Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	apostle_n	sin_n	world_n	6,776	5	5.1990	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93131	The Quakers wilde questions objected against the ministers of the Gospel, and many sacred acts and offices of religion. With brief answers thereunto. Together with a discourse [brace] 1. Of the Holy Spirit of God, his impressions and workings on the souls of men. 2. Of divine revelation, mediate and immediate. 3. Of error, heresie, and schism: the nature, kindes, causes, reasons, and dangers thereof: with directions for avoiding the same. All very seasonable for these times. / By R. Sherlock, B D. at Borwick-Hal in Lancashire.	Sherlock, R. (Richard), 1612-1689.	1655 (1655)	Wing S3255; Thomason E858_1; ESTC R203556	215,435	300

from God he may fancy a call from above when it is only a noise in his own head or a deceitful eccho of his own heart therefore we must know this call from God to so high and honourable an Office as to be ordained for men in things pertaining to God is either extraordinary or ordinary the first beginning of a lasting necessity is extraordinary and 't is made ordinary in succession and by the lasting continuation of a fixed and determinate Ministry as Adam at the first was extraordinarily formed immediately created by God himself but all mankinde since ordinarily by the mediation of parents so the Apostles of Christ who received the first issues of Evangelical Ministry were extraordinarily called but all that have succeeded them have been admitted by an ordinary vocation because the succession is but of ordinary necessity now for any man to pretend an extraordinary calling and immediate from God without the Ministry of man is to pretend also to a new Gospel and new Revelations distinct from what Christ and his Apostles have delivered and such can be no other then the dictates of seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils and indeed such a pretence of immediate and extraordinary power and commission from above can in a fixed and setled Ministry by ordinary means have no other end and issue but to belie the Spirit of Truth and cousen the too credulous souls of the people when ever they have a minde to it nor is it any other but a meer pretence of folly to expect or relie upon an extraordinary calling or abilities by immediate infusion from heaven without the use of means as to the Ministerial Function since by ordinary and common means they may be supplyed for it is all one as if we should expect men to be created and by the hands of God immediately as Adam was at the first or being so formed to be fed and nourished with food from heaven without any care or industry for provision here upon earth CHAP. VI. Of ministerial Gifts ordinary and extraordinary THis call to the Ministerial Office under the Gospel both extraordinary in the Apostles and ordinary in their successors as it is in it self a grand inestimable gift of the Holy Ghost and the prime of them confer'd by our Lord in his triumph over our ghostly foes and victorious ascension into Heaven Ephes 4.11 for then he gave some to be Apostles some Prophets c. So it hath also other gifts of the Spirit attending as necessary contributaries to the accomplishment thereof that this gift may be compleated and fitted for the edification of the body of Christ Vers 12. through the work of the Ministry which proportionable to the two-fold calling are either extraordinary or ordinary also extraordinary they were even plentifull and miraculous in the persons of the Apostles viz. in such a measure and after such a manner as no mortal men could ever hope for since and very good reason there is that it should be so For the Apostles charge was much greater and their task more difficult then any mans either was or can be since They had all mankinde to instruct and principle in the doctrine of Christ the stiffe obdurate and incredulous Jewes to convert the fulnesse of the Gentiles to bring in both the rude Barbarians and learned Graecians to master and subdue The whole world was their Diocese the world sitting in darknesse and in the shadow of death devoted to the service of sin and Satan the Prince of darknesse Now to master and subdue the whole world and to turn all men from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan to the living God Act 26.18 required sure gifts and endowments more then ordinarily powerful and effectual even such as were extraordinary and miraculous and whereof none of their successors none that ever followed them since in the Ministerial Office could possibly hope to be partakers for all Ministers since have but an handfull of men in comparison to deal withall and these broken to their hands being born and brought up in the holy Christian Religion As therefore there is no need of any such extraordinary qualifications so neither do we the best of us do not dare not pretend either to such sublime and eminent gifts of the Spirit or to any such immediate and extraordinary infusion of spirituall gifts The spiritual gifts of the Apostles differ from those of their successors in two respects 1. In respect of the measure or