Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	apostle_n	holy_a	prophet_n	5,466	5	6.3917	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85173	A faithful discovery of a treacherous design of mystical Antichrist displaying Christs banners, but attempting to lay waste Scriptures, churches, Christ, faith, hope, &c. and establish paganism in England. Seasonably given in a letter to the faithful in and near to Beverley. Containing an examination of many doctrines of the people called Quakers in Yorkshire, together with a censure of their way, and several items concerning the designs of God, Satan, and men, in these things, recommended to the consideration of them who are in good earnest for Christ.	Pomroy, John.; Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.; Glisson, Paul.; Kellet, Joseph.	1653 (1653)	Wing F568; Thomason E699_13; ESTC R202092	45,783	67

this we own as the Power of his resurrection and fellowship of his sufferings but we detest that doctrine that destroyes the Atonement in his blood and the Truth of his humanity and his personall body besides his mysticall the Church so taking away the representation of God in the Mediatour the Man Christ which a believing eye fixeth on and leaves the Mind which is far from knowing God in any competent certainty out of Christ to seek about for God as individuum vagum or something he knows not what and at it last may becomes to this Notion God is in all and all in God blasphemously adding that he is no other than the world or what he is in the world clothing himself with changeable appearances and so the mind proceeds untill it be spoiled with vain and blasphemous Philosophy We conclude that it is a sign of a rotten heart and a roving head to be loathing plain Scripture and longing after curious speculations and witty allusions though in this we prejudice not the modest searchings of those whose hearts are it may be more than ordinarily prepared and senses exercised to discern into the veiled Truths of the Scriptures as Heb. 12. 13 14. compared with Heb. 7. c. Moreover they admonish that we wait in silence untill God open our Mouthes WE answer if that were the intent of this Admonition to shew to man his dependance on God and that he especially that waits on the Word and Prayer take his goades and nailes from the chief Shepheard and pray in the Holy Ghost we should not appear further in this matter than to own it But we cannot but conclude from our observing the managerie of this Assertion and their practise that they would not have any to read teach pray in their families or in the assemblies but when the Spirit of the Lord doth lead them by strong impulses and irresistible Motions to such actions And he that doth otherwise is by them accused of Pharisaical imitation or stealing the word of the Lord from them that spake it with power Which we cannot close with 1. Because it is the will of God that the Gift which is in us should be stirred up as fire which sometimes is covered with ashes hitherto are referred the exhortations to diligence and improvement of Talents 2 Cor. 8. 7. 1 Cor. 9. 25. Mat. 25. and many other places 2. It laies wast the experience of them who have in the midst of infirmities and indispositions acted in the Faith of their duty and Gods promise and have been made blessings to others in their speakings wherein also they have gathered warmth and enlargement before their work was over Afflicted imprisoned souls have most need to be exercised in Prayer Temptations will abound from Satan and the weaknesse of the Flesh to hinder the profitable soul-inlarging exercises of prayers reading exhortations in Publique and private if we break not thorow those hinderances to close with the revealed command leaning on the Promise of Grace 3. Unlesse we think as this Doctrine implies that the motions of the Spirit are the onely rule of Duty which if so must be attended and obeyed without respect to the Scripture command saying not saying or gain-saying in the Letter of it there being by this doctrine no obliging rule but the Law of the Spirit Now if it be more moderately affirmed that the Scripture as written in the heart or the inward-heart-dictates as written in the word are the rule yet it will follow that if there be not a conjunction of the word and Spirit moving with inlargement there 's no rule or obligation actually and so no transgression to forbear though daies weeks and months passe over the heads of them that pray not or preach not though necessity is layed upon them in respect of their work and service and the call of the need of others 1 Cor. 9. 16 17. compared Mat. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 4. To the best of our understandings we judge the Assertors to be against any constant preacher or course of prayer so allowing every man or woman equall liberty in Assemblies to teach or pray and this they say is the true Ministry and all other by the will of Man notwithstanding 1 Tim. 2 12. It is indeed said you may all prophecy one by one but its said also Are all prophets we wish all the Lords people were Prophets The Assemblies of the Saints of old were constant and they had men who attended on the word and prayer who gave themselves to it prepared themselves waiting on God that they might act to the edifying of the Saints in love Act. 20. 7. Act. 6. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 13 14 15 16. 5. This doth to our discernings tend to the establishing of the sayings of them who speak after their trembling sits with an extended voice as the Oracles of God and leaves us not the liberty of the Commended practise of the Bereans to trie the sayings of an Apostle by the Scripture The simple believeth every word Prov. 14. 