A20752:784
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.
Secondly, we are to hear the word preached not as the word of a mortal man, but as it is in truth the word of the everliving God,1 according to the example of the Thessalonians. 1. Thes. 2.13. when (saith the Apostle) ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is indeed the word of God. For the minister is not his own spokesman but the ambassador of the Lord, it is not his own message which he bringeth, but the Lords embassage, & hence it is that the Prophets and Apostles prefix before their writings; these & such like speeches, The word of the Lord, the burden of the Lord, thus ⟨p. 372⟩saith the Lord; so also the Apostle professeth in his own name, and in the behalf of all Gods true ministers, that they are the Lords ambassadors who in Christs stead beseech their hearers that they will be reconciled unto God. 2. Cor. 5.20. We must not therefore look upon the man but on God who sendeth him, nor on the earthen vessel, but on the heavenly treasure which it bringeth, nor on the simpleness of the casket, but on the precious pearl which is contained in it, nor upon the meanness of the ambassador, but upon the glorious royalty of the prince who sent him: and on his embassy which is the glad tidings of the gospel, the word of salvation and life; which is able to save our souls and then his feet will seem beautiful and none shall be better welcome, then shall we not contemn or neglect their ministry but receive joyfully, reverently, and attentively the word preached by them, remembering what our Saviour Christ hath said, Luk. 10.16. He that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiseth you despiseth me, and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Secondly, wee are to heare the word preached not as the word of a mortal man, but as it is in truth the word of the euerliuing God,1 according to the example of the Thessalonians.