A20756:541
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.
So let love be exercised in doing and suffering for Gods sake, in performing unto him all holy service and Christian duties; and in the works of mercy and charity towards our neighbours, and of a little spark it will increase to a great fire, let the shoulders of patience be inured to bearing of the Cross, and suffering afflictions, in putting up wrongs and overcoming evil with good, though they be weak and tender at the first, they will in a little while become hard & strong, and so it is in all other graces, by exercise they are increased, by sloth and ease they are weakened and wasted. And therefore David no sooner thinketh of receiving grace and strength from God, then he resolveth to exercise them to the uttermost; I will run (saith he) the way of thy Commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart. And again; teach me O Lord the way of thy 1statutes and I will keep them unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law, yea I shall observe it with my whole heart.
So let loue be exercised in doing and suffring for Gods sake, in performing vnto him all holy seruice and Christian duties; and in the workes of mercy and charitie towards our neighbours, and of a litle sparke it will increase to a great fire, let the shoulders of patience be inured to bearing of the Crosse, and suffering afflictions, in putting vp wrongs and ouercomming euill with good, though they bee weake and tender at the first, they will in a litle while become hard & strong, and so it is in all other graces, by exercise they are increased, by sloth and ease they are weakned and wasted. And therefore Dauid no sooner thinketh of receiuing grace and strength from God, then he resolueth to exercise them to the vttermost; I will runne (saith he) the way of thy Commaundements when thou shalt inlarge my heart. And againe; teach me O Lord the way of thy 1statutes and I will keepe them vnto the end. Giue mee vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy lawe, yea I shall obserue it with my whole heart.