A20756:186
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.
1In the second place, if the flesh cannot persuade us that our sins are no sins, but rather virtues, then it will entice us to commit them under this colour, that they are but small sins: telling us, that we cannot be Saints on earth and pure from all sin, but must of necessity be subject to many infirmities and frailties, that in many things we sin all, and that there is no man so just on earth that sinneth not, that the righteous fall seven times a day, and therefore that it is too much preciseness to stand so strictly on every trifle; and finally that the best of Gods children which ever lived have had their imperfections, as Abraham his lie, Joseph his vain oath, Moses his unbelief, Peter his ⟨p. 116⟩dissimulation, &c. and that these are so venial in their own nature, that either God will not punish them at all, or but very lightly. For the defeating of which deceit let us know, that the least sin that is, in it own nature, offendeth the infinite Majesty of God, provoketh his fierce wrath, subjecteth us to the curse of the Law, and maketh 2us liable, to eternal death and condemnation. For the guilt of sin is to be measured not only by the act, but also by the object, and therefore seeing the object is the infinite Majesty of God who is offended by the least sin, •t becometh, after a sort of infinite guile, and so deserveth infinite punishment. The which answerably should be inflicted upon him who least offendeth, if Christ by bearing his small, as well as his great sins in his body upon the cross, had not freed him from it. And therefore let us think no sin small which provoketh God unto anger and offendeth his infinite Majesty; let us think no sin in it own nature sleight and venial, which plungeth a man into everlasting death & condemnation, and which can no otherwise be purged away and pardoned, but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Secondly let us know that there are no sins small unto them who think them so; for sin is not to be measured so much by the matter and act of it, as by the form and maliciousness of it; in which respect willing entertainment given to any sin, maketh it to become wilful, and presuming that we may live in it because it is but a little one, maketh it to be a sin of presumption, and so exceeding great and worthy of the greatest punishment;