The Christian Warfare Part 1, Table of contents
THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOKE.
THE CHIEFE POINTS HANDLED in the firſt Booke.
CHAP. I.
THat all Gods ſeruants are aſſaulted with the ſpirituall enemies of their ſaluation. pag. 1
That the ſtrong faith whereof worldlings boaſt, is nothing els but ſecuritie and vaine preſumption. pag. 3.4
That Gods ſeruants may rather be comforted than diſmaied by the aſſaults of their ſpirituall enemies. pag. 6
CHAP. II.
Why God ſuffreth his ſeruants to be exerciſed in the ſpirituall conflict of temptations, namely for his owne glorie, and their euerlasting good. pag. 7
CHAP. III.
Arguments to encourage the weake Chriſtian to enter into this ſpirituall conflict. pag. 10
CHAP. IIII.
Of the malice of our ſpirituall enemie Sathan, ioyned with violence and falſhood, and how we may withstand it. pag. 16
CHAP. V.
Of his ſtrength, courage, and audaciouſneſſe, and how wee may withstand them. pag. 23
CHAP. VI.
Of Sathans aides; and firſt of the world. pag. 31
How the world tempteth by proſperitie, and how wee may reſist theſe temptations. pag. 32
How it tempteth by aduerſitie, and of the meanes whereby wee may reſiſt theſe temptations. 34
CHAP. VII.
Of the fleſh what it is, and how we may ſubdue it. 39
CHAP. VIII.
Of Sathans policie, and how we may defeate it. 40
CHAP. IX.
Of the ſpirituall armour deſcribed Eph. 6.44
CHAP. X.
Of the particular parts of the Chriſtian armour; and firſt of the girdle of veritie. 48
CHAP. XI.
Of the breastplate of righteouſneſſe. 51
CHAP. XII.
Of the preparation of the Goſpell of peace. 54
CHAP. XIII.
Of the ſhield of faith, and what is meant by quenching Sathans darts. 55
CHAP. XIIII.
Of the helmet of ſaluation. 57
CHAP. XV.
Of the ſword of the ſpirit, and how we muſt vſe it in the conflict of temptations. 59
CHAP. XVI.
Of prayer, and the neceſſitie thereof in the ſpirituall conflict. 64
Of the properties required in prayer. 65
Of watchfulnes in prayer. 67
Of perſeuerance in prayer. Where is alſo ſhewed why the Lord delaieth to grant the petitions of his children. 69
CHAP. XVII.
Of Sathans ſtratagems. Firſt how he fitteth his temptations according to our affections and naturall inclinations, and how we may defeate this policie. 72
CHAP. XVIII.
How Sathan fitteth his temptations according to our ſtate and condition. And how we may withſtand theſe temptations. 78
How Sathan tempteth profeſſors of religion whoſe profeſſion is only in ſhew. 82
How he tempteth the ſincere profeſſor who is weake in grace. 84
How Sathan tempteth the ſtrong Chriſtian. 86
CHAP. XIX.
How Sathan allureth vsus into hainous ſinnes by degrees, and how we may withſtand his temptations. 87
How hee laboureth to draw men out of one extreme into another. 88
CHAP. XX.
How Sathan moueth vsus to propound bad ends to good actions. 90
How he mooueth vsus to vſe euill meanes for the effecting of good ends. 91
How he tempteth vsus to be proud of our vertues. 92
CHAP. XXI.
Of the manner of Sathans fight. And how he taketh all aduantages againſt vsus. 93.
How hee tempteth vsus moſt dangerouſly when wee are moſt ſecure. 94
That he is neuer wearie in aſſaulting vsus. 94
How hee often chaungeth his temptations for his better aduantage; and that this is a probable ſigne he doth not preuaile. 95
How Sathan aſſaulteth vsus immediately himſelfe. 97
How he transformeth himſelfe into an angell of light. ibid.
That he is moſt to be feared when he moſt flattereth. 98
How Sathan vſeth the world as his instrument to intice vsus to ſinne. 100
How he vſeth our owne fleſh as his instrument, and of the manifold aduantages that he taketh hereby. 101
How we may auoide danger, though we cannot diſcerne Sathans temptations from our owne lusts. 103
How Sathans ſuggestions may bee diſcerned from our owne luſts. 104
CHAP. XXII.
