Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	knowledge_n	understanding_n	wisdom_n	6,916	5	6.5948	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A25205	Duty and interest united in prayer and praise for kings and all that are in authority from I Tim. II. 1,2 : being a sermon preach'd at Westminster upon the late day of thanksgiving, Sept. 8, 1695 / by V.A.	Alsop, Vincent, 1629 or 30-1703.	1695 (1695)	Wing A2908; ESTC R27733	27,230	36

them In all which I will endeavour to evidence that when we are mest humble in our Prayers yet still we may find cause of Thanks 〈◊〉 when we are raised and enlarged in our Praises yet we 〈◊〉 not want cause to lie low at the footstool and look up to the throne in most earnest supplications upon their account Let us then narrowly enquire what matter of Prayer Providence has afforded us to offer up for our King and all that are in Authority § 1. The first thing that recommends itself to us is that God will yet more abundantly pour upon our King the spirit of government that he may so govern the people whom God and their own choice have committed to his charge that he may give his account with joy 2 Chron. 1. 7. God gave Solomon his Option Ask what I shall give thee A large Charter And the same God that gave him his choice gave him wisdom to chuse Thus he answers v. 10. Give me now wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before this people for who can judge this thy people which is so great In which choice he discovered that he was already possessed of much of that wisdom that he askt of God For 1. It was a wise consideration that he lookt upon the people to be the Lords people more the Lords than his He durst not therefore arrogate any such propriety in them or such dominion over them as might prejudice Gods title to them or disseize God of his Soveraignty over them It is thy People 2. It was a wise thought that a great people are better governed by wisdom and prudence than force A principle which could he have insused into the thick skull of Rehoboam he had saved him the ten Tribes which his own rash folly rent from him 3. He was wise that he understood that it must be the wisdom that comes from above that is pure and of an aetherial temper like the fire that came down upon the Altar that would prove the true wisdom to rule Gods people when all conclusions have been tried all experiments made yet it will be found that Piety is the best Policy Now this Prayer of Solomon was so acceptable to God that he gives him both that he asked and that he asked not v. 11. Because this was in thy heart and thou hast not asked riches wealth or honour nor the lives of thine enemies neither yet hast asked long life but hast asked knowledge for thy self that thou mayest judge my people over whom I have made the King wisdom and knowledge is granted thee and I will give thee riches wealth and honour c. 1. Let us therefore earnestly pray that God would grant to our King and in their proportion to all his Ministers a large measure of the Fear of the Lord that it may be the foundation of all his Counsels all his Administrations all his Undertakings David and Solomon both agreed in this maxim Psal. 111. 10. Prov. 9. 10. That the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom And tho David in some few instances had departed from his own avowed Rule yet when he came to die and look death in the face and to 〈◊〉 his Conscience for the errors of his reign he 〈…〉 in the fear of 〈◊〉 And 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus Christ himself to who ● all power was given in h●●ven and earth Mat. 28. under whose 〈◊〉 the father hath put all things and given him to be head over all things ● the Church Yet was he to be qualified for the executing of that great trust with the spirit of wisdom and with a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord Isa. 11. 2 3. And not only is this qualification necessary for our King but for all that are in Authori●y This was the reason of that excellent advice given by Jethro to Moses Exod. 18. 21. Provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness 2. Let us further pray that God would endue our King and his Ministers with the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of counsel and might the spirit of knowledge that they may not judge by the sight of their eyes nor reprove by the hearing of the ears which as it was promis'd and given to our blessed Saviour Isa. 11. 2. and that without measure Joh. 3. 34. So has he the residue of the Spirit to dispence to all those whom he has placed in publick stations that they may answer the ends of government Then may we prognosticate and promise to our selves happy days and our selves to be a happy people when all that are in Authority shall not hearken to the insinuations of Sycophants nor lend an ●ar to false Accusers nor listen to the whispers of offered Bribes to pervert ju●gment and to blind their eyes but shall administer impartial justice consider the cause and not respect persons when Justice shall run down like a stream and Righteousness like a mighty flood when the oppressed shall berelieved the Orphan and the fatherless vindicated Nor do we want matter of Thanksgiving upon this account when we seriously consider how the Courts of Judicature are filled with persons of great Learning and Knowledge in the Laws of the Land and above all with men of great Integrity in the administration such as fear not the faces of the mighty such as no 〈◊〉 can corrupt and when we have seen of late a notable example amade of one that without any temptation but of his covetous heart dared to receive a Bribe under the colour of a Gratuity to betray his trust and pervert justice and judgment in the Fountain § 2. It will be proper matter for our Prayers too that God would single out and bestow upon our King wise and 〈◊〉 Counsellors such as stood before Solomon not the green heads and unexperienced rash young men that soothed up Rehoboam to his own ruine And as we have matter for Prayer so for Thanksgiving too that God has blessed the King with wise Senators who considering the present necessities under which his Majesty now is ha●● supported him with great indeed bat absolutely necessary Supplies They judged in their great wisdoms that it was better to breathe a vein than to cut off the head to prune the tree and lop off some useful b●anches than to have it cut up by the roots That it 's better we should complain once than always It was wisely considered that it was more eligible at any rates to keep the War at a distance in foreign parts than by unseasonable sparing to invite it to our own doors nay into our own bowels The little finger of a foreign Enemy invading had been heavier than the loyns of our Representatives And let us heartily and chearfully praise our God that our cost has not been in vain nor let us ever grudge that something of the lading is thrown over-board to save the Vessel in which all