A16314:182
The carnal professor Discovering the woeful slavery of a man guidedThe carnall professor Discovering the wofull slavery of a man guided
The carnal professor Discovering the woeful slavery of a man guided by the flesh. Distinguishing a true spiritual Christian that walks close with God, from all formalists in religion, rotten hearted hypocrites, and empty powerless professors whatsoever. By that faithful servant of Christ, Robert Bolton B.D. late preacher in Northampton Shire.The carnall professor Discovering the wofull slavery of a man guided by the flesh. Distinguishing a true spirituall Christian that walkes close with God, from all formalists in religion, rotten hearted hypocrites, and empty powerlesse professors whatsoever. By that faithfull servant of Christ, Robert Bolton B.D. late preacher in Northampton Shire.
London: printed by Miles Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1634
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE CARNAL PROFESSOR. › Heart.THE CARNALL PROFESSOR. › Heart.
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.
What is the use of all this but to stir us to look about us,1 seeing we have so secret and subtle and adversary to circumvent us. Think not the Christian combat ended when some few battles are fought, & that thou art now out of danger, rather expect and prepare for more. Many stout Captains have been overthrown, because after a conquest they feared no fresh assault. The flesh is restless in its assaults ever besieging us: we can neither fly from it, nor chase away that from us; it is not therefore sufficient ⟨p. 227⟩to make good onset, nor yet to hold out the brunt of some assaults, but all must be finished (how bitter so ever) ere we can look for victory.2 We must resist unto blood, and be faithful unto the death, if ever we expect the crown of life. He that prevaileth in some conflicts, and is at length vanquished, cannot be said to overcome. Saul fought many of the Lords battles valiantly, but he withdrew himself, and the Lord forsook him; though thou hast done much, yet give not over so long as there remains any thing to be done. Consider not what conflicts have been endured, as ⟨p. 228⟩how many are still to be encountered: Regard what is to come, rather than what is past; timerously to cease from resisting temptation, is dangerous to our selves, and dishonourable to God; it maketh Satan to insult over us, and get advantage against us; let us not think if we yield the field, the devil will be contented. It is not the glory of conquest that he seeketh so much as our destruction; which when I consider, I cannot but bewail the naked condition of many persons, who suffer their armour to hang on the walls and rust, never putting it on to any use. Alas, what ⟨p. 229⟩benefit can come by a thing that lies dead? do we think we stand in no need of it? or that God made this defence in vain? experienced Christians find the contrary.3 Our life is nothing but a continual warfare; so long as we are in this mortal body, carnal motions will rise in our hearts; though we cut them off they spring out again; though thou quench them, they are kindled again, will thou, nill thou, they soon return; they may be subdued, but cannot be rooted out. It is no easy work to lead a christian life, considering the continual conflict of these two