A20756:188
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.
so if the least sparks of sin be nourished with the oil o• security it will prove dangerous and damnable whereas, though it be a great flame of wickedness, it will not do that hurt, if we soon extinguish and quench it with the tears of repentance. Lastly, let us know that the allurements which the flesh useth to make us live ⟨p. 118⟩in small sins without repentance are vain and frivolous. For if we do not desire and endeavour to be Saints on earth, we shall never become Saints in heaven, if we do not labour to shake off daily our imperfections, and to grow unto more perfection in this life, we shall never attain unto it in the life to come; if we do not seek to be pure in heart, we shall never be blessed in the vision of God. If we be not precise and conscionable in flying 1the least sins, we shall surely become secure and presumptuous. Moreover let us remember that the least sins are not frailties and infirmities, if we live in them securely and wilfully; as contrariwise the greatest may deserve this name if we commit them suddenly, and rise out of them speedily. Even as a man may be said to fall through weakness and infirmity into a deep gulf, when as slipping at unawares he useth all his endeavour to recover himself; and on the other side it is not weakness but wilfulness, if he fall but into a shallow ditch, if he will not labour to get out again, but lieth grovelling in the water until he be drowned. Let us know, that though in many things we sin all, yet they who belong to God do not make a trade of wilful sinning, and being sometime overtaken they are not at rest till they have risen again by unfeigned repentance and though there be none so just who sinneth not, yet all who will be saved, must be so just as not to suffer it to reign in them. And finally that though the best of the Saints, Patriarchs and Apostles had their infirmities, yet none of them could ever be found that nourished, defended and continued in them wittingly and willingly, after their judgements have been rightly informed and their consciences convinced. And therefore the examples of their slips will not countenance our wilful sins, no not our least infirmities, yea rather it will make us the more unexcusable if seeing them fall (as it were) before us, we do not look the better to our footing.
so if the least sparkes of sinne bee nourished with the oyle o securitie it will proue dangerous and damnable whereas, though it be a great flame of wickednes, it will not doe that hurt, if wee soone extinguish and quench it with the teares of repentance. Lastly, let vs know that the allurements which the flesh vseth to make vs liue