A20756:318
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.
CHAP. VII. Of the effects which this Conflict between the flesh and the spirit produceth in us.
CHAP. VII. Of the effects which this Conflict betweene the flesh and the spirit produceth in vs.
1We have seen the manner of the conflict between the flesh and the spirit in our several parts and faculties: now let us briefly consider of the effects which it produceth in us. And these are either in the will and desires, or in the works and actions. Concerning the former; from this conflict between the flesh and the spirit, arising from the imperfection of our regeneration this effect is wrought and caused in the man regenerate, that he cannot with his ⟨p. 216⟩[…] ⟨p. 217⟩[…] ⟨p. 218⟩whole will and full consent, either choose and embrace, or refuse and reject either good or evil; because being partly regenerate and partly unregenerate, his will is divided, and accordingly doeth at the same time refuse and choose, both the evil and the good. For when the will as it is regenerate would do that which is good, or avoid and shun that which is evil, that part which remaineth unregenerate struggleth and hindereth, and when this would embrace the evil or refuse the good, the regenerate part resisteth and opposeth. And this is that Law which the Apostle saith he found in himself, namely, that when he would do good, evil was present with him; and that when he delighted in the law of God after the inner man; be saw another laws in his 2members, warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into the captivity of the law of sin which was in his members. From whence ariseth a notable difference between the sins of the regenerate and the unregenerate, which though they be all one in respect of the act and deed done, yet not in respect of the agent and manner of doing. For the regenerate man cannot commit a known sin with full consent of will, but there is a reluctation & resisting against the flesh, not only in his conscience, but also in his heart, will and affection. For being spiritual and regenerate in all the faculties of his soul, the chief and principal part of his will adhereth to the law of righteousness desiring in all things to yield obedience unto it. And consequently it resisteth the motions of the flesh, nilling that which it willeth; And if through frailty and weakness it be overcome it hateth and detesteth that sin with which it is taken captive, and maketh the Christian to be much displeased with himself because he hath committed it.