Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	dishonourable_a	good_a	great_a	29	3	2.1235	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A74947	Rayling rebuked: or, A defence of the ministers of this nation: by way of answer to the unparrallel'd calumnies cast upon them in an epistle lately published by Thomas Speed merchant of Bristol, unhappily become the Quakers advocate. Wherein, some Scriptures are opened, and diverse things objected by the Quakers, examined and answered. With an hortatory epistle prefixed to fasten Christians to Jesus Christ in these un-glewing times, wherein so many play fast and loose with him. By William Thomas minister of the Gospel at Ubley.	Thomas, William, 1593-1667.	1656 (1656)	Thomason E883_5; ESTC R207300	68,071	90

If ye will go whither will ye go to Arians enemies to Christs Person to Ranters enemies to his Precepts and Purity to Quakers enemies to his Ordinances and Officers If it seem evill to you to follow the Lord you may go after such companions But doth that seem evill Is it evill to follow the chiefest good or can you follow and enjoy him and not hear his voice and attend his Ordinances Know that nothing but the words of eternall life will make an eternall Disciple If others be gone let them return to you but do not you turn to them Finally look to your selves and desire the Lord to look to you that we loose not the things we have wrought but that we may receive a full reward Joh. 2. 8. Thirdly I have one word more It is easy and obvious to observe that many poore profane Creatures who have nothing of the power of godlinesse in them yet blesse themselves in this that they be not Separatists Anabaptists Quakers which they that are such have cause to look upon as a sad fruit of their falling a way I shall therefore earnestly move those Christians that have not been removed as others in these tottering times to expresse the power of that truth in their whole soules and lives to which God in so great mercy and with so great power hath held their hearts which I do the rather mention 1. Because that is the way to keep for ever the truth hitherto kept for faith that is the doctrine of religion is held in conjunction with a good conscience If you put away the conscience you will make shipwrack of the faith It is the life of religion that preserves the light 2. This will put to silence the ignorance of foolish men whose most plausible argument against a right religion is an unrighteous conversation 3. This is a course to confirm those that yet stand firm who shall receive the most familiar operative conviction of the soundnes of your religion and theirs in matter of opinion by the efficacy thereof in the holines of your carriage for that which is the truth of God indeed is described to be a truth which is after godlines That is it teacheth to live Soberly Righteously and godly They who have been taught as the truth is in Jesus put of the former conversation and put on a better Yea 4. By this you may possibly regain those that are inpart departed for why should not that good conversation that is one meanes to bring an Heathen to be a Christian be a means also to bring a revolted Christian to be a right Christian And to those who are so revolted I am next to speak which I confesse is a very heavy task not only because their going back is so godlesse for to be without God and without a teaching Priest and without Law go together and how farr they put away the two latter wherein God is injoyed their writings shew I say therefore not onely because their going back is so godlesse and thereupon so grievous to think and speak of but also because their return I meane of the chiefest of them is so hopelesse and the more hopelesse because their hearts are so high In these dayes they that have got a new opinion are like prodigals that have newly got their portion they go into a far country from their fathers house and when they have done that think none in a more noble condition then themselves But because all are not gone alike and that God who hath perswaded Japheth to dwell in the tents of Shem can perswade those that be gon furthest yet to goe their way forth by the footsteps of the flock and againe to feed beside the shepheards tents That is to walk as they were wont with the true sheep after the true shepheards I shall therefore offer such assistance as I can give and which the Lord can make to take by opening the causes of declining and adjoyning the remedies The causes are either within or without 1. Within I And the great cause and sum of causes within is the corruption of nature If the prince of this World adventured on our Saviour himselfe in whom hee fonnd nothing no marvel if hee presume hee shall be successefull with us in whom hee findes so much I meane so much of that pravity which makes so much for his purpose In particular there is within us 1. An unbelieving heart the very character whereof is that it departs from the living God these are the dayes wherein Christians do not only professe that they can live without but pretend to be above ordinances which is an height so strange that we may be astonied at it so shameful that we may blush and be confounded at it so dangerous that we may feare and tremble at it What Above that which Christ himselfe hath ordained them to be under and that to the end of the world as his way to their happiness would they ever do this if they did believe either the promise of life made to hearing or the threatning of unavoidable destruction denounced against despising But when men be of this minde that no good or comfort is to be had in ordinancecommunion perhaps because themselves have wanted it for that they did not rightly humbly and patiently seek it no marvel if there be ordinance-desertion when men change faith into fancy no mervail if they change Religion into frensy 2 Tim. 3. 