A20756:270
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.
1But when Satan the arch-enemy of mankind, and chief author of all discord and dissension, saw and seeing envied our happy estate and condition, he plotted all means whereby he might work our ruin. And perceiving, that though our estate were strong, yet it was mutable, we being left of God to our own free will, either to stand or fall, to retain the good, or to choose the evil; he mustereth together all his forces, and layeth siege to this well-walled and strong manred City; against which he could no more prevail, then the Grecians at the siege of Troy, by powerful violence and fierce assault, till with his Sinon-like or rather serpentine subtleties, he had persuaded ⟨p. 182⟩us under show of love and peace to put of our armour of created graces, and to pull down with our own hands the walls of our defence. And then seeing us thus weakened and disarmed; and yet lying in the drunken and drowsy sleep of reckless security, he entereth in upon us accompanied with a crew of hellish soldiers the first and chief whereof were disobedience, unbelief in God, and credulity to the Devil, damnable pride, envy discontent, aspiring ambition, and unthankfulness. All which being let in by that breach which our free will abusing it liberty had made in our souls, presently they all fell to burning, sacking and spoiling us of all Gods rich graces, our created wisdom and holiness, and surprised all our strong holds, making themselves conquerors of all our powers and parts, and every one of this hellish crew and sinful vices choosing for their dwelling and possession those places and parts which they thought most fitting for them. As for example ignorance, error, curiosity and many thousands of sinful vices choosing for their dwelling and possession those places and parts which they thought most fitting for them. As for example ignorance error, curiosity and many thousands of sinful imaginations, like the Jebusites surprise and keep the chief tower of the mind; worldliness and profaneness, subdue and hold reason in subjection; perverseness and rebellion surprise the will;
1But when Sathan the arch-enemy of mankinde, and chiefe authour of all discord and dissention, saw and seeing enuied our happy estate and condition, hee plotted all meanes whereby he might worke our ruine. And perceiuing, that though our estate were strong, yet it was mutable, wee being left of God to our owne free will, either to stand or fall, to retaine the good, or to choose the euill; he mustreth together all his forces, and layeth siedge to this wel-walled and strong manred Citie; against which hee could no more preuaile, then the Grecians at the siedge of Troy, by powerfull violence and fierce assault, till with his Sinon-like or rather serpentine subtilties, he had perswaded