A20756:495
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.
Let us therefore take need least we taste of sin, for though we have now no great stomach to it, yet as it fareth with us in our corporal diet, so here we shall find, that one bit will draw on another, until at last we even surfeit of sin, and take more pains and grief in getting it up, then ever we took pleasure in swallowing it down. It is of the nature of sweet meats to our carnal appetite, which deluding and bewitching us whilst they please the pallet, do make us to eat too much before▪ we ever think that we have enough, and so become loathsomely bitter in the digestion, which were but too pleasant in the eating. From which danger if we could be secure, our best way were not to taste them, for much more easy is it to abstain altogether, then having eaten a little to restrain our carnal appetite from eating more; and a much surer course were it for our spiritual estate, to have no dealing with sin, then to break of the bargain when as we have received the least earnest. Exhort one another daily (saith the Apostle) while it is called to day, least any of you be hardened through the deceit fullness of 1sin. Implying that the flesh is a wily enemy, which if it be not denied in the very first motions, will more & more grate upon us, until by often acts it bring us to a custom of sinning, and allure us to proceed from one degree to another, till at last we grow to a habit of wickedness, and have our hearts so hardened and our consciences scared, that we are now fit instruments for all impiety.
Let vs therefore take neede least wee tast of sinne, for though we haue now no great stomacke to it, yet as it fareth with vs in our corporall dyet, so heere wee shall finde, that one bit will drawe on another, vntill at last we euen surfet of sinne, and take more paines and griefe in getting it vp, then euer wee tooke pleasure in swallowing it downe. It is of the nature of sweete meates to our carnall appetite, which deluding and bewitching vs whilest they please the pallet, doe make vs to eate too much before▪ wee euer thinke that wee haue enough, and so become loathsomely bitter in the disgestion, which were but too pleasant in the eating. From which daunger if wee could be secure, our best way were not to tast them, for much more easie is it to abstaine altogether, then hauing eaten a little to restraine our carnall appetite from eating more; and a much surer course were it for our spirituall estate, to haue no dealing with sinne, then to breake of the bargaine when as wee haue receiued the least earnest. Exhort one another daily (saith the Apostle) while it is called to day, least any of you bee hardned through the deceipt fulnesse of