Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	bear_v	ghost_n	holy_a	9,059	5	5.3927	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64451	A testimony concerning the life, death, trials, travels and labours of Edward Burroughs that worthy prophet of the Lord who dyed a prisoner for the testimony of Jesus, and the word of God, in the city of London, the 14th of the 12th month, 1662 / [by] F.H.	Howgill, Francis, 1618-1669.; Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723.; Coale, Josiah, 1632?-1668.; Fox, George, 1624-1691.	1662 (1662)	Wing T809; ESTC R34657	20,023	27

generation Howbeit after all this and much more which time would fail me to write of neither is the purpose of my spirit bent that way at this time we did come through very great tribulations extream distresses great perplexity and passed out oftentimes hungry and hard put to it both within and without yet such wa● our love to the Lord and such fervency in our he●rts that we rather chused to dye and to undergo every difficulty than to dishonor or deny the Name of Christ in the midst of suffering because of that taste that we had of his goodness and immortal life revealed in our hearts this young man of whom I am speaking had his share though but a youth at that time of 16. or 17. years of age because of the Truth which crossed all the Worlds way his nearest Relations even his own Parents cast him off as an Alien and turned him out from their House as not to have any part or portion therein as a son nay not so much as a hired servant which this young man bore very patiently without murmuring or complaining having a taste of that then which was better than all the World and through conversing with his people and among them the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding entered into his heart and the spirit of knowledge and sound judgment came to be seated in his reins and the Spirit of Prophesie came upon him like as it did upon many more through the Holy Ghosts power and operation and he spake of the wonderful things of God amongst them that believed and was one of the first among us which the Lord opened the mouth of to shew forth his praise and to speak of the things of his Kingdom to as many as he met with who waited for the consolation of Israel for the riches of the Gentiles and to as many as desired and hoped after eternal life At last the Lord singled him out commanded him to go forth into Countreys unknown to him as he did some more besides upon whom he laid a necessity to preach the Gospel freely without money without price without tythes augmentations gifts or rewards and in that he was as faithful a man none exceeding him in his generation for those things were an abhorrency to his heart where he met with any such hireling Shepherds deceitful workers which had gull'd the Nations and cheated the people for dishonest gain and kept them in blindness the indignation of the Lord was kindled in his heart and the sword of the Lord was very sharp in his hand and whomsoever he met with which walked after this sort they were sure to feel the weight of his Weapon and the force of his blow by which many have been deeply wounded that they have grinned like Dogs on him as greedy Dogs indeed because of their present wound blow that he did give them and though he was but young in years yet he was full of fortitude and true valour The Lord often times when he exercised him in such War as this hath filled his Qui●er full of polished shafts and made his Bow to abide in strength and he was as dextrous and as ready handed as any that I knew in his day against the Dragon and his Power against the Beast and his followers and indeed he was very even-handed and had a special good arm and seldome mist the Mark God had fill'd his mouth with arguments so that he hath often made a breach a breach in the face of an Host. And it was my lot which I cannot but say fell in a good ground to be his companion and fellow-labourer in ●he Work of the Gospel whereunto we were called for many years together And oh when I consider my heart is broken how sweetly we walked together for many Months Years in which we had perfect knowledg of one anothers hearts perfect unity of spitri not so much as one cross word or one hard thought of discontent ever rose I believe in either of our hearts fo● 10 years together but our souls were bound up in unity and peace having the frame of our hearts bent after one and the self same thing to wit the propagation of that Truth by which liberty was obtained and salvation received through Jesus Christ the true Light of the World seeing through his Light ●he whole World to lye in wickedness a necessity laid upon this person of whom I am speaking being constrained by the Spirit of the Lord by which he was made an able Minister of the everlasting Gospel to preach repentance conversion salvation and remission of sins and accordingly he went forth in ●he Name and Power of the Lord Jesus the Saviour of mankind and was an able Minister of the glad tydings of salvation in many or