A20756:240
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.
whilst we give our selves to too much drowsiness. And thus these cowards stick not to strike us even when we are down, and if we stand upon our watch and guard when we are waking, to give us deadly wounds when we are a sleep never suspecting any danger.
vvhilest we giue our selues to too much drowsinesse. And thus these cowards sticke not to strike vs euen vvhen vve are downe, and if vve stand vpon our vvatch and guard vvhen wee are vvaking, to giue vs deadly vvounds vvhen vvee are a sleepe neuer suspecting any danger.
1Now if we would be secured against that dangerous advantage which the flesh hath against us, the best way is not to be secure, but continually to stand upon our guard, and as the Apostle exhorteth Timothy, to watch in all things, that we be not circumvented by this enemy, who is always present with us to take all opportunities of working our destruction. For who walking among snares or scorpions would not carefully look to every step? What man carrying a serpent in his bosom will not 2use his best heedfulness to preserve himself from stinging? Who being among the thickest of known thieves, vvill not look to his purse, and have always an eye to his choicest jewels, that he be not robbed by them? What citizens having their mighty and malicious enemies, not only besieging them in the suburbs, but even entered into the city, and always ready in arms to surprise them, will lye snorting in security and not carefully stand upon their watch and guard? Yea who having a cruel & malicious enemy lodging in his own heart, and always ready to pry into all his thoughts, words, and actions that he may take all opportunities to circumvent and hurt him, would not be moved hereby to hearken unto the Wise mans counsel, and keep his heart with all diligence, that so ⟨p. 161⟩3he might defeat this enemy, and be preserved from evil in the middest of these dangers? And yet this is not enough if we go no further; for we must not only watch, but pray also, if we would be freed from these tentations. Neither is our care and providence sufficient to keep us in the middest of these dangers, seeing if we sometime be awake, we be at other times asleep, if now we keep a narrow watch, soon after we will be secure and reckless, and therefore we must pray the keeper of Israel, who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, to watch over us and to preserve us from these perilous and pestilent enemies, and of him we must beg with David, not only that he will set a watch before our mouths & keep the door of our lips, but also over our works and ways, yea even the secret thoughts of our hearts, that they may not be tainted and corrupted, subdued and led captive unto sin by this sinful flesh, which adhereth unto us and dwelleth in us.