A20752:918
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.
By all which it clearly appeareth that there was never any more ready to ask then Christ to give, nay such was his goodness and love, that he was always more ready to grant then they to entreat, and to grant more then they ever desired. Now we must not think that our Saviour is altered in nature, or that (as it is usual amongst men) honours have changed manners, for he is God immutable in goodness, and without change or shadow of change, as it is Jam. 1.17. and therefore we may assure our selves if we turn from our sins by true repentance, and come unto him by a lively faith, we shall be received to grace and mercy, and receive the pardon of our sins be they never so heinous and innumerable.
By all which it clearly appeareth that there was neuer any more ready to aske then Christ to giue, nay such was his goodnesse and loue, that he was alwaies more ready to graunt then they to intreat, and to graunt more then they euer desired. Now wee must not thinke that our Sauiour is altered in nature, or that (as it is vsuall amongst men) honours haue changed manners, for he is God immutable in goodnesse, and without change or shadowe of change, as it is Iam. 1.17. and therefore wee may assure our selues if wee turne from our sinnes by true repentance, and come vnto him by a liuely faith, we shalbe receaued to grace and mercy, and receaue the pardon of our sins be they neuer so hainous and innumerable.
§. Sect. 10 1Lastly, the union and communion which is between Christ and all the faithful, may give unto them full assurance of the pardon and remission of all their sins; for first they are coupled unto him in spiritual matrimony, and he becometh the Bridegroom, they the spouse, he the husband, they the wife, now we know that in law there will no action of debt lie against the wife whilst the husband liveth, because she is under covert baron, and therefore her husband who hath taken upon him to maintain and defend her, must answer and follow all her suites, and his goods are liable for the paying of her debts. And thus it is also between Christ the husband and the Church his spouse being married unto her, he hath taken her under his charge and protection, and hath undertaken to answer all suites and to satisfy all her debts, nay he hath discharged them already, and therefore we need not to fear any action which Satan, the Law or Gods justice may lay against us, for our husband Jesus Christ hath taken upon him to follow all our suites,