15. But in this case we have learned that the spirits of the Prophets are subject to other Prophets for examination whether they accord with the Standing Vmpire of all questions the holy Scriptures But that they intend to magnify their writings and Epistles above or into an equality unto the holy Scriptures seems very probable in that they put their papers very diligently into one another hands but not so the Scriptures and do some of them say That it is alike for to take a sentence out of their letters and preach from it as to take a sentence out of Pauls Epistles We confesse we cannot find that ever man came to claim credit to the words that he spake but he was to give proof of it either by the mighty operations of the Spirit of God by him or by the Testimony of Truth given by them who did come with such works or else if he were a Prophet the event was to declare whether he were of God yet if the matter of his exhortation was to withdraw them from the known will of God Deut. 13. 2. though his signes and wonders should come to passe as the man of sinne shall abound with such 2 Thess. 2. yet hearken not to him for the Lord proveth you whether you will keep his commandements 6. The Experiences of many tempted souls may seasonably be heard in this matter who under the former pretences have waited untill their hearts grew so carnall that they had almost lost their savour had not the Lord shewed them that it was their part to give heed to their duty leaving the inlargements of soul to the incomes of the Spirit which graciously met them in the way of Gods commands As for the Accusations of Imitation and Stealing the the word of the Lord from others we shall say Take the mote out of thine own eye Who more notorious imitatours of Apostles and

scope of the place and other Scriptures of the like Argument 4. The Scripture was given for doctrine reproof correction instruction which is the foundation of a variety discourse from any Scripture Method is prudential and variable according to occasion Study or meditation is duty and blessed which should in a Teacher expresse it self as in a workman that needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth by explication giving each word its due and by application each their portion As for Learning it is but subservient to the understanding the Letter of the Scriptures gives a more distinct utterance helps to significant words and is an advantage that equalls them to their Adversaries armed with learning against the truth But some contend against learning because they know it not as for these people we suppose had they learning as their Leaders and Abbettors beyond the Seas and in England did so would they use it to the utmost against what they oppose There be many railing and impertinent applications of Scriptures made by them which every one may see into that hath not darknesse on his right eye and we shall not mention onely remembring it s not any person or circumstance so much that is aimed at as the Ministry it self or all outward Teachers in which Argument they discover more Envy Pride Passion than in any other But be assured if the Magistrates had not a material sword as the Ministers have not their language would light as heavy on their heads and more than so In all this we plead not for the ignorant ungodly persecuting men called Ministers but do sadly bewail that after all the Petitions from the Nation Declarations of the State and Proposalls from the wise hearted there is yet any thing hinders the doing of something to purpose to withdraw the Publick incouragement from the corrupt Ministry with whom God hath a controversie Concerning that they say God is now comming to redeem his People from all their Teachers and teach them himself● We do declare our apprehensions of such approaching desolation on many things which are in high esteem among men that should they be spoken would make many ears to tingle But God will provide for the houshold of faith and send them Pastors after his own heart untill the new Jerusalem come down from Heaven which these pretend to but know not But as God is about a great and strange work so is Satan who now comes with all deceivablenesse in the Mystery of Iniquity which answers line for line with the Mystery of Godlinesse in bringing in a false Christ and false Kingdome consisting in a Righteousnesse peace and joy all false witnesse the lying Prophets strange wonders strong delusions religious Prophanenesse found amongst us in England triumphing in the abolishing of Good and evil Heaven and Hell and the transcendent speculations concerning God incarnate in all things Apparitions voices trances of and to persons manifestly deluded and bewitched with the spirit of lies Touching their seeming Mortification we advertise you that who so diligently apply themselves to the Law as they rightly advise if righteousnesse were to be sought by the Law such may find by minding their light and standing on their watch a great measure not onely of Mastery over outward Actions but a nipping of the root of evill for a season And how farr Imagination may work when the mind is wholly subjected to it and composed to a contemplative sequestration from all outward objects is partly known to them who by nature or custome are addicted to Melancholy But how far the jealous God may give up over-credulous and unbelieving Minds to sink into these deeps of strange delusions must be left to him who is just yet unsearchable in his waies yet