9. 2. An unstable heart led away with diverse lusts that is light desires inconstant and alternant motions longing after every thing and pleased with nothing long How many be there whose light is weak but lusts affections cupidites strong No marvail if with such a new man and a new matter like new wine work mightily and if such Athenian eares be quickly turned from the Truth to Fables 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. 3. A carnal heart wherein there is a great desire to hear Ministers of parts for their Parts not but that parts are to be regarded for their good use and because by greater and quicker abilities Gods Word is opened more clearly to the understanding or prest more powerfully upon the conscience thus to love parts that is for the Word and the good service they do in the things of God is very good but on the other side to love the Word for the good Parts that in regard of the Christian that is so taken mistaken is a dangerous thing and in-regard of the Word of God a dishonourable thing To have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of Parts is much alike as to have it with respect of persons such are easily wafted thether where there is more of the parts though lesse of the Word and truth of God for it is for the great Parts of men that they go rather than the good Word of God This is

Rayling Rebuked OR A Defence of the MINISTERS OF THIS NATION By way of Answer to the Vnparrallel'd Calumnies cast upon them in an Epistle lately published by Thomas Speed Merchant of Bristol unhappily become the QUAKERS Advocate WHEREIN Some Scriptures are opened and diverse things Objected by the QUAKERS EXAMINED and ANSWERED With an Hortatory Epistle prefixed to fasten Christians to Jesus Christ in these un-glewing times wherein so many play fast and loose with him By William Thomas Minister of the Gospel at Ubley Mat. 6. 23. If the light that is in thee be darknes how great is that darknes 1 Cor. 4. 13. We are made as the filth of the world the off-scouring of all things Luke 10. 16. He that despiseth you despiseth me Gal. 4. 17. They would exclude you that is shut you out from loving me and all true Pastors saith Paul that you might affect them Tertull. praescript advers Haeret. Avolent quantum volunt paleae levis fidei quocunque ad slatu tentationum cò purior massa frumenti in horrea Domini reponetur London Printed by T. M. for Edward Thomas and are to be sold in Green-Arbour 1656. To my respected and well beloved Friends and Neighbours in and about the Citty of Bristol those in particular of my own Charge and in special those that by the tentation of these times have sadly and dangerously declined from the Scripture-path THat I do in the first place make mine addresse to you my honoured Friends in that great City shall not be I trust otherwise apprehended then as a testimony of my Christian respect and desires of your spiritual good Besides that the business in hand stands in so neer a relation unto you as to call upon me as I conceive to call upon you and exhort you all in these loose and leaving times that with purpose of heart you would cleave unto the Lord It is the Fate shall I say or rather the great fault of eminent places to entertaine and professe religion by way of faction rather then out of election upon solid grounds or with that reverence and awfull affection that is required in religious Undertakings Hence a new Faction causeth a new Defection I do not mention this as willing to fix an imputation upon you whereof there is no reason but yet I offer it to your most serious consideration and care that there may not be just cause of such a censure And however that be I hope I shall be excused in making my application thither where he that will needs be mine adversary hath his abode and where many of the same erronious and apostatising way with himself are so entertained and countinanced I do not say by all that I cannot but present it as a matter of deep humiliation to that otherwise honourable City especially considering how the infection hath spread it selfe thence into all adjacent parts Lastly out of that Citty the Pamphlet that I am called to answer hath posted about the Nation As concerning which I leave it to all that have any sense of religion to consider whether they ever knew so strange and ugly a thing I may say such a Monster brought to Bristol-Fair to be shewed there first and carried about the Countrey to be seen afterward But be it what it will be since it is come abroad and that upon my occasion though altogether beyond my intention I cannot but account my selfe so far concerned in it as to do mine endeavour that they that fear God may not take hurt from it I mean some weak ones for established Christians detest it and that they that fear not God may not take heart from it and animate themselves against Gods Ordinances yea further that it may not ly as a guilt upon this Nation that such things are published to the great dishonour of God and Religion without any refutation contradiction or pleading for truth If herein my declining abilities may be any way usefull I am willing to set them all a work with much desire of divine assistance to serve that Citty and Countrey