Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
knowledge_n	heart_n	light_n	shine_v	8,936	5	9.6862	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89720	Christ's commission-officer: or, The preachers patent cleared, and the peoples plea considered. In a sermon preached before (and now presented to) the associated ministers of Christ, in the county of Sommerset, at the late solemn ordination at Sommerton in said county, June, 9. 1658. By John Norman ...	Norman, John, 1622-1669.	1658 (1658)	Wing N1240A; ESTC R210141	61,437	165

could not but make one particular especially if the affirma●ive included in that precept to Timothy 1 Chap. 5.22 bee put with it into the same scale 2. By the light of the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendered here by ord●in and in Acts 6.3 by appoint which the Apostles practice had already interpreted to import the laying on of hands Acts 6.6 as one particular requisite to that publick and solemn work I know it is pretended that the Holy Ghost was miraculously given by imposition of hands in Ordination and thence it is pleaded that the miracle now ceasing so doth the mystery too But how is the former proved and justified And if yet how the latter is therefrom pleaded or inferred I see not unless we shall upon the same ground now relinquish prayer because it 's no more effectuall to heal the sick or rai●e the dead as it was formerly Act. 9.37 40 41. Jam. 5.14 15. We hear the Apostles requiring them to look out seven men full of the Holy Ghost that they may lay hands upon them Acts 6.3 cum 6. but never hear them relating so much as one that had received the Holy Ghost because they had layd their hands upon him in his Ordination I say in his Ordination for it is granted that the Holy Ghost was given by the laying on of hands in the other cases Act. 8.17.18 and 19.6 Why must Timothy and Titus think we receive satisfaction touching mens gifts before Ordination 1 Tim. 3. and Tit. 1. And why must they till then retard and stave off their Ordination 1 Tim. 5.22 If laying on of hands would have conferred that spirit upon men from whom all gifts come 1 Cor. 12.8 ad 12. True it is we read of Timothie's gift by the laying on of Paul's hands and of the Presbytery 2 Tim. 1.6 1 Tim. 4.14 But not of the Holy Ghosts being given him hereby It is rather the gift of the Ministry that is intended in these Scriptures than gifts for the Ministry and perhaps may bee therefore mentioned in both places not plurally but singularly the gift That offices are called gifts and particularly the Ministry compare Ep. 4 8 11. between which the 9 and 10 verles fall as within a Parenthesis the 11 vers giving us th●●e explication in particulars of what had been expressed at the 8 ver ingeneral * Isti duo versus sc 9.10 per pareath●sin l●guntur nam mox ve●su 11. r●dit ad supe●iora hoc est ad explicanda dona aliquo● de qu b●s dixerat in genere dedit dona hominibus Zanch. ad Ephes 4.10 And so is an appofite answer to every one that asks this question what are those gifts when Christ ascended up on high which he received for (t) Psal 68.18 and give unto men He gave som Apostles and som Prophets and som Evanglists and som Pastors and Teachers Sect. 5 Fi●thly one thing is yet behind Why must those that are authoritatively from Christ to teach others in the Church have the Office committed to them as well as be qualified for that office Why It is for the honour of Christ for the happinesse of the Church and for the hope and heartning of such teachers themselves Sect. 1. It is for the honour of Christ Which is the great design that grace hath to carry on by all the various methods and ministrations of it by all Officers and by all Ordinances Had he thrown the reyns of his Church Kingdom and cause loose to the liberty or rather lusts of men take hee that will teach he that will who could have then read such his accurate prudence such his absolute power and such his affluence of perfections as are now made legible in treating his own affairs by those only that are of his own appointment and can shew his royall patent Alas what conveniency would this at all bear to his transcendant dignity and most taking glory whereof the greatest royalties are but poor resemblances Wil men call him the wonderfull Counsellor the Prince of peace u) Is 9.6.7 the King of kings and Lord of Lords *) Rev. 19.16 that either hath never a Secretary Herald Embassadour or so much as a Steward by office by whom the grand importances of his Court and Crown may be transacted on the one hand or is so little tender of these great trusts and his own transactions on the other that whosoever hath but will and skill forehead and fitness enough may without further leave from him or his lay hold upon these offices and leap into the highest honour Need I remind you that such are the offices such is the honour to be a Minister of Jesus Is it spiritually Well the more spirituall the office