A20756:467
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 second rule is that we do not only not give willingly liberty to the flesh to make it own provision for the satisfying of it carnal lusts, but also when it would take it whether we will or no, that we forcibly restrain it; and like those who besiege their enemies in a city, that we stop all passages by which it might be victualled, whereby being famished and starved it will be forced to yield unto the spiritual part. Whereas on the other side if we suffer it 2to be stored with provision and to be fed unto the full with all carnal dainties, it will wax stronger then the spirit, despise it forces, and sally out upon it, committing many cutrages, and doing much damage and mischief unto the Christian soul. Yea it will wax proud and insolent, foil the regenerate part, and force it to live in most miserable bondage. To which purpose one saith, that it fareth with the flesh and the spirit as with two mortal enemies in the field; for he that by any means aideth and strengtheneth the one, doth thereby make way for the vanquishing of the other. He that 3joineth with the flesh doth oppose the spirit, and he that standeth on the spirits side doth bring the flesh into bondage and captivity. If then we would have the flesh kept under the rule of the spirit; We must use it (as Augustine speaketh) as men are accustomed to use pampered and resty jades, which because when they are full fed, and ready to kick against their master, to wince and fling, and either to cast the rider, or getting the bridle between their teeth, to carry him out of the roads way, 4over hedge and ditch, and places of danger; therefore as they are travailing they keep back the provender, and give him no more meat then necessity requireth; that so they may tame ⟨p. 333⟩him with hunger whom they cannot rule with the bridle and spur. For so must we weaken and tame the unruly flesh with fasting and abstinence, when it is grown so lusty and insolent, that neither the bridle of comminations nor the spur of Gods judgements will keep it in order. And 5