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…

But at this mark Satan aimeth though he never hitteth it, and though he never finally prevail, yet to this doubting, and in the end despairing, he laboureth to persuade the true Christian; neither doth he content himself with the forces of his own temptations, but he joineth with him the world, which is as ready as Satan himself to oppugn the certainty ⟨p. 186⟩of our election, and our own traitorous flesh which is easily moved to doubting and despair, when as it seeth nothing in it self whereupon it may rest. In the world he maketh his choice not of silly ignorant men, but of the most subtle Sophisters and learned Doctors, the true successors of the Scribes and Pharisees, even the whole rabble of the Popish clergy; who stand on Satan's part stoutly fighting his battles, being persuaded and overcome by that temptation which our Saviour Christ withstood, All this will I give thee. For to what end (I pray you) do these great Doctors so stiffly stand in the defence of Satan's cause, persuading men might and main to doubt of their election, and consequently of their salvation? Surely that by emptying mens minds of all true comfort, they may fill their own chests, and get the treasures of the earth into their possessions. For when the weak conscience wavereth and doubteth of his election, and not finding any true consolation whereupon it may rest, cometh unto them for some comfort and better assurance; they behave themselves like unto ungracious Surgeons, who intending to make a pray of their patients, and to get their gains out of their pains and tortures, do one day heal, and the next day hinder the cure, making the wound worse than it was when they took it in hand, till at last they have so poisoned the sore that it is past their cure, whereas they could easily have healed it, if they had not regarded their profit more than their own credit, or their patients health: or like unto deceitful Lawyers, who sometimes speak in their clients cause, and sometimes betray it, going about in a tedious circuit, whereas the direct way lieth open before them, that so their clients cause being made more doubtful & tedious, & themselves impatient of delays, are fain to double and treble their fees, and yet oftentimes to no purpose, because the more they receive, the fitter they think them to be their perpetual Clients.

But at this marke Sathan aimeth though hee neuer hitteth it, and though he neuer finally preuaile, yet to this doubting, and in the end despairing, he laboureth to perswade the true Christian; neither doth hee content himselfe with the forces of his owne temptations, but he ioyneth with him the world, which is as readie as Sathan himselfe to oppugne the certaintie