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	good_a	zion_n	20	3	8.6974	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A75725	The heavenly trade, or the best merchandizing the only way to live well in impoverishing times. A discourse occasioned from the decay of earthly trades, and visible wastes of practical piety in the day we live in, offering arguments and counsels to all, towards a speedy revival of dying godliness and timely prevention of the dangerous issues thereof impending on us. By Bartholomew Ashwood Minister of the Gospel.	Ashwood, Bartholomew, 1622-1680.	1678 (1678)	Wing A3999A; ESTC R204336	280,447	512

have their life above above the world and things below and such should their work be also How pleasant should heavenly work be to heavenly souls which Believers are and should be Secondly Christians set upon heavenly work for as is your work so will your maintenance be They who do that work which the world cannot have that meat and drink which the world knoweth not Joh. 4. 32 34. The Lord hath dainties and peculiar refreshments for those who are single and faithful in his work they have joyes which strangers intermeddle not with Prov. 14. 10. Whoever go without his labourers shall not lack He keeps a good table for his work-men In keeping of his Commands there 's great reward Psal 19. 11. They eat the fat and drink the sweet Neh. 8. 10. The marrow the spiced wine the hidden Manna is their meat and drink so far as they have need of it O the sweet bits and pleasant sips they miss of who are idle in God's Vineyard They that will not work shall not eat 2 Thes 3. 10. Would you live high in your spiritual comforts then work hard in your spiritual work Thirdly As is your work so will your company be They that do earthly work have earthly companions to labour with them As is mens Trade such is their company The children of the night have their fellowship with unfruitfull works of darkness Ephes 5. 11. and gracious souls are companions with them that fear God Psal 119. 63. Wicked workers have wicked men and devils casting in their lot with them Prov. 1. 14. And so have heavenly Traders heavenly company they have the presence of God with them 2 Chron. 15. 2. The Lord is with you while you are with him They have the Comforter with them Joh. 14. 16. He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Rom. 8. 11. By his Spirit that dwelleth in you No company like the Comforter friends may leave you but if you keep with God and do his will the Spirit of God will abide with you for ever though he may not alwaies be seen of you yet he will alwaies reside with you At the best friends can but stay with you but the Spirit of Christ will dwell in you and give you the nearest and most intimate acquaintance with himself if you obey his voice and follow him God's labourers have the company of Angels also they are ministring spirits to the heirs of salvation Heb. 1. 14. They pitch their tents about them that fear God Psal 34. 7. and have it given in charge to take care of the Children of God and to carry them in their arms that they dash not their feet against a stone Psal 91. 11. Those are lovely company indeed such as will never hurt you but do you good you shall be the better for them Prov. 13. 20. Fourthly As is your work so will your wages be to all eternity though not for your work yet according to it Rom. 2. 6. Who shall render to every man according to his deeds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to not for their works The Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noting here saith Paraeus c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non meritum significat sed mensuram ceu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae praemia distribuentur indebita poenae irrogaountur promeritae Paraeus Non propter quid sed quibus sit danda docetur Idem not the merit but the measure analogy or rule by which undeserved rewards shall be distributed and just punishments shall be inflicted as the word is used Mat. 9. 29. ch 23. 3. And so as it refers to glory saith he it rather describes the person to whom this glory shall be given then shews the cause why it is given as Mat. 25. 34 35. Also the word rendered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used for a free reward that hath no respect to desert Mat. 20. 8. The same reward being given to him that wrought one hour as to those that bore the heat and burden of the day So that the word according notes the kind of work not the cause of reward reward as it refers to salvation Suitable to that of Christ Rev. 22. 12. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Indeed evil works have their causality and desert of punishment but not good works of reward Gryner gives three reasons of the difference First Because good works proceed from God and are the fruits of his Spirit in us but evil works proceed from man and are the effects of his own spirit and will Secondly good works are imperfectly good as to degrees and therefore cannot merit but evil works are perfectly evil and therefore deserve death Thirdly Good works are commanded and so are but our duty and cannot merit payment of debts are not purchase but sins are forbidden and so are a breach of the Law of God and deserve death Luke 17. 