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A16506 The true vvay of a Christian, to the nevv Ierusalem Or, a three-folde demonstration: first, of the excellencie of the true and sauing knowledge of Christ; and the meanes to attaine it: with the antiquitie, necesitie, and benefit of catechisme. Secondly, of our vnion and communion with Christ, and his Church. Thirdly, of our new creation in Christ, by the blessed Spirit. With diuers questions, and cases of conscience, most comfortable for a Christian. Deliuered first in briefe, in a sermon preached at Paules-Crosse, the first Sunday in the new yeere, 1617. And newly reuised and enlarged by Immanuel Bourne ... Bourne, Immanuel, 1590-1672. 1622 (1622) STC 3419; ESTC S106545 102,817 130

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needle in a sunne-dyall looketh two wayes not onely forwards to my Text but backwards to the occasion in the verse before which is the ground from which my text is inferred and vpon which the whole frame is builded Occasion Beza annotat Gualterus Cornelius Cornelij a lapide S. Ch●ysost Vatabl. S. August lib. 9 contra Faust ca● 7 C●rnelius a lapide Henceforth saith the Apostle know we no man after the flesh that is we esteeme or approoue of no man that liueth carnally according to the corruptions of the flesh or according to the carnall observations and ceremonies of the old Lawe because we know that Christ is the end and fulfilling thereof Or we esteeme not carnall things nor of men according to these be they neuer so profitable or pleasurable riches beauty friends kindred or the like Our iudgements now are spirituall nor carnall as they were yea though wee haue knowne Christ after the flesh that is after a carnall manner glorying in him as our kinsman according to the flesh Chrysostom Theod. Synodus 7. General Act. 6. being of the same nation and stocke-with vs or esteeming of him but as of a mortall man subiect to infirmities yet now know we him so no more but spiritually as the Sonne of God and Sauior of the world and the reason is because we are changed our knowledge is changed and we are become new men in Christ So that hence doth appeare the excellency of the true knowledge of Christ The excellency of the true knowledge of Christ from whence the Apostle inferres our new creation Because ordinarily amongst other causes the true knowledge of Christ is a speciall cause and meanes thereof For our new creation is a fruit of faith God saith Peter put no difference betweene vs and them speaking of the Iewes and Gentiles which beleeued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 purifying or regenerating their hearts by faith Act. 15.9 And so the word is vsed by Saint Paul Ephes 5.26 Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cleansing purifying or regenerating with the washing of water by the word this learned Zanchius Zanchius in Ephes cap. 5.26 Calvinus Institutionū lib. 3. cap. 3. Vtrumque fide consequamu● vita scil novitatem reconciliationem gratuitam neque tamen quū resipiscentiae originem ad fidem referimus ●patium aliquod temporis somniamus quo ipsam partutiat c. cōfirmeth interpeting the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of our regeneration in his Cōmentaries vpon that Text indicious Calvin is a second witnesse to confirme this truth rightly averring that regeneration is a fruite of faith that we obtaine it by faith the spirit of God working by faith in our hearts that faith is before it in order not in time as he explaineth himselfe in the third booke of his Institutions chapter the third Now faith cannot be without knowledge How shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard Rom. 10.14 And therefore much lesse regeneration which is the the companion yea the fruite and effect of sauing faith Yea further as the blessed spirit himselfe is the internall efficient cause of our new birth kindling faith in vs and by the blood of Iesus apprehended and applyed by faith purging and washing our consciences from dead workes and framing in vs that image of Christ in the inner man as Saint Paul affirmes Titus 3. 5. so are the Sacraments also as Saint Peter 1. Pet. 3.21 Yea and the word of God and true knowledge thereof For we are borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for euer 1. Pet. 1.23 As the Poets feigned of Medusaes head Hesiod Ovid. Metam 4 Aug. lib. 18. de Civit. Dei cap. 13. Diodorus lib. 4. that it was of power to turne the beholders into snakes so much more true is it of the true knowledge of Christ reveiled in the word it is a powerfull meanes by the operation of the Spirit to metamorphize our natural deformitie to change our corrupt affections and to raise vs from the death of sinne to the life of righteousnesse Therefore our Sauiour calles this knowledge life yea and life eternall Iohn 17.3 This is life eternal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they know thee the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ That is this is the meanes and onely ordinary means to obtain happines For there is no other name vnder heauen by which we can be saued Acts 4.12 It is the name the faith and the true knowledge of Christ that bringeth that life vnto vs. Via ad Deum est Scientia saith Hugo Hugo de instructione nouitiorum The way to God is by knowledge by knowledge we passe to holy discipline by holy discipline to