A20756:209
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.
1Fifthly the flesh deceiveth us, whilst it persuadeth us to continue in our sins without repentance, by alleging that the times wherein we live, and the persons among we dwell, are so evil and wholly corrupted with sin, that there is a necessity laid upon us of conforming our courses to the example of others, seeing if we purge our selves from the sins which commonly reign, and make conscience of those vices which others commit; we shall not only expose our selves to the scorn and obloquy of all that observe us, as being more strict and precise in our courses then we need, but also (as the Prophet speaketh) make our selves a common prey. For the defeating of which 2deceit, let us know that we must be of the little flock of Christ, if ever we mean to be in their number, unto whom his fathers pleasure is to give a Kingdom; that we must not 3follow a multitude in doing evil, unless we think also to be partakers in their punishments, that we must not fashion 4our selves to the example of the world, if we would not perish 5with it, but must be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and be severed from the world and culled out of it, if we would be in the number of Christs Disciples, or become true members and subjects of his kingdom. That it is better to go into heaven alone, then to go into hell and have all the world to bear us company. Let us remember that we must through good report and evil report, go on in 6our Christian course, with the blessed Apostle, if we ever mean to accompany him in heaven. That it is no great matter to suffer a scoff for Christ, who hath for our sakes suffered the bitter death of the cross; that we must not refuse to be the sheep of Christ, nor alter our nature to a wolfish condition, because we would not be injured by wolves and goats, unless we would with them be set at Christs left hand and hear that dreadful sentence of condemnation denounced against us. That we shall in the 7