Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
knowledge_n	godliness_n	patience_n	temperance_n	6,856	5	12.1407	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61638	Shecinah, or, A demonstration of the divine presence in the places of religious worship being an essay, tending to promote piety, prevent apostacy, and to reduce grosly deluded souls, first to their right wits, then to the right waies, of Gods publick instituted worship / by John Stillingfleete ...	Stillingfleet, John, 1630 or 1-1687.	1663 (1663)	Wing S5680; ESTC R9466	109,230	256

and prophaneness See 2 Pet. 1. vers 4 5 6. Those that are made partakers of the Divine Nature have escaped the pollution of the world they add to their virtue knowledge to their knowledge temperance c. The Spirit changes the garments of those he takes to be his Scholars hee throws off the raggs of their old sins and puts on the Robes of Christs Righteousness and upon those Robes hee places this Golden Chain of Graces as an Ornament to him being under the guidance and teaching of the Spirit of God This Chain is made up of many links Faith Virtue Knowledge Temperance Patience Godliness Brotherly Kindness Charity Hee that hath all these is truly knowing vers 8. Hee that wants these is stark blinde vers 9. § 4. Rule 3. Hee is taught by the Spirit that hath the sweetness and comforts of Gospel-Truths made out seasouably to the soul Thus may a Christian know that a promise is set home by the Spirit when it comes in to the upholding of the soul under grievances and afflictions at present incumbent on the soul or for the mortification of sin which is his great burden and trouble of his life Where our own strength and parts fail there the Spirit of God ordinarily comes in with a supply When wee know not in what box our evidences our comfort our quickening our strength lyes then the Spirit of God comes in and opens the promise to us and such places of the Word as are both suitable and seasonable for us § 5. Rule 4. Hee is taught of the Spirit that is impartial in his desires of and endeavours after knowledge What-ever concerns either the Glory of God or the welfare of his soul hee labours to have that made known to him Partiality makes men act onely to have so much knowledge as to have their tongues by it tipt with the language of Canaan when in the mean while they look not at the ordering of their lives as becomes an Israelite indeed The language of Cornelius to Peter is that which well becomes a true Disciple of Christ Wee are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God Act. 10.33 Nay be they never so bitter things yet a gracious heart desires to know the worst as well as the best of himself what makes most against him as well as what makes most for him As it was with Eli 1 Sam. 3.17 hee urges Samuel to let him know all that was the mind of God be it never so bitter It is contrary with carnal hearts if any thing cross their lusts or go contrary to their carnal designs they care not for knowing of it Herod cast John into prison because hee told him it was not lawful for him to have his Brothers Wife Mark 6.18 Thus ungodly hearts rise against the Word when it would part them from their sins and ascribe a close and convincing Sermon rather to the envy of the Teacher than to the teaching of the Spirit of God § 6. Rule 5. Hee receives the Truths of God with much humility Paul was desperately proud whilst a Pharisee ignorant of the spirituality of the Law but very humble when hee became a sincere Christian Act. 20.19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind Sincere souls like the lowest valleyes are very fruitful whilst proud hearts like the lofty hills are barren and unprofitable See the deportment of Agur I am more brutish than any man p. 0.30.2 3 I have not the understanding of a man Yet hee exhorts his Scholars to fetch their knowledge from the High One. The Holy Spirit seeing so deep a Self-denial and Humility in him ranks his wisdome with Solomons and his Proverbs and the Wise mans are both joyned together Rule 6. Hee that is taught by the Spirit by that knowledge is carried out to purifie himself from sin 2 Cor. 7.1 Having these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Where the Spirit teaches purity of life is one main lesson The very office of the Spirit is to sanctifie the soul Act. 15.9 Impurity of life is no Livery for the Disciples of Christ to wear 1 John 3.3 Rule 7. Knowledge taught by the Spirit speaks the soul under the influence of the Spirit both before and after his teaching First Antecedently The Spirit puts the soul to pray earnestly for his saving discoveries of Gospel-Truths Luke 11.13 How much more shall the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask it The Spirit here is further discoveries of the Spirit And hee that goes in the sense of his darkness and ignorance seldome comes away without an answer to his prayer Secondly Consequently hee is carried out to praise God for the communication of saving knowledge and teachings of his Spirit Carnal hearts