Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
doctrine_n apostle_n scripture_n tradition_n 4,180 5 9.2107 5 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A93130 The Qvakers 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 of the Holy Spirit, his impressions and workings on the sovls of men. Very seasonable for these times. / By R. Sherlock, B.D. Sherlock, R. (Richard), 1612-1689. 1654 (1654) Wing S3254; Thomason E1495_3; ESTC R208535 67,037 174

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

spirit of meeknesse and humility of unity love and charity Gal. 6.1 Col. 3.12 13. 1 Joh. 4.6 7. Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 1 Joh. 4.6 Even by love and charity therefore it followes Beloved let us love one another for love comes of God and every one that loves is borne of God and knoweth God and he that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love Quest 16 Whether they be not seducers that draw people from the anointing which is in them and tell them they must be taught of a man whereas the annointing teacheth them they need no man teath them but as the anointing teacheth them and the promise is to him that doth abide in it eternally Answ By the anointing within is meant that measure and proportion of spiritual wisdome and understanding in the things of God 1 Joh. 2.27 whereby according to command we are enabled to try the spirits whether they be of God or no 1 Joh. 4.1 because many false prophets are gone forth which the foregoing words doth imply c. 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that deceive you Now this spirituall unction or knowledg of the truth which is from the Spirit whosoever hath received need not be taught of man if he abide in the truth which he hath received and do not give heed to seduceing spirits And I would to God that all who are called the Lords people had their hearts sprinkled with this spirituall ointment and their eyes anointed with this eye-salve Rom. 3.38 that they might see to discern betwixt light and darknesse betwixt true prophets and such as deceive the simple lest suffering themselves being blind to be led by the blind they both fall into the ditch Mat. 15.14 Quest 17 Whether they do not bewitch the people who withdraw them from the spirit within to observe the ordinances of the world and traditions of men without as the Galatians were bewitched Gal. 3.1 Answ I must tell you that there is not only a holy and good spirit within and that 's but in too few but there 's also an evill and seducing spirit within and that 's in too many even the spirit that doth bewitch men and draw them aside from the doctrines and commands of the Spirit of truth and to strive by all means to draw the people off from giving heed to seducing spirits is not to observe the ordinances of the world and traditions of men as you pervert the text but to obey the commands of Gods true spirit 1 Tim. 4.12 Mat. 7.15 1 Joh. 4.1 who foretelling of false Prophets and false Spirits often in the Word commands exhorts admonisheth to beware of such not to give heed to such and not to beleeve every spirit but to try them Quest 18 Whether they be not seducers which tell people these are the ordinances of God which God never commanded as sprinkling Infants telling people of a Sacrament which there is no Scripture for and draw them from the spirit within to follow your imaginations and inventions Answ They who are guilty of calling humane inventions Gods ordinances are seducers we confesse But for the sprinkling Infants as you scornfully call Baptisme which is Gods ordinance for he hath ordained and commanded it to be observed I have already given you the grounds of it out of the Scriptures and we cal it a Sacrament as being a tearme best expressing the nature of it which you would confesse if you understood it And for the spirit within I have already told you out of Scripture that we are not blindfolded to follow the dictates thereof but to try them by the Spirit speaking in the Word And thus to draw men from the spirit within is not to follow our own imaginations since God by his holy Spirit commands the same Quest 19 Whether you have the same spirit which was in Christ the Apostles and Prophets which gave forth the Scriptures seeing you act contrary to the Scriptures and follow your own inventions and tradition and so erre from them Answ They that do beleeve or act any thing contrary to the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles are not led by the same spirit but in saying that we do this herein I must tell you that you doe falsly and flatly belie us since both we can and you see we do prove our Ministeriall actions to be agreeable to the Scriptures Quest 20 Whether ever Christ and his Apostles did first Baptize and then preach faith and repentance twenty or thirty years afterwards Answ Christ himself was Baptized being a person not capable of faith Heb. 12.2 and repentance for he was above both of faith he was the author and finisher Joh. 3.16 1 Pet. 2.22 the person in whom we are to beleeve and of repentance he was not capable who knew no sin and the Baptisme of Christ sure it is to be our pattern and grand example The Apostles also baptized many persons who had not true Faith and Repentance but were Hypocrites as Simon Magus Alexander the Coppersmith Demas Diotrephes And Simon Magus had repentance preached unto him after he was baptized many days Act. 8.13 22. as the Texts clearly expresses From all which Examples it is manifest that Faith and Repentance are not necessarily required of all persons as to the reception of Baptism but to the blessed effects and fruits thereof pardon of sin c. 2. Neither are children also absolutely and