A20756:311
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.
Then there 1is wrought in his will a firm resolution to choose Christ alone for his Saviour, and to rest and rely upon him only for his salvation, which is the second degree of true faith, ⟨p. 213⟩unto which when the Christian hath attained by the lively sense & experimental feeling of Gods love in his holy ordinances of the virtue and power of Christs death and resurrection for the mortifying of his sins, and the renewing and quickening of him in all saving graces, and finally by his daily walking with God in the works of holiness and righteousness, and that sweet communion which he hath with him in spiritual exercises, he groweth from one degree of faith to another, till at last there be wrought in the mind not only a certain, but also a full persuasion of Gods love, the remission of his sins and his own salvation. But yet the flesh and relics of corruption remaining in us, when we have attained unto the greatest perfection which this life yieldeth, as in the part regenerate, there is full and certain persuasion, so in the unregenerate part dwelleth doubting, infidelity & vain presumption, which continually assault one another, and sometimes the one, sometimes the other prevaileth and getteth the better in the particular skirmish, although in the conclusion & end of the fight, faith always overcometh and a obtaineth a full and final victory. In the mean time, even after that by faith we have laid hold on the promises, and have grown to a great measure of strength and to an high degree of persuasion, doubting and infidelity taking the opportunity of some grievous temptation, do give unto our faith many wounds and foils, of which notwithstanding it recovereth upon the renewing of our covenant with God, receiving the Sacrament which is the seal of it, the applying afresh of Gods gracious promises, the remembrance of his former mercies, and the renewing of our repentance, especially for our latter slips and fall. And this 2we see in the example of Sarah and Abraham, who after that by faith they had received Gods promise, were so far foiled with doubting, that they could think of no means of bringing it to pass, but by substituting Hagar in her place.
Then there 1