A20752:164
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.
Secondly, he telleth us that we wrestle not with enemies of flesh and blood like unto our selves, but with spiritual wickednesses, which are most dangerous; because being spirits they can with incredible swiftness pass from place to place which are far distant, and therefore the more fitly take all advantages, either in assaulting us at their pleasure, or withdrawing themselves when they find resistance; being spirits they can lie secretly in ambushment, even in our bedchambers, and so surprise us when they find us most reckless and secure, for we cannot discover them before we feel their assaults.
Secondly, he telleth vs that wee wrastle not with enemies of flesh and bloud like vnto our selues, but with spirituall wickednesses, which are most daungerous; because being spirits they can with incredible swiftnes passe from place to place which are farre distant, and therfore the more fitly take all aduantages, either in assaulting vs at their pleasure, or withdrawing themselues when they finde resistance; being spirits they can lie secretly in ambushment, euen in our bedchambers, and so surprize vs when they finde vs most retchlesse and secure, for we cannot discouer them before we feele their assaults.
Thirdly, he telleth us that they are in high places, to note unto us that they have gotten the advantage of the upper ground; and therefore the fight must be dangerous, when our enemy fighteth against us from an high place or fort, we standing so low that we are scarce able to reach him. But because earthly things cannot sufficiently show the power of our enemy Satan, therefore he is called the god of this world, 12. Cor. 4.4. to note unto us, that in respect of worldly strength and humane resistance, he is after a sort omnipotent, that is, able to do what he list, if he were not restrained by Gods divine power, who alone is omnipotent, and overruled by no superior.
Thirdly, he telleth vs that they are in high places, to note vnto vs that they haue gotten the aduantage of the vpper ground; and therefore the fight must be daungerous, when our enemie fighteth against vs from an high place or fort, we standing so low that we are scarce able to reach him. But because earthly things cannot sufficiently shew the power of our enemie Sathan, therefore he is called the god of this world,