Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	body_n	call_v	soul_n	13,519	5	5.4839	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85173	A faithful discovery of a treacherous design of mystical Antichrist displaying Christs banners, but attempting to lay waste Scriptures, churches, Christ, faith, hope, &c. and establish paganism in England. Seasonably given in a letter to the faithful in and near to Beverley. Containing an examination of many doctrines of the people called Quakers in Yorkshire, together with a censure of their way, and several items concerning the designs of God, Satan, and men, in these things, recommended to the consideration of them who are in good earnest for Christ.	Pomroy, John.; Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.; Glisson, Paul.; Kellet, Joseph.	1653 (1653)	Wing F568; Thomason E699_13; ESTC R202092	45,783	67

the Will of the Lord who ordereth the Plenty and Poverty increase and diminishing high and low estate of Persons and Nations Psal. 107. 36. to the end We desire it may be considered that besides the generall interest which the Sonnes of Adam have in the good creatures which was lost in the first Adam and repaired in the second during the day of Patience we say besides that there is a particular interest or propriety in the Creatures whereby one man may say this is mine and not thine which may be considered as diversly obtained 1. By the general distribution of the earth to the Fathers of the Nations For when the whole Earth was of one language and dwelt in the plain of Shinar their proud design of building Babel provoked the Lord to confound their languages in the daies of Peleg Then were they scattered upon the face of the earth and then did the most High divide unto the Nations their inheritance and the people of one language that sat down in any Countrey not yet inhabited according to the Providence of God setting the bounds of their habitati n took it for their inheritance and while there was room enough fed their cattel at large and removed their heards and flocks to fr sh feeding what wells they digged were their own each family removing together and planting together in the Cities which they builded The Elders of families being the chief rulers and the children of their Servants became also their servants Yet where others had planted they had leave also of the Inhabitants to sojourn with them and if they desired a piece of ground they did use to buy it of them Hitherto we may refer Israels title to the Land of the Canaanites because it was given them 430. years before they did inherit it yet after a peculiar and unparalleld manner to Abraham their Father because the children of Canaan that Servant of Servants were a wicked people and because it pleased the Lord to choose Israel for his inheritance Yet here did the Lord provide that each Tribe had their part by lot which did descend to their posterity by inheritance 2. Which is the second considerable in the obtaining of Propriety Children are surviving parts of their parents and have a true right to their Fathers inheritance by the Law of God Nature and Nations And though it may seem not so consonant to reason to make such wide differences in dividing inheritances among many Brethren as some do use yet it was the Law in Israel that the eldest Sonne should have a double portion to his brethren which by the appointment of God most just did perpetuate propriety and that in a way of inequality one having more than another And not onely so but for the preserving each private Interest the Lord commanded solemne curses to be pronounced against him that should remove his neighbours Land mark 3. But a private interest in worldly goods is also had by purchase which is an exchange of things equally valuable in lieu of each other 4. Also by the Victorious Issue of Lawfull Warre when nations offer injuries and violence to their neighbours reparation may be sought in Warre and the wrong-doers refusing to give satisfaction forfeit what they have to the Law of Iustice to make Reparation for the dammage But however propiety may be had it may not be violated no not by the desire of one after his neighbours house wise Servants Ox Asse or any thing that is his Exodus 20 17. Surely he that hath more of worldly goods than his Neighbours if his heart be prepared to serve his God and his generation hath an advantage to honour God probably more than ten men were that estate shared among them though they had like noble spirits But we think it needlesse to adde yet more in this matter saving that the Experiences of other Countreys give us warning of tumultuous attempts from this Generation But if it be disclaimed that any such thing is intended or desired of the crooked selfish proud griping injurious neration which we live among as the casting up each ones propriety in what they have under pretence of submitting them with the lowest of the people to serve the publ que which is a bait for the sonnes of disorder and violence if the preservation of each ones rightfull Possession by Law and Magistracy in way of force be taken away and that this be onely aimed at namely that they who are of the houshold Faith do as in the primitive times enjoy all things in common Our answer is That as for the practise of the Churches of Judaea Act. 2. their love did rise high at the first prevailing of the Gospell and propriety was cast up by no law or perswasion but that of Love as may be seen Acts 5. 