A20756:117
The conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The…The conflict betvveene the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The…
The conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The Christian warfare wherein is described the nature of these combatants, the malice and power of the flesh and fleshly lusts, with the means whereby we may subdue and overcome them. By John Downame Bachelor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word.The conflict betvveene the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The Christian warfare wherein is described the nature of these combatants, the malice and power of the flesh and fleshly lusts, with the meanes whereby we may subdue and ouercome them. By Iohn Dovvname Batchelar in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods Word.
London: printed by William Jones, 1618London: printed by William Iones, 1618
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
And this was the practise of the Apostle Paul, who did not beat, 1the air and spend his strength in vain by fighting against a shadow or fantasy, but like a politic soldier discovers and singles out his most dangerous enemy, even this body of corruption which dwelled in him, and though he could not quite kill or thrust him out into perpetual banishment, yet he employs all his strength to subdue and keep him under, and uses him like a base bondslave beating him black and blew, and giving him daily deadly wounds, that so he might never gather strength, nor be able to stand out in rebellion against the part regenerate.
And this was the practise of the Apostle Paul, who did not beate, 1the ayre and spend his strength in vaine by fighting against a shadowe or phantasie, but like a pollitique souldier discouers and singles out his most dangerous enemy, euen this body of corruption which dwelled in him, and though hee could not quite kill or thrust him out into perpetuall banishment, yet hee employes all his strength to subdue and keepe him vnder, and vses him like a base bondslaue beating him blacke and blewe, and giuing him daily deadly wounds, that so he might neuer gather strength, nor be able to stand out in rebellion against the part regenerate.
1But the dangerousness of this enemy will the better appear, if we consider both how dangerous it is in respect of it own nature, and in regard also of divers advantages which it hath against us in the conflict. The dangerousness of it in respect of it own nature will appear if we consider that as on the one side it is most malicious; so on the other very mighty and powerful. The wicked maliciousness of it may be considered both in it self and in it own nature, and as it is exercised towards us, that is, the true Christian, or the part regenerate. For the former; the flesh is so wicked and malicious, that no good thing remaineth in it, for