Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	godliness_n	zeal_n	zealous_a	21	3	8.9496	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33332	The lives of two and twenty English divines eminent in their generations for learning, piety, and painfulnesse in the work of the ministry, and for their sufferings in the cause of Christ : whereunto are annexed the lives of Gaspar Coligni, that famous admirall of France, slain in the Parisian massacre, and of Joane Queen of Navarr, who died a little before / by Samuel Clarke ...	Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682.	1660 (1660)	Wing C4540; ESTC R36026	335,009	323

Chappel which had formerly been in use only in Term-time he caused to be continued weekly all the year Besides which when he was present in the Colledge he did frequently himself either preach or expound Scripture to them He also took special notice of the several conversations of the particular persons in the Colledge as well by his own inspection and observation while he was present as by faithfull informations in his absence and was frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in private Consonant hereunto was also the care of the particular Fellows who beside the instruction of their Pupils in Learning caused them to come to their chambers to Prayers every night and to repetition of Sermons on the Lords day By all which the practice of Religion was much promoted His next care was for the advancement of Learning which he endeavoured to promote by his frequent exhortations and encouraging all to diligence in their studies and conscionable improving their time and opportunities as also by requiring the constant performance of publique exercises by persons of all ranks and exciting the Fellows to a diligent inspection as well joyntly over the Colledge in general as severally over their own Pupils in particular for the same ends On the same ground also he took care to have the Colledge-Library furnished with good Authors giving considerable summes of money for that end and perswading others also to do the like And some dues payable to the Colledge which formerly used to be employed in feasting were by his means converted to a better use in buying of such Books which might feed the minds both of the present society and those that shall succeed He bestowed also a considerable part of his profits there upon the yearly maintenance of poor Scholars and at his death he gave a considerable summe of money for the same purpose to be disposed of by the present Society to such as stood in need Indeed his resolution was that so long as he was hindered from residing constantly amongst them by reason of his attending on the Assembly at Westminster he would not be a gainer by the place but whatsoever profits he received more then would defray the charges of journeys and other expences occasioned by it he would bestow some way or other for the good of the Colledge In elections to places of preferment in the Colledge he was exceedingly carefull that they might be bestowed on those that were most deserving and to that end he did with the unanimous consent of the Fellows make a Decree that in all future Elections none should be admitted to a Scholarship or Fellowship in the Colledge till they did first approve themselves for Learning by a publique triall or examination for two or three daies successively in the audience of the whole Colledge which hath already produced very good effects for the improvement of Learning in that Colledge and more are like to ensue In case any sollicited him for preferment of their Friends his constant answer was that if they were found to deserve it better then others they should have it but if otherwise they must expect to go without it and his actings were so exactly consonant hereunto as indeed in all things his resolutions words and actions were so exactly consonant and kept so perfect harmony as is seldom seen whereas in many their words are more then their intentions and their actions lesse then their words In his converse with the Fellows it was his great care to preserve unanimity that as well Elections as all other affairs of the Colledge should be carried on by a universal consent so that if in the proposal of any thing there were any dissent his usual manner was to defer the determination of it till every one should see reason sufficient to concur with the rest and was himself as ready to hearken to any argument produced though contrary to his present sense which he would either fully answer or yield to it so that scarce any thing was over-ruled meerly by plurality of suffrages but all with universal consent and nothing more ordinary then for all differences to be quite reasoned down In his absence from them his mind was still present with them being more throughly acquainted with all the affairs of the Colledge and more carefull of them then most Heads of houses are when they are present For by reason of that sweet harmony and agreement betwixt himself and the Fellows he had constantly faithfull intelligence of all affairs and did communicate his counsel and advice therein making the good of the Colledge as he was wont to call it his Magna cura by reason whereof that Colledge hath flourished in a very eminent manner And I may safely say without prejudice to any that scarce any Society in either University since the late Reformation both for the general improvement of Religion and Learning and the unanimous harmony amongst themselves have been comparable hereunto yea so great was that unanimity and reciprocal affection between him