A20756:295
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.
And this is the cause of this conflict whilst ignorance striving to keep it place in the understanding, raiseth thick mists and dark fogs to obscure the light of trueth, & to put out or dazzle the eyes of the mind; and on the other side saving knowledge doeth endeavour with the sunshine of trueth shining clearly in Gods word, to dispel and scatter these misty fogs by little and little, until it shine forth brightly unto perfect day.
And this is the cause of this conflict whilest ignorance striuing to keepe it place in the vnderstanding, rayseth thick mists and darke fogs to obscure the light of trueth, & to put out or dazle the eyes of the mind; and on the other side sauing knowledge doeth endeauour with the sunneshine of trueth shining clearely in Gods word, to dispell and scatter these mistie fogges by little and little, vntill it shine foorth brightly vnto perfect day.
1Finally spiritual and renewed wisdom fighteth with that wisdom of the world which is earthly, sensual and devilish, as the Apostle calleth it; the one b•ing so wholly taken up and exercised in spiritual and heavenly things, which it seeth, knoweth and esteemeth, as most excellent, and therefore contemning worldly vanities as dross and dung yea loss, in comparison of them, it little looketh after them, where of it cometh to pass, that it hath little policy, either to get and compass, or to possess and keep them; the other being wholly devoted to earthly things ⟨p. 201⟩and transitory trifles, looketh only downward, and not being able to discern the glorious beauty of those divine excellencies (no more then those eyes which having long pored in the dark, can behold the bright beams of the Sun, but are rather made more blind then any way enlightened with them) it is only delighted in beholding those things whose beauty is subject to the senses and natural reason; about which being continually exercised, it groweth very wise and quicksighted in discerning them, and very politic in plotting and using in all means both for the getting and keeping of them. And as these two use contrary Organs and instruments, the one a spiritual, the other a carnal eye, so also contrary means and lights to discern their contrary objects. For the spiritual eye is best enabled to see divine and spiritual things by the cleat light of Gods trueth shining in his word and the inward illumination of his spirit which maketh it better able to discern those things which are spiritual and heavenly; but the carnal eye (like the eyes of bats and owls) not being able to endure this sun-like brightness, discerneth best of the excellency of worldly things in the night of ignorance, and then it is most clear sighted to hunt after them, and most willy and politic to catch and hold them. And thus it is said of mere natural men, that the eyes of their minds do only serve them to act cunningly the works of darkness, because they best suit with the darkness of their understanding, according to that of the Prophet; My people is foolish, they have not known me, they have foolish children, and have none