Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	according_a	father_n	son_n	5,248	5	5.4119	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81926	Objections against the taking of the engagement answered. Or, Some scruples of conscience, which a godly minister in Lancashire did entertain against the taking of the engagement. Resolved by J.D. wherein the chief mistakes of weak consciences, about the matter of the engagement, are in a friendly way discovered, and rectified by scripture-grounds and right reason; and published for the satisfaction of others, who may be scrupled in the same kind.	Dury, John, 1596-1680.	1650 (1650)	Wing D2876; Thomason E608_20; ESTC R205922	22,527	28

OBJECTIONS AGAINST The taking of the ENGAGEMENT Answered OR Some scruples of Conscience which a godly Minister in Lancashire did entertain against the taking of the ENGAGEMENT Resolved by J. D. WHEREIN The chief mistakes of weak Consciences about the matter of the Engagement are in a friendly way discovered and rectified by Scripture-grounds and right reason and published for the satisfaction of others who may be scrupled in the same kind LONDON Printed by John Clowes for Richard Woodnothe at the Star under St. Peters Church in Cornhill 1650. Worthy SIR I Have delay'd writing for a time in that I have been uncertain whether I should come to London or no but now at the last resolving to wait a while before I come do make bold to present my humble thankfulness for your former kindnes shewed to me I have been much perplexed in mind concerning the Engagement and still am by which means my maintenance is and hath for a season been withheld Those scruples which I stick at I shall make bold to acquaint you with and they are these 1. The late Government voted down was in it self lawful wholsome and good and no evil ever yet did appear to me in the power but only in the persons who did exercise that power Prov. 24.21 which was no sufficient ground of change and it is not safe to meddle in it 2. To that said Government I am bound by many solemn and sacred Tyes to maintain it in my place not only in the substance and main parts of it but also in the form and circumstance thereof and those said obligations are not meerly civil and humane but sacred and divine and above the absolution of any earthly power 3. I conceive it unlawful to engage against the undoubted rights of any man I suppose there may be found such lawful Heirs of the Crown as have not any wayes forfeited their rights and also great Interests and Priviledges which mary innocent Peers of this Land may fairly challenge which they have not lost by their miscarriage Treason or Rebellion 4. I cannot be satisfied but that the liberty of the free-born English is by that means much infringed in this late settlement and constitution 1. In that many of the innocent and faithful Members the Representatives of the people were at the voting of this new establishment thrust out and debarred the House which makes it seem rather a combination or confederacy then a lawful constitution for if a people have liberty in any thing certainly it is to chuse their Governors and Government 2. The subscription is forced upon us under the penalties of out-lawing and fining so that this power are our absolute Lords which is that heavy yoak that we have feared and fought against 5. I consider if men at their inition and installment will walk so arbitrarily and domineere with so high a hand what will they do may we expect when they come to a full settlement by the consent of all the people of the Nation 6. The grieving and troubling the hearts and Consciences not of loose perverse and seditious but of grave sober pious and peaceable men is made nothing of but they are trampled upon and wholly neglected whilst many Atheists Cavaliers and base wretches that will take the Engagement are imbraced priviledged and respected These and such dear Sir are the troubles of my heart which I make bold to express thus plainly not doubting of your favour in construing my harsh and too high phrases and ove-rbold expressions only I follow this as the safest way to satisfaction and resolution hoping that the Lord will of his goodness stir you up and direct you to satisfie me or candidly to think of and bear with me Sir your loving invitation and incouragement hath made me thus bold to trouble you and as for those other businesses I formerly mentioned I conceive little can be done c. Dated 9. May. 1650. OBJECTIONS against the taking of the ENGAGEMENT Answered SIR I Hope you have received my former written the 28. of May wherein I sent you back the Petition of your Parish with some instructions how you should do to get your business effected Now I shall endeavour to offer something to your consideration towards the satisfaction of those scruples which you have sent me for which you have not been able to take the Engagement The Lord who alone is the Father of lights and knowes the capacity of all Mens Consciences instruct us in the truth and by it grant us that quietness and rest of spirit which may fit us for the performance of all righteousness and dutifulness with joy he alone can teach us to profit and lead the wearied sole to rest we may suggest to one another that wherein according to our apprehension is truth so far as it appears so to us but to seal up that truth and perswade the heart of it is the work of the spirit of God alone whom our heavenly Father by the mouth of his own Son hath promised to give to them that ask him Luke 11.13 We may therefore with full assurance crave this spirit not only for our selves but each for other and perhaps herein we may do one another better service then in suggesting our notions to each other Yet because we are commanded not only to ask by way of request but to seek and knock at the Gates of Heaven Mat. 7.7 by way of endeavour therefore let us do the one and not neglect the other and if it shall be the Lords will that by the discovery of those things which give me satisfaction in that whereat you are scrupled you shall find more light then you now have and cause of satisfaction and rest to your mind therein I shall rejoyce at it and bless God for it Give me leave therefore to discover unto you the grounds for which my Conscience ought not to be troubled at the things which you scruple so much at for you are brought thereby into many inconveniences and straits which I conceive you have cast your self into for want of due consideration of those Rules which would have steered your course clear from those Rocks and Quick-sands whereinto you are fallen 1. Scruple The former Government was in it self good and not alterable The first scruple you make is this The late Government say you voted down was in it self lawful wholsome and good and no evil ever yet did appear to me in the power but only in the persons who did exercise that power which was no sufficient ground of Change and it is not safe to meddle in it Prov. 24.21 Now this doth not trouble me at all I suppose needs not to be a matter of Conscience to you that is you need not to charge the consequence which you mention here upon your Conscience The Answer shewes for although I should think as you do that the late Government now voted down was in it self lawful yet it doth not follow