and the Society that scarce ever any Head of a Society was taken from them with more general sorrow Beside what hath been already said much more might be added concerning the worth of this eminent Servant of God much of which hath been already penned by himself in that small Tractate Of making Religion ones businesse together with the Appendix applied to the calling of a Minister which with other small Tracts are printed together with this title Memorials of Godlinesse and Christianity wherein you may read a true Character of his thoughts as well as his actions of which I shall only adde this That his constant practice was so exactly consonant to the strict principles that are there expressed as can hardly be believed by those that have not seen it He was a man indeed of a very publique spirit and wholly laid himself out for God And therefore though he were ready to deny himself and condescend freely where his own interest was only concerned yet was he zealous and tenacious in things that concerned Gods glory reserving his heat to encounter sin Hence was it that notwithstanding his natural meeknesse he acted in the things of God with much courage and resolution As in those free and resolute expressions of himself yet with humilty meeknesse and sobriety in preaching at the Cathedral Church at Canterbury in presence of the Dean and Prebends wherein he spared not to set before them such things as were notoriously amisse yet for the most part expressing in Latine what did chiefly concern them that they might take notice of it not the people which though it procured him some trouble and opposition yet he did not for that abate of his courage and resolution In like manner when he was to preach at the Bishop of Lincolns Visitation at Hitchin he went thither with a resolution to speak fully and freely against the corrupt innovations then in practice whatever might be

whispered with Mr. Mountague he confessed that for Arminius he had never read him and that he had written some things negligently in that book which he never thought should thus be scanned among friends and therefore promised to write another book in Butter and Honey and therein more exactly for to acquit himself Some of the good Lords proposed that in stead of this Book which Mr. Mountague had promised to write the Synod of Dort might be received and established as the doctrine of the Church of England seeing there was nothing there determined but what our Delegates approved But Dr. White opposed this mainly for said he the Church of England in her Catechism teacheth to believe in God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankind which that Synod did deny Dr. Preston answered That by Redemption there was only meant the freeing of mankind from that inevitable ruine the sin of Adam had involved them in and making of them savable upon conditions of another Covenant Joh. 3.16 17. so as now salvation was not impossible as it was before the death of Christ but might be offered unto any man according to the tenor of that Commission Mark 16.15 16. Which could not be unto the devils for they were left in that forelorn condition whereinto their sin and disobedience put them Heb. 2.16 2 Pet. 2.4 that the Jaylor was a boisterous bloody fellow Act. 6.24 27. yet Paul makes no doubt for to tell him vers 31. That if he believed on the Lord Jesus he should be saved with his house But Dr. White in no sort received this but affirmed earnestly that Christ died for all alike in Gods intention and Decree for Cain as well as Abel for Saul as much as David for Judas as much as Peter for the reprobate and damned in hell as well as for the Elect and Saints in heaven But Dr. Preston answered That there was a speciall salvation afforded to Believers 1 Tim. 4.10 That Christ was indeed a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2.6 but the Saviour only of his body Eph. 5.23 that he redeemed all but called and justified and glorified whom he knew before and had predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29.30 that to whom in this sense Christ was given to them were given also all things appertaining unto life and godlinesse 2 Pet. 1.3 as faith 2 Pet. 1. ● Phil. 1.29 Eph. 2.8 Repentance Act. 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 A new heart Ezek 36.26 His Spirit Gal. 4.5 6. So that nothing can be charged on them but Jesus Christ hath undertaken and is engaged to discharge them Rom. 8.31 32 33 34. So that they can never perish nor be taken out of Christs hand Joh. 10.28 29 30. but as they are begotten again unto a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 so they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation vers 5. whereas Judas was lost Joh. 17.12 and is gone to his own place Act. 1.25 and there are many nations and people of the world that have no outward offer made unto them in the Gospel Psal 147.19 20. Act. 16.6 7. and those that have it have not hearts given them to understand it and believe it Deut. 29.2 3 4. Esa. 6.9 10. Mat. 13.13 14 15. and therefore they are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 4. and are damned 2 Thes. 2.10 11 12. For he shewed that in Adam all men were lost Rom. 5.12 and none recovered but by Christ therefore such as had not Christs intercession could not recover but Christ prayed not for some Joh. 17.9 and therefore such could not be saved Heb. 7.25 Dr. White acknowledged there was a difference for though all had so much as by good improvement might serve their turn yet the Elect had more for God abounded towards them Eph. 1.8 9. Rom. 5.15 17 20. As