Thirdly in this combat we are to consider what equality there is between these two combaters, the flesh and the spirit. And we must know, that the flesh usually, is more in measure then the spirit. The flesh is like the mighty giant Goliath, and the spirit is little and small like young David. Hence it is, that Paul calls the Corinthians which were men justified and sanctified,1 carnal. I could not (saith he) brethren speak unto you, as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. And none can come to be tall men in Christ according to the age of the fullness of Christ, till after this life. And the speech which is used of some divines,2 that the man regenerate hath but the relics of sin in him, must be understood warily, else it may admit an untruth. As for the measure of grace it can be but small in respect,3 where as we do receive but the first fruits of the spirit in this life: and must wait for the accomplishment of our redemption till the life to come. For all this, the power and efficacy of the spirit is such, that it is able to prevail ordinarily against the flesh. For the flesh receives his deadly wound at the first instant of a mans conversion, and continually dieth after by little and little: and therefore it fights but as a maimed soldier. And the spirit is continually confirmed and increased by the holy Ghost: also it is lively and stirring, and the virtue of it is like ⟨p. 764⟩musk; one grain whereof will give a stronger smell, then many ounces of other perfumes. Some may say, that the godly man doeth more feel the flesh then the spirit: and therefore that the flesh is every way more then the spirit. I answer, that we must not measure our estate by feeling, which may easily deceive us. A man shall feel a pain which is but in the top of his finger more sensibly then the health of his whole body: yet the health of the body is more then then the pain of a finger. Secondly we feel corruption not by corruption, but by grace; and therefore men, the more they feel their inward corruptions, the more grace they have.
Thirdly in this combat we are to consider what equalitie there is betweene these two combaters, the flesh and the spirit. And we must know, that the flesh vsually, is more in measure then the spirit. The flesh is like the mightie gyant Goliah, and the spirit is litle and small like young Dauid. Hence it is, that Paul calls the Corinthians which were men iustified and sanctified,1 carnall. I could not (saith he) brethren speake vnto you, as vnto spirituall, but as vnto carnall, as vnto babes in Christ. And none can come to be tall men in Christ according to the age of the fulnesse of Christ, till after this life. And the speech which is vsed of some diuines,2 that the man regenerate hath but the reliques of sinne in him, must be vnderstood warily, else it may admitte an vntrueth. As for the measure of grace it can be but small in respect,3 where as we doe receiue but the first fruits of the spirit in this life: and must waite for the accomplishment of our redemption till the life to come. For all this, the power and efficacie of the spirit is such, that it is able to preuaile ordinarily against the flesh. For the flesh receiues his deadly wound at the first instant of a mans conuersion, and continually dieth after by little and little: and therefore it fights but as a maymed souldier. And the spirit is continually confirmed and increased by the holy Ghost: also it is liuely and stirring, and the vertue of it is like ⟨p. 764⟩muske; one graine whereof will giue a stronger smell, then many ounces of other perfumes. Some may say, that the godly man doeth more feele the flesh then the spirit: and therefore that the flesh is euery waie more then the spirit. I answere, that we must not measure our estate by feeling, which may easily deceiue vs. A man shall feele a paine which is but in the top of his finger more sensibly then the health of his whole bodie: yet the health of the bodie is more then then the paine of a finger. Secondly wee feele corruption not by corruption, but by grace; and therfore men, the more they feele their inward corruptions, the more grace they haue.
- 11. Cor. 3.1.
- 2Eph. 4.13.
- 3Rom. 8.23.