where beside my imployment in my own place I have divers times bestowed my paines now for the space of neer fourty years to preach and mantaine that Scripture-doctrine and those Scripture-Ordinances which this upstart generation thrusts sore at to make them fall but all in vaine for heaven and earth shall passe away but not one tittle of Gods heavenly truth What I have hitherto spoken is but preparatory to that which followeth which will reflect according to the Title of the Epistle upon two sorts of persons I mean those that have stood firm and those that have lost their first footing and first faith Unto the first of these who have held fast those things which they have received and heard from their Teachers out of the word of God among whom I thank God I may and do speak to those of my owne Charge I say to such I have three things to communicate First that they are much bound to blesse God for his unspeakable gift it being Hee and Hee alone that is able and faithfull to keep us from falling Nor can it but much affect them upon serious thoughts that when in these infected and infecting times so many have fallen on the one hand and so many on the other vet that spiritual pestilence hath not come nigh them especially considering how many false Prophets have arisen and with how many faire shews and seeming wonders they have set forth their wares in so much that they would have deceived if it had been possible the very elect In that so many of you therefore are preserved O how great cause is there to conclude as the Apostle in the same argument doth To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and Majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen Jude ver 25. Secondly I shall say further to such as the Apostle doth Dearly beloved and longed for our joy and our Crown when Apostates crown us with thorns so stand fast in the Lord and for that purpose put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devill and those profundities which the old Serpent produceth in these last dayes finding his usual devices to be so well known that he had need betake himself to his new depths You have put your hand to the plough look not back Be old Disciples Nothing is more sinfull nothing more shameful then to give off at last and to be befooled and bewitched out of a good way Let it never be said you have but you doe your will you ever will run well make it your highest designe to die in Jesus When you see any when you see so many fall away think that your Saviour is now speaking to you in particular and saying even as affectionately as of old he did Will ye also go away

feare and humility otherwise truly it may soone come to passe that the Devil will present before our eyes such a fantasm that we should swear it were the true holy Ghost it selfe as not onely those ancient Hereticks but in our time also examples which have been and are still great and dreadfull doe forwarne 2. Seducing Teachers Satans Angels b who transforme themselves into the apostles of Christ and talk as Apostles might of immediate inspiration an infallible spirit who come with new and seemingly heavenly lights and no marvel for Satan himselfe that is the deformed prince of darkness is transformed into an Angell of light who use good words and fair speeches to deceive the hearts of the simple yea they would deceive if it were possible the very elect 3. Evil Neighbours Satans Agents as Solomons wives Nehem. 13. 26. And the Arians-wives of Emperiours for very oft in the wife as of old begins the fall this is true also in regard of other infectious company as in the colloguing Princes of Judah that infected Joash after the death of Jehosada 2 Chron. 24. 17. 4. The Distemper and Apostacy of the times Satans great advantage corrupted times are like the infected ayre causing a catholike contagion This is the time wherein old truth by the knowledge whereof many are now in heaven 1 Tim. 2. 4. are grown to be out of date Nor is it such an honour as of old to reverence ordinances but if you walk above them and look upon them as low forms then you are with too many in the highest form The devil formes a great tentation out of such estimation The Liberty of the times Satans engine I meane as men make use of it it is made great use of by Satan for the carrying on of his designes I deny not but it is a mercy which we are greatly to thank God for to have a free liberty to do his will but liberty of such a latitude as to walk right or wrong in matters of religion without the least feare in any case either of Church or state-censure fals into Satans hands as a fit engine both for the opposing conculcating of saving truthes the spreading and cherishing of damnable errors for that old serpent knowes that if he can but obtaine that men may doe what they themselves will natural men and hypocrites which are far the greatest company being of his minde and led after his will he can easily bring them to do what he himself will There are two restraints from evil government and grace The former is like hedges and walls to creatures that are wilde The other is like the gentleness and orderliness of creatures when they are tamed because so few partake in the latter there is a great deal the more need of the former 6. Corrupt and corrupting Books Satans Library which yet are not chained and fixed but flying Books purposely made little that they may be made nimble and passe with more speed and at an easy rate to infect the Nation may we not fear a flying roule will go forth over the face of this God-neglecting Nation because the wings of such Books are not clipt Zech. 5. 