Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n ability_n able_a show_v 25 3 4.4644 3 false
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
A04540 A Christian plea conteyning three treatises. I. The first, touching the Anabaptists, & others mainteyning some like errours with them. II. The second, touching such Christians, as now are here, commonly called Remonstrants or Arminians. III. The third, touching the Reformed Churches, with vvhom my self agree in the faith of the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. Made by Francis Iohnson, pastour of the auncient English Church, now sojourning at Amsterdam in the Low Countreyes. Johnson, Francis, 1562-1618. 1617 (1617) STC 14661; ESTC S107828 395,581 331

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

heard him that spake unto me c. Eze. 2.1.2 vvith chap. 1 28. and 3 23 24. The like againe may be observed in the Lords dealing with Daniel and so is noted by himself Dan. 10.8 19. And in Christs dealing with Lazarus vvhen he raised him up from death Ioh. 11.43.44 vvith ver 40 41 42. And as touching the preaching and ministerie of the word vvhereabout the objection is much urged we read in the Acts of the Apostles hovv vvhen Luke had noted that Lydia being together vvith other vvomen assembled heard the Apostle speak unto them he presently annexeth that the Lord opened her heart that she attended to the things spoken by Paul And so she became a Christian and was baptised and her houshold Act. 16 14 15. Which likewise shevveth that instruction and exhortation is a meanes vvhich it pleaseth God to use and yet that the fruit thereof dependeth upon the Lords ovvne gracious and powerfull vvorking in us thereby as he pleaseth Whereupon it was that the vvord spoken by the Apostle vvas more fruitfull in Lydia then in the other persons that were there also met together to vvhom Paul spake asvvell as unto her Act. 16.13.14 Without vvhich vvork and blessing of the Lord no increase followeth whatsoever meanes be used as vvas shewed here before Whereunto may be referred that the Apostle saith I haue planted Apollo vvatered but God gaue the increase 1 Cor. 3 6. It is God saith the Apostle that giveth the increase He saith not I haue planted Apollo vvatered but it is of men themselues vvhen the grace is offered to receiue or to refuse it and so to haue some increase or none at all as pleaseth themselues The Apostles teach not so but their doctrine leadeth us to acknovvledge the meanes used by God and yet thereupon neyther to debase the vvork of God nor to advance the vvill or povver of man vvho is dead in sinne and alienated in mynd 〈…〉 the flesh and of the mynd till vve be quickned converted and renevved by the Lord. Ans 3. Besides God may vvell so speak unto man as he made him at first in holynes and righteousnes having free vvill and abilitie unto that vvhich vvas good and holy Whereof novv being deprived by his ovvne voluntarie fall and transgression the blame therefore lyeth upon our selues that vve are not able to performe the commandements exhortations giuen unto us unlesse it please God to renevv us and to vvork in us both to vvill and to doe of his good pleasure Gen. 1 26. and 3.1 7. and 5.3 Eccl. 7.29 vvith Ephes 4.20 24. Phil 2.13 Ans 4. Othervvise in this our corrupt estate vve find that the Lavv vvorketh vvrath and increaseth sinne and maketh it more appear vve being in our selues miserably corrupted since the fall and more and more hardned in evill vvithout the grace of God and povverfull vvorking of his spirit in us as is aforesaid Rom. 4.14.15 and 7.8.9 c. Ans 5. And thus also may be observed hovv the commandements and exhortations spoken off shevv our dutie rather then our abilitie As the Lavv shevveth us vvhat vve ought to doe not vvhat vve are able to doe Whereof vve may likewise make good use to know our own weaknes and sinfulnes the more that so being humbled in our selues we may pray unto God for his grace and mercie that he would work in us his owne good vvork with power to the praise and glorie of his name in Iesus Christ Which is another good use of the commandements and exhortations giuen unto us 10. Finally the contrarie doctrine derogateth greatly from the glorie of God and giveth unto man part of the glorie of our conversion and salvation For look how much we ascribe to the will and power of man so much in very deed vve take from the grace and work of God And if it be in our selues and in the power of our own vvill to turne unto God to exempt our selues from others that doe it not then should we haue so far forth whereof to glorie But most sure it is that we haue not where of to glorie vvith God herein vvho vvill haue the full and vvhole glorie to himself of our conversion and salvation in Christ Therefore in this respect also the contrarie doctrine is erroneous not according to the truth of the gospell 1 Cor. 1 26 31. and 4 7. Ephes 2 8 9. 