A20756:499
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.
O why do we not then presently mend the rents, which sins newly committed have made in our consciences, seeing being thus torn and tottered, new sins will more easily catch hold and make them far worse then they were at the first? why should not we make up the breach when it first appeareth, but suffer it still to be more and more increased, until we be overflowed and drowned with a stood of wickedness? and why should we not presently stop the leaks which sin hath made in the ship of our souls, but put it off to the time of sickness and death, when as being full of all impiety we are ready to sink into the gulf of Hell? Excellently speaketh Augustine to this purpose; ⟨p. 360⟩As soon (saith he) as any sins have stolen upon and surprised us, let us presently take care to cure the wounds of our 1souls by applying the medicine of unfeigned repentance. The stitching needle and plaster are fruitfully applied to wounds whilst they are yet warm, and the sore is soon healed which is not suffered to fester and rankle with negligent handling. And therefore as oft as we offend, let our sins find us judges and not patrons, accusers and not defenders. Do thou acknowledge and God will forgive; and how shall God vouchsafe to forgive, if we will not vouchsafe to acknowledge that we have offended him? For the good of our bodies we are careful to observe the rules of Physic, meeting and preventing approaching diseases before they seize upon us, because health is with more ease and safety preserved whilst we have it, then recovered when it is lost, or if we have neglected this, yet we are ready to withstand the beginnings of our diseases by the use of all good means, because we know that the medicine is prepared too late, when as the sickness hath taken fast hold and is increased to it full strength. Let us then be as wise for our souls: for what is sin but a spiritual sickness which causeth and bringeth everlasting death? And therefore our best course is to prevent it, and the next quickly to cure and remove it. It is the Gangrene of the soul which is cut off with little danger 2when it first tainteth, and but slightly toucheth a member; but if it be let alone, it will creep and spread it self over one part after another until at last it grow desperate and incurable.