THe second peece of our Spirituall Armour is Righteousnesse,* 1.1 compared to a brest-plate. Fitly is this inferred vpon the former: for truth is the mother of righteousnesse, they cannot be seuered. In handling this point, I will shew, first, what righteousnesse is. Secondly, how fitly it is compared to a brest-plate. Thirdly, how this brest-plate is put and kept on. Fourthly, what is the be∣nefit of it Fiftly, what are the wiles of the Diuell to keepe vs from it.
[Point 1] Righteousnesse is our conformity vnto Gods Law, * 1.2 an holy quality wrought in vs by Gods Spirit, whereby we endeauour to square and frame all our thoughts, words, and actions, vnto the righteous rule of the Law of God. It is that which wee commonly calla 1.3 Iustice, a vertue whereby is giuen to euery one their due, whether it be to God or man. Righteousnesse is often restrained to that part of iustice, which respecteth man, and so is the summe of the second Table; but then either some other word is ioined with it, which hath reference to God, as Holinesse, Luke 1. 75: or else some circumstance of the place restrai∣neth it to man, as Deut. 24. 13. But otherwise, when there