Ofthegirdle ofVeritie. 49 with true valourand Chriflian fortitude, in the next placehe oftbegirdleof defcribeth the armourofGod which we are tobuckle vnto veritte. vs. Where firft we are generally to abferue,that we are not curiouflyand fcrupuloufly to fearch out the reafonwhy fuch and fuchvertuesare likened to thefe or thofepeeces ofar- mour : as for example,whyhe calleth truth a girdle, rigltte- oufnes abreaft-plate,faitha fhield,&c. for it was not theA- poftles purpofefo exacîlie to fit the fimilitudes, as may ap_ peare I.Thef.5.8. where he indifferentlyafcribeth the naine ofbreafi-plateboth to faith andcharitie, bywhich here he vnderfiandeth righteoufneffe; but onely briefly and gene-. rally to íhewwhat vertues and gracesofGods fpirit are molt neceffarie for aChriflian, wherewith hemay be enabled to refit his fpirituall enemies, continuing hisformer allegorie taken fromwarres. Butlet vs come to the armour it felfe, which isboth de- fenfiue and offenfiue:the firfi part is the girdle ofveritie.The wordhere vfed fgnifieth abroad fiudded belt vied in wars in ancienttimes, wherewith the ioints ofthe brcaft-plate, and that armor whichdefended the belly,loinesand thighes were couered. And by this, truth is refembled : whereby fome vnderfland the truth ofreligion and of the do&rine which we profeffe ; others vnderfland hereby truth andvp- rightnes of heart, or the integritie of a good confcience, whereby we performe all duties ofreligion belonging to God and our neighbour in fimplicitie,without all hypocrifie anddiflìmulation.But becaufe both arenotable and neceffa- rie parts ofour Chriftian armour, I fee no reafonwhy wee What vveare. maynot take itin both fenfes, feeing the Apofile Both of to vnderfland purpofe fet downe vnder thefe metaphoricall words, the verities irdleof chiefe vertuesand graces wherewith wee are to arme our felues againft our fpirituall enemies. Firft therfore here is re- quired truthofour religion whichwe profeffe:andfecondly, that we profeffe it truly,that is,with vpright &Pimple hearts. For the firft : it is the foundationvpon which all other du- §Sec`t.2. ties toGodor inan are tobebuilt; for ifthey beenot groun- That our rtli- ded onGods truth,butdeuifedbymans brame, theyare roun"defi ex humane dotageswhich theLord will not accept ; neither is Gods truth.,. E it
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