Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n
Text snippets containing the quad
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
A80633
|
Severall questions of serious and necessary consequence, propounded by the teaching elders, unto M. Iohn Cotton of Boston in New-England. With his respective answer to each question.
|
Cotton, John, 1584-1652.
|
1647
(1647)
|
Wing C6455; Thomason E377_18; ESTC R20974
|
7,221
|
12
|
several_a qvestion_n of_o serious_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n propound_v by_o the_o teach_v elder_n unto_o m._n john_n cotton_n of_o boston_n in_o new-england_n with_o his_o respective_a answer_n to_o each_o question_n london_n print_v for_o thomas_n banks_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v in_o blackfriar_n on_o the_o top_n of_o bridewell_n stair_n and_o in_o westminster_n hall_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o seal_n 1647._o certain_a question_n propound_v by_o the_o teach_n elder_n in_o the_o bay_n to_o m._n john_n cotton_n teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o boston_n quest_n i._o what_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v answer_n the_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v take_v by_o some_o good_a divine_n to_o be_v the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o that_o which_o like_o a_o seal_n 1._o distinguish_v the_o faithful_a 2._o consent_v the_o faithful_a 3._o confirm_v the_o faithful_a other_o take_v it_o for_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n itself_o as_o it_o be_v distinguish_v from_o our_o spirit_n rom_n 6.18_o in_o which_o sense_n it_o be_v common_o use_v by_o our_o brethren_n in_o the_o church_n though_o i_o myself_o do_v general_o forbear_v to_o call_v it_o by_o that_o name_n and_o do_v not_o usual_o call_v it_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n lest_o i_o may_v give_v offence_n to_o any_o who_o may_v conceive_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v more_o general_a quest_n ii_o whether_o every_o believer_n be_v seal_v with_o it_o answer_n every_o believer_n be_v not_o seal_v with_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n if_o the_o seal_n be_v take_v for_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n itself_o but_o in_o the_o former_a sense_n all_o believer_n be_v seal_v with_o it_o quest_n iii_o what_o ground_n from_o the_o word_n of_o that_o distinction_n a_o bread_n seal_n and_o the_o other_o seal_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o answer_n i_o know_v no_o such_o distinction_n between_o the_o broad_a seal_n and_o the_o other_o seal_n nor_o be_v that_o distinction_n propound_v by_o any_o of_o our_o member_n but_o by_o one_o of_o yourselves_o who_o express_v his_o conception_n in_o that_o speech_n one_o of_o our_o member_n answer_v he_o according_a to_o his_o meaning_n in_o his_o own_o word_n if_o you_o call_v it_o so_o say_v he_o nevertheless_o thus_o much_o may_v true_o be_v say_v there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o it_o regenerate_v and_o renew_v our_o spirit_n and_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o it_o comfort_v we_o with_o evident_a assurance_n of_o our_o adoption_n rom_n 8.16_o quest_n iv_o whether_o a_o man_n may_v or_o aught_o to_o see_v any_o save_a work_n of_o christ_n in_o himself_o and_o take_v comfort_n from_o it_o before_o he_o be_v seal_v by_o the_o spirit_n answer_n a_o true_a believer_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o see_v if_o it_o be_v declare_v to_o he_o in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n any_o work_n of_o christ_n in_o himself_o that_o he_o accompany_v salvation_n as_o cornelius_n do_v before_o he_o be_v seal_v with_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n itself_o yet_o full_a settle_a comfort_n he_o can_v take_v nor_o rest_n in_o till_o it_o be_v witness_v unto_o he_o by_o the_o spirit_n for_o comfort_n without_o the_o word_n be_v false_a comfort_n and_o neither_o word_n nor_o spirit_n do_v teach_v we_o to_o take_v any_o comfort_n so_o much_o from_o the_o work_n of_o christ_n in_o we_o as_o from_o the_o object_n of_o it_o quest_n v._o whether_o the_o testimony_n or_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v so_o clear_a as_o to_o witness_v immediate_o by_o itself_o without_o respect_n of_o any_o work_n of_o christ_n in_o a_o man_n or_o so_o constant_a that_o it_o be_v once_o obtain_v a_o man_n do_v never_o after_o question_v his_o estate_n answ_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v so_o clear_a as_o that_o it_o may_v witness_v immediate_o though_o not_o without_o some_o work_n of_o christ_n in_o a_o man_n yet_o without_o respect_n unto_o the_o