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	scripture_n	speak_v	14,888	5	5.2608	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86486	The true guide: or, A short treatise wherein is shewed how the weakest Christian may be able to discerne the true way of the spirit of God, from all false and erroneous ways. Very usefull and necessary for weake Christians, that are willing to know and be led in the truth, in these distracted times, wherein so many errours and divisions abound. / By a lover of the truth, R.H. Viewed and approved by diverse worthy ministers of the city of London. Printed according to order.	Hollingworth, Richard, 1607-1656.	1646 (1646)	Wing H2499; Thomason E344_8; Thomason E375_2; ESTC R200956	13,028	21

and many shall follow their pernitious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of so in 1 Tim. 4.1 The spirit speaketh expresly that in the later times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils So in 2 Tim. 4.3.4 The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts they shall heap unto themselves teachers having itching eares and they shall turn away their eares front the truth and shall be turned to sablés So Acts 20.30 Of your own s●●ves shall 〈◊〉 arise speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them 1 Cir. 11.10 For their must be heresies among you that they that are approved may be made manifest among you So that yee may see by these and other Scriptures its manifest there be false leaders seducing spirits now among us therefore it is good to be carefull by whom we are led but as many as are led by she spirit of God they are the sons of God Thirdly but the thing mainly intended is this That they and they onely that are the sons of God are led by the spirit of God as in this Chapter and 4 Verses Gal. 5.18 If yee be be led by the spirit of God ye are not under the law but under grace for they only have the promise Esay 30.21 Thou shalt heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it So John 16.13 I will send you the spirit of truth and he shall lead you into all truth 1 John 2. 27. That anointing shall teach you all things c. We would all be counted the sons of God but who is our guide what spirit are we led by Now the most are led by an erroneous spirit the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes 2.2 That old Serpent the Devil that deceiveth the whole world Revel 12.9 he is called somtimes the spirit of errour sometimes a seducing spirit somtimes the spirit of Antichrist and such like but they all proceed from that old serpent the Devill Consider further what instruments these spirits work by not only by hypocrites such as can transform themselves into Angels of light and the Apostles of Christ as you may see 2 Cor. 11.13 14. but they can through Gods permission make use of Gods people of Prophets and Apostles the more to seduce and deceive others by and by this meanes they do marvellously prevail So the old Prophet deceived the young Prophet which all the world before could not remove from the Word of the Lord till the old Prophet came under the colour of a new light or revelation from heaven and thereby hee prevailed with the Prophet and drew him from the commandement of the Lord but it cost the good man his life as you may see 1 Kings 13.18 24. So Satan makes use of Peter to tempt Christ Matth. 16.22 See how this spirit prevailed by Peters example to draw many to seperate Gal. 2.12 insomuch that Barnabas a man full of the holy Ghost was led away with them even so this spirit prevails now by the example of some eminent men to seperate from the publike Ministery and other Ordinances of God but as many as are the sons of God they are led by the spirit of God Well you heare what spirits and Leaders there be and what instruments they make use of and how they have prevaild deceived and misled many Loving friends it marvellously behoves us to look to our selves and not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits whether they be of God or no. Q. How may one know the spirit of truth from the spirit of errour A. By the fruits of the spirit Gal. 5.20 and they are these love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance now where the spirit of God is there are these fruits in some measure But if you see men given to hatred variance emulation wrath strife sedition heresies and envyings you may know such are led by the flesh the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience therefore be not led by such spirits but reject them for as many as are the sons of God they are led by the spirit of God But seeing the Devill makes use not only of Hypocrites but of Gods own people and that of the most eminent in the Church of God to seduce and deceive others by as we have proved before then the main question will be Q. How we may know the motions or perswasions of the spirit of God from the m●tions or perswasions of the spirit of Satan A. 1. The motions and perswasions of the spirit of God are always from the Word of God or agreeable thereunto Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and will cause you to walk in my statutes c. there is such an agreement betwixt them that they are put oft times one for another What the Word speaks the Holy Ghost speaks Heb. 3.7 Chap. 10.15 Wherefore the Holy Ghost saith Today if you will he are his voice c. 1 Tim. 4.1 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits c. The spirit speaketh that the Word speaketh for the spirit of God endicted the Scriptures 2 Pet. 1.21 Ephes 6.17 Then try all motions or perswasions by the Word Esay 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Therefore when Peter would have perswaded