A20752:1237
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
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.
So that he reputeth him righteous who earnestly desireth and laboureth to be righteous, and him perfect who acknowledging and bewailing his imperfections striveth to attain to more perfection. Wherein he fitly may be compared unto a tender loving father, who esteemeth of the least endeavours of his beloved son, more than of the best actions of a servant, because he regardeth not so much the excellency of the action, as the person and cheerful will of the agent.
So that hee reputeth him righteous who earnestly desireth and laboureth to be righteous, and him perfect who acknowledging and bewailing his imperfections striueth to attaine to more perfection. Wherein he fitly may be compared vnto a tender louing father, who esteemeth of the least endeuours of his beloued sonne, more than of the best actions of a seruant, because hee regardeth not so much the excellencie of the action, as the person and cheerefull will of the agent.
§. Sect. 7 Now the reasons why the Lord being perfectly just, will notwithstanding accept of our imperfect righteousness,1 is first because (we being made members of Christs body) our persons are acceptable unto him, and therefore our works also (not in their own worthiness, or for their own merit, but in and for Christ) are accepted; the corruptions and stains of them being washed away in his blood, and the imperfections of them being covered with Christs perfect righteousness. And thus being adorned in the garment of our elder brother Christ Jesus, we obtain the blessing of our heavenly father. Secondly, our righteousness and holiness doth proceed from the spirit of God dwelling in us; and from hence our works being imperfect in themselves, do receive their dignity, excellency, and estimation in Gods sight, as being the fruits of his own spirit, howsoever mingled with our corruptions.
§. Sect. 7 Now the reasons why the Lord being perfectly iust, will notwithstanding accept of our imperfect righteousnesse,1