A Christian Dictionary, Dictionary 1 · Part 55
F. L.
Flagons of wine. sig:
The most comfortable promises of Gods mercies for saluation, which are as wholesome Wine abundantly drawne out of Christs Seller, which is his word. Cant. 2, 5. Stay me with Flagons; that is, the plentifull comforts of the worde, and the rich graces of the spirite, powre into my heart for my strengthning.
to Flatter. sig:
To speake pleasing or false words, with a mind onelyonly to please and beguile, for our owne profite. Prou. 28, 23. He that reproues, finds more fauour at last, then he that flattereth. Prou. 26, 22.
smoaking Flar. sig:
Weake Christians (like to Flax) which hath neither heate nor flame, and yeeldeth forth but smoak onelyonly: euen such be infirme and weake Christians, who hauehave no more but an vnfaigned desire to beleeue and repent; as it were, a sparke ready to die. Mat. 12, 20. Smoking Flax shall he not quench. Esay 42, 3. Bruised reed, hath the same signification.
Flea. sig: pro
A vile and base creature, so called.
2 A meane and contemptible person. 2. Sam. 24, 15. After whom dost thou pursue, after a dead Dog, or after a Flea? That is, an abiect or base person.
Flesh. sig: pro
The body consisting of sundry members. Rom. 2, 28. Which is outward in the Flesh; that is, in the body. 1. Cor. 5, 5. 2. Cor. 7, 1. Gal. 2, 20. Psal. 79, 2. The flesh of thy Saints, vntounto the Beastes of the earth.
2 A wife. Gen. 2, 23. This is Flesh of my flesh. Ephe 5, 31. Who euer hated his owne flesh? In Mat. 19, 5. [Flesh] is put for [Person.] Shall be one Flesh. Ephe. 5, 31.
3 One of our kind, which is like vntounto our selfe, euen eueryevery man and woman. Prou. 11, 17. He that hateth his owne flesh is cruell. Esay 58, 7. Turne not thy face from thine owne Flesh; that is, from him which hath a common nature with thee.
4 Consanguinity, or neerenesse of bloud. Rom. 9, 3. My Kinsmen according to the flesh. Rom. 11, 14. If I might prouoke them of my flesh; that is, my Kindred.
5 The whole man, consisting of body & soule. Gen. 6, 12, 13. All flesh hath corrupted his way vponupon earth. 1. Pet. 3, 18. Christ was put to death concerning the flesh; that is, concerning his manhood, for his body was dead naturally, and his soule felt the sorrowes of death spiritually. Acts 2, 24. Luke 3, 6. 1. Pet. 1, 24. Math. 24, 22. And elsewhere often, is [Flesh] put, to signifie the [whole humaine Nature.] Rom. 1, 3. and 8, 5. as it is simply considered, without sinfull corruption.
6 Mankind, being weake and feeble, eyther to helpe himselfe or others. Ier. 17, 15. Cursed bee he that maketh flesh his arme; that is, which placeth his strength and safety, in weake and vaine man. Esay 40, 6. Psal. 78. 39. Ioell 2, 28. In these, and many other places [Flesh] doth signifie our whole kind, as it is wrapt in great imbecility and frailety.
7 The quality of corruption, which is not sinfull, but the effect of sinne, accompanying our bodies in this life. 1 Cor. 15, 50. Flesh and Blood shall not inherit eternall life, neyther corruption inherit incorruption; that is to say, our corruptible bodyes cannot come to Heauen. That which shall inherit Heauen, must be an incorrupt Flesh, a body without corruption.
8 What thing soeuer belonges to this present life. 1 Cor. 7, 18. Such shall hauehave trouble in the flesh. Thus Beza expoundeth it. Also it signifies the estate of this present life. Phil. 1, 24. To abide in the flesh is more needfull for you.
9 Whatsoeuer is in man, reputed most excellent and glorious without the grace of Christ; as Nobility, birth, wisedome, wit, vnderstanding, reason. Math. 16, 17. Flesh and Blood hath not reuealed this vntounto thee. Iohn 1, 13, 14. Borne not of Flesh and Blood. Iohn 3. Phil. 3.
10 All that in Religion, which is outward and to be seene with the eye, as Morall workes or ceremonies. Rom. 4, 1. What hath Abraham gotten according to the Flesh. This word [Flesh] in the second verse, is expounded to be the workes of Abraham, which did not iustifie him before God. Thus Beza and Piscator Interpret this place. Sée Gal. 6, 12. and 33. Where Flesh, signifies the Ceremonies of Moyses Law; and whatsoeuer it is which is without, is noted by this word. Phil. 3, 3.
