Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	flesh_n	life_n	spirit_n	9,701	5	5.4408	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A29526	The spirituall vertigo, or, Turning sickensse of soul-unsettlednesse in matters of religious concernment the nature of it opened, the causes assigned, the danger discovered, and remedy prescribed ... / by John Brinsley.	Brinsley, John, fl. 1581-1624.	1655 (1655)	Wing B4723; ESTC R25297	104,504	248

just Judgment hath given them over to be deceived and seduced by them And thus I have also done with this third Direction which bids you take heed of coming in the winds way Take a fourth Would you not be thus carried about take heed of beginning to turn You know how it is with a wheel I have hinted it once and again Being set upon a declivity if once it begin to turn going down the hill now it turneth alone being carried about of it self by its own force Object True will some say so long as it is going down the Hill But that is not our case We are going up the Hill and therefore though we do begin to turn yet there is no such fear no such danger A. This is the common plea of all Sects and Secturies in the world They all think they are going up the Hill tending to an higher degree of perfection then those have attained to whom they leave behind them But we know how it fared with the Syrian Army which was sent to surprize the Prophet Elisha being smitten with blindnesse whilest they thought they were going to Dothan they march into the midst of Samaria 2 Kings 6. 19 20. And even so fareth it with those Armies of Sectaries that are in this Nation and elsewhere Being all of them Blinded blindfolded in some of the waies aforesaid they all think they are going up the Hill climbing towards perfection whilest in truth they are going downwards declining in their spirituall conditions That none of you may be taken with this not more common then dangerous fallacie let me subjoyn to this Generall direction 3. or 4. particular Caveats every of which will informe you when you are going down the Hill 1. Take heed of turning from Iesus Christ of not holding fast the head as Paul cautions his Colossians Col. 2. 19. Such is Iesus Christ the Head of the Body the mysticall Body the Church Col. 1. 18. The Head of the Corner as Saint Peter hath it 1. 2. 7. borrowing it from the Psalmist Ps. 118. 22. The Head-stone as the Foundation-stone so the Topstone And being so it necessarily followeth that whosoever turn from him which way soever they turn they are gowing downwards And this take you heed of as being at all turns most dangerous of turning from Iesus Christ to any thing else In particular of turning from Christ to Moses This was the case of many in the Apostles time who turned from the Gospell to the Law from the doctrine of free Grace in Christ to seek Justification in whole or in part by the works of the Law So did the Galatians some of them whom Paul tells that they were fallen from Grace Gal. 5. 4. from the doctrine of Gods free Grace in Christ. And so do they who ever shall seek Justification and Salvation by the works of the Low by any morall performances much more by Ceremoniall observances which was the case of those Galatians or any thing besides Christ in so doing they fall from Grace and they fall from Christ who by this meanes is made of none effect to them So unsound is that seemingly politick Maxime which is made use of by many in the Church of Rome viz. That a man standeth surer upon two boughs then upon one Not so say we if so be that by standing upon a bough that is rotten he fall from that which was sound Which is the very case of all those who trust to Christ and Moses to Gospell and Law for their Justification and Salvation By resting upon the one in part they fall wholly from the other Christ will either be a whole Saviour or no Saviour So as this is a declining a going down the Hill with a witnesse So Paul looked upon it in his Galatians and would have them so to judg of it Gala. 3. 3. where he parlies with them about it Are ye so foolish saith he having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect in the flesh Where by flesh we are to understand the Ceremonies of the Law which were no other but external and Carnall observances especially after that the figurative and Sacramentall use which whilest it continued was as the soul and spirit putting life into them was now ceased being taken away by the death of Christ Now they were no other but flesh flesh without spirit And being so the Apostle censureth it as no small degree of folly in them that they should fall off to them that having begun in the Spirit having imbraced the doctrine of the Gospell the commands whereof are Spirituall and having withall found the effectuall work of the Spirit in their heart working faith and Regeneration in them that they should once think of being made perfect in that way This indeed was that which the false Apostles promised them that they should by this means receive some addition of perfection Even as the Doctors of the