all the Troop have horses but the Officers have better Both Travellers have staves to leap over the ditch but the one a better and stronger then the other The worst had grace enough to keep corruption and the renitency of their natures down but the Elect such as would do it easily for Christ had tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 and died for those which yet might perish 1 Cor. 8.11 and bought those that yet brought upon themselves swift damnation 2 Pet. 2.1 because they did not husband and improve the favour offered to them Dr. Preston answered That Christ was in himself sufficient to save all and might be said to be provided for that end and use as a medicine is to cure infected persons though it cure none actually but those that drink it as Prosper Habet in se quod omnibus prosit sed si non bibitur non medetur As 1 Joh. 5.11 12. but many did not thus apply Christ because they had him not so offered and exhibited as others had Mat. 11.21 Luk. 10.13 for God gave some faith and repentance as we have shewed as the Serpent Moses was commanded for to make was in it self sufficient to cure those that were bitten Numb 21.8 9. yet cured none but only those that looked on it So as Moses lift up the Serpent in the wilderness shall the Son of man be lift up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have life everlasting Joh. 3.14 15. But Dr. White urged that place Esa. 5.4 that God had done all he could but they neglected and rejected the counsel of God against themselves Luk. 7.30 Dr. Preston answered That God had done all that they could challenge of him for he had given them in Adam power Eccl. 7.29 and proposed another way of mercy in a Mediatour and therefore he appeals to any one that was indifferent Esa. 5.3 but this was unto Israel he dealt not so with other nations Psal. 149.20 Beside he had done what he could without reversing and rescinding his Decree Joh. 12.38 39 40. for otherwise he could have given them the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 the like gift that he did unto others who believed on the Lord Jesus Act. 11.17 could have wrought in them both to will and to do according to his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 could have healed them as he promised Esa. 57.18 and as he did persecuting Saul 1 Tim. 1.6 but God had other ends Rom. 9.17 and attributes Rom. 9.22 which he was willing to discover Prov. 16.4 But Dr. White asked how then he could require faith and repentance Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 which was all one as if he should require one to give his judgment and opinion of a colour that had his eyes shut and then shut his eyes as fast as he could Dr. Preston answered That he might do it to shew and discover our impotency as we bid our little children rise that by their own fault fell that we may let them know their inability and be the more beholding unto us to help them up as Mark. 9.23 24. and because the call and command of Christ is the Vehiculum

his child-hood he with two or three School-fellows were so religiously disposed that on play-daies they would pray together and repeat the heads of their Catechisme with the Sermons which they heard upon the last Lords day before they went unto their Lusory exercises Thus this Timothy grew acquainted with God and his Word and the waies of Religion while he was a Child Being very well fitted for the University he was sent unto Cambridge bout the fifteenth year of his age and admitted into Sidney Colledge where he was studious and a good Proficient in Academical Learning When he was Master of Arts coming home to his Father he preached often in Coventry with very good approbation amongst those who were best affected towards the waies of Godlinesse Here he had special encouragements in the study of Divinity from Master Humphrey Fen famous for his Ministry and Non-conformity at Coventry who in the Preface to his last Will and Testament made so full and so open a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that the Prelatical Party would not suffer it to be put among the Records of the Court when the Will was tendred to be proved and his conscience was unsatisfied to enter into the Ministry by Episcopal subscription but through a good Providence he with Master John Ball were made Ministers by an Irish Bishop without that subscription The first place of his setled Ministry was Cawk in Derbyshire a small village whither he was called by means of his much honoured good Friend Master Arthur Hildersam and where he had good incouragements from Master Bainbridge a Gentleman there of good estate and estimation for Religion In this place which was six miles from Derby and three from Ashby de la zouch his peace and liberty was the better preserved because it was a peculiar and so not subject unto Episcopal visitation Here God was pleased to set a broad Seal to his Ministry making him an happy Instrument to build up many who were brought to Christ by Master Hildersams labours and also to turn many others from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God At this time there was great scarcity of good Preachers in those parts whereupon people from twenty towns and villages flocked unto Cawk-Chappel as Doves to the windows every Sabbath day where more congregated especially in summer and in afternoons then the Chappel could contain yet standing at the windows without they might hear the Sermons preached and Scriptures read because Master Herrings voice was clear and strong Hither great companies came in the morning with joyfull expectation of