Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	father_n	jesus_n	lord_n	17,123	5	3.7490	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41780	Hear the church, or, An appeal to the mother of us all to all the baptized believers in England, exhorting them to stedfastness in the truth, according to the scriptures : together with some farther considerations of seven queries, sent to the baptized believers in Lincolnshire, concerning the judge of contriversies in matters of religion : in three parts / by Thomas Grantham.	Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.	1687 (1687)	Wing G1536; ESTC R5931	41,980	66

of the Holy Spirit the first is consigned to then in Sacred Baptism the second in Prayer with the laying on of Hands in which way this Mother-Church received this Blessing as is evident from the ennumeration and order of the Principles of her Catechism and also from this Testimony that great Grace was upon them all Acts 4. 33. as also in that it is expresly said that this Church continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine a Principle whereof is Prayer with Laying on of Hands and from this Church this Doctrine and Holy Practice was carried by the Apostles to Samaria Acts 14. for it is not to be imagined they would there innovate a practical principle which had not first been taught in the Church at Jerusalem But God bearing witness to this service of Prayer and Laying on of Hands at Samaria with the same Blessing of the Holy Spirit fore-received at Jerusalem confirms it as an acceptable and needful Service for all Churches And accordingly it was received in the times next succeeding the Apostles days as many witnesses testifie amongst whom Tertullian thus Dehinc manus imponitur c. After Baptism the Hand is imposed by Blessing calling and inviting the Holy Spirit Tunc ille Sanctissimus c. Then that most Holy Spirit most willingly descends from the Father upon the Bodies which are cleansed meaning in Baptism and blessed Of the Resurrection of the Dead taught and believed in this Mother-Church In this Church it was where the Apostle gave witness with great P●wer of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus in whose Resurrection assurance yea very full assurance is given to all men that there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and the Vnjust It was here that our Saviour shewed himself alive after he had been dead by infallible proofs being seen of his Disciples forty days conversing with them of the things concerning his Church and Kingdom It was here that many dead Bodies of the Saints did arise and come out of their Graves and went into Jerusalem and appeared to many after Christ was risen which was a full proof that the Resurrection is of the same numerical Bodies which are laid in the Graves disrobed only of mortality and all imperfections And this is that Resurrection of the Dead here called a Principle of Christ's Doctrine and of the Foundation of this Mother-Church Of the Eternal Judgment Believed by this Church It was to the Guides of this Church to whom our Saviour first made known this great priviledge that they should sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel at that time when he should sit upon the Throne of his Glory Mat. 19. 28 who also is appointed of God to be the Judge of Quick and Dead Act. 10. 42. which great Article is here recounted among the principles of Catechism Heb. 6. 2. and called the eternal Judgment not only for that it is the last Judgment but because the effects of it shall be perpetual the pains to be imposed in this sentence of Judgment shall be of eternal duration to all wicked men who have contemned the Gospel of their Salvation and judged themselves unworthy of Eternal Life even that Life which then shall be given to Eternity to all such as have held fast the beginning of their Confidence and the hope of this their rejoycing stedfast unto the end Heb. 3. 14. As therefore the Tares are gathered and burnt in the fire so shall it be in the end of the World. The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them that do Iniquity And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of Teeth Then shall the Righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Who hath ears to hear let him hear Matth. 13. 40 41 42 43. Lo the eternal Judgment taught by Christ's own Mouth let all men be admonished to prepare for this Judgment for the coming of the Lord draws nigh Of the farther Order and manner of Worship used in this Mother-Church This did especially consist in frequently assembling themselves together to teach and preach Jesus Christ Acts 5. 42. or for the ministring of the Word of God and Prayers Acts 6. 4. In which we find no Liturgies or Forms of Prayer devised or imposed by the Apostles but these Services were performed by the aid of the Holy Spirit which as they were given for the work of the Ministry so 't is evident they have a remanency in the true Church till the whole be perfected Eph. 4. and it is this Blessed Spirit which helps the Church to make Intercession according to the will of God Rom. 8. 27. They were all very frequent at the Lord's Table breaking the Sacred Bread in remembrance of the Lord Christ giving thanks to God by him Acts 2. 