A20756:160
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.
Book 1 › Chapter 12: Of the fleshes policies respecting our estates.
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. XII. Of the fleshes policies respecting our estates.
1And these were the chief deceits of our flesh respecting our persons. Now concerning our estate it useth a wicked policy whereby all men are exceedingly abused & deluded, which is to draw us unto a false judgement concerning our estate, as either to think our selves miserable when we are in the way to happiness, or happy when we are in the way to perdition. Concerning the former it is commonly used by the flesh towards the children of God when they are in the state of affliction either of body or mind. For when poverty pincheth them, or reproaches are cast upon them, or sickness seizeth on their bodies, or griefs upon their minds; when they are cast down in the sight of their sins, and are terrified in their consciences with the apprehension of Gods displeasure, then the flesh is ready to persuade them that these are signs of Gods wrath and of their reprobation and damnation. But concerning this policy I shall not need here to say much, seeing I have sufficiently armed the Christian against it in the first and third part of this Christian warfare, where I have proved that this is a false judgment of the flesh & quite contrary to the Scriptures, which teach us that afflictions either of body or mind are unto us marks of Gods love and signs of our adoption, when as we make a right use of them, and are by these fatherly chastisements reformed and amended.
1ANd these were the chiefe deceipts of our flesh respecting our persons. Now concerning our estate it vseth a wicked policie whereby all men are exceedingly abused & deluded, which is to draw vs vnto a false iudgement concerning our estate, as either to think our selues miserable when we are in the way to happinesse, or happy when wee are in the way to perdition. Concerning the former it is commonly vsed by the flesh towards the children of God when they are in the state of affliction either of body or minde. For when pouerty pincheth them, or reproaches are cast vpon them, or sicknes se•zeth on their bodies, or griefes vpon their mindes; when they are cast downe in the sight of their sinnes, and are terrified in their consciences with the apprehension of Gods displeasure, then the flesh is ready to perswade them that these are signes of Gods wrath and of their reprobation and damnation. But concerning this policy I shall not neede heere to say much, seeing I haue sufficiently armed the Christian against it in the first and third part of this Christian warfare, where I haue prooued that this is a false iudgment of the flesh & quite contrary to the Scriptures, which teach vs that afflictions either of body or minde are vnto vs markes of Gods loue and signes of our adoption, when as we make a right vse of them, and are by these fatherly chastisements reformed and amended.