extent of them 2. In respect of the manner of acquisition First for the measure the Apostles were filled with the holy Ghost Act. 2.4 filled as full as they could hold Act. 2.4 they were endued with as many eminent gifts for the execution of the Apostolical Function as they were capable of but we even the best and ablest of the Sons of men are not so full but they could hold much more their 's was a Baptism with the holy Ghost ours is at the best Act. 1.5 but a Rantism they were washed washed as it were all all over with the Spirit we but sprinkled with his gifts they had the anointing of the holy One more plentifully we in a smaller scantling they were anointed above far above all their fellowes and successors who received ordinarily but an Hin to their Epha Psal 133.2 Their Unction was like the Ointment poured upon the head that ran down to the beard and all others since but like the thin droppings upon the skirts of the garment And from hence we may observe with S. Hierome Scio me aliter habere Apestolos aliter reliquos tractatores illos semper vera di●…re istos ut hemines in quibuldam aberrare Hier. ad Theo. That the Apostles excelled all other Ministers in this respect also that they were so guided and directed by the holy Spirit of God that all truths and nothing but truth did at all times flow from them in the execution of their Function but all other Ministers must confesse in all humility that as men they have their failings and mistakes in one respect or other Secondly for the manner the Apostles were endued with their fulnesse of spiritual gifts miraculously their Inspiration did publickly and visibly appear to be by miracle and immediate from Heaven Act. 2. But we as we can pretend unto no such extraordinary gifts so neither do we pretend unto or depend upon any such extraordinary and immediate infusion of spiritual gifts but ordinarily in the use of means even by much study labour and industry in the waies of wisdome learning and knowledge we do acquire our qualifications according to the command of the Apostle to Timothy we study for them 2 Tim. 2.15 Study to shew thy self approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth 2 Tim. 2.15 and yet Timothy sure had less need to study for his gifts then any of us as having more of

prayer to all Nations Mat. 21.13 3. That by prayer and devotion we might obtain the assistance and blessing of God both First upon our labours in opening the Scriptures and Secondly upon the peoples duty in learning and attending thereunto the prayer before Sermon refers to the one and after Sermon to the other And in this question I must also further tell you you confound publique and private prayer and thereby pervert and misapply the words of our Saviour Mat. 6.5 When thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites for they love to pray standing in the Synagogues c. that they may be seen of men in which place our Saviour forbids only private prayer to be offered in publique places out of vain-glory and ostentation to be seen of men and you falsly apply them against publique prayer which is both commanded and practised by publique persons and in publique places and to the end that they may be both seen and heard of men see for this the example of the Levites Neh. 8. 9.3,4 both for preaching Neh. 8. and publique praying with a loud voice standing up upon the staires that they might be heard Neh. 9.3,4 Now Rom. 15.4 Act. 20.36.21.5 what is written afore time is written for our learning And that the Apostles did both Act. 20.36 21.5 pray in publique for and with the people and also preach in publique and in the Synagogues of the Jewes is more then once or twice exprest in the Scriptures question 8 Shew me by the Scriptures when the Apostles went into the world and gave the people of the world Davids Psalmes to be sung in meeter The things that you practise answer them by the Scriptures or the Apostles practise without consequence or imagination answer Touching the use of Psalms in meeter let me tell you because I see you understand not the nature of Psalms that they are not properly called Psalms if not sung in verse and meeter and for Davids Psalms as you too scornfully call them know that they are the very dictates and breathings of Gods holy Spirit therefore are we commanded to Eph. 5.18,19 be filled with the Spirit speaking to our selves in Psalmes and Hymnes c. And whereas all things in all Psalms are not at all times appliable to all persons yet there is something in every Psalm appliable to every person either by way of instruction or devotion and what in this or that Psalm is not appliable to our present condition may be hereafter and therefore it 's fit they should be used both for present devotion and benefit and also for the future that we may be throughly furnished with instructions and devotions against the time of need And for the Apostles practise herein 't is sufficient we have their command for surely what they commanded others they practised themselves you may see they did so Act. 16.25 At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung Psalms unto God But herein you demand an answer without