A20756:497
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.
They are of the cockatrices kind, which must be crushed in the shell, seeing if we spare them till 1they be hatched their very sight will be fatal unto us. At least wise if through our negligence they have had their ⟨p. 358⟩birth and being yet let us not suffer them to come to their growth and strength least proving too hard for us, we be forced to give them lodging, because we want power to thrust them out of doors. And therefore let us dash this Babylonish brood against the stones whilst yet being in their swath-clouts they are unable to make resistance. Let 2us observe well (saith Augustine) the serpents head, that we may give it mortal wounds or keep it from entering and gliding into our hearts; and what is the head of the serpent, but the first suggestion and temptation unto sin? we must deal with the flesh, as Cyprian would have us to deal with the devil, seeing it is his child and much resembleth the wicked father. Withstand (saith he) the devils first alluring suggestions, 3neither let us cherish the snake, least within a while it grow to a serpent. The motion of sin is but too too natural, and therefore it is our best course to stop it at the first, when as it is but slow and weak, whereas the longer it lasteth, the more it increaseth in strength and violence. It is an exorbitant and unlimited evil which admiteth of no bounds, if we let it have full liberty to enlarge it self; and (like Elijah cloud,) though at first it seem so small, that it can scarcely be discerned, it will extend it self to such a largeness, that it will hide from us all our heavenly hopes, and let us have no warmth nor comfort by the light of Gods countenance.
They are of the cockatrices kinde, which must be crushed in the shell, seeing if wee spare them till 1they be hatched their very sight will be fatall vnto vs. At least wise if through our negligence they haue had their ⟨p. 358⟩