A20752:280
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.
If we be in adversity, then he will labour to persuade us to use unlawful means for the repairing of our estates, distrusting in Gods all-ruling providence and never deceiving promises. If we be poor, he enticeth us to steal, defraud and oppress our brethren, that so we may become rich by others spoils. If we have lost any thing by thieves or other casualty, he tempteth us to go to witches and wizards, that so we may hazard our souls, which are of more value than the whole world, for the recovery of some earthly trifle. If we suffer any great cross or affliction, he will persuade us that God hath forsaken and hateth us, or else he would not so grievously afflict us; and hereby he moveth us to despair, murmuring and repining against God. Which temptation he findeth so forcible, that he confidently presumed that he could thereby have caused Job to have blasphemed God to his face. Yea he thought it a fit weapon to use against our Saviour Christ; for, wanting ordinary means to sustain his hunger, Satan tempteth him to distrust Gods providence, and to shift for himself, by turning stones into bread,1 Matth. 4.
If we be in aduersitie, then he will labour to perswade vs to vse vnlawfull meanes for the repairing of our estates, distrusting in Gods al-ruling prouidence and neuer deceiuing promises. If we be poore, he inticeth vs to steale, defraud and oppresse our brethren, that so wee may become rich by others spoyles. If wee haue lost any thing by theeues or other casualtie, he tempteth vs to goe to witches and wizards, that so we may hazard our soules, which are of more value than the whole world, for the recouerie of some earthly trifle. If wee suffer any great crosse or affliction, hee will perswade vs that God hath forsaken and hateth vs, or els he would not so grieuously afflict vs; and hereby hee moueth vs to despaire, murmuring and repining against God. Which temptation he findeth so forcible, that he confidently presumed that he could thereby haue caused Iob to haue blasphemed God to his face. Yea hee thought it a fit weapon to vse against our Sauiour Christ; for, wanting ordinarie meanes to sustaine his hunger, Sathan tempteth him to distrust Gods prouidence, and to shift for himselfe, by turning stones into bread,1