A20756:369
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.
1But let us descend to some particular effects which the spirit worketh, for these arguing their cause will plainly show the residence and abiding of this holy guest in us. And first the spirit of God is the spirit of illumination, enlightening our blind eyes, revealing unto us the things of God, and leading us into all trueth, according to that of our Saviour; But the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom 2the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. And that of the Apostle; But ye have an unction from the holy one, and ye know all things. And again; But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not 3that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things. And hence it is, that this holy spirit is called the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. Yea but the wicked also may have some enlightening 4of the spirit, as the Apostle showeth, and which is more, they may have a taste of the heavenly gift, be partakers of the holy Ghost, that is of the gifts and graces of the sanctifying spirit, and have also a taste of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come, yea and hereby they may attain unto a far greater measure of knowledge then those who are truly regenerate, and how then can this be a difference, whereby we may discern the one from the other? To which I answer, that though there be no difference between the knowledge of the regenerate and unregenerate in the quantity, in which respect the knowledge of the wicked yea of the devil himself, doeth oftentime, exceed the knowledge of the godly and faithful, yet there are many other differences between them, for first the knowledge of the regenerate is much better grounded, even upon ⟨p. 258⟩that infallible foundation of the holy Scriptures, the which they carefully and conscionably hear, read, study and meditate in them, that they may be more and more edified and enlightened, grounded and built upon this sacred authority, as upon the firm and unmoveable corner stone; whereas the knowledge of the unregenerate is chiefly founded upon human authorities, the doctrines and traditions of men, which as they are sometimes true, so sometimes false and erroneous, and never in themselves certain and infallible.