Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	free_a	life_n	sin_n	8,875	5	4.8447	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90625	The voice of the Spirit. Or, An essay towards a discoverie of the witnessings of the spirit by opening and answering these following queries. Q. 1. What is the witnessing worke of the Spirit? 2 How doth the Spirit witnesse to a soule its adoption? 3. Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit? 4. How may a soul know its injoyment of them? 5. By what meanes may a soule attaine them? To which is added. Roses from Sharon or sweet experiences reached out by Christ to some of his beloved ones in this wildernes. / By Samuel Petto preacher of the Gospell at Sandcroft in Suffolke.	Petto, Samuel, 1624?-1711.	1654 (1654)	Wing P1903; Thomason E1500_2; ESTC R208647	109,805	256

a place of but little beautie glory or felicitie if Communion with God and Christ were not to be injoyed in it Others desire Christ onely for heaven he desireth heaven chiefly for Christ Naturall men are even drunke and swallowed up in Creature delights but the interest of Christ prevaileth with a gracious heart against all other interests He may be interrupted in his motion to Christ in particular acts but he is the prime principall object his soule is moved and bent towards set and fixed upon and given up to Rom. 8.5 Phil. 3.20 Coloss 1.18 1 Pet. 2.7 Col. 3.11 Christ is all and in all Other-things are as nothing to him if Christ be not injoyed in them he is all in all injoyments all in all inlargements all in all duties all in all comforts Others apprehend that Christ it better then the gnawings of an accusing conscience better then the company of damned Spirits better then flames but they see no such beautie or excellency in Christ as should make him best or all in all here on earth They can verbally owne Christ as superlatively excellent but practitally they deny it And they know not Christ in those spirituall excellencies which advance him in the eyes of Saints Take him as cloathed with bolines and appearing against sin c. and they preferre other things that are base and low before him The following particulars will further discover when Christ is all in all 2. From his spending his highest desires and endevours after attaining Communion with God in Christ when the heart is set upon Christ or turned Christ-ward it cannot stand still without him it must be waiting for him and enquiring after him with utmost diligence Cant. 3.3 Saw ye not him whom my soule loveth Psal 130.5 6. Phil. 3.14 3. From his willingnes to part with all other things at Christs Call or for his sake Luk. 14.26.33 Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath Mark 8.35 10. v. 29. he cannot be my Disciple Matth. 10.37 He that loveth father or mother more then me is not worthy of me 4. From the carriage of his heart under his withdrawings when these procure such heart-sicknesses as can be cured no way but by his returnings to it Cant. 5. v. 6.8 Tell him I am sick of love When the feare of hell is not upon them yet O the sighings sobbings cryings faintings of love-sicke soules for Christ's presence No quiet or satisfaction without him Like the childe that nothing can still but the breast so nothing can fill up Christs roome in the soule It reckoneth it selfe empty in the midst of fulnes without him It is resolved for ever to goe in widdow-hood if he will not owne it as his Spouse This argueth a Consent of heart to the Match and so a marriage union between Christ and the soule 5. From his injoyment of the leadings of the Spirit these are a certaine infallible evidence of Adoption to all that have them Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God CHAP. XX. Of the soules Enjoying the leadings of the Spirit and when Qu VVHen doth a soule enjoy the leadings of the Spirit Answ 1. When a Complyance with the will of Christ becometh naturall to the soule as there is a propensitie in light things to moove upward and in heavie things to moove downward so in the soule to moove Christ-ward Suppose there were no wrath as the Consequences of disobedience nor no reward as the effect of Gospell obedience yet the sweetnes of the wayes themselves the respect it oweth to the will of Christ would be as the heart unto an owning of Christ therein Psal 119.30.173 I have chosen the way of truth c. And v. 35. for therein I delight So Rom. 7.22 Rom. 8. v. 1 2. For the law of the Spirit of life hath made me free from the law of sin and death Carnall men in their hearts call a libertie for sin freedome but such as are indeed freed from condemnation and walke after the Spirit they call this their libertie to be free for Christ and from the law of sin and reckon obligations to sin the greatest bondage and thraldome in the world The Spirit raiseth an admirable freenes in the soule to walke in the wayes of Christ 2 Corin. 