2 3. Having been large in the causes of declining I shall contract the remedies the rather because the discovery of the causes is it self a remedy yet for the greater confirmation of those that stand establishment of those that stagger and the better raising up of those that are fallen down I shall adde these ensuing helps 1. Study the Word of God There be two Rules and Centers to combine and knit up men in a right way The first is the Rule and Law of reason that conjoynes men in Civil things and waies of humane wisdome Gamaliel was more rational than the rest of his Society and to him the whole company agreed in him the whole Council was concentred The second is the Rule of Scripture that unites men in the things of God walking by the same Rule and minding the same things go together By the recited Word and will of God we finde in Scripture a concurrent and unanimous determination of a great Controversy wherein also the Churches of God did with great consent and content stand resolved and rejoyce whatever others think yet we may say as Luther doth If our Doctrine be in any danger it comes of this evil to wit the loathing and neglecting of the Word For further help from the Word have recourse to the Ministers of the Word for unity in Gods way is the work of the Ministry The Prophet Elijah was the great Reducer of the revolted people of God in the old Testament And John Baptist that other Elijah was the great turning instrument in the new Testament to bring in and fasten the Fathers to the Children the Children to the Fathers and the disobedient to the wisdome of the just Luke 1. 17. Seducing Teachers are Removers Gal. 1. 6 7. but faithful Ministers are the returners of those that wander and confirmers of those that are weak Acts 14. 22. yet not excluding Magistrates who being pious are in their way eminent Reducers into Gods way as we see in Jehosaphat that dwelt at Jerusalem but went out through the people from Bersheba to mount Ephraim and brought them back to the Lord God of their Fathers 2 Chron. 19. 4. 2. Reverence the Lords Day and all those holy Ordinances which God hath appointed to be then especially exercised It is observed that the meeting of the Jewes together in the solomn Feasts was a great means of uniting them in the knowledge of the God of Israel which was then more aboundantly taught and in the true worship of God wherein then they were more aboundantly employed 3. Keep close to good Christians whose character it is to meet together to speak to one another Mal. 3. 16. and so to confirme one another 1 Thes 5. 14. If any be unruly they warn him if feeble-minded they comfort him if weake they support him and if any of the company do erre from the truth one or other if he doth not forsake the Society will set upon him and seek to turn him from the error of his way Jam. 5. 19 20. It is very observable that when Peter was among right Christians at Antioch he was right himself but when other company came in that were feirce enemies to Christian Liberty both he though an Apostle and by his example divers others yea and Barnabas left their upright walking Gal. 2. 12 13 14. Now its true that all Sects have their Societies and they may say they keep to those of their owne but its one thing to love keep company with Christians upon the account of Regeneration union to the Head which should be the great reason of our love and associating our selves with them i and another to walk with a deviding party in a way

that Covetousnesse makes him pray but ●nterest doth and Interest if it be a just Interest though it be in some sense a self-Interest ought to do it for is not that it which God himself propounds as a motive to the performance of that duty while he saith by his Prophet Pray unto the Lord for the peace of Babilon for in the peace thereof shall you have peace Jer. 29. 7. so may Ministers pray and that according to Gods minde for a blessing on the fruits of the earth because in the increase thereof is their increase Yea and in this very case Math 3. 10. Bring your Tythes to God is urged by an Argument from their own Interest to wit that God will poure a blessing upon them 4. Because it is a maintenance of all other freest from templation If subsistance come from the people then there is a great temptation to please them if from the State then if the State and higher Powers happen to be corrupted and who in so much danger as they There is another and greater temptation lies on that hand to comply with it I mean with the corruptions of it for in all justifiable things there ought to be a compliance This Argument receives strength from our daily prayer which is Lord lead us not into temptation 5. This maintenance is most easely obtained Whilest the occasions of people require continual layings out but espeially at such a time as this is when the necessities of the State force upon men many and great payments hence money is very hardly had but at that time when God in the fruits of the earth gives in much its easy to part with a little of the same kinde 6. That Promise which is proper to this kinde of maintenance and which is before mentioned may I doubt not be justly applied for assuring those of gaining by it who are conscientious in it Mal. 3. 