A20752:169
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.
§. Sect. 4 But as we are not securely to contemn these enemies: so we are not faintly to yield unto them, nor cowardly to despair of victory. For as all those which securely contemning them never stand upon their guard, are most sure to be surprised and overthrown; so whosoever arm themselves against them, and enter into the spiritual combat with a desire to overcome, shall most certainly obtain victory: for though their power be great, yet it is not infinite, and that which they have, it is not from themselves but from the Lord, who so curbeth them with his all-ruling providence, that they are not able to go one jot further then he looseth out the reins; as it plainly appeareth both by examples and testimonies of Scripture. Though Satan were most maliciously disposed against Job, so that he did with all extremity execute that which God suffered him to do, yet he could not go one jot further then his commission, he could not touch his substance till the Lord had said, All that he hath is in thy hand, Job. 1.12. And therefore not prevailing against him by depriving him of his goods and substance, he cometh again to the Lord to have his commission enlarged, Job. 2.1. and then having gotten authority to afflict his body, yet could he not touch his life, because the Lord had not given him so much liberty. Though Saul were a wicked man, yet Satan could not hurt or vex him, till the Lord sent him, 1. Sam. 16.14. And hence it is that he is called the spirit of God, vers. 15. and chap. 18.10. because he is Gods slave and wholly at his appointment. So he could not deceive the false prophets of Ahab, till he had gotten licence of the Lord, 1. King. 22.22. Nay, so far is Satan from having absolute authority ⟨p. 28⟩and power over the faithful, that it is limited and restrained in respect of the meanest creatures; for a whole legion of devils could not so much as enter into one heard of swine, till by earnest entreaty they had obtained leave of our Saviour Christ, Luk. 8.31, 32. And therefore much less can they prevail against any of Gods children, seeing the very hairs of their head are numbered,