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	scripture_n	19,615	5	6.1818	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89499	Englands spirituall languishing; with the causes and cure: discovered in a sermon preached before the Honorable House of Commons, on their solemn day of fast, at Margarets Westminster, June 28. 1648. / By Thomas Manton, minister of Stoke-Newington.	Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677.	1648 (1648)	Wing M523; Thomason E450_4	33,495	42

confirmare quam facile aliena destruxit who observed that his arguments were more valid and strong which hee brought against false worships then those other by which he confirmed the true and (c) Hieron Tullius lib. de nat deorum Tully wished he could as easily find out the true God as disprove the false Whether it be through that naturall desire that is in us to blemish others or from the weaknesse and imperfection of our apprehensions or from an obstinate prejudice against Divine Truths or from Gods hiding and reserving many things till the age next their accomplishment I will not now dispute I onely hint it to shew that therefore it is why men have disputed so unhappily and with such variety about some difficult places of Scripture alwaies acquitting themselves with more honour successe and satisfaction in disproving the opinion of others then in vindicating and clearing their own As this hath been the Fate of other Scriptures so especially of this Booke of the Revelation wherein there are as many (d) Quot verba tot Sacramenta Hieron in praeif ad Bib. mysteries as words and all matters as is usuall in Prophesies vailed under expressions which are of a mystick sense and interpretation Above all other parts of the Booke the three first Chapters are most plain and easie to bee understood though here also difficulties want not for my part I shall not trouble you with the severall thoughts of men about these Chapters the noise of Axe and Hammer should not bee heard in the Temple these discussions better become the Study then the Pulpit Let it suffice to note that the main contents of them are severall Epistles sent from Jesus Christ by John to the seven Churches of Asia But here a doubt ariseth why a Catholique prophecy such as is calculated for the Church in generall and all ages of it should begin with Epistles to these particular Churches what may bee the reason of this Answer 't is so partly because the Gospel did here first eminently flourish Foxius in Rom. pag. 21. 14. and the Spirit of God foresaw that the malice of Satan would also first powerfully invade and over-run these Churches and so ingage them to the wrath of God partly because of Iohns particular relation and Apostolicall presidency over these Churches wherein the spirit of God condescendeth to that naturall inquisitivenesse and desire that wee have to know what shall become of our owne and therefore being about to reveale to him the state of all the Churches he beginneth with those to whom he stood in particular bond and relation But why to the seven Churches in Asia e See Aug. de civit dei lib. 11. cap. 13. since there were more planted in that tract and country I answer again it may be partly because of the propheticall perfection of this number which is every where in Scripture solemn and sacred and with which the spirit of God seemeth most delighted in this Prophecy and therefore wee hear of seven Stars seven Spirits seven Candlesticks seven Lampes seven seales seven Angels seven Trumpets seven Vials seven thunders of the Dragon with seven heads the City with seven Hills the Beast with seven horns and therefore that the beginning of the Prophecy might carry proportion with the rest of it wherein all things are set forth under the Typicall figure of this number he writeth to the seven Churches in Asia and partly because in these seven Churches which were the most eminent there was found enough to represent the state Graces evils of all Churches in all ages and indeed the pattern and Type is so compleat and perfect that by an easie and fair accommodation it may be applyed to all other Churches that are not named here for in them God was pleased to give the World a Document and experience of all those judgments and dispensations which he would exercise towards other Churches offending and declining in the same manner One question more and wee have done with this generall view and that is Why all these Epistles are directed to the severall Angells or respective Ministries of the Churches since the drift of them concerneth the whole body of the people I answer either because they were notoriously guilty of the offences charged and so by example propagated their own taint prophanenesse among the people or through oscitancy and carelesnesse suffered corruptions to creep in upon others or else because all dispensations from Christ were to passe through their hands to the Church and so the regular way of transmitting these Epistles was by means of the Angel or Eldership Other generall Observations there are but I quit them desiring to fall upon the Epistle we have in hand The Text is a part of the Epistle to the Church of Sardis which was a flourishing and rich City the Seate of the Kings of Lydia in it you have An inscription To the Angel of the Church of Sardis write you see 't is inscribed as all the rest are to the Angell of the Church that is to the Ministery who because