A20756:374
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.
the which being wrought in us, the Lord blesseth the means of salvation, which the believer conscionably useth with a desire to profit by them, as the word, Sacraments, Prayer and the rest, for the increasing of these first degrees in us, until they grow from a grain of mustard seed to a great tree, from an assent to an apprehension and application of the promises, with some assurance that Gods mercy and Christs merits belong unto us. Unto which degree the most Christians who labour after it do attain, if death prevent them not and hinder them from coming from their spiritual infancy to their riper age in Christ. Now this faith being come to application of Christ and the promises, and some assurance that they belong to the believer, it groweth daily in the careful and diligent Christian to more strength, by his often feeling and experience of Gods love, by his acquaintance with him in his holy ordinances, by testifying and approving of his love towards God again, in his continual ⟨p. 263⟩fruits of new obedience, the exercises of a Christian life in good works, and by his cheerful readiness to suffer any thing which it pleaseth God to call him unto for his sake, until at last it come to that plerophory and full persuasion of Gods unchangeable love, and our Election, 1Adoption and Salvation which was in the Apostle Paul who was fully persuaded that nothing in the world was 2able to separate between Gods love and him. And this is accompanied with such peace of conscience, as passeth all understanding. For when we are assured that we have the remission of our sins, and are quite freed from them both in respect of their guilt and punishment, then the terrors and fears which did accompany them are taken away, and both Satan and our own consciences which did continually accuse us are put to silence, so as they can no longer affright us nor disturb our peace. From whence springeth spiritual joy unspeakable and glorious, whereby we rejoice not only in the fruition of Gods benefits, but also in afflictions and tribulations, as the Apostle witnesseth, when as we see our selves freed out of the hands of all our spiritual enemies, the wrath of God, the curse of the law, death, hell and condemnation, and now brought into an happy and blessed estate of grace and salvation, in and by Jesus Christ, and and his benefits apprehended and applied by faith.