A20756:416
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.
Fourthly, as it is the property of fire to turn things into it own nature and to make them like unto it self: so the spirit doeth turn and transform us, making us of earthy, natural and carnal, to become heavenly, supernatural and spiritual. More specially it is the property of fire, to take from iron it own qualities when it is put into it, and to communicate unto it such qualities as it self hath; and whereas naturally it is black and hard, cold and heavy, it maketh it bright and shining, soft and liquid; hot and light, so that a man would think that the iron were transformed and changed into fire it self; So it is the property of the spirit to communicate the like qualities to the natural man, for whereas naturally 1he is darkened in his understanding▪ through black and palpable ignorance, it enlighteneth his mind with the bright beams of saving knowledge whereby he is enabled to see and understand the high and deep mysteries of Gods kingdom. Whereas his heart is so hard and obdurate, 2that nothing will make it relent, but it will rather break then bow and incline to any good; the spirit of God maketh it to melt like the heart of Josiah, and so suppleth and softeneth •t, that it becometh flexible to Gods will, and fit to receive any impression which he is pleased to stamp upon it, or any form which he will frame it unto; as if it were no more iron, but now become clay or wax So whereas he is naturally of a more then earthy coldness 3and like iron, which maketh other things cold with the very touch thereof; Gods spirit so heateth and inflameth him with fervent love and ardent zeal, that he hath not only lively heat in himself, but even like spiritual fire he communicateth his heat and warmth of holiness and righteousness to all that are near unto him;
Fourthly, as it is the propertie of fire to turne things into it owne nature and to make them like vnto it selfe: so the spirit doeth turne and transforme vs, making vs of earthy, naturall and carnall, to become heauenly, supernaturall and spirituall. More specially it is the propertie of fire, to take from yron it owne qualities when it is put into it, and to communicate vnto it such qualities as it selfe hath; and whereas naturally it is blacke and hard, cold and heauy, it maketh it bright and shining, soft and liquid; hot and light, so that a man would thinke that the yron were transformed and changed into fire it selfe; So it is the property of the spirit to communicate the like qualities to the naturall man, for whereas naturally