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…

¹For the first We must come to the knowledge of our sins, before we can truly repent of them, for we cannot sorrow for them, until we see them; neither is it sufficient that we see, and know, that we are grievous and heinous sinners, unless we also feel the weight of this intolerable burden, pressing us down, and vexing, and grieving us even to the very heart; for wicked and profane men may see their sins, (for what can hide them from their eyes being so innumerable in multitude, and so grievous and heinous in respect of their quantity, and quality, but yet they feel not their weight, neither are troubled with them; nay it is a pastime to a fool to do wickedly, as it is Prou. 10.23. and the abominable filthy sinner drinketh iniquity like water, as it is Job. 15.16. and there are some so delighted with ungodliness, and all lewd profaneness that they even draw unto them iniquity with the cords of vanity, and sin as with cart-ropes, as the prophet speaketh Esa. 5.18. and though they be laden with their sins as it were with an intolerable burden, yet they feel them not, neither are they any thing vexed with their weight, and though the iniquity of sinners be so heavy that the earth cannot bear it but reeleth too and fro like a drunken man, and is removed like a tent, as it is Isaiah 24.20. though it make all the creatures groan and travail in pain together, as the Apostle showeth Rom. 8.22. yea though it even wearieth God himself in suffering and bearing with it, as it is Esa. 43.24. yet do they walk bolt upright, and with stretched out necks, never so much as stooping under this unsupportable burden, till at last it grow so heavy, that it overwhelmeth them, and presseth them down to the bottom of hell.

¹For the first Wee must come to the knowledge of our sinnes, before wee can truely repent of them, for we cannot sorrowe for them, vntill wee see them; neither is it sufficient that wee see, and know, that wee are greeuous and hanious sinners, vnlesse we also feele the waight of this intollerable burthen, pressing vs downe, and vexing, and grieuing vs euen to the verie heart; for wicked and prophane men may see their sinnes, (for what can hide them from their eyes being so innumerable in multitude, and so grieuous and hainous in respect of their quantitie, and quallitie, but yet they feele not their waight, neither are troubled with them; nay it is a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly, as it is