Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	ghost_n	holy_a	jesus_n	15,155	5	6.0417	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52918	Vox clamantis, or, A cry to Protestant dissenters calling them from some unwarrantable ways, with which they are vulgarly, and perhaps too truly charged, viz. from all unnecessary medling in matters of state, from too deep engagement of themselves in this present world, and too great conformity to it : from thinking too highly of themselves for their separation-sake only : from fanaticism, properly so called, in their prayers, sermons, books, &c. : and seriously exhorting them to the minding of the great concerns of heaven, to fruitfulness in well-doing, to sobriety, and the use of reason in all religious matters / by N.N. a Protestant and declared dissenter from the Church of England, as far as that church dissents from Christian liberty, to holiness and charity, and no further.	N. N., Protestant and declared dissenter from the Church of England.	1683 (1683)	Wing N63; ESTC R5934	64,696	84

of these at all yet keeping the other which is the Main he shall be accounted of as well as the Circumcised See more to the same purpose in verse 27. he roundly concludes And shall not the Vncircumcision i. e. the Person uncircumcised if it fulfil the Law judge thee who by the Letter and Circumcision dost transgress the Law And verse 28 29. But he is a Jew So we may say upon the same principle of reasoning he is a Christian not which is one outwardly or is baptized only outwardly but he is a Christian indeed that is one inwardly and Baptism is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not so much in the Letter or in literal Baptism whose praise on this account is not of men but of God So the conclusion for our purpose is fair viz that though a man should not be baptized at all with outward or water Baptism but should scruple that or the time of it or the subject of it yet if he be and can be judged to be a true Christian by his acknowledgment of Christ and purposing or promising to walk in his way it is enough as to God's acceptance and it is strange it should not be so to men and consequently the Christian Religion doth allow a free Communion to all differing in all such like things I would have all that read this to mind it and to look upon the Scriptures before them to see what a little matter they make of those differences about Ordinances and Ceremonies which may or may not be used and practised without scruple or trouble among Christians and learn to estimate men not for such things as these but for their real worth and usefulness To this add chap. 14. of this Epistle where we find Christians differing about keeping of Days and about Meats some making Conscience of keeping some Days more than others so of Meats making a difference and Conscience of eating some not others verse 2 5. One esteems one day above another another esteemeth every day alike What does the Apostle now does he perswade the one to come over to the other No such matter but what does he do to end the Controversie Even this exhorts that one should bear with and not judge and censure another See the whole Chap. for this and consider it well with the Apostles manner of reasoning in it he accounts that every one of them may mean well and serve God in his way Verse 6. He that regards a day regardeth it unto the Lord. He that regards not a day to the Lord he doth not regard it i. e. 't is for the Lord's sake he hath no regard to it He that eateth eateth to the Lord and he gives God thanks And he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not and he giveth God thanks both give God thanks both think they serve and please him and therefore in the mean time should live at peace one with another and all others with them But further What are now the common Principles whereupon they should agree and keep and maintain Love and Charity and Christian Communion together Not at all these things in Question among them but the Apostle lays them down in verse 17. For the Kingdom of God is not stands not in meats and drinks days and times or in the observation of things of this nature wherein men are at liberty but it consists in Righteousness we are to understand that Righteousness before described that is distinguished from those things in difference Righteousness in the most excellent sence c. He adds and in peace i. e. peace and quietness one with another notwithstanding such differences and joy in the Holy Ghost or joy in the Holy Spirit i. e. rejoycing in that common Interest and Spirit they all have that are in Christ Jesus being made like unto him of the same Spirit and heavenly Nature with him which is wrought in them by the holy Spirit they should rejoyce and love one another because they all partake of the same blessed divine Nature and Spirit And upon this account also and upon no other have their Names written in the Book of Life It follows verse 18. For he that in these things serveth Christ i. e. to make the Apostles Argument compleat and pertinent though he wants or differs in other things yet is acceptable to God and approved of men i. e. He ought to be approved of men and is approved by all wise men and understanding Christians as to all Christian purposes and services otherwise He proceeds in his Argument and the use of it ver 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace i. e. better things than those about which you contend and which may edifie or things wherewith one builds as the word signifies another in all Christian Faith and Vertue In 1 Cor. 7.19 Circumcision is nothing and Vncircumcision is nothing what then but the keeping the Commandments of God c. But were not Circumcision and other Ordinances which are signified under or by this the Commandments of God They were so but in comparison of and coming in competition with the great things of the Law they were in such comparison no Commandments c. and as to the occasion of this saying and assertion Christian men are here by the Apostle commanded to keep their Places fulfil their Covenants and Contracts doing service to them with whom they have covenanted to be Servants all which was of greater use and necessity and of more honour to the Gospel than to stand upon such kind of things as Circumcision c. his drift may be seen from the 17th to the 24th verse Another Scripture is Col. 2. v. