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A fourth benefit of a godly life is, that it much strengtheneth vs against the assaults of Satan, and so armeth vs against all his tentati∣ons, that they shall not be able to doe vs any hurt. For whereas those who liue in their sinnes, and neglect the duties of a godly life, doe giue vnto him all aduantage against them, and by leauing off the brest∣plate of Righteousnesse, doe lie open to his poysonous darts; so as
he may easily perswade them, that they are subiect to Gods wrath and the curse of the Law, seeing they continue in their sinnes: that they are not ingrafted into Christ, seeing they bring forth no fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse; that they are out of Gods fauour, seeing they haue no care to please him, by performing such duties as are ac∣ceptable in his sight; and finally, that they are not the children of God, because they are nothing like him, nor reformed according to his image; nor heires of heauenly happinesse, seeing they haue not purged themselues, as it becommeth those who haue this hope. Con∣trariwise, when we keepe this brestplate of Righteousnesse fast buck∣led vnto vs, wee may without danger repell all his fiery darts, seeing we are assured that we are in Gods fauour, whilest wee labour in all things to please him; that wee are in Christ, seeing without him wee could doe nothing; that we are Gods children, seeing we resemble him in holinesse and righteousnesse, and labour after perfection, as he is perfect. That we are freed from the curse of the Law, and the guilt and punishment of all our sinnes, seeing we feele the vertue of Christs death effectuall in vs, for the mortifying and subduing of our corrup∣tions. And finally, that maugre all the malice of our spirituall ene∣mies, we shall attaine vnto heauenly happinesse, seeing our mercifull God hath graciously promised, that he will reward our temporary seruice with this inestimable and eternall wages, and crowne his owne graces in vs, and the fruits which wee haue brought forth of them in the Christian duties of a godly life, with endlesse ioy and im∣mortalitie.
Ioh. 15. 5.