A20756:330
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.
and many of these carnal corruptions being in their special kinds contrary one to another (although they generally agree in being all sinful and evil) from hence ariseth this war and discord between them, like unto thieves and robbers, who all agree together in robbing and spoiling of a true man, but fall out among themselves when they come to divide the prey. Thus the understanding by the light of nature or common grace discerning in particular actions what is good & to be embraced and what is evil to be shunned, informeth the conscience accordingly, and leaveth it to it• censure and determination, either to approve us for the doing of good & forsaking of evil, or to condemn us for the doing of evil and neglecting of good. Upon which censure sometimes the will is excited and moved to embrace ⟨p. 227⟩that which the conscience alloweth, & to refuse that which it condemneth; sometime being transported by it own sinful corruption, and sometime overswayed with the violence of the inferior will, carnal appetite and unruly passions, it harkeneth unto them and stoppeth the ears to reason and conscience. For example, the understanding discerning that it is grounded on reason and equity, that we should serve God who created us, & doeth continually preserve us, according to that of the Apostle; For we are his 1workmanship created in Christ Jesus, unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them; propoundeth this to the conscience, that by the law of creation, we are all bound to serve him, the which approveth us when we set our selves to serve him, & accuseth us when we neglect the duties of his service. So the understanding discerning Gods excellency, goodness and perfection, proposeth this to the conscience, that God above all is to be honoured and loved, the which light when it hath received from the understanding, it accuseth and condemneth us when we love or reverence any thing more then him condemning us as guilty of sin and liable to fearful punishments; wherewith the heart being affrighted and terrified, it is cast down with grief and sadness, and oftentimes plunged into utter despair.
and many of these carnal corruptions being in their speciall kindes contrary one to another (although they generally agree in being all sinfull and euill) from hence ariseth this warre and discord betweene them, like vnto theeues and robbers, who all agree together in robbing and spoyling of a true man, but fall out among themselues when they come to deuide the prey. Thus the vnderstanding by the light of nature or common grace discerning in particular actions what is good & to be embraced and what is euil to be shunned, informeth the conscience accordingly, and leaueth it to it censure and determination, either to approue vs for the doing of good & forsaking of euil, or to condemne vs for the doing of euill and neglecting of good. Vpon which censure sometimes the will is excited and moued to embrace