A20752:177
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
Book 1 › Chapter 6: Of Sathans aides: and first of the world.
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.
CHAP. VI. Of Satan's aides: and first of the world.
CHAP. VI. Of Sathans aides: and first of the world.
§. Sect. 1 And so much concerning Satan's strength, being considered in himself. But besides himself he hath the aide of other enemies to supplant us, who though they do not make so terrible a show, yet they are no less dangerous, ⟨p. 32⟩and all these are led under the conduct of two Captain Generals, the World and the Flesh.
§. Sect. 1 ANd so much concerning Sathans strength, being considered in himself. But besides himself he hath the aide of other enemies to supplant vs, who though they doe not make so terrible a shew, yet they are no lesse dangerous, ⟨p. 32⟩and all these are led vnder the conduct of two Captaine Generals, the World and the Flesh.
By the world I understand impious carnal and unbelieving men, with all their baits and enticements unto vanity, and all their discouragements, afflictions and miseries wherewith they hinder Gods children in travailing the path of righteousness which leadeth to Gods kingdom. This wicked world, the devils darling and chief champion, doth assault us on both sides; on the right hand it encountereth us with prosperity, offering us the bait of pleasure,1 that thereby it may allure us to swallow the hook of sin; it casteth before us the golden apples of riches, that by stooping down to gather them, we may be hindered in running the Christian race, and so lose the goal and garland of everlasting glory; it tempteth us with the honours and glory thereof to dishonour God, and to fall before Satan, worshipping him by our sins; in a word, it promiseth whatsoever our corrupt minds desire, if we will live in sin, and turn aside out of the narrow path into the broad way, which leadeth to destruction. And how prone we are to listen to these Sirens songs, it is but too manifest by lamentable experience: for doth not our first love wax cold, and our former zeal of Gods glory freeze as soon as the world fauneth upon us, and quencheth in us the heat of Gods spirit, by casting on us the waterish vanities of pleasures, honours and riches? Do not hereby religious servants become irreligious masters? and young saints in show, old devils in truth? Do we not see that as soon as Demas hath embraced the world, he forsaketh Christ? yea that Peter himself denieth his Master, when he hath basted himself by the fire of this wicked Caiaphas? Are there not many who have been forward professors in the time of their adversity and want, which cast off the cloak of their profession as soon as the warm sun of prosperity hath shined upon them? Is there not many amongst us who in the time of affliction could not be enforced by torments to profane Gods name, by swearing an idle oath; or his Sabbaths by following their pleasures, or by doing the works of their callings; and yet the same men after they have fallen into