altogether destitute of Faith and Repentance they have these Graces in the power though not in the act In the seed though not in the fruit Lev. 25.41 42. In the promise for and in their behalf though not in the present actual performance Mat. 18.3 4 5 6 7. Acts 16.33.18.8 Therefore called the servants of God believers little ones that believe in me And under the general notion of families and housholds they are rankt amongst persons baptized converted and serving the Lord. Quest 21 Whether ever Christ and his Apostles received 100 or 200 pounds a year for Preaching the Gospel Answ Christ himself when he preached the Gospel was maintained by the gifts and benevolence of his Auditors who ministred unto him of their substance And the Apostles for Preaching the Gospel had more I believe then 100 l. Mar. 15.41 or 200 l. a year for many of their Converts sold all their estates Act. 4.34 37. and brought it and laid it down at the Apostles feet for saith the Apostle Rom. 15.27 1 Cor. 9.11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great matter if we reap your carnal things Quest 22 What Scripture is there to limit God to a place calling it a Church when as the Church is in God 1 Thes 1.1 Answ We do not limit God to a place who is every where Jer. 23.23 Mat. 18.20 and filleth the World but yet after a special manner When two
and followers were either guilty of the sin or liable to the curse Quest 11 Whether a●y naturall man can preach the Gospell yea or no. Answ He cannot preach the Gospell who understands it not and he that in some good measure understands the Gospell is not to be called a naturall man because 1. The contents of the Gospell are the things of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.13 which the naturall man receives not neither knows them and 2. Because knowledge Isa 11.2 wisdome and understanding especially of spirituall things are the gifts of the Spirit with which gifts spirituall the Ministers of the Gospell are through the use of means endowed some more plentifully some more sparingly 1 Cor. 12.11 according as God by his holy Spirit blessing our studies has imparted unto us who distributes to every one severally as he will Quest 12 Whether that any Ministers of God was made Ministers by the will of man or no shew it me by the Scriptures Answ 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 qualifyed 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 1 Tim. 5.21 22. Tit. 1.5 we are so by them through 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 Quest 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. Answ 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 soules 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 endevors in the use of means so God gives his blessing thereupon That promise Jer. 31.34 they shall teach no more every man his neighbour saying Know the Lord for all men shall know me from the least to the greatest is expressed indeed to be fulfilled under the Gospell Heb. 8.4 10. because the means of knowing God under the Gospell are more plentifull and effectuall then under the Law to wit through the revelation of Jesus Christ and the miraculous inspiration of his Apostles immediately from heaven And whereas t is promised thy children shall be taught of the Lord Isa 54.13 this promise is fulfilled in that we have the teaching the doctrine of the Lord Jesus even his holy Gospell who came down from heaven on purpose to teach us Tit. 2.11 12. Tit. 2.11 12. The grace of God which brings down salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying c. thus we are taught by the Lord Jesus outwardly in the doctrine of his Gospell and inwardly by the motions and dictates of his holy Spirit And yet for all this the best and most knowing of men aime not to such a perfection of knowledge in his gifts as not to need teaching because whilest we are in this life we know but in part 1 Cor. 13.9 10.11 12. and prophesie but in part but when that which is perfect c. Quest 14 Whether they be not Antichrists and disobey Christ that have the chiefest places in Assemblies stand praying in the Synagogues which Christ did forbid his Disciples to act such things and cryed woe against those that did act them Answ They that vain-gloriously affect the chiefest places in the Assemblies to offer up their private prayers standing in publick places that they may be seen and they that love to be called of men Master are hypocrites and sinners and lyable to the woe denounced by Christ against such But it is one thing to occupy the chief place in any meeting for some one must have it and another thing out of pride and vain-glory to affect it and so of being called Master T is one thing to stand praying in the publick Assemblies that the people may both see and hear and joyne with us and another thing to stand praying privately in publick meetings only to be seen and thought religious And whereas you seem to apply these mistaken and misunderstood sayings of Christ to all Ministers and most uncharitably demand whether such be not Antichrists to this I shall only say the Lord forgive you the hardnesse of your heart and unjust censures of your Christian brethren Is it a mark of Antichrist to preach and pray with the people of God in publick and at such times to stand in an higher and more convenient place that the people may hear and joyne with us examples of which practise I have already given you out of Scripture If we do these things in the pride of our hearts the Lord only knowes it and will avenge it T is not for you to censure and condemn us herein for in so doing you discover more pride of heart and look more like Antichrist then those you uncharitably taxe and tearm so Quest 15 