Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	appear_v	bear_v	zion_n	21	3	8.7378	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86420	Fourteen queries and ten absurdities about the extent of Christ's death, the power of the creatures, the justice of God in condemning some, and saving others, presented by a free-willer to the Church of Christ at Newcastle, and answered by Paul Hobson a member of the said Church. In which answer is discovered, the extent of Christs death, the nature and truth of election, the condition of the creature both before and after conversion, &c. Published in tenderness of love for the good of all, especially for the Churches of Christ.	Hobson, Paul.	1655 (1655)	Wing H2273; Thomason E1492_4; ESTC R208520	40,720	127

Fourteen Queries and ten Absurdities about the extent of CHRIST'S Death the power of the Creatures the Justice of God in condemning some and saving others presented by a Free-willer to the Church of CHRIST at Newcastle and answered by Paul Hobson a Member of the said Church In which Answer is discovered the extent of Christs Death the nature and truth of Election the condition of the Creature both before and after conversion c. Published in tenderness of love for the good of all especially for the Churches of Christ Matth. 22.19 Jesus answered and said unto them Ye do err no● knowing the Scripture nor the power of God Gal. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed LONDON Printed by Henry Hills for William Hutchison Bookseller in Durham 1655. The Epistle Dedicatory To the Church of Christ at Newcastle these THe grace of our Lord be multiplied upon you all and strengthen you in every good word and work Beloved in the Lord you may remember that one William Pedelsden who professes and preaches the universal point at Sheels did present to me and some others in the face of the Church certain dangerous Queries requiring our Answer and for truths sake there being other business lying upon Brother Gover you desired me to write and publish an Answer to them and though I am sensible that in my appearing publickly I am called rather to manifest the present dealings of God with me and my former unkinde dealings with him but being sensible how much this opinion spreads and what dangerous consequences are produced by it I could not but after a serious seeking of God endeavour to answer your desires herein and the rather knowing that it is one of the general ways wherein the Devil deludes poor souls for I have found by experience that these two ways are the general Heads the Devil commonly goes upon and gradually proceeds in to draw away souls from the good way of the Lord first perswading men under specious pretences to allegorize Scaiptures and turn all into a more spiritual understanding and enjoyment than at present they have attained to who stand by the Rule of Truth in the practice of Gospel order and ordinances and this is backed on as I told you before with specious pretences of spirituality though in truth it is that which ends in carnality though at the first it doth not so appear which I can sadly witness the Devil commonly imploys this way with such spirits that are taken with curiosity of words and notions leaving the wholesom Word of the Lord. The second general way the Deluder takes is by discovering the way of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel under a greater way of rationality though it be but that which doth answer that reason which indeed is carnal which the Apostle speaks of in 1 Cor. 2 3. ch at large this second way the Devil takes many who are not capable of the first but both are very dangerous and though the first was my proper snare yet I judg it not amiss to let some part of my imployment be also to discover the second which according to my weak ability in this writing I have endeavoured desiring the Lord it may accomplish that end which you and I desire to wit the putting a stop to that opinion which the Author of those Queries doth hold forth which in many places doth so sadly spread and for the establishing of the weak that are ready to stagger so desiring the Lord in his power and presence to own it I shall say no more as to the matter nor end but commend you to God and the Word of his grace I remain Your poor Brother in the Faith and fellowship of the Gospel P. Hobson From Sagerstonehugh the 9th day of the 12th Moneth 1654. To the Reader COurteous Reader I am sensible the Devil never wants cunning inventions to court men to the imbracement of evil and wants no ability to mannage his wiles to take mens hearts off from owning good and I am sensible that he needs go no further to incense thee against this matter than his using Arguments from the former miscarriages and present insufficiency of the Author But it is the desire of my Soul to the Lord that though I have formerly stumbled and not stood steadfast in the truth yet my unsuitableness may not stave you off from a serious consideration of the matter that is here