A20756:48
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.
In which combat and conflict he leaveth not the spiritual man to himself, but continually sendeth unto him fresh aides of renewed graces whereby he is enabled to overcome. Even as on the other side Satan, the prince of darkness, though he be thrust out of his possession and regency, yet he leaveth and forsaketh not his wounded and weakened deputy the flesh, but laboureth continually to recur his wound, ministereth unto him new strength, by his hellish tentations and suggestions, and by breathing and infusing into him the poison of enmity and malice against God and all goodness, stirreth him up to rebellion against his holy spirit, and to make war against that garrison of his graces which he hath placed in us.
In which combate and conflict he leaueth not the spirituall man to himselfe, but continually sendeth vnto him fresh aydes of renewed graces whereby he is inabled to ouercome. Euen as on the other side Sathan, the prince of darknesse, though hee bee thrust out of his possession and regency, yet he leaueth and forsaketh not his wounded and weakned deputy the flesh, but laboureth continually to recure his wound, ministreth vnto him new strength, by his hellish tentations and suggestions, and by breathing and infusing into him the poyson of enmity and malice against God and all goodnesse, stirreth him vp to rebellion against his holy spirit, and to make warre against that garrison of his graces which hee hath placed in vs.
1So that not only the quality of holiness, but the holy spirit, not only the gifts and graces of the spirit, but the holy Ghost himself dwelleth and reigneth in the man regenerate, keeping still possession, after that Satan is driven out, and strengthening the regenerate part against all the assaults of the flesh, and the lusts thereof. The which may appear by these reasons, first because we are called the habitation 2of God, and the temples of the holy Ghost, which cannot be understood of his gifts and graces only, which are improperly said to dwell in Temples, seeing this belongeth rather to persons then unto things and qualities, but of the holy spirit himself. Secondly, the spirit of God, and not his gifts and graces only, are the bond of the spiritual union which we have with Christ; for dwelling in Christ our head, and in us likewise who are his members, it maketh us to become one mystical body with him, even as the head and divers members make one natural body, being animated & quickened by the same soul. Thirdly, the actions which in the Scriptures are attributed to the spirit dwelling in us, cannot fitly be applied to bare qualities, but properly belong to the spirit it self. For this spirit dwelling in us, is said to rule and govern us, to guide, direct, teach and instruct us, to sanctify and purify us, to convince us of sin, and to replenish us with all saving graces. Now the quality of holiness, and the author by whom it is created; the graces themselves, and he that infuseth them and worketh them in us are divers. Fourthly, as Satan keepeth his residence in wicked men, working them unto all manner of sin, and holding them so captive, that they do his will, (for so the Apostle saith, that the Ephesians walked in time past according