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the Flesh c. The Apostle here to take them off from admiring and making too much of outward Circumcision and there is the same Reason of outward Baptism tells them there was no great need of it so they had the inward Circumcision the inward Baptism v. 12. They are buried with him in Baptism i. e. Spiritually but really baptized into his death according to the sence and meaning of Rom. 6. v. 4. Therefore we are buried with him in or by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of Life The burying here is of the same nature and kind with the rising again as is more plain v. 13. And you being dead in your sins and Vncircumcision of your Flesh hath he quickened together with him c. And though this place and some others are not brought absolutely to exclude a Literal or Water-baptism to them that think themselves under the Obligation of it yet it is the Spiritual and Mystical Baptism that is principally meant and doth principally if not only suit and accommodate the Apostles Intent

They are most disingenuous and unworthy in this their procedure in their Cavils and Accusations of Absurdities and Phanaticisms in Preaching and Praying charged upon the Nonconformists seeing it were an easie work to do the same by them if any were so minded and could not better spend their time or could adventure to wast their Conscience and expose Religion to scorn upon such a score There are those that think they could do it and some in times past that have done it and find matters enough and too much for it but enough of this c. Therefore seeing they are so troublesome and offensive to you in this kind I trust you will not be Imitators of them in the same way of working deriding scoffing and exposing them for their faults errors and miscarriages Notwithstanding some will plead on both sides that instance of Elias in mocking Baal's Priests to countenance all the Mockery Drollery and Scoffing made use of in Religion and about Religious matters and Religious men To which I say First Let not us Christians look upon the single practice of any no not of the best men in Scripture Records but according as they agree with and savour of the Spirit of Holiness Peace and Charity acting in the Gospel of Christ and will consist with the promotion of the high and holy end and design of it that is according to the Life and example of our Lord Jesus who hath taught us the most excellent things and given us the worthiest examples of them in all peace patience meekness goodness charity Secondly Again if a wise man should for once be found in such a way or do such a thing i. e. deride mock c. it would be enough to do it once but to continue in it and still to answer the adversary as fast as he doth it is not only unworthy of a good Christian but of a sober wise man Solomon has an excellent saying to this purpose Answer a fool saith he according to his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit i. e. For once perhaps thou mayest sometime do so and but once as the following words imply Answer not a fool according to his folly lest thou be like unto him i. e. By continuing to answer him still according to his folly as long as he shall persist therein thou shalt be like unto him a fool also Thirdly As 't is not fit for Christians to return Railing for Railing so neither Scoffing nor Joaking for any thing of the same kind Yet this has been done if they say true not without the Knowledge Agency Incouragement of some of your way who have sate too much in the seat of scorners viz. in smart Sarcasms prophane Poetry and in Pictures Draughts c. to render the contrary party ridiculous and absurd as much as they can all which falls under the divine prohibition against prophane jesting scoffing reproaching and villifying and breeds very ill consequents and effects viz. anger malice hatred revenge making of Parties divisions destroying of Christian Peace and Charity We should consider every man hath some honour and veneration for himself for his Friend and for his Party and few can bear to have this Crown spoiled to be degraded from their honour or have their name and reputation laid wast but will above all things be stirred and provoked by such dealing and detraction Consider with your selves if it be not so with you Sure I am this way of proceeding is most Unchristian and agrees not at all with that good Spirit which is peaceable full of love tenderness fear humility and which becomes and recommends the Christian Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Neither is it agreeable to the Royal Rule of doing to others as we would be done unto our selves Finally some good and godly men I have known that have somewhat transgressed this way and though upon the greatest provocation given and that repeated and publick yet those humble and holy men have repented of it and publickly and in Print retracted it In a word you as Christians ought not to follow any in this kind but to give examples to the contrary SECT III. FUrther There is one thing and the principal thing you are charged with which I doubt is to too true at least hath more of truth than I could wish and that is a too much busying your selves about publick and State-matters and things