heauenly goodnesse by heauenly goodnesse to eternall blessednesse for euermore And Saint Bernard S. Bernard de ordine vitae well obserues that vntill a man by faith do know his Creator ignorance the mother of all vices possesseth his soule and thereupon he noteth a twofold knowledge necessary to saluation The first is the knowledge of God the second the knowledge of thy selfe Because as from the knowledge of thy selfe there proceedeth a feare of the maiestie of God and from the knowledge of God a loue of him who is the chiefest good so from the ignorance of thy selfe there springs forth pride and from the ignorance of God there floweth desperation And what Saint Bernard attributes to the ignorance and knowledge of God in generall is true also of the ignorance or knowledg of Christ in particular from the true knowledge of Christ there proceeds a loue of Christ yea a reciprocall loue not only of thee to Christ but of Christ to thee and from the ignorance of Christ desperation destroyeth the soule Si Christum benè scis nihil est si caetera nescis Si Christum nescis nihil est si caetera discis If thou knowest Christ aright it is nothing though thou bee ignorant of all things else And if thou be ignorant of Christ all other knowledge is nothing auailable to attaine thy wished felicitie Wouldest thou walke the way to heauen Christ is the way by which thou maiest walke in safety Wouldest thou not be deceiued in thy iourney Christ is the truth to guide thee Wouldest thou not faint or dye in thy way Christ is the life to comfort and strengthen thee to life euerlasting as Saint Augustine sweetly vpon those words of our Sauiour Ioh. 14.6 August in Ioh. cap. 14.6 And thus likewise Saint Ambrose Ambr. lib. de virginitate excellently in his booke of Virginity If thou desirest to cure the wounds of thy soule Christ is the Physitian that can heale thee If thou bee scorched with the burning feuer of thy sinnes Christ is that fountaine of liuing water that will refresh thee If thou bee
Christ and his Church and in these to that heauenly newnesse in and by which we must all passe through the manifold Labyrinths and dangerous temptations of our spirituall enemies from the old Iericho of this world to that new Ierusalem in the kingdome of heauen And this is the summe of all that we can teach or you can desire to learne Being therefore now by Gods prouidence to take my leaue of you my last request shall be both to you and to God for you That not onely these meditations but also all my poore endeauours may by Gods blessing so remaine with you that they may work in you all such a measure of this excellent knowledge this blessed Vnion Communion and new creation that you may haue peace that true peace of Conscience and comfort of soule for euer that the Lord of peace may giue you peace alwaies by all meanes 2 Thess 3.16 and that the gracious presence of God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy Ghost may be with you blesse preserue and keepe you all in the kingdome of Grace to the kingdome of Glory for euer And thus not ceasing to pray for you I rest From my study at Sr. Samuel Tryons in the Parish of St. Christophers April 1622. Yours and euery one of yours in Christ Iesus IMMANVEL BOVRNE A briefe Glasse wherein you may behold the principall Contents of these ensuing Meditations 1. Occasion and connexion of the text from whence is obserued 1. THE Excellencie of the true Knowledge of Christ with the nature and benefit of it 2. Wherein this true Knowledge consisteth in which is set forth the Names the Natures and Offices of Christ 3. With what kinde of Knowledge a Christian must know Christ and in that the difference of true and false Knowledge and o● true professors and hypocrites 4. Reprehension of those who teach ignorance with a lamentation for them which delight in it and in this what are the causes of so much Ignorance in the light of the Gospel first in the Hearers secondly in the Teachers 5. The want of Catechisme and necessitie of it And herein the care of the Primitiue Church to vse it the diuers orders of Christians in those times with the Industrie of religious men in all ages to plant this true and Diuine Knowledge 2. Parts of the Text. 1 Part. Branch 1. 1. Of the name and nature of man with his three-fold estate in this life 2. Of the true and false Vnion and Communion The first of the Church The second of Heretikes 2. 1. How we are in Christ and Christ in vs. 2. How we may know if we be Christians 3. 1. How our second Creation is a greater worke then our first 2. What those are who obtaine this Grace 3. What this new Creation is 4. Who is the Author of this change 5. What kinde of creatures we are new made 6. By what meanes we may attaine vnto it 7. How we may know whether we be new Creatures 8. Comforts against doubting if we want the signes Shewing the true state of a Christian in this life 9. How to know whether temptations of doubting come from God or from Satan 10. Many Cordials to answer Satans obiections concerning the weakenesse of our faith and obedience and to keepe vs from despaire 2. Part. Branch 1. 1. What old things are past away 2. What errors confuted therein and the truth confirmed 2. 