A20756:238
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.
but our flesh and carnal corruptions inseparably cleave unto us, and though they be never so often overcome, by fasting, prayer, watchings and such like spiritual exercises, yet as long as we live, we cannot be quite rid of them, nor wholly subdue them, and an hilate their strength, but after they seem to be withered they will again flourish, after they are weakened they will recover strength, after they seem to languish ⟨p. 159⟩with age, they will regain their youthful vigour, yea when in outward show they appear mortified and quite dead, they will again revive and standing stoutly in their strength they will re▪enforce the fight against us.
but our flesh and carnall corruptions inseparably cleaue vnto vs, and though they be neuer so often ouercome, by fasting, prayer, watchings and such like spirituall exercises, yet as long as we liue, we cannot be quite rid of them, nor wholly subdue them, and an hilate their strength, but after they seeme to be withered they will againe flourish, after they are weakened they will recouer strength, after they seeme to languish ⟨p. 159⟩with age, they will regaine their youthfull vigour, yea when in outward shew they appeare mortified and quite dead, they will againe reuiue and standing stoutly in their strength they will re▪enforce the fight against vs.
1From whence it may plainly appear, how exceeding dangerous the flesh with the lusts thereof are unto us, seeing they are enemies not only strong and subtle, but always hard at hand, not only besieging and besetting us, but even dwelling with and in us. Whereby they have no small advantage against us, for never leaving but adhering and cleaving unto us in all places and at all times, they are ready to watch all occasions and to take all opportunities of doing us mischief, laying traps and snares for us in all our enterprises. For do we undertake the performance of holy and religious duties? Why then they dog and follow us to the exercises, and distract us with worldly cogitations and wandering thoughts, and oppress our minds with dullness, drowsiness and carnal weariness. Are we employed in the duties of our callings? They vvill make us negligent and lazy, and carry us away with carnal pleasures, or so wholly and earnestly intent on them, that we shall spare no time for Gods service nor for the enriching of our souls with spiritual treasures. Do we eat and drink to relieve and sustain our bodies? They are ready to make our tables snares, turning sufficiency into superfluity, and necessary food into excess and belly-cheer, surfeiting and drunkenness, where the soul and spirits are so oppressed, that they are utterly unfit for any Christian duties. Do we intend to refresh our selves with honest recreations? They do attend and wait on us, moving us to consume a great part of our time in them, which should be allotted to better exercises, and even to spend our strength and spirits in the immoderate use of them, whereby instead of being refreshed and cheered, we are disabled and made utterly unfit for the duties of Christianity and of our callings, and are so wholly taken up in the means, that we neglect the main ends for which we use