A20756:345
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 we have showed the many differences between the combat of the flesh and spirit, and of the conscience and affections. Whereby it is plain, that as the former giveth unto us comfortable assurance of our regeneration, adoption and salvation, so there can no such hope arise from the other. For, as we see, it may be, and most commonly is in the wicked and reprobate, it hath no reference to God, nor springeth from faith, love, filial fear and obedience, but from carnal self-love, and servile fear of judgement and punishment; not from any dislike of sin, the which the wicked in the hottest of this conflict do love with all their heart, but only because they desire to avoid the punishment, like unto children, whose teeth water when they se• l•••rous meats, but yet dare not touch them for fear of the rod. An example whereof we have in Balaam, who with all is heart would have sinned in cursing Gods people, that he might have gained the reward of unrighteousness, but yet durst not do it for Balaac's kingdom, because he was afraid to be overwhelmed by Gods is fearful vengeance. And though these combatants fight one with another, ye• are both corrupt and sinful, and both soldiers in Satan's camp, joining together in the common cause, howsoever dissenting in some particular quarrels, & fighting one against another, like contrary vices, prodigality against covetousness, presumption against despair, rash fool-hardiness against bass cowardice or like Pirates in the same ship who fall together by the •a•es about some particular wicked designs; though they all agree to rob the Merchant.
1AND thus we haue shewed the many differences betweene the combate of the flesh and spirit, and of the conscience and affections. Whereby it is plaine, that as the former giueth vnto vs comfortable assurance of our regeneration, adoption and saluation, so there can no such hope arise from the other. For, as we see, it may be, and most commonly is in the wicked and reprobate, it hath no reference to God, nor springeth from faith, loue, filiall feare and obedience, but from carnall selfe-loue, and seruile feare of iudgement and punishment; not from any dislike of sinne, the which the wicked in the hottest of this conflict doe loue with all their heart, but onely because they desire to auoide the punishment, like vnto children, whose teeth water when they se lrous meates, but yet dare not touch them for feare of the rod. An example whereof we haue in Balaam, who with all is heart would haue sinned in cursing Gods people, that hee might haue gained the reward of vnrighteousnesse, but yet durst not doe it for Balaacs kingdome, because he was affraid to be ouerwhelmed by Gods is fearefull vengeance. And though these combatants fight one with another, ye are both corrupt and sinfull, and both souldiours in Sathans campe, ioining together in the cōmon cause, howsoeuer dissenting in some particular quarels, & fighting one against another, like contrarie vices, prodigalitie against couetousnes, presumption against despaire, rash foole-hardinesse against basse cowardize or like Pirats in the same ship who fall together by the aes about some particular wicked designes; though they all agree to rob the Merchant.