A20756:387
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.
1Thirdly, true faith causeth peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost, which is no slight nor flitting joy, but as the Apostle calleth it, unspeakable and glorious, the which in the nature of it is spiritual, like the author which worketh i•, and most showeth it self, when as we are exercised about spiritual objects and exercises, as hearing the Word, reading meditation, praying, holy conferences, and such like. But temporary faith bringeth no such peace; For there is no peace saith my God to the wicked. And howsoever ⟨p. 273⟩2they have some joy, yet there is great difference between it, and that which proceedeth from true faith. For 3the faithful delight in the Word, as being the word, not of man, but of God himself, and because they find it his 4strong power (whatsoever the instruments be) to their sanctification and salvation. But temporaries rejoice in it for novelties sake, and as it is the word of man, not so much in respect of the spiritual matter, as the manner how, and the person by whom it is delivered, because they love him as a friend for worldly respects, or for his natural gifts and parts, because he is learned, witty and eloquent; the which joy ceaseth and turneth oftentimes into anger and spleen, when as the word cometh home to the conscience, and reproveth him sharply for his darling sins. Secondly, the faithful man rejoiceth in spiritual things, the assurance of Gods love, the remission of his sins and his own salvation: and though he taketh some joy and comfort in the things of this life, yet it is but small in comparison of the other. But the temporary believer contrariwise taketh some small joy in spiritual things, as having some little taste of them; but his chief rejoicing is in things worldly and earthly, which maketh him to neglect the other joy, when as they cross one another, and will not stand together. Thirdly, the joy of the faithful, like the cause of it, which is our faith, is small at the first, but increaseth by degrees until it come to fullness of joy, like that of Davids; Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more 5