A20756:242
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.
1The second advantage which the flesh hath against us, is that whereas we are faint and soon wearied in this spiritual conflict, the flesh using herein a natural motion, is altogether indefatigable and never wearied; whereof it is that it is so impudently importunate, that though it hath many repulses yet it will take no denial▪ though in the conflict it be often beaten back and put to flight, yet it will never quite leave the field. But unite it scattered forces, and receiving new aides and encouragements from the devil and the world, it will a fresh assault us and renew the fight; herein resembling an hunger-starved dog who will by no means leave the house where he hath often been relieved, but no sooner is beaten out of one door, then he reentereth into another. So one saith, that the flesh rageth with furious 2strength, and never resteth from the war the success whereof is very doubtful, for sometime the flesh is subdued by the spirit, and sometime again the spirit unwillingly followeth the flesh, and although it desireth that which is better, yet it doeth that which it bateth, &c. For the flesh is ruled by no words, it is broken and weakened with no labours, nor yet bowed or softened ⟨p. 162⟩with any length of time; but always with blind eyes hasteneth against our lives and (like him possessed with the legion) it lusteth to be on the steep mountains and craggy rocks; and if sometime it be forced for a while to give place to the fear of God, painful labours, and divine oracles, yet again like a plant bended down by the hands of the gardener, it returneth to it perverse faultiness. Yea oftentimes the more these fleshly lusts are resisted, the more enraged and violent for the time they grow, and the means and medicines which God hath appointed to cure them, make the disease but the more desperate, an example whereof we have in those heathen Princes of which the Psalmist speaketh, who when Christ by his word and spirit would reign over them, unite all their forces and rebel against him saying, let us break his bonds in sunder, and cast away his cords from us.
1The second aduantage which the flesh hath against vs, is that whereas wee are faint and soone wearied in this spirituall conflict, the flesh vsing herein a naturall motion, is altogether indefatigable and neuer wearied; whereof it is that it is so impudently importunate, that though it hath many repulses yet it will take no deniall though in the conflict it bee often beaten backe and put to flight, yet it will neuer quite leaue the field. But vnite it scattered forces, and receiuing new aydes and encouragements from the diuell and the world, it will a fresh assault vs and renew the fight; herein resembling an hunger-starued dogge who will by no meanes leaue the house where he hath often beene relieued, but no sooner is beaten out of one doore, then he reentreth into another. So one saith, that the flesh rageth with furious