A20756:302
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.
1Again seeing through the flesh dwelling in us we are subject to ignorance and error, this should make us to conform our judgement and opinion to the analogy of faith, and as to hold fast those doctrines which are manifestly grounded upon the Scriptures, so to be modest and sober in maintaining such points as are doubtful and controversial, when as other of our brethren differ from us; because we may err by reason of those relics of ignorance remaining in us; and they may err also out of human frailty, and therefore are rather to be pitied then hated, and to be drawn not with rigour, but with the spirit 2of meekness. Finally, seeing the relics of ignorance and error will never leave us till death divide us, this must make us labour continually in the use of all good means, whereby our minds may be more and more enlightened, and our judgements informed in the knowledge of Gods trueth, that so we may be strengthened against those sharp encounters where with ignorance and error will daily assault us. And especially we are to hear the word, study and meditate in the Scriptures▪ and call often and earnestly by fervent prayers for the assistance and illumination of Gods ⟨p. 206⟩holy spirit, whereby we may be preserved from all errors and led into all trueth. For if David who was wiser then his ancients, and had attained unto more knowledge then his teachers, had need to make that prayer; Open mine eyes O Lord, that I may see the wonderful things of thy law; 3and if the Apostle Paul who was immediately taught by Christ and had received such abundance of revelations, desired above all things still more and more to know Christ and to find and feel the virtue and power of Christs 4death and resurrection, then how much more should we who come far short of their perfection?
1Againe seeing through the flesh dwelling in vs wee are subiect to ignorance and errour, this should make vs to conforme our iudgement and opinion to the analogie of faith, and as to hold fast those doctrines which are manifestly grounded vpon the Scriptures, so to be modest and sober in maintaining such points as are doubtfull and controuersall, when as other of our brethren differ from vs; because we may erre by reason of those reliques of ignorance remaining in vs; and they may erre also out of humaine frailtie, and therefore are rather to bee pitied then hated, and to be drawne not with rigour, but with the spirit