10. I do not in what hath been said presse the Jus divinum of Tyths in the new Testament in a strict sense yet for that much may be spoken And here since that I am thus Involved in this Argument I shall not forbear to publish what hath been spoken where my self was I thank God an hearer and is left in Notes in my own custody by one of singular worth and sincerity now with God I shall transcribe it as he left it in his Notes upon Mal 3. 8. where the Lord is giving in his Answer to that Question Wh rein have we robbed thee Saith in Tyth's and Offerings which in those daies were expressely required in the Law But the people returning from Babilon among other duties neglected that Nehem. 13. 10 11 12. Herein therefore saith the Lord am I robbed Observe The interverting of thins hallowed is a robbing of the Lord. 1. In free-will offerings Hence David saith Psal 56. 12. Thy Vowes as if he had said no longer M●n● are upon me O God So Levit. 27. 10. 28 See the example of Ananias and Sophira Acts 5. before sale all was the rs after sale the money was theirs but being once consecrated no part was theirs It was a lye against the Holy Ghost to deny it a robbery of God to detain it And this was in the Church of the New-Testament and in the case of a Free will Offering 2. How much more in case of Legal dues established by the Law either of God or of man for God Un er both which this due of Tythes falls and under one at least is perpetual Quest By what Law are Tyths now due It seems not by Gods Law Quest here urged no more than other Offerings here joyned with Tythes unlesse by the Ceremonial or Judicial Law now out of date Answ Nay even now under Christ and the Gospel Tythes are due For 1. Not only Levitical Priests received Tythes but Melchisedech Gen. 14. 20. In whom there was a Type of Christs Kingdome and Priesthood unto whom even Abraham and in him Levi paid Tythes and his Priesthood is everlasting Heb. 5. 6. and so Christs and the dues belonging to it 2. If maintenance of Ministers by Tythes be abolisht what other finde we establisht in the place thereof and where do we finde it If no other that remaines if it be a Ceremony what and where is the substance and body Obj. We read of free-gifts Acts 4. Answ That was an Intrim while the Church under Persecution could not receive Tythes But what provision is there for the Church in peace under Christian Government Surely none if not this therefore this is in force still The Apostle requires a communion of all goods or in all good things Gal. 6. 6. some part therefore of all increase Ministers are to partake in what part can be more equal than that which the Lord prescribed 4. Wherefore the whole Christian Church Prince and people together with the faith received and establisht this Order of maintenance by Tithes whereby call it Civil Municiple or Ecclesiastical Law yet now at least it becomes Moral by consequence as obedience and Tribute to princes Rom. 13. And it was the wisdome of Christians to depart no further from Jews then in things necessarily to be left as Figures yielding to the body c. As likewise of Protestant Churches no further to depart from the Church of Rome than in those things wherein they had departed from Christ This may serve for ground of resolution without disputing every objection Mean while it reproves those who wink at this sin willing to perswade themselves that is not against conscience which is for their profit as 1. The Pope the great Woolfe or thief in the Church who purloined Tythes by whole-sale appropriating indeed impropriating them to Monks and his creatures when they were appointed for Gods service 2. Those Reformers in the time of Henry the 8. who takeing the Popes robberies from Church and Lay that is takeing Temporal revenues and spiritual together had not so much care and conscience as to distinguish and restore Tythes but turned both to the Common-wealth Hence many by a miserable necessity do inherit this Robbery and live on the Churches Revenue 3. Every day people desire to win as the Sea gains upon the Land upon the ministerial due by customes and otherwise finding sweet the bread of deceipt insomuch that it is become a Proverb Pinch on that side Thus far this wise and godly man of God and in no wise worldly but exceeding liberal as in Gods house by instruction so in his own by Hospitallity I shall leave what I have written which had it been publisht by the Author himself would have been much more like himself to the judgment of such who have purposely studied this subject and to whom God hath given a larger light recollecting my self and resuming that which I have already spoken that is that I reach not so high as to presse the divine Right of

it that undoes great Cities that people fl●ck to publick Ordinances as it were in way of recreation as if Paul and Apollo and Cephas that is various Ministers of different gifts were sent by Jesus Christ to please mens several humours and that they may run from one to another for their better content and not as the truth is to deliver unto them from God a ●aw of faith and life which they ought to hear with a trembling spirit as that whereby they are to be guided here and accordingly to be judged at that last and great day 1 Thes 4. 1 2. Mark 16. 16. John 12. 49. 