of their subserviency to the salvation of the elect and that resemblance that is between their function and the Angels Office are expressed by that term and though they were many yet they are expressed in the singular number Angel to note their Union and combination in a body and society To this Angel write in which word hee produceth his warrant and authority Wee cannot threaten Churches in our owne name (f) See Mr. Iesops Sermon on the Angel of the Church of Ephesus pag. 12. Christ must first say write the Priests under the Law were to have their eares tipped with blood Exod. 29.20 Christ must command and inspire as he doth John here write A description of Christ the Author of this Epistle These things saith hee that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven Stars the seven Spirits that is the Holy Ghost who is called so because of the plenty perfection and variety of his gracicous operations and influences and therefore in the old Hymne of the Church 't was said to the Holy Ghost T is septiformis munere and 't is said Christ hath these seven Spirits that is hath power to send the Holy Ghost who alwayes acteth as Christs Spirit with reference to his merit and intercession therefore 't is said Ioh. 14.15 Hee shall take of mine and shew it you Christ taketh this title upon him now to shew that he had Spirit enough to quicken dead Sardis seven spirits when hee writeth to a languishing Church The next part of the description is and the seven Stars these are expounded Revel 1.20 And the seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches so that the stars note the subordinate Ministeries which Christ is said to have because hee appointeth them gifteth them assists them in their office and functions The occasion of the Epistle which is taken from the state of the Church which was well

Doctores Adam Contzen in Mat. c. 24.5 see the fruit of Protestantism and Gospel-preaching Many are of his spirit maligne and slaunder a Gospel-dispensation Alas we are not in the place of God to prevent misapprehensions it is our duty to keepe this truth fresh in the thoughts to offer it as a bundle of Myrrh to the Spouses bosome Humbling doctrines must be duly pressed John Baptist levelled mountaines and in his dayes much violence was offered to the Kingdome Mat. 11.12 and indeed still John must goe before Jesus like the day-star before the sun Moses led the people in the wildernesse before Joshua led them into the land of Canaan we must awaken first by a sense of wrath or else they will not care for a sight of mercy the people did not desire a Mediatour till they heard the thundring Exod. 20.18.19 and 't is Gods usuall method to suffer us to be dead to one law ere we are alive to another Gal. 2.19 first to make us understand the severe obligation that is upon us by the Covenant of workes ere wee are brought into a better hope by Jesus Christ God is never truly exalted in the soule till man be humbled Dagon must fall and be broken if the Arke bee set up The Lord diggeth deep when he meaneth to raise the building high and when hee will bring off the soule to Christ powerfully he bringeth them out of themselves by godly sorrow This is the drift and scope of the whole Scriptures and therefore I use the lesse of argument in this matter Among other parts of godlinesse it seemeth to be most necessary now to presse the duties of relations I say to presse Christians to carry themselves holily in their civill relations no way provideth for the discharge of the duties of relations so much as Christianity or Religion and none have failed in them so much as religious persons of late so that a great deale of dishonour hath come to God and a great deale of prejudice to Religion Dent exercium talem qualem doctrina Christi milites esse jussi tales Provinciales tales Parentes tales Dominos talet Filios tales Servos tales Reges tales Iudices tales denique debitorum redditores exactores ipsius fisci c. Aug. ad Marcelo ep 5. by our unworthy walking in our civill relations the Gospel or law of Christ requireth that these civil respects which we owe to men should be discharged as in and to the Lord and that we should turne duties of the second table into duties of the first that is performe civil respects upon a religious ground So that it hath been the glory and honour of Religion heretofore to yeild the best children the best subjects the best Kings the best husbands and wives in the world Therefore Augustine maketh a challenge to all the world Dent exercitum talem quatem doctrina Christi milites esse jussit Let all the world saith he yeild such Children such Subjects such Souldiers such Servants such an Army such Provincialls Judges Kings such faithfull ones when they have been intrusted with the publicke moneys but alas the case is quite otherwise of late none worse then they none more apt to dishonour God in relations to disturbe civill peace to resist Magistracy upon every dis-satisfaction and to make every discontent the ground of commotion and disobedience therefore to teach men to improve their relations for the glory of God and good of Religion must needs bee seasonable that if it be possible wee may repair that incomparable losse which Religion hath sustained this way Learn that holy art of compounding peace wieh purity that neither may lose its due respect that we may neither hazard Religion by silence nor eager contention Holinesse and