Of the common affections of this ſpirituall conflict: namely, the Chriſtians ſtanding in temptation and manfull reſiſtance; and his falling in the time of triall. 106
Of the generall meanes whereby the Christian may be enabled to withstand the temptations of his ſpirituall enemies. 106
1. To meditate on Gods commandement encouraging him to this fight. 106
2. Aſſured hope of victorie. 106
3. To be alwaies in readineſſe. 107
4. To take occaſion of Sathans temptations vntounto ſinne, of doing the contrary vertue. 107
5. To reſiſt the temptation when it is firſt ſuggeſted. 108
6. To prepare himſelfe for another temptation when one is paſt: where alſo ſuch reaſons are ſet downe as may perſwade him to perſeuere in this fight. 109
7. Not to beleeue Sathans ſuggeſtions. 112
8. Neither to deſpiſe Sathans temptations, nor too deeply to apprehend them. 113
9. To obiect Chriſt againſt all temptations. 114
10. To leaue disputing with Sathan, and to ſend him to our aduocate Ieſus Chriſt. 115
11. To buſie our ſelues continually in holy & honeſt exerciſes. 116
12. Not to reuolue Sathans temptations, but to meditate on the contrary preſeruatiues. 117
CHAP. XXIII.
Of the Chriſtians falling in temptation, and of the means whereby being foiled he may be raiſed againe: namely, faith and repentance. 118
Conſolations for thoſe that bewaile their want of faith and repentance. Firſt they are to know that the deſire of Gods graces is accepted for the graces which they deſire. 120
2. That Sathan preuaileth againſt vsus, not by his abſolute power but by Gods permiſſion, who would not ſuffer this but onelyonly for his owne glorie and our ſpirituall good. 131
That horrour, feare and despaire following our falles, argue our diffidence in God and ſelfe-confidence. 135
3. The laſt conſolation taken from experience which wee hauehave had of the Lords aſſiſtance. 135
THE CHIEFE POINTS HANDLED in the ſecond Booke.
CHAP. I.
Anſwers to thoſe temptatiens of Sathan, whereby he perſwadeth carnall men of Gods louelove. 138
Temporall benefits no infallible ſignes of Gods louelove. 140
Sathans temptations whereby he perſwadeth weake Chriſtians that they are not beloued of God, anſwered. 141
That carnall men hauehave no aſſurance of Gods louelove though they boaſt thereof. 143
That eueryevery particular Chriſtiā may be aſſured of Gods louelove. 144
That doubting of Gods louelove is iniurious vntounto him, and pernicious to our ſelues. 145
The euils that accompanie doubting of Gods louelove, and the benefits which follow our perſwaſion thereof. 147
CHAP. II.
That our ſinnes and vnworthineſſe ſhould not make vsus doubt of Gods louelove. 148
That we are neither beloued of God, elected, redeemed, called, iuſtified, ſanctified nor ſaued for any reſpect of our owne worthineſſe. 149
That being vnworthie in our ſelues, we are loued, elected, and ſaued in Chriſt. 156
CHAP. III.
That temporall afflictions are rather ſignes of Gods louelove, than of his hatred. 157
That ſpirituall afflictions are no ſignes of Gods hatred. 160
Examples of Gods deareſt ſeruants who hauehave bin exerciſed with ſpirituall afflictions. 162
A dangerous temptation grounded vponupon our not profiting by afflictions, anſwered. 166
That it is no fit time to iudge of our ſpirituall graces in the conflict of temptations. 167
That Gods dearest children in the time of temptation hauehave ſhewed impatiencie, and vttred inconſiderate ſpeeches. 168
The obiection out of Eccleſ. 9.1. anſwered, and the place expounded. 171
CHAP. IIII.
Of Gods election, the cauſes, ſubiect, obiect, and properties thereof. 175
CHAP. V.
Sathans temptations where with he aſſaulteth worldlings, anſwered: and firſt that whereby he perſwadeth worldlings that all in the end ſhall be ſaued. 178
Sathans temptation grounded vponupon the vnchangeableneſſe of Gods predestination, whereby he perſwadeth them deſperatly to goe on in ſin, proued to be fooliſh falſe and impious. 180
CHAP. VI.
Sathans temptations whereby he moueth the weake Chriſtian to doubt of his election, anſwered. 185
The cauſes which moue Sathan and his instruments to perſwade the weake Christian to doubt of his election. 185
The ſtate of this question between Sathan & the Chriſtian. 187
That we may be certainly aſſured of our election, proued by testimonies of ſcriptures. 189
An obiection grounded vponupon the indefiniteneſſe of Gods promiſes, anſwered. 192
That we may be aſſured that we are the faithfull vntounto whom the promiſes of the Gospell are made. 193
A temptation grounded vponupon our want of aſſurance that wee hauehave faith, anſwered. 195
CHAP. VII.