3.17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is libertie And hence the Spirit of Adoption is opposed unto the Spirit of bondage Rom. 8.15 A man may exercise himselfe in the externall part of all duties that a Christian is engaged to and yet be without the leadings of the Spirit He may have many carnal enforcements hereunto but unlesse there be a libertie of heart to these wayes that he would not but be imployed in them and accounteth it a high favour from the Lord that he will use him in any services for himselfe and findeth more delectation in these then in any other wayes that it becometh even meate and drinke to him to doe the Lord service and it is a matter of great complaint and lamentation that he can doe no more for the Lord that he findeth a backwardnes in himselfe or any contrary principles which seek to obstruct and hinder his following the Lord in his wayes Rom. 7.22 23. Then he injoyeth the leadings of the Spirit 2. When it hath corroborations or assistances against those impediments that would hinder it in walking in the wayes of Christ or the Spirit leadeth by remooving these Carnal men wonder that any should complaine for want of strength unto duties they can easily come up to them But it ariseth partly from Satans not molesting them in the performance of duty because they looke not beyond the externall part of it they strive not to act in a right manner or for right ends or because they are insensible of the working of corruption when yet it doth act But a gracious heart findeth that if it be not strengthened by a power beyond its owne it cannot act any grace or performe any duty in an acceptable way to the Lord and hence the Apostle prayeth Ephes 3.16 That they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man Israel is said to be led by the Spirit of the Lord. Isai 63. v. 11 12 13 14. And how doth he lead them it is by dividing the water before them and keeping them that they should not stumble i.e. the Lord threw up and remooved impediments out of their way and took away what might cause them to fall and this was his leading of them So if thou hast been eagerly pursued by Satan and he hath raged against thee like a Lyon spoyled of his whelpes that thou wert beset with temptations and did'st finde many and strong lustings of the flesh to hinder thy following of the Lord Christ in the wayes of his appointment And if such mountaines have been made plaines and corruption borne downe when thou hast found thy heart

them And when the soule freely chooseth this compleate salvation above all other things and freely owneth the mediation of Christ as the means to it then blood is witnessing else not Psal 4. v. 6 7. 1 Cor. 2. v. 2. 6. From its being drawne out with such strength after the blood of Christ as it hath been after other things which undoubtedly the heart hath been set upon and had freedom for An unbeleevers utmost if he did come up to it is not the utmost of his heart because he is under prevailing engagements to fin and Satan and is like one in chaines A loving interposure of the Divine Spirit is necessary to make the heart free for Christ indeed Coloss 2.12 Act. 16.14 2 Corin. 3.5 Joh. 8.36 A man may in a slighty overly way deale with the blood of Christ not from terrours of Conscience but from a presumptuous freenes making a light matter both of finning and going to that for pardon of sin and such dallyance with the blood of Christ is despising in Gods account such must expect the sorest punishments in stead of great salvations Hebr. 10.29 No beleever but can see his heart was set upon something besides Christ before his beleeving Now if the blood of Christ be as attractive as other things have been and interruptions in its pursuance after that as burdensome grievous and afflictive to it as they were there Or if the drawings of that blood be stronger and more forcible then of any or all other things that it will leave all behinde it hath placed gaine in formerly to presse after that if that hath a commanding power of estate life and all then it is accepted with the heart and it is witnessing Phil. 3. v. 8 9.14 7. From its feeling the efficaciousnesse of that blood mens hearts are said to be sprinkled from an evil conscience by the blood of Christ Hebr. 10. v. 19.22 12.24 when spiritual enemies have brought in strong charges against a soule and if it might have followed its owne inclination it would have joyned with Satan against it selfe yet it hath been caused to oppose the blood of Christ in the free promise to all and thereby it was secured against all the roarings of the Law temptations of Satan that now they are all silenced their accusations are answered and a spiritual tranquillity and peace is established there And when the Lord hath thus given quietnes then as Job 34. v. 29. not sin nor Satan nor Conscience none can create trouble And thus I have discovered when the Spirit hath witnessed by Blood CHAP. XV. Shewing how a soule may know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Water Qu 3. HOw may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Water i.e. Sanctification Answ There are two parts of Sanctification either of which are witnessing 1. The separation of the heart fr●● sin or a freedome from the Dominion of sin Naturally the hearts of all men stand towards and are even destinated to the service of