most parts of this Land and also he travelled thorow again and again the whole Nation of Ireland and in some part of Scotland and some part of Flanders and his Ministry ●as made effectual through the Almighty Power of God in turning many from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God there are many thousands who are living in the body and alive in the Truth who can in the Spirit of the Lord bear testimony to the power and verity of his Ministry in many Countreys where he travelled for he laboured much in divers places even in the heat of the day though he began early in the morning and in the beginning of his travels and labours it was his share to break up rough places and un●illed ground to walk amongst many bryars and thorns which scratched and pricked and teared and travelled with some other not without great opposition and he often trod the pathes and wayes which had not been occupied in the Truth and where darkness had the Dominion and was as a covering he brake through as an armed man not minding the opposition but the victory and the good of all souls though to my knowledg his sufferings and trya●s hath not been small nor his exercise a little on the right hand and on the left in travels often often times buffered sometimes knocked down by unreasonable men who had not faith loaded with lyes slanders calumnies and reproaches often in weakness yea in deaths often in watchings fastings and temptations often in straits and necessities in perils among rude multitudes in perils in Idol-Temples in perils in Streets and Markets where the Lord did move him often to go in the beginning of his time besides the exceeding weight of service from Weeks end to Weeks end in so much that he had seldome many hours of repose and of●en suffered by those spirits who lost their first love and rose in opposition He was very diligent and faithful true-hearted and valiant and the yoke at last came to be easie unto him though no ease at all in the body as to the outward man for he made the

appertaining to God in matters of Religion and Worship against the persecution and compulsion which had its Original ●nd Rise from the Power of the Beast which hath made war against the righteous seed that men might be left free to the guidance of the infallible Spirit of God which is not to be limited in these matters and not be compelled nor brought under the corrupt wills of men nor their fallible judgements nor invented forms in these cases And the Name of this Mini●●er of Righteousness is written in the L●mbs Book of Life and all the Enemies of his Life can never be able to blot it ou● nor extinguish his memorial Oh! the remembrance of his integrity uprightness and sincerity hath deep impression upon my heart that tender love and affection in God's Truth which he was filled with towards all the upright who are lovers of peace unity in the Lord is never to be forgotten by u● who are yet remaining in the Work of the Lord and the everlasting Gospel for which he hath left a glorious Testimony the glory of which shall never be extinguished but thousands shall praise the Lord our God because thereof yea even the Seed that 's yet in the lower parts of the Earth where darkness covers it and the child that 's yet unborn in many that 's curiously framed in the Mothers Womb w●ose Members are written in the Book of God shall glorifie the Lord on his behalf And this testimony many have already concerning him that though his Body be dead his Spirit liveth in the immortality of that Life that is immutable and shall never dye nor wax old and is felt among the righteous who walk in their integrity and constancy to the Lord. And this faithful servant of the Lord and valiant Souldier of the Lamb as in his day was evidently apparent as to live to him was Christ to dye was gain And though in his time many were the sufferings and aff●ictions which his life went under and his upright spirit suffered by both from his open enemies and persecutors in the World because of the valour and courage for the Truth of God and from deceitful and transforming exalted spirits which burthen the holy Seed but now his Life is caught up above them all and is out of their reach in the transcendent and unspeakable glory in the everlasting habitation and firmament of God's Power where he hath shined and doth shine among the Stars that have kept their habitations as one that hath turned many to righteousness and that hath overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of his Testimony with those holy Prophets and Martyrs who rejoice over Babylon and her abominations in whom their blood is found and against whom he was a faithful Witness and valiant Warrier whose living and absolute Testimony therein God hath blessed made prosperous and wil fulfil to the uttermost And though he be ceased from his labours his Works do follow him which wil be had in living remembrance and precious esteem among the upright when his persecutors shall be broken and laid low in the desolation and ruine of Babylon and all that continue in