ascribe all to their own parts and industry Gracious souls own Gods Spirit in all their discoveries and do desire to improve all to his glory and praise § 7. II. Hence arises matter for Exhortation If the Spirit be present to teach us wee should easily be exhorted to own the Spirit as our grand Teacher In that it is both our greatest wisdome and chiefest comfort so to do First It is our greatest wisdome Learners if wise make choice of the ablest Masters to teach them There is none better nor abler to teach thee than the Spirit of God Best of men have their imperfections in point of Knowledge and so are but imperfect Teachers But the Spirit of God as hee is omniscient and knoweth all things so hee is infinite and able to teach us all things Job 14 26 Hee that teacheth you all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to teach is oftentimes accommodated in the New Testament to the Articles of Faith in the Gospel and then the meaning is the Spirit teacheth us all things necessary to salvation Is it not our wisdome now to have an Omniscient and Infinite Teacher Other Teachers though never so well accomplished are not able to teach an Art or Science if they meet with an unfit subject A dull Scholar is many times a discredit to an ingenious and very good Master yet the reason is not because the Master wants skill to teach but because the Scholar wants parts to learn Now the Spirit of God either findes or makes men fit to be taught If men want parts hee enlarges the abilities of their minds if they have natural parts hee sanctifies them And indeed in this sense hee findes none but makes all fit to be taught for none hath the least degree of saving and fanctifying knowledge but what comes from the Spirits teaching Secondly It will bee our chiefest comfort One dram of knowledge from the Spirit of God goes further than a thousand notions from natural and meer humane teaching in point of comfort What comfort will the most

may wee determine thus Officium est Sanctum honore dignissimum licet Ministri sunt peccatores The office of the Ministry is sacred and most worthy of honour though Ministers may be ungodly The promise of Christs Presence is made to persons for the office sake and not to the office for the persons and so to the office more than to the persons Loe I am with you alway to the end of the world Mat. 28 20 Christs promise was to the office primarily secondarily to those that then were and successively should be entred into it to do Christs service and preach the Gospel as the Apostles did Go preach the Gospel and loe I am with you alway to the end of the world However 't is certain Christ promiseth his presence here which is peculiar to the Church of God and so it clears that which wee are upon that God is present in his worship by his Ministers Three things I shall add to clear this § 3. 1. Gospel Ministers are Gods Embassadors this speaks Gods Presence by them 2 Cor. 5.20 Now therefore wee are Embassadors for Christ The very office of an Embassador is to be but a Vicarius to another Hee is a Proxy to his Master and bears his person who is sometimes thus described Legatus est officialis qui alterius locum tenet Martin Lex Philolog An Embassador is such an Officer as supplies the place of another thence called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that stands in anothers stead Thus the Ministers stand in Christs stead For 1. As Embassadors they act onely upon Christs Commission None takes this honour upon him but hee that is called of God Heb. 5 4 as Aaron was 'T is an honour to be employed as Christs Embassador and none must take this honour upon them but those that are called of God Gospel-Ministers that have Christs Mission and Christs Commission they in their Preaching represent Christs Person 2. As Embassadors they deliver Christs Message God is present where his Word and Mind is declared It is the Lord sayes Eli when Samuel speaks to him because it was the Word of God hee spake to him The Word of the Lord where that came to the Prophets they then could appear in the place of God amongst the people I have put my words into thy mouth sayes God to Jeremy Jer. 1.9 They are Gods Words that Gods Embassadors do declare therefore the Apostle Paul sayes 1 Thes 4.8 Hee that despiseth despiseth not man but God They are much mistaken R. Rolloc in Locum sayes Rollock who in the preaching of the Gospel think they have to do onely with men and not with God The Apostle plainly confutes such The man preaches indeed but 't is Gods Word hee delivers and contempt of that is not on man onely but mainly upon God himself Hee despiseth not man that is not so much Man as God § 4. 