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	mind_n	7,027	5	5.7568	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53307	The race set before us, shewing the necessity laid upon gospel-believers, to run with diligence thorow all gospel-duties. A sermon preached in London, May 11. 1665. at Mercers-Chappel, unto that most eminent company, the Company of the Mercers. By Giles Oldisworth, Master of Arts, and rector of Burton on the Hill, in Gloucester-shire.	Oldisworth, Giles, 1619-1678.	1666 (1666)	Wing O254; ESTC R214468	20,280	47

my whole Text is this twofold Doctrine 1. Doctrin The whole duty of Man resembleth a race 2. Doctrin We should all of us more earnestly strive to run thorow our whole duty then they strive who run a race That the whole duty of Man resembleth a race I shall endeavor to illustrate Doctrine 1 1. From the Holy Ghosts usual way of speaking and so infinitely wise is the Holy Ghost proved that He at all times well knoweth how to shape his Discourse 2. From his own descants upon this his own dialect and of all Expositors which either may or can be consulted he is ever the best Interpreter of himself 3. From the Spirit and Life of this metaphorical Precept So run that ye may obtain and when I have represented this you will yet more perfectly understand my Text. Proof 1 viz from the phrase it selfe Ca●tic 1.4 That the whole duty of Man resembleth a race will appear first from the Holy Ghosts usual way of speaking In the Old Testament Draw me by thy good Spirit we will run after thee in thy ways When thou hast enlarged my heart Psal 119.32 I will run the way of thy Commandments In the New Testament this Pen-man to name none else can scarcely point at our Gospel-duties and escape this metaphor He might have spoken his minde to the Philippians by saying Phil. 2.16 I have not labored in vain nevertheless he prefixeth I have not run in vain Gal. 2.2 To the Galathians he might have said Lest I should or had failed of my purpose but he phraseth it Lest I should or had run in vain And instead of saying Gal. 5.7 Ye did sincerely obey the Gospel he telleth them Ye did run well Neither doth he vary his language to the Romans when he avoucheth Rom. 9.16 It is not of him that willeth not of him that endeavoreth nor of him that runneth of him that performeth but of God who sheweth mercy both unto him that willeth and unto him that runneth too Sirs Think not these or other like instances wide and too too general you will finde them all pertinent and home to our purpose when at length ye consider how in all these expressions St. Paul ever intimateth a race set before us yea as if he there did it once for all Heb. 12.1 he most plainly so expresseth himself Proof 2 viz. From what the Holy Ghost enlargeth upon this phrase If the phrase suffice not to evidence that the whole duty of Man is a race set before him yet the Holy ghosts large descants upon this phrase will sufficiently prove it Heb. 12.1 where St. Paul adviseth Heb. 10.36 Let us run the race set before us there see how he descanteth upon this advice Like a partner in the betts he instructeth Let us lay aside every weight for Sin is burthensom and since we have need of patience if ever we will endure to the end he addeth Let us run with patience Gal 6.9 If we would obtain the prize for which we run though we be faint though we be weary hold on we must persist we must weary of well running we must not be therefore he exhorteth Let us run with patience Again one running a Race doth cloath himself as little and load himself as light as saving the Articles he may accordingly St. Paul counselleth Let us lay aside every sin every weight Phil. ● 13.14 And striving if by any means he might attain unto the resurrection of the dead he affirmeth This one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those before I press toward the mark Beloved so palpably would he have us run over our whole duty as over a Race set before us that he speaketh just just for all the world like one in the heat of his course Pectora nostra duas non admittentia curass therefore Ovid. saith he Hoc ago This Gospel-conversation I ply work out my salvation I do and for this onely I work forgetting the mileposts already by-past the Graces already attained and reaching forth unto that part of the Race yet before me the Vertues not yet perfected I press forward might and main toward the mark for the prize Brethren such a continued exercise such a life is beyond all seruple a Race a Race in every respect Proof 3 viz. from the present Text. This is yet more plain from the spirit and life of this precept So run that ye may obtain the spirit and life of which words is easie to him that understandeth so easie that it requireth more of your remembrance than of mine interpretation all of you will soon conceive their full intent and purpose if you call to minde 1. What race that is which is here set before us 