A20752:465
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.
neither is it any impeachment to Gods mercy, if he exercise his justice in inflicting due punishment upon obstinate and rebellious sinners, seeing it is sufficiently manifested in the salvation of those who repent and believe.
neither is it any impeachment to Gods mercie, if hee exercise his iustice in inflicting due punishment vpon obstinate and rebellious sinners, seeing it is sufficiently manifested in the saluation of those who repent and beleeue.
§. Sect. 2 The second temptation which Satan suggesteth into the minds of carnal men, to the end they may run on in their desperate courses, and wallow still in the pleasing filth of their corruptions, he thus frameth; Why enjoyest thou not (saith he) thy pleasures? why art thou afraid to satisfy all thy desires? what needest thou to take any pains in performing ⟨p. 180⟩Gods worship and service,1 and to what purpose shouldest thou forsake thy pleasing sins, studying and striving after mortification and newness of life, which is so bitter and unpleasant unto thee? for Gods decree of predestination is sure and most unchangeable as himself is without change, and therefore if thou art elected of God thou mayest follow thy delights, go on in thy sins, live as thou list, yet surely thou shalt be saved, and he will give thee repentance, though it be deferred to the last gasp. But if on the other side thou art a reprobate, rejected of God in his eternal counsel, then take what pains thou wilt, make thy throat hoarse with praying, and thy bags empty with giving alms, be never so diligent in Gods service, never so careful in mortifying thy sins, yet all is in vain, for those whom he hath reprobated shall be condemned. And therefore much better were it to take thy pleasure and to follow thine own desires whilst thou art in this life: for the punishments of the life to come will be enough, though thou addest no torments of this life unto them.
§. Sect. 2 The second temptation which Sathan suggesteth into the minds of carnall men, to the end they may runne on in their desperate courses, and wallow still in the pleasing filth of their corruptions, hee thus frameth; Why enioyest thou not (saith he) thy pleasures? why art thou afraid to satisfie all thy desires? what needest thou to take any paines in perfourming