Whether they be not Antichrists and of the Devill and no Ministers of Christ which doth not abide in the Doctrine of Christ Answ They that swerve from the Doctrine of Christ are of the spirit of Antichrist 1 Joh. 4.6 And they that oppose the dictates and commands of the Spirit of truth speaking in the words are led by the spirit of errour Isa 8.44 which is the Devill who was a lyer from the beginning Mat. 4.4 6. and afterward coloured his lies with errours with the words of truth perverted quoting and misapplying the Scriptures the better to insinuate his falshoods which things I could wish were not too applyable to you and your sect I am sure that your malice and hatred to Ministers because they oppose your errours your bitter envyings raylings and revilings both of them and other your Christian brethren whom you call carnall the wicked and the people of the world your false and uncharitable applications of the woes and curses of the Scriptures to all such who are wiser then to be brought under your delusions and in a word your justifying your selves and condemning others are all of them undenyable signes that you are not led by the spirit of truth which is the
succeeded them have been admitted by an ordinary vocation because the succession is but of ordinary necessity now for any man to pretend to 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 belye the Spirit of Truth cousen the too credulous souls of the people when ever they have a minde to it now is it a meer pretence of folly to expect or rely 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 § 27 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 conferd by our Lord in his triumph over our ghostly fots 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 ●ers 12 through the work of the Ministry which proportionable to the two-fold calling are either extraordinary or ordinary also extraordinary they were even plentiful 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 Jews to convert the fulness 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 darkness and in the shadow of death devoted to the service of sin and Satan the Prince of darkness Now to master and subdue the whole world Act. 26.18 and to turn all men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to the living God 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 handful 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 stand either to such sublime and eminent gifts of the Spirit or to any such immediate and extraordinary infusion of spiritual gifts § 28 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 Act. 2.4 filled as full as they could hold 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 Act. 1.5 ours is at the best but a Rantism they were washed washed as it were all over with the Spirit we but sprinkled with his gifts they had the anoynting of the holy One more plentifully we in a smaller scantling they were anoynted above far above all their fellows and successors who received ordinarily but an Hin to their Epha Their Unction was like the Oyntment poured upon ●●al 133.2 the head that ran down to the beard and all others since but like the thin droppings upon the skirts of the garment § 29 Secondly for the manner the Apostles were endued with their fulness 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 and in the use of means even by much study labor and industry in the ways of wisdom 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 2 Tim. 2.15 Study to shew thy self approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth and yet Timothy sure had less need to study for his gifts then any of us as having more of immediate Inspiration then the best of men can hope for since § 30 And yet though we study to be qualified for the work of the Ministry our qualifications are stil the gifts of the Spirit all our wisdom and knowledg is from above even as of Daniel and the three children it is recorded that God gave them knowledge and understanding in all learning and wisdom Dan. 1.17 Dan. 1.17 And yet it is said before vers the 4. that they were brought up and instructed in knowledge and that 〈◊〉 and among the Heathen too and we●● taught the learning and tongue of the G●ld●●nt So our humane learning tongues and languages so much declared against by the ignorant are the Handmaids to spiritual and Divine wisdom and knowledge and both the one and the other though acquired by instruction and study in the Schools of the Prophets are yet of Gods merciful donation they are still the gifts of the Spirit And that first because from the Spirit of God it is that we have mindes capable and mindes inclinable to use the means for the attainment of such gifts for even our natural endowments and moral qualifications are gifts of the Spirit perspicacity quickness of wit ripeness of judgement together with a studious diligent and industrious minde in the search and dexterity in the discovery of the several ways of learning and knowledge
