A20756:358
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.
1As touching the second point, we are to know, that the conflict between the spirit and the flesh is not in all the regenerate after the same manner, nor in the same measure, but diversly as it pleaseth the Lord to glorify himself in the manifestation of his wisdom, goodness, and omnipotency, either by giving unto his servants a great measure of strength and spiritual grace by which they obtain an easy victory, wherein the bounty of his goodness clearly shineth, or a less and scanter proportion, by which notwithstanding they are enabled as certainly, though not so speedily to overcome, hereby magnifying the all-sufficiency of his power, which more manifestly appeareth in our 2greater weakness. For according as the measure of our spiritual strength and riches of Gods grace, as also of carnal corruption differ in respect of their divers proportions, such is the difference in this Christian combat between one faithful man and another. For some receive but a small measure of spiritual illumination, the least degrees of faith, confidence, love and other spiritual graces; and these through their weakness, commonly make weak assaults against the flesh and fleshly lusts, and as weakly withstand their encounters, whereof it cometh to pass ⟨p. 250⟩that they stand in the battle with much faintness and frailty, and receive many wounds, foils and falls, before they obtain the victory. Though the Lord performing even to these his gracious promises, doth not suffer them to be tempted above their power, but either assisteth them by his own might, or fitteth them with slight tentations, according to their weakness. Sometimes there is in the regenerate less reformation of their corrupt natures by the restraining grace of God and the common gifts of the spirit, by reason whereof the flesh is of greater strength and the corruptions thereof are much more malignant, raging and violent in all the faculties of their souls, especially in their wills, passions and affections. So that though they have a great measure of strength and spiritual grace, yet they cannot with any ease, or in short time get the upper hand, but there is much struggling and wrestling, sharp and fierce assaults on both sides, as is between mighty enemies equally matched, and sometimes the one, sometimes the other prevaileth, and woundeth and foileth the adverse party;