4. A carelesse heart taking the Doctrines of good Ministers on their words without observing their grounds and examining as the noble Bereans did those Scriptures whereupon they did build the doctrines delivered to their hearers Hence it comes to passe that though the Word be delivered to them yet that and their hearts are not delivered to it but to the Minister that is the deliverer of it upon this followeth that which is worse to wit that when other Teachers step in especially if they make shew of much holinesse and deliver contrary things to those they heard before they take those also upon their words that deliver them and let go the former truths sell these and buy those no wonder for we may say one mans word is as good as anothers to wit if the Word delivered be taken on the bear warrant of the one and the other 5. A proud heart and a foolish Hence the Jewes formerly sought life in a way of legal righteousnesse to wit for want of knowledge and because they were fooles as to suffer themselves to be bewitched and withall for want of humility and because they would not submit themselves unto the righteousnesse of God Papists since have troad in their steps no mervail for proud man would fain be his own Saviour and the Quakers go far this way for howsoever they seem enemies to that pride which we all condemn by some outward and bodily neglects wherein the Papists go beyond them yet they and the Papists both discover and display a far more dangerous pride in lifting up as they do an inward light and their inherent pretended perfections yea in all Sects and deviding parties height of Spirit hath a great part Gal. 6. 12. 13. John 3. 9. These are the causes within unto which may be added Secondly causes and occasions without namely these 1. Christians forsaking their fellow Christians Apostacy in Religion begins or at least begins to be setled and to shew itselfe in separation and breach of communion when the Apostle saith Let us hold fast the profession of our saith he saith soon after Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together but exhorting one another for good Christians by mutual exhortations and communications are not only a comfort but a guard one to another It is observed that they that Quakers prevail with are either ignorant persons and raw professors or meer Notionalists full of brave words but that have little of the power of godlinesse or else men of separating spirits Hear what he saith that was for a time and in a great part one of them I doe not hear saith he nor know any that have been well grown and experienced Christians maintaining a close communion together according to the exemplary waies of Christ and his Apostles that are thus overcome and betrayed by the subtil Wiles of the Devil 2. Their forsaking the Ministry Sheep without a shepheard are easily made a prey to the Woolf as Joash was when Jehojada was dead and the Galatians in Pauls absence Let Christians that have departed from their first principles cōmune with their own hearts and enquire whether they staid so long with their first Pastors as seriously to seek from them a resolution of their doubts and to see whether all reasons of running away might not have been answered But no marvail if they go out of the way by those that are unfaithful that never enquire the way of those that are faithful yea that forsake their proper guides What would the Deputy have done when Elimas the Sorcerer sought to bewitch him if Paul had not stood by come in with his charmes Observe therefore that the first work of Seducers that they may prevent all preventions of prevailing is to make their new Disciples abhor their old Teachers just as good-fellowes handle the Prodigal that is so as to make him detest his Fathers house that they may make a prey of him yea they do so new mould their spirits as that they make them open their mouths in out-cries and curses against those now for whom to speak in Pauls language they would once have pluckt out their eyes thus as somtimes Achitophel counselled Absolam to go into his Fathers Concubines in the sight of all Israel to make the difference between him and his Father irreconcilable by that odious act and thereby to secure himself So do Seducers teach their followers a minister-reproaching-language and usage that so they and their former yea and all sound Teachers may be at an everlasting difference and by that means their hold may be the more firme Gal. 4. 7. Joh. 9. 24. 3. Their forsaking at length the ordinance of God and the outward exercise of religion both in the publick congregation and in their own Families Now when Christians leave the Word which is the builder up of Saints Acts 20. 32 and the Sacraments that are their Confirming Seals Rom. 4. 11. And Sabbaths that are the cement of Religion And that Prayer that is the Christians keeper Jude v. 20 21. sweeping the house for the Devil by sweeping out holy exercises Luke 11. 25. no marvell if they be ruinous unstable shattered and even lost creatures To adde a little more now I am engaged in this argument The precedent distempers partly arise from and partly are fomented by such furtherances thereof as I shall now subjoyne To wit 1. Satan himselfe who is as a Murtherer so a Lyar from the begining that is not only a teller of Lies and a maker and moulder of untruthes but also a maker of lyars and an instiller and promoter of all those falshoods that are in deceived and deceiving men If there be a man appointed of God to be deceived to his destruction I le perswade him Saies that Murtherer If he be asked where withall I l'e be a lying Spirit saith that liar Many talk much of Spirit but Christians must not be soon shaken in mind by such Suggestions nor suffer men to impose upon them by the name of Spirit for perhaps it may be the spirit of Ahabs prophets There is a saying cited out of Luther that will give every man reason to raise a suspicion upon the pretensions of extraordinary revelation it is this Verily God must bee incessantly implored with