Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	heaven_n	zeal_n	zealous_a	79	3	9.4016	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50480	En oligo christianos, the almost Christian discovered, or, The false-professor tried and cast being the substance of seven sermons, first preached at Sepulchres, London, 1661, and now at the inportunity of friends made publick / by Matthew Meade.	Mead, Matthew, 1630?-1699.	1662 (1662)	Wing M1546; ESTC R9895	121,691	343

Harlots in all their sin and uncleanness Because resting in a false work a partial change we neglect to seek after a true and saving change There is nothing more common then to mistake our state and by overweaning thoughts misjudge our condition and so perish in our own delusions Mat. 7.26 The World is full of these foolish Builders that lay the foundation of their hopes of eternal salvation upon the sand Now my brethren would you not mistake the way to Heaven and perish in a delusion would you not be found fools at last for none are such fools as the spiritual fool who is a fool in the great business of salvation Would you not be fools for your souls and for eternity Oh then labour after and pray for a through work of conversion beg of God that he would make a saving change in your souls that you may be altogether Christians all other changes below this saving change this heart-change make us but almost Christians 11. A man may be very zealous in the matters of Religion and yet be but almost a Christian Jehu did not onely serve God and do what he commanded him but was very zealous in his service 2 Kings 10.16 come with me and see my zeal for the Lord of Hosts and yet in all this Jehu was a very Hypocrite Joash was a great reformer in Jehojadahs time it is said he did that which was right in the eys of the Lord 2 Chron. 29.2 all the days of Jehojada the Preist but when Jehojadah dyed Joash his zeal for God dyed with him and he becomes a very wretch v. 17 18. Mat. 11.12 Object But the Apostle makes zeal to be a note of sound Christianity Gal. 4.18 It is good to be zealously affected in a good thing nay it seems to be the non-such qualification for obtaining eternal life the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Sol. It is true there is a zeal which is good and which renders the soul highly acceptable to God a zeal that never misses of Heaven and Salvation Now this is a zeal which is a celestial fire the true temper and heat of all the affections to God and Christ qui non zelat non amat It is a zeal wrought and kindled in the soul by the spirit of God who first works it and then sets it on work It is a zeal that hath the Word of God for its guide directing it in working both in regard of its object and end manner and measure It is a zeal that checks sin and forwards the Heavenly life Joh. 2.17 It is a zeal that makes the glory of God its cheif end which swallows up all by-ends The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up Lev. 10.1 But now all zeal is not this kind of zeal there is a false zeal as well as a true every grace hath its counterfeit as there is fire which is true Heavenly fire on the Altar so there is strange fire Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire upon Gods Altar There are several kinds of zeal none of which are true and sound but false and counterfeit I le instance in eight particulars Bernard Mat. 17.15 First There is a blind zeal a zeal without knowledge Rom. 10.2 They have a zeal saith the Apostle but not according to knowledge now as knowledge without zeal is fruitless so zeal without knowledge is dangerous it is like Wild-fire in the hand of a fool or like the Devil in the man possessed that threw him sometimes into the fire sometimes into the water zelus absque scientia quo vehementius irruit eo graivus corruit The eye is the light of the body and the understanding is the light of the soul now as the body without the light of the eye cannot go without stumbling ●o the soul without the light of the mind cannot act without erring Acts 22.3 4. Zeal without knowledge is like an ignis fatuus in a dark night that leads a Traveller out of his way into the Bogs and Mire This was the zeal of Paul while he was a Pharise I was zealous towards God as ye all are this day and I persecuted this way unto the death And so Asts 26.9 I verily thought with my self I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth So Philip. 