A20752:415
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.
In the mean time let us possess our souls with patience, and with a quiet ⟨p. 154⟩and peaceable mind labour after the increase of grace, using all good means ordained of God for this purpose, submitting our selves, in regard of the measure of grace which we do desire, to his good will and pleasure, who will dispose of all so, as shall be most for his glory and our good. And in any case let us beware that we do not so impatiently and violently desire increase of more grace, as that in the mean time we forget to be thankful to God for that we have, turning our songs of praise for Gods great benefits, into murmuring and repining. Let us not be like unto rich misers, who have their minds so intent upon the getting of that riches they have not, as that they forget to enjoy and take comfort of that they have; let us not resemble those unthankful men, who when they have received many benefits, do still desire more, and when their desires are not presently satisfied, ungratefully murmur against their benefactors, as though they had received nothing: but let us make use of those graces which we have received, to Gods glory & our comfort; let us desire more, that we may more glorify him with his own gifts; and though our desires be not presently satisfied, let us not fall into impatience, but submit our selves unto his goodwill and pleasure, and be truly thankful for that portion of grace, which it hath pleased him of his abundant mercy to bestow upon us.
In the meane time let vs possesse our soules with patience, and with a quiet ⟨p. 154⟩and peaceable minde labour after the increase of grace, vsing all good meanes ordained of God for this purpose, submitting our selues, in regard of the measure of grace which wee doe desire, to his good will and pleasure, who will dispose of all so, as shall be most for his glory and our good. And in any case let vs beware that wee doe not so impatiently and violently desire encrease of more grace, as that in the meane time we forget to be thankfull to God for that wee haue, turning our songs of praise for Gods great benefits, into murmuring and repining. Let vs not be like vnto rich misers, who haue their mindes so intent vpon the getting of that riches they haue not, as that they forget to enioy and take comfort of that they haue; let vs not resemble those vnthankful men, who when they haue receiued many benefits, doe still desire more, and when their desires are not presently satisfied, vngratefully murmure against their benefactors, as though they had receiued nothing: but let vs make vse of those graces which we haue receiued, to Gods glory & our comfort; let vs desire more, yt we may more glorifie him with his own gifts; and though our desires be not presently satisfied, let vs not fall into impatiencie, but submit our selues vnto his goodwill and pleasure, and be truly thankfull for that portion of grace, which it hath pleased him of his abundant mercie to bestow vpon vs.