relating to Government and consequently too much and too great a busying your selves in hearing and telling News spending much time about it in Publick-houses and elsewhere and that too much of your Hearts and Spirits are drunk up about such matters c. This is offensive and hateful to the contrary Party scandalous to your Profession and doubtless a great hindrance to other more serious and necessary work and in some even to the forgetting and neglecting the weighty concerns of their own Souls and eternal happiness if not to the neglect of their Places and Callings their Time the order of their Families and duties in their Relations I condemn none in particular but in the general A cry and noise there is abroad of spending time this way and good Christians have observed that they have never known any overmuch given to hear or take up and tell News and Stories of all kinds and about State-matters in special but they have observed a great decay in their Spirits and found them growing to a great degree unsavoury losing much of that good savour and vigour that they had in time past And so becoming much the worse in the temper of their Spirits and it is to be feared in their usefulness in their Places Object But you will say What may we not concern our selves in the affairs and passages of the Times we live in Must we not serve our Generation the best we can And if so how can this be without observing and speaking about the matters and transactions herein Besides are we not Parts and Members of the Nation and Kingdom we are born in and have a right yea a Birthright to all the legal Rights and Priviledges of it and when we see these invaded may we not mind it and speak of it Must we see Popery Arbitrary Government coming on apace upon us and not take notice of it nor observe and speak of it Are not our Lives Liberties and Posterities concerned in these things and have not there been Hellish Popish Plots set on foot and continued against us To be sure we shall suffer with the first and the deepest and sure all this is enough to stir us and concern us c. I Answer First No doubt but Christians may concern themselves in the State and Affairs of the places where they live but this is to be done in fitting ways without scandal or being over-busie or justly suspected of any undue design and practice And I who know something of the Dissenting Party do believe they have none to carry on Nay I find them

it and upon this occasion look well to your selves and into your ways search your own hearts and works examine your principles and practices this I think argues great carelessness and neglect and shews that you have not that fear nor care which you should have nor a mind truly set within you to design the honour and glory of God nor the credit of Religion I have divers times upon occasion told and others have done the like some of the Professors of this Age what things and matters those publick Scurrilous Libels and Pamphlets that fly about the Streets dayly with some other of more sober language and treatment but as venomous what these I say do still object and cast in the teeth of the present Dissenters being things and faults that they will needs have to be Characteristical of them all But when we have told some of the Professors of this Age of those matters to warn and admonish them and to let them know what the things are that they proclaim as most culpable in them they still reply that such are enemies a sort of loose ungodly and prophane men scoffers at Religion turning all into ridicule and so not to be heeded or regarded in what they say Be it so what then Though you will not mind it for their sake yet you should for your own and for the Name of God the credit of Religion and of your own Party for unhappily we are distinguished into Parties c. God forgive those who in any kind are the causers of it But do you not remember the old saying Ab hoste fas est doceri It is lawful yea very good and prudent to learn from an enemy And if it were for my Life and Soul I would in the first place hearken to my enemies when they reprove or find fault 'T is true they are like to over-do yet most like to do that which our nearest and best Friends may be loth to do for us i. e. speak those things to us and of us that the Laws of Friendship and Civility and love of our Friends and Party will not suffer them to do I do acknowledge that one benefit I have received in the reading such Papers has been that though I saw they were extreamly out and writ neither with a Spirit of Piety nor Charity nor the least compassion to those whom they so severely blame but do it only to render them odious and ridiculous and to make the looser sort of men merry and indeed to bring them out of the way of the love of serious Piety yet I learn much in them which otherwise I might not so well have understood As matters in the world now are we better see others than our selves and as no man can see his own face so neither are a mans own works and actions so near unto him at least not so open before him as other mens Therefore if I can't see my self so well I am beholding to those that shall in good will tell me and ought to acknowledge it with gratitude But if they tell it to me or others not out of love but ill will and to expose me however I have the same or a greater benefit and the worst I will do and return to them is to pray God that seeing they have spoken against me evil or what they think is so they may also see their own and hate all sin and evil and this can't hurt them neither can they for it be angry with me SECT II. I Will at present instance in one thing because it comes now into my mind which they do commonly object and thereby endeavour to expose you to scorn especially the Ministers and Preachers of the Non-conforming Party and them the rather because