A20756:383
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.
1Fourthly, justifying faith differeth from the faith of temporaries in respect of the companions which do accompany them. For true faith is joined always with a great conflict between it & doubting, which maketh the poor Christian to cry out with the father of the possessed child, I believe, Lord help mine unbelief; and with the Apostles, Save 2us, Lord, we perish. Neither doth it obtain the victory over unbelief, and get quiet possession of our hearts, without much struggling, striving, and painful labouring in the use of all good means, whereby it may strengthen it self, and weaken its enemy. But the faith of temporaries is easily attained without any great opposition or long labour, for no sooner doth he hear the Word, but presently he receiveth it with joy, and as soon as the seed is cast 3into the stony ground, it forthwith springeth and showeth it self in the green blade of a glorious profession. It rejoiceth before it grieveth, and comfort cometh before mourning; It is exalted before there was any humiliation, and triumpheth in victory without any conflict. And the reason is, because the temporary believer is not much crossed in his presumptuous conceit by Satan or his own flesh, who are content to let him flatter himself with a shadow and semblance of faith which is without use or fruit, that resting in this, he may never labour after such a faith as is sound and substantial; knowing well enough, that it will nothing profit him, seeing within a while his enlightening will turn to greater darkness, his believing to desperate denying or deep despairing, his washing and cleansing, to greater pollution and defiling, and that he may at pleasure make his re-entrance with seven spirits worse then himself and so make the last end of this man worse 4then his beginning. Again true faith is joined with all other sanctifying and saving graces, for from this fire of faith riseth the flame of love and zeal; from this holy root springeth the fruit of all new and true obedience; From ⟨p. 271⟩this fountain floweth affiance in God, fear, hope, humility and the rest; all which as they are the effects of faith in respect of their birth and being, so are they companions, props and stays of it after they are wrought in us. But especially the most known and apparent companion of a lively faith is a good conscience.