Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n
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A20194
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A plaine exposition of the articles of our faith, by short questions and answeres for the vnderstanding of the simple gathered by A[rt]thur Dent ... ; especially for the benefit of his owne flocke, who hauing taught his people these points, is carefull that they may learne them ; to this end, that euerie of them of his charge, may be able to giue a reason of their faith.
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Dent, Arthur, d. 1607.
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1589
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STC 6625.3; ESTC S4599
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15,750
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what you beleeue concerning the holy Ghost A. I beleeue the holy Ghost to be God coequall coeternall and coessentiall with the Father and the Sonne Q. Where doo you finde in the scriptures that the holy Ghost is God A. In the first of the Acts hee is called God many other places doo ascribe vnto him those thinges which belong vnto none but God 1. Cor. 2.10 1. Cor. 12.11 Act. 13.2 Matth. 12.31 Q. Why is the holy Ghost distinguished from the Father and the Sonne by this adiunct holy why is he thus called A. Not in respect of himselfe whose Godhead is no more holy than the father and the sonne but in respect of his operation and work which he worketh in vs. Q. Which be the speciall works of the holy Ghost in the hearts of the elect whereby he maketh them holy A. He worketh in them all holy and heauenly affections Ephe. 5.18 He sealeth the benefits of Christs death to their soules Ephe. 4.30 He openeth their hearts to beleeue the Gospell Act. 16.14 Hee certifieth them of their election Rom 8.16 He leadeth them into all trueth Iohn 16.13 Hee teacheth them to pray Roman 8.16 Q. Let vs now come to the second part of the Creede which concerneth the Church and first tell mee what is it which ye call the Church A. The whole companie of those which GOD hath appointed vnto saluation Q. What dooth this word Catholique signifie A. Vniuersall or that which goeth through the whole Q. VVhy is the Churche so called A. Because it containeth all the godlie that euer were are or shall bee of what place language or condition so euer Q. Is the Church alwaies visible A. No the Church is sometimes hid as the Moone vnder a cloude as it was in the daies of Elias 1. Reg. 19.10 Apoc. 12.6 Q. Dooth it not followe then that there is no Church at all A. No more than if a man shoulde conclude there is no Moone in the Heauens because sometimes there is none seene Q. Wherefore doo you call it the holy Church A. Because al the members thereof are holy Q. Can none of the wicked and vnholy be of the Church A. No for hee that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his Romanes 8.9 Q. Many perswade themselues to be of the Church who notwithstanding mock at holinesse A. Such doo plainely shew that they beleeue not the holy but the vnholy Church Q. Shal none be saued but those which be of the Church A. None verely for as a vine branch cannot liue except it abide in the vine no more can wee except wee abide in Christ and be of his Church Iohn 15.4 Q. What other reason haue you to prooue this by A. Because none haue any interest in the benefits of Christs death but only the Church Ephe. 5.25 Q. Are all that are in the Church of the Church A. No for there bee many hipocrites in the church which be not of the church Matth. 