enmity and deceit and all the deceitful spirits that have burthened his righteous soul shall fall and their blossome wither and come to nought And if any of his persecutors or oppressors be yet so impenitent and obdurate as to triumph and be elevated in an exalted or prejudiced spirit because of his death and in their exaltation and pride of heart say he was taken away in judgment or in wrath To such in Gods fear I answer That thousands of the servants of the Lord are of another perswasion not questioning but it was in Gods tender love as to his own particular that he was removed out of the Earthen Vessel in which he though a man as in the prime of his years endured great travel in his time for the Truth 's sake and the gathering of many into the way of the Lord and in which his travel was the greater when the time of his dissolution drew near to be dissolved because of his suffering and the extremity of his sicknesse occasioned thereby which many others were partakers of who suffered persecution and imprisonment by unreasonable men in this City of London for the cause of God and of a good Conscience as chi●fly for their meeting together fingly in the Worship of God But this I testifie in the Lord as in him I have felt that his being removed was in judgement from the Lord against his persecutors who desired and sought his destruction and what they have done against him hath greatly added to the fulfilling of their iniquities that the blood of the righteous which cryes for vengeance may be avenged to the utmost upon them who would not suffer the righteous to have a being amongst men nor lay to heart their being taken away from the evil to come And they who in a byassed or prejudiced spirit of enmity are lifted up because of his decease they were not worthy of him nor of his Testimony and they have cause to mourn and lament amongst those that have pierced the just and slighted and despised the Messengers of Truth and Righteousnesse whom God hath therein honored and God will debase such and their vain glory unto the dust and exalt the testimony and life of his faithful Witnesses over all their heads But we who have been well acquainted with the deep suffering of the righteous Seed and with the worth of true unity in the weighty body and spirit of Christ and therein do behold the glory and compleatnesse of the City of our God which is at peace within it self cannot but prize the Ministers of Righteousnesse and every Member of the same Body and oh how blessed and precious is the memorial of the righteous in our eyes And how deeply is my soul affected with that comfortable communion and those many and living refreshments that we have enjoyed one with another even with him and others who have finished their course Well however in this I am satisfied that though we be left in travel and our days have been days of affliction and suffering for Christ and the gospels sake as in the World yet in him whom the Prince of this World hath nothing in we have peace being come into communion with the Spirits of just men who are the Family of God written in Heaven and called by one name both in Heaven and Earth and the God of Life is their portion and his glory is the Rereward of his called and chosen and faithful ones who have dealt their Bread to the hungry and brought the poor to their House even to the habitation of the righteous where the living Bread is received and the Heavenly Mansions lived in and enjoyed by all who abide in the Truth and retain their first Love and habitation therein in which true fellowship is enjoyed and the prosperity of the

herein you could never do as you have done Wherefore consider these things and lay them to heart and repent speedily lest you sin your day away and place of repentance there cannot be found For this I tell you plainly that it is in vain for you to strive against the Lord or to seek to stop or hinder his work which he hath begun for he will be too strong for you and he will make you bow and bend to his own Name and Power whether you will or no. And though he bear with you long and suffer you long yet his long-suffering wil come to an end and though you should be permitted to fulfil your envious wills and lustful desires so fa● as to banish or kill or destroy us from off the earth yea all of us who are now in being which I do not believe ever shall be yet would God raise up another people by the same power and spirit in and by which we stand which should be a terror unto you and should possess God's everlasting Kingdom which is not of this World over your heads And in the time of his outward weakness he was heard to say That though this body of Clay must return to the dust yet I have this Testimony that I have served God in my generation an● that spirit which hath lived and acted and ruled in me shall yet break forth in thousands and my faith is That it shall be indeed even so for we have found him a true Prophet amongst us and ●o the Nations And this also near his departure he was heard to desire of the Lord That if it were possible to