A20756:124
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.
1But this maliciousness of the flesh will better appear, if we consider the effects and fruits that it bringeth forth against us: which may either be referred to our sin or to our punishment. The former appeareth by that which hath been said, for it is this sinful flesh which worketh in us all manner of evil concupiscence, and from the inward corruption of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies as our Saviour teacheth us. And so far off is the Law of God from stopping this flood of wickedness, that it swelleth so much the higher, and by the opposition of Gods will taketh occasion of greater rebellion, breaking down all the bounds and banks that should stay and keep it in. And as a wild beast or curst ban-dog groweth more fierce and enraged when as they are resisted, or when they are curbed in and tied up: So this savage flesh and sinful corruption take occasion by the knowledge of the law the more to transgress it, and the more that they are checked and restrained, the more violent they grow in their wicked outrage. And this the Apostle testifieth out of his own experience; But sin (saith he that is the sinful flesh) taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence; for without the law sin was dead. Now sin is the greatest evil that can be imagined, as being opposite to God the supreme goodness, neither is death, punishment, hell, condemnation, nor the Devil himself, so absolutely evil, nor so extremely contrary to Gods glorious Majesty. In which regard the flesh which is that sinning sin as the Apostle calleth it, and deep festered and ever running fore which sendeth forth this filth of corruption, is chiefly to be hated of those who love God, as being the principal provoker of rebellion against our supreme sovereign, the bellows which inflame us with the fire of concupiscence, ⟨p. 71⟩the cause which maketh us so often to offend our gracious God, the thief which robbeth us of all saving graces, the wall of separation between us and heavenly happiness, and that arch-enemy which would often every day thrust us into hell and the gulf of destruction, if we were not supported by Gods grace and holy spirit.
1But this maliciousnesse of the flesh will better appeare, if we consider the effects and fruits that it bringeth forth against vs: which may either bee referred to our sinne or to our punishment. The former appeareth by that which hath beene said, for it is this sinfull flesh which worketh in vs all manner of euill concupiscence, and from the inward corruption of the heart proceede euill thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesse, blasphemies as our Sauiour teacheth vs. And so farre off is the Law of God from stopping this floud of wickednesse, that it swelleth so much the higher, and by the opposition of Gods will taketh occasion of greater rebellion, breaking downe all the bounds and bankes that should stay and keepe it in. And as a wilde beast or curst ban-dogge groweth more fierce and inraged when as they are resisted, or when they are curbed in and tyed vp: So this sauadge flesh and sinfull corruption take occasion by the knowledge of the law the more to transgresse it, and the more that they are checked and restrained, the more violent they grow in their wicked outrage. And this the Apostle testifieth out of his owne experience; But sinne (saith he that is the sinfull flesh) taking occasion by the commandement, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence; for without the law sinne was dead. Now sinne is the greatest euill that can be imagined, as being opposite to God the supreame goodnesse, neither is death, punishment, hell, condemnation, nor the Diuell himselfe, so absolutely euill, nor so extreamely contrarie to Gods glorious Maiestie. In which regard the flesh which is that sinning sinne as the Apostle calleth it, and deepe festered and euer running fore which sendeth forth this filth of corruption, is chiefely to be hated of those who loue God, as being the principall prouoker of rebellion against our supreame soueraigne, the bellowes which inflame vs with the fire of concupiscence,