A20752:136
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.
Thirdly, unless we fight this spiritual combat, and in fighting overcome, we shall never be crowned with the crown of glory: for it is not given unto any to triumph, who have not fought valiantly and subdued their enemies. The everlasting peace of Gods kingdom is not promised to such cowards as never entered the field, or being entered have presently yielded themselves to be the captives of Satan: but unto those that fight courageously and gloriously overcome. If any man (saith the Apostle) strive for a mastery, he is not crowned except he strive as he ought to do, 2. Tim. 2.5. So ⟨p. 14⟩the Apostle James chap. 1. vers. 12. pronounceth the man blessed that endureth tentation; for when he is tried (or rather as the words are, when by trial he shall be found approved) he shall receive a crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Whereby it appeareth, that none are crowned unless they strive as they ought, and therefore much less they which strive not at all; that none are blessed but those who are tempted, and being tempted endure the temptation; that first we must be tried, and by trial approved, before were we can receive the crown of life.
Thirdly, vnlesse wee fight this spirituall combat, and in fighting ouercome, wee shall neuer be crowned with the crown of glory: for it is not giuen vnto any to triumph, who haue not fought valiantly and subdued their enemies. The euerlasting peace of Gods kingdome is not promised to such cowards as neuer entred the field, or being entred haue presently yeelded themselues to be the captiues of Sathan: but vnto those that fight couragiously and gloriously ouercome. If any man (saith the Apostle) striue for a maisterie, he is not crowned except he striue as he ought to doe, 2. Tim. 2.5. So ⟨p. 14⟩the Apostle Iames chap. 1. vers. 12. pronounceth the man blessed that endureth tentation; for when he is tried (or rather as the words are, when by triall he shall be found approued) he shall receiue a crowne of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him. Whereby it appeareth, that none are crowned vnlesse they striue as they ought, and therefore much lesse they which striue not at all; that none are blessed but those who are tempted, and being tempted endure the temptation; that first we must be tried, and by triall approoued, before were we can receiue the crowne of life.