2 Thes 1 11 12. compared vvith Joh. 7 18. and 16 13 14. Herewith also agree some sayings of the auncient Writers As vvhen Augustine saith Free will to loue God vve haue lost by the greatnes of the first sinne August tom 2. epist 107. ad Vitalem And againe Man using free vvill yll lost both it and himself Ibid. tom 3. Enchiridio ad Laurentium cap. 30. Petrus Diaconus and others What could or can be borne of a servant but a servant For Adam when he was free begate not children but after he vvas made the servant of sinne Therefore as everie one is of him so also everie man is the servant of sinne through him Petr. Diac. c. de incarnatione gratia Christi seu de gratia libero arbitrio cap. 6. And Fulgentius Hold firmely and doubt not at all that no man can come to repentance but whom God inlighteneth and converteth of his gracious mercy compassion Fulgent or August lib. de fide ad Petrum Diaconum cap. 31. And thus much concerning free vvill or power in our selues unto good since the Fall CHAPTER V. Touching the perseverance of the Saints that are truely godly and syncerely beleeue in Jesus Christ VVHether the Saints of God such as faithfully beleeue being made partakers of the spirit of adoption ingrafted into Iesus Christ by true and living faith are not by the grace povver of God in Christ so guided susteyned and preserved as they shall not and in respect of God can not wholly and for ever fall avvay from the Lord utterly be rejected by him and loose that his quickning spirit and saving faith in Iesus Christ Although they be subject still in this life through infirmitie of the flesh in themselues to fall into sinne sometimes also into great and grievous sinnes As may be seen in Noah David Peter c. 2 Cor. 1 19 22. Ephes 1 13 14. and 3 16 20. and 5 23. Rom. 8 15 23. 1 Joh. 5 1 13 1 Cor. 1 4 9. Esa 54 8 9 10. and 55 3. with Act. 13 34. Ier. 31 31 37. and 32.40 Amos 9 9. Habak 2 2 3 4. vvith Rom. 1 16 17. and Heb. 11 ch with 10 38 39. and 13 20 21. Mat. 24 24 31. Ioh. 4 14. and 5 24. and 6 35 37 39 40 54-55 and 10 27.28 29. and 17 24. Rom 8 28 39. and 11 29. Phil. 1 6. Heb. 6 17 20. cōpared with Gen. 9 8 16.21 2 Sam. 11 3 4. Mat. 26. 69 75. 1 Cor. 10 13. 2 Tim. 1 12. 1 Pet. 1 3 4
opinions to the word of God 4. If Circumcision was the seale onely of the temporarie covenant of the land of Canaan what then did it profit Abraham himself in this behalf to whom God gaue no inheritance in it no not so much as the bredth of a foot Act. 7 5. But Abraham by faith sojourned in the land of promise as in a straunge countrey dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heires with him of the same promise For he euen as we looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God And they desired a better countrey that is an heauenly Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God Heb. 11 9.10 16. From which very speach that God is the God of Abraham Isaak and Jacob Exod. 3 6 15 16. Christ proveth the resurrection from the dead Matth. 22 31 32. Luk. 20 37 38. Which also sheweth the covenant made with Abraham to be a spirituall and everlasting covenant 5. If Circumcision was the seale to Abrahams carnall seed touching the land of Canaan why then did not circumcision cease when they enjoyed and possessed the land For Sacraments cease when the promises are fulfilled whereof they are signes and seales as the verie termes of a signe and seale may imply And thereupon it is that we shall haue no need or use of prophecies Sacraments or other like things in the kingdome of heauen after this life as now we haue in this life here on earth 1 Cor. 13 8 12. with chap. 11 23 26. 