2. What it is to run this race 3. What that is which is by running to be obtained 4. What it is so to run that we may obtain 1. Ye know the race here set before us is not simply life for although we sit still the dayes of our pilgrimage still run on I say the race here set before us is not simply life but liveing not living but leading a life it is our demenour during this life once for all 2 Cor. 1.12 it is our conversation in this world 2. Our running of this race is the guiding of our feet the ordering of our conversation 3. That which by running may be obtained is Heb. 13.7 Pet. 1.9 Esa 35.10 Phil. 3.14 Psal 50.23 The end of our conversation The end of our faith it is here v. 25 a crown incorruptible Everlasting joy upon our heads it is in a word The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 4. Our running our so'running that we may obtain this prize is The ordering of our conversation aright Put all this together and from all this put together more than manifest it is that the duty set before us is a race required of us which race so run that ye may obtain the prize Doctrine 2 Now as the Gospel-duties set before us make up a spiritual race so we must more earnestly strive to perform every Gospel-duty-th●n they strive who run to win a prize proved This is a hard saying never the less I doubt not to prove the truth of it from both text and context Proof 1 viz. from the preceding verses Our salvation is 2 Tim. 2.10 in Christ Jesus but if ever we will obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus we must more vehemently strive to obey the whole Gospel than they strive who run to win a race This you will soon discern 1 Cor. 9.24 if you first perceive that immediate dependance which this 24th verse hath upon the preceding verses If ye accompt so much upon your Christian liberty saith St. Paul consider Am I not an Apostle v 1 and therefore One more much more priviledged than any private Christian can be Have not

wherein he is called therein abide with God Rom. 12 He that ministreth let him wait on his ministring he that teacheth on teaching and he that ruleth let him rule with diligence Bear with me Of late there is too great a want of this diligence in rulers Profaneness threatneth if not the cheif City yet many cheif places within this Kingdome It evil becometh a Christian Magistrate to bear the sword of his God in vain Instruction 2 Secondly If we would obtain that for which we run let every one of us mind the present duty Friends As every promise to us made implyeth a duty requisite from us so every place every moment requireth from us a present duty too Mat. 11.25 At that time Jesus answered and said Object No body spake to him Answ Iesus answered the then present opportunity viz. Unto every instant of time there is an answer due I doe not answer my duty now except I so speak as for edification and that too as from the Lord neither doe yee now answer your duties except ye now hear as persons desirous to inform awaken and strengthen your souls You of this Eminent Societie you the Honorable Company of Mercers will answer Your duties if you this day shew your selves faithful stewards of those blessings in behalf of pious and charitale uses wherewith the liberal hand of your God hath entrusted you you will this day answer your duties if your Feasting this day be among you an occasion not unto disorder and gluttony but unto love unfained and unto a rejoycing in the Lord I trust you will this day unite your hearts not only to delight in one another but to fear the Lord and his goodness Right Worshipful You are the chief and most eminent of the chosen Companies of this most famous City wherefore if at all times ye would answer your duties as your God hath placed you the first in order so endeavour ye I beseech you to lead and go before others in good examples in good works In a word every one of us then answereth present duty when he considerately endeavoreth to perform that at every present season wherein he may at every present season best glorifie his God We must do good and Gal. 6.10 good we must do as we have opportunity 1 Sam. 10.7 Do as occasion shall serve a good runner mindeth every step he will not lose no not one footing Whether mud or sands whether hills or meadows limit their banks toward their Sea rivers run they run and run continually and John 4.14 living Waters are ever springing upward We Christians throughout our Spiritual race must be like Soldiers ever upon duty This is my second instruction Instruction 3 Thirdly If we would so run that we may obtain what duty soever we do let us do it heartily as unto the Lord Then the diligent hand maketh rich when it maketh Religion its business Acts 11.23 We must cleave unto the Lord with a full purpose of heart Lev. 11.42 Whatsoever multiplieth feet is an abomination Why Answ It can but creep It is then a sign that we run well when we breath and pant viz. when