Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	believe_v	heart_n	word_n	5,244	5	4.1630	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50258	An instrument from that little stone cut out of the mountain without hands, to help to break in pieces, that great image which Daniel mentions, Ch. 2. whose feet was part iron and part clay. Or, A few queries written to satisfie the chief preacher in the independent church in Bedford, who desired the author to write unto him, what proofs he had for a woman's speaking in the church He being concerned that so many of his hearers should leave him to go to hear Margaretti Everard declare what God had done for her soul, the 17th day of June last at my dwelling in Bedford. Published for the information of all professors in religion, that are part strong and part weak (as the feet of the said image) ... That they may no longer (like the harden'd Jews) expect another grace or saviour, (that is) a restranining grace that shall force them out of their sins. Poor hearts! who has taught you, that God will except of forc'd love, when men doth not esteem such love each to other. By William Mather, ... .	Mather, W. (William), fl. 1695.	1694 (1694)	Wing M1284B; ESTC R221849	8,977	11

affirm to me that the Light of Man in us was darkness when it is a Light from Christ in the Soul whereby the Soul may see its way to please God John 1.4 It is called also Grace Spirit Word in the heart The anointing c. 1 John 2.27 If thou hates this Light thou hates Christ lis true that all hate the Light that love their evil deeds Joh. 3.19.20.21 12. What Scripture-proof hast thou for reading a line in verse for the people to sing And whether people can sing to the praise of God whose Souls are not raised out of the Grave of Sin Seeing the Apostle saith If the dead rise not preaching is vain And whether God is not as really worshipped by praying by a Book as singing by a Book 13. What Scripture-proof hast thou for taking a verse in the Scripture and studying a long discourse from it And whether the peoples hearing such long Sermons or Speeches be God's Worship And whether God can be worshipped any where but in the Centre of the Soul And whether Persecutors or Informers could ever disturb God's spiritual Worship And whether the first that speaks in the Church is not to hold his peace if any thing is revealed to another that sits by that he may speak also 1 Cor. 14.13 14. Didst not thou affirm to me that there are Three persons in Trinity or God-head I hope thou wilt answer that with thy Scrpture-proofs as the other above in Love as in Love I write this at thy desire Concluding with this caution That thou take heed that thou speaks no more evil of a people that thou knowest not that is The Christian Quaker because I am sure thou caust not know them except the said Inward and Spiritual Grace was thy only Teacher Now that it may be thy guide that by it thou might be impowred to turn many to it that thereby they may receive strength to walk in the path of righteousness to please God is the Prayer of him that loves all people June 22. 94. W. M. TO the Queries above I do not hear that he intends me an answer in writing the best answer I desire is That he make choice of Christ's inward and spiritual Grace for his only Teacher then may he be enabled to prevail with many of his hearers to obey the same This indeed would be a happy day which I have long hoped for The truth is since he had the Queries above he has in his Pulpit advised his Hearers To cleanse their Souls from sin Alas what doth that avail together with his telling them of the Torments of Hell except their minds are turned into the Centre of their Souls there to Worship God in his inward and spiritual Grace for nothing else can cleanse their Souls from Sin and make them become Worshippers of God in Spirit and in Truth silently waiting out of their own thoughts A strange thing to this Preacher John 4. who has already derided waiting in silence upon God for he can preach pray and sing when he will contrary to the Primitive Christians One of this Preachers hearers whom I sent the Queries to him by told me he did believe he was not yet satisfied that a Woman should be permitted to speak in the Church caused me to add the Queries that follows otherwise I think I had writ no more yet hoping he may turn in his mind to Christ's Grace in himself so may he turn many to a righteous and holy Conversation then will he shine as a bright Star in the Firmament of Truth he having such a fair opportunity to win Souls to God having such a great number of Hearers Oh! happy is that man that turns one Soul to God that is to obey Christ's inward and spiritual Grace faithfully Oh! that God in mercy would be pleased to shew him in what he trusts but God's time is the best time for him and the Turks and Jews to see their blindness God's will be done Lastly God knows my heart I do not write the following in Enmity to any Person or Persons whatever but only in what I can incline my Readers to chuse God's Grace in themselves to be their Armor to keep off the Snares of the Devil and develish Men. And that none that reads