exprest I must confess that I am not apt to think it may do so because the same temptations have been in mee by which I had been almost taken off from ever appearing publickly bearing my Testimony for truth having been for a long time such a cloud to truth yet being as you will see by the insuing matter so providentially put upon it and besides seing that great necessity for it this opinion of free will with the rest therein exprest do increase so much in these Northern parts and it comes with such a face of rationality that many poor precious hearts who are weak in the faith are apt to stumble and in an especiall manner some about Hull where I was an eye and eare witness not long since of the sad disaster that is befaln the Church of Christ there upon that account therefore in tenderness of Love to them and answering the Desires of the People with whom I walk and for the prevention of this opinion spreading further here I could not but break over the difficulties I mean the sence of my own insufficiency and the great objections that will endeavour to be made by men opposite to the truth against the matter from the insufficiency of the Author but I trust the Lord or at least I desire it that he will give you a heart to look above the instrument to him who is the Author and fountain of truth it self considering that it is not the excellency of means but the truth of the matter that we are to mind it was I Cor. 27.28 and still is Gods way to manifest truth by weak and contemptible means that so truth may be entertained upon its own naked account sure I am we have too long imbraced truth upon confidence of the instrument or Author not Saint-like examining the matter or else concluding our judgment upon all when we have seen or read but part all which I desire thee to avoid in reading this small Treatise which though the dress is such that will not court mens fancies it was not for that end intended but that truth may be entertained in thy affections that it may appear to be so both in you and me it is ihe desire of my Soul that we may live in the power life and spirit of Truth and so be sure we can bear a Testimony in our lives to what our words or lines do discover lest we be found in the day of the Lord too

are his Now having discovered what troubles me and what makes me so unwilling to mention these truths but with discovering also wherein men do abuse them I shall now say no more but come to the proof of this seventh Particular and for the proof of that minde these Particulars 1. The whole Testimony of Scripture 2. The nature of the Work 3. The Titles that are given by God and Christ to the Work 4. The nature of every Creature before this is wrought Which four things will sufficiently prove that this work of faith is not gained by improving nature before conversion or a work before conversion that nature is capable of but is singly the work of God not in a general sense as a works ate but in a peculiar and a Gospel sense First the Testimony of Scripture to make good this truth is very full and clear see 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discerned Which fully declares that the receiving or entertaining through faith the truths of the Spirit of God is a work which nature or natural men before conversion are not capable of it nor able to perform it but it is a special work of the Spirit of God John 3.3 5. Verily except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God And in v. 5. he saith Except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Where you see the 2. special employments of faith to wit 1. The seeing or viewing the glory of Gods Kingdom 2. The entering of the Kingdom Both which are to be done through faith CHRIST doth here affirm it is a work impossible for a natural man to do or any thing in nature to perform before conversion or the new birth which appears in Paul Phil. 3.6 which work is singularly Gods by his Spirit according to his own good will and pleasure which CHRIST affirms in vers 8. of the said Chapter Jer. 31.18 19. Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Surely after I was turned I repented and after I was instructed I smote upon my thigh and I was ashamed Ephraim's experience doth testifie this that repentance smiting and being ashamed followeth turning and that turning and instructing in this Gospel sense in the act of conversion is Gods singular work Jer. 13.23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil The comparison declares that it is impossible for unconverted man that lives in sin to do good as good that is to say to do any Gospel work Besides these testimonies which are sufficient I desire you further to minde these Scriptures Phil. 2.13 For it is God that works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure So it is singular Gods work produced by his good pleasure Suitable to that is Prov. 16. 