work_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v not_o so_o constant_a or_o permanent_a at_o least_o not_o in_o all_o believer_n but_o that_o a_o man_n after_o he_o have_v receive_v it_o may_v come_v in_o time_n of_o temptation_n to_o question_v his_o estate_n though_o not_o so_o frequent_o nor_o so_o desperate_o as_o before_o quest_n vi_o whether_o a_o christian_a may_v maintain_v like_o constant_a comfort_n in_o his_o soul_n when_o he_o have_v fall_v into_o some_o gross_a sin_n or_o neglect_v some_o know_a duty_n as_o when_o he_o walk_v most_o close_o with_o god_n answ_n a_o christian_a man_n can_v find_v like_o constant_a comfort_n maintain_v to_o his_o soul_n after_o he_o have_v fall_v into_o sin_n whether_o of_o commission_n or_o omission_n as_o when_o god_n keep_v he_o in_o a_o close_o walk_v with_o he_o for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o he_o be_v grieve_v and_o grieve_v it_o be_v by_o any_o gross_a sin_n especial_o it_o will_v not_o speak_v wont_a peace_n and_o comfort_n to_o he_o if_o david_n fall_v into_o such_o gross_a sin_n as_o adultery_n and_o murder_n it_o can_v be_v but_o the_o bone_n of_o his_o comfort_n will_v be_v break_v psal_n 15.8_o nevertheless_o the_o assurance_n of_o a_o man_n good_a estate_n may_v be_v maintain_v to_o he_o when_o the_o frame_n and_o course_n of_o his_o spirit_n be_v grow_v much_o degenerate_a isai_n 63.16_o quest_n vii_o whether_o a_o weak_a believer_n may_v not_o warrantable_o apply_v some_o promise_n to_o himself_o as_o give_v by_o god_n although_o he_o do_v not_o yet_o discern_v his_o interest_n in_o it_o by_o the_o broad_a seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n answ_n a_o weak_a believer_n may_v warrantable_o apply_v some_o promise_n to_o himself_o and_o may_v have_v it_o also_o give_v he_o of_o god_n even_o while_o he_o be_v yet_o wait_v for_o it_o before_o he_o can_v discern_v his_o interest_n in_o the_o promise_n by_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n itself_o for_o the_o soul_n that_o wait_v for_o christ_n may_v come_v to_o see_v and_o know_v by_o his_o renew_a knowledge_n that_o he_o do_v wait_v and_o may_v from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o he_o on_o who_o he_o wait_v will_v not_o absent_v himself_o for_o ever_o quest_n viii_o whether_o a_o christian_a must_v of_o necessity_n have_v his_o first_o assurance_n from_o a_o absolute_a and_o not_o from_o a_o conditional_a promise_n answ_n a_o christian_a man_n first_o assurance_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n apply_v god_n free_a grace_n in_o a_o absolute_a promise_n or_o if_o in_o a_o conditional_a promise_n it_o be_v not_o to_o work_n but_o to_o faith_n and_o to_o faith_n not_o as_o it_o be_v a_o work_n but_o as_o it_o reveal_v the_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n offer_v and_o apply_v in_o christ_n jesus_n quest_n ix_o what_o you_o mean_v by_o christian_a sanctification_n whether_o immediate_a act_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o infuse_v habit_n if_o habit_n infuse_v whether_o such_o as_o be_v contrary_a to_o corrupt_v nature_n and_o all_o vicious_a habit_n and_o if_o so_o whether_o you_o must_v not_o mean_v the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o adam_n renew_v in_o we_o to_o be_v our_o sanctification_n answ_n i_o mean_v by_o christian_a sanctification_n the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o true_a believer_n work_v and_o act_v in_o we_o both_o infuse_a habit_n and_o action_n of_o holiness_n contrary_a to_o all_o vicious_a habit_n and_o action_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o adam_n renew_v in_o we_o and_o no_o more_o than_o so_o be_v our_o sanctification_n our_o sanctification_n in_o christ_n have_v in_o it_o this_o more_o faith_n in_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n and_o repentance_n from_o dead_a work_n and_o that_o which_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o the_o indwelling_a power_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o act_v and_o keep_v holiness_n in_o we_o all_o which_o adam_n want_v quest_n x._o whether_o this_o sanctification_n be_v discern_v by_o we_o be_v not_o a_o true_a evidence_n of_o justification_n answ_n if_o this_o sanctification_n be_v evident_o discern_v it_o be_v a_o true_a evidence_n of_o justification_n à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la as_o justification_n be_v likewise_o a_o true_a evidence_n of_o sanctification_n à _fw-la priori_fw-la quest_n xi_o whether_o sanctification_n be_v discern_v may_v not_o be_v and_o often_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o primitive_a comfort_n as_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o our_o be_v in_o christ_n answ_n i_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o this_o sanctification_n be_v discern_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o primitive_a comfort_n though_o when_o it_o be_v evident_o discern_v it_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o our_o be_v in_o christ_n i_o conceive_v our_o faith_n depend_v on_o christ_n be_v as_o soon_o discern_v and_o
