A20752:550
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.
CHAP. X. Of the signs and infallible notes of our election.
CHAP. X. Of the signes and infallible notes of our election.
§. Sect. 1 And thus have I set down the means whereby we may be assured of our election:1 now let us consider of some special signs which are infallible notes of those that are elected. The first sign is an earnest desire after the means of our salvation, and a conscionable endeavour in using them after we enjoy them. For the end and the means are never separated in Gods decree, and therefore those that carefully use the means may be assured that they shall attain unto the end. For example, the hearing of Gods word is the chief means of our conversion, being made effectual by the inward operation of Gods spirit; and as thereby we are begotten unto God, so also it is that bread of life, wherewith our souls are nourished and strengthened in all spiritual graces. So that whomsoever God hath elected, those he hath decreed to call ordinarily by these means; and by the same also to furnish with his graces being called. Whosoever therefore labour to purchase this precious pearl, whosoever hunger after this heavenly Manna, and are content to enjoy it not only when it is good cheap, but also when it is very chargeable, whosoever enjoying it do attentively and diligently hear it and receive it with delight, they use the means of their salvation, and therefore may be assured that they are elected, for the means & the end go together. And that this is a note of Gods child, it appeareth Joh. 10.3, 4. where our Saviour saith that his sheep hear his voice.2 And Matth. 13.45. he compareth the true member of the kingdom of grace to a Merchant,3