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	flesh_n	zion_n	28	3	9.2584	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96661	Mount Ebal levell'd or Redemption from the curse. Wherein are discovered, 1. The wofull condition of sinners under the curse of the law. 2. The nature of the curse, what it is, with the symptomes of it, in its properties, and effects. 3. That wonderful dispensation of Christs becoming a curse for us. 4. The grace of redemption, wherein it stands, in opposition to some gross errors of the times, which darken the truth of it. 5. The excellent benefits, priviledges, comforts, and engagements to duty, which flow from it. By Elkanah Wales, M.A. preacher of the Gospel at Pudsey in York-shire.	Wales, Elkanah, 1588-1669.	1658 (1658)	Wing W294; Thomason E1923_1; ESTC R209971	189,248	382

in Religion and in common conversation which they kept on foot from father to son as things of necessity and helps to holiness as standing by themselves in the Synagogue to pray by themselves Luke 18.11 that they might not be defiled by being near to sinners washing their hands to their very elbows lest some uncleanness had crept beyond the wrests before they eat washing of cups and tables and many other things in a superstitious imitation of their predecessors From this vain conversation they were redeemed by the blood of Christ and the grace of the Gospel taught them not onely to abandon the lusts of their former ignorance and the apparent breaches of the Law but also those foolish and unsavoury traditions Wilt thou now bring thy state and wayes to this Touchstone Thou hopest that thou art redeemed but canst thou shew us these tokens this resolution and endeavour Hast thou learned to cast away thy old iniquities Dost thou feel really a separation betwixt thy soul and thy formerly beloved sin If not thou deceivest thy self But observe further there be sundry by courses too usual not onely with the men of the world but those also that profess Religion some clearly sinful others at least groundless and unprofitable as communicating onely or necessarily at Easter coming to the Sacrament fasting as more holy dropping down to prayer in the Assembly in time of publick worship idle and unnecessary meeting in the Ale-house to drink shots for good-fellowship mixt dancing garish attire curious dressings flaring long haire Doing one ill turn for another Mat. 5 38 ●9 So did they and so do we these and the like practices are at the best but so many parcels of a vain conversation and if thy soul have truly tasted the sweetness of this precious benefit thou canst freely let them fall both out of thine heart and hands and say unto them Get you hence If thou hast no minde to part with them but holdest them fast and stretchest thy wit to plead for them I feare thou hast yet no portion in this benefit Sect. 3. Other three marks of interest in Redemption 4. SEparation from the world from the earth from men They are not of the world even as their Redeemer is not of the world Joh. 17.14 St. Paul doth solemnly profess that the world was crucified to him 1 Ioh. 5.4 and he to the world by the Cross of Jesus Christ Gal. 6.14 Those hundred forty four thousand which stood on Mount Sion with the Lamb are redeemed from the earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and from among men Rev. 14.3 4. They are partakers of the Divine nature and so escape the corruption that is in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 They are more excellent than their neighbours Prov. 12.26 Their designes desires delights aimes are higher than the earth they aspire above it On the contrary those that abide in their sin have their portion in this life Psal 17.14 And its one bad property of the enemies of the Cross of Christ that they minde earthly things Phil. 3.19 What saith thy heart to this Art thou carried up above the world Doth the earth and the things of it seem mean and base and vile in thine eyes Art thou in the frame and carriage of thy soul above the common pitch and scantling of the sons of men So that thou thinkest not willest not affectest not as they do but goest in an higher orbe thy conversation is more in heaven than in earth Phil. 3.20 This is a sweet evidence of a redeemed soul But art thou a friend to the world Is it thy Darling Do the profits pleasures Iam. 4.4 contentments of it allure and prevaile with thee to fall down and worship them and to devote thy self to their service Is the earth thine element Do the things of this life take up thy thoughts thy cares thy imployments so that thou art even drowned in them and thou hast not an heart that can savour things of a better life Dost thou walk as a man Are thy words actions aimes like thy neighbours Are they no better nor higher than other mens Why then it seems thou art still in thine old bondage 5. Walking in and after the Spirit The walk of the natural man who is the Devills bond-slave is in and after the flesh The corrupt wisdome of the old man which is enmity to God Rom. 8.7 is his light and the will thereof is the very life of his soul He hath neither light nor life within him available to salvation