Church of Rome at this day do to their disciples But this the Apostle justly censures as folly and that no small degree of it as in the Teachers so in the receivers of this Doctrine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Are ye so foolish And be you ware of falling under the like Censure A Caveat not unneedful this being a folly which some in this Nation at this day who pretend to the highest degree of perfection to be perfect as Adam nay for holinesse such is their Blasphemy perfect as God himself do openly proclaim whilest they professe to look for Justification and Salvation not by the Righteousnesse of Christ imputed to them but by the Righteousnesse of Christ inherent in them which is no other then inherent holinesse Now if this be not a falling from Christ and a falling from Grace surely we must conclude the Apostle in that Text forenamed Gal. 5. 4. to have been much mistaken Let this be a first Caveat under this Head Secondly whilest you thus hold fast the Head take heed of parting with the Body of falling off from the Church by severing and separating from it And that as from any part of it any particular Church which being sound in the faith wherein the Word is rightly preached and Sacraments duly administred though possibly labouring under some other imperfections and not so accomplished in respect of Order as it ought to be and some others are yet deserveth to be called and owned as a true Church so much more from the whole Body the whole Catholick visible Church This also is a Hill a Mountain Yea a Mountain paramount a Mountain established in the top of the Mountains So the Prophet Esay describeth the Church under the Gospel Isai. 2. 2. which in respect of spiritual glory is exalted far above all secular state and power And being so well may they who fall from it be said to go down the Hill And such a Declension such a Separation take heed of Such Separatists there

forth their followers whom he calleth Clouds without water carried about of winds ver 11. and in the next verse Waves of the Sea and wandring stars thereby denoting Christians who were inconstant in their profession not like fixed stars which are regular in their Motion but like Planets or Comets wandring from one opinion or way to another being constant onely in inconstancy Thus were there some and not a few in those times those proto-primitive times who were thus carried about with divers and strange doctrines This is that which our Apostle saith of Hymeneus and Philetus in the place forecited 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. that by their pestilent doctrine in denying of the Resurrection they overthrew the faith of some So as there was then a just cause why he should here give out such an Admonition as this Be not carried about c. A useful and a needful Caveat then And no lesse in all the ages of the Church since In every of which still there have been some such doctrines held forth So it hath been so it is at this day that I shall not need to tell you and so it will be This Calvin looketh upon as a truth not obscurely hinted by the Apostle here in the Text that The Church in all ages must account to conflict and combate with divers and strange doctrines And if there be teachers of them it is not to be imagined but that there will be some Disciples some followers Q. But how cometh it so to be How cometh this to passe first that there should be such doctrines held forth and then that so many should be carried about with them To these two queries I shall return Answer severally A. 1. For the former Know we in the first place that this cometh to passe not without a providence and a special providence Herein as in all other things God hath a hand concurring therewith not barely by his Permission but as Melancton calleth it by his Effectual Permission most justly decreeing that they should be whence it is that the Apostle saith There must be Heresies 1 Cor. 11. 19. Must as by reason of Satans malice and Mans corruption so of Gods decree who having determined that they should be most wisely ordereth and disposeth of them when they are Which he doth for divers ends As 1. For the manifestation of his own power in maintaining his Truth and that against all opposition 2. For the honour of truth it self which by these conflicts with Errour is rendred more illustrious That house which standeth out all storms and tempests of wind and weather shewoth it self to have a good foundation 3. For the Probation and tryal of such as are sound in the faith There must also be Heresies saith the Apostle in the Text last named 1 Cor. 11. