A20756:504
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.
1THE fifth Rule to be observed of those who desire to resist and subdue the flesh is, that we do not esteem any sin so small and venial, as that we may safely give it entertainment, and continue in it without repentance. But contrariwise that we judge our selves even for the least sins, & flee from them with so much the more diligence, by how much we are naturally more apt to neglect them as slight and of no great importance. For as one saith, it is not the least thing in mans life to neglect such things as seem to 2be least; & I know not concerning what faults we may be secure setting we must be judged even for sins of ignorance and give an account of our idle words and thoughts. And even the Heathen Orator could say, that we are with greater diligence to avoid those vices which seem so small, that they are not known of the most to be faults. To this end let us consider that even by the least sins Gods law is transgressed, his justice violated, and his wrath provoked; and we must not esteem that to be small which doth offend his infinite Majesty. To this purpose Hierome saith well; I do not know how we can 3esteem that a light sin, which is committed in contempt of God. And he is most wise who doth not so much consider what is commanded, as who he is that hath commanded it, nor the extent and quantity of the government, as the dignity of him that 4governeth. And again; Do not consider the smallness of thy sins, but the greatness of thy God who is displeased with them. So Augustine: There is no sin so little which being neglected ⟨p. 364⟩doth not increase, and we must not consider what we have done, 5but how great he is whom we have offended. Let us consider further that the eternal Son of God suffered the bitter death of the cross, as well for the least, as the greatest sins; and can we think any sin small which could not otherwise be purged away, but by the precious blood of our Saviour Christ? Perhaps (saith Augustine) thou esteemest some sin to be but small; but alas doth not every sin by prevarication dishonour the person of our Lord: how dare then a sinner call any sin small: when as the Son of God gave his life for it, above which nothing in the world can be esteemed?