That we may be aſſured of our election, proued by many ſtrong arguments. 197
That our aſſurance ſhould not be mixt with doubting: and that doubting is not a commendable propertie of faith, but a fruite of vnbeleefe. 199
That faith is a certaine and particular perſwaſion, and not a doubtfull opinion or generall notion. 201
CHAP. VIII.
That we may be aſſured of our election by the testimonie of Gods ſpirit. 211
How we may know that Gods ſpirit dwelleth in vsus. 215
How we may diſcerne the testimonie of Gods ſpirit from our own preſumption. 217
CHAP. IX.
Of the meanes whereby we may be aſſured of our election. 221
The firſt meanes, the teſtimony of the holy Ghoſt. 221
Diuers differences betweene the teſtimonie of the ſpirit and preſumptuous ſecuritie. 221
The ſecond meanes, the hearing of the word. 224
Thirdly, by the vſe of the Sacraments. 225
Fourthly, by the effects of our election, vocation, iuſtification, ſanctification. 225 &c.
That our ſanctification is the touchstone of all the reſt. 229
That thoſe who will be aſſured of their election muſt begin at their ſanctification. 231
Of diuers kindes of counterfeit holineſſe which giuegive no aſſurance of election. 232
Of the fruits and properties of true ſanctification. 233
CHAP. X.
Of tenne ſignes and infallible notes whereby we may be aſſured of our election. 235
CHAP. XI.
The obiections alledged againſt the aſſurance of our election, anſwered: and firſt thoſe which are grounded vponupon teſtimonies of ſcriptwre. 248
That feare and diſtruſt in our owne weakneſſe, and aſſurance of our election may well ſtand together. 253
CHAP. XII.
The reaſons alledged againſt the aſſurance of our election, anſwered. 261
That not aſſurance but doubting of our election proceedeth from pride and preſumption. 261
Our vnworthines no cauſe why we ſhould doubt of our electiō. 263
That weakneſſe of faith and certaintie of aſſurance may well ſtand together. 264
That a weake faith doth as truly aſſure vsus of our election as a ſtronger. 265
How our faith though aſſaulted with doubting may bee certaine. 266
That the ſight of our imperfections is no cauſe why wee ſhould doubt of our election. 272
That this doctrine openeth no way to ſecurity & preſumptiō. 272
CHAP. XIII.
Of our redemption, what it is, by whom, from what, with what price, and to what end we are redeemed. 274
CHAP. XIIII.
Sathans temptations concerning our redemption, whereby he moueth the worlding to preſumption anſwered. 278
Sathans temptation grounded vponupon the doctrine of vniuerſall redemption, anſwered. 279
That Chriſts redemption is not vniuerſall, but only of Gods elect, proued by teſtimonies of Scripture. 279
The ſame point proued by diuers reaſons. 281
Obiections alledged againſt the former doctrine anſwered. 283
In what ſenſe Chriſt is ſaid to hauehave died for all men. 283
CHAP. XV.
That al who are redeemed by Chriſt are alſo by him ſanctified. 287
Sathans temptation perſwading worldlings to liue licenciouſly becauſe they are redeemed and ſhall therefore be ſaued, anſwered. 288
Of the three degrees of our redemption wrought by Chriſt, and how the follow one another. 292
CHAP. XVI.
Of thoſe temptations which Sathan vſeth againſt the faithfull concerning their redemption, and how they may anſwere them. 295
That it is not repugnāt to Gods iuſtice to puniſh Chriſt for vsus. 296
That Chriſt hath offered an all-ſufficient price for our redemption. 297
Sathans temptations againſt the particular applicatiō of Chriſts merits anſwered. 299
Our falling into ſinne, no reaſon to proue that we are not redeemed. 299
That God is not angry with the faithful though he ſeemeth ſo. 301
Sathans aſſaulting vsus, no reaſon to proue that we are not redeemed from his power. 302
That though we die, yet we are redeemed from death. 304
That thoſe who are once redeemed cannot againe be brought into bondage. 307
CHAP. XVII.
Of our vocation what it is, and the kindes thereof. 308
Of the parts of our effectuall calling, and firſt of our ſeparation from the world. 310
Of the ſecond part of our effectuall calling, namely the reciprocall donation of Chriſt to vsus, and vsus to Chriſt. 312
Of the third part, namely our vnion with Chriſt. 312
CHAP. XVIII.
