A20756:445
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.
1By all which it appeareth, that the chief and fundamental virtues by which a Christian is a Christian and the child of God, are not in respect of their habits and essential being, so much as impaired in the least degree in the spiritual conflict with the flesh, but only in regard of their actions and operations, which for a time through the strength and violence of corruption may be hindered, intermitted, yea in outward appearance wholly annihilated and abolished. But we must take heed that we do not ascribe the permanency and growth of these saving graces to any property or excellency which they have in themselves, as though they were able in their own virtue and strength to withstand all temptations and to continue and increase in their perfection. For if Adam in the state of innocency could not thus stand in the strength of his graces, which were far more perfect and excellent, then any mere man ever since the fall attained unto; then how much less can we, whose graces are 2mingled with imperfections and stained with corruptions, especially the weakest of Gods children, whose faith is like the smoking flax and bruised reed, which in their own ⟨p. 316⟩nature are soon quenched and easily broken, or like the grain of mustard-seed, which is (as our Saviour speaketh) the least of all other? but yet even of their first and smallest seeds of graces, it may be as truly said as of the strongest, that they are not, no not in respect of their degree abated and impaired, for then being already the least degree if they should fall from that, they should come to nothing, but that in the middest of the temptations of Satan and their own flesh, they still grow from one degree to another unto a perfect age in Christ, even as the little infant thriveth as certainly in the natural growth, notwithstanding his weakness and all outward lets and impediments, to childhood and youth, as the youth doeth to ripe and perfect age. But this our standing and thriving in the state of saving graces, is to be ascribed to the power and promises of God, to our union with Christ, from whom we receive lively sap and juice, by which we are nourished in all grace and goodness and to the continual and gracious assistance of our good God, who strengtheneth and supporteth us against all the power of hell.