10.36 Act. 20.30 Q. Let vs proceed what is ment by the communion of Saints A. The holy fellowship of the faithfull Q. What dooth this word Communion signifie A. A knitting together in one Q. How are the faithful knit together in one A. In two respects Q. Which be they A. First in respect of Christ their head Secondly in respect one of another Ro. 12.5 Ephe. 4.16 Q. Doo you beleeue that the faithful are so linked together that they are of one minde of one heart and of one soule A. Yea for so saith the Scriptures Acts. 4.32 Q. What is the reason hereof A. Because they are all lead with one spirite they are children to one Father seruaunts to one master souldiers vnder one captaine c. Eph. 4.4 Q. It is much obiected by prophane men that there is no loue now a daies there was neuer so little loue as now A. Amongst prophane Atheists and worldlings there was neuer anie true loue nor euer will be but amongst the people of God there hath alwaies beene true Loue and euer will be Apocalips 14.2 Q. Is there anie loue betwixte the wicked and the godlie A. No for the one is an abhomination to the other and what fellowship hath light with darknesse Prouerbes 29.27 2. Cor. 6.14 Gen. 25.22 Gal. 4.29 Q. Doo the godly hate the wicked as they are hated of them A. No for the godly hate not the persons of the wicked but their sinnes but the wicked hate them with a deadly hatred Acts. 7.60 Prouer. 29.10 2. Chro. 18.7 Q. Doo the godly loue one another whome they haue neuer seene A. Yea and therefore it is put within the compasse of things which are to be beleeued Q. Wherein doth this holy fellowship of the faithfull consist A. In this that they haue all things common Act. 2.44 Q. How vnderstand you that haue none any propertie in their owne A. Yes but amongst them things are common in vse though not in possession Acts. 4.32 Acts. 5.4 Q. Expresse your meaning more plainely in this point A. My meaning is that all the faithfull hold themselues bound before God to imploy whatsoeuer gifts of bodie or mind the Lord hath indued them withall to the mutuall benefite and comfort one of another Q. Is this a certaine token that wee are of God when we loue his children and are neerely knit vnto them in our hearts A. It is an infallible proofe that wee are of God when our hearts are knit vnto this holy communion of saints 1. Ioh. 3.14 Q. Is it not also true in the contrarie that they are not of God which hate his people and their holy societie A. Yes verely for it is the spirit of satan that enuieth the spirit of God in his elect Q. What is ment by Saints A. Al the faithful both in heauen earth Q. Be there any Saints in the earth A. Yea for Dauid saith all my delight is in the Saints that are on the earth Psal 16.2 Q. What say you to our mocksaints which scornefully say these men be Saints they be all of the spirit they knowe their seat in heauen A. I say they be scoffing Ishmaelites Q. Why must wee liue like Saints in this world A. Yea or els wee must burne like diuels in hell fire after this world Q. But we cannot liue as Christ did A. True but yet we must endeuour to be holie as he is holie Matth. 5.48 1. Pet. 1.15 Q. Let vs come to the next Article Doo you beleeue the forgiuenes of sinns A. Yea vndoubtedly Q. By whom haue we forgiuenesse of our sinnes A. Onely by Christ Q. Is there no other name in heauen nor earth whereby we may purchase remission of sinnes A. None at all Act. 4.12 Q. Are we not able to satisfie for our sinnes A. No none is able Luk. 17.10 Q. But is not satisfying flat contrarie to our faith in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes A. Yes altogether Q. Shall all men haue forgiuenesse of their sinnes by Christ A. No but those onely which are of the Church and therefore this Article is ioyned to the former Q. May a Christian be fully perswaded of the forgiuenesse of his sinnes in this life A. Yea or els hee doth not beleeue for faith carrieth home a perswasion into the soule Col. 2.2 Q. Then belike a Christian may bee assured of his saluation in this life A. What els he that knoweth not in this life that he shall be saued shall neuer be saued after this life 1. Ihon. 3.2 Q. Nay but we must thinke wel and hope well in Gods mercie but we cānot be assured till we be in Heauen A. I say againe that faith is no thinking nor vaine hoping but a full perswasion Heb. 11.1 Q. Shew this more plainelie A. There it nothing letteth vs from saluation but our sinnes now then if wee beleeue that our sinnes are forgiuen what is there that should hinder vs why wee should not be perswaded Q. What doo you beleeue concerning the resurrection of the bodie A. That as verely as Christ our head is risen from death so shal our bodies gloriously rise againe in the end of the world Rom. 8.11 Q. How is it possible that the bodies of such as died many hundred yeares agoe and are consumed to nothing should euer rise againe A. There is nothing vnpossible with God it is as easie for him to raise the dead bodies out of the dust as it was to create all things of nothing Q. Shall these same bodies of ours arise againe A. Yea the same in substance but changed in qualities for this corruptible must put on incorruption 1. Cor. 15.53 Phil. 2.21 Q. Do ye thē beleeue that euerie one shall stand vp with the same bones and flesh which he liued in heere or shal God giue new bodies A. It shall bee the verie same flesh and the same bones otherwise how should we be said to rise againe Iob 19.27 Q. What is the reason hereof A. Because it doth not stand with gods iustice to make new bodies which neuer had done good or euill either to reward them or to punish them Q. What do you conclude then A. That the verie same flesh which hath sinned shall be cast into hell and the same flesh which hath glorified GOD in this life shall be glorified of him for euer Q. What shall then follow after this resurrection A. Our bodies and soules being most gloriously ioyned againe togeather wee shall raigne for euer with our Christ in the vnspeakable ioyes of Heauen Q. VVhat learne wee out of this A. First to long after it as our home Secondlie to studie to please GOD in the meane while Thirdlie with patience and courage to go thorough stitch with all afflictions and troubles which are incident to the profession of the Gospell knowing in our selues that there is an infinite recompence of reward laid vp for vs in the heauens FINIS
from gouerning Iohn 5.17 Q. If God haue created al things then also he made the diuels Q. God indéed created them but yet not diuels but Angels of light Col. 1.16 Q. How then became they diuels A. By their fall Q. How prooue you that they fell A. Out of the eight of Iohn when Christ saieth he aboade not in the trueth therefore it followeth he was in the truth Q. VVhat other places haue you to prooue the fall of Angels A. S. Peter saieth that God spared not the Angels that sinned c. 2. Pet. 2.4 5. Iude saieth the Angels which kept not the first estate c. and Iob saieth he found folly in his Angels Iob. 4.18 Q. What was the cause of the fall of Angels A. We may not curiously search that because it is not reuealed Q. Did God make man also A. Yea. Q. Whereof did hee make him A. Of the dust of the earth Gen. 2.7 Q. Was his soule made of the dust of the earth A. No for of his soule it is said God breathed in his face the breath of life Genesis 2.7 Q. It is said that God created man in his owne likenesse how is that to be vnderstood A. Of the gifts and qualities of the body and minde wherein hee did resemble God Q. Which be those qualities and gifts A. Righteousnes true holinesse perfect knowledge of God in perfect both vnderstanding and kéeping of the law which was written in his heart Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 Q. How was this glorious image of God lost A. By the fall and disobedience of our first parents Q. By what meanes did they fall A. The diuell in the serpent beguiled the woman and shee entised the man and so they sinned Gene. 3. Q. What followed vpon this A. The very flouds of Gods wrath and all miserie brake in vpon vs all sinne entred into the world and together with sinne came death and the curse of GOD vpon all mankinde Rom. 5.12 Q. Now that ye haue shewed me how we were al lost by whom shew me also how this losse is recouered by whom A. This losse is recouered thorow the infinit mercy of God and that only by the meanes of his sonne Christ Rom. 5.19 Iohn 3.16 Q. VVhere is this shewed A. In the sixe articles following Q. What do they generally teach A. How and by what meanes Christ wrought out our redemption Q. What doth this name Jesus signifie A. A sauiour Q. VVhy was he so called A. Because hee should saue his people from their sinnes Matth. 