the instinct and dictatings of his fallen nature carry him on in his whole course But when the grace of Redemption is brought home to the soul and the Son hath set him free then the Spirit of the Son who of a slave hath made him a Son doth animate act lead and guide him all along in the residue of his conversation according to that remarkable promise Ezek. 36.27 and the Apostles grave Aphorisme Rom. 8.14 The flesh abiding in him will be still lusting against the Spirit and drawing him out of his way but his frame bent desire and constant endeavour is to be at the direction and appointment of the Spirit in all his wayes He looks upon the flesh as a very bad guide and not to be trusted therefore if at any time he be misled by it when he perceives it he turns away from it with sorrow for his folly It is the Spirit of God which he chuseth for his guide unto it speaking in the word he repairs continually for counsel and resignes himself up to follow it in all things This is the signal evidence which the Apostle gives of those that are freed from condemation by Jesus Christ and he makes it out upon this ground Because the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath freed them from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.1 2 3. When the Angel of the Lord had rowsed up Peter in the prison and caused the chaines to fall off from his hands he gave him a command to follow him Peter being now set at liberty goes after him from one place to another Act. 12.7 8. c. Even so when the Spirit of God hath loosed a sinner from his bonds by setling upon him the benefit of Redemption he is then fit and ready to walk after the same Spirit from one stage of duty to another As in Ezekiels Vision the Spirit that was in living creatures acted the wheels to go when they went and to stand when they stood Ezek. 1.19 20 21. So the members of Christ are carried on by the breathings of his Spirit dwelling in them in all their wayes But take notice that it is not a private spirit but the Spirit of God speaking in the word not a spirit opposed to the Scriptures but the Spirit speaking in the Scriptures which is the Guide whom the Redeemed follow The word of God revealed in them is the breathing and voice of

c. and in that Prayer which he put up so solemnly before his passion he makes requests for those that should beleeve hereafter Joh. 17.20.21 Non humiliter supplicando quasi genibus flexis sed gloriose representande c. Ames Medul l. 1. c. 23. And what he did on earth he doth much more in heaven although not in the same manner but in such a way as agrees to a glorified estate not by falling down on his knees in humble supplications but by presenting his sufferings with the satisfaction and merit of them and procuring at the hands of his Father the actual application of them to poor sinners for their conversion and salvation according to that Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance c. It was by vertue of his prayer on the Cross that so many thousands were brought in as the first fruits immediately after his Ascention and it is by vertue of his intercession in heaven that the whole harvest of the Elect shall be brought in also in all succeeding generations 2 For those that are actually made partakers of this grace of Redemption He appears continually before God to plead their cause Aaron had a brestplate of Judgement wherein were set twelve precious stones with the names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel engraven upon them that he might bear them upon his heart when he went into the holy place for a memorial before the Lord Exod. 28 15.-29 So our Lord Jesus the High Priest of our profession hath the names of all his redeemed people as signets on his heart and presents them continually to his Father in heaven that upon the account of his All-sufficient Sacrifice offered for them he may perswade and prevaile with him for all necessary supplies of grace in all their concernments to continue them in their reconciled condition to give them daily strength to obey him to issue out pardons for their daily slips 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In opposition to Satan who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 12.10 1 Joh. 2.1 2. He that is our Propitiation is also our Advocate with the Father and to hold them close to him so that not one of them shall perish but they shall all arrive at the happy haven of eternal glory All this was prefigured in the Law The High-priest having first offered a Goat for the whole Congregation of Israel must come the same day into the Holy of Holies and bring the blood with him and sprinkle it on and before the Mercy-seat withall burning Incense that a cloud might arise and cover it that by thus doing on one solemn day every year he might make an Attonement for all their sins Lev. 16.15 16 -33 34. Even so Jesus Christ our High-Priest having given up himself a sacrifice for the sins of the world and thereby obtained eternal Redemption entered into heaven and there appears with his blood to make Intercession through the merit of it for guilty sinners sprinkling their consciences with it to purge them from dead works Heb. 9 12.