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…

But when the understanding and conscience through the light of nature, helped and increased by the Scriptures, have thus in some poor sort and small degree performed their duty, the will being perverted with the baits of worldly vanities, doeth rise up in open rebellion against the understanding and conscience, and though it acknowledgeth the trueth of their propositions and conclusions, yet it cometh in with a non obstante, and resolveth notwithstanding they persuade to the contrary, that it will do what it list, and go on in it own course, though it be convinced to be the worst, because howsoever it hazardeth the soul for the time to come to the loss of heaven and the torments of hell, yet it bringeth the present fruition of earthly vanities. And no sooner ⟨p. 228⟩is reason and conscience ready to subdue the rebellion of the will and to persuade by other arguments unto obedience, but presently a tumultuous route of unruly affections and raging passions, come to rescue and strengthen the will in it rebellion by presenting unto it the honours, riches and pleasures of the world, which it may gain by following wicked courses; and if the reason & conscience oppose future dangers and would hinder the wills evil choice by further persuasions, they stop the mouth of reason with tumultuous rage, and with loud shouting and clamorous cries drown the voice of the conscience, that they are constrained to cease directing and accusing, or to continue doing it in vain and to no purpose. An example whereof we have in Laban; for though reason and conscience told him, that he ought to use Jacob well, and richly to reward his service because God blessed all he had for his sake, yet his will being corrupted and his heart and affections being wholly carried away with worldly wealth, he oppresseth and wrongeth him with one injury after another. So though reason and conscience told Pharaoh, that he did wickedly in disobeying Gods commandments and keeping back his people from serving of him, which made him sometime, when he was on the rack of some present judgement, to confess that he had sinned, yet afterwards his heart was hardened, his will rebelled, and his affections being set upon the profit of their service, did stop his ears to all persuasions, and to the accusations of his own conscience.

But when the vnderstanding and conscience through the light of nature, helped and encreased by the Scriptures, haue thus in some poore sort and small degree performed their dutie, the will being peruerted with the baites of worldly vanities, doeth rise vp in open rebellion against the vnderstanding and conscience, and though it acknowledgeth the trueth of their propositions and conclusions, yet it commeth in with a non obstante, and resolueth notwithstanding they perswade to the contrary, that it will doe what it list, and goe on in it owne course, though it bee conuinced to be the worst, because howsoeuer it hazardeth the soule for the time to come to the losse of heauen and the torments of hell, yet it bringeth the present fruition of earthly vanities. And no sooner