A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

CAP. VII.

Of the Christan Armour which we must put on daily, and of the benefits which wee shall reape thereby.

§. Sect. 1 Of the seuerall parts of the Christian ar∣mour.

WEE haue intreated the more largely of that maine duty of seeking God, as being not onely the chiefe and principall of all that are to be performed in the daily exercise, but euen the roote and fountaine, summe and substance of all the rest from which they spring, and in which they are comprised. In which respect the other that remaine to be spoken of, may be passed ouer with greater breuity, as being all but speciall branches of the former duty, and streames that will readily & naturally flow from that fountaine. The third maine duty then in this daily exercise, is, that we put on the whole armour of God, which is, that we looke continually vnto our selues, that we bee throughly furnished, and as it were, armed at all points with the maine, fundamentall, sanctifying and sauing graces of Gods holy Spirit, where∣by we may bee inabled to stand in the day of triall, and to resist those dai∣ly tentations wherewith we are assaulted by our spirituall enemies. The chiefe & principall whereof, the Apostle hath in the Epistle to the Ephesi∣ans * 1.1 prescribed vnto vs. The first is, the girdle of verity; wherby is meant, that we should not onely imbrace the truth of Religion, and frame our iudge∣ments, affections and actions according to the sincere and pure Word of God; but also that our knowledge, profession and practice, be in truth and sincerity of heart, carrying our selues in all things vprightly, and in the in∣tegrity of a good conscience. The second is, the brestplate of righteousnesse, whereby we vnderstand true sanctification and godlinesse, consisting in an earnest desire, a firme resolution, and constant indeuour of conforming our whole liues according to Gods reuealed will, that wee may please him in all things, and haue both our persons and actions accepted in his sight. The third is, that our feete bee shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace: that is, as souldiers that haue good shooes and leg-harnesse, are thereby enabled to hold on their march in stonie and rough wayes, and thorow the midst of briers and thornes; whereas if they were barefooted, or ill shod, they would be pricked and gauled, and soone tire and faint in the way: So must we daily arme our affections, the feete of our soules, with all the sweete comforts and gracious promises of the Gospell, made

vnto those who hold out vnto the end, and fight vntill they ouercome, without which we shall soone be wearied, and faint in the way, seeing it is rough and vnpleasant to flesh and blood, and full of the thornes and bri∣ers of afflictions and persecutions. The fourth piece of the Christian ar∣mour is, the shield of faith, which also we must daily put on, applying a∣fresh vnto our selues Gods mercies in the merits of Christ, the gracious promises of the Gospell, and the satisfaction and obedience of our Saui∣our and Redeemer, whereby, though we be neuer so weake in our owne strength, we shall be enabled to resist all Satans tentations, and to quench and beate backe all the fiery darts of the wicked one, so as they shall not be able to wound or doe vs any harme. The fifth piece which we must daily put on, is, the helmet of saluation, that is, we must continually renew * 1.2 and reuiue our hopes, and expect and waite for with patience, the accom∣plishment of all Gods gracious promises, which by faith we beleeue and apprehend. And this will notably encourage vs in all Christian duties of a godly life, seeme they neuer so irkesome and tedious vnto vs, when as we haue daily an eye to the recompence of reward; and to indure any hard measure at the hands of the world, and to drinke the deepest draught in the cup of affliction and persecution for Gods sake and the Gospels * 1.3 which wee professe, when as wee assuredly hope, that the greatest crosses and calamities are not worthy the glory which shall be reueiled, because they are light and momentanie; but the crowne of happinesse which they helpe to set vpon our heads, most excellent and eternall. The sixth and last piece, is, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which being rightly managed, is sufficient to defend our selues, and offend and driue backe the Enemie, as wee see in the example of our Sauiour Christ, who vsed no other weapon to vanquish Satan and all his ten∣ons. We must therfore daily exercise our selues in reading and meditating in the holy Scriptures, which will serue as a light to guide vs in all our wayes, as a goade in our sides, if wee bee sluggish; as cordiall water, if wee bee ready to faint with feeblenesse; and as a two-handed sword, to defend vs against all enemies who assault vs in the way, and labour to hinder and discourage vs in our Christian course and conuersation. And this armour we must put on, not piecemeale, but compleate and in all the parts. We must not put on some parts only, and let other pieces of it lye by, but, as the Apostle speaketh, we must put on the whole ar∣mour * 1.4 of God; for if any part be wanting, we shall lie open to the wounds of our spirituall enemies. Neither must we put it one day on, and leaue it off another, but we must put it on daily, seeing we are continually assaul∣ted, and haue no one day of truce, till by death we haue gotten a full and fi∣nall victory. It must not like armour in the time of peace lie by, or hang rusting vpon the walles; but we must alwaies keepe it bright and furbish∣ed, fit for daily vse, & fast buckled vnto vs both day and night, sleeping and waking, seeing we are continually in the battaile, encountred at all times, and euen euery houre, with the tentations of our spiritual enemies. And to this end we must continually keepe the Christian watch, as the Apostle ex∣horteth, * 1.5 that wee be not through our sloth and sluggishnesse surprized at vnawares. And because it is not armour of our owne making and proui∣ding,