41 47. nor needed they any Mass-Book or Common-Prayer-Book to direct them in either Christ's own Institution of his Holy Table and the holy Prayer which he had taught his Disciples with other Heavenly Rules contained in the Holy Scriptures was abundantly sufficient and are so still to every Faithful Man of God and Minister whom God and his Church hath called to that Work to furnish him to every good work It is also excceding plain that the Holy Table of the Lord is here called the breaking of Bread. And therefore though that Holy Bread and Wine be the Body and Blood of Christ yet they are these in such sort as they are also the Bread of the Lord and the Cup of the Lord 1 Cor. 11 27. And forasmuch as the Apostle here and in the next verse does expresly call the same things by these different titles the Body and the Blood the Bread and the Cup we must of necessity take him to speak Figuratively in one of these but in the latter to wit Bread and the Cup we have no Figure save that the Wine in the Cup is taken for the Cup which is an usual form of speaking and therefore of necessity these Words Body and Blood must be understood to be mystically spiritually or figuratively in the Bread and Wine and not the Bread and Wine to be mystically spiritually or figuratively in the Body and Blood of Christ It is also as certain that the whole Church this Mother-Church Acts 2. 42 did then receive both the Bread and Cup of the Lord as that any one of them did partake of both the whole Service being expressed by a Synecdoche a part for the whole which yet will better appear in that this Ordinance ought to be received by every Recipient as he is a Member of Christ not as he is a Minister 'T is true as I am a Minister I dispense this Mystery but I receive it as a Member saith St. Paul For YE being many are one Bread and one Body For WE are all partakers of that one Bread. It was

Hear the Church OR AN APPEAL TO THE Mother of us All. BEING AN EPISTLE TO All the Baptized Believers in England exhorting them to Stedfastness in the Truth according to the SCRIPTURES TOGETHER With some farther Considerations of seven Queries sent to the Baptized Believers in Lincolnshire concerning the Judge of Controversies in Matters of Religion In Three PARTS By THOMAS GRANTHAM And they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned into Fables 2 Tim. 4. 4. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of Truth and there is none that holdeth with me in these things but Michael your Prince Dan. 10. 21. LONDON Printed in the Year 1687. TO THE READER THere is nothing which Men sincerely Religious do more heartily desire than that all Men were so too and because they are fully satisfied that they are in that very Way which most truly leads to Life they therefore strive that all may know it and walk in it And truly this is my Case my Hearts Desire and Prayer to God for all Men is that they may be saved And as I believe it hath pleased God to shew me the Path of Life I cannot but do my best to shew it to others for as some by their Labours have been helpful to me so I hope mine may be helpful to others When I call the Primitive Christian Church at Jerusalem the Mother of us All I allude to that Place Gal. 4. 26. Interpreters so far as I have observed take Jerusalem there for the Gospel Catholick Church now this Church had its Beginning and this Beginning was at Jerusalem and because in the Progress of Christianity in the World for near one thousand seven hundred years there has abundance of Errors crept in and much truth in the antient Simplicity of it rejected I think it highly rational that all prejudice being laid apart Men should seek with the greatest diligence for their greatest Security into the State of Christs Gospel-Church as by himself established for whatsoever has not been planted by our Heavenly Father is nigh to its being rooted up God Almighty direct us all is the hearty Prayer of thy Friend Thomas Grantham Let the Reader further take notice that these Papers were originally written upon several occasions otherwise some things repeated would have been otherwise Let thy discretion bear with this Hear the Church The First PART Containing by way of Preface a particular consideration of the State of the first Christian Church at Jerusalem and the Reasonableness of appealing to Her as The Mother of us All. IT is evident to all such as have conversed with the Histories of the Ages which have been since the coming of our Lord to make known and establish all things in the Kingdom of Grace in the first Church at Jerusalem that there hath been great striving among the Christian Churches for some Honour and Prerogative above the rest Sometimes the Church at Alexandria sometimes the Church at Constantinople and especially the Church at Rome pressing very hard for Precedence of Honour and Preheminence of Power few minding the poor afflicted Church at Jerusalem the true Mother of all true Christian Churches when yet the Holy Ghost hath left a high Commendation upon those who do follow Her both in the effectual Reception of the Gospel not as the Word of such or such a man though preached by Apostles but as it is in truth the Word of God 1 Thess 2. 13 14. and also not in persecuting but in suffering like things of their Countrey-men as they did of the Jews And we desire and hope that there may be yet all due consideration had by all Christians in these days of the Heavenly Frame and Holy Walking of that MOTHER-CHURCH Unto whom was committed in the first place the Principles of the Oracles of God unto whom our dearest Lord was a personal Minister and did actually Dispense to and Communicate with them in the Divine Mysteries or Ordinances of the Christian Religion upon whom was poured the most excellent Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit of Promise It was this Church from whom according to the Prophets the Law of Christ should first go forth Isa 2. 