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	know_v	truth_n	5,230	5	5.7940	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60331	Christian practice described by way of essay upon the life of our Saviour by Stephen Skynner ...	Skynner, Stephen.	1693 (1693)	Wing S3946; ESTC R1647	46,475	162

that_o of_o love_v their_o enemy_n 44._o 44._o and_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v they_o such_o last_o 16.24_o mat._n 16.24_o be_v that_o of_o take_v up_o their_o cross_n and_o forsake_v father_n and_o mother_n life_n and_o estate_n for_o the_o gospel_n for_o i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o any_o precept_n than_o the_o difficulty_n of_o it_o as_o be_v evident_o imply_v in_o that_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o young_a man_n 19.21_o mat._n 19.21_o if_o thou_o will_v be_v perfect_a go_v sell_v that_o thou_o have_v and_o give_v it_o to_o the_o poor_a and_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o precept_n in_o the_o gospel_n more_o difficult_a than_o these_o and_o therefore_o have_v our_o saviour_n think_v his_o disciple_n unfit_a to_o bear_v any_o doctrine_n of_o a_o practical_a nature_n no_o question_n but_o he_o will_v have_v conceal_v these_o as_o soon_o as_o any_o other_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a to_o discourage_v his_o disciple_n from_o follow_v he_o beside_o that_o no_o great_a perfection_n can_v be_v suppose_v than_o those_o say_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o disciple_n do_v express_o enjoin_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v holy_a as_o god_n be_v holy_a 5.48_o mat._n 5.48_o and_o perfect_a as_o their_o heavenly_a father_n be_v perfect_a wherefore_o also_o that_o passage_n of_o st._n john_n must_v necessary_o be_v interpret_v to_o refer_v only_o to_o some_o extraordinary_a matter_n which_o concern_v the_o oeconomy_n of_o christ_n church_n in_o those_o time_n such_o be_v the_o call_n in_o of_o the_o gentile_n a_o matter_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o hardly_o bring_v to_o believe_v that_o it_o require_v a_o special_a revelation_n from_o god_n to_o ascertain_v it_o to_o they_o such_o also_o be_v the_o abolish_n the_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o moses_n which_o occasion_v such_o violent_a contest_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o church_n these_o indeed_o be_v thing_n that_o we_o may_v suppose_v the_o apostle_n ill_o able_a to_o bear_v at_o the_o time_n our_o saviour_n speak_v as_o be_v possess_v with_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o from_o their_o youth_n up_o and_o it_o may_v well_o require_v a_o extraordinary_a effusion_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o guide_v they_o into_o such_o truth_n which_o after_o all_o they_o can_v scarce_o be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v this_o interpretation_n be_v the_o rather_o to_o be_v receive_v because_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n 15.15_o john_n 15.15_o that_o he_o have_v make_v know_v unto_o they_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v hear_v of_o his_o father_n it_o be_v very_o hard_o to_o reconcile_v this_o with_o the_o other_o place_n if_o by_o all_o thing_n here_o be_v not_o to_o be_v mean_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n 33._o a_o three_o and_o last_o objection_n that_o i_o shall_v mention_v against_o this_o discourse_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n wherein_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n be_v represent_v as_o very_o difficult_a and_o hard_o to_o be_v find_v particular_o that_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n where_o he_o exhort_v his_o disciple_n to_o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait_a gate_n 14._o mat._n 7.13_o 14._o because_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o life_n and_o few_o there_o be_v that_o find_v it_o this_o seem_a contrary_a to_o what_o be_v intimate_v all_o along_o in_o this_o discourse_n the_o main_a drift_n of_o which_o have_v be_v to_o make_v religion_n appear_v easy_a and_o natural_a to_o man_n now_o to_o answer_v this_o objection_n our_o chief_a business_n will_v be_v to_o reconcile_v this_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n with_o that_o other_o of_o he_o where_o he_o declare_v his_o yoke_n to_o be_v easy_a and_o his_o burden_n light_n this_o last_o make_v no_o less_o for_o every_o thing_n i_o have_v say_v than_o the_o other_o do_v against_o it_o and_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o do_v this_o by_o consider_v that_o christ_n yoke_n be_v indeed_o easy_a in_o itself_o the_o precept_n of_o his_o religion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o