A20756:220
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.
1But if the flesh cannot persuade us utterly to neglect good duties, because we discern that they are necessary for our salvation, then it will move us to defer them for a time, telling us hereafter they will be more seasonable, and that we also shall have better leisure to perform them. For the defeating of which policy let us know, that there is no time alike seasonable for the exercise of a godly life unto the time present; For whilst it is called to day, and 2the Lord calleth upon us to perform holy duties, it is the acceptable time and day of salvation which being once past, will never return again. That those duties which are first in excellency, should be first also in time, and that no wise man putteth off matters of greatest weight, but giveth them priority and precedency both in respect of time and place. Let us remember that our lives are short and momentany, and that it were but all too little, though they should be wholly spent in Gods service; and that this short time is so uncertain, that we have no assurance of living another day or hour, in regard whereof it is great madness to put off those duties, for the doing whereof we chiefly came into the world, and upon the performance of them our salvation dependeth, and to prefer before them trifles, which for the present are of small value and will not profit us any whit at the day of death and judgement. That we cannot by our own natural strength do any good duty, but as we are assisted by Gods Spirit, and that if we from day to day quench the good motions thereof and will not open, when he knocketh so hard and often at the door of our hearts, we shall move him to depart from us & leave us to our impenitency, security and hardness of heart. Finally let us know, that if it be now troublesome and tedious ⟨p. 145⟩to perform holy duties and virtuous actions, how much more will it be so, when our vices are grown habitual, and by long custom are turned into another nature. Furthermore whereas the flesh pretendeth many occasions of present distraction and multitude of business, and telleth us, that we may more conveniently perform Christian duties, and betake our selves to a godly life, when these troubles are a little over;
1But if the flesh cannot perswade vs vtterly to neglect good duties, because wee discerne that they are necessarie for our saluation, then it will moue vs to deferre them for a time, telling vs hereafter they will bee more seasonable, and that we also shall haue better leysure to performe them. For the defeating of which policie let vs know, that there is no time alike seasonable for the exercise of a godly life vnto the time present; For whilest it is called to day, and