11 The whole Nature of Man, as it commeth into the Worlde, corrupt and vile, infected by sinne; or that part of Man which is vnregenerate. Iohn 3, 6. That which is borne of the Flesh is Flesh. Rom. 7, 5. When we were in the Flesh. Rom. 8, 8. They that are in the Flesh; That is, in the corruptionVnbeleefe, and all motions of the soul which bee euill, all wicked desires, all out wordes and workes done without grace; how good, holy, or spirituall soeuer they seeme to be and shew for; also our learning, doctrine, preaching, prayers, and what else soeuer commeth not of the spirite of Christ, is called Flesh in the phrase of Scripture. of sinfull Nature; and in al other places where the word [Flesh] is applyed to men vnregenerate, it signifies the whole corruption and naughtinesse of our Nature, raging and raigning both in the reason and will: but in those places of Scripture, where [Flesh] is attributed to new-borne persons, and is set against the spirit, as in Gal. 5, 17, 19, 24 Rom. 7, 18, 25. In all these (I say) and such like Texts, the word [Flesh] signifies the remainder of naturall corruption, euen so much of that vicious quality of sinne, as still sticketh behind in regenerate persons, and is vnmortified. The reason and cause why sinne is noted out by the name of [Flesh] it is, because through the Flesh (to wit our Seede) or through carnall generation, sinne is conueyed into the whole man, Soule and Body: also, for that the Flesh or Body is the instrument to execute the lustes of our naturall concupisence. Rom. 6, 13. Thus Piscator, and Peter Martir do iudge. Illiricus addes another reason; to wit, because man, as he is sinfull, tendes wholy to carnall thinges. By this we see, how such are deceiued, who will hauehave onelyonly the inferior part of the soule (as will and affections) meant by Flesh.
12 Common or ordinary course of nature. Gal. 4, 29. He that was borne after the Flesh.
13 The Inferiour, or vnreasonable part of the Soule, as it is corrupt by sinne; to wit, the sinfull will and affections. Ephe. 2, 3. In fulfilling the will of the flesh; that is, the desires of our corrupt will.
14 EueryEvery liuing Creature, reasonable and vnreasonable. Psal. 136, 25. Which giueth foode to all flesh. Gen. 6. and 7. Leu. 17.
15 Authority, dignity, wealth, worship, corporall conuersation. 2 Cor. 5, 16. We know no man after the flesh.
16 Outward apparance. Iohn 8. Ye iudge according to the flesh.
17 A glorified person, whose body and Soule is perfitly blessed. Iob 19, 26. And shall see him in my flesh.
18 The secret parts of Man or Woman, Leuit. 15, 2. Whosoeuer hath an Issue from his flesh, &c.
hart of flesh. sig:
A tender and soft heart, yeelding vntounto the word of God, easily receiuing the impression of Grace. Ezec. 11, 19. I will giuegive you an heart of flesh, which is set against a stony heart; that is, hard and hardned, not yeelding to God.
the infirmity of the Flesh. sig:
The weaknesse of our vnderstanding, being more carnall then spirituall, and hauing in it more ignorance then knowledge. Rom. 6, 9. I speake after the manner of a man, because of the infirmity of your flesh.
2 The crosse, or afflictions, which make one outwardly infirme and weake. Gal. 4, 13.
the Flesh of Christ. sig:
Whole Christ, both God-head and Man-hood in one person, with al his benefits. Iohn 6, 55. My Flesh is meat indeede; that is, my selfe being belieued on. A Sinechdoche.
2 The Man-hood of Christ, as it is considered apart from his God-head, or Diuine Nature. Iohn 6, 63. The Flesh profiteth nothing; that is to say, the humaine Nature of Christ, is not profitable to vsus of it selfe, but as the God-head dwelleth in it, giuing life to it, and quickning vsus by it. Thus Maister Tindall, and the Bible-note expound this place. Augustine and Chrisostom expound it of vnderstanding the word Carnally, and not Spiritually. The former is the better.
destruction of the Flesh sig:
The taming and making leane the body, the vitall Iuice or moysture being dried vp by heauinesse of the heart for sinne. 1 Cor. 5, 5. He be deliuered vntounto Satan for the destruction of the Flesh. Thus Pis. cator expoundeth this place.
Flesh of Flesh, or to be ones Flesh. sig:
Naturall coniunction, such as is betweene Husband and Wife, or betweene Kinsmen. 2 Sam. 6, 2 He is Flesh of our Flesh. Gen. 2, 13. This is Flesh of my Flesh. Math. 19, 5. They twaine shall be one flesh; that is, as one man most neerely coupled, or one person, as before.
