A20756:223
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 it cannot by all the former devises and deceits persuade us to neglect such duties as are truly good, then will it by the occasion of doing some lesser good, withdraw us from that which is greater and more excellent, in which regard that good which is of a mean and inferior nature becometh unto us evil, because it is abused by our flesh to shoulder and thrust out that which is of greater worth and weight. And thus it persuadeth men to read the Scriptures at home on the Lords day, and in the mean time to neglect the public assemblies, the ministry of the word and Prayer with the congregation; yea sometime to pray privately in the Church, or to read some good book, that so they may neglect to join with the rest of Gods people with unanimity and uniformity in the public service of God; thus it moveth men to prefer the outward rest of the Sabbath before the works of necessity or mercy, which God requireth as special parts of the sanctification of it; as helping the distressed, visiting the sick, endeavouring to prevent some great and eminent danger, either to our neighbours or our selves; the which was the sin of the hypocritical Pharisees which our Saviour so sharply reprehendeth; teaching them and us, that the Lord preferred mercy before sacrifice, and such was Martha 2her sin in neglecting Christs Sermon the food of her soul, that she might minister unto him food for his body. For the preventing of which deceit, we must labour to have our judgements rightly informed out of Gods word, 3not only in the knowledge of that which is good, and to be embraced of us, but also in what degree of goodness every Christian duty is, that every thing in due order may be esteemed, chosen and practised by us, the highest degrees before the mean, and the mean before that which is inferior unto it. The duties which we owe unto God in the same rank and degree, before those which we owe to our ⟨p. 148⟩neighbour, the end, duty and service it self, before the means whereby we are enabled thereunto, As for example the obedience and seasonable practise of the things we know, before hearing and reading, which are the means of knowledge, when as of necessity the one must give place to the other. And the love and true service of God, before the love which we owe to our neighbours, when as they will not stand to gather.