4. But that is not all surely the Holy Ghost foresaw that shortly no man should have the benefit of house and lands becausé the Romans should come to take away their place and Nation But it is cleer by Scripture-evidence that there was richer and poorer among the Churches of the Gentiles but the rich were charged to be rich in good works and the poor to work for their own bread As for the giving one Coat of two to him that hath none binds you not to give your coats to any beggar that first coms but the Lord Jesus hath left his people to the prudence of his Spirit in them and discretion to see the time when to give and out of their abundance to supply anothers conveniency and out of their conveniency anothers necessity and out of their necessaries anothers extremity There are certain other commands which are to be obeyed in their time with prudence For our selves we are not ignorant how our souls were carried after the Lord in the day of espousalls to give up all into his hands Soul Body Estate Credit Relations c. resolving to hold nothing but under his favour who gave us them to have and hold by a new tenure abiding his pleasure to whom we hope we shall never deny whatsoever he calls for in the manifest junctures of his word Providences and his Spirit in our hearts who may sometimes make an extraordinary case and call us as once Abraham Gen. 12. to leave his Fathers house and friends to try us as that young man who boasts of his obedientiall heart Mat. 19. Finally they say That God is now come to redeem his people from all outward Teachers and teach them himself and for proof this Prophecy they bring 1 John 2. 26. Jer. 31. 31. Isa. 54. 13. Joh. 6. 45. Heb. 8. 11. Ezek. 34. 11 12. Jer. 23. 23. COncerning Teachers Order and Church administrations we have written what may be here seasonably remembred withall declaring that we know not any prophecy in all the Scriptures that doth foresignify the taking away of all outward Pastors and Teachers until

Antichrist rather than of Christ 4. And signes being not for them that do believe but for them that believe not 1 Cor. 14. 22. 4. If the Saints have now as much need of those appointments as then nay more if we may say so then why should any seek to be loosed from their own Mercies We confess we have read and heard of seen and through Grace humbly despised the vain boastings of them who said they were perfect and were above hearing praying believing hoping speaking Great swelling words of vanity who have turned aside first from the holy Commandement and after that from the pretence of it which should awaken us to edifie one another on our most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost that we might not be led away with the Error of the wicked and so fall from our stedfastness It is most freely confessed that when things come to practise in this time which is neither dark nor day many doubts and questions do arise among many yet as some of us have tasted of the goodness of God in this way so we may not but acknowledge it and farther Pray until the day break and shadows flee away Turn O beloved and be as a roe or young hart on the Mountains of Divisions Surely the Doctrines of these Men which we oppose are levelled to subvert all Order Churches in whatsoever is done outwardly For they say its Babylon and all the worship and Teachers without are of the Beast and Anti-christ Judge us O Lord for why should Men in thy name rise up against thy Sonne and us for his sake 1. Rejecting thy care 2. Condemning thy Wisedom 3. And the Generation of the Just in all ages 4. To establish themselves and prepare a high-way to Paganism It is not a Pleasure to us Beloved in the Lord to open these painted Sepulcres but since we have begun we will proceed to shew yet more that you may see and wonder and beware They bid you Speak no more than you have experience of and than you live in VVE confesse it is and shall be to us for a Lamentation that the religion of very many consisteth in talking of God and Christ and Scriptures and Churches and is but a sound of words without knowledge and faith and so do rather darken than make manifest the Truth and because it is without obedience their conversations destroy their confessions And did these sayings aim at the reformation of this we should not dare to cross them but we have grounds from certain discourses personally had with some of this way to declare 1. That this is to silence you from ever mentioning the histories and prophecies of the Scripture Creation of the world Garden of Eden Adam Eve Flood Historie of the Church coming of Christ into the world the Day of Judgement Resurrection of the Body and such like which being Past or to come we can have no present experience of And some of us speaking of these Scripture Records have been blamed for speaking without experience 2. Or Secondly by this means all the Scriptures must be construed as Metaphorical in an Allegorie making the Creation an Allegorie and so the world without beginning Adam Eve the Serpent Paradise Cain Abel Seth Noah Ark Abraham Isaac Jacob Aegypt Wilderness Canaan Kings Prophets Records to be meer allegories Nay Christ his flesh and blood his life and death his Cross and Crown Scribes and Pharisees Jerusalem Herod Pilate Churches Elders Anti-christ called Babylon and Egypt c. and what not to be fulfilled in the Allegoricall construction of particular experiences But concerning Experience we are satisfied 1. That to speak without Experience in experimental affairs is to darken counsel as they do that speak onely from the hearing of the Ear Iob 38. 