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	son_n	witness_n	5,359	5	7.9501	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49466	Remedy against trouble in a discourse on John XIV, 1 : wherein something is also briefly attempted for clearing the nature of faith, of justification, of the covenant of grace, assurance, the witness, seal and earnest of the spirit, and preparation for conversion, or the necessity of holiness / by H. Lukin.	Lukin, H. (Henry), 1628-1719.	1694 (1694)	Wing L3481; ESTC R13639	76,819	257

working of fancy but it must be imputed to God's immediate support putting Gladness into their hearts Ps 4.7 shedding abroad his love in their hearts by the Holy Ghost given to them Rom. 5 5. But to suppose this to be God's ordinay way of dealing with his People and to allow them no Assurance but what God gives them in such an immediate way would leave many humble serious Christians that dare not boast of what God hath not wrought in them under perpetual doubts and fears And because many are ready to think that what the Scripture speaks about the witness of the Spirit the seal of the Spirit and the earnest of the Spirit do imply some immediate way of the Spirit communicating himself to Christians I will endeavour to shew you what may be the true and proper import of such Expressions As for that the Spirit 's witnessing with our spirits or to our spirits that we are the Children of God Rom. 8.16 supposing what I before said about his immediate Comforts in extraordinary Tryals and Temptations which seems to be the state of Christians at that time the Spirit may ordinarily be said to witness with our spirit or to our spirit 1st With our spirit and for the clearing of this we must consider that whatever is written in Scripture is the Testimony of the Spirit he doth therein testify 1 Pet. 1.11 and it is said particularly that the Holy Ghost is a witness to us of the perfection of Christ's Sacrafice and this he is in the Scripture Heb. 10.15 or what he hath there testified as is evident from the words following Now it no where saith in Scripture that this or that person is the Son of God our Names may be written in Heaven but not in the Scripture so it is said to testify of Christ but not by Name but describing him by his works which verse 36. are said to testify of him or to bear witness that his Father had sent him Joh. 3.39 these put together the testimony of the Scripture and his own works did witness that he was the Messiah Thus the Spirit of God witnesses in general who are the Sons of God giving Characters whereby they may be known as walking after the Spirit loving the Brethren c. This we know by the Spirit of God speaking in the word but that we do these things we know by our own spirits which we must appeal to and examine about it this being the Candle of the Lord which searches the hidden parts of the belly Prov. 20.27 2 Cor. 1.12 that is our most secret thoughts and the witness thereof is the testimony of our Consciences therefore if we would have the witness of the Spirit we must see in the Scripture what that witnesses about those that shall be saved and then consult our own spirits and if we find those things in our selves that do accompany Salvation the Conclusion follows that we shall be saved But further it may be said to witness to or with our spirits as it witnesses in its effects which the Spirit it self may be properly said to do things are said to witness in Scripture when they are a real proof of any thing as the rust of Silver and Gold witnesseth against the owners So mens wickedness saith or testifies Jam. 5.3 Psal 36.1 that they have no fear of God before their Eyes So persons are said to testify or bear witness by their Works as the Holy Ghost is a witness of Christ's Exaltation by the Miracles which he wrought Act. 5.32 and God did bear the Apostles witness both with signs and wonders and divers gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 2.4 and thus the Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are the Children of God Ezek. 36.27 by that filial frame or Spirit of Adoption which he puts in us And by bringing forth in us the fruits of the Spirit Gal. 1.16 she reveals his Son in us We knowing that he abides in us 1 Jo. 3.24 by the Spirit which he hath given us I will now proceed to speak of the sealing of the Spirit and I desire this may be observed that whenever the Scripture speaks thereof it doth not speak of the Covenant or of our Salvation being sealed to us but of our being sealed 2 Cor. 1.22 Eph. 1.13.4.30 Now we must know that a Seal is not a Natural but an Instituted Sign and it being a particular mark belonging to some person it signifies his ratifying or confirming any thing that it is applied to And Seals were used in three Cases 1st For the confirming of Writings being an Evidence of a man's consent to what he hath set his Seal to Esth 3 12. Jer. 32.10 Dan. 6.17 2dly It is for keeping a thing sure as the Lyons Den and Christ's