such_o as_o man_n assist_v by_o god_n grace_n may_v even_o with_o comfort_n and_o pleasure_n perform_v but_o as_o the_o easy_a yoke_n may_v become_v hard_a by_o fret_v and_o strive_v against_o it_o so_o christ_n religion_n be_v make_v difficult_a to_o man_n through_o prejudices_fw-la and_o evil_a habit_n which_o put_v they_o upon_o endeavour_n of_o shake_v it_o off_o the_o better_a to_o satisfy_v some_o unruly_a passion_n and_o lust_n which_o gain_v the_o dominion_n over_o they_o and_o this_o be_v that_o alone_a which_o straiten_n the_o gate_n to_o heaven_n this_o make_v the_o way_n thither_o seem_v rough_a and_o melancholy_a and_o desolate_a a_o very_a wilderness_n to_o many_o that_o tread_v therein_o otherwise_o far_o be_v it_o from_o god_n to_o delight_v himself_o in_o see_v man_n struggle_v with_o difficulty_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v make_v he_o that_o court_v and_o importune_v we_o to_o come_v to_o happiness_n so_o earnest_o as_o he_o do_v what_o a_o odd_a notion_n of_o he_o must_v it_o imply_v to_o make_v the_o mean_n of_o attain_v this_o hard_a as_o if_o he_o design_v it_o on_o purpose_n that_o few_o may_v arrive_v at_o it_o no_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o what_o we_o make_v to_o ourselves_o by_o our_o own_o gross_a fault_n without_o this_o the_o road_n to_o heaven_n will_v be_v as_o void_a of_o briar_n and_o thorn_n as_o heaven_n itself_o be_v the_o way_n of_o wisdom_n be_v way_n of_o pleasantness_n as_o solomon_n speak_v and_o all_o her_o path_n be_v peace_n but_o then_o the_o difficulty_n which_o man_n have_v bring_v upon_o themselves_o in_o the_o way_n of_o godliness_n through_o their_o own_o corruption_n be_v certain_o none_o of_o the_o least_o and_o these_o be_v such_o as_o the_o great_a pretender_n to_o perfection_n may_v find_v abundant_a cause_n to_o be_v sensible_a of_o though_o they_o aim_v at_o nothing_o high_o than_o what_o be_v prescribe_v in_o this_o discourse_n for_o even_o to_o be_v just_a and_o righteous_a in_o our_o deal_n chaste_a in_o our_o action_n and_o thought_n humble_a and_o charitable_a in_o our_o conversation_n if_o we_o consult_v experience_n and_o not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v not_o such_o easy_a duty_n but_o that_o many_o who_o reckon_v themselves_o great_a proficient_n in_o grace_n be_v find_v notorious_o to_o fail_v in_o they_o at_o least_o there_o be_v few_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o make_v a_o conscience_n of_o these_o or_o any_o other_o duty_n so_o far_o as_o they_o ought_v in_o reason_n to_o do_v and_o therefore_o consider_v the_o hypocrisy_n of_o the_o world_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o too_o gross_a immorality_n of_o it_o on_o the_o other_o it_o be_v well_o if_o there_o be_v not_o too_o great_a ground_n for_o that_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n that_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n to_o life_n and_o few_o there_o be_v that_o find_v it_o though_o still_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v the_o few_o there_o mention_v be_v no_o inconsiderable_a number_n only_o as_o oppose_v to_o the_o vast_a company_n of_o jew_n turk_n infidel_n and_o profane_a person_n who_o proud_o despise_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o christ_n have_v offer_v to_o they_o and_o for_o those_o who_o have_v a_o saviour_n to_o trust_v in_o and_o a_o merciful_a god_n to_o fly_v to_o who_o make_v allowance_n for_o the_o common_a infirmity_n of_o human_a nature_n we_o trust_v that_o a_o wide_a gate_n of_o salvation_n may_v be_v open_v to_o such_o as_o long_o as_o with_o faith_n and_o sincerity_n they_o endeavour_v to_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n command_n and_o pretend_v not_o to_o act_v the_o cripple_n before_o he_o 34._o wherefore_o in_o short_a the_o sum_n of_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o the_o religion_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o his_o precept_n and_o example_n and_o we_o need_v no_o better_a rule_n to_o judge_v of_o it_o by_o be_v a_o most_o admirable_o wise_a gracious_a and_o manlike_a religion_n such_o as_o accomplish_v human_a nature_n in_o the_o high_a degree_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o life_n impose_v nothing_o mean_a or_o servile_a upon_o we_o such_o as_o look_n upon_o ceremony_n only_o as_o thing_n indifferent_a neither_o refuse_v what_o be_v decent_a or_o command_v by_o just_a authority_n nor_o yet_o encourage_v vain_a or_o superstitious_a observancy_n such_o as_o commend_v a_o sober_a and_o a_o rational_a piety_n to_o we_o a_o piety_n that_o consist_v not_o in_o high_a notion_n or_o wild_a expression_n of_o zeal_n but_o in_o worship_v and_o serve_v god_n with_o diligence_n and_o sincerity_n such_o as_o take_v off_o from_o the_o exorbitancy_n of_o our_o passion_n and_o

