A20752:930
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.
for example, when he telleth us that our sins are unpardonable, that it is now too late to turn unto the Lord, that we are reprobates and damned wretches, we knowing that our malicious enemy by his lies doth continually seek our destruction, are contrariwise to assure our selves that Gods mercy and Christs merits far exceed our sins, that now is the acceptable time and day of salvation, if we will turn unto God and hearing his voice not harden our hearts, that we are in the state of salvation, the vessels of mercy, and beloved children of God.
for example, when hee telleth vs that our sinnes are vnpardonable, that it is now too late to turne vnto the Lord, that wee are reprobates and damned wretches, wee knowing that our malicious enemie by his lies doth continually seeke our destruction, are contrariwise to assure our selues that Gods mercie and Christes merites farre exceed our sinnes, that nowe is the acceptable time and day of saluation, if we will turne vnto God and hearing his voice not harden our heartes, that wee are in the state of saluation, the vessels of mercie, and beloued children of God.
§. Sect. 4 Lastly those who are heavy laden with the burden of their sins,1 may gather unto themselves assurance of the forgiveness of them, by the consideration of Gods mercy extended unto other repentant sinners; for there was never any from the beginning of the world to this day, were their sins never so heinous or innumerable who have not been received to mercy, and pardoned of our gracious God whensoever they did unfeignedly turn unto him. And this may appear whether we consider whole cities or nations, or else particular men. Of the first we have a notable example in the Israelites which lived in the time of the judges, who though they did many times negligently forget the great mercies and inestimable benefits of God showed to their forefathers, of which also themselves had been partakers, though they forsook the Lord not once or twice but very often, even then when he most bound them unto him with multiplying upon them the benefits of peace and plenty, and though they let the reins loose unto all wickedness, yea (which was most abominable and odious in the sight of God,) though they worshipped and served Baal and Asteroth