Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	answer_n	fool_n	great_a	18	3	2.1554	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A97210	The Royalist reform'd or Considerations of advice, to gentlemen, divines, lawyers. Digested into three chapters. VVherein their former mistakes are examined, and their duties of obedience, unto the present authority, succinctly held forth as rationall, and necessary. / By Albertus Warren, Gent.	Warren, Albertus.	1649 (1649)	Wing W954; Thomason E582_4; ESTC R204579	31,154	49

to consider the infinite successes on the Parliaments side for it is not so heathenish as some would have it in all cases to judge of matters by event that perclusion of censures by contingencies must as I take it be referred or understood with reflection to the fortune or accident of some particular sights or singuler manageries of some few actions by party against pary as the Jewes against the Philistines our case is otherwise and not merely fortunable for we have for 7 or 8 years observed how all open force upon equall congresses private publique stratagems and machinations plots and contrivances for morall advantages carried on many times by persons of extraordinary capacities Heavens ayd being solemnly as in appearance pray'd defections of Trustees from the State or whatsoever else tentations for re●se●ling the late King and his Interest have been fruitlesse and which is much by how much more likely any thing was to take effect God in its prevention and frustration cassating men's policies in their height hath then in such nicks of Time made bare his arme against it and notably blasted the managers of such devices It is confest the calmest of Gentlemen object not impertinently how all Histories witnesse that God hath permitted wicked parties to do great matters against a better cause slaves say you have envassaled their Masters Rebells such is your language have slid into Soveraignty But I am confident no History can paralell our times observe the difference here God hath suffered not one partie not the ambition of one man not sometimes the prevailing indirect partie of our Corporate body to carry on his work his Divine Majesty hath often by strange alterations done wonders by those whom presently againe he hath cast of discerning falsehood from truth rallying up publick spirits when there was inhumane judgement little hopes of such helps and in the close hath set up this new Modellizd army thought very inconsiderable which as a clowd hath obscured by its atcheivements as wel Martiall as Civill even I say with a Curtaine of terror and obliv on hath darkned all former victories and actions since this Parliaments first convention whence it is evident looking well into things and persons now at the Sterne politick and martiall that they who in your apprehentions long ago did hatch these alterations are if it were so prevented of their deep and secret hopes and this present supremacy or persons acting in it in respective capacities called to act but of late in respect of such old contrivers could not orignally be guilty of such ambitious designes I am sure small hopes they had in their privat capacities of those great honors and trust whereunto providence hath now called them and fastened upon their sholdiers Neither the late Kings great knowledge errors or unfortunacy were obtruded upon these Kingdomes by accident providence also would have it thus and undone it cannot be hee is a foole that wisheth it It is above me to dispute what poor hopes his issue hath actually to were the Scepter of government here yet I beleeve the Spanish example in 88. will startle many sorreyners when especially they shall consider our present posture of defence and offence We might go backward and see what the Pore supposedly Christs Vicar could doe to England in H. 8. time upon our politick defection from him I will not deny but God may permit us againe to be governed by a King but few examples can be produced of any people having shak't of that government over whom Regal interest could presently prevaile that introduction of Kings upon the Romans after expulsion of their Tyrants was late and after many ages It is fresh in memory how Queen Elizabeth assisted the Hollander against Spaine a thing held lawful then evinceing thereby that species of government are of a politick not religious concernment the mediocrity of Specifical modes of governing is Analogicall respecting times persons and safety of Nations governed However it is scarce possible for a King to be vested with government here without an absolute conquest and that by outlandish mercinaryes our condition then must be bad enough we shall pay full dearely for a King When safety outweighs Danger he is a foole that neglect it when danger out weighes safety he is silly that attempteth it What ever Heaven will must come to passe leave these things to God nothing of humane passion can hinder his designes therefore come it to passe how it will as to resetling of pristine interest or not whereof there is so slender hope better it is to be a Willow then an Oake And for our meane carriage let us not so much examine other mens Religion as our owne sooner or latter most of you must come to my humor of Reformation But I perceive there is one thing stumbles many Barbatulous Ladds amongst you enough many