Origen draws from this a mystical sense;1 and understands these two combatants to be within us. As if it had presignified what Paul affirmeth, Galat. 5. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other. Rebecca 2may well thus figure the state of a regenerate soul; wherein, till this mortal shall put on •••ortalitie, and glory swallow up corruption, there must be a perpetual conflict. In men unconverted on earth, in Saints glorified in heaven, there is no such unquietness: the former being without a Jacob, the latter without an Esau: these having no flesh. the other nothing but flesh. But in men called and justified by the blood of Christ, yet in a m• litant estate, there is a necessity of this combat. No strife, no christian. Before sanctification there is all peace in the soul. How should there choose, when there is no enemy to resist? The unregenerate heart ha•h ⟨p. 8⟩only an Esau in it: what strife can there be without a Jacob? Nature can very easily agree with it self. Disturbance is a sign of sanctification: there is no grace, where there is all peace. No sooner is the new man formed in us, but suddenly begins this quarrel. The remaining corruption will fight with grace, and too often prevail against it. Indeed it hath lost the dominion, but not the opposition; the sovereignty, not the subtlety:3 it will dwell, though it cannot reign. Never any Rebecca was so happy, as to conceive none but a Jacob: Esau, the flesh will be there also, to give trial and exercise. If grace alone sate in the heart, the hopeless devil would forbear his tentations: he knows, he hath a friend in our house, that will be ready to let him in. So long as there is a Judas with Christ, he will not despair of betraying him. It is our corruption he works upon: if it were not for this Esau, he would not proffer assault. We see our combat; let us fight, and conquer. Our flesh is the elder brother; grace is borne after nature: but when this Jacob comes, he will get the superiority: the elder shall serve the younger. This strife begins betimes: there is no Israelite, but must be content to commence this war with his being. Regeneration and contention salute us at once: we cannot enter our names into Christs muster-book, but we must fight.
Origen drawes from this a mysticall sense;1 and vnderstands these two combatants to be within vs. As if it had presignified what Pavl affirmeth, Galat. 5. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other. Rebecca 2may well thus figure the state of a regenerate soule; wherein, till this mortall shall put on •••ortalitie, and glory swallow vp corruption, there must be a perpetuall co•flict. In men vnconuerted on earth, in Saints glorified in heauen, there is no such vnquietnesse: the former being without a Iacob, the latter without an Esau: these hauing no flesh. the other nothing but flesh. But in men called and iustified by the blood of Christ, yet in a m• litant estate, there is a necessitie of this combate. No strife, no christian. Before sanctification there is all peace in the soule. How should there chuse, when there is no enemy to resist? The vnregenerate heart ha•h ⟨p. 8⟩onely an Esau in it: what strife can there be without a Iacob? Nature can very easily agree with it selfe. Disturbance is a signe of sanctification: there is no grace, where there is all peace. No sooner is the new man formed in vs, but suddenly beginnes this quarrell. The remaining corruption will fight with grace, and too often preuaile against it. Indeed it hath lost the dominion, but not the opposition; the soueraignetie, not the subtletie:3 it will dwell, though it cannot raigne. Neuer any Rebecca was so happy, as to conceiue none but a Iacob: Esau, the flesh will be there also, to giue triall and exercise. If grace alone sate in the heart, the hopelesse deuill would forbeare his tentations: hee knowes, he hath a friend in our house, that will bee ready to let him in. So long as there is a Iudas with Christ, hee will not despaire of betraying him. It is our corruption he workes vpon: if it were not for this Esau, he would not proffer assault. Wee see our combat; let vs fight, and conquer. Our flesh is the elder brother; grace is borne after nature: but when this Iacob comes, he will get the superioritie: the elder shall serue the yonger. This strife beginnes betimes: there is no Israelite, but must be content to commence this warre with his being. Regeneration and contention salute vs at once: wee cannot enter our names into Christs muster-booke, but we must fight.
- 1Hom 12. in Genes.
- 2Galat. 5. 17
- 3Rom 7.