the People have had an honourable esteem of them for their pains and labour in Preaching and with reference to many of them for their great Faithfulness and doing much good by their Ministry Now to lessen the Peoples love towards them by means whereof they are drawn from and make less esteem of the Conformists way therefore have those men industriously inspected and culled out of the Books and Sermons Preached and written by them all they could think of or find absurd or seeming so that they might thereby render them odious or at least less esteemed E. G. too vulgar and over familiar Sayings to God in their Prayers and the like in their Sermons and Books of Practical Divinity all their course Phrases their unfit uncouth similitudes all as they call them Phanatical Notions and Expressions with such things which they will needs have tend to Sedition and Rebellion Many things of this nature they cull out publish and expose to the World to be seen in their blackest colours They have raked together many Books and Pamphlets of late and of latter days they seem to ply this work more than ordinary and to set and imploy witty men both of the Clergy and Laity therein I could tell you of many Persons and Pieces to this purpose designed and bent one of the most sober of them is the Author of the Friendly Debate And one of the most often imployed this way whose profession and business it is is Mr. R. L. with his Associates I wish that witty Gentleman would use his Parts and Wits some other and some better way For my part had I the Ability he hath that quick smart and pleasant way of Expression that plenty of free utterance In short if I had such excellent rare Endowments as that Gentleman and some others have and are owners of I think I durst not use them in such a Prophane way and in such uncharitable work as they and he do But he must give account to God let him but a little seriously consider with what Spirit he does this whether it be like to the Christian Spirit or Spirit of Christ Jesus And if indeed he really owns the truth of that Religion and Revelation of God by Christ I can't think but that a little reflection upon himself and of this work will do him good Well but to you my Friends and the more so because I know many of you to be Holy Christian men designing Godliness To you I say this they do and would it be now any hurt to you to consider whether there may not indeed be some of those Errors and Misdemeanors in some of your Books and Sermons whether there may not be many things obnoxious in those kinds now named and others which they will sufficiently inform you of Consider of it with free minds do not think First That because they are enemies and it may be prophane wits that find fault that therefore you may conclude nothing is amiss but hearken to them to choose that find great faults whether real or supposed or any likeness or appearance of such matters in your discourses or practices You would surely have them learn from you I am sure you would take it well if they would be

every day more and more so far as I know them inclining to Peace Patient ready to bear all that comes or is threatned to be laid upon them Though it has not been without cause of jealousy that some were willing enough to provoke and would have been glad to see them provoked to some undue courses and disturbances that so they might have had occasion to have perfected and crowned their Plot But thanks be to God they were deceived But I was saying that doubtless you and all Christians may concern themselves in ways Christian and proper to them in the Afairs of Government and State in the place where they live And that First In their Prayers for the good of it directing them to God suitable to the occasions or workings of the designs on foot in the present State and Kingdom and Government they live under We are commanded to make Prayers Supplications Intercessions giving of Thanks for all men for Kings and for all men in Authority for this end that under them we may live a quiet peaceable life in all godliness and honesty c. And of old the People of God were commanded to seek and to Pray for the good and peace of the place where they lived though it were in Captivity For in it they should have Peace Jerem. 29.7 8. And so we may and should observe what motions and matters are carrying on in the Land and Government that we may direct our Prayers accordingly with fit and suitable arguments unto God for the good and the peace of it That is the first thing they may and ought to do Secondly If need be and matters go against us and contrary to our minds and as we think not as they should we may certainly with humility petition and pray unto men and those in Power and express our sense and fears about things pray for what we desire in a peaceable way None sure can be against this Thirdly But if the motions and designs we fear and like not be not our concern as we are of such a Party distinct from the rest but do concern the whole body of the Nation as well as us There is no reason we should seem more afraid than the rest but be able surely to bear as long as the rest of the Nation doth so long as such designs are not evidently destructive to the whole Neighbours fare here if it be not the best yet it may at present satisfie us to take our share in common If they will bear it or not mind it shall we only or first or most concern our selves more than others Fourthly Much less should we be the forwardest in matters of this nature and it is worst of all and altogether unexcusable to be querulous still thinking and censuring the worst of things to be discontented and find fault to be found more forward to take exceptions c. We ought having observed how things are let them appear never so ill yet to do in this as in other things we are commanded in nothing to be