A20756:217
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.
1A second deceit which the flesh useth, to discourage us from seeking after virtue, and endeavouring to practise Christian duties, is to persuade us, that the house of virtue is situated on so high an hill, that we shall be out of breath and quite tired before we can clime unto it; and that there is so much difficulty and so many discouragements in a Christian life, that it would be but in vain to enter into it, it being impossible that we should go forward, and that better it were not to give the onset, then in the first skirmish to be foiled, and forced to make a shameful retreat. To this end it is ready to tell us, that we must leave all our delights, which so much content us, and exercise our selves in such duties as are quite against the hair, and through the contrariety which is between them and our nature, so displeasant and distasteful to our appetite, that we shall not live one merry day after we have taken upon us this mopish and melancholic profession. Yea and for the better countenancing of this deceit, it is ready to abuse Gods infallible trueth, and to set before us the afflictions of the Saints, their mournings and lamentations, the poverty and reproaches, in prisonments, banishments and cruel death, assuring us (as the trueth is) that if we follow them in the same courses we shall meet with the same crosses, seeing it is expressly said, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus 2must suffer persecution. Now that we may be armed against this subtle encounter, let us know, that the chief strength of it lieth in laying open and amplifying the discouragements which might hinder us in our Christian course, and in the concealing and hiding of those helps and comforts which might be encouragements to our good proceedings. For though the work of repentance be unto us hard and difficult, yet seeing it is not only an act done by us, but chiefly and principally a grace and gift of God, who is ⟨p. 142⟩ready to bestow it freely upon all who desire to have it, and do endeavour to embrace and practise it, the difficulty should bring with it no discouragement, seeing God is all-sufficient to effect his own work, and by the power of his word and spirit, to make that easy and delightful which is naturally impossible and unpleasant.