The Christian Warrior, Wrestling with Sin, Satan, the World and the Flesh

by Isaac Ambrose

In substance Ambrose's book "THE CHRISTIAN WARRIOR, Wrestling with Sin, Satan, the World and the Flesh" (Republished in 1837) is truly precious. The author opens a deep view of the power and craft with which every Christian must expect to be assailed by his great enemy, and furnishes the militant soul with cautions, directions, and encouragements, of inestimable value to all engaged in warring the good warfare; that is, to every real Christian upon earth.

Isaac Ambrose (1591 – 1664) was an English Puritan divine. He was one of king's four preachers in Lancashire in 1631. He was twice imprisoned by commissioners of array. He worked for establishment of Presbyterianism; successively at Leeds, Preston, and Garstang, whence he was ejected for nonconformity in 1662. He also published religious works.

As a religious writer Ambrose has a vividness and freshness of imagination possessed by scarcely any of the Puritan Nonconformists. Many who have no love for Puritan doctrine, nor sympathy with Puritan experience, have appreciated the pathos and beauty of his writings, and his Looking unto Jesus long held its own in popular appreciation with the writings of John Bunyan.

If God be for you, who is he that can overcome you, and put you to death, when you are hid in the Lord's pavilion, and surrounded with the wall of salvation? While in the heat of the battle, be filled with the hope of victory, and feel assured, that you shall finally obtain a complete and glorious conquest over all that come against you; for hath not the Captain of your salvation engaged to subdue Satan and all his armies, shortly under your feet? Trust him, and take courage, then, you cannot meet with disappointment, "for faithful is he that promised, who also will do it." With a view to strengthen your hope of victory, keep in mind that you have not an enemy, difficulty, or danger to encounter, but which has been already conquered and subdued for you, by the great Captain of your salvation.

Genres: Christian Living, Theology

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2011

About the author

Isaac Ambrose (1591 – 20 January 1664) was an English Puritan divine. He graduated with a BA. from Brasenose College, Oxford, on 1624. He obtained the cure of St Edmund’s Church, Castleton, Derbyshire in 1627. He was one of king's four preachers in Lancashire in 1631. He was twice imprisoned by commissioners of array. He worked for establishment of Presbyterianism; successively at Leeds, Preston, and Garstang, whence he was ejected for nonconformity in 1662. He also published religious works.

Reviews

[Mwansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly good book. I picked it up on a whim because I thought the title and cover were interesting and found it exceeded expectations. Isaac Ambrose presents the Christian as reality depicts it. One who is at war with enemies foreign and domestic, with a series of battles that rage almost none stop from the time of conversion to the time of death. He spends the book showing the enemy and the dangers that come with it as well as the means to fight the good fight.

Three keys to unlock the power of the book are Humility, Prayer and Constant Vigilance

[Lissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was encouraging and pastoral; written practically in short sections that could be easily read and meditated on.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short work and very good advice from a Puritan on resisting sin and the world. All instruction is scripturally grounded. Very enjoyable and one of the classics of Puritan practical application.

[Rajesh Mallampati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essentials that believers should not just know, but practice and have these principles abiding with them alive.

[Zak Schmoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my friends had been posting quotes from this book over on MeWe, so I got interested and got a copy of it myself. Admittedly, I don't read a ton of old Puritan writing, but maybe I should start reading more.

This book is divided into two main parts. The first part is a more general conversation about our enemy, the devil. The second half of this book is a very interesting breakdown of the different temptations that face Christians at different times of life. This makes sense as some of the struggles that face the young Christians may not be the same as those that challenge more mature questions. That being said, there are interesting overlaps as well even though they might manifest themselves slightly differently.

One great thing about Puritan literature is that they never pull any punches, and this is a powerful, highly quotable book. It is well worth your time.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many of the later Puritans, Ambrose just feels too polished, too neat. At the same time the robustness of the early Puritans is largely missing, as well as some of their greater emphasis on those things which are objective about our Faith. Watson and Owen have better books on this theme.

Liked it as far as it went.