1. What things are become new to a Christian 2. When this newnesse in Christ is required namely in the Canaan of Grace that by this we may come to the Ierusalem of Glory THE TRVE VVAY OF A CHRISTIAN TO THE NEW IERVSALEM OR A THREE-FOLDE DEMONSTRATION First of the Excellencie of the true and sauing knowledge of Christ and the meanes to attaine it with the Antiquitie necessitie and benefit of Catechisme Secondly of our Vnion and Communion with Christ and his Church Thirdly of our new Creation in Christ by the blessed Spirit With diuerse Questions and Cases of Conscience most comfortable for a Christian 2. Cor. 5. vers 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away Behold all things are become new DIuine and profound St. Augustine Sanct. Augustin Hipponens Epis●op circa ann Dom. 420. sicut ipse in Epist ad Isichium 80. Confess lib. 8. cap. 12. that worthy Bishop holy Father of the Church of God after many deuout prayers humble supplications and bitter teares with strong cryes of the Spirit for peace of conscience and comfort of soule in that his most terrible combate the Flesh rebelling against the Spirit the Old man against the New he receiued that diuine Oracle that voyce from heauen for so he conceiued it Tolle lege tolle lege Take vp and rea●e take vp and reade by which he was sent to the Sacred Scriptures as to a guide in distresse to a Physitian in the sickenesse of his soule while he lay groaning vnto God as it were in an agony with Quandiu quandiu cras cras Quare non modò quare non hac hora finis turpitudinis meae How long how long to morrow to morrow why not now why not in this very houre should there not be an end of my sinfull impuritie And being obedient to that heauenly counsell he tooke vp the booke of Saint Paules Epistles which he had layed downe by his friend Alipius and hauing opened it he read those words of the Apostle vpon which he first cast his eyes Not in rioting and drunkennesse Rom. 13.13 14. not in chambering and wa●●tonnesse not in strife and enuying But put yee on th● Lord Iesus Christ and make not prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lust thereof And closing the Booke againe he concludeth with this resolution as he himselfe expresseth it in that eight booke of his Confessions chapt the twelfth Nec vltra volui legere nec opus erat Neither wold I reade any further nor was it needfull for that was sufficient to mooue that good Father to deny himselfe and to follow his Sauiour to forsake the first Adam and be reformed according to the image of the second to be conuerted and become a new-man in Christ In like manner Right Honourable right Worshipfull and beloued or not much vnlike to this though not in the Oracie and heauenly vision yet in the effect and conclusion desiring at this present to finde out both for you and my selfe as a word of exhortation so a word of consolation in his time and season I opened the booke of Saint Paules Epistles and hauing found out the words of my Text I re-resolued with St. Augustine to cease from seeking Nec vltra volui legere nec opus erat neither would I reade any further nor was it needfull for this one Text is instar omnium as it were one of a thousand fitting and conuenient both for the time and persons of this Assembly First for the time for now
weake and feeble and wantest helpe Christ is that vertue and power that is able and willing to succour thee If thou fearest death Christ is the life If thou desirest heauen Christ is the way If thou be pressed downe with the burden of thy sinnes Christ is that righteousnesse that will take thy yoake of sinne vpon him Mat. 11.28 which is heauy and put his yoake of righteousnsse vpon thee which is light to ease thee If thou flyest darknesse Christ is the light to lighten thine eyes that they steepe not in death Ioh. 1.9 yea that light who lightneth euery man that commeth into the world If thou seekest foode Christ is that bread that came downe from heauen to feede and nourish thy soule body to eternall glory where is freedome from euill E●t omnibus omnia quia isto ha●●o omnia habentur sine ipso nihil est quicquid est Chrysost ibid. and fulnesse of good for euermore Quid plura charissimi What shall I say more beloued as the Father concludes Christ is all things to all men because he that hath Christ he hath all things and he that wants Christ had he the whole world he hath nothing All this we haue by Christ and the meanes of hauing Christ and this is the true knowledge of Christ of which our Apostle speaks So that here you see againe the excellency of this true knowledge of Christ from whence hee inferres our new creation And further that of Saint Bernard Bernard super Cant. serm 37. Ornat animam eruditeam facit vt p●ssitetiam alios erudire is truely verified againe of this divine knowledge this knowledge of Christ It decketh and garnisheth the soule and instructeth it and makes it able to teach others also And hence Saint Paul did so highly esteeme it that he counted all things losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Philip. 