A20756:505
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.
1Secondly, let us consider the great evils which come of the least sins; For first even our smallest sins defile our persons, and leave such blots and stains behind them, as make us ugly and loathsome in the sight of God, especially when as we give unto them voluntary entertainment, and willingly live in them against knowledge and conscience. Now how ill doth it become us who are the temples of the Holy Ghost to have in us such sluttish corners, and noisome filth as is odious and abominable to this blessed guest? How ill beseemeth it us who are espoused unto Christ, to come into his presence spotted and blemished with loathsome defilements? We will not (as near as we can) suffer our faces to be sprinkled with the least specks of stinking channel dirt, nor to have our apparel bespotted with noisome excrements; and shall we make more esteem of our apparel then of our persons, and take more care for our corruptible faces, then for our immortal souls, to present them to our bridegroom without spot or wrinkle, holy and unblameable, that he may present us such to his heavenly Father? Again the least sins do wound, and being often committed do sear the conscience, even as slight labours being continual, do brawn and bring an hard thick skin upon the hands, many little drops do dint the hardest stone, and many small blows cut down the strongest Oak; and as they sear the ⟨p. 365⟩conscience, so they harden the forehead, make the countenance to become impudent, and take away all shame fastness 2and blushing. According to that of Chrysostom, by often sinning the soul is made impudent for every sin when it is committed, and is come to his perfection, doth leave behind it 3a poison in the soul. And so being fleshed in wickedness, we are make more bold to venture upon the committing of those which are more heinous: For as one saith, when we bend from the right course by lighter faults, we afterwards fear not to commit those which are greater, use and custom smoothing the way that leadeth unto it. And the Heathen Satirist could say; Who hath made an end of sinning when as they have given over their blushing? Of whom hast thou 4observed of these men to rest contented with one crime?