A20752:825
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.
Lastly though the Lord be so gracious,1 and merciful, that he is ready to receive us into his love, and favour whensoever we unfeignedly repent, and truly turn unto him; yet forasmuch as he extendeth his mercy to those only, who are truly penitent; & seeing the repentance of the most is feigned, and hypocritical, which then only beginneth when death or some extreme danger approacheth, this should be a strong motive to persuade us to repent, and turn unto the Lord, when we are in our perfect health, strength, and prosperity that so we may have assurance that our conversion is sincere and unfeigned, and not forced or dissembled. We know that Pharaoh himself when he was vexed with Gods fearful plagues,2 could say I have sinned, and promise amendment, And Saul, when God threatened to cut him off, and to take the kingdom from him, could acknowledge his wickedness, and pretend a desire to worship the Lord. And Jeroboam could show more contrition for the loss of his hand,3 then he ever showed for the loss of his soul. And wicked Ahab when he heard heavy judgments denounced against him, could outwardly humble himself,4 put on sackcloth, fast and go demurely. And who may not observe in his own experience, how many there are who in the time of their sickness, make godly shows of repentance, promising golden mountains and vowing if they recover, that they will lead a new life, forsaking their sins, and endeavouring to serve the Lord in the duties of holiness, and righteousness, and yet the same men being restored to their heath, with the dog return to their vomit, and with the sow to wallow again in the filthy puddle of sin, becoming as profane, wicked, irreligious, and negligent in all duties of christianity, as ever they ⟨p. 400⟩were; which is a most undoubted sign, that there repentance was but feigned, and dissembled, and that they were moved thereunto not for any love of God, or hatred of sin, but for fear of Gods judgments, and eternal condemnation, and therefore as soon as the cause of their fear is a little removed, their repentance also ceaseth.