A20756:299
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.
1And this is the conflict fought in the mind between knowledge and ignorance, true and false judgement in which they (as it were) stab and wound one another, and interchangeably both prevail sometimes, and sometimes are again foiled and get the worst. As for example knowledge in the regenerate part of the mind, assaulteth ignorance in the part unregenerate, and with the light of Gods trueth, scattereth and dispelleth the dark mists of ignorance, & soon after ignorance through the neglect of reading; meditation, hearing the word, prayer & holy conferences gathereth strength, and bleareth again the eyes of the understanding, that it cannot so clearly at least after a saving feeling & experimental manner discern the things of God; but then again knowledge being renewed and strengthened by those holy exercises, recovereth it self and winneth the field. So trueth in that part of the judgement which is regenerate entereth the lists, and striketh at error in the unregenerate part, giving it such a deadly wound that it never recovereth throughly of it, and for the present it may be falleth into a dead sound, but yet it oftentimes through the help of subtle sophistry, nice and sound distinctions & cunning paralogisms, brought in to aid it by the world and corrupt affections of the sinful flesh, which make advantage to themselves by profitable errors, it recovereth strength and trueth getteth a foil for the time; but being again renewed and confirmed by the light of Gods word, it giveth error in the end a shameful overthrow.
1And this is the conflict fought in the minde betweene knowledge and ignorance, true and false iudgement in which they (as it were) stabbe and wound one another, and interchangeably both preuile sometimes, and sometimes are againe foyled and get the worst. As for example knowledge in the regenerate part of the minde, assaulteth ignorance in the part vnregenerate, and with the light of Gods trueth, scattereth and dispelleth the darke mistes of ignorance, & soone after ignorance through the neglect of reading; meditation, hearing the word, prayer & holy conferences gathereth strength, and bleareth againe the eyes of the vnderstanding, that it cannot so clearely at least after a sauing feeling & experimental maner discerne the things of God; but then againe knowledge being renewed and strengthened by those holy exercises, recouereth it selfe and winneth the field. So trueth in that part of the iudgement which is regenerate entreth the listes, and striketh at errour in the vnregenerate part, giuing it such a deadly wound that it neuer recouereth throughly of it, and for the present it may be falleth into a dead sownde, but yet it oftentimes through the helpe of subtill sophistry, nince and sound destinctions & cunning paralogismes, brought in to ayde it by the world and corrupt affections of the sinfull flesh, which make aduantage to themselues by profitable errours, it recouereth strength and trueth getteth a foyle for the time; but being againe renewed and confirmed by the light of Gods word, it giueth errour in the end a shamefull ouerthrow.