1. Jer. 10.23 Lam. 5.21 Now as for the second which is what the nature of the work is before I speak of the nature of faith give me leave to speak a word or two of the new birth or conversion which of necessity must be wrought before any work or employment of faith can appear and the truth is my dear Friend if we cannot witness the new birth we are not in a capacity to inform one another of the things of God for till then we are but natural and not fit for such an employment 1 Cor. 2.14 Now this work of conversion and new birth I shall present it to you thus it is by the glorious and powerfull appearance or discovery of the glory of God in CHRIST which doth so seize upon the soul and convincingly conquers the soul that the soul in the discoveries of that light is so killed and made silent and confounded in the sense of his own unsuitableness to God and undonness without CHRIST that the heart is presently made to loath and abominate it self and whatsoever was wrought or done before CHRIST came and is so restlesly carried out for CHRIST that the soul cannot rest till it doth enjoy him that is till he can see a propriety in him or enjoy him as his own which is alone done through believing Now faith is a supernatural light and life set up in the soul by Gods causing the creature to assent to and close with the authority of Gods truth and tenders ●n CHRIST upon which direct act reflection followeth which is the applying of CHRIST as his own from the truth of Gods tender which is from his peculiar love which love the heart is made sensible of in that appearance Now dear Friend do but consider this small description of the work of conversion and faith and see if any thing in nature before the new birth is wrought is capable of or able to perform such a work do but pick out some Particulars of it as 1. This appearance of God doth and will kill make silent and confound or conquer whatsoever is in the soul before Christ comes Jer. 31.18 19. Rom. 7.9 Zach. 2.13 Acts 2.37 2. The creature is so overcome with a sight of this light that he can no longer love but loath himself Job 50.3 4 5. chap. 42.5 6. Isai 5.6 Phil. 3.8 3. It is made able to go out of it self and give way for and assent to the authority and truth of Gods tenders John 3.33 chap. ●2 38 Rom. 4.18 19 20.2 Thess 1.10 4. It can finde no rest in its self nor whatsoever self did before or can do but soly waits upon and attends the authority of this discovery Acts 2.37 ch 16.30 Cant. 5.6 8. Psalm 63.1 Matth. 11.12 5. It 's made able to apply that is to say to own a propriety and to bring home that to its self as its own which is as high as Heaven and far above what nature can either reach or attain unto according to these Scriptures Heb. 11. 1 8 10 13. John 8.56 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Now I beseech you consider what hath been said and you will see that the nature of this truth as we faid before is too high for any improvement of nature to attain to before the new birth Thirdly consider the Titles that are given by God and CHRIST to the work I mean to the work of Regeneration in which faith is comprehended or included it is called a new birth John 3.3 5. Except a man be born again he cannot see or he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Now dear Friend consider what it is to be born and minde that a spiritual birth transcends a natural if you can truly witness this you will see and must acknowledg this truth 1. That it is impossible by any improvement of Nature to be performed before the work of grace is wrought 2. It is called spiritual 1 Cor. 2.14 Now

light which day is a coming and will not tarry And even Sion it self cannot be a shelter to cover Hypocrites but in the day of the Lord their fear will be fearfull Isai 33.14 A virgins state with light in our Lamps without oyle in our vessels will not make way for entainment in that day Mat. 25.11 12. neither will preaching nor prophesying Mat. 7.22 23. neither will our being calld by the name of Israel nor passing through the waters of Judah nor swearing by the name of the Lord nor calling our selves of the holy City Isai 48.1 2. do it without a real oneness with Christ which is alwayes accompaned with soundness of principle and suitableness in practice not in bare words and formes but in power and life in each performance that it may be thus with you and me it is and shall be the earnest prayer of him that is Courteous Reader one that desires to appear before men as to approve himself to the Lord and be found saithfull at his coming P.H. To all that love the Lord in sincerity and are called according to his purpose BEloved it is wonderfull to consider how far Antichrist hath darkned the Glorious and pure truthes of Jesus Christ with his vails vizards and covers so that it is hard to find out their face or form as also to restore any one truth to its primitive institution and being though God is pleased many times by an eminent hand to bring truth to light notwithstanding these false covers which do yet lye upon it as to many though much discovered by others yet when I consider where the cause of all this is