Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	call_v	speak_v	word_n	8,207	5	4.2217	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50354	Epaphras, A sermon preached at Saint Austell in Cornwal, in commemoration of a benefactor, the second of February, 1639 by Ioseph May ...	May, Joseph, b. 1584 or 5.	1641 (1641)	Wing M1390; ESTC R15046	14,778	36

and well deserving not respect mens persons but to weigh and consider the merit of their causes There were but few to give such testimony of Epaphras and therefore for the future glory of Epaphras the Apostle doth beare record to make an everlasting record of Epaphras his well deserving What was requisite to a sure testimony is found in the person of Saint Paul First eminency in authority Secondly approbation of fidelity Thirdly exemplary integrity All these were in him for he was conspicuous and eminent in place and authority one of an approved fidelity and his life and conversation full of exemplary integrity 2 Cor. 12.11 for authority he was not one whit behinde the chiefest Apostles 1 Tim. 1.12 for fidelity he was accounted faithfull and so put into the ministery For integrity his conversion altered his conversation his life made good his doctrine Gal. 2 20. for Christ lived in him The integrity of his conversation was approved by the viper that fell from his hand from the courteous entertainement that hee received from Iulius Acts 27. 28. whose defence and patronage saved him when the mu inous Souldiers would have killed him and from Publius and the Barbarians that thought him to be a God But above all how did the Disciples at Caesarea witnesse and approve the integrity of his life when they not onely wept Acts 21.13 but did even breake their hearts to forgoe him so that it might be truely said of this Apostle in whom Christ lived as it was said of Christ himselfe by the Centurion certainely this was a righteous man Lake 23.42 This was the applause and commendation which good men and wise men did ever strive for Laudari a laudato Cice. 4. Tusc qu. to be well spoken of by them that were well spoken of the approbation of one Paul was better then the praises of ten thousand parasites This approbation had Epaphras from Paul the Minister of the Colossians from the Bishop of the Gentiles and it were to be wished that every Pastor set over the Congregations in the Church of England had the like approbation from his Diocesan In the application of the Text give me leave to commend unto you an Epaphras now living whom we of this place have round zealous for us and of whom I now beare record Let us examine how and in what measure hee may be paralleld to the Epaphras of St. Paul As Epaphras had a relation unto the Colossians so this man to us Epaphras saluteth them by Pauls Epistle this man by his severall Epistles unto me for you saluteth you Epaphras was their Countrey-man so this is ours Epaphras was a servant of Christ so is ours too First in the common and generall service of Christianity Secondly in the service of the Ministery in particular though not by a speciall service and calling to teach and preach the Gospel of Christ in his own person yet alique mode for that he procureth Sermons to be preached at his cost and expense and this way doth exercise a ministeriall function though not formally yet efficiently for the glory of God and the good of this congregation Epaphras prayed for them this man is not behinde in the like holy exercise for us Wherefore I desire your patience to heare some passages word for word as they are delivered in his salutations by severall Epistles In one Epistle it is thus I aim at those of my countrey by neerest relation them of the Parish and Towne wherein I was born And again I cannot do lesse then remember the place of my birth and the poore that be in that towne and I desire that my gift viz. his benevolence and contribution may stir up some to the like actions whilst they live and not defer it till their death And againe I most humbly pray you writing to me your Minister to give unto your Parishioners foure Sermons in this yeare and I pray God heartily that they may worke upon the hearers effectually as they are by me intended for their good And againe I cease not to pray to God for the increase of your talent and that your ministery may distill upon the hearts of your hearers to gaine some and to direct establish and comfort others to Gods glory and your everlasting peace and happinesse And againe my prayer to God for you and yours is that hee will abundantly according to the riches of his grace make your labours most profitable and glorious in your charge and the high calling that God hath called you unto And againe I pray heartily unto God that I may bee what I am instructed in from men of your ranke and calling who are the lights of the people and the guides of soules for whom my prayers to the God of Spirits which is the quickning instrument shall never cease to be poured forth that every one of you may be as Moses Aaron to go in out before your people and to speak a word in due season to those that hear you for their and your owne salvation So to Gods gracious protection I commit you and them And unto these his several prayers for me your minister and you my Parishioners his alms so liberally extended toward the poore of this place and then tell me wherein he comes short of Epaphras There is not a Sabbath in the yeare wherein his hand is not extended to our poore On the Feast of S. Luke the Purification of the Virgin Mary Ascension day and S. James on each day allowing 10.5 to the poore and 10.5 for a Sermon and at four festivals in the yeare plentitifully enlarged not onely in Almes but Sermons also that so the whole congregation may be fed some spiritually and some corporally by his pious bounty S. Paul did testifie that Epaphras had a great zeale for the Colossians his countrey-men and it was so and I though inferiour to the Apostle yet witnes the truth doe testifie of our friend benefactor and countreyman that he hath a great zeal for you and certainly it is so Wherefore let us then in some thankfull way acknowledge the benefit of his love towards us Gal. 1. ult make requitall as the Churches of Iudea did for S. Paul even by the glorifying of God in him and let us all in generall pray for him as our Apostle did for the household of Onesiphorus 2 Tim. 1.16 The Lord give mercy unto his house for he hath oft refreshed us However if you for your part bee negligent and backward yet I for my part will say and heartily pray Peace be to him and love and faith from God the Father and the Lord Iesus Christ Ephes 6.23.24 And grace bee with all them that love our Lord Iesus Christ in sincerity Amen FINIS Imprimatur Johaunes Hansley May 29. 1641.