we breath after holiness and when we pant after God Lovers have a language of their own their feet talk their hands talk their eyes talk so thou when by-standers when worldlings are not aware of it have a foot for thy God a hand for thy God an eye for thy God Psal 16.8 They that would not greatly fall do set the Lord alway before them much more they that would run well Then we run our best when the desire of our soul is toward the name of our God Instruction 4 Fourthly If obtain ye would Duly frequent Ordinances It is good being there where Princes scatter gifts It is good being there where the power of the Lord is present to heal Esa 64.5 Thou meetest them who remember thee in thy ways Quest. Where are the ways of God Answ Psal 77.13 Thy way O Lord is in the Sanctuary Gospel-blessings accompany Gospel-Ordinances Joh 5.4 While the good Angel moveth the waters of Life we should not absent our selves from the Pools of Bethesda John 13.30 When Judas forsook the disciples of Christ he left Christ as well as them but John 20 28. When Thomas was assembled with the rest of the Disciples he was then no longer faithless but believing Unto this hour Jesus Christ teacheth daily in the Temple though not by himself yet by his chosen Ministers That is then a fourth Instruction Let us not forsake the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is Instruction 5 Fifthly If ye will so run that ye may obtain In the use of all Gospel-Ordinances wait for the Spirit accompanying those Ordinances Jer 10.23 It is not in Man that walketh much less in man that runneth to direct his own steps but Esa 58.11 The Lord he shall guide us continually Psal 143.3 Our soul is like a barren and dry land it is God that Esa 58.11 maketh us like a watered garden Psal 143.10 Lead me but lead me with thy good spirit now this spirit is given Luk 11.13 to them who thorow very hunger ask for it If in every exercise of godliness we thirst after a communion with our God a communion we shall partake for our God hath told us Esa 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty Matth. 7.7 Seek grace and finde grace Of old time they who ran races did first anoint themselves with oyl and we in this spiritual race should 1 John 2.27 use the ointment of the Holy Ghost 1 Sam. 10.9 When Saul was anointed God gave Saul another Spirit Beloved as Royal Vnction so Holy Vnction not onely declareth a right but enableth for duty Cant 1.4 We will run after thee Qu How so Answ v. 3 Thy name is as oyntment powred forth Once get the Ointment of the Holy One you will then so run that ye may obtain Instruction 6 Lastly Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Among other Excellencies in our English Liturgy this is not the least That almost every Prayer concludeth in Jesus Christ his name Jesus Christ he is as well the Omega as the Alpha he is the Amen Beloved the graces of Gods spirit are living-waters but Zech. 13.1 Jesus Christ is that Fountain from which these waters of life are drawn 1 Pet. 1.11 The Spirit which was in the holy Men of God was the Spirit of Christ Col. 3.3 Our life is hid in God but with Christ 2 Tim. 2.1 Be strong in grace Qu. In what grace Answ In that grace which is in Christ Jesus Micah 5.5 That Man shall be the peace Qu. What Man Answ 1 Tim. 2.5 The Man Christ Jesus Ye obtain Salvation Qu. What salvation Answ 2 Tim. 2.10 The salvation which is in Christ Jesus Ephes 6.10 If ye would be strong to run this race be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might lean upon

him trust in him make him your stay your strength and your good speed Yet this ye cannot do until ye first stir up your selves to lay hold on him I exhort therefore Exhortation 1 Since we should so run that we may obtain Let your loins be girt Every one of us have at the best bin ill-advised we have started too late we have run too slowly we have fallen too often Yet yet the prize abideth before us as yet the Crown is within veiw Oh while we have yet day-light let us work-out our salvation let us not fail of obtaining let us lay hold of eternal life even of that salvation which is in Christ Jesus Let every one of us redeem the time let us all run and so run as knowing the terrors of the Lord If we press not forward to apprehend that for which also we are apprehend the terrors of the Lord they set themselves in array against us For Terrour 1 First It is a Duty incumbent upon us that we run this race Other races are left unto the spectators liberty spare the prize and spare to run This not so This so run is not a permission but a command We are brought into this world not to be by-standers not to be gazers or lookers on that is the the Angels lot that but to be runners We are enjoyned we are commanded to run Terrour 2 Next Were there no command yet there is a necessity laid upon us Of them that doe run others if they so run that they doe not obtain they have their labour for