Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A26811
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The sure trial of uprightness open'd in several sermons upon Psal. xviii, v. 23 ... / by William Bates.
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Bates, William, 1625-1699.
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1689
(1689)
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Wing B1129; ESTC R24838
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61,106
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151
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step to final Impenitence that is unpardonable Who can tell the degrees of Danger in continuing in Sin a day How many have been cut off in their early Sins and lost their Time and Hopes and Souls for ever But that which more specially belongs to the present Matter is this by the neglect of speedy Repentance Sin is more difficultly retracted By continuance in Sin the Heart is more unwilling and unable to mortify it The Habits of the Mind differ from the Habits of the Body these wear out by continuance the others are more firm and powerful they are second Inclinations and as violent as the first that are deeply set in corrupt Nature The healing a fresh Wound is much more easy than an inveterate Ulcer the healing the Soul and renewing it by Repentance is much more easy and safe presently after the wounding it by Sin then after continuance under the power and infection of Sin. A deep Heart-breaking Sorrow will prevent relapses into Sin. When Conscience represents our Sin in its killing Circumstances as committed against the knowledg of the Divine Law and our Vows of Obedience against the tender Mercies and dreadful Justice of God that for the low and despicable satisfaction of the sensual part we have made our selves unholy and unhappy from hence the Soul is struck with a Sorrow so pungent that the love of Pleasure is mortified and the sweetest Sin is imbitter'd The remembrance of that perplexing anguish will heighten the aversation and resolution against Sin The Soul will fly with horror the occasions of offending God and recoil at the first glance of that Sin that cost it so dear and which if entertain'd will renew its Agonies As one that narrowly escapes from being consum'd by Fire retains so strong an impression of the Terror that makes him always circumspect to avoid the like danger David's broken Bones made him understand what a fearful Sin Adultery was and cautious ever after But a slight Confession a superficial Sorrow a few sad Thoughts and Tears are soon forgot when the Sinner presumes by a slight Repentance to obtain Reconciliation with God he is ready to answer the next Temptation and return to Folly. 5. Fervent and constant Prayer for the renewing Grace of God is indispensably necessary to preserve us from our Sins 'T is by the Spirit of Holiness that we mortify the Deeds of the Body that we put off the old Man and put on the new Sanctifying Grace introduces a new Nature the Prolifick and Productive Principle of a new Life it turns the current of the Affections from Sin to Holiness This is as astonishing as the miraculous motion of the Shadow upon Ahaz Dial that went ten degrees backward Unregenerate Morality may lop the Branches restrain from the gross Acts but sanctifying Grace strikes at the root of Sin the inward Affection There are some Medicines that will stop the fits of the falling-Sickness for a time but not expelling the Cause the Disease invades Nature again So moral Counsels and Politick Respects may stop the breaking forth of the Lusts of the Flesh but the inward Affection of Sin remaining will make us apt to fall by the Commission of it Sanctifying Grace makes an inward universal Change in the Soul he that was unclean in his Thoughts and Desires by the transforming Power of the Spirit loves Pureness of Heart delights in it and has a fixed Hatred against any thing that defiles the Soul that cleaves to the Dust and pursues the acquisition of Earthly Things as his Treasure being refined and elevated by Grace seeks the things above with vigorous Enedavours In this the Diseases of the Body differ from those of the Mind the first notwithstanding the most earnest desire of Cures may be incurable the other when the Desires are sincere of spiritual Healing are in the happy way of Cure for vicious Affections are the Diseases of the Soul. This Change of the Affections the Effect of supernatural Grace is obtain'd by fervent Prayer Our Saviour assures us that our Heavenly Father will freely and abundantly give the holy Spirit to those who ask it with such ardent Affections as flow from their feeling sense of the want of his Influences In humble Prayer we acknowledg our Unworthiness our Weakness our absolute necessity of Divine Grace to mortify our Lusts in believing Prayer we glorify his Mercy and his Omniporence that he is both willing and powerful to make us victorious over our worst Enemies The Prayer of Jehosaphat when invaded by a vast Army conspiring the Destruction of his Kingdom is a Copy to be transcribed by us O our God we have no Might against this great Company that comes against us neither know we what to do but our Eyes are upon thee Thus Satan the World and the Flesh are combin'd in warring against the Soul and we are utterly unable to resist them we must therefore address our selves to the God of all Grace to strengthen our inward Man. And since some Lusts have such strong Possession that like that stubborn sort of Spirits mention'd in the Gospel they cannot be expell'd but by Fasting and Prayer we must with the most zealous Devotion Prayer joyn'd with Fasting implore Grace to subdue them Prayer must be continual if we intermit this recourse to Heaven we shall presently find our selves like Sampson when his Hair was shav'd weak like other Men. Grace in the Saints is not like Light in the Sun that springs from it self but like the Light of a Lamp that is constantly fed with Supplies of Oil otherwise the weak Light will faint and dye Inherent Grace is maintain'd by the continual Emanations from the holy Spirit Nay the Habits of Grace are drawn forth into Act and vigorous Exercise by supervenient exciting Grace without which they would be ineffective and useless As there cannot be actual Sight unless the Light in the Eye be irradiated by Light of the Air So without special assisting Grace we cannot do any Spiritual Good nor avoid Evil we shall be foil'd by every Temptation even the best will leave God and provoke God to leave them Our Saviour therefore enjoyns his Disciples the double Duty Watch and pray lest ye enter into Temptation David with his severe Resolutions to be circumspect joyn'd his fervent Requests to God I said I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my Tongue I will keep my Mouth with a Bridle while the wicked is before me Set a Watch O Lord before my Mouth and keep the door of my Lips. His special Guidance is necessary to regulate our Tongues that we neither offend God nor justly provoke Men. Lastly Faith in the Redeemer is a Soveraign effectual Means for the mortifying Sin. The Son of God incarnate is the Fountain of inherent as well as imputed Righteousness Grace and Glory are conveyed to us by the Hands of the Mediator The Supernatual Power to do Good and vanquish Evil is