wholesome soul-provisions here they continued all day with cheerfulnesse some bringing their victuals from home with them and others going to a third ordinary provided purposely for the refreshing of strangers and they went from hence in the evening in companies repeating the Sermons and singing Psalms in their return home Here amongst many others Master Simeon Ashe received some of his first impressions and bents towards Religion whom Master Herring loved from his childhood and who lived in his heart and Prayers unto his death And this is a matter considerable that few if any in those parts who were hopefully brought unto God and by the Ministry of Master Hildersam and Master Herring have been turned aside into the by-paths of errour and separation in these broken dividing times but they continue sound in their judgements and holy in their conversations well remembring the principles whereof they were well instructed and grounded by those two Worthies their Fathers in Christ. When he had continued at Cawke about the space of eight years he was forced from thence for Non-conformity by the Prelatical power being informed against by ill-affected men who maligned the great service which he did and envied the great respect which he had in those parts Before he removed from thence the Lord provided for him a most gracious yoak-fellow who was no discouragement but an encouragement rather unto him alwaies both in his services and sufferings for Christ and his cause His Wife was the third Daughter of Master Gellibrand sometimes Preacher to the English company at Flushing in Holland and Grand-child to that man of God Master John Oxenbridge Minister of Southam in Warwickshire and afterwards of Bablick in Coventry where he died and as she came out of a godly stock so she hath expressed and still doth expresse the power of godlinesse in every condition and relation of her life to Gods honour By her he had thirteen Children and as they were happily mutually helpfull in the waies of holinesse so it was their joynt care to educate their posterity in the nurture and fear of the Lord. They were taught the Principles of Religion from their childhood and their tender good Mother according to their Fathers appointment caused them to learn the Proverbs of Solomon by heart Neither was this gracious care in vain for the blossomes and fruits of grace sweetly appear in their lives to the comfort of their Parents and Christian Friends And here this one thing is notable and imitable in this worthy man in reference to his Children viz. That ever before he gave them correction he endeavoured to convince them of their sin against God and sought by tears and prayers for Gods blessing upon that means for their good When the course of his Ministry was interrupted at Cawk and there was no hope of his peaceable continuance there God by means of Master William Rowley a wise religious man and his faithfull Friend was pleased to open a door for the more publique exercise of his Ministry in Shrewsbury Here he preached at Alkmares Church every Tuesday morning and upon the Sabbath also so long as liberty was allowed which Sermon was at one a clock that neither the Ministers of the town might be offended nor other Congregations emptyed by the peoples flocking unto his Ministry The Sermon which he preached on the Lords day he repeated it the same night before Supper at the houses of Master Edward Jones Master George Wright and Master William Rowley by course and whereas some spies were usually sent thither crowding in with the company to pick quarrels he behaved himself so prudently and prayed alwaies so affectionately for the King and present Government that his adversaries gave this testimony of him viz. Though he be scrupulous in matter of Ceremony yet he is a loyal subject unto the King and a true Friend unto the State Beside the great good service which was now done in Salop by his Ministry and private conferences with Christians in reference unto him many other Ministers had the more frequent recourse unto the town Master Pierson Master Nicols c. who were put upon preaching once or oftner before they departed thence whereby knowledge was much increased and the power of Godlinesse much cherished and promoted there But Satan maligning those opportunities of service unto Christ some envious ill-affected

persons amongst whom Master Peter Studley was the chief were stirred up to lay in complaints against him as a Non-conformist for such was his prudence sweetnesse and peaceablenesse of spirit that other objections could not with any colour of truth be made against him Hereupon Doctor Morton then the Bishop of that Diocesse referred him unto two neighbour Ministers for satisfaction and in pursuance of this order Master Herring gave in his scruples in writing and also replyed upon their answer The consequence of this paper-dispute was a Certificate to the Bishop from the Ministers that they believed Master Herring from conscientious grounds in his own apprehensions remained unsatisfied and the Bishop himself told Master Herrings Friends that he was satisfied in his integrity But such were those times that he was suspended from the use of his Ministry though by mediation of Friends the suspension was divers times taken off and then brought on again by persons of contrary minds and waies Thus he continued in Salop for the space of seventeen years sometimes enjoying and sometime wanting liberty for the exercise of his Ministry in publique But when the Pulpit door was shut against him he was the more frequent in keeping private Fasts and in