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…

God doth indeed suffer this wicked enemy to make war against even his dearest children, and that sometimes after a strange and extraordinary manner, not that he will give them over again unto his thraldom, out of which he hath purchased them with so dear a price, but partly to drive them hereby to fly unto him by earnest and effectual prayer, imploring his aide against Satan's cruelty, and that having received it they may ascribe the whole glory of the victory to him alone, by whose strength they have overcome; and partly to show unto them their own weakness, that they may not rely nor rest upon it. Sometimes he suffereth them to be thus assaulted, that his power may be magnified in their weakness; and sometimes that the graces which he hath bestowed upon them, may shine gloriously to all the world. Sometimes for the confirmation of others who shall hereafter be tried with the like temptations, when they have in their brethren often experience of Gods love power and fatherly assistance; and sometimes the more to strengthen themselves in his spiritual graces, and to confirm them more fully in the assurance of his love and their salvation. For as a city which hath once bin besieged and not sacked, will ever after be more strong to hold out if it be assaulted by the like danger, because the citizens will carefully fortify their walls and increase their bulwarks; and as he who hath been once robbed by thieves, will ever after ride better provided to make resistance, that he do not again fall into their hands; so those who are besieged and assaulted by their spiritual enemies, will ever after more carefully arm themselves against them with the graces of Gods spirit, that they may not be overcome nor foiled by them. We know that whilst men quietly enjoy their possessions and inheritance they rest secure, keeping their writings in a box without ever looking on them from year to year, but when their title and right is called into question, and some man labours to thrust them out of their possession, then they peruse their writings and deeds with all diligence; &, not satisfied with their own judgement ⟨p. 304⟩they resort to skilful Lawyers, craving their counsel how they may maintain their right, and answer the plea which their adversary makes against them;

God doth indeed suffer this wicked enemie to make warre against euen his dearest children, and that sometimes after a strange and extraordinarie manner, not that he will giue them ouer againe vnto his thraldome, out of which he hath purchased them with so deare a price, but partly to driue them hereby to flie vnto him by earnest and effectuall prayer, imploring his aide against Sathans crueltie, and that hauing receiued it they may ascribe the whole glorie of the victorie to him alone, by whose strength they haue ouercome; and partly to shew vnto them their owne weakenesse, that they may not relie nor rest vpon it. Sometimes hee suffreth them to be thus assaulted, that his power may be magnified in their weakenesse; and sometimes that the graces which he hath bestowed vpon them, may shine gloriously to all the world. Sometimes for the confirmation of others who shall hereafter be tried with the like temptations, when they haue in their brethren often experience of Gods loue power and fatherly assistance; and sometimes the more to strengthen themselues in his spirituall graces, and to confirme them more fully in the assurance of his loue and their saluation. For as a citie which hath once bin besieged and not sacked, wil euer after be more strong to hold out if it be assaulted by the like danger, because the citizens will carefully fortifie their walles and increase their bulwarkes; and as he who hath been once robbed by theeues, will euer after ride better prouided to make resistance, that hee doe not againe fall into their hands; so those who are besieged and assaulted by their spirituall enemies, will euer after more carefully arme themselues against them with the graces of Gods spirit, that they may not be ouercome nor foiled by them. We know that whilest men quietly enioy their possessions and inheritance they rest secure, keeping their writings in a boxe without euer looking on them from yere to yere, but when their title and right is called into question, and some man labours to thrust them out of their possession, then they peruse their writings and deeds with al diligence; &, not satisfied with their own iudgement