these Lines may any longer reject the Chief corner Stone the said Grace or Light in them that beams 〈◊〉 the Sun of righteousness in their Souls whereby they may plainly see all the crooked by-paths of the World the Flesh and the Devil that leads to everlasting misery after Death and also may see by that Light from Christ in them how to walk safely in the strait and narrow but delightfull Path that leads to God's Kingdom to have a Life of endless Joy with God for ever so be it Amen The second part of Queries which I hope will fully satisfie this Independent Preacher That a woman may speak in the Church when moved by God's Grace so to do 15. Hast thou not read that the ancient Jews was not for permitting Women and Children to ask Questions in the Church and was not Paul of the same mind 16. Is not Male and Female all one in Christ and whether any but Deceivers will limit God that he shall not send a message by a Woman 17. Did not God send a Woman among your persecuting Brethren in New-England with her face blackt as a sign to them for their wicked lives that the Black-Pox should come upon them which accordingly came to pass See Geo. Keith's Visible Church in New-England 18. Dost thou believe that Paul ever forbid any Woman to speak or teach in the Church that was moved thereto by the Spirit of Christ And whether a woman was not a fellow labourer with Paul in the work of the Gospel 19. Whether Paul ever forbid any other women to speak in the Church except those talkative women in the Church of Corinth who troubled the Church with their unprofitable questions 20. Hast thou not a strong zeal against a womans preaching found Doctrine I wish thy zeal was as strong against thy women Hearers who are now so stiff-necked as to carry the Devils Towers on their heads whilst thou art teaching them to leave pride And the men that are so proud as to wear womens Hair that was bak't in Pyes to make it remain in Curles and must be powder'd too Is not this abomination Look back to your ancestors called Puritans whose short Locks little Bands and plain modest Apparel became a Cross to the vain World But you as well as all other religious Professions have degenerated from their first Innocence and how many of thy proud hearershast thou admonished for their pride at their own houses as is thy duty if a true Preacher 21. Was not that woman that Jesus met at Jacob's Well Joh. 4. a Preacher who declared to the men of the City Come see a man that hath told me all that ever I did is not this the Christ

An Instrument From that little Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands to help to break in Pieces that Great Image which Daniel mentions Ch. 2. whose Feet was part Iron and part Clay OR A few Queries written to satisfie the chief Preacher in the Independent Church in Bedford who desired the Author to write unto him what Proofs he had for a Woman 's speaking in the Church He being concerned that so many of his Hearers should leave him to go to hear Margaretti Everard declare what God had done for her Soul the 17th day of June last at my dwelling in Bedford Published for the Information of all Professors in Religion that are part strong and part weak as the feet of the said Image that is part strong in a good Belief of what Christ Jesus in mercy suffered for all Mankind But weak in Faith in not believing that Christ by his sufferings purchased a measure of his grace in every Soul that brings Salvation to as many as are faithfull thereto Tit. 2.11 That they may no longer like the harden'd Jews expect another Grace or Saviour that is a restraining Grace that shall force them out of their Sins Poor Hearts who has taught you that God will except of forc'd Love when Men doth not esteem such Love each to other By WILLIAM MATHER A true Lover of every Soul LONDON Printed for Sarah Howkins in George-Yard in Lombard-street 1694. FRIEND WHereas Thou bid me write unto thee my proofs for a Woman 's speaking in the Church and because Mens speaking there relates thereto I shall add somewhat of it also therefore to satisfie thee if I can I think best to do it by way of Query the fewer words that I may give occasion to none to say I go about to teach thee who art a Teacher to so many People 1. Did St. Paul write That a Woman should not be permitted to speak in the Church Wilt thou not suppose he meant the should not speak so as to ask Questions to raise Disputes Thou wile acknowledge she ought to come to Church and not learn only of her Husband at home If not how must the Widow do to learn If it had been as thou supposes That a Woman was not to speak at all in the Church Paul would not have said That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered 〈◊〉 her head 1 Cor. 11.5 And was not Phillip's sour Daughters Prophetesses Acts 21.9 and wherein is the difference between Prophesying and Preaching 2. Is it not recorded in the Book of Martyrs that after William White a Preacher was burnt for the Truth his Wife followed his Steps fowing abroad the same Doctrine confirmed many in Gods Truth wherefore she suffered much trouble and punishment whether or no did the Church then do well to