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	law_n	zion_n	23	3	8.7162	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54022	The ancient principle of truth, or, The light within asserted and held forth according to true experience and the faithful testimony of the Scriptures also an appeal to the witness of God in all consciences which is the more sure word of prophesie, the testimony of the Scriptures without, or the voice and testimony of the light and Spirit of God within in the heart / by Isaac Pennington.	Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.	1672 (1672)	Wing P1150; ESTC R28786	29,086	98

ignorance and darkness God winketh at or passeth over being very tender towards men in that estate yea a little that is of him turned to and heeded according to the Measure of Understanding that God gives will be owned and accepted even in the midst of a great deal of Darkness and evil-working against it There was a time before the Law for the Law was given by Moses what saved then Was it any thing but the saving Grace the saving Light the saving Spirit the holy Anointing Could any be saved but thereby What saved under the Law Did the Shadows then save or the Substance of Life vailed under them Did not the Spirit then work inwardly redeem inwardly save inwardly Did not the Word or Commandments nigh in the mouth and heart to which Moses by Gods direction had turned their minds enlighten and save inwardly And any of the Gentiles as this Word or Spirit of Life did work in them did it not circumcise inwardly and save them also So that though they had not the Law or Ministration of Moses outward yet they had the inward Writing from God on their hearts and shewed the work and efficacy of it there and shall at last be justified by and according to the everlasting Gospel which justifieth all whatsoever so far as in any measure they receive and are subject to the Light and Law of Gods pure Spirit which the carnal mind cannot receive nor be subject to O that men could dye to themselves even to their own wisdom and prudency and not lean to their own understandings nor idolize their own apprehensions and conceivings but wait to receive understanding from God who giveth liberally of the true Wisdom to those that ask and wait a right And how doth God give true Wisdom and Understanding Is it not by the shining of his Light in the heart O that men were turned inwardly thither and inwardly dead to that wisdom and prudency from which God ever hid things and ever will He that will be truly wise must first become a Fool that he may be wise that is He must not strive to learn in the comprehensive way of mans wisdom and prudency the things of Gods Kingdom but feel the begettings of life in his heart and in that receive somewhat of the new heavenly Understanding and so dye to the other know no more the things of God after the flesh that is as a wise man as a learned Scribe as a great Disputant for where is the Wise where is the Scribe where is the Disputer of this World Can they find out the mystery of life the Mystery of Gods Kingdom in this Age any more then they could in former Ages but become a Babe a Fool and so receive and bow to that which his own wisdom will call foolishness and account weakness but the other Birth which is begotten and born of God will know and daily experience to be the Wisdom and Power of God unto Salvation An APPEAL to the Witness of God in all Consciences which is the More Sure Word of Prophesie the Testimony of the Scriptures Without or the Voice and Testimony of the Light and Spirit of God Within in the Heart THe Apostle Peter speaks of a more sure word of Prophesie or of a more sure prophetical word as the Greek hath it then that voice which came from Heaven which they heard when they were with Christ in the holy Mount 2 Pet. 1.18 19. Now what this more sure word is which ought to be given heed to in the most especial manner more then to such an eminent Voice and Testimony from Heaven even from the excellent Glory it is a very great and weighty Question Now some affirm that it is the word and testimony of the Scriptures without others affirm that its the voice sound and testimony of the Word of Life within I do not know a Scripture that my heart hath been more tenderly sollicitous about desiring to give due honour both to the Spirit of God and to the holy Scriptures and also to understand what the Lord would have me in the most especial manner give heed to until the season came from him in which he should cause the Day to dawn and the Day-Star to arise in my heart And now that others might come to the same understanding and satisfaction also are these following Considerations proposed in the weight of my Spirit to them First consider how sure the Word of Prophesie was how sure the Voice and Testimony from Heaven was then which the Apostle directs them to somewhat as more sure This I may clearly say of it It was undoubtedly from God and that in a very extraordinary manner even in Christs presence when Moses and Elias were with him and God bestowing upon him honour and glory transfiguring him before his Disciples causing his face to shine as the Sun and making his Raiment white as the Light Mat. 17.2 And the intent of it was to give the Disciples full evidence and satisfaction for the Voice was not for his sake but for theirs or rather that they might have a full ground after his death and resurrection to testifie for the satisfaction and confirmation of others for till then they were to keep it secret ver 9. Now that which was thus provided for this end doubtless it was very sure testified by them who were chosen to be faithful Witnesses in this respect 2dly Consider Whether the Testimonies of the Prophets concerning Christ were surer then this immediate Voice from God himself Were they surer to those that lived in those dayes or to those that should come after then this Testimony was to the Apostles and to those they did communicate it in the Will and Counsel of the Lord The Prophets did testifie from Gods holy unerring Spirit but they that lived in those dayes did not alwayes believe and receive their Prophesies but sometimes doubted of them and questioned them yea their Prophesies