Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	glory_n	zeal_n	zealous_a	133	3	9.4306	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81177	A sermon preached before the worshipful mayor of Bridgewater, and several other members of that ancient corporation, in the county of Somerset At a lecture design'd for reformation of manners. By John Cumming M.A. minister of the gospel in Shepton-Mallet, in the same county.	Cumming, John, minister of the gospel in Shepton-Mallet.	1699 (1699)	Wing C7583; ESTC R230231	19,904	41

the pursuing of Gods Glory in the reformation of Sinners Moreover this zeal for God is one of the Effects and Discoveries of true Repentance or a godly Sorrow 2 Cor. 7.11 Yea what zeal It is a Frame most contrary to a lukewarm and Laodicean Spirit than which nothing is more hateful unto God And therefore Sinners of such a temper are called to this instead of all other Duties and that because indeed a pious and regular Zeal leads to all other holy Performances Rev. 3.19 Be zealous therefore This was that which made Phinehas famous to all Generations and gained him the Covenant of an everlasting Priest-hood He was zealous for his God and against these bold Sinners Zimri and Cosbi Numb 25. verse 8 15. This seems to have been Elijah's Boast or matter of glorying he pleads it twice before God in a Breath I have been very jealous surely it was his Zeal that made him so for the Lord God of Hosts for the Children of Israel have forsaken thy Covenant 1 Kings 19. ver 10 14. This was that which gained the highest Character from the Spirit of God to David Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah and Josiah above all other Kings they zealously advanced a Reformation This is the great Glory of the promoters of Reformation in any and all Ages and an Argument of the greatest sincerity and faithfulness in Gods Service It is what the Religious Nehemiah and the same may be said of other Reformers took much comfort in in his Reflections upon and Examination of his former Life Remember me O God saith he when he had been reforming and cleansing the People and manifesting his zeal against the prophanation of the Sabbath Nehem. 13.31 What shall I say It was one of the great and crying sins of Judah and what forced such floods of tears from the fervent Prophet Jeremiah That the people bent their tongues for lies but were not valiant for the truth upon the Earth Jer. 9.3 Surely then to be zealous for God is a duty incumbent upon all high and low that espouse the interest of God and Religion But that Christian Rulers whether Civil or Ecclesiastical should more especially discover a zeal for God and the reformation of Sinners that they should in their respective places endeavour to cast off all evil doers from the City of the Lord will further appear by considering that I. Their function and places call them to appear in a more eminent manner for God Such are God's mouth unto and his representatives among the people God hath raised them unto honour above others and invested them with Power and Authority in order to instruct rule reform and punish Sinners It is their work the very design of their office to stop the current of Prophaneness to promote Righteousness to discountenance Sin and maintain the power of Godliness Therefore they are to lay themselves out for God The Minister to reprove rebuke exhort with all Authority And the Magistrate to maintain justice and good order and to distribute rewards and punishments For he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth evil Hence it is he is said not to bear the Sword in vain Rom. 13.4 Let such Rulers consider the great end of Providence in calling them to Authority over and above others and they need no more to discover or prompt them to their duty to be zealous for that God by whom they rule and to whom they must be accountable for the faithful discharge of their places For to bear patiently them which are evil to encourage or connive at Sinners what is it but to contradict the end and great design of their Office II. By not opposing and appearing zealously against spreading wickedness they involve themselves in the guilt of the abominations and sins committed in the places where they Live and bear Rule Malum qui non prohibet cum potest Jubet saith the Moralist he that suffereth Sin to be committed when it is in his power to hinder it is equally guilty with the acter And the guilt is so much the greater as any is in authority or power to do God Service A Ministers People is in a manner his Family and a People within a Magistrates Juridiction is his also If it is in their power therefore to command good order and reform the one or the other and they do it not what is this but to encourage sinners in their wickedness Is it not to become publick Patrons of Sin and consequently to contract publick Guilt Elie's great Sin was that when his Sons made themselves vile he restrained them not Therefore saith the Lord I will Judge his House for ever 1. Sam. 3.13 how far this concerneth all in Authority who also are Fathers in their several places let them consider I am sure he payed dear for his negligence and it is recorded for admonition to others III. Much may be done to restrain growing Impiety and prevent impending Judgments when Men in authority perform the duty of their places Sinners are greatly discouraged when they see others brought to shame or punishment and that there is no transgressing with Impunity The zeal of two such Witnesses as a Religious Magistracy and Ministry doth not only torment but terrify the boldest Sons of Belial And for encouragement Acts of Justice are a Sacrifice acceptable unto God and sometimes as an atonement for the most crying Sins as in the case of Phinehas But supposing a People incorrigible and equally regardless of the Authority of religious Magistrates and Ministers which is the saddest case the worst that can be supposed yet what comfort will it prove unto such Rulers that they have done their duty It is not of them that Sin groweth or Sinners multiply They stood in the Gap and their great Affliction was that the Sons of Belial were too hard for them But however as faithful Witnesses and in some sense Martyrs they shall have their Souls for a prey God is not unfaithful to forget their labour and zeal for his Glory IV. A hatred of Sinners a restraint of Prophaneness makes Rulers a publick blessing unto any People By righteousness a Nation is exalted and Sin is not only a reproach but a sore and threatning evil Then it is The wicked walk on every side when vile Men are exalted Psal 12.8 Then sinners multiply and sin appears bare faced And the consequence is such Rulers are a visible Judgment and a Curse upon the People They are given in wrath and not in mercy On the contrary religious Rulers are a publick Blessing as pillars on which the happiness of a People stands firm and unshaken The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof are dissolved I bear up the Pillars thereof saith the royal Psalmist Psal 75.3 Were it not for Government all things would soon come to ruin and dissolution Not only the throne but the happiness of Mankind is established by Righteousness Blessed art thou O Lord When thy