A20756:492
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.
He therefore who would withstand the flesh tempting him to idolatry, must avoid the means and occasions which bring unto it, as will-worship, superstition making of images for religious uses company and alliance with idolaters; for though he were as wise as Solomon himself, yet if he avoid not these means and occasions he will be overtaken with this sin. He that will resist the flesh tempting him to murder, must also avoid unjust anger, reviling speeches, needless quarrels and desire of revenge, wherewith the heart being enraged, will excite also the hand to the shedding of blood. He that will resist the flesh provoking him to commit fornication, adultery or other uncleanness, must turn away his eyes from beholding vanity, and keep them under covenant, that they look not with wanton glances upon a woman; 1and shut his ears against filthy communication and obscene jests, which wicked men as the bawds of the devil and the flesh, do use to defile our hearts and allure us unto sin. And this is the reason why the Apostle having forbidden 2fornication and uncleanness, doeth in the next place forbid the naming of them, together with filthy and foolish talking, and dishonest and scurrilous jesting, which are the means and occasions of those sins. For if David giving himself to ease and sloth and suffering his eyes to gaze on strange beauty, was over taken and foiled by his sinful flesh, how shall we stand and get the victory over our fleshly lusts, if we give them the advantage of means and opportunity? Thus he who would not hearken unto ⟨p. 354⟩the flesh soliciting him to theft & sacrilege, must not with Achan cast a lusting eye upon the wedge of gold and Babylonish garment; nor look upon his neighbours vineyard with a greedy desire to have it from the owner, though it were upon a just price; seeing if he cannot thus prevail he is ready in the next place which Ahab to wrest and wring it from him with wrong and cruelty. In a word if we would resist the flesh tempting us unto any sin, let us not entertain the means and occasions of them, when it offereth them unto us. But principally let us avoid the society and company of wicked men, which are the devils brokers, and the fleshes bawds to solicit us unto all evil.
He therefore who would withstand the flesh tempting him to idolatry, must auoide the meanes and occasions which bring vnto it, as wil-worship, superstition making of images for religious vses company and alliance with idolaters; for though hee were as wise as Salomon himselfe, yet if he auoide not these meanes and occasions he will be ouertaken with this sinne. He that will resist the flesh tempting him to murther, must also auoide vniust anger, reuiling speeches, needlesse quarrels and desire of reuenge, wherewith the heart being enraged, will excite also the hand to the shedding of blood. He that will resist the flesh prouoking him to commit fornication, adultery or other vncleannesse, must turne away his eyes from beholding vanitie, and keepe them vnder couenant, that they looke not with wanton glaunses vpon a woman;