not in the truth it self but in mens blindness and darkness in their understanding of it and which is yet worse it being like so to remain till the glorious Gospel of Christ shall take hold of them therefore the consideration of this should stay our spirits when we see such contendings oppositions and carnal reasonings against the clear and pure truth of God in the Scriptures and now seeing our dear Brother the Author of this Treatise hath endeavoured to bring forth his Talent in the behalf of truth in answer to those Queries wherein I judg that God hath in a good measure inabled him to give a clear answer to the satisfiing and confirming of them who are or have been apt to scruple or stagger at the truth which is here affirmed by him and owned by the Saints I judg that this light of of his should not be put under a Bushell but he brought forth to publick view so that if there be in it that which may give satisfaction to one it may be usefull the rather when I consider what necessity there is of it in other places where the words of such kinde of persons are like the words of Hymeneus and Philetus which will eat as doth a Cancer this is the ground of his so appearing in a publick way yet what room and entertainment it may have or meet withall among the sons of men I know not because we know that wisdome is onely justified of her children if it be so among wisdomes children it doth accomplish wisdoms end and therein we have ours Possibly it may meet with reproches and scorns either in respect of its dress and habit it appears in which was minded to the Author but could not well be avoyded it being the onely suitable way to him to make out his mind in namely Syllogisms and the rather because Haggers book which he answers runs in the same strain or in relation to the Author against whom some may be ready to cavil and so slight and undervalue the truth possibly conceiving him to have been formerly dead if not twice dead as to such appearances yet not pluckt up by the roots I know it may seem strange to many that he should now appeare in the house of God the strangeness of which hath been beheld as much by me as by any and wee have been ready to wonder at the admirable rich grace patience and long-suffering of God towards him who formerly walked in notions and pretences of spirituality though in wantonness against Christ Were it not that the Lord is mercifull because he delighteth to be mercifull we had not known how or where to have centered our judgments and understandings concerning him in that condition yet knowing there is no difference where God makes none I cannot but be satisfied the rather I being an eye witness of the Authors great alteration and change not onely in reference to a gratious frame of heart and a close walking with God daily but also in respect of those his many principles as to notions which were imbraced by him and I fear too much by many now to the turning of their minds aside from the simplicity of the Gospel and the truth as it is in Iesus if the truth here affirmed shall take place in any hearts to the securing of their judgments and keeping their consciences free from error and pollution we wish the Lord may have the praise and we shall have cause therein to reioyce Friends I judg that now things will no longer go upon trust as formerly the truthes of God have too much gone upon the leggs of humane testimony now therefore it is our desire it may go upon tryal Gold loseth nothing by its tryal but its nature is discovered more excellent to the Law and to the testimony there must be a day of fining and trying Gold must appear to be Gold and Dross to be Dross it will no longer pass for current with god though it doth with men therefore it behoveth all the people of God to have their loynes girt about with truth this is all at present I shall say either in behalf of the Author or matter or persons to whom it is to be tendered and so shall desire daily to pray for your furtherance in the Gospel labouring while I am in this tabernacle on this side glory to approve my self in the sight of God Your unworthy yet faithfull Companion through grace in Gospel-service Tho Gower DEar Friend I received fourteen Queries from you destring my judgment about the Death of CHRIST the ability of the Creature and the Justice of God relating to the Condemnation of the Creature c. and with them ten Absurdities which you are pleased to annex to the Queries but as for the Absurdities I shall leave them till seasonably I may answer them and come to shew you the fallacy of them onely one or two things first as to them minde First to draw Absurdities from the cross Answer of your Queries before your Queries are answered is but a fallacy Secondly the drawing Absurdities from the Answer of your Queries or what you judg will be the Answer doth shew that you do not propound Queries to be informed because you conclude your Answer before you propound them or elseyour Absurdities be but the fruit of fancy the truth of which will