A20752:1173
The Christian warfare wherein is first generally showed the malice, power and politic stratagems…The Christian warfare wherein is first generally shewed the malice, power and politike stratagems…
The Christian warfare wherein is first generally showed the malice, power and politic stratagems of the spiritual enemies of our salvation, Satan and his assistants the world and the flesh, with the means also whereby the Christian may withstand and defeat them : and afterwards more specially their particular temptations, against the several causes and means of our salvation, whereby on the one side they allure us to security and presumption, and on the other side, draw us to doubting and desperation, are expressed and answered : written especially for their sakes who are exercised in the spiritual conflict of temptations, and are afflicted in conscience in the sight and sense of their sins / by I. Downame ...The Christian warfare wherein is first generally shewed the malice, power and politike stratagems of the spirituall ennemies of our saluation, Sathan and his assistants the world and the flesh, with the meanes also whereby the Christian may vvithstand and defeate them : and afterwards more speciallie their particvlar temptatiions, against the seuerall causes and meanes of our saluation, whereby on the one side they allure vs to security and presumption, and on the other side, draw vs to doubting and desperation, are expressed and answered : written especially for their sakes who are exercised in the spirituall conflict of temptations, and are afflicted in conscience in the sight and sense of their sinnes / by I. Dovvname ...
London: printed for Cuthbert Burby, 1604
Book 3 › Chapter 1: Of Sanctification, and the causes thereof.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And thus it appeareth that God himself is the principal and only efficient cause of our sanctification; upon which point I have the longer insisted, to the end that we should not in this work rest upon our own strength, for then we shall be subject to many discouragements, and lie open to innumerable temptations, grounded upon our small measure and slow progress in our sanctification, as also upon the great difficulties and manifold discouragements, which both stay us in the birth, and hinder our full growth in true godliness; all which in respect of our own power prove this work not only hard, but even impossible for us to be perfected and accomplished. But rather that we rely our selves upon the Lords infinite power and gracious promises, whereby we are assured, notwithstanding our own exceeding weakness, that he will not only begin, but also finish and perfect this good work in us.
And thus it appeareth that God himselfe is the principall and onely efficient cause of our sanctification; vpon which point I haue the longer insisted, to the end that wee should not in this worke rest vpon our owne strength, for then wee shall be subiect to many discouragements, and lie open to innumerable temptations, grounded vpon our small measure and slow progresse in our sanctification, as also vpon the great difficulties and manifolde discouragements, which both stay vs in the birth, and hinder our full growth in true godlinesse; all which in respect of our owne power prooue this worke not onely hard, but euen impossible for vs to be perfected and accomplished. But rather that wee relie our selues vpon the Lords infinite power and gracious promises, whereby wee are assured, notwithstanding our owne exceeding weaknesse, that he will not onely begin, but also finish and perfect this good worke in vs.
§. Sect. 3 And thus much concerning the principal efficient cause of our sanctification:1 the motive cause which moved the Lord to sanctify us, was his own mercy and Christs merits. The first is expressed by the Apostle 1. Pet. 1.3