A20756:466
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.
If we suffer our deceitful hearts (Dinah-like) to wander about and gaze upon worldly vanities, they will quickly meet with wicked copes-mates, who will dishonest and allure them to commit spiritual whoredom. If we give them leave to enjoy their liberties without restraint, to follow their pleasures, and even to seek after the occasions and means of evil; it will not be long ere the flesh will prevail, and lead us captive to the committing of sin. When we with care and diligence keep us in our ways, we have promises from God of his protection and assistance, and of our own safety and preservation: but if with Shimei we 1will for our worldly advantage pass the appointed bounds, and go such ways as our own hearts can tell us, are full of danger; it is no great wonder if we be surprised, and pay a dear prise for our presumption, as we see in Davids example, who giving ease and liberty more then ordinary to his flesh, and keeping no watch over his senses, was easily overtaken, and made a captive and slave to his filthy lusts. And therefore if we would avoid the like danger, ⟨p. 332⟩let us carefully keep our selves within holy limits, and bridle and curb in the flesh by religious fear, not pleading for unlawful liberty, or esteeming it too great strictness and preciseness to avoid, not only all sin, but even the occasions and means which bring unto it; for if we give the least liberty to the flesh it will draw us on from one degree to another, till at last it bring us to all manner of licentiousness.
If wee suffer our deceiptfull hearts (Dinah-like) to wander about and gaze vpon worldly vanities, they will quickly meete with wicked copes-mates, who will dishonest and allure them to commit spirituall whoredome. If wee giue them leaue to inioy their liberties without restraint, to follow their pleasures, and euen to seeke after the occasions and meanes of euill; it will not be long ere the flesh will preuaile, and leade vs captiue to the committing of sinne. When wee with care and diligence keepe vs in our wayes, wee haue promises from God of his protection and assistance, and of our owne safety and preseruation: but if with Shemei wee 1wil for our worldly aduantage passe the appointed bounds, and goe such wayes as our owne hearts can tell vs, are full of danger; it is no great wonder if we be surprised, and pay a deare prise for our presumption, as wee see in Dauids example, who giuing ease and liberty more then ordinarie to his flesh, and keeping no watch ouer his senses, was easily ouertaken, and made a captiue and slaue to his filthy lusts. And therefore if wee would auoide the like danger,