A20756:377
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.
Faith is always assaulted with doubting, and the one being a fruit of the spirit, the other of the flesh, there is a great and continual conflict between them; but presumption is bold and confident, and he who ⟨p. 265⟩is possessed of it, professeth that he never doubted of his salvation, neither feeleth he any conflict in him, because he is wholly carnal, and corruption warreth not against corruption, but only runneth out of one extreme into another, for when the secure worldling being by some means awakened out of his lethargy ceaseth to presume, then he beginneth to despair. Faith purifieth the heart and worketh by love, and is never severed from unfeigned repentance; but presumption nourisheth and increaseth all sinful corruptions, and they who most presume are most destitute of all true love towards God and their neighbours. And howsoever they leave some gross sins for worldly respects▪ yet they repent of none, there being no charge in their affections, but only in their actions; yea in this respect also they nourish many sins in their bosoms which they think most sweet and aduantageable, and will by no means be persuaded to part with them. Faith uniteth and applieth Christ unto the believer for all uses for which God gave him, that is as well for sanctification as for justification and salvation, and applieth the virtue of his precious 1blood, for the taking and purging away of the pollution and corruption of sin, as well as the guilt and punishment; and as it taketh hold of Christ to make him ours, so it giveth and offereth our souls and bodies unto Christ, that we may become his, and be wholly devoted and dedicated to his worship and service: but presumption only apprehendeth Christ for the remission of sin and the obtaining of everlasting life, and not for the mortification of sin by virtue of his death, nor spiritual quickening and renewing by power of his resurrection; and so also it is only a receiver but no giver, it taketh all in show which Christ offereth, but it will in love of thankfulness return nothing unto him again. Faith finding it own weakness, and the sharp encounters of doubting and incredulity, laboureth earnestly in the use of all good means whereby it may be more and more increased and confirmed, as hearing the word, receiving the Sacrament, reading, prayer, ⟨p. 266⟩