expounding the Scripture three times a day in his own Family by which exercise some of the neighbours were edified also Alwaies upon the Lords day whether he was at home or abroad he frequented the Ordinances of God administred in publique professing thereby as himself said that his practice should declare his judgement against separation from the Congregations in England though there were corruptions in them When some seeds of seperation were scattered in Salop by Daniel Chidley and his Wife their growth was check'd by his appearing against them He had many bowels towards them who were misled in this kind as was expressed by the many prayers with tears which he poured forth before God in their behalf And having upon this occasion studied that point the more throughly he would often say It is a sinne of an high nature to un-Church a Nation at once and that this would become the spring of many other fearfull errours for separation will eat like a Gangrene into the heart of Godliness And he did pray that they who would un-Church others might not be un-christianed themselves When the Plague was in Salop he gave himself unto prayer for the town and in particular for the persons infected and many from the Pest-houses returned thanks unto him for the spiritual comfort received by his Prayers He took great delight in his studies having a very good Library and was often willing to misse a meal that he might the more satisfie himself in conversing with his Books He was seldome hungry as himself was wont to say while he was in his study and those who best knew him could easily render the reason thereof for as he was afraid of doing Gods work negligently so it was his meat and drink to converse with his God and to do the will of his heavenly Father And yet such were his compassions towards afflicted consciences that he gave charge unto his whole Family to send none such away till they had spoken with him yea unto them his manner was to give full liberty of speech that they might not go away without some clearing and satisfaction His experience humility and sweetnesse of disposition was such that seldome any one who was troubled in spirit departed from him without some relief and comfort whereto may be added his great faithfulnesse towards them in perplexed cases who opened their hearts into his bosome for spiritual satisfaction When he was not allowed liberty to preach in publique at home he was willing to bestow his pains abroad and every where he in his Ministry proved himself a solid well-studied Divine A Workman who needed not to be ashamed It may truly be affirmed concerning him that when he was in journeys he imitated the Lord Christ his Master Who went about doing good For in the Families whither he came if there was not opportunity of more publique employment wherein he might appear with safety in those Prelatical times he was alwaies ready by Prayer and Exposition of Scripture to be serviceable unto the souls of such who desired to improve him He was a man of an ingenuous and cheerfull spirit yet very grave and inoffensive yea the lightsomeness of his behaviour being accompanied with holinesse and humility did make his serious services the more acceptable and more taking upon the hearts of those who conversed with him Amongst many other rare gifts with which God had enriched him this did shine forth brightly unto all them who were acquainted with his way in performing Family duties whether in his own house or elsewhere viz. That he would alwaies most aptly and affectionately enlarge himself upon the Sermon lately heard or the Chapter read by confession complaint petition thansgiving c. unto the advantage of them who joyned with him in that exercise He was indeed a man made up of love and meeknesse for the discovery whereof take two instances which will tell the Reader that he was Dove-like without gall The one is this Doctor Lambe having broken his legge by a fall was brought into the same Inne in Norhamptonshire where Master Herring had taken up his lodging being in a journey and that night he prayed very affectionately for him though Doctor Lambe was a notorious violent Persecutor of Non-conformists both Ministers and people yea though he had been a bitter opposite against Master Herring particularly He being asked the reason why he expressed so much respect towards so unworthy a man returned this answer The greater enemy he is to the Church the more need he hath of Prayers And then wished those who were with him To prove themselves Christs Disciples by loving their enemies and by praying for their Persecutors The other instance is this viz. understanding that Arch-bishop Laud said unto some of his Friends Petitioners for the liberty of his Ministry I will pickle up that Herring of Shrewsbury he used these words If he will abuse his power let it teach Christians the more to use their Prayers And he then prayed that the Non-conformists enemies might by observation know that they have a good God to trust unto when trampled upon by ill-despised men He was a constant mighty Wrestler with the Almighty in Prayers for England that the Gospel might not be removed but that the Kingdom of Christ might be here advanced more and more He much feared that bad times would overtake this Nation and at a conference about the affairs of England he used these words Gods rod I much fear will be homebred Warre in the State and Errours and Heresies in the Church with Gods visible departure from us When all hope of regaining the liberty of his Ministry in Shrewsbury was quite gone and therefore his continuance there in