hath given us to know what should be in the last daies Now as there hath been a black and long Parenthesis or dark space in the daies of the Apostacy or back-fliding from Primitive Purity in doctrine and Discipline and according to the Scriptures we are admonished of a happy and peaceable state of all the children of Sion after the Destruction of Babylon the Lords own cannot but rejoice in the remembrance of the Dayes of the Son of man hoping the return of them which they desired to see so long but have not seen Now being in some forwardnesse through the Judgements of God begun in the Nations they are supposing the time is now come upon which the Deceiver takes his advantage saying Lo here and lo there and when he saw that bare forms would not satisfy the children of the Kingdome he addressed himself in a more glorious and taking way saying Now are the daies of the Son of man Now hath Christ sent forth his Disciples as of old the twelve Apostles and 70 disciples without Staff Scrip or money c. See here be miracles there be multitudes flocking in Here 's the great Power of the Holy Ghost there are men falling down and saying God is among you Here is the spirit poured on the hand-maides and there upon the children But we have learned that if an Angell from Heaven bring us another Gospel Christ or Spirit let him be accursed We consider that as evill Angells suggest evil so do Angells of light good motions now Satan transformed into an Angel of Light which is an Embleme of knowledge righteousnesse innocency peace meeknesse is suggesting and helping on good motions and fair compliances with rules of right to an ill end Wherefore 1. Go not after them nor follow them lest you put your selves from under Gods protection if they come to you it is safer 2. Hold fast to the Authority of the Scriptures 3. Exercise Faith much on Jesus Christ the Mediatour 4. Have and hold a form of sound words that cannot be condemned 2 Tim. 1. 13 Tit. 2. 8. A better form of words cannot be than the words of the Wisdome of the Spirit in the Scriptures 5. Take heed of judging ordinances as unnecessary or indifferent things yet let your souls wait on God in them else if you be beguiled of the Marrow you 'l be easily perswaded to throw away the Bone 6. Give diligence to more entire communion among your selves Two are better than one 7. Whatever is offered to you from Scripture do not only examine the truth of the Doctrine but also whether it be the true meaning of that Scripture 8. Discourse not with these People about circumstances but first enquire whether you agree in the main things the Scriptures Christ Faith Resurrection of the body c. 9. Remember that if your hearts be established with Faith and in the Love of God in Christ you shall not be as little children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine 10. Consider also the End of this Generation in Germany and in many places of England We shall conclude pointing you to some serious thoughts concerning the Doctrines and practises of these people which

things to be attended as Gods will and mind in Commands Prophecies Promises c. which are not known by any light of nature of which sort is the whole doctrine of Faith and Hope or the Gospel Which never entred into the heart of Man in the highest attainments of Nature to conceive neither can the natural man receive them neither can the prudence of man in the flesh be subject to or in amity with them but opposeth the hearing of Faith untill Gods outstretched Arm work faith accounting it Foolishnesse we being until Faith alienated and Enemies to God in our Minds reconciled onely by or in the body of the flesh of the man Christ Jesus who is God blessed for ever There is indeed a Law from Mount Sinai which is a repetition of that Law which was once written in mans heart which cannot but own what it could not so fully dictate If then that light in man was not sufficient to its proper end namely to direct and judg in matters of Morall Righteousnesse but it was necessary that the Law should enter on Mount Sinai as an exact rule that offences which before were not manifest might abound in the eyes of the Sinner how much lesse could that Law which brings the knowledge of sin and the curse justify and glorify Wherefore the Gospel or Law from Mount Sion the Law of Faith leads us in a Newway by the Mediatour who came to do what the Law on Mount Sinai or in mans heart could not do Rom. 8. 3. Hence is it that man naturally runs to Mount Sinai for righteousness and life in his personal obedience which these men put you upon and man so easily closeth with contrary to the Gospel which is not first known by seeing within but hearing tidings without Isa. 53. 1. Rom. 10. 14. Luke 24. 47. As for the nations that never heard or do not hear the Gospel and Scriptures we will not enter into Gods Secrets but this we are bold to say 1. That the knowledge or Faith of Christ justifyes and there is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. 2. But we conceive not how Christ is preached out but by them who bring the word of God whose feet are beautiful Rom. 10. 14. 17. It is true that as the Sun described Psal. 19. doth from East to West proceed to enlighten the world so hath the Sun of righteousnesse whose Tabernacle is in the Heaven of the Church enlightned the Eastern Countryes which this Sun hath left in the dark though he now shines amongst us Thus is the word nigh us Christ in his Gospel comming to our doors and not leaving us to travel to Jerusalem as of old to hear the word of the Lord which yet is nigh to us though he be in heaven and we on earth by Faith ver. 8. 