A20756:189
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.
1Thirdly, the flesh dealeth most deceitfully with us, whilst it persuadeth and enticeth us to entertain some ⟨p. 119⟩smaller and lesser sins, promising that it will rest contented with them, and crave no more, and so these lesser sins shall serve as preservatives to keep us from those which are great and heinous, and these small allowances, being given to these savage beasts, our sensual and unruly lusts, shall keep them in quiet, which if they be too much restrained and famished will with violence break all bonds and with outrageous cruelty utterly destroy us. And thus it persuadeth us, that if we will let the world have quiet possession of some little corner of our hearts, God shall for his share have all the rest; that if we will use small oaths, as ornaments to our speech, it will never move us to dishonour God by outrageous blasphemies; that if we will at least in some companies, either to please them or advantage our selves, dissemble our religion, and be seemingly conformable to their example; we may still be as zealous in our hearts as ever we were, and never be in danger of relapsing to worldliness and profaneness. That if we will not be overstrict in sanctifying Gods Sabbaths, we shall be the more constant in ordinary duties: that if we will use wanton dalliance, and give our tongues liberty to utter obscene and ribald speeches, our flesh will rest contented and never move us to commit filthiness in act: that if we will use deceit, usury and oppression for a time till we have gotten some competency of estate, we shall leave these unlawful courses, when as we are not pressed unto them by any necessity. Whereby it grossly abuseth us, and from one degree of sin draweth us unto another, using lesser sins as strong cords to draw on greater, as the small point of the piercer which maketh way for all the rest, and the Devils pioneers to smooth the passage, that he may easily bring against us the greatest ordinance. For who seeth not by daily experience that those who make the world sha•ers with God, do in the end give it possession of the whole, that those who swear vainly in their ordinary communication, within a while make no conscience of forswearing and blasphemy; that dissimulation in religion ⟨p. 120⟩bringeth to abnegation and apostasy. That neglect of holy duties ends commonly in open profanation;