but of Gods owne workemanship, and of his free gift, whereof it is called, The Armour of God: and seeing when we haue it, it is not in our * 1.6 power to put it on, but it is God alone, that both bestoweth and buck∣leth it vnto vs; therefore vnto our watchfulnesse, wee must adde feruent and daily prayer vnto God, both to giue it vnto vs, and to assist vs so with his holy Spirit, that we may be inabled, not onely to put it on, but also to keepe it continually fast buckled vnto vs. Neither let vs feare that the daily and continuall wearing of it will bee tedious and troublesome; for though at the first it may seeme so, when like fresh water Souldiers wee enter into the Christian warfare; yet by daily vse, it will become so easie and familiar, that it will trouble vs no more then our ordinary ap∣parell.

§. Sect. 2 That the put∣ting on the Christian Ar∣mour is very necessary.

Now that we may be mooued with cheerefulnesse to exercise our selues in this daily duty, let vs consider that the continuall putting on and wea∣ring of this Armour, is both exceeding necessary and profitable. It is most necessary, because the spirituall enemies of our saluation are alwayes in readinesse, watching their opportunity, when by their firie assaults they may vanquish vs, and bring vs to destruction. And therefore it is as ne∣cessary that we should vse like or greater diligence, and be alwayes in rea∣dinesse to withstand their encounters. Secondly, this daily vse of the Christian Armour is so necessary, that all other helpes are in vaine, if this be neglected. For though we should be continually exercised in religious duties, as prayer, hearing the Word, reading, conference and meditation; and in the works of iustice and charity, and the ordinary duties of our cal∣lings; yet if this Armor be not put on, they will do vs no good, seeing they will not bee done in truth and sincerity, faith and a good conscience: and therefore euen in them our spirituall enemies will set snares to catch vs, and finding vs naked of our Christian Armour, will lay secret am∣bushments, euen in these religious and charitable exercises, and assaul∣ting vs at vnawares, will giue vs the foyle, and leade vs captiue vnto sinne.

§. Sect. 3 Of the mani∣fold benefits which arise from being thus daily armed.

Secondly, it is most profitable to be thus daily armed, as may appeare by the manifold fruits and benefits which will accrew vnto vs by it. For hereby we shall be strengthened against all the assaults of all our spirituall enemies, so as they shall neuer be able to preuaile against vs, but at last bee vanquished and ouercome. And therefore hath God made for vs, and gi∣uen vnto vs this spiritual Armour, and to this end he exhorteth vs to put it daily on, that we may be able to withstand in the euill day, and hauing done all, * 1.7 to stand against the wiles of the deuill, and all encounters and attempts of the enemies of our saluation. Therefore hath he put into our hands, not car∣nall weapons, which are farre vnfitting this spirituall warfare, but such as are mighty through God, to the pulling downe of strong holds, and casting downe * 1.8 imaginations, and euery high thing, that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captiuity euery thought to the obedience of Christ. And therefore we may be assured that God will not be disgraced with the weakenesse of his workemanship, nor faile of his end for which hee hath made it, and so spend his labour in vaine: but seeing hee hath made it, and put it into our hands for Armour of high proofe, let vs assure our selues

that it will neuer faile, but will at all times be sufficient to beate backe the bullets of Satans tentations, and to defend vs against the assaults of all our spirituall enemies. Againe, if we daily put on this Armour, it will make vs valiant and couragious, seeing before the fight it assureth vs of victory. Whereas, though wee haue neuer so much valor and forti∣tude, yet if we be but naked men, and so lye open to bee wounded conti∣nually with the firie darts of the deuill, our courage will be soone cooled, and like cowards, we shall betake our selues to a shamefull flight. It will make vs cheerefull in our pilgrimage, and to goe on in the wayes of godli∣nesse and righteousnesse with much ioy and comfort; when as being ar∣med, we shall not neede to feare any spirituall theeues that lie lurking in the way to rob vs of Gods graces, nor to goe out of the right way, either to the right hand or to the left, for any worldly terrour or discouragement which shall affront vs in our course of Christianity. It will preserue vs from falling into such sinnes as will wound our soules and consciences, and strengthen vs also against our frailties and infirmities, so as they shall not preuaile against vs. It will bee a notable meanes to continue vs in peace; for as nothing more preserueth our worldly peace, then to be con∣tinually prepared for warre; so nothing bringeth vnto vs a more sound and secure peace, euen peace with God, peace, of conscience, and peace also in respect of the malicious attempts of our spirituall enemies, then to keepe daily this Armour fast buckled vnto vs. Finally, it will bring with it much Christian security, when as we are assured that we are free from all danger, and that none of our enemies shall be able to hurt vs; so as we may lye downe in peace and take our rest, because the Lord onely maketh vs * 1.9 (hereby) to dwell in safety.

