A20756:235
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.
CHAP. XVIII. Of certain advantages which the flesh hath against us in the spiritual Conflict.
CHAP. XVIII. Of certaine aduantages which the flesh hath against vs in the spirituall Conflict.
1Having discovered the dangerousness of this enemy the flesh in it own nature, it now followeth according to our order propounded, that we further consider that this peril is much intended and increased, in respect of divers advantages which it hath against us in the spiritual Conflict. And these are principally two; the first is, that this enemy is not far off, whereby we might have leisure and opportunity of fitting and preparing our selves against the Conflict, before he could approach unto us, but dwelleth with us, yea in us. He is not only near at hand, and (as it were) in the Suburbs, close unto the gate of our souls, but it lodgeth even within the walls of the City, not in the out-parts and back lanes, but it keepeth strong possession ⟨p. 157⟩in the chief forts and castle of our minds & wills, our hearts and affections, where our chief strength and 2treasure lieth. And (as one saith) we bear our snare with us, and carry our enemy about us whether so ever we go. The which danger is much aggravated in that he doth not profess his emnity, but is in outward show a familiar friend who eateth, drinketh and sleepeth with us; it maketh show of love, but indeed mortally hateth us, it is like an helper, but is in truth our greatest Adversary, and like Sanballat and Tobiah it offereth his pains in building the walls of our City, which may repulse foreign forces, when as it intendeth nothing but our ruin and to betray us into the power of outward enemies. For no sooner doth Satan and the world besiege and assault us with their tentations, but presently it joineth with them, and being acquainted with all our counsels, it revealeth unto them our secrets, even our hidden thoughts and unknown desires and like a wicked Delilah, having by treacherous flattery undermined us, it discovereth to these cursed Philistines where our chief strength lieth; yea it secretly openeth the gates of our hearts, and not only letteth in all their forces, but as soon as they are entered joineth with them, and laying violent hands on the spiritual man, it laboureth all it may to captivate and destroy him. And therefore the wily red Dragon never maketh war against us, until he be assured first of these inbred traitors and carnal