defiance_n to_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o sense_n and_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o great_a part_n of_o wisdom_n to_o be_v mean_a and_o sordid_a in_o their_o habit_n pale_a in_o their_o look_n and_o poor_a in_o their_o purse_n the_o platonist_n little_a inferior_a to_o these_o in_o strictness_n of_o discipline_n who_o talk_v as_o if_o they_o live_v out_o of_o their_o body_n upon_o air_n and_o contemplation_n alone_o concern_v who_o austerity_n there_o be_v high_o remarkable_a instance_n to_o be_v produce_v in_o the_o live_v of_o epictetus_n among_o the_o stoic_n and_o plotinus_n among_o the_o platonist_n though_o it_o may_v seem_v more_o considerable_a perhaps_o to_o instance_n in_o the_o emperor_n julian_n the_o apostate_n a_o man_n of_o high_a birth_n and_o great_a power_n at_o last_o and_o consequent_o much_o expose_v to_o temptation_n of_o luxury_n and_o softness_n who_o yet_o to_o the_o last_o we_o be_v tell_v be_v wont_a to_o lie_v upon_o a_o hard_a course_n quilt_n and_o rise_v continual_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o night_n to_o forbid_v all_o delicacy_n to_o be_v bring_v into_o his_o camp_n and_o to_o feed_v upon_o the_o common_a soldier_n provision_n which_o thing_n he_o himself_o glory_v in_o and_o profess_v to_o have_v learn_v they_o from_o his_o heathen_a master_n now_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v to_o converse_v and_o dispute_v with_o such_o people_n as_o these_o how_o can_v they_o more_o effectual_o recommend_v the_o gospel_n to_o they_o than_o by_o show_v themselves_o example_n of_o like_a severity_n with_o what_o they_o practise_v have_v they_o not_o do_v this_o christianity_n will_v certain_o have_v be_v think_v as_o loose_v and_o scandalous_a a_o profession_n as_o it_o be_v count_v foolish_a by_o these_o vain_a pretender_n to_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n and_o confider_v how_o mighty_o such_o show_v of_o holiness_n be_v apt_a to_o take_v among_o the_o vulgar_a the_o philosopher_n of_o those_o time_n will_v have_v have_v the_o great_a advantage_n by_o this_o mean_n of_o confirm_v the_o people_n in_o their_o gentile_a superstition_n whilst_o they_o compare_v their_o own_o life_n with_o the_o life_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o therefore_o in_o process_n of_o time_n when_o persecution_n be_v cease_v the_o primitive_a christian_n begin_v to_o allow_v themselves_o a_o great_a liberty_n about_o these_o thing_n we_o find_v the_o apostate_n julian_n make_v it_o the_o great_a subject_n of_o his_o raillery_n upon_o the_o antiochian_o who_o we_o must_v suppose_v to_o be_v general_o christian_n by_o nazianzen_n writing_n in_o their_o vindication_n that_o the_o chief_a ground_n of_o their_o offence_n at_o he_o be_v the_o roughness_n of_o his_o beard_n and_o the_o austerity_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o make_v war_n continual_o with_o his_o belly_n and_o delight_v not_o in_o dance_v and_o show_n as_o they_o do_v and_o it_o be_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n what_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o constantine_n the_o great_a the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n that_o find_v none_o among_o the_o god_n like_o himself_o and_o so_o fit_a for_o he_o to_o converse_v with_o he_o betake_v himself_o to_o luxury_n and_o intemperance_n as_o his_o tutelar_a deity_n with_o who_o he_o live_v very_o content_o and_o recommend_v his_o son_n afterward_o to_o their_o care_n a_o little_a innocent_a freedom_n we_o must_v think_v in_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v enough_o to_o occasion_v such_o malicious_a reflection_n from_o their_o adversary_n and_o this_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o they_o to_o depart_v from_o their_o right_n as_o it_o be_v in_o this_o respect_n and_o to_o strain_v the_o bow_n not_o a_o little_a the_o other_o way_n that_o their_o enemy_n may_v have_v no_o pretence_n if_o possible_a to_o speak_v reproachful_o of_o they_o or_o their_o religion_n 31._o but_o then_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o design_n that_o his_o church_n shall_v continue_v in_o the_o wilderness_n always_o and_o god_n no_o more_o envy_v a_o canaan_n of_o worldly_a felicity_n to_o we_o than_o he_o do_v of_o old_a to_o his_o people_n the_o jew_n the_o primitive_a christian_n example_n be_v certain_o a_o excellent_a argument_n for_o whet_v people_n industry_n and_o provoke_a emulation_n for_o if_o they_o endure_v so_o great_a hardship_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v a_o great_a shame_n for_o man_n nowadays_o