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	scripture_n	6,970	5	5.7262	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41788	St. Paul's catechism, or, A brief and plain explication of the six principles of the Christian religion, as recorded Heb. 6., 1,2 with some considerations of the principles of natural and universal religion, as previous, and yet subservient to the rules of revealed and positive relgion: containing also, the duties of children to their superiors, written chiefly for the instruction of young Christians, children and servants in all Christian families / by Tho. Grantham.	Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.	1687 (1687)	Wing G1545; ESTC R39432	35,919	64

had the means to know the Mediator particularly and distinctly must yet have Salvation by him or else none of the Infant-race dying such could be saved 2. All that know the Lord to be such a God as do's exercise loving-Kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth do know this Mediator virtually and believing on the Lord as such do know him savingly Jer. 9. 24. Psal 86. 5. 3. All the common Providences of God are given chiefly for this end to direct Men to seek the Lord because it appears from St. Paul they have a capacity to feel after him and to find him For he is not far from every one of them because in him they live move and have their being 4. And as to their ignorance in things which they had not particular and distinct means to know 't is expresly said The Lord winked at it that is he graciously passed by their weakness and would not exact the utmost Farthing Acts 17. 26 27 30. See and consider Job 37. 23 24. 5. But when Men grow presumptuous and unthankful and give the Honour of the incorruptible God to created things or things of their own devising they thus unmanning themselves and forgetting that they are the Off-spring of God then and not till then do's God withdraw his Love from them and suffers them to be filled with their own ways as is most clear Rom. 1 2 Chapters and also Dan. 5. 22 23 24. S. I see it is not good for us to pride up our selves against the Nations which have not the Gospel as we have But it seems to be an Argument that God loves us more than he loves them because he gives us greater means of Grace than he gives them F. 1. Behold God is mighty and despiseth not any Let this Truth take place in thy Heart Job 36. 5. And then admit the Love of God to be much more to some than to all yet it 's sufficient to all 2. Yet I must inform thee that when we consider Mankind as they are all the Off-spring of God and as he has appointed the bounds of their Habitations that you should seek the Lord. Then like as we may not conclude that a good Father do's therefore not love his youngest Son so well as he loves his eldest Son because he gives him but half so much of his Estate as he gives the eldest Son. So neither may we conlude that God loves England France or Italy better then he loves America because we have greater means of Gospel-Light than they He that improves one Talent well shall be accepted as well as he that improves five S. I am well satisfied in this enquiry I see that God expects the Duties of Religion of all Men according to what Light and Knowledg he hath given them in all Ages and Nations And that through the Mercy and justice of God whoever worships God and doth his Will according to the manifestation which he has given Men of his Will shall be accepted of God. I pray now inform me concerning the true way of God's Worship or the true Christian Religion according to the Gospel Lest whilst we seem concern'd for others we be found to neglect our own Salvation And first I defire to be instructed whether the Holy Spirit or the Holy Scripture or the Holy Church must be our guide in these Soul-concernments F. There is no doubt but these three agree in one Testimony For the Scriptures are the Testimony of the other two Being indeed the Inspirations of the Holy Spirit and the Prophets or Ministers of the Church of God receive those Inspirations and gave them forth in Writings which Writings are the Holy Scriptures S. Is this Church always to be receiving and giving forth Inspirations of this kind F. No in no wise for so every Age might Produce a new Bible Wherefore that our Rules might not be too burthensom it pleased God that but few of the things which Jesus himself did should be written and that we believing according to the Scripture might have Life John 20. 31. 2 Pet. 3. 2. That ye may be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the Prophets and of the Commandment of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour If any come unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house 2 John v. 10. S. Seeing some pretend to the infallible conduct of the Holy Spirit in whatsoever they Decree in Council and others think they preach by infallible Inspiration I desire to known how we may best make tryal of these Spirits to know the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error F. We may know the Spirit of Truth by these Rules 1. The Holy Scriptures being long since confirmed all true Ministers of Christ who are led by the Spirit of Christ will always magnify the Authority of the Scripture above what themselves deliver as personal Ministers though it be never so true For so did Christ himself magnify the holy Scriptures John 5. 