A20756:525
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.
1A second means of weakening and disabling the spirit, which is to be avoided, respecteth our provision which we are to make for the army of Gods graces, as first that we do not provide for their nourishment poison in stead of wholesome food: as for example in stead of the pure word of God, the spiritual Manna, the sincere milk of the Gospel and Sacraments instituted by our Saviour Christ; humane traditions and inventions, will-worship and our own superstitious devotions, which have no ground or warrant out of the scriptures, nor scarce any resemblance of that holy and wholesome food which is by God appointed for our nourishment. Of which meat the more liberally we feed, the more lean and lank we wax in our spiritual strength and stature, the more feeble and faint we grow in all saving graces: because howsoever it be sweet to our natural and carnal appetite, yet it is of a quite contrary quality to the spirit and the graces and gifts thereof, and it is no better then the Devils most artificial poisons, which cause them that taste and feed of them to waste and wear away in a continual consumption of all piety and ⟨p. 381⟩true godliness: Secondly, we must beware that we do not provide for this spiritual Warfare carnal weapons and munition: For as the Apostle saith, the weapons of our warfare 2are not carnal, but suitable unto the Spirit it self, and mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. As for example we must not fight against the flesh with fleshly anger and carnal revenge; for here especially the saying 3of the Apostle is verified; The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God; we must not fight against and endeavour to subdue it with spiritual watchings as resting in the deed done, and not destinating it to a superior end, namely in the employing of our time in prayer with it; Watch and pray; and the watching over our hearts, that we do not sin, rather then over our eyes that we do not sleep. We must not seek to subdue it by popish fasting which is nothing else (but like all other their devotions) a bodily exercise, consisting in their superstitious abstinence from certain meats, contrary to the Word of God, which calleth it a doctrine of Devils, and teacheth us that all the creatures 4