A20756:219
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.
we are stripped of worldly wealth, but we are enriched with spiritual treasures, Gods sanctifying gifts and graces, and gloriously decked both with inward sincerity and the rich robes of an holy conversation; we forgo carnal security which within a while would bring us into horror and despair in the sight of our sins, and that horrible vengeance which is due unto them; but we have in exchange spiritual security, whereby we quietly rest upon Gods promises and providence in the middest 1of all dangers, and can with David walk through the vale of the shadow of death, and yet fear no evil. And thus our worldly losses are even in this life infinitely recompensed with our spiritual gains, and how much more when we come to the fruition of our future and heavenly 2hopes, for if we suffer with Christ we shall reign with him, and these present sufferings, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; for they are light and 3momentary; but they shall cause unto us a far most excellent and an eternal weight of glory. And therefore let us not so remember the cross, as that we forget the crown, nor so look to the foulness of the way, as that we do not regard the gloriousness of our palace unto which we are travailing; but let us consider that by mount Calvary we shall come unto mount Zion the City of the Saints, and that by our many tribulations we shall enter into the kingdom of 4heaven. And so shall we with Moses, prefer afflictions with the people of God, before the enjoying of sinful pleasures which last but for a season, and esteem the reproach of Christ greater ⟨p. 144⟩5riches then the treasures of this worldly Egypt, having respect to the recompense of reward. Yea so shall we be like unto Jesus 6Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God, where we also shall sit with him if we follow his example.