A sanctuary for the tempted: being a discourse on Christ's friendly admonition to Peter Wherein the fall and rising of Peter, is at large considered: the craft, potency, and malice of Satan (that arch-enemy of our salvation) discovered: his various wiles. stratagems and machinations invalidated: several choice and excellent Gospel-truths handled, and cleared (from the calumnies and objections of gainsayers.) ... Delivered in sundry sermons, at first; and now, published for the benefit of God's church in general. To which is added, four sermons, preach'd upon sacramental occasions. By Thomas Powel, preacher of the Gospel, and one, whom Satan hath winnowed.

SECT. I.

First, The Believers Happiness, in that he has a Shield to beat off the Devil's Blows. They have Faith, which as a Shield, they Defend them∣selves by. Faith Resembles a Shield in these Respects.

First, A Shield is a Piece of Ar∣mour, that is intended for the De∣fence of the whole Body: Other Pie∣ces are only for some particular Part of the Body; as the Helmet for the Head, Plate for the Breast; but the Shield for the Whole. It was used therefore to be made very Large: For its Broadness called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Gate

or Door, because so long and large, as in a manner to cover the whole Body. To which that Place alludes; Psal. 5. 12.

Thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous; with Favour thou wilt compass him, as with a Shield.

And if the Shield were not Large enough at once to cover every Part; yet being a Moveable Piece of Ar∣mour, the skilful Souldiers might turn it this way, or that way, to catch the Blow, or Arrow, from lighting on any Part they were directed to. And this indeed doth Excellently well set forth the Universal Use, that Faith is of to the Christian.

It defends the whole Man: Every Part of the Christian by it is Preser∣ved. Sometimes the Temptation is levell'd at the Head: Satan, he will be Disputing against this Truth and that, to make the Christian (if he can) call them into question; meerly because his Reason and Un∣derstanding cannot Comprehend them: And he prevails with some upon this very Account, to blot the

Deity of Christ, with other † 1.1 Mysterious Truths of the Gospel, quite out of their Creed. Now Faith interposeth between the Christian, and this Ar∣row: It comes into the Relief of the Christians weak Understanding, as seasonably, as Zerujah did to David, when the Giant Ishlilenob thought to have Slain him. I'le trust the Word of God (saith Faith) rather than my own Pur-blind Reason.

Secondly, The Shield doth not only Defend the whole Body, but is a De∣fence to the Souldiers Armour also: It keeps the Arrow from the Helmet, as well as Head; from the Breast, and Breast-plate also. Thus Faith, it is Armour upon Armour; a Grace that preserves all the other Graces.

Notes

• † 1.1

  The Do∣ctrine of the Trinity, of the Creati∣on of the World, of the Incarna∣tion of Jesus Christ, of the Resurrecti∣on of the Bo∣dy, and of the Re-uni∣ting of Soul and Body, are quarrel∣ed with by Humane Reason.