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. ...

§. 4. Wherein a girdle is resembled to truth.

THus truth is both an ornament to a Christian soul∣dier,* 1.1 and also an excellent meanes of strength to vp∣hold him. For it doth both grace and honour him be∣fore God and man; and also fast holdeth together other graces of Gods Spirit, especially in temptation, when they are most shaken, and so vpholdeth him. This will more euidently appeare by the particular branches of truth before mentioned.

1 What greater ornament and beauty to religion,* 1.2 then soundnesse and euidence of truth? This is the very glo∣rie and crowne thereof: all other vaine glosses, as antiqui ••••e, vniuersality, vnity, vniformity, succession, consent, multi∣tude, pompe, reuenues, &c: being separated from truth, a••

but as so many pearles in a blind eye,* 1.3 which make it so much the more deformed: for, the more ancient, vniuer∣sall, vniforme, and pompous superstition, idolatry, or any false religion is, the more odious, and detestable it is; but the more true and sound it is, the more excellent and glo∣rious it is.

So for strength,* 1.4 what can better settle and establish the iudgement of a man then truth? Great is truth, and pre∣uaileth. It is like a sharpe sword in a weake mans hand, which is able to pierce deepe though there bee but small strength to thrust it.* 1.5 Truth cannot be ouercome, neither is daunted with the multitude of enemies. This is it which hath made Martyrs in all ages to stand to their profession vnto death, and to seale it with their blood, ra∣ther then start from it; yea, though many of them were il∣literate men and weake weomen.

The like may be said of the other branches of truth:* 1.6 an vpright and sincere heart maketh a man amiable before God himselfe.a 1.7 Dauid being a man of a single heart, is termed,b 1.8 A man after Gods owne heart. Andc 1.9 Noach being an vpright man, found grace in the eyes of God.

No eloquence or learning can so grace and commend a mans speech as truth: for lying and falshood, are parts of thatd 1.10 foule and filthy communication, which the A∣postle condemneth.e 1.11 The Lord hateth a lying tongue:f 1.12 it is an abomination vnto him.

No outward comelinesse of body can so commend a man, as plaine, faithfull, and honest dealing.g 1.13 This made Nathaniel so gracious in Christs eyes: but none more odi∣ous and detestable to God and man, then dissembling, and deceitfull persons: the conscience of such maketh them to shun the light, and be afraid of Gods presence,* 1.14 ash 1.15 Adam. So likewise, truth in all these, doth very much

strengthen and vphold a man in time of triall, and kee∣peth him from fainting.i 1.16 This was the ground of Iobs courage and constancy.k 1.17 This added an edge to Heze∣k••ahs prayers.l 1.18 This made Dauid bold to referre himselfe to Gods triall & examination.m 1.19 This vpheld Paul against all that could be laid against him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Quid speciosi∣us ips averitate ad quam omnis spectator per∣uenire se cupe∣re confitetur, &c. Aug. de ver. Rel. cap. ••9
• * 1.2

  Truth the best grace to religion.
• * 1.3

  Simil.
• * 1.4

  And the grea∣test strength. Simil.
• * 1.5

  Veritas vinci non potest, mul∣titudine hostiū non terretur. Hicron.
• * 1.6

  Truth is a come lines in euery thing.
• a 1.7

  1 Kin 15. 3. 4. 5.
• b 1.8

  Acts 13. 22.
• c 1.9

  Gen. 6. 8, 9.
• d 1.10

  Cha. 4. v. 29.
• e 1.11

  Pro. 6. 17.
• f 1.12

  & 12. 22.
• g 1.13

  1 Ioh. 1. 47.
• * 1.14

  Truth doth much streng∣then men.
• h 1.15

  Gen 3. 8.
• i 1.16

  Iob 27 5, 6, & 31. 5.
• k 1.17

  Isa. 38. 3.
• l 1.18

  Psal. 26. 1.
• m 1.19

  1 Cor. 4. 4.