A20756:321
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.
1The effects which arise from this conflict in the actions and works of the man regenerate are divers: first that he cannot do the evil at all times which the flesh chooseth and embraceth; and this Joseph intimateth in his denial of the wicked suite which his mistress made unto him: How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? And what restrained him? surely the fear of God and his holy spirit which would not suffer him to fall into so great a wickedness. Secondly that he cannot commit sin as the wicked do with full consent of will; for sin being deposed from it regency, cannot reign and rule in the whole man as in times past, but is confined unto a part alone; and so far forth as we are regenerate we cannot sin. According to that of the Apostle; He that committeth sin 2is of the devil, whosoever is borne of God doeth not commit sin, for his seed (that is regeneration or the seed of the spirit) remaineth in him; and he cannot sin because he is borne of God. Thirdly that he cannot walk in the way of sinners, but propoundeth unto himself to worship and serve the Lord in holiness and righteousness; in which course though sometime he slippeth and falleth, and sometime erreth out of the right way for a little space, yet the spirit of God dwelling in him and convicting him of his sins, and showing unto him the digressions and errors of his life, exciteth him to rise again after his falls, and to return into his old and right way by renewing his repentance. ⟨p. 220⟩Whereby it appeareth that they who live and continue in known sins, and make a daily practise of committing wickedness, have not the work of regeneration so much as begun in them, though they make never so glorious a profession, and (like Herod) do many things praise-worthy in the sight of men.
1The effects which arise from this conflict in the actions and workes of the man regenerate are diuers: first that he cannot doe the euill at all times which the flesh chuseth and imbraceth; and this Ioseph intimateth in his deniall of the wicked suite which his mistresse made vnto him: How can I doe this great wickednesse and sinne against God? And what restrained him? surely the feare of God and his holy spirit which would not suffer him to fall into so great a wickednesse. Secondly that he cannot commit sinne as the wicked doe with full consent of will; for sinne being deposed from it regency, cannot raigne and rule in the whole man as in times past, but is confined vnto a part alone; and so farre foorth as we are regenerate we cannot sinne. According to that of the Apostle; Hee that committeth sinne