Sathans temptations whereby he ſeeketh to make our calling vneffectuall anſwered. 314
Of the neceſſitie of our effectuall calling. 314
Sathans temptations, whereby hee moueth vsus to neglect the meanes of our effectuall calling. 316
Motiues to perſwade vsus to the diligent hearing of Gods word. 316
CHAP. XIX.
Sathans temptation, whereby he perſwadeth men that the Scriptures are not Gods word, anſwered. 323
Seuen reaſons to proue that the Scriptures were indited by Gods ſpirit. 324
CHAP. XX.
Foure other reaſons to proue that the Scriptures are the word of Gods. Where alſo diuers obiections are anſwered. 330
CHAP. XXI.
The laſt argument to proue the former point, taken from the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit. 342
CHAP. XXII.
Sathans temptations ſuggeſted againſt the tranſlations of the the holy Scriptures, anſwered. 346
CHAP. XXIII.
Sathans temptations taken from the euill liues of the miniſters of the word, anſwered. 348
That the wicked liues of the Miniſters ſhould not make vsus neglect their miniſterie. 353
CHAP. XXIIII.
Sathans temptations taken from ſundrie opinions, ſects, and religions, anſwered. 354
How the vnlearned may diſcerne the true religion from that which is falſe. 356
CHAP. XXV.
Sathans temptations taken from our vnworthineſſe and vnfitnes to beare Gods word, anſwered. 360
CHAP. XXVI.
How we muſt arme our ſelues againſt Sathans temptations, whereby he laboreth to make the word of God fruitles. 363
How we muſt prepare our ſelues before we heare Gods word. 363
Of the duties which we muſt performe in hearing. 371
Of the duties which we muſt performe after we hauehave heard the word. 373
CHAP. XXVII.
Sathans temptations whereby he perſwadeth men to delay their repentance, anſwered. 375
Of three motiues whereby we may be perſwaded to haſten our repentance. 376
CHAP. XXVIII.
Of the fourth motiue taken from the difficultie of repenting, cauſed by delayes. 383
That the time of ſicknes, and the hower of death is moſt vnfit for repentance. 390
CHAP. XXIX.
Of fiue other motiues to inforce the former point. 393
CHAP. XXX.
Two lets which cauſe worldlings to deferre their repentance remoued. 402
The firſt taken from an abuſe of Gods merciemercy. 403
The other grounded on the example of the conuerted theefe. 405
CHAP. XXXI.
Sathans temptations mouing men to reſt in a counterfait repentance, anſwered. 408
Of diuers things required vntounto true repentance. 409
1. Knowledge and ſight of ſinne. 410
Of the meanes whereby we may attaine to a true ſight of ſin. 414
2. That our ſinnes be irkeſome and grieuous vntounto vsus. 416
3. An earneſt deſire to be freed from ſinne. 417
4. That we come to Chriſt for this purpoſe. 418
CHAP. XXXII.
Sathans temptations which he uſeth againſt thoſe which are called to bring them to deſpaire, anſwered. 421
Reaſons to perſwade the weake chriſtian of the forgiuenes of his ſins. The firſt whereof are grounded on Gods owne nature. 424
The firſt argument grounded vponupon Gods infinit merciemercy. ibid.
CHAP XXXIII.
Of the ſecond reaſon to perſwade the weake chriſtian of the forgiuenes of his ſinnes grounded vponupon Gods iuſtice. 434
CHAP. XXXIIII.
Of the third reaſon grounded vponupon Gods truth. 437
CHAP. XXXV.
Of other reaſons to proue the forgiuenes of ſinne, taken from the firſt Perſon in Trinitie. 445
Of other reaſons to proue the former point, taken from the ſecond Perſon in Trinitie. 446
Reaſons takē frō the office of Chriſt to proue forgiuenes of ſin. 451
Reaſons taken from the third Perſon in Trinitie, to proue the ſame point. 459
CHAP. XXXVI.
Diuers other reaſons produced to the ſame purpoſe. 460
1. Becauſe it is an article of our Creed. 460
2. Taken from the teſtimonie of Gods faithfull Miniſters 461
3. From the contrarie teſtimonie of Sathan. 462
4, From the experience of Gods merciemercy in pardoning others. 464
CHAP. XXXVII.
Sathans temptation whereby he ſuggeſteth that the chriſtian is not effectually called, anſwered. 470
How we may know whether we be effectually called; and of the meanes of effectuall calling. 471
Sathans temptation anſwered, whereby he perſwadeth the chriſtian that he loueth the world, and the world him. 475
CHAP. XXXVIII.
Sathans temptations obiecting to the weake chriſtian vnrepentancie and hardnes of hart, anſwered. 482
Of the diuers ſorts of hardnes of hart, and firſt of that which is inſenſible. 483
CHAP. XXXIX.
