A09473:165
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.
This further must be conceived, that when the spirit prevails, it is not without resistance & striving. As Paul testifieth, I do not the good ⟨p. 85⟩which I would, but the evil which I would not that do I. which place is not to be understood only of thoughts & inward motions (as some would have it) nor of particular offences: but of the general practise of his duty or calling, through the whole course of his life. And it is like the practise of a sick man, who having recovered of some grievous disease, walks a turn or twain about his chamber, saying, ah, I would fain walk up and down but I cannot: meaning not that he can not walk at all, but signifying that he cannot walk as he would, being soon wearied through faintness.
This further must be conceived, that when the spirit prevailes, it is not without resistance & striving. As Paul testisieth, I do not the good ⟨p. 85⟩which I would, but the evill which I would not that do I. which place is not to be understood only of thoughts & inward motions (as some would haue it) nor of particular offences: but of the generall practise of his duty or calling, through the whol course of his life. And it is like the practise of a sickman, who having recovered of some grieuous disease, walkes a turn or twain about his chamber, saying, ah, I would fain walk up and down but I cannot: meaning not that he can not walke at all, but signifying that he cannot walke as he would, being soone wearied through faintnesse.
I added further, that this prevailing is with foils. A foil is, when the flesh for the time vanquisheth & subdueth the spirit. In this case, the man regenerate is like a soldier, that with a blow hath his brain-pan cracked, so as he lies grovelling astonished not able to fight: or like him that hath a fit of the falling sickness, who for a time lies like a dead man. Hence the question may be moved, whether the flesh prevailing doth not extinguish the spirit, & so cut off a man from Christ, till such time as he be ingrafted again. The answer is this. There be