3.8 So that as Plutarch Plutarch aduersus Colotem relates of that wise counsell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Know thy selfe that amongst all those sayings which were written or giuen by the Delphian Oracles that was generally accounted to bee most divine so may we conclude of the knowledge of Christ that amongst all those things which are giuen from God for man to know and beleeue there is none more excellent more necessary more comfortable then is this divine and sauing knowledge of Christ Quest 1 But before I come to the vse To explaine this Doctrine a little further Wherein the true knowledge of Christ consisteth Answ What is this knowledge may some man demand or wherein doth it consist which is so excellent so necessary so comfortable for euery Christian soule And I answer it consists first in the knowledge of Christs person and secondly of his offices His person is manifested first by his names and secondly by his natures His names in the new Testament are commonly two The 1. Iesus which signifieth a Sauior so interpreted by the Angell and the reason giuen for he shall saue his people from their sinnes Mat. 1.21 Name Iesus Mat. 1.21 A name that is full of ioy full of comfort and full of vnspeakeable gladnesse to the soule of a Christian Iesus it is hony in the mouth Bernard in Cant. musick in the eare and a iubile of reioycing in the heart as Saint Bernard sweetely a name vnder which no man may despayre since the mercy of God in Iesus is abundantly sufficient for all that beleeue in him This is his firist name His second is Christ We haue found the Messias saith Peter which is Name Christ being interpreted the Christ Ioh. 1.41 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Vnctus Christ the annoynted yea annoynted with the oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellowes Psal 45.8 Christ is that annoynted who giueth freely to vs that oyntment of the Spirit 1. Ioh. 2.20 by whom we haue comfort in the beloued And as his names are so is his nature gracious and full of goodnesse And this is twofold Diuine and Humane First Christ is God the second person in the blessed Trinity that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that eternall word of his Father begotten of his Father from all eternity Ioh. 1.1 The nature of Christ is twofold 1. Diuine nature Athanasius Creede Est patri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zanchius in Epist 1. Ioh. c. 1. loc 2. Euseb ecclesi Hist lib 10. cap. 1. Luk. 1.35 Galat. 4 4. Coequall and Consubstantiall that is of one substance with the Father and the Spirit as it was decreed in the Nicen Councell against Arius the Hereticke And so the Scripture affirmes him to be the Eternall God Esay 9.6 The brightnesse of his Fathers glory and the expresse image of his person Heb. 1.3 And necessary it was that hee should be God First in respect of that intollerable waight of euill with which mankind was oppressed which could be taken off by no creature in the world and therefore the Sauiour must needs be God And secondly in respect of that inestimable good that freedome from euill and fullnesse of ioy restored by Christ who is made vnto vs of God wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption 1. Cor 1.30 And therefore the Redeemer must needes be God Yea Christ is not onely God but Man which is his second nature 2 Humane nature For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst vs and we beheld his glorie as the glorie of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and trueth Iohn 1.14 Ditata est illa humanitas propter vnionē ad verbum omni sapientia gratia saith Damascen Damaescen li. 3. De Fide ca. 22. For that admirable vnion of the Flesh with the Word the humanitie of Christ was inriched with all wisdome and grace And expedient it was that Christ should be man that the nature of man might satisfie the iustice of God for man who hath sinned against God Therefore hee tooke not vpon him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham saith S. Paul Heb. 2.16 Lastly he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man in one person Athanasius Creed Apostles Creed God of the substance of his Father before all worlds and man of the substance of his mother conceiued of the holy Ghost and borne of the blessed Virgin in time according to the Scriptures The Offices of Christ 1 Propheticall Mat. 5.1 Ioh. 10.11 Mat. 28.19 Zanchius in 1. Ioh. c. 1. loc 3. Iesus verus Messias id est rex ill● sacerdos prophetae vnicus promissus in lege Bucan loc com Alsted Theolog. Catechet 2 His Priestly Office Iohn 1.29 1. Iohn 2.2 Hebrews 10.10 Zanchius in Epist. ad Philip. Capit. 2. Vtraque pars obedientiae Christi id est tota eius obedientia nostra facta est cessitque in salutem nostram His offices are three The first is his Propheticall office by which first in his
Spirit as the sappe is in the tree as the blood in the body as the quickning Sonne of God who is Lord both of life and death who doth loue his Elect with a perpetuall loue and hauing vnited once vnto himself doth keep and conserue them as his own foreuer Secondly Vse 2 this vnion or marriage is made by the Spirit vniting vs vnto Christ in faith and loue O most sweet and happy change Christ hath taken our flesh and instead thereof he hath giuen vs his blessed Spirit by reason both he may be in and with vs and we in and with him and what greater ioy can there be to the soule and conscience of a Christian then to be in and with Christ his blessed Sauiour As Simonides the Philosopher being asked of Hiero the Tyrant what God was Cicere de nat Deor. lib. 1. did at the first desire one dayes respite and then two dayes and after foure dayes still doubling his request and being demaunded the reason gaue this for an answere Because the more saith he I doe consider of the excellency of the essence and power and Maiestie of God the lesse able