A20756:49
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.
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 3to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, &c.) So the spirit of God coming and thrusting him out of possession, dwelleth in us, leading us into all trueth, replenishing us with all grace, and inclining us to all holy obedience, and to the performance of all good and Christian duties. Lastly, the spirit dwelling in us, and the new man, are plainly distinguished ⟨p. 17⟩in the Scriptures. For so the Apostle saith;