A20756:441
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.
1Lastly those fundamental graces themselves▪ howsoever they cannot by the assaults of the flesh be wholly or finally lost, yet may they, in some sense be weakened and impaired in respect of their degrees. As for example the strong faith may be shaken with doubting, the most fervent love may be cooled and loose the first degrees of heat, the most assured hope and affiance may somewhat quail and be abated; and so in the rest. The which we see in the example of Job, David, Peter, the Galatians and the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, who is reproved for having lost his first love; and of Sardis who is exhorted, to strengthen the things that remained and were ready to dye. Yea these graces 2may be not only shrewdly shaken and sore wounded, but also cast into a dead sound in which there will appear, neither to others, nor those that have them, any motion, breathing or sign of life, so as there shall be little difference between them whilst this trance lasteth, and those carcasses which are dead in sin. But yet as I take it (submitting my judgement herein to the godly learned) all this is to be understood of the functions, acts, and operations of these graces, which may decay in their degrees, till they seem perished and lost; but as for the habits of these graces themselves, they never decay in Gods children, not so much as in their degrees, but are in a continual growth until they come to their full stature and perfect age in Christ. In which regard they are said to be trees of righteousness of Gods own planting, which are not one 3year larger and taller, and the next less and lower, but in continual growth, till they be transplanted into the heavenly Paradise; and howsoever they may have sometimes leaves and fruit, and soon after bear neither, yet in respect of their essential parts as root▪ body and boughs, they are still in growing, the root in the winter of affliction, the body and branches, in the spring-time of prosperity. So they are called Gods building, in which after the foundation 4is laid, the wise builder proceedeth to bring them •o perfection, that they may be fit Temples for himself to