Christ from suffering Christ would not be led by that spirit but saith Get thee behind me Satan because it was contrary to the Scripture So the when the Disciples would command fire from Heaven to consume the Samaritans Christ rejects their motion and told them they knew not what spirit they were led by because it was contrary to the Word of God which bids Avenge not your selves but give place unto wrath Therefore if any shall perswade you to seperate from the people of God or the Ordinances of God know this perswasion comes not from him that calleth you as Paul told the Galathians when they were seduced from the truth they had formerly walked in Gal. 5.1 8. therefore to be rejected because it is contrary to the Scriptures Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling your selves together as the manner of some is 1 John 2.9 They went out from us because they were not of us c. If any shall perswade you from the publike and faithfull Ministery of the Word reject it for it is a spirit of errour 1 Joh. 4.6 We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us hee that is not of God heareth us not hereby wee know the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour So if any shall perswade you from the Sacrament it is not from the spirit of God but of errour for Christ commands me to do this in

but he that sins against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven Therefore I say again take heed of resisting the motions of the spirit of God Ob. The Apostle bids us try all things and keep that which is good 1 Thes 3.21 Ans But he bids you in the next words to avoid all appearance of evill ver 22. so you see those things that have but an appearance of evill and wherein is any danger we must avoid Ob. But they teach many sweet truths An. Therein lies the more danger So did the false Prophets come in the name of the Lord saying Thus saith the Lord as you may see Jer. 23.17 28 31. but with that they mixed their own dreams so the false Apostles transforme themselves into the Ministers of righteousnesse so the Devill when hee tempted Christ brings a sweet and comfortable truth but under it there was hid poyson which Christ discerned and therefore rejected it so you shall have some now will teach Hee that exalts Christ highest and lays man lowest is in the right and this we doe say they now this is a sweet truth who dares deny-it but there is a Colloquintida hid under it there is death in the p●t for when they explain it it is this Christ hath done that is needfull for our salvation it's truth then where 's the danger why here then we need do nothing true not in way of justification but in way of sanctification and obedience and out of love we must heare and pray confesse our sins watch over our hearts and ways c. you see there may be danger hid under the best Doctrines if they be not explained Now if you were to buy some sugar and one should tell you there 's a dainty sweet sugar at such a place but they that sell it many times mix some rats bain with it and it can hardly be discerned either by sight or taste being both white and sweet but they that eat it are poysoned by it would you buy there to try it or would you not rather goe buy at some other place where you heare a better report and where hath been no such danger I suppose you would And would you be more carefull to preserve your body from poysoning then your soule therefore take heed how you heare saith Christ Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees that is their Doctrine for a little leaven leavens the whole lump Ob. Another main allegation is They tell us we have been led in an ignorant and blinde way but if God open our eyes as hee hath done theirs and we saw that as they now see we would be of another minde and doe as they doe and the way to have our eyes opened is to forsake our Antichristian Ministers and come and join with them in their meetings Ans I confesse this must needs take with people for who would willingly be led in a blinde way but desires to see and know as much as may be therefore the Devill that old serpent knowing this makes it his main argument to prevaile with Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit telling her if shee would eat of that fruit which God had forbidden then her eyes should be opened and shee should be as God knowing good and evill this did so take with her that shee lookt upon the fruit and saw it was pleasant and much to be desired being it would be a means to open her eyes and bring her to that knowledge shee did eat of it but it brought death upon her and all her posterity so the devill seeing this argument prevailed then makes use of it still So he did in the old Prophet 1 Kings 11 so in Zedekiab so in the Pharisees who accused Christs Disciples of ignorance John 7.49 yet boasting themselves of their own light as the false Apostles did but saith Paul 1 Cor. 8.12 He that thinks he knows any thing knows nothing as he ought to know 2 Cor 10.18 He that commendeth himselfe is not approved but he whom the Lord approveth therefore avoid such you heare this is no new thing but an old bait therefore be not troudled at it Ob. But I cannot answer their Arguments they are so deep must not I then be fain to yield to them A. By no means if you will be led by the spirit of God which bids you avoid them go not after them believe them not Mat. 24.26 Again the spirit of God bids you Remember how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent c. Revel 3.3 and hold fast the form of wholsome words that you have bin taught 2 Tim. 1.3 And if any man if an Apostle or an Angell from heaven teach any other Gospell then you have bin taught let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 9. The Church of Thyatira had a seducing Prophetesse among them that was so deep in her doctrine that many could not understand her much lesse answer her arguments but mark what counsell the spirit of God gives them and as Revel 2.24 25. But unto you I say As many as have not known this doctrine neither the depth of Satan as they speak I will put upon you no other burthen But that which you have already Hold fast till I come Let him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith unto the Churches Verse 29. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God In Psal 27.8 saith David When thou saydst Seek my face my heart answered Lord thy face will I seek Now if the Lord hath given us such hearts that when his spirit in his word shall bid us do this but doe not that goe this way but go not that way I say if our hearts answer Lord I will doe what thou biddest me doe and go that way thou wilt lead me then wee shall not only have the spirit of God to witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God Rom 8.16 But the spirit will seal unto us our assurance of the love of God Ephes 4.39 which is the firmest and strongest assurance that possible can be made c. Therefore I beseech you brethren by the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assurance in him that ye be not shaken in minde nor be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us 2 Thess 2.2 But I have met with an allegation or two of theirs whereby they deceive and draw many to their meetings which I will set down and answer very briefly The first is this they perswade people that the word delivered in private and by private men of their way is more sweet and they can profit more by it then by that which is taught in the publike Ministery to which I give a twofold answer Ans Though it be as truly and as profitably taught in publike in publike nay more truly and profitably yet it seems more sweet to you in your private way and manner because you have it not

in so lawfull a way for the holy ghost saith Prov. 9.17 Stoln waters are sweet and bread that is eaten in secret is pleasant and the forbidden fruit was more sweet and pleasant to Eve then all the fruits in the Garden which God allowed her to eat of Gen. 2.9 16 17. Chap. 3.6 And whereas you say you cannot profit more in that way I answer herein your hearts do much deceive you for that people that profits by the word they grow thereby not only in knowledge for so Hypocrites nay Devils may doe but they that profit indeed by the word grow in faith and love They grow more humble and low in their owne eyes apprehending themselves the greatest of sinners and the least of Saints they think every Christian better then themselves Phil. 2.3 and that others know more of God then they doe as Elyhu Job 32 6. And Agg●r Prov. 30.2 3. So they grow more charitable more holy more conscionable more obedient more patient more like to Jesus Christ then a people profit indeed But when people grow more proud and highly conceited of themselves thinking better of themselves then of others boasting themselves of their own light counting all others that go not their way to be blind and ignorant creatures to them besides when they grow more uncharitable more censorious more unconscionable more impatient more unlike to Jesus Christ Can any believe that these profit so much in their meetings no no they meerly deceive themselves and others Again they would perswade people that we are not able to mayntain what we teach or hold for they have offered to reason with out Ministers or private men but they cannot get us to it For answer some of you have been reasoned with and confuted to though you will not acknowledge it but if any have refused it is not because we cannot mayntaine the truth we hold but because you are a perverse people that will not yield to the true meaning of the spirit of God in the Scriptures but will make all Scriptures to speak what they would have them to speak to mayntain what they hold and practise And then to what purpose is it for any to reason with such as will heare no reason againe some of them have not stuck to deny the truth of some Scriptures what wise man would reason with such Again it hath bin their practice to cast aspersions upon those that do oppose and will not yield to what they say such shall hardly escape without some blot now when we see men so perverse and obstinate in an erroneous way we are commanded to avoid them Rom 16.17 Mat. 15.12 13 14. Revel 21.11 He that is unjust let him be unjust still and he that is filthy let him be filthy still so hee that is erroneous and obstinate let them be erroneous and obstinate still if they will not be reclaimed though wee much desire and pray for their return and herein we have not only Gods comand but his example Psal 81. O th●● my people would have harkned unto me and have walked in my ways but they would not he are nor regard so I gave them up to their own he arts lust and they walked in their own counsels c. Therefore you see their fair glosses and pretences whereby they go about to delude people are but fig leaves and gilded shews if they be well examined therefore take heed and be not deceived nor drawn away by them Ob. But it will be further objected You bring many Scriptures to perswade people to stand fast in the truth they have been taught but they have not been taught the truth but have been taught in a false and blinde way by your false Ministers Ans It is a very false and scandalous imputation cast upon the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ for have they not taught us Jesus Christ that we are freely justified and saved by him