2. Gospel-Ministers are Gods Stewards this speaks Gods Presence Let a man so account of us as the Ministers of Christ 1 Cor. 4.1 as the Stewards of the Mysteries of God When great men cannot dispatch their business personally they employ their Stewards what they do is done as by the Master himself Christ our great Lord and Master is present now in Heaven hee hath sent his Ministers to be his Stewards to dispatch his work in Preaching the Gospel and converting of souls 'T is no ordinary Stewardship that of the Ministry they are Stewards of the Mysteries of God Is Casa●b exercit 16. § 43 So had the Heathens their Mysteries the Mysteries of Cybelle who was termed the Mother of the Gods in Samothracia of Hecate in many places of Ceres and Proserpina in Africa of Bacchus in Boeotia of Orphsus up and down in Graecia of Isis in Egypt and in many other places and these were all performed unto the Devil For as hee observes Mirum dictu cogitatu horrendum quantopere Satan olim per illa quae dicebantur Mysteria hominibus illuserat It was wondrous to think and horrible to speak how much Satan heretofore had deluded men by those things which were called Mysteries Thus Antichrist too hath his Mysteries The Whore of Babylon hath Mystery written in her fore-head because her Kingdome is full of Mysteries But these are the Mysteries of God Rev. 17.5 that Gospel-Ministers are Stewards of Wee speak the Wisdome of God in a Mystery 1 Cor. 2.7 The Word of the Gospel for salvation of souls these Mysteries therein contained do Ministers preach And without controversie great is that Mystery of Godliness they are Stewards of § 5. Aristotle in his Oeconomicks requires four things in Stewards all which are necessary requisites in Gospel-Ministers 1. They must have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good skill and knowledge Thus must Ministers be well skilled in the Word where the Mysteries of God are recorded It s an ill Steward that knows not how to use his Masters Treasure for the best advantage Hee wants a great requisite of a Gospel-Steward that knows not where to finde or how to use the great Treasures of Heaven that are reposed in the Scriptures for the good of souls It was but a poor commendation of Carolostadius that at eight years standing Doctor Amam Aulibarb Bibli p. 47 Hee never had read the Scriptures but then first set upon the study of them Another great Doctor and Divine being asked about the Decalogue answered hee never had that Book so much as in his Library Rare Stewards indeed of Gods Mysteries when they know not what they are 2. They must have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bonam indolem a good temper Hypocrisie is but an ill-becoming garment for a Steward of Christ to wear Every Saint should have his garment dyed white in the blood of the Lamb much more should Christs Stewards they should be clothed with the white Robe of Sincerity to act unfeignedly for Gods glory 3. They must have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constancy of labour assiduity in taking pains Thus Ministers must be labourers if Christs Stewards they must give themselves to the things of the Gospel daily labours in the things of God make Ministers of a good conscience oft-times appear with no good countenance There is onus as well as honos in the work of the Ministry whatever slight thoughts ignorant slanderers may have of it 'T is laborious as well as honourable to be a Steward of Christ 4. They must have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Righteousness Thus Christs Stewards must be righteous as well as learned and laborious For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God Tit. 1.7 Life and Doctrine must agree that hee may not pull down with one hand what hee builds with another Though I have formerly shewed that hearers must not reject Gospel-Truths though hee that brings them be ungodly yet withall Ministers must know that if they are really

and experience the Presence of the Spirit and his teaching by the Word I shall to clear up this Argument further answer these two Questions Quest 1. How does the Spirit of God teach in the Word Quest 2. What are the qualifications of the Spirits teaching Quest 1. How does the Spirit teach in the Word Answ These five several waies 1. Removendo by removing of Impediments Before the Spirit of God doth fully dispatch his work hee removes all hinderances and impediments out of the way Though the Spirit of God be not the natural Agent yet herein hee much resembles them They remove hinderances ere they finish their work or can effectually compleat it The fire burns not till the moisture be consumed The Sun enlightens not till the darkness be expelled Thus the Spirit works not fully on the soul to teach it till the hinderances of our learning be removed Four Impediments removed § 2. 