A09473:145
Two treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat…Tvvo treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat…
Two treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat of the flesh and spirit.Tvvo treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat of the flesh and spirit.
Cambridge: printed by John Legate printer to the University of Cambridge. 1593., 1593Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legate printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge. 1593., 1593
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.