and honour is the more need in a just sense of his putting them into a security from the fleshly presumptions and forward pretensions of vain men who are but too desirous of being teachers of others even before they understand what they say or whereof they affirm themselves 1 Tim. 1.7 or at least of heaping unto themselves teachers having itching ears 2 Tim. 4.3 It is true I acknowledge that pious Ministers are so far from being accounted ordinarily to the honour of Christ that wee are made rather with Paul the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 But what saith Paul God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 and if our brethren be enquired of saith he they are the glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8. ver 23. And no marvail for besides the expressions to his glory by them such are the ampressions of his glory upon them not onely in their Ministeriall gifts and graces which bespeak them qualified for this Office by Christ but in the Ministeriall authority and administrations which bespeak them Commissioned to this Office from Christ And indeed what other are his Ministers Pastors and Teachers among us but the speaking gifts and standing pledges of Christ's glorious ascension for us and of his gracious and great affections to us Ephes 4.8 11. compared Sect. 2. It is for the happiness of the Church likewise which is next to his Fathers honour in the aym and heart of Christ It is for her enlargement edification and establishment as the Apostle at large instanceth and illustrateth in the same Ephes 4.12 13 14 15. verses For the perfecting of the Saints c. Throw open but this door once that gifts and a desire to exercise them make a Minister and you may too late perceive well-nigh all that is dear to the Church going out and whatsoever is dividing and destructive coming in by the same door both speedily and irremediably What Corah and his complices will not tell Aaron and Moses too Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one

hotter place in hell than others these shall have and howl in it If you will not receive it from mee read I pray Rom. 2.17 to the end Mat. 7 22.23 Psalm 50.15 Hos 4.6 Rev. 19.20 21. O Christians have you no tears left for these men no bowels of pity and compassion especially when the Church of Christ i● so concerned in them Alas without eminent repentance there remains nothing but wo wo wo for them For wrath and astonishment for horrour and amazement for blacknesse and chains under darkness are such reserved for ever and ever Such Angels whosoever scape shall be sure to be tormented among the damned Devills Sect. 2. Let us mourn for uncommissioned Ministers Ministers do I mean such nay rather they are busie-bodies in other mens matters Ministers by intrusion they are and equivocally but not by investiture not properly if in title yet not in truth Their judgement proceeds of themselves and usually are in judgement and for destruction to the sheep not for the preservation but for the perdition of the souls that are led by and listen to them witnesse those Jeremiah 14.14 15 16. and Chap. 27.25 2 Pet. 2.1 c. So usuall hath it been for self-Ministers to be soul murderers Nor do the Prophets onely declaim such for false Prophets who run and God ne're sent them with that message but such likewise who run and God never sent the men or if you will such who prophesied God never sent them * Jer. 23.21 and 14.14.15 aswel as those who prophesied what God never spoke to them It is true that ordinarily both these met in one and the same persons And is it not as true as familiar and frequent in our times It never was I am apt to think more usuall in Israel than now it is in England that such who prophesie without designation or warrant from God prophesie the deceit of their own hearts instead of the Word of God * Ezek. 13.1 2 3 17. Jer. 14.1 23.16 26. And are not such think we for a lamentation yea and let them be for a lamentation Oh friends these these are they that have been so much complained of by God Jeremiah 23.21 32. so much cautioned to the godly Jer. 29. ver 8 9. So much the curse of that Prince who hath given them countenance 1 Kings 22. verse 1. ad 37. and have so miserably cheated and perniciously corrupted the people that have reposed confidence or taken complacen●ie in them Ezekiel 13. verse 4. ad 17. Oh Christians as there were false Prophe●s also among the people hath not Christ foretold * Mat. 7.15 24.23 24 25 26. 