45 46 47. And so did St. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 16 to the end S. Is it clear that by the more sure Word of Prophesy is meant the Writings of the Prophets F. Yes it is very clear by the very reading of the Place 2 Pet. 1. 16 17 18 19 20 21. S. What is this dark place which this word of Prophesy is said to shine in F. It may be well meant of the Jewish Church which understood not the voice of their own Prophets which are read in their Synagogues every Sabbath day Or it may be true of us by how much we are slow of heart to understand and believe all that the Prophets have spoken Luk. 24. 25. S. What is the Day-Star which is to arise in our Hearts F. By a diligent attending upon the Testimony of the Prophets God gives Light to those that sincerely seek for it ye shall know if ye follow on to know Hosea 8. 3. and God gives his Spirit to help our infirmity S. I am satisfied in this exposition of the place I pray proceed to further Rules by which the true Spirit may be known F. 2. The Spirit which is of God does not speak of it self John 16. 13. So as to contradict what Christ hath said but he takes of Christ's Words and shews them to his People It delivers no new Ordinances nor nulls nor changes Christ's old ones But magnifies Christ as the Law-giver that was to teach us all things John 4. 25. 3. The Apostles by this Spirit have left us the whole Council of God Act 20. 20 27. and by that Doctrine they knew that to be the Spirit of God which led to it and that to be the Spirit of Error which dissented from it 1 John. 4. 6. S. I see there is no safety in adhering to my self or any other under pretence of having the infallible Conduct or Inspiration of the Spirit I shall beg the influence of the Spirit of Grace to quicken my Judgment and

Lord 1 Cor. 11. 23. The Church is commended for keeping the Ordinances as they were delivered to them 1 Cor. 11. 2. There was a Curse followed them that changed God's Ordinance Isa 24. 5. S. I see it a Duty incumbent upon all that will have due admission into the Church of Christ-Militant to be baptised with the Baptism of Repentance for remission of Sins I now desire to know the truth concerning the Baptism of the Spirit so much claimed in these days tho some deny that there is any such Baptism now to be expected F. That the Gift of the Holy Ghost which is the Baptism of the Spirit is a right which pertains to the Church or to Baptis'd Believers in their successive Generations is evident Act. 2. 38 39. It belongs to all that the Lord our God shall Call. If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. There is one Body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling Ephes 4. 4. The Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5. 5. Now we have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God. S. Are these things meant of the Baptism of the Spirit or of some lower receivings of it F. These are the best part of the Promise of the Spirit which whoso receive are sealed thereby to the day of Redemption and are the Earnest of our Inheritance and are therefore most fitly called the Baptism of the Spirit because the Spirit receives in the nine Fruits of it Gal. 5. 22 23. transcends it's being received in the nine Gifts of it 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10. The first are called the more excellent way of receiving the Spirit 1 Cor. 12. ult I had rather have that one Fruit of the Spirit called Love then all the nine Gifts of the Spirit S. But are not the Gifts of the Spirit ceas'd F. No such matter unless our unworthiness deprive us of them Are not these Exhortations yet of force Covet earnestly the best Gifts Follow after Charity and desire spiritual Gifts and rather that ye may prophesy Covet to prophesy and forbid not to speak with Tongues Sure these Exhortations inform us that as the Church hath need she may lawfully ask these best Gifts But let her remember there is a better part of the Promise of the Spirit than the best of these Gifts S. I am satisfied the whole Promise of the Spirit pertains to the Church and that therefore the Baptism of the Spirit remains I would know what ordinary way God hath assigned to wait upon him for so great a Blessing F. Indeed our receiving the Promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3. 