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	son_n	word_n	14,353	5	4.5058	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60983	A sermon preach'd Novemb. 14, 1698 and now publish'd at the request of the societies for the reformation of manners, in the cities of London and Westminster / by John Spademan ...	Spademan, John, d. 1708.	1669 (1669)	Wing S4784; ESTC R32648	13,042	48

we are obliged to enquire into these things which it supposeth as well as to set down the positive instances of it The contending with or against Wicked Men supposeth an acting on our selves the Original Word being so expressed as to denote a reflex Operation And some who have narrowly considered the force of the Hebrew Verb have rendered it Coccei Lexic stir up themselves 'T is evident none can contend with another who doth not first stir himself Sampsons great Strength could not be serviceable to him when the Philistines were upon him until he was awak'd and did quit his unactive posture If our Souls are asleep and stupid void of active Principles whieh are to be exerted 't is impossible we should rightly contend with Wicked Men which absolutely requires the acting of the following Dispositions Sorrow for the sins of others He that can view the Impieties or Immoralities of others with delight and take pleasure in those who violate the Divine Laws will not sincerely contend with Wicked Men. But a hearty displeasure against Sin engageth unto this contending This Principle moved righteous Lot to reprove and contradict the Wicked Sodomites whose unlawful deeds did so affect him that in seeing and hearing of them He vext his righteous soul from day to day 2 Pet. 2.8 The Apostle Paul though he stood single and alone contended with the Idolatrous Athenians because his Spirit was stirr'd in him when he saw the City wholly given to Idolatry Acts 17.16 That Spectacle which others beheld with patience and pleasure wrought a Paroxysm of Sorrow in his Holy Soul The Jews thought themselves as much oblig'd to rent their Garments when they heard Blaspheming Language as when the most sorrowful Tidings were brought to them There is no Law which binds us to tear our Cloaths at the hearing of impious Words or sight of wicked deeds but we are oblig'd to rent our Hearts with Religious Sorrow and Displeasure Zeal for the Honour of God and Interest of Religion is necessary for the due performing of this Action One who is unconcern'd about these things will not contend earnestly against wicked Men. The Ephesian Christians have got immortal Renown by the Character given 'em by the Redeemer in the Epistle addrest to that Church Revelat. 2.2 I know thy Works and how thou canst not bear them that are Evil. This Christian Zeal much contributed to make a golden happy Age to the Primitive Church and would again restore it might it please the blessed God to send down this Heavenly Fire But when many professing Christians are lukewarm and unconcern'd for the cause of our Common Religion this obstructs the contending against Vice and those who openly affront the Laws of God Phineas is celebrated for his Executing Judgment on some great Delinquents against whom he contended because he was acted by holy Zeal for the Name of God Num. 25.11 Fortitude in the Cause of God and Religion is another Principle of this Action A Spirit of Fear and Cowardice doth wholly unfit for this Service When the Prophet Ezekiel was sent to the Rebellious House of Israel with a Commission to contend with that degenerate People this was the first of his Instructions Thou Son of Man be not afraid of them neither be afraid of their Words tho Briars and Thorns be with thee and thou dost dwell among Scorpions c. Ezek. 2.6 Confidence in the Divine Assistance If we make flesh our Arm and rely on created strength we shall quickly be discouraged and our hands will be weakned when we experience the difficulty of this Undertaking None can in a right manner contend against wicked Men who makes not the Almighty God his support and confidence In the last place Charity towards the Persons of Wicked Men is a necessary disposition in this contending with them For it is not an hostile Act proceeding from malevolence and hatred to them but an Instance of the most real kindness and design'd to deliver them from the worst misery This Combat is manag'd against Sin which is the snare of Death and Gate to Eternal Perdition None ever so earnestly contended with ungodly Men as our Lord Jesus Christ who was always acted by the most unfeigned ardent Love to Sinners whose highest Happiness was constantly designed by him We come now to lay down the Instances of this contending with Wicked Men And 't is obvious to any considering mind That according to the various capacities of Persons there are various corresponding Instances of this important Duty I. The exercise of Legislative Authority in making Laws to prohibit all open Wickedness The Magistrates Sword must be brought forth and placed in view that such who fear not the Displeasure of God or the Reproaches of Conscience and of good Men may be check'd and awed by a menacing Law which is the proper Instrument of repressing Evil Doers A Ruler doth not answer his high Character if he is not a Terror to Evil Works as the Apostle speaks Rom. 13.3 This has been understood even by those who have wanted the knowledge of the true God There never was a civiliz'd People destitute of Laws to prohibit that which is openly wicked We read how a Heathen Nebuchadnazer Publish'd his Royal Edict arm'd with severe Penalties a-against those who should speak any thing amiss against the true God Dan. 3.29 Blessed be God who has influenc'd our Law-givers to enact various Laws to guard the Honour of the Name and Truth and Day of God I know not a Nation in the World which has so abundant provision of Excellent Laws against Sin and Impiety as our own But if the Law should sleep it loses all its force can't reach its end and the worst Crimes will prove insolent therefore II. The actual punishing of such who are found guilty is included in the contending with wicked Men. If the Law be not arm'd with a Penalty 't is an Idol which has Hands but handles not and these Hands are altogether useless if they strike not those who affront and disobey Righteous Laws To indulge and spare such Offenders is Cruelty to them as well as to the Publick When those who have been intrusted with Power to Execute Laws have neglected this part of their Duty the consequent has been very dismal This Neglect awakens Divine Justice which on such occasion hath used very severe Methods both towards them who have merited the Penaltie and those who have not inflicted it The Examples of Eli and David are well known in whom when Parental Affection so far prevail'd that they neglected to punish their Children the Supreme Judge did on that occasion use his own Sword and strike both Parents and Children In the History of the former there is a very instructive Passage 1 Sam. 3.13 I have told him God speaks of Eli that I will Judge his House for ever for the Iniquity which he knoweth because his Sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not Eli's Office as a