their pains or if suffer they doe yet is it at most but some small loss some corruptible crown some little shame which will soon over With us not so To turn back is death behind us is hell to stand still is death beneath us is hell If we will not lay it to heart to give glory to Gods name Mal. 2.3 God will even bring a curse upon us Heb. 2.3 It is not how shall we obtain but how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation It is with us as 1 Sam. 14.13 it was with Ionathan climbing the rock with his hands if we get not up we fall and perish if we reach not the height of Sion we are cast out into the Valley of Hinnom It is with us as with pretenders unto supremacy if not a Throne a Scaffold if not a Crown a block if we obtain not the salvation which is in Christ Iesus we shall everlastingly abide under the condemnation of the Devil Terrour 3 Thirdly Consider the quality of the race here set before us It is another kind of task to run thorow all Gospel-duties then it was to run over the race at Isthmos 2 Pet. 3.11 What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness So much adoe to cleanse from vain thoughts from evil intaginations from all filthiness of the Spirit To watch against every idle word which we sure to answer for to lay aside every sin to put away the evil of our doings to purge our selves from dead works to put off the old man For a mind naturally alienated from God to acquaint it self spiritually with God to bring every thought into the captivity of Jesus Christ to be renewed in the spirit of our mind to have our speech seasoned with Salt good for edifying setting forth the praises of our God! To bring forth much fruit not to lose our first love to grow in grace to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect multū fecitque tulitque Horat. sudavit alsit who is sufficient for these things To make what is for continuance a walk for swiftness a race to walk with God to follow God fully nay to run after him till we overtake him hic labor hoc opus est He that would at all times deny himself and at all times exercise himself in godliness must strive more vehemently then they strive who run a race Terrour 4 Fourthly View the trouble some place wherein we run Other races are run upon chosen hills upon champian plains upon carpetground but this is run Gal. 1.4 in this present evil world Whether we regard prosperity or adversity we have little good turfe here Every one of us as well as Magor-missabib Ier. 20.3 may be named Fearround-about If adversity make the world go heavy with us we are then apt to slip and fall like Abraham who Gen. 20.2 stumbled and equivocated like David who 1 Sam. 21.5 stumbled and lyed down-rightly like Iob Iob 3.1 stumbled and fell a cursing If prosperity heap worldly blessings though blessings they be they cumber the new man Hezekiah stuck presently when 2 Chro. 32.25 the world went well with him when Dives fared deliciously every day Luke 16 Dives forgot that there was a hell In stead of making friends by it many stumble at Mammon and Prov. 30.9 deny God Most how uncertain soever riches are set their hearts more upon wealth then upon their God who gave it In short dust would to dust and the more it is watered the more dirt it maketh Now to tread well in ill ground to run among thorns and not tear the feet to run wayes of holiness in a world of wickedness In disadvantagions groung to run at all yea so to run as to obtain this is more difficult then to run a race Terrour 5 Fiftly Cast up how small a pittance of time is here allowed us for the obtaining of this prize To one running for a prize what space of time is allotted Answ Not a minut to spare Span the length of our daies 60 70 80 years are soon passed over yea none can assure to himself so many houres of life no not so many minutes and yet if during life obtain we can well after death there is no further running Look we for and hasten to the prize what we are able if if we run not the faster our grave preventeth us Sirs were Methusalem now alive to work out his salvation were a project which would cost him every hour of his long life As for many of us we have scarcely found time enough to set our houses in order much less our hearts To perfect holiness is a task for Paul the aged David as he was full of grace so was he full of daies but none among us can boast himself of to morrow Up let us be running the day is farr spent Terrour 6 Sixthly Examine well thine insufficiencies and thou mayest be a terrour to thy self In other trials the racers singled out are men naturally agile and active men breathed and exercised men as light of foot as a wild Roe but we like Mephibosheth are lame of both our feet Psal 19.5 It is for a strong man to run a race but we are weak our souls are aguish made up of infirmities Impar congressus Our performances are as nothing if compared with our duties Look on the things behind on that part of