The Christian in Complete Armour - Gurnall - XXII - Direction Fifth continued

Required reading
The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read all Four Inquiries of Division First of Second General Part of Direction Fifth.

My summary

Today we continue to learn about the words: 'Having your loins girt about with truth.'

After seeing its first meaning last week, Gurnall says that it also means we are to have truth of heart - in other words, sincerity of heart.

Firstly, he explains that having the belt of truth means that we have sincerity of heart in all our ways which covers all the Christian's uncomeliness.

Gurnall then answers four inquiries that are made about this sincerity of heart in its covering uncomeliness:

(i) What is that sincerity?;

(ii) What uncomeliness doth sincerity cover?;

(iii) How doth sincerity cover the saint's sinful uncomelinesses?;

(iv) Whence is it that sincerity thus covers the saint's uncomelinesses?.

What grabbed me

I liked Gurnall's summary statement about the importance of the belt of truth: 'The girdle is used as an ornament put on uppermost, to cover the joints of the armour, which would, if seen, cause some uncomeliness. Here—at the loins I mean—those pieces of armour for the defence of the lower parts of the body are fastened to the upper. Now because they cannot be so closely knit and clasped, but there will be some little gaping betwixt piece and piece, therefore they used to put over those parts a broad girdle, that covered all that uncomeliness. Now, sincerity doth the same for the Christian, that the girdle doth for the soldier. The saint's graces are not so close, nor his life so exact, but in the best there are found infirmities and defects, which are as so many gapings and clefts in his armour, but sincerity covers all, that he is neither put to shame for them, nor exposed to danger by them.'

We need truth/sincerity to stop everything falling apart!

Next week's reading
Read the First Use of Division First of Second General Part of Direction Fifth.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.