let her teach 3. Dost thou own the Church of England's Catechism in which is written That Baptism and the Supper of the Lord are Signs of an inward and spiritual Grace Now whether any in these days need to use the Signs that witness the Substance that is The Inward and Spiritual Grace to cleanse their Souls from Sin Answer yea or nay Seeing this grace that came by Jesus Christ brings Salvation to all that obey it Tit. 2.11 1 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 1.19 4. Whether or no may not a Woman as well as a Man declare in a Congregation the Experiences she has had of the power and virtue of this inward and spiritual Grace in her Soul and how that by the alone help thereof she has forsaken the Devil and all his Works If she did not speak this to people God would condemn her Do not Women speak their Experiences in your Church and Sing * * Then not always silent Then Woman may speak in the Church and whether mans wisdom that preaches be not the Woman that should not be permitted to teach in the Church yea or nay 1 Cor. 2.4.13 5. Whether or no are not both Men and Women Intrudors that do teach in a Religious Meeting other things than what they experimentally witness of the work of this inward and spiritual grace in their Souls Bring Scriptures only as a proof when divinely inspired by Gods grace so to do for Paul would preach of what God had wrought in him 2 Cor. 10.15 Rom. 2.21 6. Dost thou believe that this inward and spiritual grace is a witness against all Sin in every Soul and that People now are to have no other Teacher in this the day of Christ's spiritual appearance or second coming in Spirit to cleanse the Soul from Sin And that Man is no more to be accounted of no further than to encourage others to come and obey Christ's Grace in them a Teacher that cannot be removed into a corner Isa 30.20 Joh. 6.45 7. Dost thou believe that this spiritual day of Grace is dawned And that there are thousands of Souls in this Nation that do witness God's promise fulfilled in their Souls that is of teaching his people himself Joe l 2.28 by his inward and spiritual grace that they need not the teachings of Man as many of us witness 1 John 2.27 Peaised be the Lord for it Yet it 's a great comfort to us to hear a Man or Woman declare what they know of God and also to read in the holy Scriptures the Saints Warfare and Experiences though none of these things will do a Soul good except he turn in his Mind so as to obey this inward and spiritual grace For nature is dark as to the things of God almost as a Beast without applying to God's Grace for help the alone Armor of a Christian to keep off the Darts of the Devil 8. Didst thou ever know a Man that sinned every day and did believe he must do so as long as he lived that ever turned one Soul to God We must sin every day saith this Preacher unto me June 18. 94. that is to obey God's grace faithfully If thou didst Then one Sinner can convert another and before a man is converted he can strengthen his Brethren Is not this impossible 9. Did not Jesus come into the World as born of a Virgin to save all people from sinning here Matth. 1.21 If they will obey his Talent of Grace in them and I also ask whether a man is any further saved by Christ than he is saved from Sin For if he is not sanctified or saved from committing of Sin the fault is not in God's Grace which is always ready to give power to resist all Temptations except such as have sinned out their days 10. Whether all that have a form of Godliness and deny the power thereof are not to be turned away from And whether all those that believe that the inward and spiritual grace in all men will not or has not power to cleanse the Soul from Sin if obeyed do not deny the power of Godliness and are yet in Babylon Rev. 18.4 11. Didst not thou

Can any man now preach better Doctrine and was it not a woman that published Christ's Resurrection 22. Did not Luther affirm That every good Christian not only Men but even Women also is a Preacher 23. How darest thou preach against pride when most of you seek as much as you can to promote pride for do not you uncover your heads bow and bend oftener to a fine long Tower or Top-knot than to God Doth not such worshipping Images make the proud hearts more puff't up with pride making those Idols deck themselves the finer next time if they can that they may be the more worshipped and bowed unto You calling men frequently Sir Sir at every turn to flatter them though mean in the world and the women Mistresses to flatter when you have read Joh. 5 44. How can you believe that receive honour one of another and against flattering Titles Job 32.21 22. 1 Thess 2.5 And to call no man Master that is not really your Master But you can twist these Doctrines of Christ to serve self-interest as you do that Doctrine of not swearing at all Matth. 5.34 James 5.12 and others being out of the true Faith that 's without respect of persons James 2.1 2. 