A20756:149
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.
CHAP. XI. Of certain particular deceits of the flesh respecting our persons.
CHAP. XI. Of certaine particular deceipts of the flesh respecting our persons.
1But come we from the general to some particulars, which as they are most common and ordinary, so also most dangerous and pernicious, for more easily might I number the hairs of a mans head, or the stars of heaven. Yea the grass in a large field, or stones upon the sea shore, then all the deceits of our corrupt flesh. Besides my late worthy assistant in the work of my ministry, that excellent light of Gods Church, which (ah) 2too soon did set unto us, that he might for ever gloriously shine in heaven, hath in his book of the deceitfulness of the heart so sweetly and divinely discoursed on this subject, that he hath eased me of this labour. Yet this discourse so necessarily requiring, that I should say something of this argument, as that it will seem maimed if it go without it, I will a little insist upon it, and for our more orderly proceeding I will refer these deceits of the flesh to two principal heads. The first such as respect our persons and states, the other such as concern certain duties which God requireth of us. For the former, it is a common and most pernicious policy of the flesh to persuade us, that we are nothing so evil, corrupt and wicked as in truth we are. To the entertaining of which conceit we are the more easily induced by reason of ignorance and blindness of mind, pride and self-love which naturally reigns and rule in us. For though we be wholly, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, defiled with sin, and thereby utterly disabled unto any good duty; yet we see that the most have an opinion of their own worth and excellency; For many boast themselves in the goodness of their natures, as though therein they might be accepted, not only of men,