Sepulchre not by force Wax is not proper for that but for securing it so as none can meddle with it but it will be known 3dly It was used for marking things that they might be known to whom they did belong and to distinguish them from other mens and they did not only mark things or Goods but Persons We read in Heathen Authors as Plutarch in Nicias that they did sometimes mark their Captives or Servants in the Forehead And hence probably the Scripture speaks so oft of Marking and Sealing the Servants of God Ezek. 9.4 Rev. 7.3 4.9.4 Rev. 13.16 Ps 4.3 so the Beast is said to mark those that did enjoy any privileges under him Thus when God doth set apart any for himself as David expresses it he seals them or marks them for his own And as the Emperors had not only their Superscription but their Image impressed on their Coin Matth. 22.20 Col. 3.10 so God impresses his own Image on his People or renews them after his own Image And if it be said That they were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise after they believed as if it were not the Impression of the Image of God upon us at our first Conversion but some work of the Spirit afterwards I answer Those that make this sealing to be the confirming or assuring our Justification and Salvation to us suppose it is done at our first believing in the direct Act of Faith So if they make this Objection let them Answer it themselves I add that this is not an Act finished in a moment as a Seal may be set upon Wax but a Progressive Work and the Impression is made clear and deeper by degrees We being changed into his image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 And lastly The Greeks take much liberty in the change of their Tenses and there is the same Tense used here which is used where it is said Mark 16.16 he that believes shall be saved I will now add something briefly about the earnest of the Spirit which the Scripture speaks sometimes of 2 Cor. 1.22 Chap. 5.5 Eph. 1.14 By the

concerning others hereby or to a judgment of certainty concerning our selves Now in answer to these things I say first That however Christians or Christian Graces may be described in their own nature and as they should be yet when we consider them as they are ordinarily found there is an allowance to be made for human frailty as Hezekiah prays that God would pardon every one that prepared his heart to seek him tho he were not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary that is if they had endeavoured to bring their hearts into a right frame tho they did not reach to that purity which was in strictness required 2 Chron. 30.18 19. He may indeed speak there of legal or ritual Purification but that was strictly enjoined then There are indeed several sorts of persons that plead for Perfection but none of them for absolute Perfection as necessary to Salvation Grace must be sincere and of the right kind tho it may not reach to that degree which is our duty for if perfection were not our duty our imperfections were no sins Gold must hold at the touchstone though it may not hold at the balance without some grains of allowance If we will deal plainly and faithfully with our own hearts we may appeal to God for the sincerity of our love to our brethren as Peter did for the sincerity of his love to Christ Jo. 21.17 Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee And if our hearts condemn us not 1 Jo. 3.21 we may have confidence towards God 2dly Brethren may deal unkindly with each other when they meet in the dark or when they meet with each other in disguise that is through ignorance Christians may mistake their brethren or those that are their brethren may sometimes appear unlike themselves But where it is true love it is not to those of our own way or opinion only it is not proportionable to what they resemble us in but according to their measure of Holiness wherein they are like to God where love is right Christians love others more that are eminent in Grace and Holiness tho differing in their judgments from us than those that are of our mind and way in some things of less importance but more defective in the more essential parts of Religion 3dly There may be differences among Christians where there is a sincere love to each other and the more zeal they have for the Truth and the Service of God the greater their differences may be As differences may sometimes happen in Families betwixt persons that have an entire Affection to each other and these differences being about things that do nearly concern their Family as about the government and management of their Children the greater their Affection is towards their Children or care for them the warmer are their debates about them Thus it happens among Christians that cannot be of one mind in things pertaining to the Honour and Service of God the greater their zeal is the greater are their differences and however Christian prudence and meekness should make us forbear each other in love yet that perfection is not found