A20756:163
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.
1Now the chief arguments which the flesh useth to delude men with this false judgement are two. First because they are Christians by profession and not Turks, Jews or Infidels, and members of the true Church who have their part in those royal privileges, the Word, Sacraments and Prayers in the assemblies. But let such know that all these privileges will no more benefit them, then they did the rebellious Jews, who having these prerogatives long before them were utterly rejected for their rebellion and disobedience, that it will do them no more good to pretend the name of Christ or his Church, then it did them to cry out, the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the 2Lord, or to boast of their circumcision, sacrifices and legal ceremonies. Let them remember that; not the hearers of the law, but the doers thereof are justified; and that these who ⟨p. 98⟩are only hearers and not doers of the word do but deceive themselves. Let them call to mind, that he who was privileged 3to come to the wedding feast of the Kings son, but was found there without his wedding garment, was haled from thence and cast into utter darkness where is weeping and gnashing of teeth; that though the tares are suffered to grow with the good corn in the same field even until harvest, yet then they shall be pulled up, gathered into bundles and cast into the fire. And that though the 4goats and sheep be suffered here to graze together yet the time shall come when they shall be severed, and the goats being set on the left hand shall hear that dreadful sentence. Depart from me ye accursed into hell fire prepared for the devil 5and his Angels. Let them know that by all these outward privileges the which they have so much abused, they shall have their punishments hastened and increased; For judgement must begin at Gods own house, and he will plague 6the city where his name is called upon. If our King be so just and virtuous that he will severely punish wickedness in the common wealth, how much more in those who are in his own family? If the jealous husband hateth filthiness in strangers, how much more in his own spouse or children? And if the husbandman will scarce suffer a brier or thistle grow in the fallow field, how much more will be pull them up when as they grow among his corn and in such grounds as he hath best tilled and most carefully manured?