6. If Circumcision was a seale to Abraham and his carnall seed onely of a carnall covenant or temporarie promise touching the land of Canaan why then did God appoint the proselytes of the Gentiles that came to the Passeover and their children to be circumcised seeing they were not of Abrahams carnall seed nor had the promise of the land of Canaan Exod. 12 48 49. But in deed circumcision sealed to them the same righteousnes of faith and so the spirituall covenant of God in Christ as it did to Abraham and the Iewes that were his carnall seed Rom. 4 11. with Gen. 12 3. and 15 5 6. and 17 7 13. with Exod. 12 48 49. 7. And whereas † Mr. Sm. repl to M. Clift Arg. 2. some say that circumcision was also a seale of obedience to the law of Moses how can this be when as it was appointed to Abraham four hundred and thirty yeeres afore the Law was giuen Gal. 3 17. with ●en 12 3. and 17 chap. And Moses himself vvas not borne till divers gene●●tions after Abraham Gen. 21 2 3. and 25 19 26. and 29 21 34. with Exod. 6 16 20. True it is that as Circumcision vvas also one of the ceremonies being repeated and required in Moses Lavv Lev. 12 3. so they that vvere circumcised after the Lavv vvas giuen became debters to doe the vvhole lavv Gal. 5 3. But as it vvas of the Fathers and not of Moses being before appointed to Abraham to vvhom the Gospell vvas preached and the covenant confirmed four hundred and thirtie yeres before the Lavv Gen. 17 7 13. Joh. 7 22. Gal. 3 8 17. so it vvas a seale of the righteousnes of faith of the remission of sinnes in Christ Rom. 4 1 11. Also vve that are novv baptised are bound to obserue all things vvhatsoever Christ hath commaunded Matt. 28 18 19 20. Yet notvvithstanding baptisme to us is the seale not of our obedience no nor of our faith but of the righteousnes of faith and of the Lords forgiving our sinnes in Iesus Christ Rom. 4 1 11 25. and 6 3. with Act. 2 38 39. and 22 16. For the seale of God in circumcision and Baptisme confirmeth a perfit sure and firme covenant euen the Lords everlasting covenant of grace Gen. 17 7 13. Deu. 32 4. Psal 111 9 145 17. Rom. 11 29. Rev. 14 6. Heb. 13 20 with Act. 2 38 39. and 3 25. vvhereas our faith and observation of the Lords commandements like as theirs in Israell is infirme unperfit Matt. 6 30. and 8 26. Mar. 9 24. Luke 17 5. Rom. 7 12 25. Jam. 3 2. 1 Joh. 1 8 9 10. And it is our comfort in tentations that although vve are vveak sinful yet the Lords covenant of grace confirmed unto us in baptisme as it vvas to them in circumcision is firme and holy euen an everlasting covenant established by the death and blood shedding of Iesus Christ vvho of God is made unto us vvisedome and righteousnes sanctification and redemption that according as it is vvritten He that glorieth let him glorie in the Lord. 1 Cor. 1 30 31. and Jer. 9 23. with Hebr. 13 20. 8. Moreover to be of the carnall seed of Abraham vvhich is so much objected did not hinder the Ievves but that they might also be his spirituall seed in Christ And so they are acknovvledged by the Apostles vvho call them the children of the promise of the covenant which God made with the fathers saying to Abraham In thy seed shall al kinreds of the earth be blessed Act. 2 39. and 3 25. Gal. 3 15 29. Rom. 11 16. c. 9. Finally their outvvard circumcision signified and taught them the invvard and spirituall circumcision of the heart by the spirit of God in Christ like as our outvvard baptisme shevveth and teacheth us the very same thing which is wrought by the sanctification of the spirit and by the cleansing of us from our sinnes in the blood of Iesus Christ Col. 2 11 12. Deut. 10 16. and 30.6 with Act. 15 10 11. and Rom. 6 3 6. 1 Cor. 6 11. Tit. 3 4 7. 1 Pet. 3 21. OBJECTION V. But there is great difference betweene the Iewes and us between their estate before Christ being then as in the infancie and ours since Christ being growne in yeeres between their administration and ours and particularly between their circumcision and our baptisme for circumcision was for the males onely and to be done the eight day whereas baptisme is both for male and female to be done at any time c and the ceremonies had in Israell are now abolished c ANSWER 1. The objection is not of waight though it be common to others with the Anabaptists in other cases who in this matter see the vanitie of it themselues For first as I noted before we speak onely of such things as are morall in their owne nature or agree in a generall and perpetuall equity and in their like common propertie end and benefit and so farre forth are perpetual how ever there be differences othervvise about some outvvard circumstances accidents other like things according to the divers dispensation of the Old and New Testament As may be observed in the Apostles writings in the reasons and allegations made therein which are taken not onely from the * Of vvhich see before pag. 5. moral law but euen from the shadowes and ceremonies of Moses