§. Sect. 4 That euery se∣uerall part of this Armour bringeth spe∣ciall profit.

And as the whole Armour in generall bringeth vnto vs singular profit; so euery seuerall piece and part of it is for speciall vse and benefit. For by the girdle of verity, wee shall be preserued against all errours and here∣sies, and keepe a right course in the way of truth; and our hearts being vpright and sincere in the sight of God, we shall carry our selues as in his sight and presence, in all our thoughts, words, and actions, and bee kept safe from being sowred with the leauen of hypocrisie; from lamenesse, which causeth vs to halt betweene God and the world, and from guile and dissimulation, the poyson of the soule, which tainteth and infecteth all vertuous actions. By the brestplate of righteousnesse, whereby we desire, re∣solue, and indeuour to doe Gods will, and please him in all things, our vitall parts will bee preserued from being wounded with the poysonous darts of the deuill; and howsoeuer with his tentations hee may make vs slip through frailty and infirmity, and with his hellish darts, inflict some little scratches in the more remote and ignoble parts, yet he shall not bee able to pierce our hearts and vitall parts, with any mortall wounds of sinne, because they are strongly armed with this brest-plate of righteous∣nesse. By hauing our feete shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, we shall be inabled to continue our march in the Christian warfare, and so prepared against all afflictions and troubles, which like thornes and briers molest vs in our iourney, that we shall not be discouraged, nor faint in the way; but by that inward peace which the Gospel bringeth vnto vs, wee

shall be confirmed and comforted in the middest of all worldly garboyles and troubles. By the shield of faith wee shall repell the firy darts of Sa∣tans * 1.10 tentations, and resist and beate him backe when he assaulteth vs with greatest fury; we shall also thereby ouercome the world, on the one side * 1.11 tempting vs with the wages of earthly vanities, by contemning it in com∣parison of heauenly happinesse, of which faith assureth vs; and on the other side, threatning and terrifying vs with crosses and afflictions, whilst it receiueth them as tokens of Gods loue, and signes of our adoption, and perswadeth vs that they shall worke together for the best, and serue as * 1.12 meanes to further our saluation. By the helmet of saluation, wee are also notably strengthened in the spirituall conflict, so as though Satan the old Serpent may bite and bruize our heele, yet he shall not bee able to hurt our Head; wee are also thereby incouraged to labour diligently after sanctification, and hauing hope of inioying with Christ heauenly happi∣nesse, it is a notable meanes to mooue vs to purge and purifie our selues, * 1.13 as he also is pure. Finally, we are incouraged to fight valiantly the Lords battels, by assured hope of victory; and to passe with patience and com∣fort throughout all worldly discouragements, because we expect, that after we haue trauailed thorow a little spot of foule way, we shall come safely to a Palace of pleasure, and to all the ioyes of our heauenly Countrey. Lastly, by the sword of the Spirit, if we can skilfully vse it, we shall be fit∣ted for all purposes, strengthened against all enemies, ouercome all diffi∣culties, answere all obiections, repell all tentations: Yea, such a glorious light commeth from this glittering weapon, that it is sufficient, not onely to defend vs, and beate downe (like that light which appeared to Saul * 1.14 and his company) with feare and astonishment all our enemies, but to guide and direct vs in all our wayes, and to make vs perfect and wise for attaining vnto saluation. * 1.15

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ephes. 6. 11, 12.
• * 1.2

  1. Thes. 5. 8.
• * 1.3

  Act. 28. 10. Rom. 8 18 2. Cor. 4. 17.
• * 1.4

  Ephe. 6. 13.
• * 1.5

  Ephe. 6. 18.
• * 1.6

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.7

  Eph. 6. 11, 13.
• * 1.8

  2. Cor. 10. 4, 5.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 4. 8.
• * 1.10

  1. Pet. 5. 8.
• * 1.11

  1. Ioh. 5. 4.
• * 1.12

  Rom. 8. 28.
• * 1.13

  1. Ioh. 3. 2.
• * 1.14

  Act 9.
• * 1.15

  2. Tim. 3. 15, 17.