think to foment disaffection and make any man a Malignant And that is a putting downe of Stage playes Alter but the Scene and many Pulpits will be as whimsically apish to your wild sence and for sevearer Eires of Gentlemen the Tragick Commedy of flacessent Tithes supercilliously acted every seventh day by the Pulpits-demised premises terribly deploring the but necessary regulating of them is super excellent wherein least you should be wanting that have right of Presentations I have lately observed how unable you are O strong Policy upon all lapses by Gods privation in preferring a pontificall creature for feare the Respective Parishes should petition for election of their Minister A thing so reasonable and just as nothing can be more equitable Thus we shew our teeth cannot bite foreseeing not how easily one lift of the Soldiery can scatter and dismantle that weak excrescent Babel no hard matter to be done because already most Ministers languages are different and their doctrines like convertible responds of an Oricle Cease then to wonder why generaly Ciergy men neigh after new quarrels and combustions continually yelp and bark against Armyes peace and settlement under present authority since it is evdent there is good cause for such excursions aswell regarding their double malice as policie their malice against all not crediting their doctrines to be EVANGELICA●LL though never so carnal their pollicies in begetting troublesome matter for Ephemerides or Journall Book whose matter dilated upon is of great effieacy for spinning out discourse till the hour-glasse become as empty above of sand as their Braines of true knowledge I beseech you Gentlemen be not too much prejudiced against private exercises in Religion for Charityes sake I will suppose though they in your judgment may misse in circumstance yet there is much of devotion in them Churches and houses are alike in themselves but as they are circumstantiated And my conscience forces me here to discover how rationall the objection raised by some no fooles against the more Publick and solemn dispensations of Divinity in Churches is in my apprehension viz. We cannot say they make answer in

the Churches to false Doctrine delivered neither soberly rectisie an erring spirit Indeed this objection is subnixt with great reason for it springs naturally from not lesse care for avoydance of disturbation then fervent zeale of Edification Neither are the maine reasons of many mens aversenesse and abhorrence from those kinde of domestick duties obscure unto mee which are couchible under this fallacy That Canonicall Doctors teach Truth as it is truth abstracted from degrees intensive in matters of Religion is say they already so dogmatically laid down and made out that beyond these or these Catecheticall or did acticall positions of Orthodox doctrines there is no plus ultre this was never denyed by me But leave is craved to tell them Orthodox is a very hard word of digestion and that want they impose as to a necessity of some necessary standing fixt and perpetuall formall administrations is often but mere deduction logicall from Allegorical scriptures capable of other constructions beside theirs Wherefore inlightned Saints dare not otherwise beleive but that God in his infinite wisedome hath and ever will reserve till the common annihilation of earth many secret truths communicable in all ages and that in a more transcendent way of light then what hath been delivered apart ante or as Schollers say from the antecedent cause otherwise to what purpose are those commands in Scripture of searching waiting c. otherwise we should have nothing to do with speculation in Divine matters and we could have no other work then a common perseverance up Iacobs ladder into Heaven You are not to believe any tenet because such men have said so a mans own discretion from above originally will be his best guide in morall and Religious actions modern Pulpit men will affirme That most of the Fathers celebrated for Orthodox Volums in Christianity were but so orthodox in a favourable acceptation I beleive they were knowingly religious in those times yet far inferiour in knowledge to many men now a dayes so as not palliating any soul living In truth I think there is a possibility of atteyning an aetheriall blessed ubi through Christ without beleiving all for necessary truths which either Synods or late Churchmen have laid down as essentiall to my journey to a place they know not where and vainly labor to presine circumscriptively For your deportment in condiscention to the formall outward Church and Officers in it there is no more pendentiall way for rightly fixing you in a possure of indempnity then in detecting unto your sence the indifferency of many things obtraded as that of a bason instead of a Font. A Gentleman is not mnch the worse keeping his Conscience upright though a Clergy man pronounce him Aheisticall meerely for that he will not rest either in fallible decisions of any Synod or inithe urgement of any Individuall Presbyter implicitely Some say it had been wiser and easier reflecting to the erection of the Bason in many Churches by declaring the indifferency of such circumstantiated decencies as well to Papists as Protestants to have reteyned discontented men from Separation as they terme it then in these observing dayes