A20756:180
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. XIIII. Of the policies of the flesh in alluring and persuading us to sin.
CHAP. XIIII. Of the policies of the flesh in alluring and perswading vs to sinne.
1WE have spoken briefly of the deceits of the flesh which respect our persons and estates; and now we are to speak of the other which concern certain duties which God requireth; the which are of two sorts, the first respect the withstanding, subduing and mortifying of our sins; the other the exercise and practise of virtuous actions. Concerning sin, God requireth two things of us; the first that we should not commit or fall into it; the second that being fallen we should not securely live and lye in it, but rise out of it by unfeigned repentance. Against both which the flesh opposeth, using many policies and deceits first to draw us to the committing of sin, and having committed it to continue in it without repentance. To the former purpose it useth divers deceits. As first it putteth upon the foul face of sin a fair visor, & dresseth this filthy strumpet in the habit of virtue; it adorneth it with borrowed ornaments, and beautifieth it with false colours; in titling wicked vices, with virtuous names, •s though it would commend nothing unto us, but what God himself commandeth. Thus that we may embrace and live in it, the flesh graceth superstition with the name of devotion, doubting and infidelity, with the name of humility, security and presumption, it calleth faith and affiance in God; Choler and unjust anger, zeal for Gods glory; lust it termeth love, drunkenness good fellowship, prodigality, bounty and munificence, and base niggardliness and covetousness good husbandry and frugality. And having thus marshalled and ranged these foul vices in the rank of virtues, and beautified them with these false and borrowed colours, it doth further authorize them ⟨p. 115⟩