3. Mich. 4. 1 2. Here was the House of the Lord established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills that all Nations might flow unto it an Honour not given to other Churches 1 Cor. 14. 36. What came the Word of God out from you No this was the Glory of another For out of Zion shall go forth the Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Which by special Order from Christ was fulfilled when he gave Commandment to his Apostles that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in his Name in all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luk. 24. 47. And here it was that the Spirit gave utterance unto the Apostles to preach in all Languages that then some of all Nations who were at that very time at Jerusalem might hear from thence the joyful Sound of the Gospel and consequently keep the same Holy Doctrine in all Ages and Nations as it was there delivered and confirmed by divers Signs and Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost Math. 28. 19 20. Heb. 2. 4. Act. 2. Forasmuch then as all Churches in all Ages and Nations are indispensibly bound to follow this Church in the Observation of all things whatsoever Christ commanded them we hold our selves concern'd at this time to declare our unfeigned Assent unto the Truth of the Gospel as it was here delivered and our humble Resolution to keep the Ordinances of Christ as they were here practised not doubting but the same was received in all Churches at the first being confident of this very thing that a safer way cannot be found for the security of our Souls from the manifold Errors which since the Plantation of this Church have been obtruded upon the Consciences of Men in most parts of the Christian Nations To the intent then that we may avoid Error and cleave to Truth we shall consider particularly though very briefly the Frame of this Heavenly Building in respect of her Foundation her Form of Government and the Way of her Worship in order to her Perfection And First We find her Foundation-Principles to consist in six particulars called the beginning of the Word of Christ which Articles are therefore called the Foundation because of the Relation they have to Christ who is a Foundation to his Church as held forth in his own Doctrine and other Foundations than Christ so held forth can no man lay Of such importance are these Sacred Principles that we find the Ancient Christians used to call them the Christian Catechism Chrysostoms Testimony is this That all these are fundamental Articles that is that we ought to repent from dead Works to be baptized into the Faith of Christ and be made worthy of the Gift of the Spirit who is given by imposition of

Hands and we are to be taught the Mysteries of the Resurrection and Eternal Judgment This Catechism saith he is perfect And indeed in the whole New Testament we meet not with such an excellent Epitome of the Christian Doctrine as in this place which was written to this Mother-Church 'T is true we have some mention of a Form of Doctrine delivered to the believing Romans And Timothy is commanded to hold fast the Form of sound Words which he had heard of St. Paul Christ is said to be the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession the Author and Finisher of our Faith we are willed to contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints But none of these places do shew us as the Text under consideration what this Form of Doctrine this Form of sound Words this Profession and this Faith was in respect of the Composition and Foundamentality of them nor can there any thing be assigned that is so properly the Analogy or Rule of Faith as these Principles of Catechism Happy had it been if all Christian Churches had held fast this Catechism though no more had ever been composed Unity in the Truth would have been better maintained by this one than by so many as are now extant And sure this being of Divine Composure and Authority the Principles of the Oracles of God the Beginning of the Word of Christ must needs outweigh all others being but of Human Composition To begin with the first Principle of this Church let us consider 1. Repentance from Dead Works We are first to consider why Repentance is put in the first place even before Faith sure it is because no unrepenting Sinner can have the Faith of Justification therefore this Principle of the Christian Faith must follow Repentance There is indeed a Faith which we may call the Faith of Mankind to believe there is a God that will both punish Sinners and reward the Righteous and this Faith must needs precede Repentance Heb. 11. 6. This Repentance as it was a Principle of this Mother-Church comprehends three things a true Sence of Sin in the exceeding sinfulness of it in which respect it is said They were pricked at the heart and cried out or said Men and Brethren what shall we do Act. 2. 37. which is accompanied with Godly Sorrow and with Amendment of Life without which Repentance is rather to be repented of than to be esteemed any part of the Foundation of Christian Religion Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out Act. 3. 