A20756:199
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. XV. Of the policies which the flesh useth to hinder our repentance.
CHAP. XV. Of the pollicies which the flesh vseth to hinder our repentance.
1WE have spoken of some special and notable deceits which the flesh useth to allure us to the committing of sin; and now we are briefly to consider of some other which it useth, to make us being fallen to continue in our sins without repentance. The first whereof is to ⟨p. 149⟩blind or hinder the eyes of our understandings, and to corrupt and delude our judgements, that we may think our common sins to be no sins, and our great and heinous ones to be small and venial, with which deceit we are the more easily abused if we thrive and prosper in our evil courses, and have not our eyes cleared by the sharp waters of afflictions. For when God suffereth us to go on in our evil ways without check, we either think that he approveth, or not much misliketh them; or else continue securely in them and never call them to examination. For the defeating of which policy the best means are first, diligent studying and meditating in the book of God, which is that all-sufficient light whereby we may discover these works of darkness, and that most upright judge, which not only adjudgeth what is good and evil but also in what measure and degree. Secondly, that we often pray unto God that our eyes may be anointed with the eye-salve of his grace and holy spirit, that being cured o• their natural blindness, they may be able to discern between evil and good, darkness and light. Finally, that we do not live in carnal security, but often examine our works and ways by the rule and square of Gods word, and especially those wherein we thrive and prosper, and so we shall perceive plainly which are just and straight, and which are crooked, and also in what measure and degree.