among Christians as always to make them carry it with due Calmness Tenderness and Moderation to each other We have an Example in Paul and Barnabas two excellent Persons and dear Companions in Labours and Sufferings for Christ yet they were exasperated so against each other that they parted and went several ways tho the thing which they parted about seems to be of no great moment Act. 1● 36. c. I may not stand to examine particular objections which they make against other evidences of saving Grace But consider what provision they make for the satisfying of Christians concerning their Spiritual state The Apostle's power was given him not for destruction 2 Cor. 13.10 but for edification We should at least if we destroy the foundations on which Christians build their hopes and comfort teach them whereon they should build them Now for this they send them to that Spirit which is so oft called the Comforter who doth as they suppose speak particularly in the heart of a Believer Son be of good chear thy sins are forgiven thee and when the Spirit saith this to the Soul this silences all objections which did before disturb and disquiet it I know God can when he pleases satisfy the Soul so as there shall no doubt remain to trouble our spirits but tho he that is awake may know certainly that he is so and that he is not in a Dream yet he that is in a dream may verily think that he is awake So he that hath the witness of the Spirit may certainly know that it is no delusion but he that is under a delusion may verily think that he hath the testimony of the Spirit Therefore that we may not mistake in this matter they say the Spirit of God never speaks to the heart of any believer but it speaks according to the word of Grace revealed and so I believe But I know not well how to reconcile it to what was before objected against our inferring our Justification from our Love to the Brethren For if we cannot find in our selves that Love which the Apostle speaks of 1 Cor. 13.3 all is nothing without it therefore it is hard to receive any Testimony concerning our Spiritual estate where we have not ground to believe that we have this Love in us notwithstanding the many properties of it which are there added Far be it from me to derogate from the work of the Spirit in satisfying and comforting troubled Souls whose comforts are my greatest hope in the time of trouble and at the hour of death I am not of those that the Philosopher speaks of that measure Vertue by themselves and think none attain to that which themselves have not attained to therefore will not deny any such way of Assurance as I have not had experience of I desire without the offence of those in comparison with whom I think of my self as the Spies did when they saw the Giants Numb 13.33 to speak my mind in this matter after long search and often renewed thoughts I question not but God can speak or communicate himself to our spirits as Angels do to each other yea I am fully satisfied that he doth thus speak Peace to his people at the hour of death or before or after some great Conflict or Temptation as those may know that have either conversed with serious experienced Christians or but read the Lives and Deaths of Martyrs or sufferers for Christ Such may observe what sudden transports of joy eminent Christians have sometimes had which have not been the effect of more strict Tryal and Examination of their Spiritual Estate by the Word of God which they have not had freedom and presence of mind for under such Fears Pains Bodily-weakness as they have laboured under much less from any briskness of spirits or

I would help Christians in Again you may observe a difference betwixt Persons that are nice and neat in their Nature and Temper and those that take care only to make a good shew The former would not only appear neat outwardly but they are uneasy if they have any thing about them which is not neat and cleanly Again tho they may think themselves more obliged to go according to their Rank when they are Abroad or in Company yet you shall never surprize them in any sordid or unhandsome Dress The latter care not what they wear so they have something that is fine to cast over all Their Natures will bear sordidness and nastiness if they can hide it and if they can appear Fine abroad care not what they wear at home So sincere Christians take heed to their spirits Matth. 2.15 Psalm 51.10 and pray daily that God would create in them a clean heart and renew in them a right spirit Their secret sins are a trouble and burden to them Psalm 19.12 They would especially let their light shine so before men that seeing their good works they may glorify their father which is in heaven Matth. 5.16 But yet they will walk in the midst of their Houses with a perfect heart carry themselves amongst Servants and Children as remembring that they are under the eye of God and should be Examples of Holiness to those under their own Charge Psal 101.2 Matth. 