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	member_n	soul_n	7,274	5	5.4826	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A92764	The godly mans choice, or, A direction how single godly persons, who intend marriage, may make choice of a fit and meet yoak-fellow being the meditations of Caleb Grantham in his single state, as a rule and guide for himself to walk by, and since his death perused and published with some profitable directions how persons should live as becometh Christians in the married state / by Henry Scudder ...	Grantham, Caleb.; Scudder, Henry, d. 1659?	1644 (1644)	Wing S2138B; ESTC R42507	34,805	158

led astray with false fire 3. Now if upon discovery it evidently appeares that as yet the truth of grace is not wrought in her heart then earnestly beg of God that he would withdraw thy affections and take away the edge of them for it is to be questioned whether thy heart be sincerely gracious if thy affections can be sincere to them which are graceless Fling not the reins of thy love upon the neck of thy affections but beg of God that he who subdueth all things to himselfe would subdue thy affections bring them into subjection to his will that they might be like the Captains servant to goe and come at his pleasure 4. But now if thou hast so far ingaged thy self that it is neither able nor lawfull for thee to withdraw thy affections and yet canst not evidently perceive that there is truth of grace in her heart then double thy requests before God pray and pray earnestly that he would bestow on her his distinguishing mercies that he would implant the seeds of saving grace in her heart and make them to appeare in her life give not over night or day give not sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thy eye lids till thou hast obtained this for her what fellowship hath light with darkness or Christ with Belial yea enlarge thy requests unto God that he would first unite her unto Christ before he joynes her unto thee that he would first marry her unto his Son before he marries her unto thee that he would make her one with him before he make her one with thee that he would make you members of one head before he make you one body that yee might be both one spirit before ye are one flesh that he would first joyn your hearts and then joyne your hands 5. Now if by diligent search it doth manifestly appeare that God hath done more then ordinarily for her soule that there are the impressions of a new creature stampt upon her and that the pangs of the new birth are over then the chiefe but yet not all thy work is done thou mayst not presently sit down and conclude This is a wife for me and I will be an husband for her No there is yet a further inquiry to be made for as thou mayst not make choice of any who is not godly so neither mayst thou chuse of every one that is she may be good yet not good for thee she may be a fit wife yet not fit for thee Further therefore inlarge thy requests that God would provide for thee not only a good wife but a meet wife meet in every respect 1. In regard of age a green head will not suit with gray haires neither do we usually graft young plants upon old stocks to see youth joyn'd to age is a thing no lesse ridiculous to others then incongruous in it self such matches never please any but the parties yea and them but for a while 2. A meetnesse not only in regard of age but parentage would be convenient let birds of a feather flock together pares cum paribus The Eagle will not joyn herselfe with a Sparrow neither is it fit for an Asse to associate with a Lion they seldome joyne without confusion which is commonly the event of such unequall matches being begun with the discord of parents and end for the most part in the dissention of parties 3. Seek a meetnesse in regard of estate in some equall proportion* though meanes ought not chiefly to be sought so neither altogether to be neglected 1. Marry not one that hath nought lest she be set at nought by thee or by thy friends Rachel was not so much despised for her barren womb as many now are for their barren purse 2. Againe seeke not one whose estate doth far surpasse thine Jerem. 45. 5. Indeed if God by his providence cast such an one upon thee thou mayst embrace it but it is one thing to seek it and another thing to have it cast upon thee But this is the Haven which most men desire and here lieth the rock on which many men are split Some are so desirous of riches that no competent portion will serve their turne but having many large proffers yet remain unsatisfied and so while they covet all at length perhaps lose all so that there is danger in seeking what is there then in finding a wife richly laden Surely that saying is true Non videmus idmanticae quod in tergo est we see not that part of the wallet that is behind we view the fore-part of her wallet laden wth wealth and there we fix our eyes without either care or desire to looke further But had we wisedome to cast our eyes into that part which is behind we should behold it fil'd with sorrow and trouble in full measure thrust downe heapt up yea if not running over How many inconveniences attend such marriages they best know who feele the weight of them and groan under the burden of them yet some there are whi●h reason and daily experience inform us of as first thou dost incur the danger of losing all thy right of respect that 's due unto thee who in stead of reverencing thee will disrespect thee in stead of making thee her head will set thee at her feet and because in riches she weighes most therefore she will look in authority to sway most she whose desire should be to thee now thine must be to her and because she hath brought thee thy estate therefore will she take upon her without controlment to consume thy estate And if by words or actions thou any way shew thy dislike thou shalt soon find it to the losse of thy peace and the increase of thy daily trouble and vexation yea to an higher pitch will this flame arise if there be not grace to qualifie it 3. There should be a respect had to her constitution and disposition two passionate natures will not well agree much like the meeting of two mill-stones when there is no corn between it endāgers the firing of the whole Mill litle peace and great trouble is the portion of that family where such meet Neither will two melancholy bodies sute well when any crosse or trouble befalls them how will they be able to bear one anothers burden or comfort one another when as melancholy the nourisher of grief is as much predominant in the one as in the other By this then it may plainly appeare that it is a businesse of great importance wisedome is not more necessarie and beneficial neither is rashnesse more obnoxious in any thing then in this For being once done it cannot be undone Why is it that every corner almost ecchoes with these or the like complaints One will say I would I had never seen thy face another will say I never enjoyed merry day since I knew thee a third I would I were unmarried again Some bewailing their condition with teares others railing with oathes and a third