14. in the sanctifying operations of it is the next great Blessing of the Gospel to our being justified by Faith in the Blood of Christ And for a more full answer to your enquiry I refer you to what shall be said upon the Fourth Principle of the Doctrine of Christ The Fourth Principle of St. Paul's CATECHISM Or The Laying on of Hands Son. SEeing this principle is express'd in the singular Number Laying on of Hands not Layings on of Hands I desire to know what Laying on of Hands is here meant Father 1. It cannot be a violent laying on of Hands as some prophanely imagine our Saviour taught none to lay violent Hands upon his People and yet the very act of Laying on of Hands here is called a Principle of the Doctrine of Christ 2. The Greek is Epitheseos te Chiron which signifies a gentle putting on of Hands The word which signifies a violent handling is another word as in Luk. 21. 12. Epibalousin But such is the great blindness of some that they will not see a difference between a Prophecy as that is in Luk. 21. 12. and a Doctrine as this is Heb. 6. 2. S. I am satisfied thus far that it can be no violent Act. I desire to hear the Truth F. It must be a Service which concerns all Christians equally as they are Babes in Christ because it is called Milk for Babes Heb. 5. 12 13. a beginning Principle Heb. 6. 1. and placed among those other five Principles which do equally concern all Christians to know as you are Babes in Christ And for these reasons it cannot be Laying on of Hands for Ordination nor upon the Sick. It must therefore be that religious Service performed by the Apostles Acts 8. 14. and 19. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 6. for the promised Spirit both Gifts and Fruits as God pleas●d S. But did not the Apostles give the Holy Ghost by putting on of their Hands F. No in no wise God gave the Spirit to those who did obey him Act. 5. 32. The Apostles only prayed for this Blessing which they knew belonged to Baptised Believers as such Act. 2. 38. and 19. 2. And faithful Pastors ought to teach Babes in Christ this Principle as it respects the Promise of the Spirit and to pray for it on behalf of the Disciples both Men and Women after the Example of the Apostles Act. 8. 14. else they cannot lay the whole of that Foundation Heb. 6. 1 2. nor teach Babes in Christ all their Principles S. Was this practice of Prayer with laying on of Hands continued in the Church of Christ in the Ages next after the Apostles F. Yes it was religiously observed Eusebius mentions it as the ancient manner viz. Prayer and Laying on of Hands Lib. 7. c. 2. And so does Tertullian long before him Lib. de Bapt. his words are After we are come out of the Laver of Baptism the Hand is laid on by Blessing calling upon and inviting the Holy Ghost S. These things are very plain to such as are willing to be informed I desire now to be informed what is the reason why so very few do receive these Principles in the native purity and simplicity of them and especially these two practical ones Baptism and Laying on of Hands F. 1. One great reason is because a false Baptism without Repentance and Faith and dispensed in a Man-pleasing way and likewise an outwardly Glorious and Ceremonious Bishoping has obtruded upon very many by which they are blinded that they cannot or prejudiced that they will not see these Truths than which scarce any are more plain and easy to be seen 2. Another may be this The Wisdom of God knowing the Great pride of Man's Heart ordained these Ordinances to try them whether they would be obedient to his Commands how low so ever or whether they would contemn the very foot-steps of Christ himself the only Son of God. The Pharisees and Lawyers led the way in this Rebellion against God's Counsel Luke 7. 29. and many follow them rejecting the

Affection in the search of the Holy Scriptures the most infallible Records of God and his Church But yet I desire a little help How I may best satisfy my self or others that the Holy Scriptures are the undoubted Oracles of God F. To satisfy thy Soul in this enquiry thou hast God's own Testimony who every-where speaks to thee in them by Doctrine and by Miracles If any deny the truth of those Records they only deprive themselves of the Authority of all Records that are extant in the World of former Ages for the truth of the Divine Scripture has the highest Testimony of all other and if these fall all must fall with them 2. Thou hast the Testimony of all the Prophets and of the Apostles and above all the Testimony of Christ and his Angels that the Old Testament is the Scriptures of truth 3. Lay aside the New Testament and then no Man can preach any thing of the Gospel respecting the Birth Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection Assension or second coming of Christ 4. We have the Testimony of the first Churches that these Books are the undoubted Oracles of God and if their Testimony be not of credit the Testimony of the present Church will signifie nothing 5. These Scriptures must either be of God or of the Devil But who dare say they are of Satan They are the most destructive of his Kingdom and Designs of any Books whatsoever S. These Considerations must needs be satisfactory to all that pretend to be of the Christian Faith. I desire therefore to be instructed in the true Christian Religion especially in such parts of it as are necessary to our walking with God in a Church-way that I may have fellowship with God and his People in the orderly profession of the Christian Religion F. In the Name of God then let us begin there where our Lord Christ began to preach and let us follow him whom our Heavenly Father hath given to be a Witness to the People for a Leader and for a Commander to the People Isa 50. 