forgive Brown c. And so let all Friends be encouraged to wait upon the Lord in the feeling of the same Spirit that was in him which we know is the Saints Comforter that thereby you may be carried through all tribulations and persecutions with chearfulness that in the end you may all receive the Crown of everlasting righteousness with him and the rest of the Saints of the most high God and holy Prophets and Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ And so the Lord God Almighty of Heaven and Earth be with you all and keep you all in faithfulness unto the end Amen MY Brother dear the Lord hath call'd away That in this World he should no longer stay Who was to many an Instrument of good While in the body in God's great Power he stood For many were from darkness by him turned Unto the Light in which they were confirmed By the Power and Doctrine which to them was preached By him through which God's true Witness was reached In their dark hearts where Satan long had reigned Over whom through God's great power Victory 's gained He was a valiant Souldier of the Lamb And faithful to the Lord did always stand Till with his Life he seal'd his Testimony A London-Prisoner as it 's known to many But now in peace with God he is sate down And hath with Christ an everlasting Crown Of Immortality Life and lasting joy Which never shall from him be took away He was intrusted with the hidden treasure In a large and in an abundant measure Which he dispensed to the Lambs of God But to the wicked he was a Scourge and Rod. He fed the Babes and Children with the Word Which to the Wicked was a piercing sword Before him stil God's Enemies did fall He never turn'd his back to them at all But now he hath thus finished his course With joy and peace yet 's Life we do not lose For oh dear Brother thy Life I stil do feel Remaining with me else I could not wel Remain behind thee with true satisfaction Because 't would turn upon me with reflexion For truly can I say My heart is fill'd With sorrow great and grief is not expell'd For oh the sence of my dear brother's Love Remains upon me and shall never move But herein is my soul greatly refreshed That thy good savour and thy Name is blessed And shall remain in ages yet to come When visibles standing now is past and gone But oh my brother dear Why soul did love Thy Life which not●ing was nor is above For all t●ings it transcended as to me In my esteem there 's nothing like't can be Because it stood in that Eternity Which always wil remain and never dye And Ages yet to come shall tast thereof And call thee blest in whom it was brought forth He was a man in whom Gods Power reigned Through Faith in which he a great Vict'ry gained Over Death and Hell the Grave and Power of sin And all things that were centered therein He was a man in whom the fulness dwelt Of Grace and Virtue was by many felt To live in him and speak in Gods great power And he descended as a sweet plenteous shower Which did refresh the Garden of the Lord The Plants that met together with one ●●cord On God to wait refreshment to receive And afterward in love to take their leave He was a man that was upright in heart Towards God and man and hated all deceit And what he was to God there 's few do●h know Neither can my Tongue or Pen declare or show But this I say He was ● men of God And in the Light of Righteousness he stood What might I say of this my precious Friend My soul lov'd him entirely to the end And stil his Life is felt amongst the Lambs Who in the Light and Power of God doth stand Here he is read here he is felt and known Amongst the faithful who with him are one His savour's good my Life 's therewith refresht His Name is now and ever shall be blest And now my brethren dear and sisters all In this be you refresht both great and small Although our brother outwardly be gone Yet hath not God the Lord left us alone For his Almighty Power is with us stil Which in the Light of Life you all may feel To your refreshment and eternal joy Which no man in this World can take away Here is our peace herein our joy lasts stil In which my love is to you all Farwel And this is my Testimony for that man of God who hath been a blessing to the Lord in his generation and also to this Nation And in this I have eased my Spirit and am clear in my Conscience in the sight of God having done that which was my duty to do Josiah Coale A Testimony of G. F. concerning E.B. HIs Name is Chronicled in the Book of Life a righteous plant pure chaste clean Who can tax him for oppressing them or burdening them or being chargeable to them who through the sufferings hath finished his course and testimony who is now crowned with the Crown of Life and reigns with the Lord Christ for ever and ever And in his Ministry in his life-time he went through sufferings by bad spirits who never turned his back on the Truth nor his back from any out of the Truth a valiant Warrior more then a Conqueror who hath got the Crown through death and sufferings who is dead but yet liveth amongst us and amongst us is alive G. F. The End