lings,) If Souldiers leave their Ranks they endanger themſelves. 4 Having exhorted to put on the whole Armour of God, he de- ſcends to the particular parts of it, both defenſive and offentive. We need not be over curious in enquiring into the reaſon of the Names here given to the ſeveral parts of a Chriſtian's Armour, and the Analogy between them and Corporal Arms, the Apoftle uſing theſe Terms promiſcuoully, 1 Thefſ. 5. $. and deſigning only to ſhew that what bodily Arms are to Souldiers, that theſe ſpiritual Arms might be to Chriſtians : Yet ſome reaſon may be given of theſe Denominations. He begins with the furniture for the Loyns, the ſeat of Strength, and alludes to the Belt or military Girdle, which was both for Ornament and Strength, and ſo is Truth. e Under- flood either of the Truth of Dottrin, or rather (becauſe that comes in afterward under the Title of the Sword of the Spirit) of ſoundneſs, and Sincerity of Heart, than which nothing doth more beautifie or adorn a Chriſtian. He alludes to J/2. 59. 17. See 2 Cor. 1.12. and 1 Tim. 1.5, 19. f Righteouſnels of Converſation, conſiſting both in a reſolvedneſs for Good, and repentance for Evil done, which 1s as a Breaſt-plate (that piece of Armour which co- vers the whole Breaſt and Belly) to a Chrittian ; that reſolved- neſs againſt Sin fencing him againſt Temptation, and the Con- ſcience of well doing againſt the Accuſations of Men and Devils, L Core 4+ 3, 4» and 1 Fob 3.7. 15 And your feet ſhod g with the preparation of the goſpel of peace h. g'In alluhon to the Greaves or military Shoes with which Soul- dicrs covered their Feet and Legs. A Chriſtian's way lies through
EFAESL FN
which couldiers were wont to ſhelter themſclves ava it their 7. mies Darts) as being a tort of univerſal Defence covering A whole Man, and guarding even the other parts: of our (1.7 = Armour. 4 It ſeems to be analluijon to the poiſoned Daccs ——_ barbarous Nations were Wont to uſe which enflamed the Pods chey hit. By them he means all thoſe violent Temptations _— cnttame Mens Luſts. Theſe fiery Darts of Temptations, Tai. ſaid to quench, when by the help of Grace, obtained 6: Chrift. . vercomes them. m The Devil, Mar. 13. 19. Wann 17 And take the helmet of iulvation z, and 74 fivord of the Spirit o which is the word of Gol , | n <alvation for the hope of Salvation, 1 T-f. 5.2, 7} tj. "TIRE faith, and is of kin to it. Souldiers dare not f7ht Withour that. Helmet: Deſpair, to which the Devil tempts us, makes ws go. our Combat; whereas hope of Salvation makes vs litr ww ©. Heads in the midſt of Temptations and Atflictions. '1 his 171... alludes to J/::. 59. 17. 0 Fither the ſpiritual *word, the way 1... ing ſpiritual, and the Fnemy ſpiritual, or rather the <worg v41.;.7, the Spirit of God furniſheth us with, and makes eX#ettua) ;n gi. Hands. h'The Dottrin of God in the Scripture, called a tWO-edgg Sword, Rev. 1.16. and 2. 12. Which enters into the Soul, 2nd 6 4 vides between the moſt inward Affe&ions, Zeb. 4. 12. and cr; the Sinews of the ſtrongeſt Temptations, Mar. 4. 4- 7+ 10. and _ quers the Devil, while it reſcues Sinners from under his logo 'Lhis relates to J/z. 49 2. : 109 Praying always q, with all prayer and fipplica- 1,
4
con 7 1n the Spirit / * and watching thereunto : with 13.5), all perſeverance #, and ſipplication for all ſtints x.
q i.e. In every opportunity, ſo often as our own, or others ne. ceſhities call us to it, 1 Theſſ.%5. 17. 7 Prayer when oppoſed to ſan. plication ſeems to 1ignifie petitioning for good things, and {i;11li. cation the deprecating of Evil, 1 7im. 2.1. { Either our own Pirir with which we pray, ſo as not to draw nigh to God with our Moth only, as 1/2. 29. 13. Or rather the holy Spirit of God by why athſtance we pray, Rom. $. 26, 27. Fud? 20. 1 To Prayer, in o7- poſition to ſloth and ſecurity. See Mz. 26. 41. Col. 4, 2, ard 1 Pet. 4. 7- u Conftancy and continuance in Prayer in every con- dition, adverſe as well as proſperous, though Prayer be not pre- lently aniwered, Luke 18. 1, x Not only for our ſelves, but for our Brethren in the World, none being in fo good a condition bu: they may need our Prayers. * Att: 4
19 Aud for me, that utterance y may be given 23.0 unto me, that I z may open my mouth boldly z to make iT Known the myſtery of the Goſpel. Py
y Or Speech, viz. both the things T am to ſpeak, and the f4. culty ot ſpeaking as becomes the Matter I deliver. + Or, is or unto the opening of my Mouth, 7.e. full and free Profeſſion of the Truth without ſhame or fear. @ Either, freely and confidently; the ſame as before in other words, or, openly and plainly, in op- poſition to ſpeaking cloſely, and in ſecret, Mark $. 32. 11, 14+ and ſo it may have reſpett to the removing of his Bonds which were the preſent impediment of his ſo ſpeaking.
20 For which * I am an antbaſſadour * + in honds*2C b, that Þ therein I may ſpeak boldly c, as I ought to Y ſpeak. | | Nh
6 For which Goſpel I ſtill continue, though a Priſoner, in the” ; Ambaſty committed to me by Chrift. c This may imply not only 4.0, tree ſpeaking, but free atting in all things whereby che Goſpel |. may be propagated. + 0s, 21 Bur * that ye alſo 4 may know my affairs e, and jr, how I do f, * Tychicus a beloved brother, and faich- * Cl. tul miniſter & in the Lord, ſhall make known to you Fn
all things. ſe d As well as other Churches. e How I am uſed by the Romans , ,, in my bonds. f Or, rather what I do, 7, e. how I beiave my ſelf. See Affs 28. 20, 21. gMinifter is here taken in a large ſenſe for any that labour in the Goſpel, ſuch as were not only ordinary Pa- ſrours, but Evangeliſts, and Apoſtles themſelves.
22 Whom | have ſent unto you for the ſame pur- poſe that ye might know our affairs, and that ac migit
comfort your hearts h.
hþ That ye might not faint at my Tribulation, Chap. 3- 13 it might be a comfort to them to hear that Pay! was well uſed (ſetting aſide his bonds) and had liberty to- Preach to thoſe that came to him. . as 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith z
from God the Father, and the Lord Jeſus Chrilt.