4. Of the First Principle of St. Paul's CATECHISM Or Repentance from dead Works Son. I Desire to know what were the first Things preached by Christ and his Apostles and to be learned by their Followers Father The first Things which Christ preached were Repentance and Faith as it is written Matth. 4. 17. Mark 1. 14. Whose Heavenly Doctrine is more fully set down and gathered into six Principles by St. Paul. Heb. 6. 1 2. and thus declared Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptisms and of laying on of Hands and of the Resurrection of the Dead and of eternal Judgment S. Seeing these are the Foundation-Principles how must I understand the Apostle when he saith learning the Principles F. They are words respecting the order of Discourse and bear this sence that St. Paul would leave at that time to speak further of these Principles and go on to more perfect or higher Mysteries and so he ●roceeds to discourse of the excellency of Christ's Priesthood above the Aaronical Priesthood Chap. 7 c. S. I confess if we should otherwise leave these Principles we should leave God himself for without Faith and Humiliation we cannot please God. But does not Faith go before Repentance F. We must distinguish of Faith. There is the Faith of Mankind who generally do believe there is a God that will punish the Wicked and reward the Just This Faith must go before Repentance Heb. 11. 6. But the Faith here spoken of is the Faith of actual Justification and this Faith must needs follow Repentance Rom. 3. 25. and 5. 1. thus God is the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus Impenitent Sinners are so far from Justification that Christ tells them Except they repent they shall all perish Luke 13. 2 3 4 5. S. I thank you for this distinction I see the necessity of Repentance Pray shew me the true Nature of Repentance and how I may obtain Repentance unto Life And whether it be the Gift of God F. That Repentance unto Life is the Gift God is very clear Acts 5. 31. 11. 18. It is a special Mercy flowing from the goodness of God to all Sinners Rom. 2. 3. for he might in justice have denied the Riches of his Grace to the Rebellious which yet he hath not Psalm 68. 18. Acts 17. 30. Thus God gives Repentance both graciously and preceptively S. But does not God also give Power with his gracious Precept to repent F. That God gives Repentance potentially is true Jer. 31. 18 19. Turn thou me and I shall be turned surely when I was turned I repented Yet this Power is not irresistible but it is sufficient either to effect Repentance or to leave the Sinner without excuse Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 1. 32. compared with Rom. 2. 1. Christ was sent to turn every one of the Jews from their Iniquities and there was a sufficiency of Power in the means which he used to do it But yet they resisted the Holy Ghost and the Holy Jesus and were destroyed in their Iniquities Acts 3. 26. 7. 51. see Mat. 12. 41. S. I see plainly we may not look for in irresistibl● Power to convert us to God. F. The Gospel as it is the ministration of the Spirit is to us the Power of God to Salvation as well as it was to the Jews Rom. 1. 16 17. S. I desire to know what are the Parts of Repentance unto Life F. The Parts of Repentance unto Life were principally three 1. A thorow or due sense of Sin in the sinful Nature of it 2. A godly sorrow for our Sins chiefly because we have committed them against the Will and Commandment of that gracious God by whose Mercy and Goodness we live and enjoy all good Things 3. It consists in a holy resolution and endeavour to forsake all sinful ways S. Pray explain the first part of Repentance by shewing me what Sin is that I may have a due sense of it F. The Scripture tells us That St. Paul had not known Sin but by the Law Rom. 7. 7. And that by the Law is the knowledg of Sin Rom. 3. 20. and that Sin is the Transgression of the Law John 3. 4. And where no Law is there is no Transgression And that the substance and work of this Law is so far revealed to all the World that all the World is under it and that by the breach of God's Law every Mouth shall be stopped and all the World be found guilty before God Rom. 3. 19 20 23. S. I confess if all the World be not under some Law of God they could not be guilty of Sin against God. But my desire is to know what Law we are under who have the Holy Scriptures amongst us F. We are under the Law of God as it is given to Mankind universally being of the Gentile Race that is the Principles of Right Reason and the Instructions