Latimer c. latter Angels vvitnesses that follovved after called others and vvere called themselues to separate from that estate and to returne to the auncient faith and vvay wherein the churches were set of old Which also hath ben yet is performed by degrees As vve find that Luther Calvin Latimer Bradford the godly vvith them vvent further then John Wickliff John Hus Jerome of Prage and others before them Also that the Church of England goeth further in many things then the Lutherans And that the other reformed churches proceed further then the church of England though yet al the corruptions of the apostasie be not vvholly taken avvay and the churches brought to that heauenly synceritie wherein they vvere planted by the Apostles at the first vvhereunto vve ought all earnestly to striue what in us is knovving that this estate is not atteyned all at once and that those churches which are most freed from the corruptions aforesaid come nearest to the auncient integrity of the vvay of God are the most partakers of this grace and heauenly blessing of the Lord. IX That furthermore by the consideration of the Temple with the severall parts places and uses thereof we may obserue a double consideration of the estate and communion of the Church and people of God The one here on earth the other in heauen And that vvhich is on earth to be also tvvo fould the one outward and visible the other more invisible and inward The outvvard and visible signified by the Court of the Temple vvhich was outward vvhither all Israell came noting the churches outward estate and communion vvith God in the visible assemblies thereof The inward and invisible signified by the sanctuarie and holy place which were inward whither the Priests onely had accesse noting the more invisible estate and communion vvhich the elect and faithfull haue vvith God in spirit and trueth being made Priests unto God in Iesus Christ And lastly the estate cōmunion had vvith God in heauen signified by the most holy place where God dwelt between the Cherubims * Hebr. 9 7 24. whither onely the high Priest came once a yere not vvithout blood ‡ Exo. 28.6 29. carying on his brest and shoulders the names of the tribes of Israell graved in precious stones and so presented them before the Lord noting ” Hebr. 3 1. and 9 24. and 10 19 20 21. Ioh. 14 2 3. our accesse to God in heauen by Iesus Christ the high Priest of our profession who appeareth before God for us hath many mansions prepared in heauen for us that where he is there may we be also X. Finally that as they vvhich vvent into the inner parts of the Temple did passe as I noted before through the outvvard Court and yet not all that come to the outvvard Court did or might passe to the places of the Temple that were more inward Sal. Song 1 7 8. Act. 2 47. so they that vvould be partakers of Gods heauenly favours and blessings here and for ever should what in them is use the meanes and benefit of the outvvard estate and communion of the Church of God on earth and yet also not all vvho enjoy the benefit of the churches visible estate are partakers of the invisible graces and eternall salvation of God but onely the elect and those that are truely godly Yea that the outvvard Court and City to be troden upon is subject to be giuen unto apostates and persecuters that for a long time together vvhen yet all this time the elect and faithfull passing through these to vvithin being sanctified and approved of God are still preserved and protected by him and in the end are called from earth up into heauen These novv are the things vvhich I thought here to note by this occasion Which are likewise for the most of them observed and acknowledged by the best of the Protestant vvriters generally Yea also some of these men themselues vvith vvhom we haue to deale do thus understand and apply that vvhich is here spoken of the Court and holy City as in their ovvne vvritings may be seen And because the point is of waight for the matter in hand I vvill here therefore before I proceed further note downe their owne words wishing the Reader vvell to obserue them as follovveth When M. Sm. in a treatise of his wrote thus ‘ M. Sm. diffe p. 20. and 21. As the holy place with the Altar and Priests did properly signify the Church worship and Saints Rev. 11 1. 