consequence or imagination you might as well have said without reason or judgement which is all one as if you should bid me read your paper of Questions without my eyes question 9 Whether a man shall overcome the body of sin whiles he is upon the earth or no. answer 'T is not possible wholly and altogether to subdue It is overcome but not wholly a conquered enemy may trouble there is still a war Rom. 5.23 and the warfare endures until death Rev. 2.10 the body of sin whilest we are in this world for 't is therefore called the body of sin because there will be some reliques of sin some rebellions of the flesh against the spirit whilest we carry this body of flesh about us and are composed of flesh and spirit As a tree whilest there is life in it will bring forth fruit so the flesh whilest it is quickned with spirit of life will bring forth some kinde of fleshly fruits or other which is clear from manifold texts of Scripture 1 King 8.46 Job 14.4 Prov. 20.9 1 Joh. 1.8,10 Eccl. 7.22 question 10 Whether the curse be not upon him that preacheth another Gospel then Christ and the Apostles preached yea or no. answer 'T is most true there is a curse and a heavy curse too will fall upon them that either Gal. 1.6,7,8,9 preach another Gospel or else pervert and poyson the truth of this Gospel which we have received from Christ and the Apostles And I would to God neither you nor any of your sect and followers were either guilty of the sin or liable to the curse question 11 Whether any natural man can preach the Gospel yea or no answer He cannot preach the Gospel who understands it not and he that in some good measure understands the Gospel is not to be called a natural man because 1. The contents of the Gospel are 1 Cor. 2.13 the things of the Spirit of God which the natural man receives not neither knowes them and 2. Because Isa 11.2 knowledge wisdome and understanding especially of spiritual things are the gifts of the Spirit with which gifts spiritual the Ministers of the Gospel are through the use of means endowed some more plentifully some more sparingly according as God by his holy Spirit blessing our studies has imparted unto us who 1 Cor. 12.11 distributes to every one severally as he will question 12 Whether that any Ministers of God was made Ministers by the will of man or no shew it me by the Scriptures answer There is no Minister of God is or can be made so by the will of man only but by man in subordination to the minde and will of God for 1. God by his holy Spirit puts it into our hearts to use the means to be qualified for so great a calling 2. He blesseth and prospereth our studies and endevours for the attainment of those gifts which qualifie us for it 3. He gives us hearts to imply those qualifications in his service which gifts and qualifications being examined and approved by the more able learned and reverend Fathers of the Church we are so by them through 1 Tim. 5.21,2 Tit. 1.5 fasting prayer and imposition of hands set apart to this office Paul and Barnabas though they were called of God immediately and by miracle to the office of the Apostleship Act. 13.2,3 which no man must hope for since yet even they were commanded by the Elders to be sent forth through fasting prayer and imposition of hands question 13 Shew me it by the Scriptures whether a man shall grow up to that condition that he need no man teach him but the Lord or no. answer We must not look for any immediate extraordinary miraculous teaching by revelation from the Lord And yet all men are taught of God too some more some lesse according as 1. They have souls more or lesse capable of teaching 2. As they more or lesse apply themselves to the means which God hath ordained for our learning and instruction and according to our

so compleated in the Son of God that this should be the last and unchangeable testimony we should receive from God whose heavenly Doctrine delivered unto us is therefore termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an eternal Gospel Rev. 14.6 8. It were an opinion very much unworthy the Wisdome Power and Goodness of the great God of heaven that he should send his only begotten Son into the world to reveal and make known his will unto his people himself expressing this to be the last time of his sending also But last of all he sent his Son Mat. 21.37 And yet that his Revelation of himself should be still defective and incomplete Wherefore is Christ term'd the Light of the world Quia impossibile erat Deum sire Deo discere ideo per verbum suum decet homines scire Deum Iren. l. 4. c. 10. Joh. 1. 