Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
diversity_n	apostle_n	gift_n	tongue_n	799	5	7.9207	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42584	Gell's remaines, or, Several select scriptures of the New Testament opened and explained wherein Jesus Christ, as yesterday, to day, and the same for ever, is illustrated, in sundry pious and learned notes and observations thereupon, in two volumes / by the learned and judicious Dr. Robert Gell ; collected and set in order by R. Bacon.	Gell, Robert, 1595-1665.; Bacon, Robert, b. 1611 or 12.	1676 (1676)	Wing G472; ESTC R17300	2,657,678	1,606

the validity and power of it in converting souls and working miracles For howsoever we acknowledge the word of Christ powerful both ways both before his Incarnation and in the days of his flesh as also by his Apostles and Ministers in the Primitive Times yet now we see not such powerful effects of the word For answer to this doubt 1. There is not the same reason why Christ's word should be alike powerful in working miracles upon the bodies of men and in conversion of their souls for howsoever I dare not say as some do that all miracles are ceased yet thus much I may say that miracles are useless among those who already believe And therefore our Lord wrought not miracles among the Apostles and Disciples who already believed on him But for the conviction of those who believed not Joh. 11. He called upon his Father and raised Lazarus for this end that the people might believe that his Father had sent him as appears vers 42. and by the effect vers 45. which is not only true in that particular but in the general also as Joh. 12.37 Though he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him This appears also in the miraculous gift of tongues 1 Cor. 14.22 Where the Apostle tells us that tongues are for a sign not to them that believe but to them that believe not But prophesying serveth not for them that believe not but for them that believe where the Apostle also shews the diversity which is to be observed between the Word of Christ in working Miracles and converting Souls So that it 's possible that where belief in the Lord Jesus is not yet wrought the Lord may raise up some extraordinary Instrument of his and give a miraculous power unto his word to work Faith in those who believe not As for those who believe the Lord hath made a promise unto them of working other and those greater miracles Joh. 14.12 As for the power of Christ's word in conversion if Christ himself had not said so who durst The meaning is that the works which a Believer works by the Spirit of God and upon the spirits and souls of men are greater than those which our Lord wrought by his word upon the bodies of men And he gives the reason because saith he I go to the Father namely to obtain of him the Spirit of Power which afterward he poured upon them Act. 2. as an earnest of that Spirit which he promised to pour upon all flesh Joel 2. But the Word of Christ seems not to be so powerful for the conversion of souls as in the first times for we read of three thousand souls converted ar one Sermon Act. 4.1 and either five thousand more or two thousand at the least for the words are doubtful Act. 4.4 I answer the defect is not in the word which is always powerful but either in the Preacher or the hearer of it 1. In the Preacher two ways For either 1. He hath no skill Or 2. No authority to use it 1. He is not skilful in the word of righteousness Heb. 5.12 13 14. for he is a babe which is not to be understood of natural age but spiritual growth according to the new Nature and new Birth for Timothy was but a young man yet old enough to be a Teacher and example to believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity 1 Tim. 4.12 When men therefore of corrupt minds presume to be teachers of the word understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1.7 How can we expect powerful effects from it The word is called the sword of the spirit Eph. 6. which comes out of the mouth of the son of man Apoc. 1.6 The sword cannot be wielded by any weakling by every novice Jether could not kill Zalmunna Judg. 8.21 As the child is so is his strength if they had stood in my counsel Jer. 23.21 But now they shall not profit this people vers 32. Nor by a mad man 2. In case he have skill and strength to use it yet he may be inhibited and not have authority to use it And that in regard of the people Ezech. 3.26 I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth that thou shalt be dumb and shalt not be to them a reprover the reason for they are a rebellious house Amos 5.12 13. I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins they afflict the just they take a bribe and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time for it is an evil time This is a great defect in regard of the hearer There are others also 1. Partly in regard of misunderstanding as when men are possessed with false and erroneous Principles which they have taken up upon trust what ever they hear conveyed or delivered unto them as our Lord told the Sadducees Ye err not knowing the Scripture nor the power of God yea men in errour so adhere unto them that they will not receive the truth it self but reject it as an errour As our Saviour tells the unbelieving Jews Joh. 8.45 Because I tell ye the truth ye believe me not and St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 1.21 that the world by wisdom knew not God 2. Another defect in the hearer is partiality in hearing he hears the word with respect of persons crying up some and decrying others The Church of Corinth and the Church of the Galatians were troubled with such such an one was Simon Magus Act. 8.9 He hath a Devil and is mad why hear ye him Observe then the ground of that courage and resolution which we see in godly men and true Christians they have Christs word of power residing in them Luk. 21.15 I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist Act. 4.13 Peter and John waxing bold the Jews took knowledge that they had been with Jesus Act. 6. when the Libertines were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which Stephen spake Nehemiah reproved the Princes and they held their peace and found nothing to answer Neh. 5.8 2. Observe the only firm object of Christian Faith not only a word of truth for his Word is Truth Joh. 17. but a word also of Power whereby every word of God is ratified and confirmed Hebr. 11.32 33. This is the reason that a faithful man is able to do all things Psal 4.13 credenti omnia possibilia If the Word of Christ be a powerful word then hence Repreh Those who smooth and flatter Great Ones in magnifying their Power as if they were the only Potentates Such were the flatterers of Canutus sometime a King of this Island which he confuted sitting on the shore pleasing some flatterers commanding the Sea it should not touch his feet being wetshod he shewed that of Solomon Eccles 8.4 to be most truly meant