2 Pet. 2.1 c. 1 Joh. 4.1 that there shall bee false teachers among you and have not our eyes seen them men of the same character and of the same cariage which he foretold and have not the same sad consequences been found among us who have read their description delusions and dreadfull issues in the 2 Pet. 2. and in the Epistle of Jude Sirs that our souls could weep in secret for them and for the Church Cause and Covenant of our God that suffer through and by them And as for you the Prophets and Ministers of God let me say to every one of you from the Lord what was sometime said unto Ezekiel Son of man prophesie against the Prophets of Israel Saith he of England say I to you that prophesie say unto them that prophesie out of their own hearts Hear ye the word of the Lord Thus saith the Lord God Wo unto the foolish Prophets that follow their own spirit and have seen nothing c. Ezek. 13.1 2 c. Use 2. Of holy caution Is it so that such who are to teach authoritatively in the Church must be both qualified for the Office and have the Office committed to them I have this to beseech and beg to command and charge you from and by the Lord. Take heed Oh! take heed of adventuring upon publick authoritative teaching in his Church till you have both of these parts and power qualifications and commission given you of Jesus Christ Sect. 1. Do not adventure upon this Office without qualfications This is such an Office that what head is so able What heart is so accurate and honest who is equall to it If the Apostle cryeth out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is equall or sufficient 2 Cor. 2.16 What must we do who are not more short of his Apostleship than we are of his abilities Surely no life can be too good no learning can be too great for the Ministry nay or good or great enough A Pastor among his people like Saul among his subjects should be higher at least by head and shouldiers both for fidelity and for ability for soundnesse of apprehensions for simplicity of affections and for sincerity and unbiastnesse in all his actions Like Ezra one that hath prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments Ezra 7.10 Who-ever may be blame-worthy a bishop must be blamelesse as the Steward of God 1 Tim 3.2 as the Apostle inculcateth twice together Tit. 1.6 7. Nor is it enough that he be good really but he must have a good report and this not only of them that are within but of them likewise which are without 1 Tim. 3.7 But because 't is not life so much as learning which is now adays made the matter of question if not of contumely and contention Let mee have the liberty to leave my sense in this likewise And I beseech you let not pride let not prejudice let not precipitancy or what-ever else shut up your ears or stop your hearts against it Oh! never think that you are apt to be teachers of others unlesse you are able to teach others also Know that such a one had need be full of goodnesse and filled with all knowledg who is fit especially of Office to admonish others Rom. 15.14 Full of judgment and of might Mic. 3.8 He had need with Ezra be a ready scribe in the Law of God Ezra 7.6 a scribe instructed to the Kingdom of God Ma● 13.52 one of pickt and choice abilities and experience worth and wisdome a messenger and interpreter one among a thousand Job 33.23 an able Ministe● of the New Testament 2 Cor 3.6 ' Well may such be reckoned by ou● Apostle among the Impostors of the las● times who understand not a 2 Pet. 2. 1. cum 12. but ar● willingly ignorant b 2 Pet. 3.8 of which sort are they that creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away of divers lusts ever learning and never able to come to the knowledg of the truth 2 Tim. 3.6.7 But never were or shall they be reputed among the Pastors of the last times for these are to hold fast the faithful word as they have been taught and are able by sound doctrine both

to exhort and convince the gain-sayers Tit. 1.9 These cast not off but continue in the thing● which they have learned and been assured of 2 Tim. 3.14 A good Minister of Christ is one nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereunto hee hath attained 1 Tim. 4.6 True it is that wee are fallen among men and times that discourage dissuade and disgrace learning but let not that deter us who are not through mercy ●ut such that on the other hand quic●n cherish countenance it and speak ●mfortably unto all the Levites that teach ●he good knowledg of the Lord. c Chro. 30. 22. It 's true some would have us Preachers like Je●boams Priests only of the lowest of the ●eople 1 King 12.31 at least for lite●ature not to mention livelyhood And well may such indeed passe for the Priests of Jeroboam for with me 't is ●eyond doubt they are not the Prea●hers of Jesus i.e. by his allowance and ●ppointment No Christians his are ●pproved workmen that need not be asha●ed rightly dividing the word of truth 〈◊〉 Tim 2.15 The Pastors after his heart ●●e such as shall and therefore can feed ●is People with knowledg and understanding Jer. 3.15 not blind seers igno●ant watch-men or Shepherds that can ●ot understand Isai Chap. 56. verse 10 11. I do not say but you may be good men and have but little or no learning but I dare not say you will make good Ministers without learning for how should you I pray consider N. 1. Will not your relations to God ca●● upon you for learning He imploys none but the wise and faithfull