-14 to render them accepted by the Incense of his prayers and to manage the whole business of their salvation to the end Christ our Surety carries the price of our Redemption to heaven and renders it in his Fathers house See here righteous Father saith he this is the ransome for lost Man-kinde I have brought the full summe my will is that it shall be effectual both to deliver those that are still captives and to bring those home thou hast given me infallibly to salvation Thus ou● redemption by Christ becoming a Curse for us was not onely fully satisfactory to justice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A savour of rest Gen. 8.21 Numb 28.2 but also an offering and sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour Eph. 5.2 Oh what an happiness is this Dear heart thou hast a fast friend in the Court who is both able and willing to look to thy cause and to follow thy business that it shall not miscarry thou needest not fear but he will save thee to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 4 Our Redeemer hath purchased of his Father the gift of his holy Spirit that he may bestow it on all the Elect Having purchased it by h●s passion he conveyes it by his intercession Ioh. 14.16 and thereby both fetch them in and carry them on in the state of grace The Apostle acquaints us with this priviledge also in the 14. verse following God sent his Son to redeem us that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Christ in his Sermon at Nazareth applies to himself that notable Prophesie which is set down Isa 61.1 2. concerning his anointing and sending to heal the broken-hearted and to set at liberty them that are bruised ascribing this to the Spirit Luke 4.18.21 The Redeemer coming out of Zion shall not onely turn away ungodliness from Jacob but convey unto them his Spirit which shal never be taken away from them Isa 29.20 21. The Lord promiseth to put his Spirit on the Messiah his Servant that he may bring forth judgement unto victory Isa 42.1 2. c. which was fulfilled in part Matth. 12.17 18 c. Christ promiseth the Apostles to send the Spirit of Truth from the Father to testifie of him Joh. 15.26 and that even for the conversion of those that hated him as vers 24. Yea he shall convince the world of sin righteousness and judgement Joh. 16.8 c. shewing them the things which he receives from Christ and so glorifying him vers 14. They that are freed from condemnation by Christ coming in the flesh have the Spirit of God dwelling in them Rom. 8.1 2 9. for all necessary supplies in the way of salvation to teach them all things Joh. 14.26 to soften their hearts and to inable them to obey Ezek. 11.19 20. to change them into the image of the Lords glory 2 Cor. 3.18 to frame them to the affections of children and to stir up in them groans of prayer Rom. 8.26 27. Gal. 4.6 to witness with their spirits their adoption As Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to plead for us with God in heaven so the Spirit is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to plead for Christ with us on earth Ioh. 14.16 Rom. 8.16 to be a seal and earnest of their inheritance untill the day of final Redemption Eph. 1.13 14. and to raise up their mortal bodies at the last day Rom. 8.11 Oh admirable priviledge Judge in your selves If a King having ransomed a company of his subjects from Turkish slavery should send to every one of them a Noble-man to be alwayes near them were not this an incredible favour And if Jesus Christ the King of Saints should send a glorified Saint or a good Angel to abide with his redeemed people what an honour were it But if he should give his Spirit to be our Keeper Comforter Leader yea our All under himself

shall be But then 2. Hence to infer that it is no matter what a man doth or how he walks is a wicked and dangerous conclusion for the Decreee of Predestination hath made a necessary connexion betwixt the means and the end but that godless inference breaks this golden chain all to peeces To live in ignorance security unbeleef disobedience is the ready way to hell and consequently a fearful mark of Reprobation To neglect means of saving knowledge faith repentance and new obedience is to forfeit salvation and to declare thy self to be none of Gods Elect. A learned Divine illustrates this by a similitude thus Davenant Animadversions on a Treatise called Gods love to mankinde p. 512 Put case saith he a battel were to be waged betwixt two Armies and God should reveal some way or other that the greater part of the souldiers sho●●d perish in the fight and some few escape not mentioning the particular persons which should be slain or preserved if any souldier should now either pass sentence upon himself before-hand or suffer his heart to be fore-stalled with a strong conceit that he is one of them that shall be slain and shall thereupon despairingly run upon his enemies swords or throw down his weapons and neglect himself and so perish I demand whether this despair and the effects thereof are not rather to be imputed to his own indiscretion than to the divine revelation without doubt he