1. An unwillingness to be taught Job layeth down the character of a wicked man Therefore they say unto God Job 21.14 depart from us for wee desire not the knowledge of thy waies Observe here the particle Therefore it refers to the fore-going verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They spend their daies in wealth or mirth the word denotes both or whatsoever may be deemed Bonum juaundum A pleasing good thing Therefore they say unto God depart from us Oh 't is wealth and worldly prosperity and carnal jollity that make many so unwilling to be acquainted with God and the knowledge of his waies that is of those waies that God would have them to walk in They are willing to be rich but unwilling to be holy They are forward to entertain jovial mirth but loath to give way to real sorrow for sin If they have but the blessings of Gods left hand they care not for the mercies of his right hand Gain is is their Godliness and Gold is their God But say they wee care not for thee wee desire not the knowledge of thy waies Mercerus in Locum God here rips open the hearts of wicked men They say that is as the Psalmists Fool did in his heart there is no God Few so grosly prophane as to say this openly that they care not for saving knowledge yea but this is in their hearts they are unwilling to be taught They love folly Prov. 1.2 and hate knowledge Now this is that the Spirit removes as a great hinderance of knowledge What Master can do good on any Scholar that is wholly averse to his endeavours unwilling to be taught yea that plainly hates learning Thus there is no good at all to be done on such who are wholly unwilling to learn saving Truths There is the cure Behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you Prov. 1.23 I will make known my words 'T is the Spirit of God must remove our unwillingness to be taught or else wee shall still be block-heads and dunces in the School of Christ Psa 110.3 Thy People shall be willing in the day of thy Power Till Christ send out his Spirit to prepare subjects for him they will not come unto Christ that they may be saved § 3. 2 Impediment Fleshly lusts These Barracado the Spirit of God out of the soul The Spirit of God takes no liking or pleasure in such impure houses Veniunt ad candida tect a columbae Doves come chearfully to white and clean houses The Spirit of God Ephos 4.18 19 the Dove of the Gospel abominates impure unclean and unchaste souls In Ephes 4.18 Wee read of those that are darkened in their understandings Vers 19. gives the reason They gave themselves up to lascivionsness to work all uncleanness with greediness The loss of God at first in Paradise left all men in a state of Ignorance and Darkness but our fleshly lusts and corruptions make us have an hard heart and a seared conscience and keeps us from renewing our acquaintance with God The natural man knoweth not the things of God 'T is true of every natural unregenerate man but most clear in those that are devoted to the worst sort of carnality to fleshly lusts The Spirit of God removes this Impediment § 4. 3 Impediment is Pride Ignorance and Pride ordinarily go together Though few are so sottish as to be proud of their ignorance yet usually ignorant people have so much of pride as to keep out the means of saving knowledge It is ordinary for much natural knowledge to be there where there is not a dram of saving grace Now knowledge without grace makes men devilish proud this was the very sin of the Devils Knowledge puffeth up 1 Cor. 8.1 Now the Spirit of God must make us humble ere wee shall be taught by him A proud Christian seems to be a contradiction when as all things in Christianity administers matter for our humility So that the Spirit must first remove our Pride ere hee will make us Christians indeed § 5. 4 Impediment is Curiosity Curious inquirers have alwaies layn under the lash of Christ Upon all emergencies he takes occasion severely to condemn them Peter is sharply taken up for this by our Saviour who would fain have known what should become of the beloved Disciple John Christ tells Peter If I will John 21.22 that hee tarry till I come what is that to thee follow thou mee A full example and instance wee have of it Act. 1.6 7. All the Disciples being together they asked Christ Lord wilt thou at this time Act. 1.6 7 restore again the Kingdome unto Israel Vers 7. And hee said unto them It is not for you to know the times or the seasons The reason why our Saviour alwaies checks this humour of Curiosity is because the great indulgers of this are most times neglecters of matters of necessity This is plainly hinted at and Curiosity it self reproved and condemned in that place of St. Luke Luke 13.23 24 One asks of Christ Are there few that bee saved What a curious question is here What profit if it should be known or how could this advance the inquirers salvation to know punctually how few or how many shall be saved Our Saviour sets him upon other work secretly yet sharply reproves this fond curiosity vers 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate As if hee had said what is that to thee whether few or many here is your work if you would be saved you must strive your selves to enter in at the strait gate Bee rather conscientious in practice than curious in your enquiries this is the way to bring you to Heaven This is the most dangerous Engine the Devil uses to undoe souls withall For when the Spirit hath made souls willing to be taught and have thrown by lust and pride which made them slight and under value knowledge And the Devil sees they are in good earnest for knowledge they hear and read Scriptures to get knowledge then hee strives