Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
diversity_n	age_n	church_n	divers_a	435	5	10.5947	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41670	A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...	Gouge, William, 1578-1653.; Gouge, Thomas, 1605-1681.	1655 (1655)	Wing G1391; ESTC R34210	2,433,641	1,664

this was proved before § 30. All the miracles boasted of by Papists for proof of any of their hereticall and idolatrous positions or practises are counterfeit §. 34. Of the diversity of Miracles THe miracles whereby the Gospel was confirmed are here said to be divers This may be referred to the multitude of them For though very many of them be registred in the New Testament yet it is said that Christ did many other signes Iohn 20. 30. To the multitude of Christs miracles may this also be applied There are many other things which Iesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written John 21. 25. But this word divers hath reference most properly to the different kinde of miracles as curing diseases restoring senses and limbs raising the dead dispossessing devils c. This word is attributed to such things as are many in their number and various in their kindes as to pleasures Titus 3. 3. To lust 2 Tim. 3. 6. To doctrines Heb. 13. 9. To temptations Iames 1. 2. yea and to such diseases as Christ cured Matth. 4. 24. All these are said to be divers and they are every way so divers as neither the number nor the several kindes of them can be reckoned up Concerning the diversity of miracles whereby the Gospel was confirmed God had therein respect to mens backwardness in believing and to the manifold oppositions against the Gospel If a few miracles would not serve the turn there were many If this or that kinde of miracles wrought not on men yet other kindes might according to that which is recorded of the divers signes which God commanded Moses to shew It shall come to pass if they will not beleeve thee neither hearken to the voice of the first sign that they will beleeve the voice of the latter sign and it shall come to passe if they will not beleeve also these two signs that thou shalt take of the water of the River and powr it upon the dry Land and it shall become bloud Exod. 4. 8 9. Though Pharaohs heart were out of measure hard and by nine severall plagues was not moved to let Israel go yet by another which was divers from all the rest he was moved Exo. 12. 30 31. Many blows especially with divers hammers one heavier then another will drive a great spike up to the head into such a rough piece of timber as a few blows with one light hammer could not make entrance thereinto It appears that it was the multitude and diversity of miracles that wrought upon the Jews in that they said When Christ cometh will he do more miracles then these which this man hath done Joh. 7. 31. This is one end why God in all ages hath furnished his Church with variety of Ministers indued with divers gifts that the Church might be more edified thereby When Barnabas a Son of consolation Act. 4. 36. little moves people Boanerges Sons of thunder may work upon them Mar. 3. 17. Sometimes an Apollos an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures and fervent in the Spirit may much help such as beleeve through grace and may convince gainsayers Act. 24 25 27 28. §. 35. Of the gifts of the holy Ghost THe fourth means whereby God confirmed the Gospel were gifts of the holy Ghost that is such gifts as the Spirit of God wrought in men The Greek word here translated gifts properly signifieth divisions or distributions This very word in the singular number is translated dividing asunder Heb. 4. 12. Another word derived from the same root that this is is translated a divider Luk. 12. 14. The Verb signifieth to divide as where it is said of Christ He divided the two fishes among them Mark 6. 41. or to distribute as where it is said God hath distributed to every man 1 Cor. 7. 17. So 2 Cor. 10. 13. Now the Church being as a body consisting of many members the holy Ghost doth divide and distribute gifts needfull for the whole body to and among the severall members thereof to one one gift to another another 1 Cor. 12. 8 c. Hence in Greek they are called divisions or distributions and because they arise not from our selves but are given by another and that most freely they are not unfitly translated gifts In other places another word is used to set out the very same things that are here intended and it properly signifieth free gifts Rom. 12. 6. The word that signifieth distributions is here translated gifts because they confirm the Gospel which is the main end why mention is here made of them as they are gifts extraordinarily given by the holy Ghost Ghost is an ancient English word that signifieth the same thing that spirit doth The word that in Greek signifieth spirit is oft translated ghost especially when it is spoken of the departing of a mans soul or spirit from his body Of Christ it is said He gave up the Ghost Matth. 27. 50 Ioh. 19. 30. He that here and in many other places is called holy Ghost is also called holy Spirit Luk. 11. 13. Ephes. 1. 13. 4. 30. Here the third person in sacred Trinity is meant This Epithete Holy is attributed to the Spirit 1. In regard of his divine property in which respect the Father Ioh. 17. 11. and Sonne also is stiled holy Acts 4. 27 30. 2. In regard of his speciall function or operation which is to make holy In this respect he is called the Spirit of holinesse Rom. 1. 4. and sanctification is appropriated unto him 2 Thes. 2. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Of the holy Ghost See more Chap. 3. ver 7. § 74. Though every good gift be of the holy Ghost Gal. 5. 22. yet here such extraordinary gifts as in the Apostles times were conferred on any are especially meant Such as were before Christs exhibition foretold Ioel 2. 28 29. And after Christs ascension were abundantly poured out Acts 2. 4. That extraordinary gifts are here intended is evident in that they are here joyned with Signes Wonders and Miracles and because they are brought in for the very same end namely for confirmation of the Gospel Those Miracles were extraordinary and gave evident proof of the divine calling of them who were endued therewith and of the divine truth of that doctrine for which they were given By the gifts of the holy Ghost poured on them who on the day of Pentecost were assembled together an Apostle proves to the Jews that that Jesus whom they had crucified was both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 33 36. By like gifts did he confirm the calling of the Gentiles Acts 11. 15 16 17. Those gifts were divers as well as the miracles before mentioned This is particularly exemplified 1 Cor. 12. 4 c. They are distributed into three generall heads 1. Gifts 2. Administrations 3. Operations 1. Under