1 Cor. 1.24 Joh. 14.6 Joh. 1.5 and the sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 The storchouse of wisdome and knowledge Col. 1.19 The only mean of discovering unto us the knowledge of God without whom it is impossible to know God For no man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him Joh. 1.18 Wherefore is he termed the Word of God and the Wisdome of the Father the Way the Truth and the Life but by these and many more expressions besides these to signifie unto us that the knowledge of God and of his holy will is so fully by Christ revealed that here we must now fix and not expect any further Revelations or new Lights to be discovered He looks beyond the Moon that looks for Revelations beyond Christ and what already stands upon record to be revealed by him There is no need to be curious after knowledge since the Revelation of Jesus Christ saith Tertul. Nobis curiesitate opus non est post Christum Jesum nec inquisitione post●… Evangelium Cum credimus nil desideramus ultra c●…edere Hoc 〈◊〉 ●…rius credimus non esse quod ultra credere d●…amus Tert. de praes advers Haer. c. 8. nor is there need of further search after Truth since we have found the Gospel where we beleeve in Christ we desire not to beleeve any thing beyond this belief for this we believe first of Christ and his Gospel that beyond this there is nothing ought to be believed 9. The Apostles of Christ had the honour after him to receive by Immediate Revelation not any new Gospel but the right understanding firm remembrance and powerful publication of the Gospel of Christ All whose epistles and writings are as so many Commentaries and illustrations of the Gospel as the Prophets of old were of the Law And as Moses and the Prophets compleat the old so Christ and his Apostles compleat the canon of the new Testament which was ever received in all ages by the Church of Christ as the Rule of Faith and summary of divine Revelation So Irenaeus Quod prophetae praeconi●z●verunt perf●ci●…a Christus Apostoli tradider●… à quibus ecc●…sia accipiens per universum mundum sela bene custod●…ns tradidi● filiis I●en l. 5. advers Haer. What the Prophets foretold Christ hath perfected and his Apostles have delivered from whom the Church through the whole world dispersed receiving the same hath delivered it to her sons the true Members of the Church Catholick all which must undoubtedly believe and professe with the rest of the family we are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone Eph. 2.20 And here it cannot be either impertinent or unprofitable to observe in what respects sometimes Christ and sometimes his Apostles are said to be the foundation we are built upon 1. Christ is called the Foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 Primarily as he is the fountain of all Revealed Truths originally they flow from him for no man hath seen the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son hath revealed him Joh. 1.18 The prophets and Apostles are the foundation too Secondarily from and under Christ as his Stewards 1 Cor. 4.1 Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 Workmen together with but under Christ 2 Cor. 6.1 2. Christ is the Foundation as upon whose doctrine and example life and death the faith of the whole Church is setled and their salvation fixed for there is no other name under heaven in whom there is salvation but the name of Jesus Act. 4.12 The Prophets and Apostles are the foundation ministerially as they are the Administrators of this faith and salvation which is in Christ the Prophets more obscurely the Apostles more clearly delivering it unto us Christ is as 't were the acceptable year of the Lord Clem. Rec. l. 4. having his twelve Apostles as the twelve moneths which compleat and fill up the year Christ is Alpha and Omega the beginning and end of all divine Revelation the end of the Law the beginning of the Gospel the Supplement of the Prophets and the whole Tenor of the Apostles preaching even the corner stone in whom both Law and Gospel Prophets and Apostles meet or the centre in whom they are conjoyned And in this center we must fix our faith having found Christ Joh. 14.6 as by his Prophets and Apostles he hath revealed himself unto us we must seek no further He is the way the truth and the life Let us not seek any new waies or new Truths lest being misled by the Spirit of Error we wander in the by-waies of death and ruine Tert. de virg veland The canon or Rule of our faith saith Tertullian is one alone immovable and not possible to be better framed anew And what Rule this is he sheweth by rehearsing the Articles of the Christian Faith Iren. advers Haeres l. 1 2. 3. and Irenaeus before his time The Church though scattered through the whole world unto the uttermost borders of the earth hath received from the Apostles and their Disciples what to believe The parts of which belief he also writeth the same in substance with Tertullian and thereupon infers This Faith the Church spread far and wide preserveth as if one house did contain them These things it equally embraceth as though it had one common soul one heart and no more It publisheth teacheth and delivereth these things with uniform consent as if God had given it but one only tongue wherewith to speak He which amongst the Guides of the Church is best able to speak uttereth no more then this and lesse then this the most simple doth not utter i. e. when they make profession of their Faith Similiter n. fides nostra Revelationi Apostolis Prophetis factae qui canenicos libros scripserunt non a●… revelationi si qua suit aliis doctoribus factae Aquin. 1 p. sum q. 2. Art 8. ad secund And to conclude this second General Our Faith saith the Schoolman depends and is grounded upon that