A20756:534
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 unto the ministry of the word we must adjoin the frequent use of the Lords Supper, which is a spiritual feast, purposely ordained by our Saviour Christ, for the confirming and strengthening of our communion with him by his spirit; and for the filling and replenishing of all those with his sanctifying and saving graces who come with a good stomach and an hungering appetite to this holy table; for the strengthening of those that are weak and faint, the restoring of them who are entered into a spiritual consumption, and for the confirming of such in their vigour and strength, who already enjoy desired health. Finally we must use the help of holy conferences, instructing, exhorting, admonishing, counselling and comforting one another, 1that we may be further edified in our holy faith; for as sticks scattered asunder will hardly keep fire, but if they be laid together will quickly grow to a great flame; so if we single our selves from one another, and admit no communion by religious conferences, we shall quickly cool and quench the fire of the spirit: but if we meet together and exercise our selves in holy conferences, we shall hereby stir up Gods graces in us, we shall like unto knives whetted one upon another, sharpen our gifts, and set an edge on our desires to the performance of all good duty; we shall pile up our graces one on another, and with these bellows of conference, blow upon them until they grow to a great flame.
And vnto the ministery of the word we must adioyne the frequent vse of the Lords Supper, which is a spirituall feast, purposely ordained by our Sauiour Christ, for the confirming and strengthening of our communion with him by his spirit; and for the filling and replenishing of all those with his sanctifying and sauing graces who come with a good stomack and an hungring appetite to this holy table; for the strengthening of those that are weake and faint, the restoring of them who are entred into a spiritual consumption, and for the confirming of such in their vigour and strength, who already enioy desired health. Finally we must vse the helpe of holy conferences, instructing, exhorting, admonishing, counselling and comforting one another, 1that wee may bee further edified in our holy faith; for as stickes scattered asunder will hardly keepe fire, but if they be laide together will quickly growe to a great flame; so if we single our selues from one another, and admit no communion by religious conferences, wee shall quickly coole and quench the fire of the spirit: but if wee meete together and exercise our selues in holy conferences, wee shall hereby stirre vp Gods graces in vs, wee shall like vnto kniues whetted one vpon another, sharpen our gifts, and set an edge on our desires to the performance of all good dutie; we shall pile vp our graces one on another, and with these bellowes of conference, blowe vpon them vntill they grow to a great flame.