A20756:406
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.
In which respect it may be truly said, that Pauls sinning through infirmity, and in some sort unwillingly, was less sinful, then Balaam's not committing of that act of sin in cursing the people, yea then his blessing of them, seeing all he did was through fear and constraint which made him to bless them whom he cursed in his heart, as appeareth by that his cursed counsel which he gave unto Balaacke, namely that he should by alluring the people to 1commit first carnal, and then spiritual fornication, utterly disarm them of Gods protection, and leave them naked to their enemies. And the Lord doth not so much regard the hand as the heart, nor the outward action as the mind and inward affection.
In which respect it may be truely said, that Pauls sinning through infirmitie, and in some sort vnwillingly, was lesse sinfull, then Balaams not committing of that act of sinne in cursing the people, yea then his blessing of them, seeing all hee did was through feare and constraint which made him to blesse them whom hee cursed in his heart, as appeareth by that his cursed counsaile which he gaue vnto Balaacke, namely that he should by alluring the people to 1commit first carnall, and then spirituall fornication, vtterly disarme them of Gods protection, and leaue them naked to their enemies. And the Lord doth not so much regard the hand as the heart, nor the outward action as the minde and inward affection.
1Secondly as the spirit mortifieth and crucifieth the old man with the lusts thereof, so it quickeneth us in the inner man and reneweth in us all sanctifying and saving graces; as it maketh us to fly all evil so to embrace that which is good; as it causeth us to forsake our old sinful works, and corrupt conversation, so it enableth us by our new obedience to serve the living God. Thus our Saviour ascribeth to the spirit this spiritual life and quickening; It is (saith he) the spirit that quickeneth; And the Apostle telleth us, that