

  Iames 4. 6. Or in any o∣ther creature.
• b 1.23

  Isa. 30. 2, 3.
• c 1.24

  Ezec. 29. 6. 7 Gregory 7. sur∣named Helde∣brand (a very brand of h••••) a Necroman∣cer & a bloo∣die tyrant.
• * 1.25

  Boniface 7. & 8. cruell op∣pressors, and sacrilegious robbers.
• * 1.26

  Alexander 6. compa••••ed with the di∣uel•• to bee Pope, an in∣cestuous, vn∣••aciable adul∣terer.
• d 1.27

  Ier. 14. 3.