19. Without which Repentance there is no Remission Luk. 13. 5. Except ye repent ye shall all perish saith our Saviour How blessed had it been if this Doctrine had been preached and Men brought to the Obedience of it before they had been admitted to Membership in the Church of Christ The not keeping to this Rule has filled all National Churches with unregenerate unconverted Persons to the Scandal of the Christian Religion 2. Of Faith towards God in this Mother-Church The Excellency of the Faith of this Mother-Church appeared in these things That they gladly received the Word of the Gospel of their Salvation Act. 2. 40. To the illumination of their Souls and the expelling the darkness of Errour and Unbelief by this Faith they had their Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and their Confidence in God had a great Recompence of Reward in the Love and Expectation of which they willingly endured a great Fight of Afflictions whilst they were made a Gazing-stock both by Reproaches and suffering the spoiling of their Goods with joyfulness and were willingly Companions with and charitably compassionate towards those that were in Bonds for Righteousness sake working the Work of God ministring to the Saints labouring in Love all which are Arguments of true and lively Faith. Heb. 6. 10 11. Heb. 10. 32 33 34 35. He that reads and considers this Excellent Epistle written to this Mother-Church wherein we may be sure no new Doctrine is delivered but the same corroborated which they had received shall find that the true Knowledge and Belief of Christ was amongst them in respect of his Divinity Chap. 1. in respect of his Humanity Chap. 2. in respect of Priestly Office and Sacrifice with all other Offices to which he was appointed of God in the residue of the Epistle of which we cannot now speak particularly 3. Of the Doctrine of Baptism in this Church The Lord Christ had fully taught the Guides of this Mother-Church the Doctrine of Baptism both by Word and Example and thereby had informed them of a three-fold Baptism The first delivered by Precept himself making the People Disciples by teaching them to repent and believe the Gospel and then appointing his Disciples to dip them in the River in which respect it is said that Jesus made and dipped or Baptized more Disciples than John Mat. 4. 17. John 4. 1. John 3. 22. His own example being an unquestionable Rule for the manner of Baptizing he being Dipped of John into Jordan as the Greek hath it Mark 1. 9. and then coming up out of the Water And of this whole Church it is said their hearts were sprinkled from an evil Conscience and their Bodies washed with pure water For Baptismal Water is therefore purer because it is Sanctified for our Religious use both by the Person of Christ and by the Word of God. And of this Church was first required that every one of them should repent and then be Baptized and of them it is also said that they that gladly received the Word preached by St. Peter were baptized Acts 2. 38 40. They were also instructed concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit it being the Promise of the Father made to all the called of the Lord and was particularly applied to them and poured upon them in the way of Faith and Obedience To be willing to be Baptized with Afflictions for Christ and the Gospels-sake they were also taught by our blessed Saviour in his Discourse with some of his Disciples and by his own Sufferings Luke 12. 30. of which they were also partakers Heb. 10. 32. as also all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must expect the same And it would be considered by what Rule any man can take upon him to make Baptism the first Principle seeing Christ himself has made it the third Principle and by what Rule any man can call Sprinkling Baptizing Dare they speak as they act that is dare they say I sprinkle thee in the Name of the Father c. Would not their Conscience flie in their Face if they should so speak and yet behold they prevaricate in action and lye in expression in that which they call their Baptism God will surely send the proudest prevaricators in this case a Quo warranto for their presumptuous dealing herein Of the Laying on of Hands in this Church There are two great Blessings belong to all true Christians Remission of sin and the Gift

things spoken by him were so 3. Nor can the Papists tell us what one Point of Necessary Instruction or Belief was delivered by Word of Mouth which is not now contained in the Holy Scripture if otherwise let them assign some necessary Point of Faith or Instruction such as without which we cannot know and serve God truly and fully and be saved eternally which is not contained in the Holy Scriptures But as this will hardly be attempted so let me exhort you Brethren to beware of all manner of Principles and Doctrins which have any tendency to weaken or invalidate the Authority and Sufficiency of the Scriptures which the Apostle avers to be of that sufficiency even before all the Books of Sacred Scriptures were extant as to furnish the Man of God throughly to every good Work. And then certainly he who is in all Points of Faith and Instruction a good Christian according to the Doctrine contained in the Holy Scriptures will be out of the reach of any just reprehension though he know nothing of the unwritten Tradition so much pretended and admired by the Papists or others Being thus secured in your Principles from the very concession of your