A20756:484
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.
1it delighteth in devouring words, it cutteth as a sword, and the poison of Asps is under the lips. So the Apostle James telleth us that the tongue as much needeth restraint, as an unruly horse the bridle; and compareth it to the Helm of a ship which being little turneth about the 2whole body, and to a fire inflamed by hell and setting on fire a whole world with wickednesses affirming that it defileth the whole man, that it is hardly tamed being an unruly evil full of deadly poison. Finally, let us consider that 3Christian perfection consisteth in well ordering of the tongue; For if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and is able to bridle the whole body, Whereas on the other side though we see me never so religious, yet if we do 4not bridle our tongue, we deceive our own hearts, and our ⟨p. 347⟩religion is vain; as the same Apostle pronounceth. Now in this our watch we are to keep our tongues from evil speaking, whether it be such impious words as are directly darted against Gods own Majesty, by blaspheming his holy name, profaning his word and ordinances, scorning and abusing his works and creatures; or such dishonest and unjust words, as are uttered to the prejudice and hurt of our neighbours, as by infecting and poisoning them with scurrilous jests, ribaldry and such corrupt and rotten communication, or taking away their goods or good name by lying and obtrectation, back biting and slandering. The former whereof the Apostle forbiddeth: Let no corrupt communication (saith he) proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace 5unto the hearers; the other in the ninth commandment, and in the nineteenth of Leviticus; Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale bearer among the people; like unto a pedlar which carrieth his pack from house to house, venting here a little and there a little until at length he hath uttered all his wares. And the Apostle dissuadeth it by a weighty argument: Speak not evil (saith he) one of another, brethren: he that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother