Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	holy_a	lead_v	truth_n	7,417	5	5.9440	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65259	Mary's choice declared in a sermon preached at the funeral of the Right Honourable Lady Mary Wharton, late wife of the Honourable Sir Thomas Wharton, Knight of the Bath, at Edlington in the county of York together with a narrative of the religious and holy life, and death of that excellent lady / by P.W., Rector of Edlington.	P. W. (Peter Watkinson), d. 1688.	1674 (1674)	Wing W1079; ESTC R38495	55,178	52

operis transituri merces est requies permansura A g. Mat. 6.19 20. they shall bring forth fruit in old Age they shall be fat and flourishing The wages of this transient work shall be everlasting rest This part shall not be taken away For 1. No enemy can take it away no Thief can rob us of this treasure If any could it must be either the Devil or the World or the Flesh or Death But 1. The Devil cannot notwithstanding all his malice power or subtilty The Gates of Hell with all their temptations terrours or stratagems can never deprive us of this choice That enemy may tempt and sift and buffet 1 Cor. 7.5 Luk. 22.31 32. 2 Cor. 12.7 9. c. But the grace of God is sufficient to preserve and uphold the soul in temptation and through Christs intercession Faith shall not fail He may thrust sore at the child of God to make him fall but the Lord will help Upon resistance he is forced to flee Psalm 118.13 Jam. 4.7 Rom. 16.20 Gal. 2.20 Ephes 3.17 Luke 11.22 1 John 4.4 and shall at length be trod underfoot through the power of Christ who lives and dwells in every true Believer The victory must certainly in this case fall to the stronger and surely greater is he that is in his Saints than he that is in the World 2. The World cannot take it away notwithstanding all its enmity and malignity or its scorns and reproaches and cruel mockings and persecutions or yet its snares enticements John 16.33 1 John 5.4 5. c. There is power enough in Christ by Faith in him to overcome it 3. Nor yet shall the Fesh that remains in corrupt nature ever be able to take it away notwithstanding all its averseness to that which is good or perverseness and strong inclination to that which is evil Rom. 7. Though it be rebellious and lust against the Spirit and hindreth from duty and provoketh to sin yet shall it never prevail so far as to deprive a Believer of his choice For it is daily crucified mortified Gal. 5.24 and subdued by the power of divine Grace which worketh mightily in every child of God Though he be compassed about with this body of death and forced to cry out with St. Paul Rom. 7.23 24. O wretched man that I am c. Yet he can also him thank God that Jesus Christ is his deliverer 4. Neither yet can Death or any of its attendants take it away For it is never able to separate from the love of Christ Ro 8.35 c. 1 Cor. 15.54 being swallowed up in that victory which God giveth us through Christ our Lord. 2. As no enemy can so God will not take it away For 1. He delights in it Isa 57.15 to see his children to make this choice He whose Name is holy who inhabiteth Eternity whose Throne is the Heaven and the Earth his foot-stool 66.1 2. c. Yet this Almighty God hath a special eye to him that is of a poor and contrite spirit and trembleth at his Word For he sees his own Image and likeness there wherewith he is so taken that he is held in the Galleries to behold it Cant. 7.5 Psalm 34.18 1 Cor. 6.19 Psa 132.13 14. So great pleasure doth he take in this that he is ever nigh unto such an heart and delights to dwell in it It is his Temple his chosen and desired habitation his Rest where he will dwell for he hath desired it and will take up his residence and make his abode there He engageth his Word and Promise never to forsake it John 14.23 Heb. 13.5 2. Besides it is the work of his own Spirit by which he leads into all truth brings the soul in frame sacrifices the whole man kindles holy desires and fervent affections towards himself and what ever may conduce to everlasting happiness It is the Spirit which worketh all our works in us Isa 26.12 Rom. 8.26 Phil. 2.13.1.6 helps our infirmities gives both to will and to do and what he hath begun he will not take off his hand until he hath also finished 3. Furthermore it is part of the purchase of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ viz. to sanctifie here as well as to glorifie in Heaven He hath procured both the Choice and Grace to choose And he shall surely obtain the fruit of his sufferings he shall see of the travel of his Soul Isa 53.11 and shall be satisfied Having paid an infinite ransome for his Captives he will take care that they may be actual partakers of that dear bought Freedom He will lose none of those whom the Father hath given him John 6.39.17.12 therefore he improves the opportunity of his exaltation to the right hand of the Father in making intercession for them and a part of his Prayers in their behalf is Rom. 8.34 Luke 22.32 Joh. 17.11 15 17 19 23 24. that their Faith may not fail but that they may be kept through the Name of the Father from the evil that is in the World and that they may be sanctified through the Truth which is his Word that they may be made perfect in one until they be with him where he is that they may behold his Glory Heb. 7.25 John 11.42 Heb. 5.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vid. Par. Gerh. Estius and à Lap. in loc Now he ever liveth to intercede thus for them and he is sure to speed for the Father will deny him nothing and he is heard alwaies for his Piety or as others for his Dignity All which being considered it must follow that as he hath merited for them Grace to choose this good part so likewise that what they have so chosen shall never be taken away from them 4. Yea God hath laid upon himself a Covenant-engagement to maintain this Priviledge which he hath vouchsafed to his Saints As for me Isa 59.21 this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit which is upon thee and my Words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth c. from benceforth and for ever Again I will put my fear in their hearts and write it in their inward part and I will be their God Jer 31.33.32.4 Heb. 13.5 and they shall be my People and I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Likewise he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee And very aptly to our purpose speaks that Promise of our Saviour Whosoever drinketh of the water John 4.14 that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into everlasting Life And in another place He that believeth in me John 7.38 Tit. 1.2 2 Tim. 2.13 Psalm 119.49 out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water Thus he hath promised who is the God of

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 absque and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jugum 1 Sam. 25.17 that he could not speak to them Men that could not endure the yoke of any wholsome Law or discipline or the curb of a Reproof or Admonition 2. But as they have power to do what they list so they want not friends to justifie their misdoings nor fordid flatterers to sooth them in their wickedness nor companions to excite and provoke them to evil nor instruments to gratifie their lusts and act their pleasure 3. They are out of the reach of those that cordially desire their reformation Inferiours are disdained Heb. 13.17 and their faithful Pastors who stand charged with the care of their Souls and at whose hands their blood will be required Ezek. 3.18 Amos 5.10 Jer. 18.18.43.2.20.8 10. 2 Chron. 36.16 Jer. 11.21 if they connive at their sins if they discharge their duty are sure to meet with such entertainment as the Prophets of old had viz. hatred contempt contumelie and persecution These are such as neither fearing God nor regarding man dare say to the Prophets Prophesie not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things c. Get you out of the way c. Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us Isa 30.10 11. But what speak I of such wicked persons whose transgressions declare them such as have not the fear of God before their eyes Psalm 36.1 when Riches and worldly advantages have such a bad influence upon the best hearts being such incentives to their remaining corruptions Psalm 30.6 Read the like of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.23 c. Mat. 6.29.20.21 Even David was too prone to be exalted in his prosperity and upon account of his greatness did greatly offend as is diversly recorded in his story It is a rare thing to find prosperity humble or devout Men grow too careless of Heaven when they have so much treasure laid up on Earth Besides it is the unhappiness of rich men though they be good that either they have none to reprove them or else through passion and height of Spirit in conceit of their distance they cannot or will not bear a reproof If Jesurun wax fat he will kick Deut. 32.15 1 Cor. 1.26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Well therefore might the Apostle conclude not many Rich or mighty men of power nor Noble or well-born are called Vse 1. Oh what need then have great and rich men to keep their hearts with all diligence that they be not ensnared with the deceitfulness of Riches Prov. 4.23 so as to neglect their better part St. Paul well knew their danger when he required Timothy to charge them That they be not high minded 1 Tim. 6.17 c. nor trust in uncertain Riches c. But to lay up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come laying bold on Eternal Life According to this is our Saviours ferious admonition Luke 16.9 Make to your selves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness that when you fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations He teacheth how to make the best advantage of the unrighteous Mammon and to convert those occasions of sin to contrary purpose that the good use of our Riches may procure us friends and favour when we shall stand in greatest