9. Ephes. 3. 17. 3. But yet if it should be evinced to us that the Gospell was preached in every creature yet it proveth not that it is so preached in every individual man woman and child as the Ministry of Paul in the same verse shall be needlesse or that it was so before the Incarnation of Christ when as this mystery was hidden from Ages and Generations v. 26. and was manifested by preaching as we read Tit. 1. 3. Compare this also with the sixt verse of the said 1 Col. As for this nation in which we live 1. It cannot be denyed but that in England the most have in their minds the history of the Scripture though they had not known it but for outward teaching 2. We know also that the Scripture-light which they have attained is not minded by them as the word of Christ which shall judge them which it were well they were more told of and did believe 3. We acknowledge that every unregenerate Man hath more power than he doth improve to obey light 4 It may not be rejected by us as unlikely That God by his Spirit which works by way of Remembrance may bring to mind words of Gospel-truth which a man hath read or heard without understanding or affection and thereby quicken and turn men without any actual reading or hearing Yet in such a case 1. It is the Spirit brings to God by Faith in Christ 2. And it is by Scripture light even the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets which once was read or heard else he could not know it 3. It is not Gods ordinary way who usually for divers ends which might be mentioned for the conversion of sinners makes use of his people and servants according to the standing appointments of the Kingdome of Christ Whereby you may see the aim of these Doctrines as mannaged by them is to hinder the Gospel pervert the faith and destroy at once all the good which ever was done or is like to be through the grace of God by a Godly Ministry Nay how this Tenet fighteth with their own practises who leave not men to the light in them but by words and papers industriously suggest to them their apprehensions And though they often quote the Scriptures Yet 1. it is but partially And 2. not as the ground of their Faith But 3. chiefly as a staff to beat others with or to shoot with them in their own bow But blessed is that people whose ears hear that Gospell which Peter preached Acts 10. even of Christ dying at Ierusalem for sinners and rising again for justification of all them who shall believe c. yea rather blessed are they who receive it in word and power also 1 Thes. 1. 5. and that not as the word of man though ministred by man but as it is indeed the word of God cha. 2. 13. And blessed are they to whom God sends his Servants as Paul to speak to them and watch over them for if by any meanes Satan can he will hinder the people of such a benefit as ver. 18. For they are to be esteemed highly 1. In love 2. For their works sake 3. Because they are overseers of them in the Lord 4. And do admonish them 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. 5. And it is but ingenuity to acknowledge such who addict themselves to the Ministry of the Saints by whom also their spirits are refreshed 1 Cor. 16. 28. But we shall proceed to enquire into that doctrine which saith The light in you which also enlighteneth every man that commeth into the world is Christ WHat then is become of the Person of the Mediatour the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 24. Mind how they do secretly withdraw you from eying his death resurrection intercession c. for us without us while they make that at best but a shadow of what is done in us So making the first and second Adam not to be two men but two things in every man Dear Friends doth nor the Scripture speak to Saints not every man when it saith Christ in you

reading hearing the Scriptures is mans duty faith and understanding is the gift of God yet ordinarily in this way Prov. 2. 4 5. But to conclude Concerning the real word of Prophecy which signifyed beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow that was in due time fullfilled in its kind the same Apostle saith 2 Pet. 1. 17 19. 1. It s more sure than a voice from the excellent gl ry at least to others and more argumentative 2. More to be attended than the words of one risen from the dead Luke 16. 31. 3. Nay our Lord Jesus himself said that if they believed not Moses Writings he did not expect they would believe his Words Iohn 5. 47. Moreover they affirm That this Light the same which they say is in every one that cometh into the world is the anointing from the Father that they need not teach one another HOw great a progresse O thou most holy will thine Enemy and the Truths make if this doctrine were imbraced 1. To break down the wall about the enclosed Garden the Church and make Common the choicest favours of the King of Saints who endeared himself of old to his people by the promise of his Spirit wherby we know that he dwelleth in us and we in him because he hath given us of his Spirit John 16. 7. 1 John 4 13. This is the Spirit which the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Joh. 14. 17. This is the Spirit of Promise promised to believers wherby they are or shall be sealed unto the Day of Redemption of the Saints who are the Purchased Possession from the Power of the grave unto the Perfection of Liberty and Glory It being in the mean time the Earnest of our inheritance which is reserved in heaven for us Is not this the oil wherewith our Lord and Saviour was anointed above his fellowes who are his brethren partakers from his fullnesse Psal. 45. 