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There must be also Not onely Schismes of which he had spoken in the verse foregoing divisions about matters of Order and Discipline but also Heresies Errours in doctrine and that fundamental Errours And wherefore must these be why that they which are approved may be made manifest Thus is Wheat differenced and distinguished from the Chasse Inanes paleae tempestate jactantur saith Cyprian Light empty Chaffe is whirled to and fro with the wind while the Wheat lyeth still in the floor Thus whilest empty and formal Professours who have taken up the profession of the truth either pro formâ for fashion sake or else for some by and sinister ends wanting the kernel and truth of grace are carried away those which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 approved unto God sincere and sound-hearted Christians they are hereby made manifest as to themselves so to others Thus doth God by this means as Cyprian in the same place noteth make a kind of a previous separation separating the Chaffe from the Wheat before the day of Judgment 4. This God permits for the just condemnation of others and that both of Masters and Scholars of such as broach and preach such doctrines and such as believe them For the former of these expresse is that of St. Iude in the Text forecited Iude v. 4. There are certain men crept in unawares saith he who were before of old ordained to this condemnation This he speaketh of seducers false teachers whom God in his most just and righteous decree did from eternity preordain so far to leave them to their own natural corruption and malice as that they should dare to corrupt and falsifie his truth and thereby justly incur the sentence of condemnation and bring upon themselves swift destruction as the Apostle St. Peter saith of them 2 Pet. 2. 1. And for the latter that of St. Paul is no lesse expresse 2 Thess. 2. 1. where speaking of Antichristian errours that should come into the Church and should be prevalent with many he assigneth this as one end of Gods dispensation in permitting and sending them God shall send them strong delusion saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Efficaciam deceptionis the Efficacy of Errour or deceit that is such errours as should be effectuall for the deceiving of them so as they should believe a lye receive and imbrace those forged and false doctrines And wherefore this Why That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse ver 12. Thus hath God not onely an eye to but also a hand in these divers and strange doctrines which come abroad not onely with his prescience and permission but also by his most wife and just Ordination 2. This is Satans doing He it is that is the father of lyes When he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his own saith our Saviour pro ingenio suo according to his natural disposition so it is if ever Satan speak truth as sometimes he doth he borroweth it to make some advantage of it that he may the more easily deceive by it Lyes are his proper and natural off-spring For as that Text goeth on He is a lyar and the father of it So he is of all Lyes Among which false doctrines are none of the least And therefore deservedly called by that name 2 Thess. 2. 11. 1 Tim. 4. 2. He it is that was the first Preacher of divers and strange doctrines This he did in Paradise Where when God had preached to our first Parents this Doctrine that The day that they ate of the forbidden fruit they should certainly dye the death Gen. 2. 17. he soon after preacheth to them the clean contrary The Serpent said unto the woman Ye shall not surely dye Gen. 3. 3 4. And still this is his work He that was a lying spirit in the mouthes of Ahabs Prophets 2 King 22. 22. he is still the same in the hearts and mouthes of all false Prophets He is the seedsman that soweth these tares So the Parable in the Gospel sets it forth Mat. 13. 24. The

the hold or hanging upon the bowe it would have no such property but being cast forth and taking hold upon good ground being firmly fixed upon a sound bottom now it becometh useful in this way to this end And so is it with faith It is not faith it self either as it is an Habit or as it is an Act by any worth of its own that can establish the heart of man but onely as it is an Instrument laying hold upon Christ and so upon Gods free Grace through him In this way it is that it cometh to establish the heart So the Psalmist sets it forth in that Text forecited Psal. 112. 7 8. His heart is fixed saith he speaking of the righteous man Trusting in the Lord His heart is established viz. by his faith and Confidence resting upon Gods free grace and mercy in Christ as for the performance of that great promise of life and salvation by and through him so of all subordinate and inferiour promises But I shall not give any further way to enlargements You see that the Habit of Grace doth this and in what way it doth And what then remaines to draw to a Conclusion but that all of us seek after this Grace not resting our selves contented with the bare outward performance of any Duties or yet in a constant attendance upon Ordinances which some conceive here hinted by the Apostle in this word Meates understanding it of the Meates of the Sacrifices Alas these being outside things without the man they will not ballast the soul establish the Heart See we that our hearts be laid in with this Ballast of Grace Concerning which have an eye to two things first to the Quality then to the Quantity of it These are the two requisites in the ballasting of a Ship That which is used for that purpose must be some solid material some weighty substance And there must be a proportionable Quantity of it If either be wanting the work will not be done And thus for the establishing of the Heart 1. See that your Grace be true Grace solid and substantiall Grace that your Faith and Love be unfeigned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without Hypocrisie which is Paul's Epithet 2 Cor. 6. 6. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 2. 1 5. that you believe with all your heart which is that which Philip requireth in the Eunuch before he would baptize him being both a man of yeares and an alien Act. 8. 37. sincerely and firmly that you love God and Iesus Christ in sincerity which who so doth not but out of Malice opposeth him Paul pronounceth an Anathema Maranatha upon him Let him be had in execration unto the death 1 Cor. 16. 22. That your soules be purified through the Spirit to the unfeigned love of the Brethren as St. Peter saith of the believers to whom he writeth 1 Pet. 1. 22. And the like I may say of other Graces See that there be truth sincerity in them that the Root of the matter may be found in you as Iob pleadeth that it was in him Iob 19. 28. True Piety true Grace 2. And being true for Quality then see to the Quantity of it It is not a small Quantity though it be of Lead that will ballast a Ship No more will every degree of Grace stablish the heart True it is it must not be denyed the least measure of Grace if true it is saving but not establishing This will require some proportionable Quantity And therefore rest not in the beginnings of Grace but still strive after a further measure Grow in Grace as the Apostle exhorts 2 Pet. 3. 18. As in knowledge the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ so in Faith and Love and all other Graces adding one Grace to another as the same Apostle exhorts 2 Pet. 1. 5. and one degree to another that so the Habit of Grace may be more confirmed in your hearts and shew it self by a vigorous acting in your lives and so may be more and more conspicuous and visible to your selves and others In this way and by this meanes this being an evidence of a Christians standing in the Grace of God the heart shall come to be quieted setled established Which blessing the God of all Grace out of his abundant Grace and Mercy in Christ Iesus vouchsafe to every soul of us Amen FINIS Ministers Watchmen Occasion of taking up this Text. Parts Caution Reason Part 1. Admonition or Caution wherein the Malady Cause of it 1. The Malady Sic etiam Chrysistomus Hom. 13. ad loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A madnesse to embrace some Opinions Manicheus insaniam sundens Vide August de Haeres contra Faustum Divers and strange Doctrines apt to distract those that hearken to them The Ordinary reading accepted Pareus ad Text. Beza Gr. Annot in loc Sense of the word expounded A Metaphor fetched from divers heads 1. From a Wheel Verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphoram habet a Rotā quae continuo motu circumacta partes summas imas semper commutat et nunquam consistit vel à stipulis quas ventus hinc inde in gyrum versat Paereus in Text. A Wheel a lively Embleme of Inconstancy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heinsius ad Text. ex Hesichi● The worst kind of wheeles temporizing Apostates Ecebolus infamous for turning with the Times Ecebolus Sophista ad mores Imperatorum mutabat Religionem Ar t ad Text. Prostratus ante Templum dicebat Calcate me sa em insipidum Aret. ibid. vide Socratis Histor. Eccl. 2. Chaffe Empty-soules like Chaffe 3. Waves of the Sea 4. Clouds of the Ayr. The Ground or Cause of this Malady A wind of Doctrine Pulchra metaphora dum omnes hominum doctrinas quibus ab Evangelii simplicitate distrahimur appellat ventos Calvin ad loc False and Heretical called divers and strange Doctrines 1. Divers Nec sibi nec veritati consentaneae Pareus in Text. 1. Alwaies differing from the Truth Cum veritas consistit in medio cujus est unitas c. Doctrina ergo fidei una est c. Aquin. Com. ad loc 2. And often from themselves 2. Strange 1. To the Scriptures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost ad loc 2. To the Church The Apostles Caveat to his Hebrewes Not to be carried about with such doctrines A useful Admonition at that time upon a double account 1. Such doctrines were then abroad The Ceremonial Law cryed up by false Teachers Gospel-Liberty turned into Carnal Licentiousnesse Christ denyed Simon Magus the Father of Hereticks Vide Augustin de Haeresib Heresies in the first age in the Apostles times Hymeneus and Philetus Augustin de Haeresib The Sect of the Nicolaitans The Gnosticks too like some in the present Times False Teachers foretold of 2. These false Doctrines were then taking with some Many seduced in the first and purest times A useful Caveat at all times Significat praeterea Apostolus Ecclesiae Dei semper fore certamen cum peregrinis doctrinis