sin Rom. 6.17 but after beleeving the heart renounceth subjection to it There is in every faculty of the soule a new principle to oppose it In respect of this beleevers are said to be dead to sin Rom. 6.2 i.e. they are become unwilling and unapt to yeeld attention unto the motions of sin and liveles in the acting of it yea it hath it deaths wound in them All they that are in Christ have crucisied the flesh Gal. 5.24 Sin is become a sufferer in their soules by the death of Christ They are said to be free from sin Rom. 6. v. 18 22. and have a Divine promise that it shall not reigne or have Dominion over them v. 12.14 And that this doth witnes adoption see Rom. 6. v. 16 17. It is made a differencing thing of their two states And v. 22. Being made free from sin and become the servants of God ye have your fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life Rom. 8 13. 2. The Separation of the heart to Christ and to God the Father by him Act. 11. v. 21. 26. v. 20. Psal 4.3 And they are said to partake of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 To be new Creatures 2 C●r 5.16 because such new dispositions and inclinations are put into their soules as naturally were not there and are not the products of meerly naturall principles though improved to the height There is not barely an alteration but a worke of Creation else it were not a new Creature It is not barely a mutation or change of Qualities but a renovation all things are become new not as if nature were destroyed but perfected by the infusion of new habits into all the faculties of the soule which dispose them to moove Christ-ward There is new light let into the understanding Coloss 3.10 Renewed in knowledge And hence there is a discerning of that spirituall beautie excellencie and perfection in Divine things which others see not 1 Corin. 2.14 Coloss 1.9 There is a new inclination put into the will and affections which enableth them to put forth new acts upon new objects God and Christ and this by the operation of the Spirit Joh. 3. v. 5 6. And these habitual frames are called graces and are diversified and distinguished according to the various faculties of the soule and the varietie of wayes they act in and ends they drive at When these gracious dispositions are stirred up or strengthened to act upon Christ then graces are accounted to be exercised or encreased and these are called Sanctification 1 Corin. 1. v. 2. 6. v. 11. 1 Thess 5. v. 23. 1 Pet. 1.2 2 Thess 2.13 And these appearring in and to the soule doe witnesse adoption Gal. 5. v. 22 23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace He saith such are excluded the Kingdome of God as doe the workes of the flesh v. 21. And this v. 22. is added by way of Antithesis or opposition as the particle but doth intimate and so it is purposely to expresse who are interested in that kingdome viz. such as attaine those fruits of the Spirit and such as walke in the Spirit and are led by it either of which doe witnes Justification and Adoption Rom. 8.1.14 According to the parts of Sanctification so the Question must be divided into two CHAP. XVI Of separation of the heart from sinne and Adoption witnessed thereby foure distinctions about it Qu 1. HOw may a soule know that its heart is separated from sin or that sin hath not dominion over it and so that it is Adopted Before I answer directly to the Question I shall lay downe foure distinctions which may helpe weake doubting Christians as they will discover how farre there may be sin and yet one not be under the dominion of it There is a Difference Distinct 1. Between the indwelling of sin and the reigning of sin Paul was an eminent beleever and yet sin dwelt in him Rom. 7.17

interest or procureth some outward disadvantages and may be incensed against it upon that account as because an inordinate use of the creature procureth diseases to the body c. a parent may hate drunkennes or unlawfull games because his childe is like to become a bankrupt by such practises A childe being threatned to be dis-inherited if he followeth such wayes may hereupon bridle his affections and yet may be under the reigning power of sin still But if its hindring in the exercise of some grace or in the performance of some duty or in the attainement of Communion with Christ c. raise its feare of sorrow for and hatred against sin then it acteth Evangelically Psal 51. v. 2.7.13 Hebr. 12.1 6. When it is by the application of the death of Christ in a promise that it maketh resistance against sin Rom. 6. v. 4.14 Heb. 9.14 Act. 5.31 Revel 12. v. 9.11 And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony Joh. 8. v. 34.36 If the Son shall make you free then you shall be free indeed This must be an ingredient in all the former particulars no freedome from sin but by Christ Luk. 1.71 72.74 75. 