to be his Stewards Mat. 13.52 How can you bee his mouth d Jer. 15.19 his messengers e Isa 42.19 or the men of God f 1 Tim. 6.11 else who are to make known the mysteries of his Gospell If you are the mouth of God let us hear you speak as the Oracles of God 1 Pet. Chapter 4. verse 11. Who do expect a proof of Christ speaking in and by you g 2 Cor. 13.3 if you are the Messengers of the Lord of Hosts Let us see that your lips do preserve knowledg that men may find the law at your mouth Malac. Chapter 2. verse 7. And if you are men of God make us at least some way sensible that you are furnished with instructions to every good work 2 Tim. Chap. 3 verse 17. N. 2. h Mat. 5.14 Will not your relations to the people call upon you for learning These you ought to warn and teach in all wisedom i Isa 9.16 Col. 1.28 k Mat 13.52 How shall you be their lights their leaders and instructors else unto the Kingdom of God If you are blind leaders of the blind both shall fall into the ditch Mat. 15.14 And a dreadfull thing it will b● for you if God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge in you Hos 4.6 Your lips should preserve knowledge for the people as a publick store-house and they must seek the law at your mouth Mal. 2.7 If there arise matters too hard for them they must arise and ask you Deut. 17.8 ad 12. Ezek. 44.24 And how shall you teach them if ye are yet to learn the Oracles of God your selves Heb. 5.12 Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self saith the Apostle Rom. 2.12 N. 3. Will not the requisites and duties of your office call upon you for learning Surely the Law should not perish from the Priest nor counsel from the wise nor the Word from the Prophet Jer. 18.18 Men may declaim humane or School-learning very confidently but whereunto will a Minister's duty arise unless he be furnished with some competency thereof How shall hee convince gain sayers without it * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shutting them up in their argum●nts and answers or stop the mouths of the learned adversaries who fly either to the originall texts or to those orderly contextures of truth which have received the allowance and consent both of teachers and Christians to stand as maximes of unquestionable truths Besides how shall he rightly divide the word of truth else 2 Tim. 2.15 or reconcile the Scriptures which seemingly differ if he hath no acquaintance with Logick Rhetorick or Grammar Again how shall he reveal the sense of Scriptures entirely and cause the people to understand the reading Nehemi 8. ver 7 8. Especially since there are so many riddles l) Ezek. 17 2. and dark sayings m) Ps 78.2 in them and all expositions of and observations from them are to bear such exact accord to and to be examined by the originall which the Holy Ghost inspired Nay or how shall he so much as read the Scriptures intelligently without some humane teachings and learning Deliver this Bible to one that is not at all learned saying read this I pray you and must he not say I cannot for I am not learned Isa 29.12 Had wee to do with no more then Paul's Epistles how many things must be acknowledged in them both hard to be understood and hard to be utterred n) Heb. 5.11 But what do the unlearned and unstable Let Peter tell you They wrest them as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 'T is in vain to tell me that Jesus Christ was not learned For doth not he himself assure me otherwise The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned and opened mine ear to hear as the learned Isa 50.4 And do not his auditors assure me the same too Mat. 13.54 55. Joh. 7.15 Say you the Apostles were not learned and as for the Prophets how illitterate were they But sirs do the Scriptures say the same likewise Indeed was Moses such an one who was learned in all the wisedom of the Egyptians Act. 7.22 or was Daniel to whom God had given skill in all learnning and wisedom Dan. 1.17 or was Paul that was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel Act. 23.5 and was so eminently versed both in humane learning o) Tit. 1.22 Act. 17.28 and divine that Festus thinks much learning had made him even mad Act. 26.24 Again were Samuel Elijah or Elisha so unlearned who had so many pupills and bred up so many scholars which were called sons of the Prophets at Naioth Bethel Jericho and Gilgall which were in this respect little other than Universities and Schools of learning 2 Sam. 19.19 20. 2 Kings 2.2 3 5 12. and 4.38 as we read of a Colledge at Jerusalem likewise 2 Chron. 34.22 and 2 Kings 22.14 True it is that grace called many such to be Prophets and Apostles who were unlearned but then the same grace which called did by and by qualify thē with learning that they were as Micah saith of himself full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgment and of might Micah 3.8 If they had not learning by outward education they had learning by inward inspiration