A20756:266
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. III. Of the formal and essential causes of this conflict.
CHAP. III. Of the formall and essentiall causes of this conflict.
1We have showed the chief efficient causes of this conflict: let us now consider of those causes which are formal and essential; and because contraries are best illustrated by their contraries, as heat by cold, darkness by light, and the miseries of a dangerous war, by the blessings and benefits of an happy peace; let us consider (that we may reduce this discourse ab ovo, even the first principles and grounds) how that there was a time, when this conflict and civil broils were not to be found in the little world of man. The which was two-fold, the one was that truly golden age, in which man created according to Gods own image lived in the state of innocency, when as there was ⟨p. 181⟩a blessed peace and heavenly harmony between the body and soul and all the faculties, powers and parts of them both. For the understanding being enlightened from God with heavenly wisdom, did both know and observe the law of nature written in the heart; the which served as a just rule, whereby it was directed in the knowledge of good and evil, trueth and falsehood, right and wrong. Wherein the judgement being throughly informed, the mind gave unto the will true evidence and information, concerning all things presented unto it, the which it readily received, cheerfully embracing what it approved, and refusing and avoiding what it disallowed. The affections also quietly and joyfully obeyed reason as their Lord and Sovereign, like soldiers following their Captain and as blind men do their guides; and the body was both a fit and ready instrument unto the soul for the executing of all good designs, and in all things like a faithful servant was ready at command. And thus whilst the understanding and reason, placed as Gods vice-joy in us obeyed him as the supreme Sovereign, the will was also ruled by reason, and the affections with all the parts of the body were subject unto them both; and all conspiring and agreeing together made a sweet harmony, and like loving and well-agreeing subjects in a well ruled common-wealth, they all stood firm in their united forces.