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. The Resolution of the Text.

TWo points are to be noted in this verse. First, the transition, whereby the Apostle passeth from other points to this. Secondly, his exhortation vnto the grace heere mentioned.

In his exhortation note

• 1 The matter thereof.
• 2 The motiue thereto:

That layeth downe a duty to be performed (Take the shield of Faith.)

This declareth the benefit of performing that duty in the last words, that ye may be able to quench, &c.

In the duty obserue, the action required, (take,) and the obiect thereof: which is both plainly expressed (Faith) and also illustrated by a metaphor (shield.)

The motiue declareth the power, vertue and efficacy of Faith; which is, to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Touching this grace thus set downe, I will deliuer these points.

First in generall by way of preface and preparation, I will first shew how excellent a grace it is: and then more particularly and distinctly declare,

2 What Faith is.

3 How fitly it is resembled to a shield.

4 How it is wrought.

5 How it must be proued.

6 How it may be preserued.

7 How it is to be vsed.

8 What it is the benefit, and power of it.

9 What are the wiles of the diuell to keepe vs from it, and how they may be auoided.