by John Downame
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
"The Christian Warfare" by John Downame is a monumental work that explores the spiritual battles every Christian must engage in as they navigate the treacherous journey of faith. First published in the early 17th century, this work remains a timeless guide for believers who seek to understand the nature of spiritual warfare, the strategies of Satan, and the divine armor provided by God to withstand the assaults of the enemy.
Downame begins by addressing the reality that every Christian is called to be a soldier in God's army. This is not a passive role, but an active engagement in a battle that is both relentless and crucial for the believer’s soul. Drawing heavily from Ephesians 6, where the Apostle Paul describes the armor of God, Downame meticulously explores each piece of this spiritual armor, offering profound insights into how they are to be worn and utilized in the face of spiritual opposition.
One of the most striking aspects of Downame’s work is his vivid depiction of the enemy. He does not shy away from describing the malice, power, and cunning of Satan, portraying him as a fierce adversary who will stop at nothing to derail a Christian’s faith and lead them into despair. This depiction is not meant to terrify the reader but to awaken them to the seriousness of the spiritual conflict they are engaged in.
Yet, the book is not merely a catalog of the enemy’s strengths; it is a powerful encouragement to the believer. Downame’s pastoral heart shines through as he offers rich consolations and practical advice for those who feel overwhelmed by the pressures of spiritual warfare. He assures the reader that, though the battle is fierce, the victory is sure because it is God Himself who equips and strengthens His people. The emphasis on God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in the midst of trials is a recurring theme that provides deep comfort and hope.
The structure of "The Christian Warfare" is methodical and comprehensive, making it not only a spiritual manual but also a theological treatise. Downame divides his work into multiple books and chapters, each dealing with different aspects of the Christian's spiritual journey. From the strategies of Satan to the means by which Christians can defend themselves, every chapter is filled with scripture references, making it a deeply biblical guide.
For the modern reader, this work offers a window into the Puritan understanding of the Christian life as a constant battle against sin, the flesh, and the devil. It challenges contemporary Christians to take seriously the call to spiritual vigilance and to embrace the full armor of God with renewed vigor. The language, though archaic at times, adds to the solemnity and weight of the subject matter, reminding readers that the issues Downame addresses are as relevant today as they were in his time.
In "The Christian Warfare," Downame has provided the Church with a timeless resource that will equip believers to stand firm in their faith, no matter the trials they face. It is a book that every Christian, whether seasoned in the faith or new to the spiritual battlefield, will find invaluable in their walk with God.
This is the first of four volumes.
Short Bio
John Downame (1571–1652) was a prominent Puritan divine and author, known for his deep theological insights and pastoral care. His works, particularly "The Christian Warfare," have had a lasting impact on Reformed thought, offering rich spiritual guidance and comfort to believers facing the trials of life. Downame's legacy continues through his writings, which remain a vital resource for those seeking to grow in their faith and understanding of God’s Word.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREF. I. Editor’s Note.
PREF. II. To the godly, zealous, and sincere professors of God's true religion.
BOOK I.
1. CHAP. I. That all the godly are assaulted with the spiritual enemies of their salvation.
2. CHAP. II. Why God suffereth his servants to be exercised in the spiritual conflict of temptations.
3. CHAP. III. Arguments whereby we may be encouraged to enter into this spiritual conflict.
4. CHAP. IIII. Of the malice of our spiritual enemy Satan.
5. CHAP. V. Of the strength of our spiritual enemy Satan.
6. CHAP. VI. Of Satan's aides: and first of the world.
7. CHAP. VII. Of the flesh, and the strength thereof.
8. CHAP. VIII. Of Satan's policy.
9. CHAP. IX. Of the spiritual armor described, Eph. 6.
10. CHAP. X. Of the particular parts of the Christian armor: and first of the girdle of verity.
11. CHAP. XI. Of the breast-plate of righteousness, and Gospel of peace.
12. CHAP. XII. Of the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
13. CHAP. XIII. Of the shield of faith.
14. CHAP. XIIII. Of the helmet of salvation.
15. CHAP. XV. Of the sword of the spirit.
16. CHAP. XVI. Of Prayer.
17. CHAP. XVII. Of Satan's stratagems.
18. CHAP. XVIII. How Satan fitteth his temptations to our state and conditions.
19. CHAP. XIX. How Satan allureth us into sin by degrees, and draweth us from one extreme to another.
20. CHAP. XX. Of three other stratagems which Satan useth.
21. CHAP. XXI. Of the manner of Satan's fight.
22. CHAP. XXII. Of the general means whereby we may be enabled to withstand our spiritual enemies.
23. CHAP. XXIII. How the Christian being foiled by Satan's temptations may be raised again.
24. APPENDIX I. – BOOK. I. Scripture References.
BOOK II.
25. CHAP. I. Answers to those temptations of Satan, whereby he persuadeth carnal men of God's love.
26. CHAP. II. That our sins and unworthiness should not make us doubt of God's love.
27. CHAP. III. That temporal afflictions are rather signs of God's love, than of his hatred.
28. CHAP. IIII. Of God's election, the causes, subject, object, and properties thereof.
29. CHAP. V. Satan's temptations concerning God's election answered, and first those wherewith he assaulteth carnal worldlings.