1.21 Q. What doth this name Christ signify A. Annointed Q. VVhereunto was hee annointed A. To the thrée great offices of King Priest Prophet Esa 61.1 2. Luk. 4.18 Q. Were these three kinde of persons wont to be annointed in old time A. Yea as appeareth in the scriptures 1. Sam. 10.1 1. Reg. 1.39 Exod. 30.30 Leuit. 8.12 1. Reg. 19.6 Q. With what ointment were they annointed A. With materiall common ointmēt Q. VVhat did the ointment signifie A. The graces and gifts of Gods spirit Iohn 2.27 Q. Why were Kings Priests and Prophets annointed rather than any other sort of men A. Because the weightinesse of their callings did most of all require it Q. Was Christ annointed with materiall oile A. No but with the oile of gladnesse that is the graces and gifts of Gods spirit aboue his fellowes psa 45.7 Io. 3.34 Q. VVhy is Christ called a King A. Because he ruleth and gouerneth his Church as King and head thereof Iere. 23.5 Ezech. 34.23 Hosea 3.5 Q. How doth he gouerne his Church A. Outwardly by the scepter of his word and the externall gouernement therein set downe and inwardly by his Spirite Esa 11.4 Psalm 2.9 Ro. 12.7 1. Tim. 5.17 Luk. 17.21 Rom. 14.17 A. Was his kingdome earthly Q. No but altogether spirituall for he saith my kingdome is not of this worlde Ioh. 18.36 Q. To what end is he a king A. To deliuer vs from all our spirituall enemies to gouerne vs in true righteousnes Psalm 72.2 Heb. 1.8 Q. What profit haue we by his being of a king A. Very much for thereby we are made kings in him we are enritched with spirituall graces and made frée citizens with the saints and of the houshold of GOD. Apoc. 1.6 Ephe. 4.8 Ephe. 2.19 Q. Was he also a priest A. Yea. Q. After what order A. After the order of Melchizedech Heb. 7.17 Q. What was that A. Such as wherein nothing was carnall as in the priesthood of Leui but all things heauenly and spirituall He. 7.16 Q. What manner of sacrifice did hee offer A. Not the bloud of bulls and goates but his owne bloud Heb. 9.12 Q. How did he offer himselfe and his owne bloud A. Through the eternall spirit that is his Godhead for otherwise hee could not haue obtained eternall redemption for vs. Heb. 9.4 Q. Can none offer his bodie and bloud but himselfe A None trulie for the Scripture vseth these phrases verie much hee offered himselfe hee gaue himselfe Heb. 1.3 1. Tim. 2.6 Heb. 9.26 Q. Is his sacrifice once offered sufficient for al yesterdaie to day and for euer A. Yea vndoubtedlie for the scriptures haue this word once verie often and againe with one sacrifice hath he consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Heb. 26. Heb. 7.27 Heb. 10.4 Q. May it not be repeated A. In no wise for that is blasphemie it accuseth Christ his death of imperfection it encrocheth vpon his right it spoyleth him of his office Heb. 9.26 He. 10.18 Q. What is the reason hereof A. Because it is omnisufficient as the holie Ghost saith after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes he sitteth for euer at the right hand of God Heb. 10.12 Heb. 7.25 Q. What els A. Because the Priesthood of Christ is eternal and as all the Leuitical Priests and Priesthood and shadowish seruice of the tabernacle did aime and poynt at him so all that is ended in him together with all other Priests and Priesthood Heb. 7.24 Heb. 8.5 Heb. 9.8 9. Heb. 7.18.12 Q. To what end did this great priest offer vp this great sacrifice A. To purge our consciences from dead works to serue the liuing GOD. Heb. 9.14 Q. What profite haue wee by this Priesthood and sacrifice of Christ A. Exceeding great for thereby we are reconciled vnto God haue free accesse to the throne of grace and are made Priests in him Rom. 5.10 Rom. 5.2 1. Pet. 2.5 Q. Let vs proceede was he also a Prophet A. Yea euen that great Prophet which Moses forespoke of Deut. 18.15 Act. 3.22 Q. Why is he said to be a Prophet A. Because hee hath fully declared vnto vs the will of his father Iohn 1.18 Iohn 15.15 Q. Wherein did the office of the Prophets consist in old time A. In foure things especially Q. Which be they A. First in expounding the law Hos 6.6 Micah 6.8 Secondly in preaching the couenant of grace Iere. 31.31 Nahum 1.15 Thirdly