7. When sin it selfe is in subjection there is an inconsistency between sins reigning and its being in subjection it cannot be both King and Subject in the same soule at the same time There may be a Conflict with sin and yet it may seeme to get the upper-hand for a time but when the soule hath gotten sin beneath it then it is most conspicuous that sin doth not reigne As 1. When the soule is enabled to a speedy mortification of it upon all its rebellions it is like a conquered enemy that is not able to keepe the field any longer some parties may rallie and make some resistance but they doe but hasten their owne ruine thereby so the motions and stirrings of sin may be felt but the soule is enabled to looke unto Christ and to oppose the Word and blood of Christ to these and it is speedily saved Revel 12. v. 8 9.11 Sin in the lustings of it is speedily crushed suppressed and conquered it cannot prevaile upon the heart as formerly it hath done but is layd lower by every onset this is the report that may be given upon their fighting corruption is cast out cast out This argueth it hath not dominion 2. When even the former prevailings of corruption are made serviceable towards spiritual ends as when they produce soule-humiliation selfe-abasement and fill it with the more admiration of and cause it to be so much the more studious for the advancement of the exceeding riches of grace in opening a way to deliverance from sin Ezek. 16.61.63 Eph. 2. v. 5 6 7. that it can triumph over sin through Christ 1 Cor. 15.56 57. Then sin is in subjection And thus I have discovered when a soule is freed from the Dominion of sin but before I leave this I shall answer one objection CHAP. XVIII Of the soules retaining Assurance notwithstanding the prevailings of corruption Object BUt is it possible that a soule may retaine Assurance after it hath found the prevailings of Corruption If it formerly had it yet must it not unavoydably loose it after a falling into sin Premise 1. Sins are either of infirmitie onely or grosser sins which are the falls of the Saints Prem 2. Either there is a nourishing of these sins or an endeavour to the utmost after the mortification of them Answ 1. Assurance in the donation and continuation of it hath a dependance on the free actings of the Divine Spirit Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 5.6 And hence if the Spirit pleaseth that can continue such a worke upon the heart at such a time and if that will suspend its operations though no such provocation be given it to withdraw yet it is not in the power of man to continue it one moment longer 2. A man ought not to throw or cast away his Confidence so long as Scripturall grounds are afforded to found it upon it is the grosse mistake of too many Christians if they fall into sin they reckon it their duty then to question their estates to throw up all former perswasions of interest in Christ whereas this is very sinfull it not onely wanteth a word to warrant it for a duty but it is denyed by the word to be one They ought to hold fast their confidence firme unto the end Hebr. 3.6 Isai 49.14 She is upbraided for saying the Lord had forsaken her c. You are not to cast it away but upon a Scripture-ground and seing it is evident that falls are consistent with interest in Christ as in the case of David and Peter hence you cannot have a warrant from the word to make this an argument of being without Christ 3. The nourishing of Corruption hath a tendency to deprive the soule of Assurance Heb. 10.22 Psal 51.12 and therefore it is extreamely dangerous to cherish the least sin 4. If thou enquirest whither Assurance may stand with the nourishing any sin either thy Question must looke to the time past present or to come If to the time present or to come know that the Lord hath not granted thee liberty one moment for the nourishing any corruption and so it is a sin to be studious to make Assurance and any sin dwell together Put an end to this question by ceasing to nourish for the present and by seeking to prevent nourishing any sin for the future But if it respecteth the time past that formerly thou didst nourish some corruption thy after mortification of it is witnessing 5. I suppose Assurance may be retained after not only sins of infirmitie but also after the fals of the Saints when those sins are not nourished That it may continue after sins of infirmitie is undenyable because else it were impossible for any to retaine it seing the best of Saints are subject to these dayly Rom. 7.15.24 And for other sins see 1 Sam. 12. v. 19 20.22 They had made themselves guilty of great wickednesse and were afraid of death for it but Samuel forbiddeth this feare and calleth them up unto confidence that the Lord would not forsake them v. 22. for his owne names sake Micah 7. v. 8.9 Though I fall yet I shall arise Here is Assurance and yet under a fall and it is into sin v. 9. I have sinned I say when sin is not nourished else the considence is very suspicious for if there be sensible Assurance this will make opposition against sin in the soule 1 Sam. 12. v. 20.24 1 Joh. 3.3 Every man that hath this hope purifieth himselfe CHAP. XIX Of separation of the heart to God and Christ Qu 2. HOw may one know that his heart is separated to God and Christ Answ 1. From his esteeming of God and Christ above all other things Psal 73.26 27. Whom have I in heaven but thee a beleever would account even heaven it selfe