careful but to commit our selves and requests to God by supplication and to receive the good we have with Thanksgiving and the God of peace and the peace of God will keep and guard your minds in peace Fifthly For you to meddle and concern your selves over-busily will be worst taken of any it will be scandalous and of ill resentment above all others You are at some difference with them on the account of Religion and are Dissenters from the National established Worship and therefore should meddle the less and the least of any in publick State-matters and differences unless called to it I wonder but cannot tell how it came to pass that in our late Differences and Controversies in State and Civil matters you should then be or how now you come to be reckoned as a Party in the present Difference as well as the other sure I am it should not be so What! because we are Dissenters in some matters relating to Religion and Worship must we needs be so too in other matters of State and Government As I said before we should be so much the less in these and indeed scarce seen in them It is most unhappy to be thus involved and if it be the ill design of any to have it so or to represent you as such we should still so much the more decline it You should remember how apt the World has been in all Ages to cast the crime or suspition at least of Sedition and Rebellion upon the Dissenting Party so it was objected against the Christians when the world was Pagan c. So when it was Popish and so it hath always been and is like to be And at this present common Fame the common Pamphlets and Prints will needs proclaim that ye are Dissenters from and opposite to the Civil as well as Religious establishment Though it may not be uncharitably suspected and conjectured that they which charge you most with Sedition and Rebellion would be most glad if they could have the opportunity to see you so and find you actually ingaged therein and that it would both please them and advance their design for the total suppression of you but I trust that they shall for ever lose their longing However still the reason and argument of perswasion to take you off from minding and meddling too much in those concerns is so much the more forceable and perswasive upon this supposition Sixthly When ever any have through the force and provocation of violence persecution hard and cruel usage been forced out of their patience into passion and discontent and so into Insurrection Rebellion c. for their defence The adversary has improved this either to the utter destruction and extirpation of them in those places where it has been or at least to make their States and Cases much worse than they were before Seventhly Indeed it has seldom or scarce ever been seen that God has bless'd this way of Christians going about to better and amend themselves i. e. The way of force c. Neither could it be expected it being quite out of Gods way contrary to the Spirit and way of Christ Jesus and to that patience meekness bearing of Injuries Oppressions Persecution with a patient continuance in well doing and well-suffering according to the example of our dear Lord Trusting in the living God committing our ways unto him waiting patiently upon him till he in his own due time which is the best time help and deliver which if he should not do in this World is not the hope of that to come sufficient to enable Christian men to bear and suffer here for a little season Certainly if Christianity be true and truly believed it is enough that it promises so great a good to those who continue in so good and approved a way However upon the whole you may see 't is not safe meddling yea scarce safe speaking of State and publick matters and differences

except ye speak on the prevailing side which if you can't do it is best most prudent and safest not to speak at all others may do it better than you and you should be the last if at all concerned in those matters especially as you are private men and Christians not called to any place of Councel or advice in these matters And if it be not scarce at any time safe and seldom Christian and right to meddle in publick affairs in a way of opposition how ill then and unjustifiable are they that make such things the matter of or at least bring them into their Prayers Sermons c. and by that means both sin against God their Neighbours their Rulers and expose themselves and all that are reckoned of the Dissenting Party to hatred if not to destruction Secondly Further consider that as the Kingdom of Christ is not of this World so neither are you that are his subjects to be much concerned about it nor to reckon or account of any great matter for your selves in it The Saints of God of old did as we are now commanded to do and have greater reason for it than they viz. To be as strangers and pilgrims in this present World And to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear We have work enough to do and time little enough to do it in to work out our salvation to discharge the work and duty we have to do as men and Christians in our Places Standings and Relations to give a good account to God of our coming in and continuing for a while in this World to mind the great design and purpose of Christ and his coming into the World which all that would be accounted his Servants and Subjects in his Kingdom are bound to mind i. e. How to save our selves and others and by all good example and otherwise to draw men from off their sins unto God unto righteousness and holy living that they may escape the condemnation that is hasting apace against all sinners unrepentant and to endeavour this way to encrease the number of Christs subjects and followers this blessed design will find us and you all work enough I wonder much that among all your talking about News and Stories Matters and