Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

39z The faxth petition expounded. look to be affaulted. They that be true members of the militant Church muff acknowledge their whole life to be a fpirituall warfare, wherein they are daily to fight againf} the affaults of Satan, the corruption of their own flefh, and allurements of the world. Such as are Chrifls, Satan defireth to winnow and to fift them as wheat, Luke 2.3r. to fuch he fendeth his megenger to buffet them, 2. Cor. r 2.7. Our Saviour therefore knowing his faithfull fer- vants whom he loveth to be mofl: fubjeh to tenta- tion, in this place teacheth them to ufe this prayer ; and elfewhere commandeth them to watch and pray that they enter not into tentation, Mark 14. 3 8. The ñeceffi- The neceílitie of which prayer is further to be ry y this enforced by confederation of our enemies likeneffe to be read in- to overcome, and our own weakneffe to withíland. to temptati- Sinne is deceitfull, Heb. 3.13. The flefh continual - i' ly fendeth forth concupifcences which fight againfl fouls, I. Pet. 2. The law of the members carrteth ca- ptive to finne, Rom. 7. The things which we de- fire in the world are fo many baits of the devil to allure us unto finne. The bad examples of other men are fo many flumbling- blocks whereat we humble & fall. The devil, very cunning, powerful!, tnalitious, diligent. For his craft he is called the aldfirpent,cunningly ufing our own corruptions and inclinations, the baits of the world,and examples to intangle us. For his power he is called the prince and the God of this world, John r 2. 31. 2. Cor. q.. For his malice he is called Satan. For his diligence he is faid to traverfe the earth, Job. I. 7. and as Peter faith, to so about as a raring lion, &c. i . Epiít. 5.8. As for