need Vse 2. Nevertheless though there be but few great and Rich men that mind the things of God and make a right use of their worldly advantages yet blessed be God there are some such And O how are such men bound to praise God and we for them that he hath given them together with their Riches and Honour an holy humble tractable gracious Spirit truly desirous to serve him improving each opportunity as Mary here for the advancement of their everlasting Salvation preferring in their most deliberate choice this one thing necessary before all the pleasures and treasures in the World Whose Riches are helps to fruitfulness in works of mercy Heb. 13.16 who forget not to do good and to communicate knowing that with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Oh how lovely and pleasant a thing is it to see a great and Noble Person serious and devout in the service of God Who with Royal Holy David hath learned to prefer the true and sincere serving of God before all his Riches and Honours Ps 119.14 72. and to set more by the divine favour than all that good Psalm 4 6 7.63.3 Psa 26.4 c. 119.115 Psalm 1.1 2. which worldings so busily enquire after yea than Life it self Therefore with that religious King he will not converse with vain persons but casheers all wicked company that he may attend upon heavenly employments esteeming him only blessed Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful but delights in the Law of God and makes it bis continual meditation Such are blessed men indeed who as they provide well for their own sure peace and comfort so are they publick blessings to all their Relations and to whomsoever else have the happiness of converse with them whilst the light of the holy conversation becomes more conspicuous and so more exemplary by the advantage of that height wherein Providence hath placed them Like benigne Planets their influence cheareth all within their reach How useful are such men both to Church and Common-wealth They study the prosperity of Sion which they prefer before their chief joy Psalm 137.6 Job 31.16 And their care is with Job to gratifie the desire and answer the hope of the needy to feed the hungry and cloath the naked c. These mens practice and priviledges you may see lively described Psal 112. per totum Hitherto we have considered the party thus described It remains to speak of the Thing for which she is commended Where we have 1. Her Act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she hath chosen 2. The Object or thing chosen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that good part I. For the first Choice supposeth two or more things or waies proposed to a mans discretion of which he takes that which pleaseth him best The rational man can prefer nothing in choice Electio est melioris acceptatio but sub ratione boni and would not miss in it if the rectitude of the judgement were not vitiated As some distempered Bodies refuse good meat to feed on Ashes Coals or Gravel which is not properly the fault of the Appetite but occasioned by the prevailing distemper The Israelites guided by their Lust loathed Manna and lusted after the Flesh-pots and the Onions and Garlick of Egypt Yea even gracious souls Num. 11 5.6 through mistake do oft mischoose Thus Lot beholding the pleasantness of the plain of Jordan Gen. 13 9. c. chose Sodom for his Habitation God puts man to his choice he sets him as it were in Bivio as the Antients feigned of

Hercules to choose which way he pleaseth S●e Deut. 30.15 I have set before thee this day Life and Good and Death and Evil. Here men make a different choice as they stand affected 1. Those that fear God and consult their own eternal welfare choose the good and refuse the evil Such was David's choice Psalm 84.10 I had rather saith he be a door-keeper in the house of my God c. How oft doth he record this choice in Psalm 119 Psalm 119.13 14.30 36 37 72 97 173. alibi Joseph Anti● Jud. l. 2. c. 5. which shews how exceedingly he was pleased with it and with the very thoughts of it Such was Moses's choice who being adopted by Pharaoh's Daughter and Heir that had designed him for her Heir and Successor to the Kingdom if we may believe Josephus yet refused all that Honour and grandeur and the appendant Riches and Pleasures Heb. 11.24 25 26. to embrace the hardest lot of the people of God Affliction and ●eproach having respect unto the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 recompence of reward This was the commendation of those Eunuchs Isa 56.4 that they did choose the things that pleased God let men be pleased or displeased 2. But the wicked hate knowledge Prov. 1.22 29. Isa 65 12. and 66.4 and do not choose the fear of the Lord. They do evil before his eyes and choose that wherein he delighteth not but choose their own waies and their soul delighteth in their abominations One would think it was impossible that men in their wits should refuse everlasting Happiness for momentary and sinful pleasures but our daily experience makes it manifest