Affairs that are working that you do not mind those things more and why they are not the subject matter of your Discourse as often as you can that all may see to whom you do belong and according to whose Spirit and Principle you are led and may see that indeed you have been with Jesus and learned somewhat of his Spirit I know no concerns we have to busy our selves meerly as Christians and meddle in matters of State-affairs now more than the Christians of old had that lived under the Heathen Emperors or they who now live under other Princes that are of a different Religion the Ancient Christians were right glad if they could be but quiet in their Religion and Profession being in that Dissenters from the State they lived in and could they enjoy peace and liberty this way they seemed to be pleased well enough For indeed surely the Christian Religion was never much favoured where it was professed in the purity simplicity and excellent liberty of it nor for ought we can know ever will be by the power and greatness of this World and when ever they have gone about to help it by the addition of their Power and Authority and with the assistance of State Interest and Policy it hath scarce ever or seldom thrived or been encreased thereby We know and 't is upon record how excellently this holy Religion and Profession of Christ Jesus did thrive and grow when the greatness and powers of this World yea of all the World were against it when it stood upon its own Legs went forth conquering and to conquer in its own power and having no carnal but spiritual weapons to assist it and fight for it even such as it had in it self and in its own nature The Divine power secretly but most effectually wrought in it Oh! the excellency of the Divine Power of this excellent Religion called Christian if it were left to its self and to the conduct of the great Author of it by his Spirit that is promised to attend it both in its progress in the World and in the hearts of men Since the Powers of this World would needs extend their favours to it and exert their force in behalf of it and not letting it proceed upon its own Principles but adding to it the Interest and Policy of State Oh! how feeble is it grown it can make no such progress in the World as it did but hath lost much ground of what it had as is plain in many and especially in the Eastern Parts of the World and elsewhere So my Christian Friends and Brethren should it be as to your way or profession if it be of God and of the same Spirit with the Doctrine of Christ to which it pretends it will be enough to live of it self without any dependance on the State where you live and make profession of it and it would encrease and enlarge too if men lived up to it and managed it according to that Spirit of holiness and heavenly vertue that it teaches so that you need not concern your selves lest you should lose your Liberty your Religion your Posterity be over-run with Popery and Tyranny and great fears in this kind are sometimes more than there is cause for How many have sadly and foolishly troubled themselves lived in fear of Popery Plots Massacres all their days spoiled their own peace and have died a thousand deaths before they needed It is sufficient to die once and not to live in a constant fear of it which is worse than death In a word If you and all such had minded their own business been earnest to work out their salvations had let their light shine before men in all peace and patience goodness and beneficialness to all doing all good and bearing all evil ye would have found that your own and the publick good and welfare had been better provided for and you had done more to promote the Kingdom and Glory of Christ in the World and better secured the peace liberty and quiet both of your selves and posterity than now by all your strivings motions and concerns in State Affairs and matters relating thereunto This is the wisdom that is from above that is first pure then peaceable that by patient continuing in well doing obtains all good overcomes all evil secures the main of all unto us both in this World and in the World to come Godliness hath the promise of both To which the Lord Jesus conduct us all in safety granting to us to walk in this way unto happiness and in no other to think to find it O Lord let thy Kingdom thus come c. Fourthly Whereas it is confidently pleaded that you have a right and Birthright to all

there is no Law nor exception but they are approved commended by all both good and bad These fruits thus expressed are the most proper fruits of the Spirit and are of the true Spirit and temper of our Lord Jesus who shewed himself thus towards all men These will make us most like our Heavenly Father and are most evidently demonstrative of the truth and reality of our faith in Christ by these we glorify God such a temper of Spirit as this we must design and must be growing in it for we are not like to be compleat at first And so it is v. 24. They that are Christ's have crucified or mortified the Deeds of the flesh with the affections lusts or passions of it i. e. They have done it or at least must be in a way of doing it growing in it and getting the victory over those lusts This is to be so done and proceeded in that the power of Christs death may be seen in the death of our sins and carnal affections And the power and force of his resurrection in our rising daily to newness of life and works suitable And ver 25. If we live i. e. If we profess and pretend to live in the Spirit or according to the power of the Divine life Then let us also walk in or according to the Spirit as it is here described in the fruits of it And let us judge our selves and let others judge of us no otherwise but according as they see us thus walk c. But on the contrary are ye not often charged and do ye not give too