A20756:378
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 presumption finding no such assaults, securely neglecteth all these helps, feeling it self then the strongest when it is most destitute of them. Finally true faith endureth in the day of fiery trial and temptation, and even when God seemeth to frown, to withdraw outward testimonies of his love, and in stead of them sendeth afflictions and crosses, then the believer with Abraham, hopeth above hope, and believeth against belief, it 1pierceth through all these clouds of discomfort with a lively and spiritual eye, and beholdeth the face of a loving father in Christ, even when he still holdeth the rod in his hand; yea though it have no sensible comfort, nor present feeling of Gods favour, yet being the subsistence of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, it still 2maketh the believer to flee unto God, and to rest upon him alone▪ for freedom from evil or fruition of good. But the presumptuous man swelled with the wind of confidence like a bladder, letteth out all with the prick of a pin, and after all his Thrasonical brags of strength and fortitude, he fainteth and cowardly yieldeth when he is first encountered with crosses and afflictions. His courage is presently cooled, his confidence turned into distrust his proud presumption into affrighting terrors and hellish despair; and as it was chiefly grounded on outward things and worldly prosperity, so when these are taken away, then it also quaileth, faileth and cometh to nothing.
but presumption finding no such assaults, securely neglecteth all these helpes, feeling it selfe then the strongest when it is most destitute of them. Finally true faith endureth in the day of fiery tryall and temptation, and euen when God seemeth to frowne, to withdrawe outward testimonies of his loue, and in stead of them sendeth afflictions and crosses, then the beleeuer with Abraham, hopeth aboue hope, and beleeueth against beliefe, it 1pearceth through all these cloudes of discomfort with a liuely and spirituall eye, and beholdeth the face of alouing father in Christ, euen when hee still holdeth the rodde in his hand; yea though it haue no sensible comfort, nor present feeling of Gods fauour, yet being the subsistance of things hoped for, and the euidence of things not seene, it still