A20756:173
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. XIII. Of the policies of the flesh towards temporary believers.
CHAP. XIII. Of the pollicies of the flesh towards temporarie beleeuers.
1And thus the flesh deceiveth the grosser kind of hypocrites: But when men have received such a measure of enlightening, that these dark fogs and mists of ignorance are somewhat dispelled, and have their sleepy consciences somewhat awakened, so that they are able and ready to tell them that all which is formerly spoken of, will be to little purpose, if they make no further progress in the ways of God; Then the flesh useth more refined and subtle policies, and condemning as much as any others carnal Gospellers, civill justiciaries and gross hypocrites, it persuadeth them to be like Agrippa almost, (and but almost) Christians; and to rest in some shadows and mere counterfeits of saving graces and Christian obedience, which are so like unto them, that unless they be brought to the all discovering light of Gods word, and diligently examined by this touch stone of trueth, they can hardly be discerned, I will not say by others (which is merely impossible) but even by those that have them. And this is the estate of temporary believers in whom there is almost nothing wanting which is in sound Christians but sincerity and trueth. For they are allowed by their sinful flesh to be as like Christians as possibly may be, so they be not so indeed and to run before many true believers in outward duties, and even to knock at heaven gates, so that they will there rest but for a time and never enter. They have knowledge often times in far greater measure then many of Gods dear children; faith, repentance, obedience, and that in such a degree, that ⟨p. 107⟩in outward appearance many true Christians come far short of them. And therefore seeing above all deceits this is most deceitful, we are to bend all our care and study that we may discover and defeat it.