2. 2. But Faith is the Evidence of things not seen and a subsistence of things hoped for though its evidence be not of the nature of Sense Science Opinion or Experience being of things unseen by the sense not known from the search and rationall comprehension of Causes nor intertained from the Probable testimony of wise and holy Men nor tasted in the Presence thereof yet after a spiritual manner seen known and experienced by Faith in the Divine Testimony Wherefore having believed we also will speak of the sacred Records and gracious Prophecies which are delivered to us in the holy Scriptures of which and in which God hath caused us to trust giving us also the Earnest of the Spirit which as Josephs wagons to Iacob doth ascertain us of the Truth of the tidings And the gracious operations of the holy Spirit in our hearts from and by Scripture Truths gives us to believe the Histories and Prophecies interwoven to be also of Divine Authority 3. We do also judge the Word of Faith which is Divine Testimony to be more safe Certain and Constant ground to speak of and from than experience In this we are not for a dead Faith which is the fruit of freewill closing with the Word from the testimony of Man which leaves the mind wavering through carnal reasonings which cannot be satisfied But for a lovely Faith even the work of the Spirit with Power setling the mind on the Divine Testimony as such As for speaking no more than we live in if it intend not to stop the mouths of all those who dare not pretend to perfection and blamelessnesse but those who speak from Notion and yield not up their souls to the things which they deliver to others we testifie the same thing As for Allegories 1. We allow very many in the old Testament beside the Ceremonial Law which was a shadow of good things to come Persons Offices Places Actions Things which the Ecchoings of phrases wisely and warily observed give hints of and puts the beginning of every Allegorie into our hands as the Apostle took it in Gal. 4. from the 54. of Is 1. verse which yet must be wisely followed as Scripture Ecchos proceed to encourage yet not to impair the truth or use of the Letter and History Allegories being but accidentall thereto and a fruit of the incomprehensible wisdom of God that sets one thing to answer to another But in the New Testament although Jesus Christ spake many parables and used similitudes which he opened to his Disciples yet the Gospel Ministration properly so called not onely in the language thereof but in the Actions persons things thereof is in much plainnesse and not as Moses who had a veil upon his face but the Messias discovered himself by speaking plainly and without a Parable John 16. 29. his parables in his publique preaching being chiefly for judgement to the willfull Jews that seeing they might not see Matth. 13. 13. We gladly own Christ in us by his Spirit to crucify our flesh and raise us up in our hearts in this world and at his second comming our bodies in the resurrection to a new and spiritual life and

Prophets without the Call or Gift of either who more steal the word from others then they who have received their notions from Scriptures Teachers and Leaders and phrases also and yet do acknowledge neither one nor other but as it were of themselves He that quotes the Scripture steales not the word He that imitates the Practises of Saints in foregoing ages going forth by the footsteps of the flock not desiring singular waies seeking Christ in his own standing appointments by the Shepheards Tents and holding fast the true sayings of the holy Scriptures erres not if he speak and contend for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints though it be not so delivered to him by immediate inspiration or confirmed with miracles as it was to them 2 Thess. 2. 14 15. Furthermore these who come unto you in the imitation and resemblance of Christ Prophets Apostles with their deemed Oracles and great wonders do shew themselves in the most composed garb of humility as the greatest friends to the crosse of Christ and the onely bearers of it disswading you From your own wisdome will righteousnesse Pride in apparell Diet c. giving and receiving honour of men and such like which is the crosse you must abide in and through it they say passe unto everlasting rest WE Wish heartily that all that wear the sheeps clothing were sheep indeed but there is one that judges Let us search and trie these Doctrins and let judgement of persons result freely First then we are fully satisfied that he who hath learned Arts and Sciences and hath read over Systems or Bodies of Divinity and Exercitations concerning it must come to Christ as a little child and be abased in all his Pride of Flesh in Gods presence For all these make not one wise unto salvation but what this man hath before Christ he is puffed up with it knowing nothing as he ought to know 1 Cor. 8. 