A20752:763
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.
and therefore if Satan can still keep us blindfolded in ignorance, and restrain us from the confession and profession of our faith, till there be a general unity and agreement in the true religion, without all opposition or gainsaying, then he hath attained his desire; for so shall we never join our selves in the communion of the saints, nor be true members of the Church, professing & practicing the religion of Jesus Christ, seeing the devil will not cease to stir up his wicked instruments, false Prophets, sectaries and heretics, to the end they may oppugn and contradict the truth when it is sincerely preached, and make it fruitless in the hearts of unbelievers; seeing also our Saviour hath taught us that his Church is but a little flock, which is assaulted and grievously vexed, not only with Lyons, Tigers and open enemies, but also with Foxes, and Wolves in sheep's clothing, and secret enemies who under the show and profession of religion, seek to undermine and bring ⟨p. 356⟩it to ruin. And the Apostle also hath forewarned us that there must be heresies among us, 1that they who are approved might be known. 1. Cor. 11.19. Though therefore there be many sects, and heresies, many false religions, and but one truth, this must not make us to neglect all, till there be an universal agreement, for as well may be reconcile light and darkness, the children of God with the children of the devil, grace & natural corruption, truth and error, as the true religion with those which are false, or the professors of the one with the professors of the other.
and therefore if Sathan can still keepe vs blindfoulded in ignorance, and restraine vs from the confession and profession of our faith, till there be a generall vnitie and agreement in the true religion, without all opposition or gainesaying, then he hath attained his desire; for so shall we neuer ioyne our selues in the communion of the saints, nor bee true members of the Church, professing & practizing the religion of Iesus Christ, seeing the diuell will not cease to stir vp his wicked instruments, false Prophets, secraties and heretikes, to the end they may oppugne and contradict the truth when it is sincerely preached, and make it frutelesse in the hearts of vnbeleeuers; seeing also our Sauiour hath taught vs that his Church is but a little flocke, which is assaulted and grieuously vexed, not onely with Lyons, Tigers and open enemies, but also with Foxes, and Wolues in sheepes clothing, and secret enemies who vnder the shew and profession of religion, seeke to vndermine and bring