A20756:471
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.
1More especially we must take heed of such principal sins as are the chief provision whereby the flesh is nourished and strengthened against the spirit, as ignorance of God and his will, whereby the eyes of our understanding being hood-winked or quite blinded, we may easily be misled into all the by-ways of sin, infidelity and unbelief, which nourisheth the flesh in all impiety, whilst neither ⟨p. 336⟩believing Gods promises nor threatenings, we neither care to please him having no assurance of reward, nor to offend and displease him because we do not fear his judgments▪ security, impenitency and hardness of heart, then the which nothing more confirmeth the flesh in all wickedness, because hereby it goeth quietly on in sin without check or remorse, and putteth the evil day far out of sight. But especially we are to take heed of the love of the world, and of setting our hearts & affections upon earthly things. 2For this will easily weaken the spirit, and quench all the good motions which cross and hinder us from the fruition of those moment any and mutable vanities, honours, 3riches, and pleasures; it will root out of our hearts the love of God from which springeth all true obedience; and and thrust us headlong into noisome tentations and all manner of sin, which promise unto us the satisfying of our earthly desires. And therefore he who will be a good 4soldier in this spiritual Warfare, must not entangle himself with the affairs of this life, but labour chiefly to please and approve himself to him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. He that will have heaven for his City and country, 5must have his conversation there, even whilst he liveth in the world, and if we be risen with Christ, we must seek and set our affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. but chiefly let us flee covetousness an• voluptuousness; 6