alone without any thing of our selves and that there is no other name given whereby we can be saved but by the name of Jesus Christ that hee is our wisdom our righteousnesse our sanctification and redemption that we are perfect and compleat in him and other foundation then this can no man lay With what face then can any man say we have been taught in an ignorant and blinde way except they will deny the Scriptures as some have been ready to doe And that this we have been taught by our faithfull Ministers our own consciences can witnesse besides their books now extant can testifie as Doctor Sibs in his Book on the Canticles and of Christ manifest in the flesh so Calvin and Perkins and Hooker and an hundered more therefore I say again stand fast in the truth yee have been taught Ob. I but say they your Ministers are Antichristian for they were called by an Antichristian power therefore it is not lawfull to heare them c. Ans That must be proved first which you say and I think they have as lawfull a calling as your teachers have and more lawfull too But if it be granted they were called by an Antichristian power It is a poor argument to draw people from the ministry of the word as if a man should refuse good and wholsome meat because the cook that drest it was made cook by a Member of Antichrist or as if one should throw away the deeds of his land because the Clerke that writ them came into his Office by a corrupt Judge They that should doe either I should think it were rather out of malice to their persons then any thing else I desire it be not so in these objectors but I would aske them two or three questions Q. 1. First whether have Ministers their principall calling from God or from men Q. 2. Whether that corruption in their calling from men can disanul their calling from God Q. 3. Whether that corruption in those that gave them their outward calling can corrupt the word of God If it can as it cannot why then were not Martin Luthers Works rejected but imbraced who had a far more corrupt calling then our Ministers had And why are those words in Numb 23.21 The Lord seeth no iniquity in Jacob nor transgression in Israel why I say are these words so imbraced by those that object against our Ministers seeing they were spoken by a false Prophet and Sorcerer if the sin of the person could pollute the word Besides I would have them shew some rule from the Scriptures that we ought to refuse to heare such Ministers because of some corruption in them or in their calling I am sure Christ gave no such rule neither by precept nor example whom we ought to follow But this is a meer stratagem of the devill to take people of from heating the publike Ministry of the word of God that he may the better prevail to draw them to errours and heresies yea to Atheisme Therefore I beseech you brethren sisters in the Lord be not drawn away by these delusions from the publike and faithfull Ministry of the Word but reverence it imbrace follow and defend it to the utmost of your powers as the onely ordinary means which God hath ordained for the saving your souls Rom. 10.14 to 18. 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Jam. 1.21 If any teach you otherwise and consent not to the wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse hee is proud knowing nothing but doating about questions and strife of words whereof commeth envie strife railings evill surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes c. 1 Tim. 6.3 4. therefore avoid such and be not led by them for as many as are the sons of God they are led by the spirit of God therefore I say again stand fast Marke what comfort and encouragement Christ gives to poore weak Christians Rev. 3.8 10 11 12. I know thy works behold I have se● before thee an open doore in the ministry of the word which no man can shut when they have done all they can they shall not shut this door and marke what follows for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denyed my name ver 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I will also keep thee from the hower of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth and I am perswaded this is that hower of tryall therefore marke what follows ver 11 12. Behold I come quickly hold that fast thou hast let no man take thy Chown but if you let goe your hold and bee drawn away you lose your Crown but if you stand fast with that little strength thou hast marke here is yet more comfort for thee ver 12. Him that overcommeth will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall goe no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God c. marke this you weake Christians if you stand fast your weaknesse shall not hinder your happinesse Now the God of truth and peace guide us in the truth and in able us to stand fast in the same to the end Amen FINIS

THE TRUE GUIDE OR A short Treatise wherein is shewed how the weakest Christian may be able to discerne the true way of the Spirit of God from all false and erroneous ways Very usefull and necessary for weake Christians that are willing to know and be led in the truth in these distracted times wherein so many Errours and Divisions abound By a lover of the Truth R.H. Viewed and approved by diverse worthy Ministers of the City of LONDON Psal 119.128 I esteemed thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I hate every false way Printed according to Order LONDON Printed for Henry Shephard at the signe of the Bible in Tower-Street 1646. To THE READER Christian Reader THe causes of errour in Religion are many and various some there are who being possessed with a giddinesse of spirit will not rest satisfied with necessary and saving truths others are misled