1. Yet doth not this subvert Schools of learning but it sets learning in its place Surely it is clean to the clean-hearted as meat and drink and being rightly improved yields a larger tribute to Jesus Christ than the worlds external goods For want of which its easily observable how these pretenders to the Cross do often mistake in the English idiom or phrase of translation to wrest the sense We affirm also that he that 's wise to buy and sell and shift in shaking times to raise himself while most do fall must give up himself to Jesus Christ seeking first his kingdome and minding his will without consulting with flesh and blood though he be counted a fool for Christs sake Yet doth not this cross the will of Christ for him that hath wisdom in his Generation to buy and sel and provide liberally for himself and his if riches increase by the blessing of the Lord and not the covetous pursute of them that would be rich Still remembring that of him that hath more there is more required and that Man be faithfull with that that is anothers for he can carry nothing out of this world being rich in good works Also considering he that hath most hath most Temptations which is enough if wisely weighed to stop the greediness of Men after more than food convenient Secondly we are assured that who so comes to Christ must forsake his own will as guided by fleshly wisdome or deceitful lusts or expressing it self in opposing the will of Christ Nevertheless this superintendency of the holy Spirit over-awing the will of Man doth not abolish but regulate it For the people become willing in the day of his Power Neither doth it follow that such or such a Motion is therfore of God because it crosseth natures desires though if the clear will of God do so it must be readily obeyed Thirdly we are confident that whatever Man hath done or received before he knew Christ which he accounted gain and boasted of hoping for Gods favour therefore he will reckon his loss when Christ is revealed to him because he was held contented in those snares of Pride without Christ and he will no more desire to be found in his own righteousnesse which indeed are as filthy raggs unlesse when he is under Temptations Yet we also believe that the righteousnesse which is performed by faith or the Power of Christ in us is not to be rested in as that in which we are accepted Eph. 1. 6. Also that the Externals of Religion before rested in become not now abolished to the New-creature as Ceremonies which might be used or not used but the Externals of the Gospel are to be used with the Power of Godlinesse upon a new account transacted to the glory of Christ Fourthly touching Apparel We confess and may not deny that in the Church-relation and in presence of Christ we may not have respect to gay cloathing and a gold ring For then all eyes should be inward while soul affaires are transacted And we may not here know men after the flesh but as they are enriched with Faith and gifts of Grace and as they stand in the judgement of the Spirit Wherefore Apparel concerns the outward Man in the capacity of Man though it is as all other things to be ordered and directed by the grace of God And here we know not how to excuse this wanton nation that generally shews it self childish in nothing more than by respecting gay clothing which sometimes covers an infirm and deformed Body and Spirit too and in its self onely seems to shew a man that hath more thick clay than another But seest thou a man boasting in his Apparel be not troubled for it may be its all his Portion and rejoicing in this world We know the Scriptures that declare against the Pride and wantonness in apparel Is 3. 1 Pet. 3. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 9. and that which judges this wantonness in women condemns the like in men also yet we will consider and that a little more because this is so much insisted on by the Assertors what allowance is by God given to men though not for a cloak of Pride 1. Apparel was instituted to cover shame to defend from weather and grew into use for distinction of sexes and qualities of Persons but for the shape of garments its left to man to attire himself Prudentially and because he is a member of Societies Prudence directs to use the modest customes of the Country as in other and greater matters 2. As all creatures were given to man for his use so some for his conveniency delight and ornament as a Man else the bounty of God in the variety of creatures must be denied Man may serve himself of any Creature so that he be helped in his way and honour his God by it Thus in dayes of gladness the Scripture allows more than ordinary garments after the manner of men 3. Pride doth not lie in putting on of

scope of the place and other Scriptures of the like Argument 4. The Scripture was given for doctrine reproof correction instruction which is the foundation of a variety discourse from any Scripture Method is prudential and variable according to occasion Study or meditation is duty and blessed which should in a Teacher expresse it self as in a workman that needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth by explication giving each word its due and by application each their portion As for Learning it is but subservient to the understanding the Letter of the Scriptures gives a more distinct utterance helps to significant words and is an advantage that equalls them to their Adversaries armed with learning against the truth But some contend against learning because they know it not as for these people we suppose had they learning as their Leaders and Abbettors beyond the Seas and in England did so would they use it to the utmost against what they oppose There be many railing and impertinent applications of Scriptures made by them which every one may see into that hath not darknesse on his right eye and we shall not mention onely remembring it s not any person or circumstance so much that is aimed at as the Ministry it self or all outward Teachers