A20752:147
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.
But in truth Satan is far more cruel then the roaring lion, who (if we may give credit to histories) spareth those that fall down flat before him; whereas if he should get us at such advantage, he would proudly trample us under foot, and make us sure for ever rising; and therefore least we should look for any mercy at his hands by submission, the holy Ghost calleth him the great red dragon, 1Apoc. 12.3. which beast beareth such natural malice to mankind, that he devoureth them not only for hunger; but also for sport or hatred, in satisfying whereof he taketh great delight; such a beast is our enemy, who is so fleshed in blood and cruelty, and so overca••ed with malice and hatred, that he esteemeth ⟨p. 19⟩it his chief sport and pastime to destroy us. Yea he is far more dangerous, for the other rageth but against the body, this against both body and soul; that beast we may easily avoid, but it is impossible to flee from this winged Dragon, and therefore there is no other means to escape his fury, but by arming our selves strongly, and fighting valiantly till we have put him to flight.
But in truth Sathan is farre more cruell then the roring lion, who (if wee may giue credit to histories) spareth those that fall downe flat before him; whereas if he should get vs at such aduantage, he would proudly trample vs vnder foot, and make vs sure for euer rising; and therefore least we should looke for any mercie at his hands by submission, the holie Ghost calleth him the great red dragon, 1Apoc. 12.3. which beast beareth such naturall malice to mankinde, that he deuoureth them not onely for hunger; but also for sport or hatred, in satisfying whereof hee taketh great delight; such a beast is our enemie, who is so flesht in bloud and crueltie, and so ouerca••ed with malice and hatred, that he esteemeth ⟨p. 19⟩it his chiefe sport and pastime to destroy vs. Yea he is far more daungerous, for the other rageth but against the bodie, this against both body and soule; that beast we may easily auoid, but it is impossible to flee from this winged Dragon, and therefore there is no other meanes to escape his furie, but by arming our selues strongly, and fighting valiantly til we haue put him to flight.