may justly blame himself for taking occasion where none was given The application is easie To walk in the state and wayes of sin or to avoid the way of faith and holiness out of a conceit or fear that thou art not in the number of the Elect is damnable madness 3. It is a groundless supposition to say If I be not elected all my labour of beleeving repenting and holy walking will be lost for it implies that a man may do all these and yet be damned But this is altogether inconsistent with the frame of the Gospel which holds forth the quite contrary that he that doth these things shall bee saved 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Rom. 2.7 8 c. 4. No man in the world can give thee an infallible assurance of thy election immediately neither oughtest thou to seek for such assurance Scripture and reason both will tell thee that ●ods eternall counsels are so deep as they cannot possibly be found out no man ought to conclude peremptorily of himself that he is a Reprobate rather let every one that lives in the Church and under the sound of Gods Ordinances conceive hope that he is one of the elect number provided that he improve this hope to be a spur to diligence in the use of means towards salvation But then take heed that thou suspend not this upon the certain knowledge of thine election say not I will first know that I am elected before I take pains in the way to salvation If the King should grant a pardon to a hundred Traytors whose names are inrolled in the Exchequer upon certain conditions to be performed by them expressed in a Proclamation it would be a foolish preposterous course first to search the Rolls before they look after the performance of the conditions no they must first do this and then sue out their pardon Even so thy way to heaven is not first to climbe up thither to search the Records whether thy name be there the word is near thee even in thine heart Say not who shall go up to heaven for me Rom. 10.6 8. Think not of jumping into heaven at once Begin at the bottome of the ladder and go up by steps He that will not set himself o● the way to salvation unless God will first make him of his Cabinet-councel is sure to meet with damnation as the deserved reward of his desperate folly Therefore poor soul if thou hast begun go on by the exercise of Faith Repentance and all other graces to make thy calling sure this will make thine Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 and then thou needest not fear thy Redemption Obj. 4. But I have so long neglected to hearken to the counsel of the word calling me to believe that it may be the day of grace is past to me If the Lord had any thoughts of good towards me he would have perswaded my heart before this time but now I am grown into such a setled habit of unbelief that I may fear the Lord hath even determined to leave me under the power of it for ever Ans 1. God is the Soveraigne Lord of time he workes at all houre● of the day he calles at the Eleventh as well as the sixth or nineth houres Matth. 20.5 6. he hath his several seasons of offering grace bringing Christ home to the soul and satisfying the soul with the comfort of enjoying him according to his good pleasure 2. I confess it is a very dangerous thing for a sinner to resist the motions of the Spirit till he be even wearied out till the Lord say peremptorily my Spirit shall no longer strive with this man I will leave him to his own counsels And it is to be feared that this is the case of very many who living under quickening means yet grow old in a secure sensless state and course and it is ten to one that these persons have sitten out their day of grace Yet let no sinner no not he that is of the blackest grime or longest standing set down this absolutely against himself that this day of Grace is quite past Say not it 's now too late to Repent and believe or if I do God will not regard me This were to denie the grace of the new Covenant If now at length thou wilt open thine eares to the counsel of the Gospel and laying aside thine enmitie wilt heartily come in thou shalt finde by good experience that there is abundant grace in the Lord Jesus for thy recoverie and salvation See the example of Paul 1 Tim. 1.13 14. 3. But as for the poor afflicted soul although thou hast turned a deaf ear to the encouragements of the Spirit of God and hearkened to thine own heart too long yet thou hast no such cause of fear For thy practise doth constantly proclaim that thou fearest the Lord and obeyest the voice of his servant Isa 50.10 in departing from all known iniquity and endeavouring to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing Onely thou art in darkness as to thy right unto Jesus Christ and the grace of Redemption and although thou breathest after him in the desires of thy soul yet thou canst not reach up sensibly to close with him by faith In this condition as sad as it is to thee the Lord looks upon thee as a tender mother lookes upon her childe that will not take the breast he pities thy waywardness and will not make it an advantage against thee but still invites thee to stay thy self on his Name He can easily change thy heart of