A20756:481
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 as we must keep this watch in all things: so over all the parts and faculties of our bodies and souls, especially over our senses which being the gates of our souls, do either let in, or keep out both our friends and enemies; and therefore these gates must be well watched and strongly guarded, seeing we have so many foreign enemies who besieging us, do watch all opportunities of getting entrance, and so many secret traitors within us, which are daily and hourly ready to open these gates & to betray us into their hands. Thus we must watch over our eyes, that they do not wander after wanton and wicked objects, and with Job keep them under covenant, that they do not by lustful glances betray us into the hands of our enemies. 2And before we walk abroad and look into the world we are to forecast the dangers which may come by giving them their full liberty to wander after vanities, that we may prevent them. And because our own providence is not sufficient without Gods assistance, we are to pray with David, 3that he will turn away our eyes from beholding vanities. Neither are we to take less care in watching over our ears, because they being the instruments of the most learned sense, & the conduit pipes to convey unto our minds all notions and instructions, either good or evil, therefore we must take heed how we hear, and what we hear, whether the language of Canaan for our edification and instruct on, or the voice of the Serpent, Dragon, or bewitching Siren, tending to corrupt, poison and destroy us; whether it be savoury communication powdered with the salt of spiritual wisdom, which ministereth grace unto the hearers, or wanton jests, scurrilous speeches, wicked 4blasphemies, backbiting and slandering with such 5like evil words, which if we give them admittance, will, as the Apostle telleth us, corrupt good manners. We ⟨p. 345⟩must having gotten the victory over our enemies, like the Gileadites take all the passages, and strongly guard them 6