Of that hardnes of hart which is ioyned with ſenſe and feeling thereof. 487
Conſolations for ſuch as bewaile their imperfections in hearing the word. 491
CHAP. XL.
Conſolations for ſuch as bewaile their wants in prayer. 495
CHAP. XLI.
Of the infallible ſignes of true repentance. 504
That the aſſurance of the remiſſion of ſinnes dependeth not on the dignitie of repentance. 511
CHAP. XLII.
How wee may proue againſt Sathans temptations that wee hauehave true faith. 513
Of the diuers degrees of faith. 515
CHAP. XLIII.
Sathans temptations grounded vponupon our want of ſenſe and feeling of faith anſwered. 525
CHAP. XLIIII.
How the weake Chriſtian is to comfort himſelfe when he is depriued of the ſenſe of faith and other graces, and ſenſibly feeleth the contrary corruptions. 529
CHAP. XLV.
Of the meanes whereby our faith may be ſtrengthened and increaſed. 537
Of the meanes whereby we may be preſerued from doubting and deſperation. 541
CHAP. XLVI.
Sathans temptations concerning ſmalneſſe and weaknes of faith, anſwered. 549
That a weake and ſmall faith may be a true and liuely faith. 550
That all the power of hell cannot preuaile against the ſmalleſt meaſure of faith. 551
CHAP. XLVII.
Sathans temptation concerning the certaintie and constancie of faith, anſwered. 554
Sathans temptation grounded on the ſtrong faith of other of Gods children, anſwered. 555
That God both can and will vphold the weakeſt beleeuer. 559
CHAP. XLVIII.
Of our iustification what it is, and the cauſes & parts therof. 563
CHAP. XLIX.
That we are not iustified by our workes and merits, prooued firſt by the ſcriptures. 570
Secondly, by diuers arguments. 576
CHAP. L.
That faith alone iustifietth; & how this is to be vnderſtood. 577
That faith alone iustifieth, proued both by testimonies and reaſons. 579
That not our owne but Chriſts righteouſneſſe is the matter of our iuſtification. 581
CHAP. LI.
Sathans temptations mouing the weake Chriſtian to doubt of his iustification, anſwered. 586
THE CONTENTS OF THE third Booke.
CHAP. I.
Of ſanctification what it is, and the cauſes thereof. 592
CHAP. II.
Of the effects, ſubiect, obiect, and time of our ſanctification. 598
CHAP. III.
Of the parts of ſanctification, mortification and viuification, and how they are wrought in vsus. 602
CHAP. IIII.
Sathans temptations whereby he inticeth vsus to commit ſinne, anſwered. 608
Many reaſons ſeruing as preſeruatiues to keepe vsus from the contagion of ſinne. 610
CHAP V.
Of the two ſorts of preſeruatiues to keepe vsus from falling into ſinne. 616
CHAP. VI.
Of ſome ſpeciall meanes whereby we may be preſerued from committing ſinne. 621
CHAP. VII.
Sathans temptations whereby hee diſcourageth the Chriſtian in the worke of ſanctification, anſwered. 624
That in the moſt ſanctified remaine ſome reliques of ſinne, and the cauſes thereof. 624
That our wants and corruptions ſhould not diſcourage vsus, but redouble our care and diligence. 627
Conſolations to keepe vsus from being diſcouraged when we ſee and feele our wants and corruptions. 628
The cauſes wherefore God doth not perfectly ſanctifie vsus in this life. 631
CHAP. VIII.
Sathans temptations drawne from our ſlow going forward in ſanctification, anſwered. 636
CHAP. IX.
Sathans temptations whereby he aggrauateth our ſinnes in generall, anſwered. 640
What it is to walke after the fleſh and after the ſpirit. 642
The differences betweene the ſinnes of the regenerate and the vnregenerate. 643
CHAP. X.
That ſinnes committed after repentance are pardonable. 645
That all ſinnes of knowledge are not preſumptuous. 647
That ſinnes committed againſt knowledge are pardonable. 648
Of ſinnes often committed. 651
CHAP. XI.
Sathans temptations whereby he perſwadeth the Chriſtian that he hath ſinned againſt the holy Ghoſt, anſwered. 653
What the ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt is, and how it may be diſtinguiſhed from other ſinnes. 654
CHAP. XII.
Sathans temptations whereby he impugneth the certaintie of our perſeuerance, anſwered. 656
Diuers arguments to prooue the certaintie of our perſeuerance. 659
FINIS.