1 Pet. 2 5. under the nevv testament so the court without the holy place whither al the people came and the typicall service performed there did signify the confused assemblies of Antichristian persecuters and their ceremoniall worship Rev. 11 2. which the spirit in that place calleth Gentiles or heathen in those respects M. Ainsw answering him after he had shewed some misconceits of his about the Tabernacle and things perteyning thereunto proceedeth then further in his answer on this sort saying * M. Ain defence of Script p. 12 13 14 15. His eye sight fayled not so much in the shadovv as his heart vvas blynded in the shadowed thing For he maketh the tabernacle altar and Priests to signifie the church worship and Saints under the new Testament the court of the Tabernacle he will haue to signifie the assemblies of Antichrist the Israelites there assembling to signifie the Antichristian persecurers c. Behold unto what great iniquity he abuseth the word of God ‡ Note how M. A. speaketh of Israel here The body of the Church of Israell † Exo. 4 22 the son and first borne of the Lord ” Psal 135 4. his chosen and chief treasure “ Deu. 7 6 7. precious unto him aboue all peoples of the earth on vvhom he set his loue † Deu. 33.26 riding upon the heauens for their help and on the clouds in his glory a people ” vers 29. blessed saved by the Lord the shield of their help and sword of their glorie this people he maketh to signifie the Antichristian persecuters hated of God children of the Divel for whose overthrow confusion Christ ‘ Rev. 19 11 21. rideth on the heauens in his glory with a garment dipt in blood and a sword for to slay them and fill all the foules of the ayer vvith their flesh c. The Lords ‡ Lev. 6 16 holy Courts wherein they that dwelt “ Psa 65 4 were blessed for which the soules of the Saincts “ Psal 84.2 10. longed and fainted counting one day there better then a thousand othervvhere is now made to signify the Synagogue of Sathan and place vvhere the Divell dwelleth c But what may we thin● induced M. Sm. to this impietie Euen Satan deceived him by one place of Scripture which † Pag. 21. he citeth in his book viz Rev. 11.2 where Iohn was willed in a vision to
5 21. and 5 1 10 11. 1. Because the graces and fruits aforesaid namely the spirit of adoption faith in Iesus Christ with the fruits thereof are certain pledges and assurances of Gods eternall election unto salvation as hath ben shewed before pag. 222. Novv as God himself so his decree and loue toward his elect for salvation is unchangeable therefore it cannot be that those vvhom he hath chosen unto life eternall should by him again for ever be rejected and become reprobate unto condemnation and so to fall utterly from the Lord to be deprived for ever of his quickning spirit and saving faith in Iesus Christ Mal. 3 6. and Exod. 3 14 15. Jam. 1 17. Heb. 6 17 18 19 20. Mat. 24 24 31 34. 1 Sam. 15 29. Psal 102 13 14 27 28. Ier. 31 3. Joh. 13 1. compared with 2 Cor. 1 19 22. Rom. 8 15.16 Gal. 4 6. and 5 22 23. Ephes 1 3 14. Phil. 1 6. Tit. 1 1 2. Rom. 8 29 39. 2 Els it vvould follow eyther that such were not the Lords giuen unto Christ or that the Lord is overtaken and deceived in his decree election of grace or not able to preserue them by his grace power to eternall life but that they vvhich are his sheep for whom Christ layd dovvne his life might notvvithstanding perish and be plucked out of his hands Contrarie to the doctrine of Christ Mat. 24 24 31 35. Ioh. 3 8 14 15 16. and 5 24. and 6 35 37 39 40 56 57 58. and 10 15 27 28 29. And contrarie to his prayer Ioh. 17 20.24 with 14 16. Contrarie also to the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Esa 54 9 10. and 55 3. with Act. 13 34. Jer. 31 31 37. and 32 40. Habak 2 2 3 4. with Rom. 1 16 17. and 4.20 25. and 8.29.30 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 1 Iohn 5.4.13.18 Revel 13.8 and 21.27 and 22.6 9. And contrarie to their assured perswasion recorded for our instruction and comfort in the Scriptures vvhen they say