A20756:516
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.
CHAP. XIX. Of the first means to strengthen the spirit which is to avoid the means whereby it is weakened.
CHAP. XIX. Of the first meanes to strengthen the spirit which is to auoide the meanes whereby it is weakned.
1WE have showed how necessary it is if we would get the victory against our spiritual enemies & fleshly lusts, that we should first use our best endeavour to weaken them, and then set upon them with all our forces: But this is not enough, but as we are to weaken and disarm our enemy the flesh; so on the other side we must with like earnestness and diligence, strengthen and arm the spirit, it being no less necessary for the obtaining of victory, to nourish our friends, than to famish our enemies; and to furnish them with all provision, armour and munition, then to withdraw and keep back from the other all these warlike helps. Although in trueth in this spiritual war, ⟨p. 376⟩both these concur and meet in the same actions, for the famishing of the flesh, is the nourishing of the spirit, the weakening of the one is the strengthening of the other, and whilst we disarm and disfurnish our spiritual enemies of their provision and munition, we furnish our regenerate part with all necessaries. So Basil saith: Look how much thou detractest from the flesh, and so much thou makest thy spiritual part to prosper and flourish in good health and liking. 2And therefore I shall be the more brief in this argument, howsoever I think it fit that something should be added. And first we will consider this point negatively, showing that all means are to be shunned whereby the spirit is weakened and quenched, and then affirmatively, showing that we are to use all the means whereby it may be cheered and strengthened. Concerning the former. The chief means whereby the spirit is weakened and quenched are our sins, which do vex and grieve the good spirit of God dwelling in us, and make him weary of his lodging and habitation. For no stinking filth can be so noisome unto us as sin is unto this holy guest, and therefore he cannot endure to continue in our bodies and souls as his temples, if they be profaned and defiled with it. But above other sins we weaken the spirit with sins committed against knowledge and conscience, wilfully, and presumptuously; for such sins do most oppositely cross and thwart the good motions of it, and do as plainly contradict it, as if they should say in plain terms though we take notice of thy will, we will not do it but the clean contrary.