A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. 4 That it is a notable means to weaken self-confidence, if we consider the strength of our spiritual enemies.

§. 4 That it is a notable meanes to weaken self-confidence, if wee consider the strength of our spirituall enemies.

But much more effectual would it be for the shaking off this carnal security, if we would weaken our self-confidence by our often consideration ⟨p. 66⟩not only of our frailty and weakness, which make us prone to fall in the least trials and tentations, but also of our many and mighty, politic and most malicious enemies, who incessantly assault us, and will easily get the victory, if the Lord, for a just punishment of our self-confidence, leave us to our selves; or if we securely neglect to stand upon our guard, to fight against that in the power of Gods might, and to keep the Christian armour still, buckled unto us. For we can be no more ready to give them advantage, then they to take it, and to make the most spiteful use of it for our overthrow; we can be no more feeble to stand, then they strong and malicious to cast us down, and to tread us under foot when they have gotten us at their cruel mercy. Yea, let us consider this humane frailty not only in our selves, and the strength and malice of our enemies in their assaults against us; but in those who have gone before us, who have far exceeded us in grace and spiritual strength, and yet have been fearfully foiled, by giving them advantage through their security, as of Noah, Lot, David, Peter, and many others. And so may we easily conclude, that we, who are weak and fresh-water Soldiers, have little reason to be secure, when the Lords greatest Worthies have through the might and malice of their enemies, and their own heedlessness received such foils; and that we poor shrubs may easily be trodden under the feet of these Wolves and Lions; when such tall Cedars could not stand before them. Whereby we shall not only be made more wary and watchful over our footing by the example of their slips; but also distrusting in our own strength, we shall rest with full affiance upon Gods gracious power and promises, who is alone sufficient to preserve us in these dangers. Finally, add to the power and malice, the diligence and watchfulness of our spiritual enemies; for Satan (as he confesseth) exerciseth himself in compassing the earth to and fro, that he may spy out his