promise_n and_o blessing_n give_v to_o such_o work_n and_o not_o find_v such_o work_n can_v find_v no_o peace_n nor_o assurance_n such_o soul_n though_o they_o do_v not_o build_v their_o justification_n upon_o their_o sanctification_n for_o indeed_o they_o be_v true_o justify_v before_o while_o they_o depend_v on_o christ_n for_o righteousness_n according_a to_o the_o free_a promise_n of_o grace_n and_o so_o be_v true_o under_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yet_o they_o go_v aside_o to_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o unto_o hagor_n to_o bring_v forth_o to_o the_o sight_n of_o christ_n the_o seed_n of_o promise_n who_o they_o so_o long_o wait_v for_o the_o fail_v of_o such_o soul_n be_v this_o that_o they_o have_v christ_n lay_v in_o their_o heart_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o their_o justification_n though_o they_o know_v not_o so_o much_o upon_o this_o golden_a and_o precious_a foundation_n they_o build_v hey_o and_o stubble_n in_o seek_v and_o settle_v and_o ground_v their_o faith_n of_o assurance_n not_o upon_o christ_n nor_o upon_o the_o free_a promise_n of_o grace_n nor_o upon_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n itself_o apply_v the_o same_o but_o upon_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o own_o work_n in_o which_o case_n they_o be_v often_o put_v to_o many_o and_o sad_a doubt_n ever_o and_o anon_o renew_v upon_o they_o till_o the_o faith_n and_o confidence_n which_o they_o have_v build_v upon_o their_o own_o work_n be_v at_o length_n burn_v up_o with_o the_o fire_n of_o temptation_n and_o the_o clear_a daylight_n of_o god_n word_n and_o spirit_n and_o then_o though_o their_o own_o work_n and_o their_o own_o build_n thereupon_o be_v burn_v yet_o their_o soul_n will_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n propos_fw-fr 1._o the_o soul_n that_o have_v lyen_fw-we under_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o law_n and_o come_v afterward_o to_o see_v and_o feel_v his_o need_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o own_o strength_n and_o worth_a to_o receive_v he_o and_o do_v depend_v upon_o christ_n for_o righteousness_n and_o mercy_n he_o may_v come_v in_o his_o estate_n to_o see_v by_o his_o renew_a knowledge_n his_o dependence_n on_o christ_n and_o withal_o some_o fruit_n of_o sanctification_n that_o flow_v therefrom_o as_o prayer_n sometime_o with_o unutterable_a sigh_n and_o groan_n brokenness_n of_o spirit_n mourn_v for_o sight_n of_o christ_n long_v desire_n after_o the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n love_v of_o the_o ministry_n that_o wound_v he_o etc._n etc._n and_o see_v god_n help_v he_o here_o he_o may_v thereby_o gather_v that_o he_o that_o have_v begin_v to_o help_v he_o will_v go_v on_o to_o help_v he_o still_o but_o yet_o to_o give_v these_o for_o certain_a evidence_n of_o his_o justification_n the_o poor_a soul_n dare_v not_o though_o another_o christian_n of_o better_a discern_a may_v just_o so_o apply_v to_o he_o as_o good_a evidence_n of_o his_o justify_v estate_n but_o nevertheless_o he_o will_v still_o seek_v and_o wait_v for_o further_a and_o clear_a fellowship_n with_o christ_n till_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n himself_o do_v witness_n to_o he_o the_o gracious_a thought_n of_o god_n towards_o he_o in_o a_o free_a promise_n of_o grace_n before_o he_o can_v plead_v his_o own_o good_a work_n whether_o after_o conversion_n or_o before_o for_o good_a evidence_n of_o his_o justification_n for_o as_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o some_o of_o our_o godly_a learned_a countryman_n the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n in_o our_o soul_n be_v like_o the_o star_n in_o the_o firmament_n which_o shine_v but_o with_o a_o borrow_a light_n from_o the_o sun_n if_o the_o sun_n be_v hide_v from_o they_o their_o light_n will_v be_v obscure_a so_o be_v the_o light_n of_o our_o grace_n if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v hide_v his_o light_n from_o we_o propos_fw-fr 6._o but_o now_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v show_v abroad_o his_o light_n into_o such_o a_o soul_n and_o give_v he_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o his_o estate_n in_o a_o free_a