A20752:343
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.
and then he knits together all his force, and overthroweth us when we are recklessly secure fearing no danger. Yea sometimes he is in truth foiled, but yet not so as that he will surcease his fight; for if he cannot prevail one way, he will try another, so long as our continuance in this earthly weak tabernacle giveth him any hope of overcoming or foiling us: and therefore we are always to stand upon our guard, and to keep our standing continually, watching and preparing our selves against the fresh assaults of our spiritual enemies. If Job had been secure after he had resisted Satan's first temptation, in taking away his oxen, asses and sheep, surely those which followed would have made him blaspheme ⟨p. 112⟩God as Satan imagined, but like a good soldier after that he had received one blow, he did not cast away his shield of faith and patience, as though he had no further need of it, but still held it up expecting more, till the combat was ended; whose example we must imitate, if we would obtain victory, and enjoy the crown of victory everlasting happiness in Gods kingdom. Otherwise if we sleep in security after we have given Satan one overthrow, we shall be sure to be assaulted and surprised before we be aware; for as one saith,1 Diabolus victus quoque vincit, even whilst the devil is vanquished, he obtaineth victory; and therefore non victor magis quàm victus est extimescendus. Nam saepo see prostratum afflictumque simulat, ut acriùs insurgat; fugit ut in insidias pertrahat & incautos adoriatur; palam cedit ut clam vincat: he is no more to be feared when he overcometh, than when he is overcome; for oftentimes he feigneth himself to be foiled that he may the more fiercely renew the assault, he flieth that he may draw us into his ambushments, and assail us at unawares; he retireth openly that he may secretly overcome.
and then he knits together all his force, and ouerthroweth vs when we are retchlesly secure fearing no danger. Yea sometimes he is in truth foiled, but yet not so as that he will surcease his fight; for if he cannot preuaile one way, he will try another, so long as our continuance in this earthly weake tabernacle giueth him any hope of ouercomming or foyling vs: and therefore we are alwaies to stand vpon our guarde, and to keepe our standing continually, watching and preparing our selues against the fresh assaults of our spirituall enemies. If Iob had been secure after he had resisted Sathans first temptation, in taking away his oxen, asses and sheepe, surely those which followed would haue made him blaspheme