A20756:526
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.
and allowing the use of all the daintiest fish, and delicatest wines and fruits which pamper the flesh more then the moderate use of ordinary diet. But as occasion serveth, we must use total abstinence, when we would tame the flesh and humble our selves before God, yet not like them resting in the deed done, much less esteeming it satisfactory and meritorious, but only using it as an exercise of mortification, and as an help for the increasing of our repentance, and for our better fitting and enabling to call upon God more earnestly by fervent prayers, whereof it is that these are usually joined together in the Scriptures, Fast and pray the one being the end, the other the means in abling us thereunto. Much less must we use those carnal weapons of whips, to torment our body, which only offend in yielding themselves as instruments to our sinful souls; or of popish penances and pilgrimages which are the mere inventions of men▪ and have ⟨p. 382⟩no warrant out of the Word of God, and being carnal weapons, do as ill fit the spirit as the armour of Saul did fit David, and therefore do but cumber and hinder it in the spiritual warfare: Yea (like Achilles lance) do cure the flesh in stead of killing it, and make it more strong and full of courage, by filling it with spiritual pride, and a glorious opinion of our own merits and well deserving.
and allowing the vse of all the daintiest fish, and delicatest wines and fruits which pamper the flesh more then the moderate vse of ordinarie dyet. But as occasion serueth, we must vse totall abstinence, when we would tame the flesh and humble our selues before God, yet not like them resting in the deede done, much lesse esteeming it satisfactorie and meritorious, but onely vsing it as an exercise of mortification, and as an helpe for the increasing of our repentance, and for our better fitting and inabling to call vpon God more earnestly by feruent prayers, wherof it is that these are vsually ioyned together in the Scriptures, Fast and pray the one being the end, the other the meanes in abling vs therevnto. Much lesse must wee vse those carnall weapons of whippes, to torment our body, which onely offend in yeelding themselues as instruments to our sinfull soules; or of popish pennances and pilgrimages which are the meere inuentions of men▪ and haue ⟨p. 382⟩