by altering formes for forme or adding forme to Formes to generate a more quick discomposition against order externall against goeing to materiall Churches which is the most decent and convenient way The best use can be made by warie knowing men of that and other impositions like it will be gatherec by a rationall reference unto what I have said or shall say in favour of the present Authority and their discretion religiously actuated in cancelling such rigid Statutes which to much tortur'd tender consciences upon pretences of Error Hernsies Schisme c. for I have heard very religious and wise men affirme in their judgements that the tendernesse of many in the Parliament was over voted when in many things prevalent voyces to gratefie the Synods importunity silenced at present others that had not then liberty to enter dissents of a contrary judgement Although it hath often repented me for the foure pence spent in purchase of the Directory yet the honour put upon it by Authorities approbation made me very ambitious of it for perusall If you think there was no great worth in that Canon keep it unto your selves let that be if an error only the respective single lapse of your understandings A dangerous defection it is for private persons to condemne the Act of a Community Nothing hath done Gentlemen more hurt then a vain resolution against so much as reading over books Ordinances and Votes of Parliament only so feare they should be infected forfooth with errors as some peevishly think both in Church and State how can men judge rightly or behave themselves temperatly avoyding Rocks and Shelves If they will not by reading observe the commands of Authority the Bent of every party and Interest If all this notwithstanding any amongst you be perswaded that Monarchy will resettle here and upon that improbable hope will not compound when as hitherto the indulgence of Parliament and their unwillingnesse to ruine you is evident let me tell you such men are the greatest Enemies to themselves their Children and Families I wish them wiser and that Gentlemen would read and observe all Ordinances which concerne generall goods so may you know when to act where to avoid by respective condiscention concurrence or giving way unto the rapid torrent of these nimble dayes On the other hand supposing some glimering of light and high reason in many of you formerly more devoted to obsolet formes shall prompt a Theoretick severe disquisition or observance what small hope there is of resetling former government stick not to confesse it that others may instrumentally add more sparks thereto least you do utterly discupacit te your selves by further vaine holding of from places of trust in the Common-wealth least inferior men of birth and breeding ingrosse all places of honourable civil command and most Gentlemen for ever afterwards walke up and downe like uselesse Pageants I am confident this advice of mine with the wisest Gentlemen will be well taken the rather because I have ever since the first of this Parliament lead a private life never intermedling with profitable publike imployment which it is well known I have been offered not unbefitting a Gentleman still contenting my selfe with a discended competency how how much I have said what I have hazarded upon the royall interest upon a principle of apprehended duty then not carried on implicitely upon the wings of others discretion a way very unsutable to my temper so long as it pleased God to keep it upright in this Nation yet all this without malice to the honourable House of Parliament This by the way remembring because it being cleared unto some examiners of my actions that my ingagements were not altogether unsubnixt with a generall desire of my Countries liberty and quiet and my reason was quadrated into a candid confession upon what discretion I had waded upon

more serious black scandall by such ingeminations daily is contracted unto the discontented Authors of such carnal repercussions for if they did preach the Souldiery into a capacity it was either a good work in them or a bad one I a good one their rewards are in Heaven if indeed never so good in it selfe yet their ends in preaching might make it bad as to them they might dream after temporal dominion no man ought to do evill that is against his conscience that good may come thereof I dare not charge them with Hypocrisie Avarice or Ambition yet if most probably men discerne the bent of immanent actions by several out goings and it be no sin for us to judge where God hath judged before us O Presbyterian Ministers Your unquenchable desires of fat Benefices linking some times two or three competencies together removing from place to place familiarly slighting flocks destinated unto your charge ayming at an art in Preaching are shrew'd Symtomes of carnal hearts of Gods imminent displeasure over you and that it may justly be suspected you are not prefined men for setting up instrumentally Gods designe in parity of Reformation The greatest discretion I ever observed in you is that how ever generally men of plausible consciences yet are you al blest with restraining grace not a man for all the great noyse that I heare of will venter Sequestration for medling with State affaires in Pulpits I would you would as well leave of private instillations into mens heads about the