10. The gift of God is eternal life but the wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Death is wages due but life is a gift altogether free By grace ye are saved Ephes 2. 5. There can be no desert of glory in the most spiritual duties of man Because First They are not man's work but God's in him John 15. 5. Without me ye can do nothing Gal. 2. 20. I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Holiness is called the fruit of the Spirit Ephes 5. 9. Now the reward is due by way of debt to him that worketh but to him that worketh not 't is of grace Rom. 4. 4 5. and therefore reward is not due to Saints who work not but by strict way of justice rather to the Spirit that worketh in them Secondly They are no way proportionable to the reward and so not meritorious Their work is imperfect they know but in part and do but in part 1 Cor. 3. 9. Phil. 3. 12. The best duties as they come from the Saints here are spotty and as sweet waters that come from an evil vessel they savour of the cask through which they come but glory is perfect omnibus modis and hath no defect in it Our works also are finite being created and creature-actions but the reward is infinite the love and glory of an infinite God Thirdly Though our Holiness were perfect yet it could not merit because it is due to God from that relation we bear to him as his creatures and redeemed ones and from our promise and covenant with him to love obey and serve him Ephes 2. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 5. Duties are but debts not acts of favour to God We owe God our selves and our all and are indebted to Christ for his Redemption-grace more than we can ever pay we cannot though we do all we possible can requite the blood of Christ and love of Christ and till we are out

and more of heavenly Goods 4 Every day to drive on heavenly work 5 To be heavenly in your thoughts and meditations daily 6 To keep up heavenly converses every day 7 To improve every thing you have meet with and do to heavenly ends and advantages First If you will drive on this heavenly Trade you must have and maintain a heavenly spirit this is the spring of all heavenly actions as is a man's spirit so will his thoughts words and conversation be look what way the spirit of a man goes that way the man goes They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh and they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit That is they that are altogether a Carnis auctum sequentes led by their carnal affections saith Willet following the ducture of the flesh saith Paraeus who are govern'd by a carnal spirit they mind and pursue carnal things and they that are after the spirit who are under the rule and government b Qui se spiritui regendos dedunt Parae of the spirit who are spiritually minded these do savour and make after spiritual things What the Prophet Ezekiel speaks of the motion of second causes according to the direction and influence of the first cause Ezek. 1. 20. Whithersoever the spirit was to go they went that is the wheels for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels The same may be said of the actions of men that they are according to the motion of that ruling spirit that is in them they that live in the spirit walk in the spirit Gal. 5. 25. Caleb's fulfilling after God was the fruit of that other spirit he received Numb 14. 24. 'T is said of those that builded the house of God Ezra 1. 5. that God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had raised up their spirits to the work as birds stir up their young to fly Then rose up the chief of the Fathers of Judah and Benjamin and the Priests and Levites with all those whose spirit God had raised up to go up to build the House of the Lord which is in Jerusalem They that set about the work of Religion must be persons of raised spirits capable of ascending to things above The reason why no more do set upon this Heavenly Trade is because they want this heavenly spirit their spirit is earthly and that as leaven seasons their whole souls and makes their conversations earthly 'T is contrary to nature for a carnal mind to savour spiritual things Such are not subject to the Spirit of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8. 7. 