A20752:437
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. 8 1But if in the time of trial and temptation we judge according to our present sense and feeling, we must needs be deceived: for it cannot be denied but that even the dear children of God who have received a great measure of grace, when the hand of God is upon them do doubt of his love and favour, and when they are grievously afflicted do bewray their corruption, and show their impatience by uttering inconsiderate speeches; for while we continue in this life, we have the relics of sin hanging on us, and we are partly flesh and partly spirit, yea the flesh is the stronger part, and therefore it is no marvel if the flesh being pinched in the time of temptation doth complain, and being lanced deeply with the razor of sharp afflictions doth cry out for pain, complaining of the Surgeon that he dealeth too rigorously with him. And if men through bodily sickness have their judgements blinded, their understanding dazzled and misled, their memory overthrown, so that they can put no difference between their friends and their enemies, but even rail upon those whom in the time of their health they dearly loved, and think none so much their enemy as their physician, raving and inconsiderately speaking they know not what; what wonder is it if the like effects follow the sickness of the soul, when it is as it were set upon the rack, pressed with the burden of sin, and tormented with the apprehension of Gods anger, considering that these kind of afflictions are fair more grievous and without comparison more intolerable,2 for a man may sustain his infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear? as it is Pro. 28.14. What marvel then is it if they take God for their enemy, when they feel his sharp medicines, though in truth he be their loving Physician, who by this means cureth them of their ⟨p. 169⟩diseases of sin and corruption? what wonder is it if they utter raving speeches when the sense of pain presseth them so sore? how is it possible but that they should doubt of Gods gracious love and favour, when as they presently taste of nothing but his rigour and justice?
§ Sect. 8 1