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 ⟨p. 75⟩calls the Corinthians which were men justified and sanctified, carnal. I could not (saith he)1 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 according2 to the age of the fullness of Christ, till after this life. And the speech which is used of some divines, 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, whereas we do receive but the first fruits of 3the spirit in this life; & must wait for the accomplishment of our redemption till the life to come. For all this, the power & 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 dyeth after by little & little: & therefore it fights but as a maimed soldier. And the spirit is continually confirmed & increased hy the holy ghost: also it is lively & stirring & the virtue of it is like musk; one grain whereof will give a stronger smell, than many unces of other perfumes. Some may ⟨p. 76⟩say, that the godly man doth more feel the flesh then the spirit: & 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 than the pain of a finger. Secondly we feel corruption not by corruption but by grace: & therefore men, the more they feel their inward corruptions, the more grace they have.
Thirdly in this combate we are to consider what equality there is betweene 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 gyant Goliah: and the spirit is litle and small like young David. Hence it is, that Paul ⟨p. 75⟩calls the Corinthians which were men iustified and sanctified, carnall. I could not (saith he)1 breethren spkake unto you as unto spirituall, but as unto carnall, as unto babes in Christ. And none can come to be tall men in Christ according2 to the age of the fulnesse of Christ, till after this life. And the speech which is used of some divines, that the mā regenerate hath but the reliques of sin in him, must be understood warily, els it may admit an untruth. As for the measure of grace, it can be but smal in respect, whereas we do receiue but the first fruites of 3the spirit in this life; & must wait for the accomplishment of our redemptiō till the life to come. For all this, the power & efficacy of the spirit is such, that it is able to prevaile ordinarily against the flesh. For the flesh receiues his deadly wound at the first instant of a mans conuersion, and continually dyeth after by litle & litle: & therfore it fights but as a maimed soldier. And the spirit is continually confirmed & increased hy the holy ghost: also it is liuely & stirring & the vertue of it is like musk; one graine wherof wil giue a stronger smell, thē many unces of other perfumes. Some may ⟨p. 76⟩say, that the godly man doth more feele the flesh then the spirit: & therfore that the flesh is euery way more then the spirit. I answer, that we must not measure our estate by feeling which may easily deceiue us. A man shall feele a paine which is but in the top of his finger more sensibly then the health of his whol body: yet the health of the body is more thē the pain of a fingar. Secondly we feele corruption not by corruption but by grace: & therfore men, the more they feele their inward corruptions, the more grace they haue.
- 11. Cor. 3. 1.
- 2Ephes. 4.
- 3Rom. 8. 23.
