A20756:538
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.
We must endeavour to have not only Gods graces habitually, but to feel their several actions and operations working our hearts to all good duties. For though the sunshine of Gods favour, once shining upon us, can never utterly fail, yet the beams thereof may by the interposition of our sins be eclipsed from us for a time; though the fountain of his grace towards us can never be dried up, yet the streams thereof may be so stopped that we can by present apprehension feel little comfort by it. And though our faith which is the life of our spirit, cannot be lost of those who ever had it, yet when the life of our life, the comfortable ceilings of faith, our communion with God, peace of conscience & joy in the holy Ghost, are taken away, or for a time suspended and hid from us, we are exceedingly weakened in the spiritual part, and have little comfort or courage in maintaining the fight against our spiritual enemies. Now these feelings of faith and comforts of the spirit are best obtained and kept, when as we preserve our Communion, fellowship and familiar acquaintance with God in the conscionable and frequent use of his holy ordinances, the hearing of his word▪ Prayer, the use of the Sacraments, keeping company with him in his holy assemblies, where he is present by his spirit; when as with the spouse in the Canticles we rejoice in his company and with David be ravished with joy and delight when as we meet him in his holy Temple; and when as with them 1we mourn and grieve for his absence, and when he with draweth himself do seek his face and favour, and above all things desire and long after his comfortable presence. When as we labour daily in the mortification of our sins, which do make a separation between our God and us, and do exercise our selves in all holy duties of his service, thereby glorifying his holy name, and edifying our neighbours by our good example. Which if we do, then shall the beams of Gods favour, and the streams of his graces, ⟨p. 391⟩have a clear passage unto us, with which our spiritual part shall be so cheered, cherished and increased in strength, that we shall easily withstand all the malice and fury of our spiritual enemies, and obtain an happy victory in our Christian warfare.
Wee must endeauour to haue not onely Gods graces habitually, but to feele their seuerall actions and operations working our hearts to all good duties. For though the sunshine of Gods fauour, once shining vpon vs, can neuer vtterly faile, yet the beames thereof may by the interposition of our sins bee ecclypsed from vs for a time; though the fountaine of his grace towards vs can neuer be dried vp, yet the streames thereof may bee so stopped that wee can by present apprehension feele little comfort by it. And though our faith which is the life of our spirit, cannot be lost of those who euer had it, yet when the life of our life, the comfortable seelings of faith, our communion with God, peace of conscience & ioy in the holy Ghost, are taken away, or for a time suspended and hid from vs, we are exceedingly weakened in the spirituall part, and haue litle comfort or courage in maintaining the fight against our spirituall enemies. Now these feelings of faith and comforts of the spirit are best obtained and kept, when as wee preserue our Communion, fellowship and familiar acquaintance with God in the conscionable and frequent vse of his holy ordinances, the hearing of his word Prayer, the vse of the Sacraments, keeping company with him in his holy assemblies, where he is present by his spirit; when as with the spouse in the Canticles we reioice in his cōpany and with Dauid bee rauished with ioy and delight when as wee meete him in his holy Temple; and when as with them