in which Argument they discover more Envy Pride Passion than in any other But be assured if the Magistrates had not a material sword as the Ministers have not their language would light as heavy on their heads and more than so In all this we plead not for the ignorant ungodly persecuting men called Ministers but do sadly bewail that after all the Petitions from the Nation Declarations of the State and Proposalls from the wise hearted there is yet any thing hinders the doing of something to purpose to withdraw the Publick incouragement from the corrupt Ministry with whom God hath a controversie Concerning that they say God is now comming to redeem his People from all their Teachers and teach them himself● We do declare our apprehensions of such approaching desolation on many things which are in high esteem among men that should they be spoken would make many ears to tingle But God will provide for the houshold of faith and send them Pastors after his own heart untill the new Jerusalem come down from Heaven which these pretend to but know not But as God is about a great and strange work so is Satan who now comes with all deceivablenesse in the Mystery of Iniquity which answers line for line with the Mystery of Godlinesse in bringing in a false Christ and false Kingdome consisting in a Righteousnesse peace and joy all false witnesse the lying Prophets strange wonders strong delusions religious Prophanenesse found amongst us in England triumphing in the abolishing of Good and evil Heaven and Hell and the transcendent speculations concerning God incarnate in all things Apparitions voices trances of and to persons manifestly deluded and bewitched with the spirit of lies Touching their seeming Mortification we advertise you that who so diligently apply themselves to the Law as they rightly advise if righteousnesse were to be sought by the Law such may find by minding their light and standing on their watch a great measure not onely of Mastery over outward Actions but a nipping of the root of evill for a season And how farr Imagination may work when the mind is wholly subjected to it and composed to a contemplative sequestration from all outward objects is partly known to them who by nature or custome are addicted to Melancholy But how far the jealous God may give up over-credulous and unbelieving Minds to sink into these deeps of strange delusions must be left to him who is just yet unsearchable in his waies yet hath given us to know what should be in the last daies Now as there hath been a black and long Parenthesis or dark space in the daies of the Apostacy or back-fliding from Primitive Purity in doctrine and Discipline and according to the Scriptures we are admonished of a happy and peaceable state of all the children of Sion after the Destruction of Babylon the Lords own cannot but rejoice in the remembrance of the Dayes of the Son of man hoping the return of them which they desired to see so long but have not seen Now being in some forwardnesse through the Judgements of God begun in the Nations they are supposing the time is now come upon which the Deceiver takes his advantage saying Lo here and lo there and when he saw that bare forms would not satisfy the children of the Kingdome he addressed himself in a more glorious and taking way saying Now are the daies of the Son of man Now hath Christ sent forth his Disciples as of old the twelve Apostles and 70 disciples without Staff Scrip or money c. See here be miracles there be multitudes flocking in Here 's the great Power of the Holy Ghost there are men falling down and saying God is among you Here is the spirit poured on the hand-maides and there upon the children But we have learned that if an Angell from Heaven bring us another Gospel Christ or Spirit let him be accursed We consider that as evill Angells suggest evil so do Angells of light good motions now Satan transformed into an Angel of Light which is an Embleme of knowledge righteousnesse innocency peace meeknesse is suggesting and helping on good motions and fair compliances with rules of right to an ill end Wherefore 1. Go not after them nor follow them lest you put your selves from under Gods protection if they come to you it is safer 2. Hold fast to the Authority of the Scriptures 3. Exercise Faith much on Jesus Christ the Mediatour 4. Have and hold a form of sound words that cannot be condemned 2 Tim. 1. 13 Tit. 2. 8. A better form of words cannot be than the words of the Wisdome of the Spirit in the Scriptures 5. Take heed of judging ordinances as unnecessary or indifferent things yet let your souls wait on God in them else if you be beguiled of the Marrow you 'l be easily perswaded to throw away the Bone 6. Give diligence to more entire communion among your selves Two are better than one 7. Whatever is offered to you from Scripture do not only examine the truth of the Doctrine but also whether it be the true meaning of that Scripture 8. Discourse not with these People about circumstances but first enquire whether you agree in the main things the Scriptures Christ Faith Resurrection of the body c. 9. Remember that if your hearts be established with Faith and in the Love of God in Christ you shall not be as little children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine 10. Consider also the End of this Generation in Germany and in many places of England We shall conclude pointing you to some serious thoughts concerning the Doctrines and practises of these people which