thy self that thou mayest walk with thy God Our God therefore walks in lowliness and humility and if we will walk with him we must humble our selves Exhort To this holy Ambition to desire to sit with Christ on the right hand of the Majesty on High Christ hath a right to bestow this honour upon all his Saints who follow him in the Regeneration Matth. 19.28 in the new world as the Syriack after the Resurrection when Christ makes all things new 2 Cor. 5.17 But this seems not to be Christs to give Matth. 20.20 The Mother of Zebedees Children sues to Christ for preferment for them just as many a Parent doth without any respect at all to their ability to discharge such place of trust either in Church or Common-wealth only they desire they should be great in the world But alas the good woman desired more honours for her Sons James and John conceiving that such places are places of great honour and profit Truly said the Apostle and I wish he had been believed he that desires a Bishoprick desires a good work not honour and profit our Lord requires fitness in those suitors for so eminent places as they desire Can ye drink saith he of the cup they say they can ye shall indeed vers 23. but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unless it be unto those for whom it is prepared of my Father where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Mark 8. they saw none 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so 2 Cor. 2.5 If any man hath caused grief he hath not grieved me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unless or but in part As it is not mine to give except only to those for whom it is prepared so that the supplement may be very well spared for surely the dispensing as of places and offices so of honours also belongs as to the Father so likewise unto the Son for so what ye read ascribed to the Father 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers afterwards Miracles then gifts of healing helps governments diversities of tongues the same dispensation the same Apostle ascribes to Christ Ephes 4.8 When he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men and vers 11. he gave some Apostles some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and some Teachers The entrance into the Holiest is now opened by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which was not opened in former ages The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first Tabernacle was yet standing Hebr. 9.8 God hath raised up all faithful men to this height of dignity and honour Ephes 2.6 Object This is in hope Resp 'T is true in respect of the degree but we have a real and true possession of those high things Hebr. 12. Object These heavenly places many possess by a strong imagination and that 's all they have to shew for them But the words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in heavenly things c. Sign Whether we have hope of them 1 Joh. 3.3 If one were adopted heir to a great man how would he not order himself accordingly Adrian was told that the Christians said they were Kings he replyed we need have no fear of them Be servants and followers of Christ Matth. 19.28 we must serve Christ and then we shall obtain this honour Joh. 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall my servant be This following must be through his sufferings Means Endeavour to overcome He who overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and sit in my Fathers Throne But what must we overcome What else but that which our Lord overcame 1. The Flesh they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be of good cheer so we turn it Joh. 16. as if the work were done the Latin Confidite the Syriack 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have a good heart be of good courage so in the Languages of all the Reformed Churches 2. The World signifieth the lusts of the world 1 Joh. 2.16 3. The Devil the evil one 1 Joh. 2.13 These are the enemies we must overcome if ever we hope to sit with our Lord in his Throne those against which we have vowed perpetual enmity in our Baptism yet let not any man presume of his own strength for the conquest of so potent enemies No it is the Lord that raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among Princes and to make them inherit the Throne of Glory 1 Sam. 2.8 and the reason is given vers 9. by strength i. e. his own strength shall no man prevail No but by the blood and spirit and power of Christ Zach. 4.6 Not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts It is by his goodness that we overcome the evil one they overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony they loved not their lives i. e. their sinful lives unto the death Revel 14.14 Christ sate down on the right hand of the Throne Let us enquire 1. what the right hand of the Majesty is 2. what to sit at the right hand 3. the reason of the point 4. the use of all unto our selves These differences of positions fix our thoughts on God and his Throne of Majesty as if he were corporeal and confined to some place whereas he is free from all both bodily figure and local confinement Yet I conceive not that the right and left hand of the Throne is taken from resemblance unto these differences among us but that rather the reason of these differences is to be sought first in God as I shewed before The right hand of God therefore is his Piety Clemency Mercy Goodness as the left hand his Severity his Justice his Judgement Georg. Venet pag. 45. b. On that right hand Christ sate it 's an Article of our own grounded upon many Scriptures Mar. 16.19 Luk. 22.69 Rom. 8.34 Col. 2.1 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here used signifieth sessum Ivit he went to sit and it imports the posture 1. Of a King or Judge sitting in Judicature as the word is used both in prophane Authors with which I will not trouble you and the Scripture it self 1 King 1.17 Solomon sate upon the Throne of the Kingdom beside many other places 2. Of a Judge Psal 9.4 Thou satest in the Throne judging right Dan. 7.10 and the Judgement-seat Joel 3.12 In the valley of Jehoshaphat will be sit to judge the heathen round about in all which places we have the same