were not alwayes evident and clearly understood by those who desired to understand but their Visions were many times a Book sealed both to the learned and unlearned But this Testimony this Word of Prophesie this Voice from the excellent Glory This is my beloved Son hear him is a very plain evident full Testimony easie to be understood by any in that present or in after Ages and I must confess as to my self the reading of it did alwayes deeply affect and satisfie my heart 3dly Consider the manner of Gods appearing to the Prophets and compare it with the manner of this Appearance God appeared to them sometimes in Visions sometimes in Dreams Moses saw a Bush burning and heard a Voice The Vision of Isaiah the son of Amos Isa 1.1 and Ezekiel saw Visions Chap. 1.1 and Daniel had a Dream and Visions on his Bed Dan. 7.1 And Jeremiah had that sweet Prophesie of Gods satiating the weary soul and replenishing every sorrowful soul in his sleep Jer. 31.26 Now here to these

The Ancient PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH Or the Light Within Asserted and Held forth according to true Experience and the Faithful Testimony of the Scriptures Also An Appeal to the Witness of God in all Consciences which is the More Sure Word of Prophesie the Testimony of the Scriptures Without or the Voice and Testimony of the Light and Spirit of God Within in the Heart By one once greatly Distressed but now at length in the Tender Mercy of the Lord effectually Visited and Redeemed by the Light and Power of Truth Isaac Pennington Printed in the Year 1672. THE PREFACE THe true Ministers of the Gospel the Ministers of the new Covenant were ordained and appointed by God to be Ministers of Light Ministers of Righteousness Ministers of the Spirit Mat. 5.14 2 Cor. 11.15 and Chap. 3.6 And this was their work and service even to preach the Light to deliver their Message concerning the Light which they heard of Christ and were sent by him 〈◊〉 preach as is recorded 1 John 1.5 〈◊〉 that they were to tell men what the Light was and where it was to be found and to turn men from darkness to Light from sin and unrighteousness to purity and righteousness from the spirit and power of Satan to the Spirit and Power of the living God Dan. 12.3 Act. 26.18 that so they might come from under Satans authority power and kingdom of darkness into the light wherein Christ reigns as King Priest and Prophet unto and over all his who is faithful in all his House as Son and Lord of all distributing Life Righteousness Mercy and Peace to his whole Family as they abide in him and walk in subjection to his Spirit So that there is no condemnation to them that are gathered unto Christ engrafted into him and who abide in him walking not after the Flesh but after the Spirit who is the Quickener Guide and Rule of all the Children of the new Covenant For Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life in and to them all and is made by God all in all unto them He is their Shepherd their King their Captain their Vine their Olive Tree their Leader their Door their Path their Rule their Righteousness their Holiness their Wisdom their Redemption their Altar their Sacrifice their Priest their Prophet their Sabboth their Light their Day-spring their Bright and Morning Star their Son their Shield their Rock and their High Tower What shall I say God hath gathered together all things into one even in him whose Spirit Life and Light Eternal is the one Substance which answers all the Figures and Shadows of the Law and they are all comprehended and fulfilled and end in him So that he is the end of the Law for Righteousness to all that believe in him And he Ministers Righteousness he Ministers Truth he Ministers Life he Ministers Salvation he Ministers Power he Ministers Pure Heavenly Wisdom and no good thing will he with-hold from them that come unto him in the Drawings of his Father and follow him whithersoever he leads and obey his Gospel which is Everlastingly new and living Now this precious Ministry hath been withdrawn and hid from Ages and Generations in the long Night of the great Apostacy and thick Darkness And how could it be otherwise for men being in the Dark and having Erred from the True Spirit and let in a wrong spirit and built up wrong Churches and having not known the True Wilderness nor being willing to flee into it whither the True Church fled and was Nourished by God with the true Food even with the true living vertue and Nourishment all this Dark Night of the Apostacy I say how could they come at the true Light the true Spirit the true Power from which the true Ministry is which did not visibly now appear but was with the true Church in the Wilderness So that there hath been a true Church all this while which the Gates of Hell have not been able to prevail against as to her inward Temple and Altar nor over the Worshippers which have worship'd therein although they have gained the outward Court God having severed it from his inward building and given it to the Gentiles in spirit who are not true Jews who are not Worshippers in the Spirit and in the Truth Rev. 21.1 2. But now at length blessed be the Lord the long Night of Darkness araws towards an end yea is come to an end in many Spirits and the true Light is broken forth again and shineth again inwardly in many and the true Mninstry is revived again and the everlasting Gospel the Everlasting Covenant of Life Mercy and Salvation in and through Christ Jesus the Light and Life of men preached again For now it is not only outwardly read that God is Light But the Message hath been received and persons chosen and sent forth by God to publish it and to turn men from Darkness to Light and from Satans power to God And blessed be the Lord the publishing of this precious Testimony in the power and authority of the Most High hath not been in vain but the Captivity of many hath been broken by the Power of Light and the power and strength of Darkness inwardly overturned by it O how hath the strong man which kept the House before the stronger then he appeared in the name and authority of his Father I s●y how hath he Trembled at the inward and Spiritual Appearance of him that was stronger than he and how