much occasion for it with divers things contrary to this E. G. with anger and wrath with being subject too much to humour and fancy rather then led by the sober principles of Reason and Religion c. according to the most excellent calm and meek Spirit of Christ Jesus Secondly With being too much guilty of Covetousness Earthly-mindedness and of too much following of this present World and so not shewing forth such freeness such a liberal Spirit as the Christian Gospel teaches and gives example of This being in the nature of it most opposite to a narrow contracted stingy mind and spirit this teaches to be free liberal bountiful all which much grace Religion and the profession of it Consider how greatly this excellent spirit and bountiful temper in all ways of Charitable dealing and Hospitality credits all Religion even a false one And it is so natural to the Spirit and Principles of the Christian Religion that if the practice of it were more it would infinitely promote and propogate it Thirdly You are suspected and charged with being too much conformed to this World and some of you as much as any viz. In pride vanity gallantry in your Selves Clothes Habits and in the Education and bringing up of your Children in scandalous ways and breeding according to the Pride Pomps and Vanities of this World Some that have looked into your Ways and Garbs yea into your Meetings Congregations have seen as much of this as any where else And if they have a mind to see more they may go from thence to the Dancing Schools to the most pompous and vicious parts of them your Balls Masques c. By occasion of all which some scoff others take offence others are grieved and some take occasion to go into the contrary extreams seeing so much pride and vanity in and among Professors Fourthly That you are often found Oppressors Hard if not sometimes Cruel will take the utmost advantage you can will not relieve when need and equity requires but will like other men or the worst of men tye up all to their Bargains Contracts though there be never so great reason to consider them You as well as others have been cryed out upon on this account one instance was in the Letting of Houses and Leases at and since the late Dreadful Fire and Rebuilding of the City Some have wrought upon mens Necessities taken advantage of their weakness want of skill and cunning to look well to themselves and when any have found it and complained of it not the least help and relief in it This dealing hath been charged upon some great Professors and pretenders to Religion and seemingly devout You would do well to mind and consider how far you may have been guilty of this and take the judgment of others and of indifferent persons in the Case Some are complained of as being of an Oppressive Spirit in Trading Dealings Bargains Payments especially by the poor Tradesmen and the Labourers that Work and Sell to you and perhaps dare not complain to you nor contradict you for fear of offending you you never learned this of Christianity nor of Christ Jesus the Author of it Fifthly That when you are Injured and Angered you can't freely forgive nor bear much but are too apt to envy hate take the rigour of the Law these and such like matters are objected against you or divers of you and none can deny but many have given too much occasion for it The truth is that an excellent Bountiful Charitable Religion together with the great work of Self denyal and of Patience Humility and the Mortifying of the lusts passions and evil affections of the flesh is a Religion quite out of fashion and by many disgraced and disparaged as only a piece of dull morality Christian men make no work nor design to excel in these Vertues though it be the only excellent way to glorify God our Heavenly Father as our Lord teaches Let your Light saith he i. e. your good works so shine before men that they may see them and thereby glorify God your Heavenly Father No other way without this no other way but this will do it Nothing but the doing and abounding in such works and in such an excellent temper of Spirit as we learn from Christ Jesus and a principle in our selves from which such works flow Such fruits and works by which we can glorify God are those and of that kind which the most Loose Carnal Atheistical men can judge of as well as others they can tell as well as any who is most Meek Humble Patient Innocent Harmless who is most Charitable Bountiful Beneficial who most Courteous Affable Gentle Condescentious who is most Faithful Careful Diligent useful in the Places Callings Relations God hath set them in They can tell who most abounds in Pity Mercy Compassion and Clemency and who are most free from Pride and Passion who are Ill-natur'd Ill-humour'd who most Sweet and Obliging In word who it is that carryes on a design of Religion and Godliness These things they are at least to some good degree capable to discern distinguish and judge of But for mens Opinions Sects and Parties differences in Religion and things of that kind these they understand not neither do they value nor esteem them nor think any great matter of the zeal of men of different Parties about such things They understand