23.27 Luke 11.44 Whereas others are like painted Tombs and whited Sepulchres which within are full of rottenness and dead mens bones So they put on their best Dress when they go out that they may make a fair shew before others but surprize them at home when they do not study their Carriage and they are quite other manner of Persons and care not how they appear in their own Families before their Servants and Children Again We may observe That some Persons have Tertian or Quartan Agues on the intermitting days they are ordinarily as well as other Persons but we must not therefore conclude when we see them wdl that they have lost their Ague or are cured for when the Fit-day comes they are as bad again as ever yet he that is cured may once in a long time perhaps on occasion if he have some way neglected or disorder'd himself have some remembrance of his Ague as we speak in a Fit and away So in this case we sometimes see Persons abstain from Sin and carry themselves very well for some time together but this is only an Intermission they have been kept from Temptations or Occasions of Sin but when they meet with an Occasion or Temptation they are the same Persons that they were and so toties quoties as we say as oft as they meet with occasion they fall again into Sin these are not cured but those that are freed from their Disease may perhaps at some time be overtaken with Sin and we cannot determine how oft but if the general tenor of their Lives be as becomes the Gospel tho they do Sin 1 John 2.1 they have an Advocate with the Father CHAP. VII I Will now shew you some Characters whereby you may make some Judgment of your Spiritual State And amongst many which others lay down I shall insist only on some few which are most easy to be discerned in our selves I never study to speak I will not say all that may be said but all that I can say on any Subject remembring that of the Orator Dictis est electio modus for tho I reckon not my self among Learned men yet I would follow them at a distance And 1. Observe what it is that you are chiefly guided by in the general course of your Life What we chiefly mind doth influence us in all the passages of our Lives And they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh and they that are after the spirit Rom. 8.5 the things of the spirit That is those in a Natural state chiefly mind that is savour and relish set their affections on are taken up in the pursuit of carnal things The same word is used Matth. 16.23 Phil. 3.19 John 3.5 Rom. 8.1 Col. 3.2 So those that are born of the spirit walk after the spirit are led by the Spirit Savour and Relish set their Affections on seek after Spiritual things Now let us examine what it is that doth chiefly influence us in the several turnings of our lives We consider what will stand with what will chiefly further that which is our great concernment not what should be so but what we really make so In chusing Callings or Imployments Relations Places of abode let us consider what we look chiefly at what sways us most therein whether we chuse such a Calling or way of Life which will most advance us in the World wherein we are most like to get great Estates to live at Ease in Pleasure or whether in our choice we consider rather what will most help us or least hinder us in the way to Heaven where we are like to meet with fewest Temptations I deny not but we may consider how to live so as we may be in a capacity to give rather than to receive Acts 20.35 1 Thes 4.12 That we may walk honestly towards them that are without having lack of nothing but may pay every one their own and be burdensome to none But that which we should and shall seek in the first place if our hearts be right within us is the kingdom of God and his righteousness Matth. 6.33 Not for worldly advantage chusing for our selves or ours such Imployments or Callings as may take up our time so as we cannot wait upon the Lord without distraction 1 Cor. 7.35 or which may cast us upon Temptations to excess man-pleasing or other like Sins which may deprive us of the benefit of the Ordinances of God and force us to live amongst Idolaters or Heathens If any say some must follow such Callings leave them to such as mind earthly things and govern themselves thereby So it is in chusing Relations Let Persons deal plainly and faithfully with themselves and they may know what it is that makes Matches for them by their choice therein We may see to allude to the words of Joshua whom they chuse to serve Joshua 24.15 Whether their God is their Belly and they chuse to live at Ease and in Pleasure whether they be covetous Idolaters and look chiefly after great Estates whether they do as those that chuse chief rooms at feasts Luke 14.7 Crowding to get as high as they can to get as near as may be towards the upper end of the World I allow it to be not only lawful but prudent for Persons so far as they can to match within their own Rank But as our Saviour saith in another case These things ought ye to have done Matth. 23.23 and not to leave the others