have the pillars of the old building been shaken How hath the witness of God been reached to in mens spirits how have the dead been raised the blind eye opened the deaf ear unstopped the dumb tongue loosed the Lame caused to leap as an Hart and the tongue of the dumb to sing the inward Spiritual Leprosie cleansed and done away forever the wounded healed the broken-hearted bound up and what hath not the Lord done inwardly and spiritually for his people who have been sensible of his appearance and gathered by his Spirit and Power to the true Shiloh who is the true Shepherd the Land of the living the holy City and Temple the Light of the City the Life of the City the Gates and Wall of the City the King and Kingdom both for his Life his nature his Spirit is all and in all Ah what do we desire to have but Christ the Seed and this Seed sown in our Hearts and abiding in us and his Life righteousness and glory his holy Power Dominion and Kingdom springing up in it And as in the Apostles days there was the Seal to their Testimony in peoples hearts where their Ministry was ordered by the Lord and was received even so it is now O how doth the witness answer in mens hearts and Consciences and they that keep to the witness and its Testimony not hearkening after words to the wisdom of the flesh how do they become living Epistles to be seen and read of all men as the

accepted as his brother was And for Pharaoh God indeed was against that nature and Spirit in him which oppressed Israel but would not the Lord have had him denied and turned from that nature and Spirit and let Israel go God would have no man do evil and bring upon themselves Destruction though in his just Judgement he is many times provoked to give men up to that which leadeth into and hardeneth in Evil. So not onely Pharaoh but Israel also was given up to their own hearts Lusts when they would none of the Lord nor hearken to his counsel Psal 81.12 But saith the Lord O that it had been otherwise O that my People had hearkened unto me c. it should then have been otherwise with them ver 13. c. So that God of himself doth not desire the Destruction of his Creature nor doth he desire to harden them or to give them up to a deluding spirit that they might be damned but men first refuse the Truth and turn from it or let it go not receiving it in the love of it or not liking to retain the knowledge of it which is Death to the man's corrupt nature spirit will and wisdom and such a Cross and Yoke as he is in no wise willing to bear and then the Lord in his just Judgement gives them up to the Deceitfulness of Sin to be hardened by it Now this liveth in God's own Breast when and to whom to do it according to his own Will and according to his own Wisdom and Counsel so that it may be truly and properly said He hath mercy and Compassion on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth But that God hath determined to harden any without giving them a Day of Mercy or that it is Gods Will and determinate Counsel that men should reject the Day of his Mercy and precious Invitation that they might be hardened by him and perish This is not God's Truth but mens Mis-Apprehensions upon true words gathering Meanings therefrom in their own wisdom and not waiting upon God till he cause the true Light to shine in them and thereby give them the True Knowledge and Understanding Therefore since there is such Mercy in God towards all and he hath given all men a Day of Visitation greater or lesser yea since of late he hath caused his Light to shine forth and given this Age such a Visitation as many Ages have not had O let men take heed how they close their Eyes stop their Ears and harden their Hearts against it lest they provoke God to give them up to their own imaginary conceited fleshly comprehensive knowledge of the Letter and so seal them up in that hardness of heart and deafness of Spirit which they first gave themselves up to For the Letter without the Spirit killeth And so doth all litteral knowledge and there needs no greater Curse from God it will sufficiently avenge the Cause of his Reproached Light and holy Covenant of Life in Christ Jesus now abundantly revealed and made manifest then to close mens Eyes and stop their Ears and harden their Hearts in their Litteral Knowledges and Practises from beholding and partaking of the precious Life and Vertue of this holy and Living Ministration in Christ Jesus the Lord wherewith God visiteth and redeemeth his people Indeed the Physitian is come inwardly and spiritually and he inwardly heals and restoreth his People faithfully seeking after the Sick the Distressed the Broken the Wounded pouring Oyl into their Wounds and healing them But there are some who are so sound and whole in their notional Apprehensions and Practises that they have no need of the Physitian and then the Physitian passeth by as unworthy of him and whom he intendeth shall have no share with him Ephraim is joyned to Idols he is well he hath enough he hath no need of me let him alone saith the Lord. I will pour out the choice Vertue of my Spiritual Life and redeeming Power among my gathered Sheep and Lambs who have need thereof and will rejoyce therein These will know my Voice these will justifie the appearance of my spirit and power these love the savour of my Anointing and precious Oyntment which runs down from the Head upon all the Living Body and these shall have it These understand how I have Mercy on whom I will and whom I will I Hearden and it is my will to have Mercy on these my once greatly Distressed Ones and to destroy inwardly to destroy O who knows what that means the fat and the strong and to feed them with judgement O that men did know to whom the Mercy and to whom the Judgement belongs To the wisdom of the Flesh to the wise Comprehenders of the things of God after the Flesh is the judgement to the Poor to the Distressed to the Broken in Spirit not to them that are at ease in their Litteral Knowledge but to the Mourners in Sion after the holy God and his living Power and Righteousness is the Everlasting Gospel the Mercy the Love the Peace the binding-up the Redemption which is by Christ Jesus the living Minister in the holy Sanctuary of our God THE END