Covenants obligation and against necessary liberty of conscience since why we should dance after a Scottish Kirk for a government when it is notably disputed whether Christ will be pleased any formal polity should be obtruded on his Saints no good reason can be given Gods word as a touch stone being subnex'd unto that clause in the Covenant It is a known sin with Civilians for a man to performe any Oath comporting in t is performance damage to Religion Justice and the Common wealth and I dare appeale unto your owne consciences whether your former Doctrines for seaven yeares together did not condemne restrictions put upon consciences whether private exercises were not then by you highly magnify'd whether quenching of the Spirit which may well be understood as in forceing of Consciences were not markt out as an almost unexpiable sin Lastly whether your out cry against Tyranicall formes obtrudable upon consciences were reall in those dayes or no If reall you are the maine and greatest defectors from just principles if not real and that such Doctrines were politickly delivered only out of a secret wicked ambition by serving times upon hopes in unhappy conjuncture of affaires of obteyning Episcopal preventions and fat benefices thence fostering clat cularaymes with your Scottish Brethren gradually to divide with Lay-men even in disposition of Civil administrations those designes were inconsistent with Ministers of Christ In sadnesse let me tell you Learned Pastors admitting you talk't heartily and had no such sinister ends you are at present unhappily subjected unto blame on all hands how justly God knowes and some of your consciences can well assigne reasons why God should in justice retaliate upon you that contempt Presbyterian Ministers put upon others of the same function divided only from them in opinion about Church government unto the lamentable miseries of which wretched Episcopal men many of you to your eternal shame be it spoken added a full cup by substracting the fift part allowed by the mercy of the Parliament from their Wives and Children O unparalelld cruelty O heathnish irreligions Authority knew it not just for innocent Woemen and Babes to be ruined for their Fathers heady extravagances and our most just Creator makes it good often on Earth that misery findes lovers of other mens miseries out It is no Paradox for me to say unto you sad Christians your mischeife and disrespect is from your selves The best advice I can give unto the Pulpit demised premises will be that for future they would beare such a proportionable respect unto other mens consciences unto other mens pledge of Gods love their Wives and Children as they desire Heaven should beare unto them this wil be their best mean towards recovery of their lost reputation this their principal antidote aganist scandal especially in these dayes wherein many say not regarding rules of contraries there is no such thing as error for if say they the greatest Divines are divided in judgement about matters of faith the strongest Lawyers differ about what is Law what not and most sapient Statesmen are plunged in their owne devices we cannot beleive their is any such thing as eror because we know not the truth If no error no sinne what followes no God no hell A strange world we live in and of these wild extravagances in sinne which ground such vanities it seems Clergy mens generall inconstancy arogance ambition and malice are fomentors whereupon a modern Poet taking it ill to be branded with the name of an Athiest by a Presbyter hath Satirically descanted in this following Rith micall Poem Satyrus de Caco-presbyteris I Am jam subtristis increbuit Echo Dummodo Presbyter egregius praeco Me dixit Atheismi totum Integrale Ostendens suo pectore multum in esse mali Sin illud verum ratione facias Agam tibi Sace dotule gratias Contra miraturus cum sit rumor altus Doctores Synodo evasisse per Saltus Jam dudum remanes tu Dulmanus Insulsus Juvenis at multum scurra Canus Quid te miles odit ridentque Generosi Handquaquam cluat esse aliquid monstrosi Quateuus diu C●e um● obstruxisse pacem Christianam recte fertur ac Martis esse facem Qui nisi suum polleat interesse stabilire Memphitticum garrit Reformatio non in fieri est Populumque jugum Christi saluberrimum Contempsissie prave et expetere terrimum Libertatis Vadum male Judependentem Chymaeram adhinire verum minime advertentem Vah jam tandem Laici didicere verum Nigra vestimenta minns esse Dei Clerum Religio cujus est solummodo formalis Sit aeque pium Decimare quam ludere cum talis Subridet porro purior Ecclesia Sanctorum Presbyterum tenere aedhuc ambitum terrenorum Praeferentem Evangelio ubique predicabli Rostrum qua tale valde quidem amabile Apostatieae Stigmate crudeliter percutit Private excercentes premeditata diffint Quale docent passim Seraphici Doctores Sibique datum Coeli distribuere rores Infra muros spiritum impie circumscribunt Ac vastis abdominibus decimas imbibunt Hi ne Coeli liminis fiunt Clavigeri Nil minus Sathanae potius Scutigeri Ergo ne credas lector Omnipotentem Hos reformandi velle causam contigeutem Heraclitus ad terras rediens Cothurnalis Rideret ad conspectum Presbyteri parochialis Episcopatum versus dum succussaret lipide Illudque Christi regimen predicans intrepide Cur Po idorns olim Volsoeam sit notatus Quod primus Angliae Sacerdotum