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	temple_n	7,031	5	7.9574	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A20534	A remedy against priuat contentions A godly and fruitfull sermon on Iames, 4.1. &c. Wherin is at large discouered the hatefulnes, and perniciousnesse of priuate iars and contentions, with manifold remedies against the same. By Mr. Iohn Dod.	Dod, John, 1549?-1645.	1614 (1614)	STC 6942; ESTC S116344	22,830	33

before our callings so for this that vvee haue beene guiltie of spirituall adulterie Vse 1 Many will bragge vvhen they are reprooued for the breach of the Sabbath for swearing c. that though their Minister finde fault with them yet they hope they are honest men and women But can they deny that they busie themselues continually about the drosse of this World would they not rather be rich then godly Doe they not esteeme more of a good bargain then of a good Sermon And so for others Doe they not professe that if you take away their vaine pleasures you take away their life And doe not these things argue in them a loue of this vvorld It cannot bee denied and what then will follow but that they are dishonest men and women adulterers and adulteresses as here the holy Ghost tearmeth them And hence commeth it to passe of tentimes that because they are tainted with spirituall adulterie they are by the iust reuenging hand of God giuen vp to corporall adulterie at least they goe vnder the reproch thereof amongst men that so they might bee drawne from that which is more dangerous in the sight of God Further this is to be considered that if men doe follow after but one of their lustes they come vnder this censure as if a woman doe runne after one adulterer onely she is to be condemned as an adulteresse so if a man be not ambitious if yet he be couetous or on the contrary if he be not couetous yet if he bee ambitious or if neither of those vices carie him away yet if hee bee voluptuous that is enough to bring him vnder the blame and shame of a spirituall adulterer so to make him liable to Gods vengeāce Vse 2 Secondly let this instruct vs to be content with a mean estate and to be restrained of those delights and pleasures that others doe enioy for the world is a dangerous and pernitious baite and most men run a whoring after it and the most godly and religious haue a vvanton eye which is too too apt to be looking after the same And therfore as a wise Father if he perceiue his sonne inclined vnto vvntonnesse will withdraw his hand from him and withhold all such things as might be for the nourishing of that sin so dealeth our wise God with vs when hee seeth his children to be addicted to spirituall wantonnesse that they looke after new gawds and vaine fashions and would not onely be commended for their godlinesse but for their coates for their attendants for their buildings for their cattell c. When the Lord I say perceiueth this disposition in them he keepeth them lowe and curbeth their desires which we should account a very great and sweet fauour of God for little doe wee know vvhat wee should otherwise come vnto If a man bee inclining to strong drinke and haue a weake head so that he will quickly bee ouertaken it is a benefit for him to be restrained therefrom now the Lord is wise and seeth the inclination of his children vnto great prosperity but he knoweth withall that they haue but weake braines to beare it and therefore in stead of wealth and ease and credit he sendeth wantes and paines and disgraces which are far better for them Thou that wouldest faine haue more dost thou vse that well that thou hast alreadie If not better creep on the earth with safetie then climbe on high to take a greater fall the Lord knoweth thy need and thy strength better then thy selfe resigne vp thy will vnto him and it shall go well with thee Whosoeuer therfore will be a friend of the world The word in the originall implyeth such a willingnesse as is ioyned with deliberation and consultation so that the meaning is that hee that aduisedly setteth himselfe to bee like the world he is an enemie of God In that is is said Hee that will bee Doct. 8 We are esteemed as we are affected the doctrine is that God esteems of euerie man woman according to their will and affection Abraham is highly commended and rewarded of God for sacrificing his sonne though he did not the worke because Gen. 22. 16 he shewed his readines and willingnes to doe it In that excellent prayer which was made at the dedication of the temple Salomon directed by the holy ghost 2. Chro. 6. 30 offreth vp this suplication in the behalfe of al the church that God would reward euery one as he knew their hearts And Dauid his father guided by the same holy spirit gaue as large allowance to the 200 wearie and faint souldiers that staid at the riuer Besor as to the rest that ventured their liues in the battel and got the prey and victorie And also made this law and ordinance for euer in Israel 1. Sam. 30. 23. 24. 25. Now if Dauid had that care to reward the desire as much as the deed where he had made no promise and was intreated to the contrary by the greatest part of his souldiours and could not performe this work without some losse to him selfe and them who had helped him in the battel then how much more will God accept the desire for the deede hauing promised so to doe 2. Cor. 8. 12. and being able to performe it without any charge to him selfe or hindrance to any other Reason 1 All good and holy desires come from God and therfore he accepts them Phil. 2. 13. and contrary euil desires come from the flesh and Satan and therefore he hates them Our desires are the seeds from which all our wordes and works do spring growe and according to the goodnes or badnes therof al our actions are good or euil The same seruice which if it be done with a perfect heart and willing minde is most pleasing vnto God if it be done grudgingly or hypocritically is abominable in his sight Isai 1. 14. 15. Where there is a true desire there will be a true and earnest endeauour to avoid all lets wherby the work might be hindred and to vse all good meanes whereby it might be effected as appeareth in Abraham who would not suffer his seruants to be present in the place where he purposed to sacrifice his sonne lest they should haue sought to haue staid him therefrom And though hee trauelled three dayes iourney yet because he would preuentall lets and hindrances he carried fire drie wood and a knife with him So then an vnfained heart resteth not onely in wishes but sheweth it selfe in constant indeauours which God beholdeth rewardeth as well as if the worke were brought to perfection Vse 1 First for terror vnto vngodly men howsoeuer they be kept from many sinnes yet seeing their desire was to haue committed them and they are grieued that they cannot doe them and would still be readie to practise them if any occasion or opportunitie were offred therefore all those sinnes shall be charged vpon them and they throughly punished for the same Secondly this is a comfort vnto Gods Saints it is said He that will be a friend to the world maketh himself an enemie to God but as for those that would not be so but are willing to forsake their worldly lusts and mourne for them and desire to keep their harts in the loue and feare of God they make themselues friends to God and he will shewe himselfe fauourable and mercifull to them for euermore So for other sinnes if we find much vnbeleefe but would haue faith if we finde a disposition to pride and enuie but would be humble and reioyce at the prosperitie of others c. the Lord will accept of vs as of faithfull humble and charitable persons So when wee take our selues apart to mourne for our sinnes if we find not that remorse for our iniquities nor that measure of humiliation nor that assurance of reconciliation that should be in vs but rather much deadnesse and distraction yet if our desire in setting vpon that worke were good the Lord will take it in good worth If wee doe Rom. 7. See Mr. Dods Sermon on Isa 1. 19. c. If yee consent to obey c. the euill that we would not and cannot doe the good that wee would it is not we but sinne that dwelleth in vs. Which God will neuer lay vnto our charge but rather comfort our soules as Christ did his Disciples Your spirit is willing but your flesh is weake FINIS