A20756:47
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.
1And thus have I showed what the flesh and the spirit are, which are the combatants in this spiritual Warfare, the one being that natural corruption, and carnal concupiscence, in which we are conceived and borne, the other a created quality of holiness, whereby we are renewed unto Gods image, which through the sin of Adam was defaced in him and his posterity; and is continually preserved, supported and strengthened by the Spirit of God dwelling in us from which also it had first •t being. Neither are we so to understand it, as though this combat were only maintained by bare and naked qualities, of renewed purity, and old corruption, but that they are also backed and upheld by those spirits which are the causes and the authors of them; namely the holy Spirit of God, and the impure and wicked spirit Satan, the author of all sin and wickedness. For whilst men remain in the state of infidelity, the strong man Satan keepeth possession and dwelleth in them, though not ⟨p. 15⟩after a gross and sensible manner, as in demoniacs, yet invisibly and spiritually, ruling and reigning in them, and (as the Apostle speaketh) holding them captive to do his will. In which his regiment and government, he employeth the 2flesh and our carnal concupiscence as his deputy and chief instrument, to lead sinful men into all wickedness, the which he continually animateth, enrageth and strengtheneth unto all evil. But when a stronger then he cometh, even the good spirit of God, he casteth him out, and taking possession dwelleth, reigneth and ruleth in our souls and body, creating in us that quality of holiness and righteousness called the spirit, which he substituteth as his vicegerent and chief deputy in the regenerate man. And though he doth not quite expel the flesh, Satan's lieutenant out of us, yet at the first entrance he giveth him a mortal wound, of which he never recovereth, and deposeth him from his vice-gerencie, so that howsoever it still dwelleth, yet it reigneth not in our mortal bodies, as in former times. Only 3Gods spirit suffereth this enemy to inhabit still with us, that by the opposition which it maketh, it might exercise the spiritual part in the Christian Warfare, that hereby it might be made more vigilant and diligent, more strong and active, and in the end obtaining victory might be crowned with the greater glory.