'T is as natural for the stone to ascend and waters to run back as for an earthly heart to love and pursue heavenly things A heavenly spirit sutes heavenly things and does as naturally incline the soul to things above as the fire moves upward and the water carries all that is in it to the Ocean A heavenly spirit savours heavenly things and stirs up heavenly desires and motions to divine things A heavenly spirit conveys out heavenly influences and strength to the soul and is as good blood and spirits that strengthen the body A heavenly spirit is influenced by heavenly arguments and prevailed with by heavenly motives taken from the love of God the excellency of Christ the sutableness and advantage of spiritual things to the nature of the soul the pleasing and glorifying of God all which signifies nothing to an earthly and carnal heart which only understands savours and is acted by carnal reasons and considerations 'T is therefore a principal part of a Christian's business in this Heavenly Trade and that which is leading to all other duties to take heed to his spirit Mai. 2. 15. to get and keep that pure and heavenly If the fountain be corrupt the streams cannot be good Get your minds beam'd over with heavenly light to discern heavenly things their nature and worth this Paul begs for the Saints at Ephesus Eph. 1. 17 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him the eyes of your understanding being enlighten'd that you may know what is the hope of his Calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints There are great hopes and glorious riches made over to Believers in the Gospel the knowledg of which is necessary to chear the heart and engage the soul with all its strength to make out after them One thought of Christ saith Mr. Ball reaching the heart is more to be valued than all Creature-contentments whatsoever though they should be enjoyed in their fulness for a thousand years without interruption 'T was this kept alive the Apostles hearts under the dyings of the Lord Jesus in their bodies and fill'd them with such courage joy that they had an eye to see glorious and eternal things 2 Cor. 4. 10. 13. 16. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal And this was their great work by the Gospel to make men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the World was hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. And having got this spiritual eye a Christian's duty is to keep it open and fixt on things above to preserve it from the injury of Sin and Satan to take heed of the vapours of a carnal heart and the dusty motes of this lower World that they fall not in and weaken this sight to get eye-salve from Christ and pure annointings of the spirit on it every day that they may see things invisible and those great things of the other World they are engag'd about The most discerning eye on this side the everlasting Hills sees but darkly through a glass and knows but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. How carnal are the minds of most Christians in this World the very Disciples though their eyes were blessed with peculiar sights Mat. 13. 16. yet had carnal apprehensions of spiritual things even after the Lord Jesus had spent all his pains about them Acts 1. 6. Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom unto Israel knowing souls have sometimes their eyes held that they cannot see Jesus Luke 24. 16. nor bear discoveries of his glorious truth Joh. 16. 12. that the Lord Jesus may say to all in this life O fools and slow of heart to believe Luke 24. 28. David after he had been long a learner yea after he was wiser than his teachers yet cries out for more light Psal 143. 8. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk Psal 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law We may sail here saith Mr. Hooker in

your confidence in the Lord fill you with dejection and despondency of spirit and give your spiritual adversary great advantage over your souls 2 Pet. 1. 10. 1 Joh. 5. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Heb. 10. 22. Job 19. 25 26 27. 2 Pet. 1. 11. Keep up your sincerity and truth in the inner-man be often looking to the principle of your actions that it be gracious and to your ends in every thing you do that they be pure singly and ultimately aiming at God his will and glory in every duty action and undertaking If you would evidence the truth of grace you must be every day in the exercise of grace and conscionable endeavours to live up to known duties exercising a conscience void of offence towards God and man not resting in any measures of grace but going on towards perfection and aiming at greater enlargements in your souls and graces continually Thirdly Carry on all these natural moral and religious duties that concern others This is the will of God and part of your sanctification Matth. 5. 16. Let your light shine before men and by your good works glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 1 Cor. 10. 32. Walk unblamable towards all men giving no offence to any lest the Gospel be blamed Phil. 1. 10. That you may be sincere and without offence to the day of Christ 1 Pet. 2. 12. Having your conversation honest among those you have to do with dealing justly with all men rendring to every man his due doing good to all as opportunity serveth Gal. 6. 10. Psal 35. 13. and be kind to the just and unjust seeking the salvation of sinners mourning over them praying for them instructing of them seeking by a humble holy and affectionate carriage to win them over to the Lord Jesus who are not won by the word Luke 19. 