A20756:36
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.
But in none of these senses are we to conceive the flesh to be our enemy; for neither may we Timon-like be at enmity with mankind; nor like mad men make war and offer violence against our own persons, nor ought we with the Baalites and Papists to fight against our own bodies; neither is there any war in the natural man borne in corruption, seeing he is wholly flesh and under Satan's government, who like the strong man, whilst he keepeth the house, possesseth all in peace; saving that now and then there is some civill dissension and small jars between the will and conscience, and one passion with another, which are quickly taken up, as we shall show hereafter.
But in none of these senses are we to conceiue the flesh to be our enemie; for neither may wee Timon-like be at enmitie with mankinde; nor like mad men make warre and offer violence against our owne persons, nor ought we with the Baalites and Papists to fight against our owne bodies; neither is there any warre in the naturall man borne in corruption, seeing he is wholly flesh and vnder Sathans gouernment, who like the strong man, whilest he keepeth the house, possesseth all in peace; sauing that now and then there is some ciuill dissension and small iarres betweene the will and conscience, and one passion with another, which are quickly taken vp, as wee shall shew hereafter.
1But we are further to consider that the flesh is not only ⟨p. 7⟩thus substantially taken for things really and materially by themselves subsisting, but also for accidents and qualities; In which sense it is taken two ways in the Scriptures: First for that quality of corruption, frailty and infirmity of the humane nature, which is not sin, but rather the effect and punishment which attendeth and waiteth upon it; and in this sense it is said of the Israelites, that he turned away his wrath from them, because he remembered that they were but 2flesh, and a wind that passeth away and cometh not again. Thus also it is said that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, and what this flesh and blood is, he expoundeth in the next words, neither doth corruption in herit