A20756:280
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. IIII. Of the Combat it self and the manner how it is fought in us.
CHAP. IIII. Of the Combate it selfe and the manner how it is fought in vs.
1We have showed what are the causes of this conflict; and now we are in the next place to speak of the combat it self, & of the manner how it is fought in us. To which purpose we are to know, that the acceptable time and day of salvation being come, when as the Lord is purposed to deliver us eternally out of the hands and power of sin and Satan, reigning and ruling in our hearts as Kings, yea Gods, as the Scripture speaketh; holding the 2whole man with all the powers and faculties of his soul and body in subjection to do their will; that for the time which remaineth, we may be his servants and soldiers, to obey him in all things, and to make war under his standard, against the spiritual enemies of our salvation, it pleaseth him by the ministry of his word, made effectual by the operation of his spirit, to open our blind eyes, that we may see and plainly discern, that wretched bondage under sin and Satan in which we live, the innumerable miseries into which it plungeth us for this present life, and that hellish condemnation and everlasting torments, which if we live & die in this thraldom, do attend us in the life to come. Thereby is discovered unto us the tyranny of the devil, whereby he reigneth and rageth in us, working our hearts to his will, and inclining us to drudge in his service, for no other reward but the uncertain pay of worldly vanities, which shall be accompanied with endless destruction; the ugliness and intolerable weight of sin which as an heavy burden presseth us down to hell, the terrible wrath of God inflamed against us by our sins, and the curse of the law ready to attach us. Finally that our lives be momentary and uncertain, and therefore also the pleasures ⟨p. 191⟩of sin can be but alike unsure and of short continuance; but the life to come and both the pleasures and joys, and the pains and torments of it are everlasting, and there is no hope to enjoy the one and escape the other if we live and dye in our present condition.