A20756:464
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.
1The rules of direction which are to be observed and practised of those who desire to get the victory in this spiritual conflict are of two sorts: For either they tend to the weakening and subduing of the flesh, or to the nourishing and strengthening of the spirit. The former also are of two kinds. The first is that we withdraw and withhold from the flesh all means whereby it may gather strength; the second that we use the contrary means whereby it may be weakened and disabled. Concerning the former: it is the care of all men that are to fight against mighty enemies, to deal with them as the Philistines with Sampson, first curiously searching where their chief strength lieth and wherein it consisteth, and then in the next place using all means to disable and deprive them of it; whereby the victory becometh more easy and assured, and less dangerous and disaduantageable to the conquerors. The which course must be held also by us in this combat with the flesh, if we desire to overcome To which purpose let us observe these three rules. The first is, that we do not nourish and ⟨p. 330⟩strengthen the enemy which we desire to overcome. As for example we must not feed our flesh with sinful pleasures and carnal delights, nor give it ease and contentment by satisfying and glutting it with all worldly superfluities; we must not cocker and pamper it with ease and delicacy, with gluttony and drunkenness, with unlawful sports or immoderate use of honest recreations, with chambering and wantonness, merry meetings and the voluptuous delights of worldly men. For though this might go for good policy between nation and nation, to help forward their enemy in their voluptuous delights, because hereby they are weakened and made effeminate; yet it is not so in this conflict with the flesh, seeing the more it is effeminated and pampered with carnal delights, the more it is strengthened against the spirit. Now what folly is it to victual a mighty enemy which warreth against us, and to put weapons into their hands whereby they may kill or put us to flight?
1The rules of direction which are to be obserued and practised of those who desire to get the victory in this spirituall conflict are of two sorts: For eyther they tend to the weakening and subduing of the flesh, or to the nourishing and strengthning of the spirit. The former also are of two kindes. The first is that we withdraw and withhold from the flesh all meanes whereby it may gather strength; the second that wee vse the contrary meanes whereby it may be weakened and disabled. Concerning the former: it is the care of all men that are to fight against mighty enemies, to deale with them as the Philistims with Sampson, first curiously searching where their chiefe strength lyeth and wherein it consisteth, and then in the next place vsing all meanes to disable and depriue them of it; whereby the victory becommeth more easie and assured, and lesse dangerous and disaduantageable to the conquerours. The which course must be held also by vs in this combat with the flesh, if we desire to ouercome To which purpose let vs obserue these three rules. The first is, that wee doe not nourish and