shall we our selves make partition Walls between Christians and Christians to keep them asunder and make them too of Rites and Ordinances which Christ pulled down took out of the way Do we not see that according to the design and intent of God this blessed Gospel is so constituted that it might accommodate all let them differ never so much at least in those kind of things yea and greater than those c. Our business then is to unite in Love in Good-will in Charity in common Edification and growth in Grace and every Divine Vertue and to take the joynt help and assistance of all to carry on the great Gospel work in the World For want of this these excellent purposes are spoiled and we are in bad case and the insisting too much upon these little things for so they are even the best of them in comparison will naturally create a narrow contracted Spirit and cause us to love and like none but our selves and our own Party not to take the help or benefit of any but of our own Way and Opinion and so every Party will stand for and by themselves and mind only their own particular Sect or Church not the common good of the whole or the Church Catholick O! Our God amend this and bring us all back from that Spirit which is the Spirit of Anti-Christ and most opposite unto the Spirit and Way of Jesus Christ To conclude 1. Consider That the Gospel is so conditioned as to take in all without the exclusion of any upon any account except that of denying the Christian Name either in words or manifestly in works as hath been said And this the Apostle speaks Col. 3. v. 10 11. Gal. 3.26 27 28. For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus for as many of you as have been baptized have put on Christ There is neither Jew nor Greek neither Bond nor Free there is neither Male not Female for you are all one in Christ Jesus c. The Gospel takes in all states and conditions into equal Priviledg which the Law did not and according to its Constitution could not do And touching differences in Judgment and Opinion and some Practices when all the Apostles Elders and Brethren were gathered together in the 15th of Acts. Did they force or compel any No not so much as perswade one side to come over to the other but only at present to agree leaving every one to their way till time and growth in Knowledg should draw them nearer And in the mean time they were to keep peace and charity and not be troublesome one to another c. And 't is worth the while to see the ground and reason upon which they built that Union none were to be compelled or imposed upon though or notwithstanding they did differ but all be taken and received into the bond of Charity and Communion as Christians on this account v. 8. That they had the Holy-ghost i. e. many of them had as well as the Apostles and the elder Christians at Jerusalem v. 9. v. 8. And God which knoweth the Hearts bare them Witness meaning that they were accepted of him and that he had testified it by giving the Holy ghost unto them even as he did unto the Apostles and other Christians And v. 9. That is given for the principle Reason upon which they were to be received and nothing to be imposed upon them viz. because God had done the same for them as he had for the rest which was had purified their Hearts by Faith and so no difference was to be put between the one and the other This pleased all reconciled all nothing else would do it but this and this will always do it when Testimony may be had that any are Christians in good earnest imbracing the Name of Christ walking according to the Law of Christ in all the undisputable ways of Holiness and Righteousness against which there is no Law and about which there can be no Dispute whether they be good works yea or no. To conclude The sum and substance of that Epistle sent by the Apostles and Elders and the Brethren set down v. 29. that they i. e. the new converted Gentiles should abstain from some things there mentioned was not imposed or forced upon them but those things were recommended to them and were things not necessary to be sure not all of them in themselves but for the present occasion and finally if against all reason it should be supposed that the Apostles Elders and Brethren did here impose or command those things yet can no other now or since upon any reasonable account claim any such Power as is supposed they made use of and to be sure all the former Scriptures lately argued are plain and preguant against any such claim c. SECT VI. THere are some other things that I will but lightly touch though others of contrary sentiment to you will lay on load One is at which I am not a little abash'd as being unable to defend or so much as to excuse it notwithstanding I have heard what is commonly pleaded that though you according to your declared Principles and ordinary Practice are Non-conformists and Dissenters yet upon occasion and to get into Place and Office of Honour or Profit you will and can Swear Renounce take all or any manner of Oaths and Tests that have of late been injoyned and imposed also that you can on such occasions take the Sacrament according to the form and way of the Church of England though you never did before nor perhaps will ever do the same again except on the like occasion and although the making and first forming of these Oaths and Tests and the taking of the Sacrament were intended and done on purpose to keep you and such as you out of Office and Place whch how well done and how according to Christian Charity I will not now dispute yet by these ways they have not been able to exclude you and they think and sometimes some of them will not forbear to swear that they believe nothing though never so contrary unto you and to your Principles can be devised and made to keep you out and consequently cannot hold you in but that you will break all Bounds leap over all Hedges so that they are at a loss what to do with you c. 2. But O! The horrible scandal that comes from hence upon Religion in general and to the Party you would seem to own and especially to your selves This opens the Mouths fills many Books and Pulpits with matter against you they stick not flatly to say that you are as bad and make use of the same Artifices as the Jesuits do in such cases and though it may vex them to see you thus too hard for them yet it again relieves them by administring to them and occasion of venting their anger and disgusts against you and withal sometimes it makes them merry and pleasant to see