Enemies and by the Authority of the best and most Sacred Antiquity even the Holy Scriptures you have no cause to fear the most important difficulties wherewith possibly we may be tried in these days And that we may the better see how the case stands between the Baptists and the Papists with respect to the two great Ordinances of Christ to wit Holy Baptism and the Holy Table of our Lord Jesus Christ we will here take a View of the one and of the other in a distinct Column by it self the better to discern their Disparity The Manner of Baptism among the Baptized Believers commonly called Anabaptists Baptist The Manner of Baptism among the Papists commonly called Roman Catholicks taken out of the Roman Ritual by a Learned Hand translated into English Papist THE Messenger or Elder being attired in comely Raiment not much different from the rest of his Brethren first Preaches the Gospel to every Creature that is capable and willing to hear and when by hearing they have received Faith the Minister explains the Doctrine of Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God for the further Illumination of the Disciples understanding in the knowledge of the only true God and our Lord Jesus Christ that they may obtain Eternal Life The Minister does oopen the Doctrine of Repentance in three parts especially i. e. as it consists in a due sense or knowledge of the sinfulness of sin In true Sorrow for sin committed especially against Almighty God. The necessity of forsaking the Conversation of sin and to walk righteously soberly and godly in this present Life The Doctrine of Faith is explained concerning the Object in respect of the God-head the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost into whose Name the Party is to be baptized and especially concerning Christ crucified buried and risen a-again and therewith is shewed that in Baptism we are to die unto Sin to be buried with him in Baptism to rise to a Holy Life and so to put on the Lord Jesus Christ in Baptism as to be born of Water and of the Spirit through the Word The Minister does open to the Party to be Baptized the whole Doctrine of Baptisms First That of Water which is the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins in respect of the Power by which it is commanded the extent of it to every repenting Sinner the end of it to be a Pledge of the washing away of sin and to give us admission into the Church of Christ to draw near to God in Prayer with full assurance having the Heart sprinkled from an evil Conscience by Faith in the Blood of Christ and our Bodies washed with pure Water even the Water of the Baptismal Covenant called the washing of Regeneration 2. That of the Holy Spirit the Promise of the Spirit being made to all that our Lord doth call and therewith doth explain the fourth Principle of Christ's Doctrine Laying on of Hands with Prayers as the Means appointed of God to obtain that Blessing even the Promise of the Spirit through Faith in the Word of Promise 3. The Baptism of Affliction is also opened that the Sufferings of Christ called by himself a Baptism may not be feared but patiently endured according to the Will of God. This is the Sum of the Doctrine of Baptism taught by the Baptized Churches The 5th and 6th Principles of Christ's Doctrine are likewise particularly opened concerning the Resurrection of the Dead and chiefly of Christ's being raised Bodily from the Dead as the most sure pledge that the Dead shall be raised Bodily and the eternal Judgment in which every man shall receive according to the deeds done in the Body whether good or bad To all which the Party to be Baptized declares his assent in the best man●er he can shewing also his sense of Sin and sorrow for it his purpose to live holily his Faith in Christ his Saviour the only Son of God and that it is his desire to be Baptized according to the Will of God. And then the Minister with the Congregation or persons present do make Prayer and Supplication to Almighty God to receive the returning sinner and to bless and sanctifie his own Ordinance to him And then the Party to be Baptized being cloathed with convenient Garments for decency he is had to the Water where calling upon the Name of the Lord he is dipped into the River or Water by the Minister in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And as in every thing Christians are to give thanks so this whole Service is concluded with farther prayer and thanksgiving to this effect That as it has pleased God to call his Servant or Servants out of their sinful state and to bring them into the way of Truth so it would please him to enable them to persevere to the end to his Glory and their own Eternal Comfort Nor do we put any Vow Covenant or Promise upon any Person save only what the very Nature of the Baptismal Covenant it self does in its own evidence carry along with it it being our greatest care neither to add to nor to diminish ought from the holy Ordinances of Christ but to keep them as they were delivered at first to the Church of God 1 Cor. 11. 2. AFter many preparatory Prescriptions the Priest being dressed in a Purple Robe calls the Infant to be Baptized by his Name and saith What askest thou of the Church of God the God-fathers answer Faith. The Priest saith again What shalt thou get by Faith The God-father replies Eternal Life Then adds the Priest If therefore thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments Thou shalt love