promise_n of_o grace_n in_o christ_n such_o a_o one_o evident_o discern_v both_o his_o justification_n and_o his_o sanctification_n and_o the_o one_o of_o they_o give_v good_a evidence_n to_o the_o other_o the_o blood_n to_o the_o water_n and_o the_o water_n to_o the_o blood_n and_o the_o spirit_n to_o both_o 1_o john_n 5.9.8_o and_o thus_o in_o evidence_v his_o justification_n by_o his_o sanctification_n he_o do_v not_o build_v his_o justification_n upon_o his_o sanctification_n nor_o hereby_o go_v on_o in_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n nor_o go_v aside_o to_o it_o propos_fw-fr 7._o but_o though_o the_o soul_n may_v gather_v knowledge_n of_o his_o estate_n from_o such_o evidence_n of_o sanctification_n yet_o if_o he_o shall_v therefore_o build_v his_o justify_n faith_n upon_o such_o evidence_n he_o shall_v again_o go_v aside_o to_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n though_o his_o person_n may_v be_v under_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o justify_v faith_n can_v safe_o build_v or_o rest_v upon_o any_o ground_n save_v only_o upon_o christ_n and_o his_o righteousness_n quest_n fourteen_o whether_o a_o christian_a be_v not_o further_o active_a after_o regeneration_n than_o before_o if_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n wherein_o it_o lie_v answer_n a_o christian_a be_v more_o active_a after_o regeneration_n than_o before_o before_o regeneration_n we_o be_v not_o active_a at_o all_o in_o any_o spiritual_a christian_a action_n no_o nor_o in_o proximam_fw-la potentiam_fw-la passive_a to_o receive_v help_n from_o god_n to_o do_v it_o but_o after_o regeneration_n acti_fw-la agimus_fw-la if_o we_o act_v and_o go_v forth_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o our_o own_o spiritual_a gift_n without_o look_v up_o to_o christ_n we_o fall_v as_o peter_n do_v math_n 26.23_o quest_n xv._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o a_o safe_a way_n to_o conclude_v my_o safe_a estate_n by_o my_o practical_a reason_v answ_n it_o be_v not_o a_o unsafe_a but_o a_o lawful_a way_n to_o conclude_v a_o man_n safe_a estate_n by_o way_n of_o practical_a reason_n so_o it_o be_v the_o reason_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o spiritual_a one_o proposition_n be_v express_v in_o the_o word_n or_o safe_o deduct_v thence_o the_o other_o be_v experimental_a observation_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o look_v up_o to_o christ_n to_o clear_v the_o conclusion_n from_o both_o nevertheless_o a_o good_a conscience_n will_v not_o satisfy_v himself_o in_o this_o way_n till_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o if_o it_o shall_v so_o satisfy_v or_o rest_v itself_o for_o a_o season_n god_n will_v awaken_v it_o in_o time_n to_o a_o sense_n further_a need_n of_o christ_n quest_n xvi_o whether_o a_o christian_a may_v not_o press_v the_o lord_n for_o spiritual_a mercy_n with_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n in_o himself_o answ_n a_o christian_a soul_n be_v more_o usual_o wont_a to_o press_v the_o lord_n for_o spiritual_a mercy_n by_o argument_n draw_v from_o his_o own_o spiritual_a misery_n and_o infirmity_n then_o from_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n in_o himself_o nevertheless_o the_o saint_n do_v also_o make_v use_n of_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n when_o they_o do_v discern_v the_o same_o in_o themselves_o but_o they_o be_v usual_o such_o grace_n whereby_o they_o go_v out_o of_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o strength_n and_o worth_n as_o faith_n hope_n desire_v seek_v wait_a etc._n etc._n or_o such_o as_o do_v express_v their_o spiritual_a bent_n and_o inclination_n or_o affection_n which_o they_o desire_v may_v be_v quicken_v and_o satisfy_v with_o their_o spiritual_a proper_a object_n or_o end_n but_o the_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n from_o those_o grace_n be_v fetch_v not_o from_o the_o force_n or_o fullness_n or_o power_n of_o they_o but_o from_o the_o weakness_n and_o emtinesse_n of_o they_o thus_o have_v you_o according_a to_o your_o desire_n a_o plain_a and_o short_a answer_n to_o all_o your_o demand_n except_o the_o thirteen_o which_o be_v expose_v to_o great_a agitation_n and_o exception_n i_o have_v speak_v the_o more_o large_o and_o distinct_o to_o it_o that_o so_o i_o may_v avoid_v careful_o as_o i_o see_v it_o needful_a all_o suspicion_n of_o ambiquity_n and_o obscurity_n now_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n lead_v we_o by_o his_o spirit_n of_o truth_n into_o all_o truth_n through_o he_o who_o be_v make_v unto_o we_o of_o god_n the_o way_n the_o truth_n and_o the_o life_n amen_o finis_fw-la