I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shal stand at the latter day upon the earth c. Job 19 25. And againe I know whom I haue beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I haue committed unto him against that day 2 Tim. 1 12. And vvhen the Apostle speaketh of all the elect saying Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Who shall separate us from the loue of Christ Shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednes or perill or sword c. Nay in al these things vve are more then conquerours through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to separate us from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Rom. 8 33 39. 3. Neyther els could vve in this life haue assurance of salvation in Christ but should still be wavering and in doubt and so be left without sound comfort in the midst of the manifold tentations and afflictions of this life Like as cometh to passe by the erroneous doctrine of the Papists in this and other like points of their religion Contrarie also to the assured promise of God the true nature of faith and the gracious testimonie of Gods spirit and fruits thereof in us Besides the examples of such as are recorded in the Scriptures to haue had assurance of salvation and of perseverance to the end As vvas shewed in some examples here before Psal 119.49.50 and 56.3.4.9 13. and 62 1.2 and 116.10 vvith 2 Cor. 4.13.14 Psa 55.3 vvith Act. 13.34 Iohn 5.24 and 6.35.37.39.40 and 10.27.28.29 and 14.27 and 16.33 and 20.31 Rom. 4.20 25. and 8.16 39. 2 Cor. 1.21.22 Gal. 4.6.7 and 5.22.23 Ephes 1.13.14 and 4.30 Phil. 1.6 Tit. 1.1 Hebr. 2.10.11.17.18 6.17 20. 11 ch 1 Pet. 1.2 6. and 2 Pet. 1.3 10. 1 Ioh. 5.4.13 4. Els also the righteousnes vvhich novv we haue by the redemption of Christ should not be more stable and firme unto us then the righteousnes vvhich Adam or the Angels had by creation in that first estate of integritie For Adam fell from his righteousnes and many of the Angels also from theirs leaving their first estate Whereas they vvhich are redeemed by Christ and made partakers of his righteousnes having it once sealed in their hearts by the spirit of God shal never loose it again For the redemption vvhich Christ hath wrought for the elect and the righteousnes vvhich he hath brought in for us by his death is eternall Dan. 9.24 Hebr. 9.12.24.28 and Rom. 8.15.23.30.33.34 38.39 2 Cor. 1.21.22 Ephes 1.7.13.14 compared vvith Gen. 1.26.27 and 3.1 7. Psal 49.12.20 Eccles 7.29 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude ver 8. And they vvhich trust in the Lord and are built upon Christ the rock by faith in him are as the Scripture saith like mount Sion vvhich cannot be removed but standeth for ever Psal 125.1 And like the vvise man which buildeth his house on a rock against vvhich all the raine floods vvinds and stormes that fall and beat upon it can not prevaile to make it fall because it is founded upon a rock Mat. 7.24.25 and 24.24 5. Besides that if one of the elect and faithful beleevers in Christ may vvholly fal away from the Lord be rejected for ever then also might another and another and so all of them For vve haue all like precious faith vvith the Apostles themselues though in several measure and degrees through the righteousnes of God and our Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 And thus the faith novv spoken of is fitly called the faith of Gods elect Tit. 1.1 If therefore any and so all of the elect and faithfull beleevers in Christ might vvholly fall avvay from the Lord and be rejected for ever how then were the decree of Gods election eternall and unchangeable as vvas shevved before hovv should the promise of God to his people be certain everlasting how is the covenant of Gods grace certainly confirmed by the death of Christ for salvation to his elect through the blood of his crosse vvhere and what should be the benefit of Christs faithfull keeping and preservation of his people vvhat vvould be the fruit and comfort of the gracious presence and povverfull working of the Spirit of Sanctification in us Finally vvhere should now be the certaintie and stabilitie of the grace power glorie and kingdome of God in Christ for and through the salvation of the elect and faithfull Which the whole Scripture teacheth us to ascribe unto God with praise thanks for evermore Mat. 6.9 13. compared vvith Ephes 1.3.4.5.6.7