to_o refuse_v obedience_n to_o the_o more_o easy_a and_o rational_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o christ_n example_n be_v the_o only_a obligatory_a pattern_n to_o we_o and_o since_o we_o find_v nothing_o there_o of_o those_o austerity_n which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n observe_v we_o have_v little_a reason_n sure_a by_o add_v these_o of_o our_o own_o accord_n 11.30_o mat._n 11.30_o to_o make_v christ_n easy_a yoke_n heavy_a than_o he_o design_v there_o be_v special_a reason_n we_o see_v that_o move_v god_n providence_n to_o incline_v the_o primitive_a christian_n to_o do_v what_o they_o do_v of_o this_o nature_n which_o be_v now_o cease_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n for_o god_n be_v praise_v we_o live_v not_o in_o such_o a_o age_n as_o they_o do_v where_o our_o life_n our_o liberty_n and_o estate_n be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v take_v from_o we_o every_o minute_n but_o these_o be_v guard_v by_o law_n and_o secure_v to_o we_o by_o a_o wonderful_a providence_n and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n we_o shall_v despise_v such_o a_o blessing_n as_o this_o but_o use_v that_o with_o comfort_n and_o thanks_o to_o god_n which_o he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o enjoy_v in_o safety_n nor_o do_v we_o live_v among_o such_o person_n who_o we_o ought_v to_o consider_v as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v the_o heathen_n lest_o they_o take_v offence_n at_o our_o just_a liberty_n for_o if_o any_o be_v offend_v among_o we_o it_o be_v their_o own_o fault_n have_v the_o scripture_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o read_v which_o the_o heathen_a have_v not_o to_o inform_v they_o better_o those_o scripture_n which_o will_v teach_v they_o either_o that_o a_o great_a liberty_n be_v allow_v by_o christ_n than_o the_o primitive_a christian_n use_v or_o at_o least_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o religion_n for_o other_o man_n fail_n in_o it_o nor_o yet_o to_o censure_v and_o condemn_v other_o for_o take_v great_a freedom_n than_o themselves_o approve_v of_o unless_o they_o can_v plain_o make_v it_o out_o to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o abstain_v from_o little_a indifferent_a thing_n rather_o than_o offend_v our_o weak_a brother_n be_v certain_o a_o very_a reasonable_a duty_n but_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o which_o affect_v the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n and_o be_v of_o mighty_a concern_v to_o the_o good_a of_o man_n if_o other_o man_n weakness_n and_o not_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v a_o rule_n of_o walk_v to_o we_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o know_v where_o to_o fix_v our_o duty_n thus_o i_o think_v the_o objection_n about_o the_o primitive_a christian_n example_n be_v sufficient_o answer_v 32._o another_o objection_n that_o may_v be_v make_v against_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o history_n of_o his_o life_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a measure_n of_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o not_o fit_a to_o be_v propose_v by_o itself_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n because_o our_o saviour_n in_o many_o thing_n condescend_v to_o his_o disciple_n weakness_n lead_v they_o by_o precept_n suit_v to_o their_o infant_n estate_n as_o they_o be_v yet_o but_o novice_n in_o religion_n and_o reserve_v other_o of_o a_o more_o sublime_a nature_n for_o aftertime_n when_o the_o spirit_n be_v pour_v out_o in_o extraordinary_a measure_n they_o be_v more_o advance_v in_o knowledge_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v imply_v in_o that_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o disciple_n 16.12_o john_n 16.12_o i_o have_v yet_o many_o thing_n to_o say_v unto_o you_o but_o you_o can_v bear_v they_o now_o howbeit_o when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n but_o that_o this_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o we_o will_v easy_o be_v make_v appear_v when_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v false_a and_o groundless_a in_o itself_o as_o far_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o matter_n of_o practice_n general_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n with_o which_o alone_o we_o have_v to_o do_v for_o it_o be_v plain_a our_o saviour_n prescribe_v practical_a doctrine_n to_o his_o disciple_n of_o as_o great_a perfection_n as_o any_o contain_v in_o his_o religion_n such_o be_v that_o of_o cut_v off_o their_o right_a hand_n 30._o mat._n 5.29_o 30._o and_o pull_v out_o their_o right_a eye_n when_o they_o offend_v they_o such_o be_v