in the way but backward from the way of truth so 1 Joh. 4.8 We are of God speaking of himself and the rest of his fellow Apostles He that knoweth God heareth us acquiescendo doctrinae nostrae cleaves to our doctrine Lyra. and he that is not of God heareth us not neither is obedient to our word And hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error q. d. He that cleaves to our doctrine is guided by the Spirit of truth and he that doth not so by the spirit of error § 42 But the spirit of error will come with his scriptum est likewise as he did against our Lord himself Matth. 4. And all hereticks and schismaticks do generally alleadge scriptures wrest the very sayings of the Spirit of truth against himself to insinuate thereby their lyes and errors For as Tertullian observes of the writings of Ovid Virgil Homer both the matter of them hath been transferr'd unto other uses and the verses applyed to other matter Even so doe hereticks deal with the holy writings of inspired men De Praescr adv Haer. cap. 39. Nec periclitor dicere c. I fear not to say that the Scriptures were so disposed by the wisdome of God that they might accidentaliter and by the by even administer matter to Heresies since I read that heresies must come and without the Scriptures they cannot come For 't is in the production of heresies as of natural things Corruptio unius est generatio alterius the corruption of truth is the generation of herefie all hereticall opinions being generally grounded upon and following from the fountain of truth the Scripture not as they are in themselves rightly interpreted and understood but as they are wrested and perverted either in the words or in the sense either by additions or diminutions or by not considering them together but divided into parts and taken up by shreds and pieces for the avoyding whereof these following rules must be observed in the tryal of spirits by the Scriptures First try and examine by the coherence whether that be the very intent and aim of the holy Ghost in the text for the which it is urg'd and alleadged For the same words of the Spirit may be misapplyed both to other things and other persons then the Spirit ever meant or intended therein Secondly distinguish betwixt times ages persons when wherein and to whom this or that word was spoken For there are many things both said and recorded to be done in the Word which are onely agreeable to those times to that age of the Church and to some particular persons and are not at all applyable to the Church and people of Christ in these times or to any persons amongst us Thirdly examine diligently the phrase and manner of speech whether it be plain or metaphorical literal or allegorical a true history or a parable onely For many things are spoken in the Word by way of type figure allegory parable and the like which if we should apply in the plain and literall sense would prove strange monstrous lies and contradictions which God forbid any man should be so blasphemous as to impose on the Spirit of truth and wisdome Fourthly examine diligently what agreement every text of Scripture hath with other and receive not easily and sleightly the seeming sense of any text without comparing the same with its parallel texts For many things seem to be positively asserted in some places of the Word of God which yet are directly contradicted in others one place therefore is so to be compared with and interpreted by another that the one do not obscure or any way cloud the truth of the other Fifthly examine whether that which we conceive to be the sense of this or that Scripture be agreeable to those Articles of Christian faith contained in the Apostles Creed 2 Tim. 1.13 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or form of sound words in faith we must hold sast Jude v. 3. that modell of faith once given to the Saints for which we must contend and consequently receive no private sense or interpretation of Scripture that is contrary thereunto 2 Pet. 1.20 remembring that no Scripture is of any private interpretation 1 Cor. 14.32 but that even the spirits of the Prophets themselves are subject to the Prophets Sixtly examine what we conceive to be the sense of the Spirit in the Word by the rule of that Law written by the finger of God in two Tables of stone as a lasting square according to which to regulate all our actions and consequently all our conceptions and opinions from whence our actions flow The rule of obedience or that all perfect rule of Charity Rom. 13.10 which is the fulfilling of the Law is an infallible rule of tryal of the spirits whether they be of God or no Hereby saith the Apostle we are sure we know God if we keep his Commandements he that saith I know God and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him 1 Joh. 2.34 1 Joh. 2.34 It is not the Spirit of truth but the spirit of errour if it oppose or deny or any way impede and hinder our obedience to the laws of God For saith the same Apostle again He that keepeth his Commandements dwelleth 1 Joh. 3.24 in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us even by that Spirit which he hath given us even by the spirit of obedience to the Commandements of God So that even from hence 't is clear that both to have the Spirit abiding in us and the way to know we have him also and not a false counterfeit lying spirit is if thereby we be mov'd and enabled to keep Gods Commandements This is the very rule our Saviour himself prescribes to examine his own doctrine thereby Joh. 7.17 Joh. 7.17 If any man wil doe his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my selfe And this is the first generall rule of tryal of the Spirits even the Word of God § 43 A second rule according to which to try the spirits whether they be of God or no is by the fruits of the Spirit and 't is the rule our Lord himself hath given us to know them by Matt. 7.15 Matt. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening wolves Beware of false Prophets for many such are gone out into the world who in respect of their exteriour dresse and outward appearance so plausible are their pretences so spirituall are their expressions so much of the language of the Spirit and scripture phrases flow from them that you would take them for the true sheep of Christ and undoubtedly to belong to his fold and yet for all this inwardly really and truely they are wolves in sheeps cloathing limbs of Satan deceiving and devouring the souls of