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duty_n day_n private_a public_a 3,325 5 6.8500 4 true
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A44217 The Holy Ghost on the bench, other spirits at the bar: or The judgment of the Holy Spirit of God upon the spirits of the times. recorded in Holy Writ. / And reported by Richard Hollinworth ... Hollingworth, Richard, 1607-1656. 1656 (1656) Wing H2494A; ESTC R29484 37,097 128

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spiritual wickednesses Eph. 6.12 the evil spirit his temptations are evil and to evil being a spirit of whoredoms an unclean spirit Hos 4.12 he tempteth to murther and lying Iohn 8.44 to Sacriledge Act. 5.2 Covetousness and Treason Ioh. 13.2 Object But this or that spirit moveth to good Duties to abhor pride in Apparel to renounce the world c. Answ Though the good Spirit of God doth never tempt to evil yet the evil spirit sometimes perswades to that which is good and so he transforms himself into an Angel of light and his Ministers as the Ministers of righteousness appearing and pleading for righteousness 2 Cor. 11.14 but Satan doth never move to good as it is good though by accident it may be materially good but as some sin or evil cleaves to it his main design is to promote evil and he moveth to good duties but obiter that he might more easily deceive and be less suspected the bait is good for the fish but the Fisher aimes at the catching and killing of the fish not at the feeding of them and therefore there is an hook in it so doth Satan in this case James 1.14 Quest How may I know when it is the evil spirit that moveth me to that which is good Answ 1. When we are moved to do holy Duties unsutable to good things in a bad manner without care or conscience viz. in pride as David numbred the people a thing in some cases lawful and necessary 1 Chron. 21.1 or in hypocrisie so the Pharasees fasted prayed and gave Almes Matth. 6. with oppinion of merit Gal. 5.2.4.5.8 or for a pretence for the covering of our wicked intentions Matth. 23.14.23 so Herod Matth. 2.7.8 So to Pray or Preach carelesly to come to the Lords Supper unpreparedly and unworthily 1 Cor. 11.27 for Satan knows that not only the plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21.4 But also their Praying Prophesying and their Service of God their Sacrifice to God is abhominable Prov. 28.9 and that a curse belongs to them that do the works of God negligently Jerem. 48.10 much more if they do it prophanely And Satan would have us by this means to go away with a curse instead of a blessing Secondly when we are moved to do good Extravagantly without call or commission so Corah and Dathan offered incense Numb 16. Such was Sauls sacrisicing Uzzah's staying the Ark though his intention was very good Uzzah's offering incense God is the God of order the evil Spirit causeth tumult disorder distraction confusion 1 Cor. 14.33 God hath appointed Orders in his Church first Apostles c. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 His Canon is Let all things be done in order 1 Cor. 14.40 For the Church is an Army with Banners in Military Rank and File women are appointed to keep silence in the Churches and the Spirits of the Prophets are to be subject to the Prophets and every one ought to abide in his own Place and Calling 1 Cor. 7.20.24 And the Apostles pray a very needful and useful prayer that they may be delivered from absurd men or men out of their places 2 Thes 3.1 2. Thirdly When we are moved to do good unseasonably viz. when there are other Duties either in themselves greater or more incumbent on us at that time then that which we are moved to such isour considering our worldly occasions at other times lawful and fit upon the Lords Day Amos. 8.5 Isa 58.13 So private Duties and Exercises in time of Publique Ordinances for God loves the Gates of Sion the more Solemn and Publique Assemblies of his People more then all the private dwellings of Jacob Psal 87.2 So impertinent thoughts though otherwise holy and good which do hinder our praying hearing serving of God that we cannot pray or hear c. as we ought with all our might Eccles 9.10 so that expression of Peters love and affection to Jesus Christ was unseasonable and savoured more of man then of God of Satan then of a Saint Matth. 16.21 22 23. There is a time for all things mis-timing of our Duties doth turn them to sin Satan would make Gods ways to interfer and would have one duty to shoulder out another if he cannot hinder every duty he will hinder opus Diei the present duty but the good man brings forth fruit in due season Psal 1.3 and every thing is beautifull in its season Eccles 3.11 Fourthly When we are moved to do good things unmeasureably when a Christian especially a young Convert will be doing Satan will have him over do It was the duty of the incestuous person to be sorrowful 1 Cor. 5.2 but there was danger least Satan should swallow him up with over much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.10 It was a duty to keep the Sabbath but the Pharasees over-kept it Mat. 12.1 2. the Eutichae were to pray but they would be alway praying It is a duty for married persons to forbear the use of the marriage Bed for a time but not too long least Satan should tempt them for their inconstancy 1 Cor. 7.5 Then also are duties unmeasurable or at least unseasonable when they are prejudicial to our healths Hos 6.6 God will have mercy not sacrifice or do occasion us to neglect the duties of our particular callings or relations 2 Thes 3.11 We cannot indeed exceed in our love to God modus diligendi Deum est sine modo but we may exceed in external expressions of love or service and this excess is Satans policy that he might weary out the spirits of men ride them off their legs and beget both in them and others hard thoughts of Religion and draw them from this excess in holy performances to an utter neglect of them The second unquestionable Property of the Spirit of God is Truth 1 Ioh. 5.6 It is the Spirit of truth Ioh. 16.13 as Christ is Truth Ioh. 14.6 as goodness is a conformity to Gods Will so Truth is a conformity to his Understanding all truths below are but Copies of that Original and Eternal Truth that is above God always speaks truth and neverlies he cannot lye nor deceive or be deceived It is impossible for God to lye Heb. 6. This Spirit leads not only to the truth but into it into all truth But the evil spirit is a lyar Ioh. 8.44 a lying spirit 1 King 22.22 A seducing spirit speaking lies in hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.1 2. As truth is the Son of God so lying is the Daughter of the Devil Satan lyed to the first Adam Gen. 3.5 and to the second Adam Luk. 4.6 and still he raises open outward scandalous lying reports of holy Ministers and other men or else inward false surmises and suspitions Object But this or that spirit doth speak truth viz. that we should repent fear the living God and that there are false Teachers and Seducers abroad of whom we must beware or the like therefore this is the good Spirit of God Answ Though it be true that what soever Spirit doth