word answering to the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wise sayings such are the writings of the Apostles they are Apothegms qui loquitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if any speak let him speak as the Oracles of God Observ God gives his Spirit to the faithful Gal. 3.2 having believed they are sealed Epes 1.13 Object So then if we believe once we are sure of the Spirit of God True but what kind of belief is this not every kind no no no other Beloved than that which is joyned with obedience as ye shall evidently perceive by Act. 5.32 for to believe and to obey in this sence are all one as our Translators observe in the Margent vers 36. of that Chapter After filling followeth stopping Open vessels are unclean See Chap. 4. vers 13. Object The Devils believe Jam. 2. This the reason why men profit not they are full of envy pride covetousness Why hath Sathan filled thy heart Observe then 1. Man is a vessel 2. He is full of something 3. He that is full Disciple-like is full with the holy Ghost Repreh 1. Those that are not full with this Spirit 2. Those that are filled with other things 3. Those that are filled with the contrary Observ 1. The truth of the Spirit inhabiting contrary to their Tenent who interpret all things spoken in this kind of the Spirit of God of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the gifts and graces of the Spirit whereas they ought to know that the Spirit of the Lord that fills the whole earth the whole world is in a more special manner filling his own Temple i. e. our bodies and souls Rom. 8.9 11. In him we live move and have our being Act. 17. Hence it is that the Master of the sentences saith that Charity is ipse Spiritus Sanctus Love is the holy Spirit it self Observ 2. Man is a vessel 1. His body is surely so 1 Sam. 21.5 2 Cor. 4. 2. His Soul is such Ecclus. 21. Cor fatui vas fictile Observ 3. A vessel is full of something it is as true in Divinity as in Philosophy non datur vacuum there is nothing wholly empty Observ 4. The Disciple-like kind of filling is with the holy Spirit The best liquor is put in the best vessel The Spirit of God is compared in Scripture to Wine and to Oyl the new Wine and the Oyl of gladness The new Wine must be put in new vessels and the Oyl of gladness into the Virgins lamps that are trimmed Repreh 1. Those who are not filled with the holy Spirit The great and heavy complaint of these last days notwithstanding that the Spirit of God is poured out in great measure yea beyond measure in the very fulness of it yet men receive it not It was the prediction of St. Paul 2 Tim. 3.1 Know this that in the last days perilous times shall come This is strange that there should be perilous times in the last days for St. Peter vers 16 17. of this Chapter expounds Joel 2.28 as a prophecy now fulfilled This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel It shall come to pass in the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh c. He pours out the Spirit and who receives it Alas it runs beside It followeth that 2. Surely we are filled with somewhat else intus existens prohibet alienum for as one adequate and proper place cannot hold two bodies so neither can one soul hold two disagreeing and contrary spirits Have we not in us the spirit of the world that spirit whereby men walk according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 Something it is that keeps out the Spirit of Grace Are we not filled with the contrary Rom. 1.29 Are we not filled with unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness malitiousness full of envy murder debate deceit Are we not full of rapine and excess Luk. 11. Let us not deceive our selves Beloved Consider I beseech you of what spirit such men are they are given up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a reprobate mind Rom. 1.28 Consider what St. Paul speaks to such a one Act. 13.10 O thou full of all subtilty and mischief thou enemy of all righteousness thou child of the Devil What is emptying but the purging of our Vessels our selves from sin and uncleanness as Prov. 25.4 from lewd and evil vessels 2 Tim. 2.21 Upon this condition we may be partakers of the Sacrament as the Priest said concerning Davids servants if the young men have kept themselves from women they may eat hallowed bread and if the old men have kept themselves from covetousness To which David answers The vessels of the young men are holy Abiathar makes no question of David there who was a Type of Christ and the righteousness of God 1 Sam. 21.4 5. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat Observ 1. There are degrees and measures of the Spirit Observ 2. See here our duty we owe whereunto we are baptized in the name of the holy Ghost even to be wholly taken up and wholly disposed and fitted for the use and service of God Observ 3. What the reason is why the holy Spirit fills not men as formerly we are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is altogether as before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 133.1 2 3. Be of one mind live in peace and the God of peace shall be with you Reprehend us all when God sends his Word and Spirit to be a mould and frame wherein we should be cast as Gen. 6. When God had made the man after his image 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man turned all into a vain image Observ 4. Let us consider the great bounty of God reserved for these last times Is it not that we should be more obedient than they of ancient times To whom much is given of him much shall be required They began to speak with other tongues at the spirit gave them utterance What here are called other tongues elsewhere are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which our Translators are pleased to turn divers kinds of tongues 1 Cor. 12.10 and vers 28. diversities of tongues Howbeit what tongues are here called other tongues are to be understood new tongues as these words are used promiscuously Vide Essay in Esay 65.15 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to begin may be understood either 1. So as the action was never before done Or else 2. So as to signifie no more than the action it self Mar. 11.15 He began to cast out them that sold and bought which Matth. 21.12 is expressed only He cast out all them that sold and bought And what you read Luk. 12.1 He began to say beware of the leaven c. is no other than he said Take heed and beware of the leaven c. Matth. 16.6 The word here is properly and necessarily used and without any redundancy because it is the first time that