by Enthusiasms and their own private spirits Some erre by reason of the weaknesse of their judgements and not attending to them that can better informe them but above all what Christ once said to the Jews was and ever will be true Men erre not knowing the Scripture Never was there better opportunity never more plentiful powerfull means then at this day in many places to acquire saving knowledge and never did private opinion or strange Heterodoxie more prevail The custome is every where now to contend and quarrel about every part of Divinity and he is no body that cannot carp at wrangle against almost every truth So that all our Practicall Divinity is turnd into Polemicall the power of godlines runs out into disputes and those truths which formerly seemed most Orthodox plain and unquestionable are now by the crotchets of mens brains spun but into such divisions and become so knotty and prickly that a man knows not where to fasten on them or how to hold them but he is in danger to prick his fingers with one thorny objection other It is therefore high time for all that are the sincere lovers of peace and truth and that have any ability to manage Gods Cause to gird up their loines to put on their Arms and to appear in the defence of truth by word or writing by conference or calling on the name of God by one means or other according as occasions and opportunities invite least Satans vigilancie rest in judgement against us for our negligence There must be Heresies saith the Apostle that those which are approved may be made manifest among you 1 Cor. 11.19 Hence Christs caveat Mat. 7.15 16. Beware of false Prophets c. And St. John saith believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world 1 Joh. 4.1 For the Devill is Gods ape and will counterfeit very cunningly and therefore where God hath his Church the Devill hath his Chappel as saith the Proverb Now amongst all other Heresies and errors those seem to be most dangerous which are most plausible and pleasing to flesh and bloud if withall they have some neer allyance or sem●lance with saving truth and passe under specious titles for they are like unto sweet poysons which are easily taken down or Anodynes which bring men asleep and keep them from feeling their misery but cannot heal they remove the pain but not the disease such ●●…e the errours that are here encountered in this small Treatise vented and broach'd under pretence of greater light and opposing the ways of Anti-Christ and crying down his limbs advancing Free-grace setting up Christ alone c. specious pretences Wheras upon due enquiry it will be found that the authors and abetters of these Novall opinions have not received a clearer light but having forsaken the true light of Gods Word are miserably misled by the Ignis fatuus of their own brain And whilst they would seem to exalt Christ alone and magnifie Free-grace they shew themselves enemies unto grace and strong abetters of carnall liberty and so whilst they would seem to be the onely Gospellers they are indeed apparant Gospel-spillers And under a pretence of crying down Anti-Christ and eradicating his limbs they disable disgrace and as much as in them lies labour to root out the most faithfull and powerfull Ministers of the Gospel whose labours and lives have always advanced the Kingdom of Christ and as so many valiant Davids laid the Goliah of Rome groveling on the ground and now ready to expire The truth of this this small Enchiridion will in part manifest to those that contend for truth not victory who are wise to sobriety not ambitious of contention All that I crave of thee Good Reader is this Read without prejudice examine each matter throughly and judge impartially I say no more but prove and approve and the Lord direct all our hearts into the knowledge and love of the truth So prayes he that is an unfained lover of peace and truth G. D. ROM 8.14 For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God FOr explanation of these words we will shew 1 What is meant by the Sons of God 2 What is meant by the Spirit of God 3 What it is to be lead by the Spirit of God First By sons are meant sons of grace that have received Christ by faith John 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Yet are all the children of God by faith in Christ Secondly by the Spirit of God is meant the Holy Ghost the third person in Trinity that spirit of truth that leads into-all truth John 16.13 That Spirit that enlightneth that sanctifieth that enableth us in all duties Thirdly to be led by the Spirit is to yield to the motions rules directions and persuasions of the spirit either inward or outward and ministeriall Now the observations from those words might be many First that we are naturally blind and cannot see much lesse are we able to walk in the ways of God without a Guide o● Leader Secondly that there be many false guides or leaders as sence and carnall reason and nor these only but there are erroneous false and seducing spirits they have been and now are especially in this last age of the World as is manifest in Scripture as in Mat. 24.5 Christ saith Many shal come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many V. 11.23 24. Then if any shall say unto you Lo here is Christ or there Believe it not For there shall arise false christs and false prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect Behold I have told you before Wherefore if they shall say unto you Behold he is in the Desert go not forth Behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not Ver. 25 26. So in 2 Pet. 1 2. As there were false teachers among them So there shall be false teachers among you which shall bring in damnable heresies c.