41. Psal 51. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 1. Loving praying for doing good unto your greatest enemies Vertues separated saith Chrysostom are annihilated equity without goodness is severity and justice without piety cruelty 'T is better to do good than to receive good 'T was said of Mr. Hooker That he was born for the good of many but few born for the good of him That you love delight in and do good to all Saints as Saints that carry the image of God on them That you make conscience of your relative duties both in your own houses and in the house of God Psal 101. 2. Walking within your own houses with a perfect heart to be Christians at home as well as abroad shewing the same spirit zeal and affection to your Families as to others doing your utmost to keep up the service of God in your houses both together and asunder morning and evening in prayer and reading the word of God Acts 10. 2. 9. Josh 24. 18. Psal 25. 10. Matth. 6. 6. That you faithfully discharge those mutual duties you owe to each other as Husband Wife Parents Children Masters Servants Eph. 5. 22. to the end of chap. 6. To be meek loving peaceable in your words and carriages towards one another giving that due respect as the place and relation calls for from each other To be holy and profitable in your discourses seeking the spiritual welfare edification and salvation of each others souls as of your own Deut. 11. 19. Prov. 22. 6. ch 23. 13. Col. 3. 12 to 16. Heb. 12. 14. Gen. 18 19. The want of which due and Christian carriages in your houses brings up an evil report on the ways of God rendreth the truth of your grace questionable hinders the gracious presence of God with you and removes his blessing from you Eph. 4. 29. Rom. 11. 14. You whom grace hath priviledged with a place and name within the walls of God's house do stand obliged to fellowship-duties of love care and faithfulness to each other considering one another to provoke to love and good works Joh. 15. 12. Heb. 10. 24. and esteem each other better than your selves To seek one anothers good as your own serving each other in love Phil. 2. 3. 1 Cor. 10. 24. 33. Gal. 5. 13. To sympathize with each other in affliction Col. 3. 12. and to be helpful to them in bearing their burdens supplying their wants comforting counselling and supporting them in all their tribulations Heb. 13. 3. visiting the sick and imprisoned feeding the hungry cloathing the naked warning the unruly admonishing the offenders bearing one anothers infirmities covering their weaknesses avoiding whatever might offend and injure each others souls or lessen their affections or break the unity of spirit and bond of peace between them but by a sweet humble-self denying and faithful carriage to engage the heart to each other praying for the whole body and every member To be gracious and spiritual in all your communion and converses seeking the prosperity of Sion rejoycing in each others graces and good as in your own doing all you may towards their comfort and salvation Mat. 25. 42. Acts 20. 35. 1 Joh. 3. 17. Rom. 15. 1. and 16. 17. Lev. 19. 10. 2 Cor. 12. 20. Col. 4. 6. Phil. 2. 17 18. Tit. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 13. 7. Psal 15. 2. Col. 3. 9. In your Callings commerce and dealings with men to be just honest and faithful doing as you would be done unto not defrauding one another but speaking the truth in all your bargainings and performing your promises though to your hurt This is a considerable part of your heavenly Trade and that wherein the credit of Religion doth eminently lye the pleasing and glorifying of God the good of others the propagation of the Gospel the peace and salvation of your own fouls even in the faithful discharge of these natural moral and religious duties you owe unto others This is the first part of heavenly work work of a heavenly nature as well as manner both with respect to God our own souls and others Secondly Another part of heavenly work is to do earthly things in an heavenly manner Though the things of the World are of a different nature from things above yet when rightly managed they are subservient to them and come within the compass of this Heavenly Trade To which three things are needful 1 To do earthly things by heavenly rules 2 With heavenly hearts 3 To heavenly ends First Then is earthly work part of your Heavenly Trade when you transact it by heavenly rules every Science hath its Maxims distinct Governments have their distinct Laws So hath every Trade its rules principles and instructions by which it is carried on Earthly Traders have their rules and methods by which they manage their businesses as may most comport with the end they propose and the advance of their own earthly interests and so 't is with heavenly Traders though they have to do with earthly things yet they must act about them by heavenly rules Now there are ten rules which heavenly Merchants must observe in the management of their earthly affairs Rule 1.