7. John 1. 16. Ephes. 4. 7. 2. Moreover how daringly doth this attempt if it were possible to pull the seven stars Rev. 1. out of the hand of Christ and how easily doth this conclude against Apostleship Pastorship Doctorship Eldership c. admonitions exhortations reproofs and that with a high hand although God hath set them in his Church for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of the Body and that untill every member be added to his Church and every member already in it be grown unto the fullnesse of the measure of the stature of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Let the wise judge whether this doctrine teach not one member to say to another I have no need of thee But if any rejoice in the Covenant of Promise we also will blesse the name of the Lord who hath established the New Covenant upon better promises than the old Covenant For to the people whom he taketh to himself he will give not only a Law without but in their hearts also and whereas in the dispensation Mosaicall there were many Brethren in that outward ministration who knew not God yet in the new Covenant there is not a Brother need say to his brother Know the Lord as if he was ignorant of the Lord though the least of all Saints Yet surely if this promise exclude all outward Teachers why should Christ give Teachers to his Saints and Peter stir up their minds their pure minds by way of remembrance and endeavour by his Epistle that after his decease they might have the Gospell in remembrance and John write to Believers of all ages in the Church that they abide in Christ notwithstanding that they had the anointing in them All which expresseth the unspeakable love of Christ and care toward his People knowing their weaknesses which favour man would reject to his own losse 3. But as if it were a small thing O you that fear the Lord thus courteously to rob and friendly to betray you this doctrine proceeds if the Authors understand it to cut off at once all instruction and reproof of Enemies and ungodly and states not a Brother but an Enemy and child of ignorance twice over to have no need that any man say unto him Know the Lord because it saith every man that commeth into the world is enlightned by the light which is the Anointing which as these Doctrinists say excludes all need of outward Teaching If any man say The Spirit convinceth the world of sin therefore every one in the world hath the workings of the spirit It is answered The holy anointing oil is not poured upon mans flesh nor the stranger but on the Tabernacle Altar c. Aaron and his sonnes which makes this Mercy peculiar to the Saints the holy Priesthood and not common or like the convincing operations of the Spirit which do not appropriate such a Person or consecrate him to the Lord Besides this Conviction doth not exclude the Teachings of man but rather implyes it For it convinceth of unbelief which is not the sinne of them that have not heard Romans 10. ver. 14. He will say then Have they not heard Is not the word nigh them yea in their hearts verse 8. Most true it is in the hearts of them that believe yea verily their sound is gone forth into all the earth even Theirs who were preachers of Glad tidings v. 14 15. who carried the report which was not believed of some v. 16. even the word of God v. 17. which being received by the Gentiles became a provocation of the Jewes to jealousie because it was first offered to them and they received it not v. 19. it pleased therefore the Lord of All to send forth tidings of Grace into all nations and his Spirit to convince the world contradistinguished to the Jewes Rom. 11. 15. of sinne because when they hear they believe not untill convinced that it is their sin not to believe in Christ or submit to him accept him as King Priest and Prophet when offered to them It might seem strange to you dearly beloved should we say that these discoursings on their part are but a blind to veil what is farther intended It may be their confessions will sometimes give you it that you and all men ought to believe in Christ in them and that they perish for not believing that Christ is manifested in their flesh and that you are saved by the dying rising c. of Christ or the light in you and not by any Christ without you To the evidencing of which in part be pleased to hear them using the word of the Scriptures saying The Kingdome of God is within you and this they say of and to all the children of this world TO which we answer 1. That the Kingdome of Heaven the Jewes expected to come as the Kingdomes of the Earth and Men but it came with no such pomp or shew wherefore the Pharisees were

Prophets without the Call or Gift of either who more steal the word from others then they who have received their notions from Scriptures Teachers and Leaders and phrases also and yet do acknowledge neither one nor other but as it were of themselves He that quotes the Scripture steales not the word He that imitates the Practises of Saints in foregoing ages going forth by the footsteps of the flock not desiring singular waies seeking Christ in his own standing appointments by the Shepheards Tents and holding fast the true sayings of the holy Scriptures erres not if he speak and contend for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints though it be not so delivered to him by immediate inspiration or confirmed with miracles as it was to them 2 Thess. 2. 