A20756:493
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.
For though they do not find us like unto themselves, yet if we consort with them, they will make us such, like unto those who being tainted with the plague or leprosy, which are ready with their contagion to infect those who being sound do keep them company. So the wise man telleth us. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. And the 1son of Sirach; He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith: 2and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like unto him. And therefore David having resolved to keep Gods law doeth first banish from him evil company; 3Away (saith he) from me ye wicked, I will keep the Commandments of my God. And thus the Apostle forbidding the works of darkness, doeth use this phrase, that we should have no fellowship with them; implying that if we keep company with the workers of iniquity, we should hardly restrain our selves from their works and actions. Now if any shall pretend, that it is a thing of too great preciseness and strictness, yea of difficulty and impossibility to avoid these means and occasions, or to bridle our appetite and carnal lusts from seeking after them; let such know that if we cannot restrain them from these occasions and means, which oftentimes in and for themselves are not much desirable, much less shall they be able to restrain and curb in their unruly lusts when as they ⟨p. 355⟩have once gotten the advantage of these opportunities, and when being mad and headstrong in themselves, they have these goads and spurs in their sides to prick them forward.
For though they doe not finde vs like vnto themselues, yet if we consort with them, they will make vs such, like vnto those who being tainted with the plague or leprosie, which are ready with their contagion to infect those who being sound doe keepe them company. So the wise man telleth vs. Hee that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fooles shall be destroyed. And the 1sonne of Syrach; He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith: