A20756:169
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.
1And thus the flesh deceiveth civill justiciaries: the like deceit it useth towards hypocrites, with whom it dealeth diversly according to their divers kinds. For either they are gross hypocrites, who though they make a great show of religion, yet their lives are so evil and scandalous, that their hypocrisy is detected and manifest, not only unto others, but also to their own hearts and consciences; or more cunning and subtle, who by their outward profession and seeming conformity to the law, deceive not only other men, but themselves also. Concerning the former; the flesh deceiveth them with a vain conceit that the bare profession of the true religion is sufficient for their salvation without all practise and obedience, that it is enough to say that they have faith, though they be utterly barren of all good Works, to cry, Lord, Lord, though they neglect the will of our heavenly Father, that they be hearers of the word, though they be not doers of it, and that they profess that they know God, though in their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. But this is so contrary to the whole course 2of the Scriptures, that who so is but a little conversant in them, may plainly see, yea palpably feel this deceit▪ neither is it possible, that any should be deluded with it, but ⟨p. 103⟩those whom the god of this world hath blinded, and for want of love to the truth are given up of God to be seduced 3with strong delusions, and to believe lies. For there we shall 4plainly see, that these conceits are crossed and contradicted in direct and express terms; namely that not the hearers but the doers of the word are justified; that if we hear 5and do not, we do but deceive our selves: that they only are blessed, who hear the word and keep it; that not every one who saith Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of our Father which is in heaven; that it will nought avail us to boast of our faith, if it do not appear in the fruits of good works, seeing such a faith as is without works, is but a dead carcass, without life or soul, and therefore cannot justify nor save us. So the Lord sharply reprehendeth and condemneth wicked men, for