3.6 concerning zeal persecuting the Church Such a zeal was that in John 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogue silence you you shall not be suffered to Preach yea the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he doth God service This is great zeal but yet it is a blind zeal and that God abhors Secondly There is a partial zeal in one thing fire hot in another key cold zealous in this thing and yet careless in another many are first-Table Christians zealous in the duties of the first Table and yet neglect the second thus the Pharises were zealous in there corban Mat. 23.23 Lyra hath these very words filius per professionem factam in religione excusatur a subveniendo par niïbus and yet unnatural to their Parents suffering them to starve and perish Others are second Table Christians zealous in the duties of the second Table but neglect the first more for Righteousness among men then for holiness towards God But now he whose religion ends with the first Table or begins with the second he is a foolin his profession for he is but almost a Christian The woman that was for the dividing the child was not the true Mother and he that is for dividing the Commands is not a true beleiver 2 Kings 10.16 comp with 29. v Jehu was zealous against Ahabs house but not so against Jeroboams calves many are zealous against sins of opinion that yet use no zeal against the sins of their conversation Now as we know that the sweat of the whole body is a sign of health but the sweat of some one part onely shews a distemper Io. Fernel de febr●bus ● 4. c. 19 and therefore Physitians do reckon such a heat to be symptomatical So where zeal reaches to every command of God alike that is a sign of a sound constitution of soul but where it is partial where a man is hot in one part and cold in another that is Symptomatical of some inward Spiritual distemper Thirdly There is a misplaced zeal fixed upon unsuitable and disproportionable Objects Many are very zealous in trifling things that are not worth it and trifle in the things that most require it like the Pharisees that were diligent Tithers of mint annise cumin but neglected the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the weightier matters of the Law judgement mercy and faith Mat. 23.23 They had no zeal for these though very hot for the other many are more zealous for a ceremony then for the substance of Religion more zealous for bowing at the

name of Jesus then for conformity to the life of Jesus more zealous for a holy vestment then for a holy life more zealous for the inventions of men then for the institutions of Christ This is a superstitious zeal Heathens will rise up in judgment against such men Deus non superstitione coli vale sed pietate said Cicero and usually found in men unconverted whom grace never was wrought in When was it that Paul was so exceedingly zealous of the traditions of his Fathers as he saith Gal. 1.14 but only when he was in his wretched and unconverted state as you may see in the next verses But when it pleased God to call me by his grace Gal. 1 15 16. then I conferred not with flesh and blood Paul had another kind of zeal then acted by other kind of Principles Cer. 34.14 15. comp with v. 25 26 27 28 29. Fourthly There is a selfish zeal that hath a mans own ends for its motive Jehu was very zealous but it was not so much for God as for the Kingdom not so much in obedience to the command as in design to step into the Throne and therefore God threatens to punish him for that very thing he commands him to do Hos 1.4 I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu Because he shed that blood to gratifie his lust not to obey God So Simeon and Levi pretend great zeal for Circumcision seem very zealous for the honour of Gods Ordinance when in truth their zeal was for covetousness and revenge upon the Shechemites It is storyed of Dr. Aylmer that in his young days he was very high against the pride and covetousness of the Bishops and in a book of his he thus speaks to them come off you Bishops away with your superfluities yeild up your thousands be content with a little 1 Cor. 13.11 But afterwards when he himself came to be Bishop of London then his profits and preferment had eat up his zeal and he would confess to his friends that he had been of another strain in his youth abusing those words of Paul when I was a Child I spake as a Child I understood as a child I thought as a Child Fifthly There is an outside zeal such was that of the Scribes and Pharises they would not eat with unwashed hands but yet would live in unseen sins they would wash the cup often but the heart seldom paint the outside but neglect the inside Ne appetat quisquam ultra videri quam est ut possit ustra esse quam videtur Greg. Jehu was a mighty out-side reformer 2 Kings 10.16 but he reformed nothing within for he had a base heart under all v. 31. Jehu took no heed towalk in the Law of the Lord with all his heart Though his fleece was fair his liver was rotten Our Lord Christ observes of the Pharises they pray to be seen of men and fast so that they may appear to men to fast Matth. 