14 15. Furthermore these who come unto you in the imitation and resemblance of Christ Prophets Apostles with their deemed Oracles and great wonders do shew themselves in the most composed garb of humility as the greatest friends to the crosse of Christ and the onely bearers of it disswading you From your own wisdome will righteousnesse Pride in apparell Diet c. giving and receiving honour of men and such like which is the crosse you must abide in and through it they say passe unto everlasting rest WE Wish heartily that all that wear the sheeps clothing were sheep indeed but there is one that judges Let us search and trie these Doctrins and let judgement of persons result freely First then we are fully satisfied that he who hath learned Arts and Sciences and hath read over Systems or Bodies of Divinity and Exercitations concerning it must come to Christ as a little child and be abased in all his Pride of Flesh in Gods presence For all these make not one wise unto salvation but what this man hath before Christ he is puffed up with it knowing nothing as he ought to know 1 Cor. 8. 1. Yet doth not this subvert Schools of learning but it sets learning in its place Surely it is clean to the clean-hearted as meat and drink and being rightly improved yields a larger tribute to Jesus Christ than the worlds external goods For want of which its easily observable how these pretenders to the Cross do often mistake in the English idiom or phrase of translation to wrest the sense We affirm also that he that 's wise to buy and sell and shift in shaking times to raise himself while most do fall must give up himself to Jesus Christ seeking first his kingdome and minding his will without consulting with flesh and blood though he be counted a fool for Christs sake Yet doth not this cross the will of Christ for him that hath wisdom in his Generation to buy and sel and provide liberally for himself and his if riches increase by the blessing of the Lord and not the covetous pursute of them that would be rich Still remembring that of him that hath more there is more required and that Man be faithfull with that that is anothers for he can carry nothing out of this world being rich in good works Also considering he that hath most hath most Temptations which is enough if wisely weighed to stop the greediness of Men after more than food convenient Secondly we are assured that who so comes to Christ must forsake his own will as guided by fleshly wisdome or deceitful lusts or expressing it self in opposing the will of Christ Nevertheless this superintendency of the holy Spirit over-awing the will of Man doth not abolish but regulate it For the people become willing in the day of his Power Neither doth it follow that such or such a Motion is therfore of God because it crosseth natures desires though if the clear will of God do so it must be readily obeyed Thirdly we are confident that whatever Man hath done or received before he knew Christ which he accounted gain and boasted of hoping for Gods favour therefore he will reckon his loss when Christ is revealed to him because he was held contented in those snares of Pride without Christ and he will no more desire to be found in his own righteousnesse which indeed are as filthy raggs unlesse when he is under Temptations Yet we also believe that the righteousnesse which is performed by faith or the Power of Christ in us is not to be rested in as that in which we are accepted Eph. 1. 6. Also that the Externals of Religion before rested in become not now abolished to the New-creature as Ceremonies which might be used or not used but the Externals of the Gospel are to be used with the Power of Godlinesse upon a new account transacted to the glory of Christ Fourthly touching Apparel We confess and may not deny that in the Church-relation and in presence of Christ we may not have respect to gay cloathing and a gold ring For then all eyes should be inward while soul affaires are transacted And we may not here know men after the flesh but as they are enriched with Faith and gifts of Grace and as they stand in the judgement of the Spirit Wherefore Apparel concerns the outward Man in the capacity of Man though it is as all other things to be ordered and directed by the grace of God And here we know not how to excuse this wanton nation that generally shews it self childish in nothing more than by respecting gay clothing which sometimes covers an infirm and deformed Body and Spirit too and in its self onely seems to shew a man that hath more thick clay than another But seest thou a man boasting in his Apparel be not troubled for it may be its all his Portion and rejoicing in this world We know the Scriptures that declare against the Pride and wantonness in apparel Is 3. 1 Pet. 3. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 9. and that which judges this wantonness in women condemns the like in men also yet we will consider and that a little more because this is so much insisted on by the Assertors what allowance is by God given to men though not for a cloak of Pride 1. Apparel was instituted to cover shame to defend from weather and grew into use for distinction of sexes and qualities of Persons but for the shape of garments its left to man to attire himself Prudentially and because he is a member of Societies Prudence directs to use the modest customes of the Country as in other and greater matters 2. As all creatures were given to man for his use so some for his conveniency delight and ornament as a Man else the bounty of God in the variety of creatures must be denied Man may serve himself of any Creature so that he be helped in his way and honour his God by it Thus in dayes of gladness the Scripture allows more than ordinary garments after the manner of men 3. Pride doth not lie in putting on of