A20752:567
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. 10 The ninth sign of the child of God elected to salvation,1 is, the love of Gods true Ministers and ambassadors, not only because they are Christians, but also because they are sent of God to execute these holy functions, for the gathering together of Gods elect. And this our Saviour Christ declareth,2 Matth. 10.41. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall have a Prophets reward; that is, everlasting joy and unspeakable happiness in Gods kingdom; for, they that turn many unto righteousness, 3shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. ⟨p. 245⟩And because none should pretend that by reason of their poverty they cannot show their love to Gods Ministers, therefore the Lord encourageth even the poorest, to show their goodwill and affection unto them, Matth. 10.43. saying,4 Whosoever shall give to any of these little ones to drink, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall not lose his reward, namely in Gods kingdom. Moreover, those that love Gods ambassadors, do prove unto themselves and show unto the world, that they have received good by their embassy, even reconciliation with God, peace of conscience and assurance of salvation, which maketh them to think no worldly benefit sufficient to requite these spiritual graces, which by their means and ministry they have received: and therefore with the Galatians they could be content, if it were possible to do them good hereby,5 to pull out their own eyes and to give them unto them, seeing by their means the blind eyes of their understandings, are enlightened with the knowledge of God and Christ their Saviour. And because they have received from them to their comfort, the glad tidings of peace and good things; therefore their feet, that is, their approaching and coming unto them, seem beautiful and delightful, as the Apostle speaketh