30. CHAP. VI. Satan's temptations whereby he moveth the weak Christian to doubt of his election, answered.
31. CHAP. VII. That we may be assured of our election, proved by diverse arguments.
32. CHAP. VIII. The last argument grounded upon the testimony of God's spirit.
33. CHAP. IX. Of the means whereby we may be assured of our election.
34. CHAP. X. Of the signs and infallible notes of our election.
35. CHAP. XI. The objections alleged against the assurance of our election, answered.
36. CHAP. XII. The reasons alleged against the assurance of our salvation, answered.
37. CHAP. XIII. Of our Redemption.
38. CHAP. XIIII. Satan's temptations concerning our redemption, wherewith he moveth the worldling to presumption, answered.
39. CHAP. XV. That all who are redeemed are also sanctified.
40. CHAP. XVI. Of those temptations which Satan useth against the faithful concerning their redemption.
41. CHAP. XVII. Of our Vocation.
42. CHAP. XVIII. Satan's temptations whereby he seeketh to make our calling ineffectual, answered.
43. CHAP. XIX. Satan's temptation, whereby he persuadeth men that the Scriptures are not God's word, answered.
44. CHAP. XX. Other reasons to prove that the Scriptures were indicted by God's spirit, taken from the Scriptures themselves.
45. CHAP. XXI. That the testimony of God's spirit, doth only persuade us, that the Scriptures are the word of God.
46. CHAP. XXII. Satan's temptations suggested against the translations of holy Scriptures answered.
47. CHAP. XXIII. Satan's temptations taken from the evil lives of the Ministers, answered.
48. CHAP. XXIIII. Satan's temptations taken from sundry opinions, sects, and religions, answered.
49. CHAP. XXV. Satan's temptations taken from our unworthiness and unfitness to hear, answered.
50. CHAP. XXVI. How we must arm ourselves against Satan's temptations, whereby he laboreth to make the word of God fruitless.
51. CHAP. XXVII. Satan's temptations whereby he persuadeth men to delay their repentance answered.
52. CHAP. XXVIII. Of the fourth motive taken from difficulty of repenting, caused by delays.
53. CHAP. XXIX. Of the fifth Motive which is that our delay will bring more sorrow or utter destruction.
54. CHAP. XXX. Two lets which hinder worldlings from speedy repentance removed.
55. CHAP. XXXI. Satan's temptations moving men to rest in a counterfeit repentance, answered.
56. CHAP. XXXII. Of Satan temptations which he useth against those which are called, to bring them to despair.
57. CHAP. XXXIII. Of the second Argument grounded upon God's justice.
58. CHAP. XXXIIII. Of the third Argument grounded upon God's truth.
59. CHAP. XXXV. Of other arguments drawn from the persons in the Trinity.
60. CHAP. XXXVI. Other reasons to persuade the weak Christian of the remission of his sins.
61. CHAP. XXXVII. How we may know whether we be effectually called or no.
62. CHAP. XXXVIII. Satan's temptations objecting to the weak Christian unrepentancy and hardness of heart answered.
63. CHAP. XXXIX. Of that hardness of heart which is joined with sense and feeling thereof.
64. CHAP. XL. Consolations for such as bewail their hardness of heart and wants in prayer.
65. CHAP. XLI. How the weak Christian may be assured that his repentance is true and unfeigned.
66. CHAP. XLII. How we may prove against Satan's temptations that we have true faith.
67. CHAP. XLIII. Satan's temptations grounded upon our want of sense and feeling of faith, answered.
68. CHAP. XLIIII. How the weak Christian is to comfort himself, when he is deprived of the sense of faith, and sensibly feeleth the contrary corruptions.
69. CHAP. XLV. Of the means whereby our faith may be strengthened and increased.
70. CHAP. XLVI. Satan's temptations concerning smallness, and weakness of faith answered.
71. CHAP. XLVII. Other temptations concerning faith answered.
72. CHAP. XLVIII. Of our justification.
73. CHAP. XLIX. That we are not justified by our works and merits.
74. CHAP. L. That faith alone justifieth.
75. CHAP. LI. Satan's temptations moving the weak Christian to doubt of his justification, answered.
76. APPENDIX II. – BOOK. II. Scripture References.
BOOK III.
77. CHAP. I. Of Sanctification, and the causes thereof.
78. CHAP. II. Of the effects, subject, object, and time of our sanctification.
79. CHAP. III. Of the parts of Sanctification.
80. CHAP. IIII. Satan's temptations, whereby he laboreth to entice us to commit sin, answered.
81. CHAP. V. Of the second sort of preservatives to keep us from sin.
82. CHAP. VI. Of some special means whereby we may be preserved from falling into sin.
83. CHAP. VII. That in the most sanctified, remain some relics of sin, and the causes thereof.
84. CHAP. VIII. Satan's temptations drawn from our slow progress in sanctification, answered.
85. CHAP. IX. Satan's temptations whereby he aggravateth our sins in general, answered.
86. CHAP. X. Satan's temptations taken from particular sins into which we have fallen answered.
87. CHAP. XI. Satan's temptations persuading the Christian that he hath sinned against the holy Ghost, answered.
88. CHAP. XII. Arguments to prove the certainty of our perseverance grounded upon God's will and immutability.
89. CHAP. XIII. Of the fourth and fifth reason to prove the certainty of our perseverance, grounded upon God's power and truth.
90. CHAP. XIIII. Of eight other reasons which prove the certainty of our perseverance.
91. APPENDIX III. – BOOK. III. Scripture References.