A20756:379
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 though presumptuous worldlings have no true faith, and consequently have not the spirit dwelling in them; yet perhaps temporaries and hypocrites may, seeing in the 2Scriptures they are said to believe, and therefore they also may have the spirit. I answer that though this temporary faith be a common gift of the spirit, yet it differeth much from a true justifying faith, and therefore is no sign that Gods sanctifying spirit doth dwell in them that have it. For first they differ in the preparation whereby men are fitted to receive them. For before true justifying faith goeth sound humiliation, a true sight and sense of sin, as sin, ⟨p. 267⟩and not only in regard of punishment, and an earnest desire to be unburdened of it. But the temporary is never thus throughly humbled, for whilst he seeth some sins he winketh at others, he grieveth and groaneth, rather under the punishment, then under the sin; he is willing to part with some sins which rather pinch his conscience then please his affection, but esteemeth others no burden, yea rather his chief delight; and though he leaveth many, yet he truly reputeth of none, because there is only a surceasing of the action, but no change of the heart and affection.
1But though presumptuous worldlings haue no true faith, and consequently haue not the spirit dwelling in them; yet perhaps temporaries and hypocrites may, seeing in the 2Scriptures they are said to beleeue, and therefore they also may haue the spirit. I answere that though this temporarie faith bee a common gift of the spirit, yet it differeth much from a true iustifying faith, and therefore is no signe that Gods sanctifying spirit doth dwell in them that haue it. For first they differ in the preparation whereby men are fitted to receiue them. For before true iustifying faith goeth sound humiliation, a true sight and sense of sinne, as sinne, ⟨p. 267⟩and not onely in regard of punishment, and an earnest desire to be vnburthened of it. But the temporarie is neuer thus throughly humbled, for whilest he seeth some sinnes he winketh at others, he grieueth and groneth, rather vnder the punishment, then vnder the sinne; hee is willing to part with some sinnes which rather pinch his conscience then please his affection, but esteemeth others no burthen, yea rather his chiefe delight; and though he leaueth many, yet he truely reputeth of none, because there is onely a surceasing of the action, but no change of the heart and affection.