14. S. What is the conclusion of this Service F. Giving thanks to God for his Mercy in giving Christ for us and this is to be done with Hearts fille● with joy and the Thanksgiving to be in the manner of an Hymn S. Must this Hymn or Thanksgiving be in Meeter and expressed by all F. There is no Rule for either of these And the first would infer the necessity of a Poet to compose the Hymn which is not to be supposed 2. All pray and praise God when they heartily join with the Minister who is most sit to express the Praises of God in the Church Of Obedience to Superiours Son. WHat is my Duty towards my Parents by God's Law and by the Gospel Father 1. To love and reverence their Persons 2. A pious Fear and Obedience to their Authority Lev. 19. 3. Prov. 23. 22. 1. 8. My Son hear the Instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother The just Commands of Parents are a Law to Children Colos 3. 20. Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 3. To help them when they are in want thus our Saviour interpreteth the fifth Commandment Mat. 15. 4 5 6. Mark 7. 12. 4. Not to speak evil of your Parents for he that does so is in danger of death Mark 7. 10. Mat. 15. 5. S. What is the Duty of Servants to Masters F. 1. Let as many Servants as are under the Yoak count their own Masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed 1 Tim. 6. 1. 2. And they that have believing Masters let them not despise them because they are Brethren but rather do them Service because they are faithful 1 Tim. 6. 2. The Gospel does not free any from the Duties of Morality but makes their Obligation to these Duties more strong And if any Man teach otherwise to open a Gap to Disobedience to our Superiours he is proud and knows nothing 1 Tim. 6. 3. 3. Servants are to be obedient to them that are their Masters according to the Flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of Heart as to Christ not with eye-service as Men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the Will of God from the heart with good will doing Service as to the Lord and not to Men because though we serve Men in these Duties of Life yet God is he that commands it knowing also that what good thing any Man doth in the honest d●●charge of his Duty the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be a Servant or a Master Ephes 6. 5. to 9. S. What is the Duty of young Men to the Aged F. Thou shalt rise up before the Gray Head and honour the Face of the Old Man Lev. 19. 32. S. What other demonstrations of Honour is there due to the Aged F. To speak to them reverently as to Fathers and to give them the Civilities of the Place Of the Honour due to the King. Son. WHAT is my Duty to●●●ds my Prince or Soveraign Father Thou art to honour the King next unto God because there is none above him in Authority over thee but God Fear God honour the King 1 Pet. 2. 17. He is the Lord 's Anointed for so was Cyrus King of Persia Ezra 1. 1. Isa 45. 1. They are called Gods Psal 82. 6. Fear therefore the Lord and the King and meddle not with disloyal Persons who are given to change Prov. 24. 21. Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers for the Powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13. 1 2 3. S. In what things am I bound to obey my Soveraign F. In all things which he commands either Actively or Passively Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as unto those that are sent by him 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. Thou must be ready to every good Work which they command Tit. 3. 1. Thou must in no wise rebel against him Rom. 13. 2. S. What if God command one thing and the King command another contrary to God's Command what then must I do F. Thou 〈◊〉 do what God commands and suffer patiently what the King imposeth though it be Death it self for so did Daniel Ch. 6. 10. and so did the three Children Dan. 3. 16 17. And the Apostles did the same Act. 4. 19. S. Wha● must be the frame of my Spirit towards my Prince in such hard usage F. 1. Thou must not curse the King no not in secret for God will discover it Eccles 10. 20. Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor speak evil of the Ruler of my People Exod. 22. 28. Act. 23. 5. 2. Thou must give to Caesar the things which are Caesars Honour Fear Tribute c. for so hath Christ commanded Mat. 22. 21. Rom. 13. 7. 3. Thou must pray for him in love unfainedly for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. 4. Thou must do all this for Conscience-sake suffering grief patiently Commiting thy self into the Hands of God in well-doing as into the hands of a faithful Creator Rom. 13. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 19. 4. 19. To conclude know this that Religion is ordain'd to make us wise and good Men. The Christian Religion is the best Religion And the best Christians will be the best Subjects to Princes most obedient to Parents most faithful to Masters for herein do they exercise themselves To have always a Conscience void of offenc● both towards God by walking humbly with him and towards Men by doing to all Men as they would that Men should do to them Act. 24. 16. Mat. 7. 12. FINIS