A20756:314
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 thus have we seen the conflict between the flesh and the spirit in the superior faculties: the like may be observed in the inferior seated in the heart, as the affections passions and sensual appetite; the which though they be no more corrupted then the other, yet the corruption in them is much more sensible, and though the conflict be no more dangerous, yet is it much more turbulent and violent. For as the poison in the brain is as mortal and pernicious as any other, and not resting there alone but diffusing it self into all the parts of the body, doeth benum and dead them, but that which is received into the stomach is much more raging and painful, sending up poisonous vapours into the head wherewith it is annoyed and mortally affected: so the poison of corruption having tainted the understanding faculties, doeth from thence descend to the heart and affections infecting them with their malignity; but that which is infused into them, doeth cause a more raging and violent disease, which is more sensible and grievous, and becometh more dangerous to the soul sick in sin, because these inferior faculties being corrupted do work also upon the will and understanding, striking up their poison back again unto them with redoubled violence. For as the outward objects move and affect the senses, and they the heart and affections, so they being thus moved do move the will, and the will draweth also the judgement and understanding. But though these sensual faculties are more grossly poisoned, and therefore seem more desperately incurable; yet the spirit of God working also upon these parts doeth purge them from their contagious humours, and comforteth the heart with such spiritual ⟨p. 216⟩cordials, and strengtheneth it with such heavenly antidotes, that spiritual health is in some measure recovered, but for as much as in this life the poison of corruption is not wholly expelled & so they are not fully perfected there is a continual conflict between health and sickness the antidotes and the poison, the heart and affections as they are renewed and sanctified and as they remain corrupted and unregenerate.
1And thus haue we seene the conflict betweene the flesh and the spirit in the superiour faculties: the like may be obserued in the inferiour seated in the heart, as the affections passions and sensuall appetite; the which though they bee no more corrupted then the other, yet the corruption in them is much more sensible, and though the conflict be no more daungerous, yet is it much more turbulent and violent. For as the poyson in the braine is as mortall and pernitious as any other, and not resting there alone but diffusing it selfe into all the parts of the body, doeth benum and dead them, but that which is receiued into the stomach is much more raging and painefull, sending vp poysonous vapours into the head wherewith it is annoied and mortally affected: so the poyson of corruption hauing tainted the vnderstanding faculties, doeth from thence descend to the heart and affections infecting them with their malignitie; but that which is infused into them, doeth cause a more raging and violent disease, which is more sensible and grieuous, and becommeth more dangerous to the soule sicke in sinne, because these inferiour faculties being corrupted doe worke also vpon the will and vnderstanding, striking vp their poyson backe againe vnto them with redoubled violence. For as the outward obiects moue and affect the senses, and they the heart and affections, so they being thus moued doe moue the will, and the will draweth also the iudgement and vnderstanding. But though these sensuall faculties are more grossely poysoned, and therefore seeme more desperately incurable; yet the spirit of God working also vpon these parts doeth purge them from their contagious humours, and comforteth the heart with such spirituall