remembrance of him So if any shall perswade you from praying telling you God hath decreed what he will do and you cannot change the mind of God not alter his decree by your prayers and so from craving a blessing on the creatures or from giving thanks after meat know this is not Gods spirit but from Satan Therefore say to such as Christ to Peter Get thee behinde me Satan thou art an offence to me for these motions are contrary to these Scriptures 1 Thess 5.17 James 1.5 Matth. 7.7 to 12. 1 Tim 4.4 5. Deut. 8.10 When thou hast eaten and filled thyself thou shalt blesse the Lord thy God c. Q. 3. Then may I be led with every one that brings Scripture A. No not always for none are readier to produce Scriptures then seducers Q. How then shall I know the difference A. Observe these two rules to know deceivers by First those that are deceivers they wil practise many things they have no rule from Scripture for as the old Prophet 1 Kings 13. had no rule from Scripture to cause the young Prophet to eat and drink but a pretended revelation So what warrant out of Scripture have some to deny the children of believers Baptisme So what Scripture have any for crying down the publike Ministery of the Word of God to cry down praying and singing of Psalms in the publick what Scripture have any to raile against the Parliament and Synod whereas Michael the Archangell durst not raile against the Devill but said The Lord rebuke thee Jude 9. What Scripture have any to cry downe Superiority and Inferiority that neither Magistrates Masters nor Fathers shall command those that are under them to serve the Lord contrary to these Scriptures 2 Chron. 33.16 Manusses commanded all Judah to serve the Lord God of Israell so did Josiah 2 Chron. 34.33 He made all Israell to serve the Lord their God So Gen. 18.19 I know Abraham that he will command his children and his houshold after him that they shall keep the ways of the Lord Josh 24.15 Luke 14.25 But secondly if they seem to bring Scripture try whether that sence they give of the Scripture they bring do not contradict other Scriptures if it do reject it it comes from the spirit of errour The Devill when hee tempted Christ brought Scripture out of Psal 91.12 but it was directly against another Scripture as hee applyed it as you may see Deut. 6.16 which was cited by our Saviour Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God as some would have us tempt God in neglecting the means as heating praying the Sacraments but it comes from the same spirit as tempted Christ So some that are contentious will bring Jude 3. and Matth. 11.12 Contend for the faith The violent take it by force But as they apply them they plainly contradict other Scriptures as Philip. 2.3 Let nothing be d●ne through contention or vain-glory 2 Tim. 2.23 The holy Ghost bids us to avoid such questions as ingender strife For the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient c. so Titus 3.9 1 Cor. 11.16 If any man be contentious we have no such custome neither the Churches of God Chap. 14.33 God is not the author of tumult or unqu●etnesse but of peace in all the Churches of the Saints therefore contentious spirits are not from God but are earthly sensuall and devillish James 3.14 15. Therefore if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts rejoyce not neither be lyers against the truth saith the spirit of God But as many as are led by the spirit and Word of God they are the sonnes of God 2 Another way to try the Spirits may be this Those motions or perswasions that are pleasing to the flesh and take most with naturall men are not from the spirit of God but from Satan for the spirit lusteth against the flesh and the flesh lusteth against the Spirit for these are contrary the one to the other Gal 5.17 1 Cor. 2.14 The naturall man cannot receive the things that are of God Observe then from whence these motions come that tend to the neglect of the Sabboth and of the means of grace and casting off the Law as no rule to walke by and would not be under command of superiours but would have the liberty of their conscience to doe or hold what they list These are pleasing to the flesh and are received and imbraced by meer naturall men and therefore cannot be of the spirit of God and to be rejected as erronious and devillish What spirit think you were they led by in Mal. 3.13 14. who said It was in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before him and is not this spirit among us still that dare thus to speak against God for so God chargeth them and what is it but to charge the onely wise God who is wisdome itselfe with folly in ordaining and setting up Ordinances in his Church that are of no profit therefore consider it well and be not led by such spirits least you be found fighters against God But those motions that moves you to use and reverence all Gods Ordinances and to watch over your hearts and wayes to sanctifie the Sabboth to mortifie sin to fast and pray and give thanks for every mercy to walk according to the law and word of God in all things that moves to love and peace and holinesse and such like Quench not these motions but entertain obey and follow and be led by them for they are the motions of the Spirit of God and as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Now the Spirit bids you to stand fast in the truth you have been taught and be not like children tossed to and fro with every winde of Doctrine by the cunning craftinesse of men whereby they ly in wait to deceive Ephes 4.14 But hold fast the form of words yee have been taught 2 Tim. 1.13 So if any shall say Lo here is Christ in the desart believe it not if they say he is in the secret chambers goe not after them Mat. 24.26 Nay the Spirit of God bids you to marke them that cause divisions and offences among you contrary to the Doctrine that yee have learned and avoid them Rom. 16.17 Now if you obey these and be led by them the same spirit will witnesse with you that you are the sonnes of God Rom. 8.16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God but if you will not obey and be led by these motions and directions of the Spirit of God then you resist the Spirit of God as those in Act. 7.57 Take heed of sinning against the Spirit of Ood consider the words of our Saviour Mar. 3.28 All manner of sins and blasphemies shall be forgiven to the sonnes of men