24. Was Franciscus Lambertus in the right or no who writes But above all things be carefull thou follow not the manner of Hypocrites who have written almost more by word what they are to say as if they were to repeat some Verses upon a Theatre have learned all their Preachings as they do that act Tragedies or Plays and afterwards when they are in the place of Prophesying pray the Lord to direct their Tongues but in the mean time shutting up the way of the holy Spirit they determine to say nothing but what they have written O unhappy kind of Prophets yea and truly cursed which depend not upon God's Spirit but upon their own Writings or Meditations Why prayest thou to the Lord thou false Prophet to give thee his holy Spirit by which thou mayest speak things profitable and yet thou repellest the Spirit Why preferrest thou thy Meditation or Study to the Spirit of God otherwise why committest thou not thy self to the Spirit Again saith he The Sheep of Christ seeketh nothing but the Voice of Christ which he knoweth by the Holy Spirit wherewith he is fill'd he regards not learning Tongues or Languages † To make a Minister for that avails not or any outward thing so as therefore to believe this or that to be the Voice of Christ his true Shepherd he knoweth that there is need of no other thing but the Testimony of God's Spirit c. Tract 5. Prophecy Chap. 3.24 And doth not Dr. Everard an Independent write the only method that holy Men of old observed was to speak as they were moved by the Holy Spirit 25. Whether or no are not such Teachers gross Hypocrites that at the end of their Worship say to their Hearers I commit you to God's Grace when they intend no such thing for if their Hearers chuse God's Grace in themselves for their chief Guide and only Teacher and by the help thereof come to forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pride and Vanity of this wicked World throwing by those hellish Towers from the Womens Heads These vain Teachers will be the first that will mock them and it may be tell them you are going to be a Quaker and that they think is the odiousest name they can give them little considering what these Teachers forced poor Men and Women calling them Godfathers and Godmothers to Promise and Vow for Infants that they shall forsake the Devil and the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World which brings to a state of perfection and yet these Teachers will deny that Perfection is attainable on this side the Grave contrary to Scripture Matth. 5.48 and 11.29 30. Joh. 1.8 Gen. 6.9 1 Joh. 5.3 and 1.10.8.5 and 2.4 and 36. Rev. 22.14 Eph. 4.11 12 13. 26. Is it not great Hypocrisy in thee to bid thy Hearers when thou art in thy Pulpit To cleanse their Souls from Sin and out of thy Pulpit say to me We must sin every day as long as we live And also to tell them in thy Pulpit for Doctrine The reason why so many die in sin eternally is because they will and at other times tell them That a certain number of Souls are elected and the rest reprobated to Eternity before they have done Good or Evil is not this Mystery Babylon in one of her sinest dresses Alas none are reprobated before they have acted much Evil nor are Infants that know not Love Rom. 4.15 and 5.13 as full of Sin as a Toad is full of Poyson as a Member of thy Church said in my hearing The Election is in Christ the true Seed and all that joyns to him are entring into the Election and continuing faithfull comes to be chosen The reprobate Seed is the Devil who rules in the Hearts of wicked People that obey not Christ's Grace in them so by a continual Resistance of the Reprooss of God's Grace comes to be in a reprobate State 27. Has not many poor Souls been almost or quite distracted about your Sin-pleading Notions and the frothy Lives of too many of you but most chiefly about a Notion you are said to hold That God bids men believe and be saved and not gives power to do so And have you not said to such poor bewildered Souls Your Distraction is in order to the work of God upon your Souls fear not if you die you shall go to Heaven for once in Grace ever in Grace contrary to these Scriptures Ezek. 18.26 Joh. 15.6 Rom. 11.20 1 Cor. 9.27 2 Pet. 1.10 Heb. 3.12 13. and 4. 11. and 6. 4 5 6. and 12.15 2 Tim. 4.3 and 4.10 and 2.17 18. 1 Tim. 1.18 19. and 4.1 1 Thess 3 5. 2 Pet. 2.14.13.18.22 And remember how by your judging young Whit●man late of Cardington you brought into distraction See somewhat thereof in p. 218. of the 4th Edition of the Young-man's Companion 28. Has not those of thy Church lost Christian Charity that said as I am informed that if the Quakers should have one Meeting in your Meeting-house I once desiring it one day when you might spare it They should never after think to go into it again Fie fie pray no more for the Conversion of the Jews and Turks what would you have them to convert to For what can they expect from you that has so little Love for your Fellow-Christians that truly worship the same God as you say you do owning Christ Jesus a Patron of Meekness and Lowliness and that his Followers should be so But for brevity sake I shall now pass by several of your Actings yet to a little mind you of your want of good example in bringing Boys with you to the Meeting and let them play at the Door in Sermon-time by making of Noises throwing Hats at each other with thy