A69129:673
Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof
Conscience with the power and cases thereof Divided into V. books. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latin into English, for more public benefit.Conscience with the power and cases thereof Devided into V. bookes. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latine into English, for more publique benefit.
Leiden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639Leyden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639
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.
First, Temptation in one sense is nothing else but a trial, and to tempt is nothing else but to make a trial or experiment of anything, that we may know it, that is, that it may be discovered, and become manifest, and this is all that the Devil can do, he cannot with strength conquer us, or cast us down. For unless we of our own accord trust him, and deliver our selves into his hand, he can have no power over us. He can prevail no farther against us, then we give him leave or permit him. All that he can do therefore is to tempt us, that is to make an experiment what we are, whether weak or strong, whether we be such as will yield to him, or whether such as will resist him valiantly. And if in the beginning of the temptation, he find that we make valiant resistance, he despairing of the victory, and being overcome and confounded, for the most part departeth presently. And this is the property of a tempter when he hath made his argument, and found what he sought for, to surcease the work of temptation.
FIrst, Temptation in one sense is nothing else but a triall, and to tempt is nothing else but to make a triall or experiment of anything, that we may know it, that is, that it may be discover'd, and become manifest, and this is all that the Devill can doe, hee cannot with strength conquer us, or cast us down. For unlesse we of our owne accord trust him, and deliver our selves into his hand, he can have no power over us. He can prevaile no farther against us, then we give him leave or permit him. All that he can do therefore is to tempt us, that is to make an experiment what we are, whether weake or strong, whether we be such as will yeild to him, or whether such as will resist him valiantly. And if in the beginning of the temptation, he finde that we make valiant resistance, he despairing of the victory, and being overcome and confounded, for the most part departeth presently. And this is the property of a tempter when hee hath made his argument, and found what he sought for, to surcease the work of temptation.
II. In another sense temptation signifies, a fighting against one, or a war, or a battle, and it is very likely that whatsoever the Devil attempts against us is by way of such a fight, if we consider the matter but diligently. For he doth all that he doth with a purpose and desire to conquer, whether he lay snares for us, or whether he make trial of us, or whether he pretend some good things to deceive us, or whether he smite us with the staff, or sword, whether he undermine the wall of our defence, or whether he take from us our spiritual food, or procure it to be taken away, for he doth do all these things with a desire to do us a mischief. And in very deed, all these are parts of that war, or combat, wherewith he fights against us.