by Stephen Coven
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Or, the good soldier of Jesus Christ, described in his arms complete; as also, the hardness of his service: on 2 Tim. 2:3. Together, with the words of command; many precious encouragements, and directions how to please Christ his captain. And how to crown his profession, by being best in the worst of times.
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
Stephen Coven's "The Militant Christian" vividly portrays the Christian life as a spiritual battle, drawing deeply from biblical motifs and the Puritan tradition. It emphasizes the believer's identity as a soldier of Christ, tasked with enduring hardships and wielding the spiritual armor detailed in Ephesians 6. Theologically, the book underscores three crucial takeaways: the necessity of vigilance against sin and temptation, the importance of steadfast faith amidst trials, and the power of prayer as a weapon in spiritual warfare. Coven's work serves as a manual for Christians to navigate the challenges of faith with courage, perseverance, and reliance on God's strength, aiming to inspire a life that honors Christ in all circumstances.
Coven stresses prayer as the "perfect Engine" in the Christian's armory, highlighting its power to mobilize the spirit, aid in overcoming infirmities, and facilitate direct intercession with God. He encourages believers to engage in prayer without restraint, allowing it to lift, direct, and fortify their souls in accordance with God's will, thereby making their spiritual sacrifices acceptable through Jesus Christ.
Implicit in the call to prayer is the reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and sustain the believer's efforts in resisting sin and temptation. Coven emphasizes the necessity of yielding to the Spirit's movement, suggesting that successful navigation through spiritual warfare hinges on our openness to divine leading and empowerment.
The militant Christian is called to a life of holiness, viewed through the lens of continual battle against the forces of evil. This encompasses not just a defensive stance against external temptations but an active pursuit of righteousness, characterized by a life lived in conscious opposition to the ways of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Coven's "The Militant Christian" serves as a clarion call to believers to awaken to the reality of spiritual warfare and to take up their arms—prayer, the Word of God, and reliance on the Holy Spirit—as they seek to live lives that honor their Captain, Jesus Christ.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
An Editors Preface.
Christian Reader.
The Epistle To all the Militant Saints
Chap. I – Every True Christian is a Soldier of Christ.
Chap. II - Exhorting Christ's Soldiers to observe his words of Command.
Chap. III – Questions about Schism, and Loyalty to Unbiblical Churches.
Chap. IV – Admonishment and Reproof of the Brethren, and Repentance from Backsliding.
Chap. V – Mutiny, Its Absurdity; Forbearance and Preventions Against.
Chap. VI – It is the Duty of Soldiers to Prepare for Danger.
Chap. VII – It is the Duty of Christian Soldiers to Endure the Hardness of their Profession.
Chap. VIII – Further Reasons why a Christian Soldier must Endure Hardness.
Chap. IX – How Christian Soldiers must Endure Hardness.
Chap. X – Exhortations for Christian Soldiers to Endure Hardness.
Chap. XI – The Seven Totalities in the Great Engine of Prayer.
Chap. XII – The Properties of the Great Engine of Prayer.
Chap. XIII – The Right Use of the Great Engine of Prayer.
Chap. XIV – Further Encouragements for Battle.
Chap. XV – Directions for Battle.