2 Spirituall vnion and coniunction, such as is betweene Christ and his members. Ephe. 5, 3. We are members of his Body, of his Flesh, and of his Bones; that is, most straightly coupled to Christ by the spirituall band of our Faith.
Flesh and Blood. sig:
The whole humain Nature, such as it is in it selfe, considered without the Grace of regeneration. Mathew 16, 17. Flesh and blood hath not reuealed this; that is, humaine Nature, as it is corrupt and sinfull, hath not taught it thee.
2 Mortall men, as they are weake and feeble. Ephes. 6, 12. We wrestle not against Flesh and blood. Gal. 1, 16. I communicated not with Flesh and blood; That is, with any man in the world.
3 An humain liuing body, subiect to rottennesse. 1 Cor. 15, 50.
to walke after the flesh. sig:
To follow the motions of corrupt nature in the guiding of our life and manners. Rom. 8, 1. Which walke not after the Flesh. ver. 12.
to walke in the Flesh. sig:
To liue in this fraile body vntill we be taken vp into Heauen. 2 Cor. 10, 3. Though we walke in the Flesh. Also to liue in the Flesh hath the same signification. Phil. 1, 22. Gal. 2, 20.
to sow vntounto the Flesh. sig:
To apply a mans care and labour to heape vntounto himselfe carnall and earthly things, which belong to the cherishing of this Mortall Flesh or body. Gal. 6, 8. He that sowes to the Flesh, of the Flesh shall reape corruption.
to be in the Flesh. sig:
To be a meere natural man, vnregenerate, drowned in the lusts of sinne, and a Seruant of sin. Rom. 7, 5. When we were in the Flesh. Rom. 8.
to crucifie the Flesh. sig:
To weaken the strength and power of naturall corruption. The death of Christ doth this by merit, & the spirit doth it by the efficacy of his grace, and the Saints by godly endeuour stirring vp that Grace. Gal. 5, 24. They that are Christs, hauehave crucified the Flesh. Rom. 8, 12, 13, 14.
to be condē ned in the Flesh. sig:
To hauehave the wicked naughtinesse of our Nature mortified and subdued. 1 Pet. 4, 6. That they might be condemned according to men in the Flesh. 1 Cor. 5.
Flocke. sig: pro
A great company of Sheepe gathered together into one Pasture. Ier. 49, 29.
2 The whole Church of Christ vponupon Earth▪ Can. 1, 7. Get thee forth by the steps of the Flocke. Metaphor.
3 Some particular Church. Acts 20, 20. Take heede to the Flocke.
4 An Hoast of men, or a rude and vnskilfull multitude. Iere. 49, 20. The least of the Flocke shall draw them out.
Flood. sig: pro
The ouerflowing of waters, as Noahs flood. Gen. 6 Psa. 93, 3, 4.
2 Extreame dangers and violent troubles, stirred vp by wicked men against Gods Children, or such great euils as be otherwise sent of God. Psal. 42, 7. All thy Floods and Waues are gone ouer mee. Reuel. 12, 15. The Serpent cast waters (like a flood) out of his mouth. Psal. 69. 15.
3 Mighty Kings and people, who for strength and power are like vntounto a Flood. Esay 59, 19. For the Enemy shall come like a flood. Metaphor.
4 Great store, rich plenty of good things bodily and spirituall. Esay 41, 18. I will open the Floudes of the tops of the hils. Iohn▪ 7, 38. Out of his belly shall flow Floods (or Riuers) of Waters of life. Metaphor.
Floore. sig:
The visible Church, as it containes good and bad (like Wheate and Chaffe in a Barne-floore.) Math. 3, 21. He hath his Fan in his hand, and will purge his Floore. Metaphor.
Florishing. sig:
The outward fraile estate and short prosperitie of wicked men. Psal. 37, 35. I hauehave seene the wicked strong and flourishing (or spreading) like a greene Bay Tree. Psalme 103. As a Flower of the fielde, so flourisheth he.
2 The happy prosperity of the godly. Pro…er. 14, 11. The Tabernacle of the iust shall flourish.
3 Spirituall liuelinesse and vigor. Psal. 92, 14. They shall be fat and flourishing.
Flowing. sig:
Plentifull encrease, either of earthly blessings, or of spirituall graces, Iohn 7, 38. Out of his belly shall flow the water of life. Psal. 23, 4. My Cup doth Flow or run ouer.
Flower. sig:
Fraile and vanishing men, which flourish for a while, and suddenly vanish like a Flower, that withereth in a day. Esay 40, 8. The Grasse withereth, and the Flower fadeth. Metaphor.
2 Riches, prosperity, and all good things of this life. Iames 1, 10. For as the Flower of the grasse, hee shall vanish away. That is, his riches and plenty of worldly good shall fade as a Flower sadeth.