A20756:531
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 second thing required is, that we use all means for the comforting and cheering, the strengthening and enabling of the spirit unto this spiritual Conflict. And first we must earnestly desire to have the spirit more strengthened, and the gifts and graces thereof enlarged and and multiplied in us; For as we have Gods promise, that if wanting the spirit, we do desire and pray for it, he will give him unto us, so also when having it, we desire to have it, and 2the graces thereof increased in us, the Lord will satisfy our 3desires, and bring this work of grace begun to accomplishment ⟨p. 385⟩4and perfection. For therefore doth the Lord enlarge our hearts with these longing desires, that he may satisfy them, therefore doth he make us to hunger after grace, and to find and feel our own emptiness, that he may fill and replenish us with them. We must not therefore rest contented and satisfied with that measure of grace which we have received, or that portion of the spirit wherewith we are already endued, but we must hunger after more perfection, and grow from grace to grace, from strength to strength, and from one degree of spiritual stature unto another, until we come unto a perfect age in Christ. And this is an inseparable and infallible sign and property of the faithful & regenerate, who are said to be 5trees of righteousness of Gods own planting, which bring forth more plenty of fruit in their old age, and are not doted 6and rotten with years, but when they are at the eldest, they are most fat and flourishing. They are like unto the morning 7light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. They are Gods building, which is still in framing and setting up until it be fully finished. They are Gods children who grow from strength to strength, until they come to perfect stature, neither have they any time of old age, but are in a continual spring of youth. They are branches ingrafted into the true Vine Jesus Christ, which bearing fruit in him, e purgeth & pruneth them, that they may bring forth more fruit. That therefore we may approve our selves to be in this number let us not content our selves that we have received some measure of the spirit, but (as the Apostle exhorteth us) let us desire to grow in grace, and in the knowledge