6.5 16. Pro. 7.11 Sixthly There is a fortasick zeal that runs out upon others like the candle in the Lanthorn that sends all the heat out at top or as the lewd Woman Salomon mentions whose feet abide not in her own house Many are hot and high against the sins of others and yet cannot see the same in themselves like the Lamiae that put on their spectacles when they went abroad but pulled them off within doors It is easie to see fault in others and as hard to see then in our selves Jehu was zealous against Baal and his Priests because that was Ahabs sin but not against the Calves of Bethel because that was his own sin Teeum babita This zeal is the true Character of an Hypocrite his own Garden is over-run with Weeds while he is busie in looking over his Neighbours Pale Seaventhly There is a sinful zeal all the former may be called sinful from some defect but this I call sinful in a more special notion because against the life and cheif of Religion it is a zeal against zeal that flies not at profaness but at the very power of godliness not at error but at truth and is most hot against the most spiritual and important truths of the times Whence else are the sufferings of men for the truth but from this spirit of zeal against the truth Iam. 1.19 Rev. 12.12 This may be called a devillish zeal for as there is the faith of Devils so there is the zeal of Devils therefore his rage is great because he knows his time is short 1 Sam. 15.3 Eighthly There is a Scriptureless zeal that is not butted and bounded by the Word but by some base and low end such was Sauls zeal when God bids him destroy Amalek and spare neither man nor beast then contrary to Gods command he spare the best of the Sheep and Oxen under pretence of zeal for Gods Sacrifice 2 Sam. 21.2 Another time when he had no such command then he slaies the Gibeonites in his zeal to the Children of Israel and Judah Many a mans zeal is greatest then and there when and where he hath the least warrant from God It is worth the while to observe how zealous men are for Ceremonies and pompousness in the worship of God when as there is not one word in all the Scripture for them I will tell you and the Scripture adjusts me in it that it is one of the surest signs of an Antichrristian spirit to be zealous for unwritten and ungrounded traditions in the Worship of God The true spirit of zeal is bounded by Scripture for it is for God and the concernments of his glory God hath no glory from that zeal that hath no Scripture warrant Now then if the zeal of a man in the things of God may be onely a blind zeal or a partial zeal or a misplaced zeal or a selfish zeal or an out-side zeal or a forensick zeal or a sinful zeal or a Scriptureless zeal then it is evident that a man may be very zealous in the matters of Religion and yet be but almost a Christian 12. A-man may be much in Prayer he may pray often and pray much and yet be but almost a Christian so did the Pharises whom yet our Lord Christ rejects for Hypocrites Mat. 23.14 Object But is not a praying frame an argument of a sincere heart are not the Saints of God called The generation of them that seek the face of God Psal 24.6 Sol. A man is not therefore a Christian because he is much in prayer I grant That those prayers that are from the workings and sighings of Gods Spirit in us From a sincere heart lifted to God From sense of our own emptiness and Gods infinite fulness That are suited to Gods will the great rule of prayer That are for spiritual things more then temporal That are accompanied with faith and dependance Such prayers speak a man altogether a Christian But

the word yet are they but almost Christians 7. A man may delight in the Word Isa 58.2 and Ordinances of God and yet be but almost a Christian Isa 58.2 They take delight in approaching to God And it is said of that ground Mat. 13.20 that it received the word with joy and yet it was but stony ground Psal 1.2 But is it not made a character of a godly man to delight in the Word of God doth not David say he is a blessed man that delights in the Law of the Lord Sol. There is a delighting in the word which flows from grace and is a proof of blessedness 1. He that delights in the Word because of its spirituality he is a Christian indeed the more spiritual the Ordinances are the more doth a gratious heart delight in them 2. When the word comes close to the conscience rips up the heart and discovers sin and yet the soul delights in it notwithstanding this is a sign of grace 3. When delight arises from that communion that is to be had with God there this is from a principle of grace in the soul But there may be a delight in the word where there is no grace 1. There are many delight in the word because of the eloquence of the Preacher they delight not so much in the truths delivered as in the dress that they are delivered in Ezek 33.323 Thus it is said of the Prophet Ezekiel that he was to them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice 2. There are very many delight to hear the word that yet take no delight