peace are daughters of the same spirit and may bee reconciled you finde them often coupled in Scripture James 3.17 The wisdome that is from above is first pure and then peaceable purity must have the precedence in your endeavours but peaceablenesse must not altogether bee shut out so Mark. 9.30 Have salt in your selves and peace one with another Salt and peace bee savoury but not too tart and austere I will not direct my Brethren I doe onely suggest it One Word now to the Magistrate and I have done Oh consider this matter appertaineth to you to strengthen things that are ready to dye to repaire decayed godlinesse this challengeth a chief care yea the first place in your debates as in the Commandements Spirituall duties have the precedency of Morall In the name of Christ then let me beseech you To bee holy and godly in your own persons Oh how sad will it bee for your soules in the day of the Lord if you should be imployed in the Reformation of others and not bee reformed your selves that you should be like Noah's shipwrights that frame an Arke for others and perish in the waters your selves or like the Jews that directed the wise men to Bethlehem but went not themselves thither to worship Christ O consider you are the first sheets of the Kingdom others are printed after your copy if the first sheet be well set a thousand more are stamped with ease see then that the power of Religion prevaile over your own souls that after you have done good to others you may not be castawayes How can men think you are sincere in establishing of Religion if it hath made no impression on your own hearts Scandalous Ministers and wicked Magistrates doe but pull down with one hand what they set up with the other If you would repaire Religion and promote godlynesse give incouragement to a godly Ministry you see when Christ writeth to the Church to repaire godlinesse he directeth it to the Angell Oh let there bee an Angell in every Church Christs strength lyeth in his mouth Isa 49.2 That 's the Sword by which hee overcometh the World 't is the weapon hee useth against Antichrist the Spirit of his mouth as Gideon overcame the Israelites by lampes in pitchers 2 Thes 2 11● so doth Christ by lampes and pitchers and therefore the Apostle calleth it light or treasure in an earthen vessel Oh then maintaine the lampe that they may bee a meanes in the hand of God of maintaining godlynesse in the Kingdome let there bee as I said an Angell in every Church a light in every socket a starre in every orbe if you looke abroad you will find many continued through favor mediation of friends Brightman in L●c. Qui nihil babent in vita Angelicum aut in doctrina Evangelicum that have nothing Angelicall in their life or Evangelicall in their doctrine Heartily establish an holy Government in the Church order and discipline is the fence of Religion and a Church well governed is terrible as an Army with Banners Cant. 6.4 that is full of beauty and strength Armies ordered are comely and in a capacity to fight the present decayes are by confusion 't is said Psal 68.35 Thou art terrible out of thy holy places in the order and beauty of the Church God is most terrible when worship is pure and regular it impresseth a dread and a reverence upon men Countenance godly persons they are a Kingdomes best security Zech. 12.5 and the Governours of Judah shall say in their hearts The inhabitants of Ierusalem are my strength in the Lord of Hosts their God Mark you should call them your strength they ingage a blessing when Lot was in Sodome Sodome was in Lot this is one of your chief duties to see that godlinesse live peaceably wee are bound to pray for you upon this ground Pray for them that are in Authority that wee may leade a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty 1 Tim. 2.4 Oh look to it then that religion may have a quiet abode or else you wil not Honour and sweeten Religion by some release of the peoples burdens Belly arguments doe worke much upon them Ier. 44.17 Wee will burn incense to the Queen of heaven for then wee had plenty of victualls and were well and saw no evill They measure Religion by their outward concernments and judge of wayes by their burdens and troubles The oppression of some Protestant princes in Germany was a scandall to the Reformation nothing stirreth up vulgar hatred and introduceth violent changes so much as this the people are like the read of Egypt if wee lean too hard they doe not support but pierce and oppression is like an iron in the fire 't will burn their fingers that hold it I confesse this is somewhat out of my way therefore I was the more loath to speak in it but it being for Religions sake I hope you will pardon an humble motion I shall but hint two Motives to set on all and conclude Is that in the 3. verse of this Chapter lest I come as a thief oh consider Christ may steale upon you when hee taketh off his restraint from a people and they break out into tumults 't is a shrewd signe you know what faction was ruined by tumults 't is an unhappy presage The next is taken from the 4. verse Thou hast a few names that have not defiled their Garments God taketh notice of those few names that are zealous for him in dead times that minde the advancement of piety whilst others debase it they shall walke with mee in white either God will provide an Arke of safety for you for the present or give you heaven which shall make amends for all FINIS