am I to expresse it So must I desire time to set forth the excellency of this our vnion with Christ it is like the peace of conscience there is no man knoweth what it is but he that enioyeth it If you would see it a little more cast your eies vpon the benefit of it and I haue giuen you already that our life of grace is in Christ and conserued by him But this is a most excellent benefit that from hence wee haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Communion and Fellowship with Christ God is faithfull by whom yee were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the Communion or Fellowship of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1.9 And by this wee haue Communion not onely with his person but we haue also Communion with him First in his Offices He hath made vs Kings and Priests vnto God the Father Reuel 1.6 Secondly we haue Communion with him in his goods and gifts and graces needfull for vs to saluation yea in all the benefits of his death and passion He is made vnto vs of God wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption 1. Cor. 1.30 Thirdly we haue Communion and fellowship with him in temptation and affliction and that for our good and comfort because Christ hath sanctified them vnto vs. As the vnicorne dipping his horne in the water makes it wholesome though before it was poysoned for the beasts that drinke after him so Christ our Sauiour testing the cup of afflictions and temptations for vs hath made them wholesome and profitable vnto vs. Yea Christ being our head and we his members he hauing a Communion with vs and we with him he must needs haue a feeling of our infirmities and therefore though we be tempted yet will he not suffer vs to bee tempted aboue that we are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that we may be able to beare it as Saint Paul witnesseth 1. Cor. 10.13 This is our ioy therefore that though we be weake yet Christ is strong His grace is sufficient for vs and his strength shall be made manifest in our weakenesse 2. Cor. 2.9 Lastly as we haue Communion with Christ in afflictions so we shall haue Communion with him in glory For if we be children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we also be glorified together yea saith Saint Paul I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to bee compared with the glory that shall be reueiled in vs Rom. 8.17.18 Thus we haue and shall haue Communion with Christ and this is the fruite of our vnion with him Nay hence we haue not onely a Communion with Christ but with God the Father 1. Ioh. 1.3 2. Cor. 13.14 Eph. 4.5.6 Gal. 3 26. Heb. 12.22 23 24. with the blessed Spirit and with the congregation of Saints yea of Angels and men the Church militant and tryumphant as in diuers places of the sacred Scripture is sufficiently prooued And thus you may see the excellent state of a Christian the excellent benefit of our vnion this most happy Communion which is a fruite of it and the vnspeakeable loue of Christ in thus freely vniting vs vnto himselfe But what is the state of those that are out of Christ Question I answer Answere they haue no part in this blessed Communion therefore their estate is miserable fearefull and damnable 3. To be out of Christ is a miserable estate except they repent and Christ of his mercy ingraft them into him For he that is not in Christ Christ is not in him and Know yee not saith the Apostle that Christ Iesus dwelleth in you except ye be reprobates 2. Cor. 13. 2. Cor. 13.5 Without Christ no grace nor goodnesse to bee found in them If Christ dwell not in their hearts by faith Satan will dwell by infidelity If Christ dwell not by charitie the deuill will dwell by malice and enuy If Christ doe not possesse them by Humility Satan will possesse them by pride If the one be not in them by mercy the other will bee in them by cruelty if Christ doe not worke in them a conscience of chastity liberality piety purity and other vertues Satan will drawe them to adultery couetousnesse oppression Symonie sacriledge and all kind of impiety For where the spirit of truth is not a directer to goodnes there will the spirit of errour be a leader to wickednesse drawing his disciples through the pathes of darkenesse to the pit of destruction As is a Citie besieged without walls or munition so is a man without Christ easily ouercome of the enemie and bound to eternall thraldome he is like a withered branch that shall be cut off and cast into the fire of hell Ioh. 15.6 4. Vnion with Christ requireth a Christian life O then beloued how are we bound to shew our thankfulnesse to God for this our most ioyfull and happy vnion with Christ since he hath made vs freely to be Christians and engraffed vs into Christ By faith wee should striue continually to liue like Christians like those that haue a vnion and Communion with Christ The Apostle in my Text doth describe the state and condition of a Christian and yet he doth not say if any man be a Christian he is a new creature but If any man be in Christ to shew that Christianum esse est esse in Christo to bee a Christian Musculus in Text. is to be in Christ and to be in Christ is to liue the life of Christ and to be made like to him in whom we liue Whosoeuer is without Christ and doth not endeauour sincerely to liue the life of Christ hee is no true Christian though he make an outward profession of Christianity it is an