to do it Ezek. 33.2 so saith God of them in Ezek. 33.2 they delight to hear my words but they do them not Now then if a man may delight in the word more because of the eloquence of the Preacher then because of the spiritualness of the matter if he may delight to hear the Word and yet not delight to do it then he may delight in the Word and yet be but almost a Christian 8. A man may be a member of the Church of Christ he may joyn himself to the people of God partake with them in all Ordinances and share of all Church Priviledges and yet be but almost a Christian So the five foolish Virgins joyned themselves to the wise and walked together Many may be members of the Church of Christ and yet not members of Christ the head of the Church There was a mixed multitude came up with the Church of Israel out of Egypt they joyned themselves to the Israelites owned their God left their own Country and yet in heart Egyptians notwithstanding All are not Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9.6 The Church in all Ages hath had unsound members Cain had communion with Abel Ishmael dwelt in the same house with Isaack Judas was in fellowship with the Apostles and so was Demas with the rest of the Disciples There will be some Bran in the finest Meal the Draw-Net of the Gospel catches bad fish as well as good the Tares and the Wheat grow together and it will be so till the Harvest Mat. 3.12 Heb. 12.23 God hath a Church where there are no members but such as are true members of Christ but it is in Heaven it is the Church of the first born there are no Hypocrites no rotten unsound professors none but the spirits of just men made perfect all is pure Wheat that God layeth up in that Garner there the Chaff is separated to unquenchable fire But in the Church on Earth the Wheat and the Chaff lie in the same heap together the Samaritans will be ne'r of Kin to the Jews when they are in prosperity so while the Church of God flourisheth in the World many will joyn to it they will seem Jews though they are Samaritans and seem Saints though yet they are no better then almost Christians 9. A man may have great hopes of Heaven great hopes of being Saved and yet be but almost a Christian Heb. 6.19 Indeed there is a hope of Heaven which is the Anchor of the soul sure and stedfast it never miscarries and it is known by four properties First It is a hope which purifies the heart purges out sin 1 John 3.3 He that hath this hope purifies himself even as God is pure That soul that truely hopes to enjoy God truely indeavours to be like God Rom. 5.2 Secondly It is a hope which fils the heart with gladness we rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Psa 130.5 Thirdly It is a hope that is founded upon the promise as there can be no true faith without a promise so nor any true hope faith applies the promise and hope expects the fulfilling the promise faith relies upon the truth of it and hope waits for the good of it faith gives interest hope expects livery and seisin Rom. 15.13 Fourthly It is a hope that is wrought by God himself in the soul who is therefore called the God of hope as being the Author as well as the Object of hope Col. 1.27 Now he that hath this hope shall never miscarry this is a right hope the hope of the true beleiver Christ in you the hope of glory But then as there is a true and sound hope so there is a false and rotten hope and this is much more common as bastard pearls are more frequently worn then true pearls There is nothing more common then to see men big with groundless hopes of Heaven As 1. A man may have great hope that hath no grace you read of the hope of Hypocrites Job 8.13 14. The performance of duties is a proof of their hope the foolish Virgins would never have done what they did had they thought they should have been shut out after all Many professors would not be at such pains in duties as they are if they did not hope for Heaven Hope is the great motive to action despair cuts the sinews of all indeavours that is one reason why the damned in hell cease acting toward an alteration of their state because despair hath taken hold of them if there were any hope in Hell they would up and be doing there So that there may be great hope where there is no grace experience proves this formal professors are men of no grace but yet men of great hopes nay many times you shall find that none fear more about their eternal condition then they that have most cause of hope and none hope more then they that have most cause of fear As interest in God may sometimes be without hope so hope in God may be without interest 2. A man may hope in the mercy and goodness and power of God without eying the promise and this is the hope of most God is full of mercy and goodness and therefore willing to save and he is infinite in power and therefore able to save why therefore should I not rest on