Pro. 1.22 32. and 12.15 and 17.16 Psalm 94.8 Jude 10. Therefore the Scripture justly calls such men Fools Bruits and mad men c. who wilfully refuse the paths of life and desperately rush upon their everlasting ruine But God gives more grace to his children who following the guidance of his Spirit with Mary make choice of this good part upon best consideration For 1. They are sensible of their own need They know they are sick Mat. 9.12 Ps 109.24 26. Rev. 3.17 18. and stand in need of Medicine weak and need support they know they are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked and therefore make hast to Christ for spiritual riches and heavenly grace whereof he hath an inexhaustible store Joh. 1.16 Ephes 3.8 to enrich them for eye salve of divine knowledge from his plenitude Col. 2.2 Eph. 1 17 18. Ph●● 3.9 3. to illuminate them for the robe of his righteousness to cover their nakedness Necessity enforceth them as the Prodigal Luk. 15.17 c. to go to him for relief who so lovingly invites them Mat. 11.28 and is ready ebviis ulnis with spread arms to embrace them Therefore they refuse the evil and choose the good seeing the inevitable destruction in the one and assured comfort in the other 2. They see and acknowledge the glorious excellency of holiness and heavenly practise how excellent it is in it self being the lively Image of the most holy God Ephes 4 24. 2 Pet. 1.4 whereby they are made partakers of the divine nature As also the sweetness and comfort of its exercise whereby they have communion with God conversing and walking with him as Enoch and Noah did Mic. 6.5 Gal. 5.25 Rom. 8.1 and 6.4 Gen. 5.22 and 6.9 in and after the Spirit in newness of Life having their conversation in Heaven Phil. 3.20 As Children of Light Ephes 5.8 David seeing this prefers one day so spent before a thousand otherwise Psalm 84.10 Indeed one hours sweet enjoyment of God gives the Soul more satisfaction than all the pleasures of the world can give Psa 119.14 72. Phil. 3.7 8. and is therefore to be chosen rather than all Riches Christ alone who is only thus enjoyed is to be preferred before all gain And every wise Merchant who trades for Heaven will sell all to purchase this Pearl Mat. 13.45 46. To enlarge upon this Subject would soon exceed the intended limits of this Discourse Therefore I shall only intimate this further that the way of holiness is the high way to everlasting happiness which is but Holiness perfected in Glory For without holiness no man shall ever see God Heb. 12.14 Mat. 5.8 Ps 15. and 24. since that beatifical Vision is reserved for them only who are pure in heart and Life Vse 1. Oh then how ill do those men provide for their immortal Souls who either wilfully refuse what Mary chose or make a bad choice of such things as are either hurtful or at least unprofitable or that only pretend to make this good choice but do not or that relinquish after such profession what they seemed to choose 1. How many are there who enjoy the precious opportunities of this Word Heb. 2.3 so constantly Preached amongst them and yet neglect so great salvation making light of the Lords earnest invitation as those recusants Mat. 22.5 who refuse Prov. 1.24 25 29. Isa 65.2 when he calls and when he stretcheth forth his hand regard it not who set at nought all his counsel and will none of his reproof but hate knowledge and will not choose the fear of the Lord These men put away the Word of God from them thereby declaring that they judge themselves unworthy of Eternal Life whilst they even say unto God Acts 13 46. Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy waies Hating instruction they cast Gods Word behind them instead whereof they choose their own waies Job 21.14 Psalm 50.17 and their soul delighteth in their abominations Isa 66.3 4. whereby they provoke God to choose their delusions And even as they delight not to retain the knowledge of God in their minds it pleaseth him to give them over to a reprobate mind Rom. 1.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to do those things which are most unseemly and unhandsome and quite contrary to all decency and duty Thus it fares likewise with them Jer. 2.36 Judg. 5.8 2 Tim 4 3. 1 Tim 4.1 Gal. 3.1 who in reference to Religion gad about to change their way with the Idolatrous Israelites choosing new Gods new opinions and fancies Who having itching ears heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts and whilst they give ear to those seducing Spirits which bewitch them they depart from the Faith and do not obey the Truth For not receiving the love of it 2 Thes 2.10 c. they will not believe it but take pleasure in unrighteousness Wherefore God in just judgement sends them strong delusions that they should believe a Lie and gives them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts Yea Rom. 1.24 Rev. 22.11 Ephes 4.19 Heb. 2.3 they give themselves over to lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness Thus they receive a just reward of their slighting this good