A20756:162
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.
1But the contrary unto this, as it is much more dangerous, so also much more frequent and common; namely for the flesh to persuade us that we are in an happy and blessed condition, when as in trueth we are in the very laws of eternal death and condemnation. And thus the flesh abuseth either those, who being in the bosom of the Church are professed worldings, or such as ⟨p. 97⟩in their profession and conversation do make some show of Christianity. Concerning the former; how many are there that bear the name of Christians, who are slaves to the world and their own lusts, and the very bondslaves of the devil, making no conscience of their ways, but given over to all licentiousness, and to commit all manner of sin with greediness? and yet are deluded by the devil and their own corruption, with this conceit, that they are in Gods favour, and that they among other shall be saved. How many are there that live in ignorance and infidelity, and worship no other God but the idol of riches, pleasures and worldly glory; that make no conscience of swearing, forswearing, blaspheming, of profaning Gods Sabbaths, unjust anger, furious revenge, malice, envy, cruelty, oppression, whoredom, drunkenness, fraud and all manner of outrageous wickedness: and yet are deceived by their own corrupt flesh, persuading them that God will never call them to an account for any of these things, but either not observeth them, or will soon forget them; or if at all he do remember them, yet he will not at all lay these things to their charge if they profess themselves Christians, and have time even at their last hour to call for mercy?
1But the contrary vnto this, as it is much more daungerous, so also much more frequent and common; namely for the flesh to perswade vs that wee are in an happy and blessed condition, when as in trueth wee are in the very lawes of eternall death and condemnation. And thus the flesh abuseth either those, who being in the bosome of the Church are professed worldings, or such as ⟨p. 97⟩in their profession and conuersation doe make some shew of Christianitie. Concerning the former; how many are there that beare the name of Christians, who are slaues to the world and their own lustes, and the very bondslaues of the diuell, making no conscience of their wayes, but giuen ouer to all liscentiousnesse, and to commit all maner of sinne with greedinesse? and yet are deluded by the diuell and their owne corruption, with this conceipt, that they are in Gods fauour, and that they among other shall be saued. How many are there that liue in ignorance and infidelitie, and worship no other God but the idoll of riches, pleasures and worldly glory; that make no conscience of swearing, forswearing, blaspheming, of prophaning Gods Sabbaoths, vniust anger, furious reuenge, malice, enuy, cruelty, oppression, whoredome, drunkennesse, fraude and all manner of outragious wickednesse: and yet are deceiued by their owne corrupt flesh, perswading them that God will neuer call them to an account for any of these things, but either not obserueth them, or will soone forget them; or if at all he doe remember them, yet he will not at all lay these things to their charge if they professe themselues Christians, and haue time euen at their last hower to cal for mercy?