Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	life_n	reap_v	sow_v	9,564	5	10.7381	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A47283	Ichabod: or, Five groans of the church: Prudently foreseeing, and passionately bewailing her second fall: Threatened by these five dangerous, though undiscerned, miscarriages that caused her first: Viz. [bracket] 1. Undue ordination, 2. Loose prophaness, 3. Unconscionable symony, 4. Careless non-residence, 5. Encroaching pluralities. Humbly presented to her supreme head and governour, the kings most excellent majesty, and his great council, the Parliament of England.; Ichabod.	Ken, Thomas, 1637-1711.	1663 (1663)	Wing K264A; ESTC R22531	49,473	66

What empty discourses do I hear what incoherent Notions do I r●●d what vain trifles am I troubled with what pillering learned mens works do I endure O what abundance of things should a Minister understand O what a great defect is it to be ignorant of them● O how much doe we ●●iss a competent Knowledge in ordinary Ministers● 1. To satisfie themselves and others exactly in the true and original will of God 2. To explain and unfold the words in which Gods will is originally expressed and to endeavour by all means a right notion and conception of them as they are to be understood in the Scripture 3. To shew exactly what are those saving truths which are naturally contained in tho●e words so explained 4. To confirm those truths so drawn out of the Scripture by such evident Arguments and powerful Re●sons as may esta●lish the ●●ue believer and convince the Gainsa●er 5. To press those ●●uths so made manifest upon men with that power that they may have their proper influence and efficacy upon mens hearts and lives The honest men that are industrious I would willingly encourage provided they have what I wished alwaies and shall now expect in all my Priests and Deacons solidity gravity modesty piety and some savour of Learning 〈…〉 with humanity some methods of intelligible Reason and profitable Scripture-Divinit● The Law was published by Moses learned in all the Learning of the Egyptians the Gospel was propagated by St. Paul bred up at the feet of Gamaliel 〈◊〉 all the varieties of 〈◊〉 and J●wi●h knowledge the Primitive 〈…〉 St. Aug. St. Ambrose Min. ●el● Lact●nt and ●thers maintained the Faith ●o propagated by their comprehensive Learning Therefore I have taken care that none should be admitted ●o Orders but they who are app●oved by sober and wise men as 〈…〉 that their pro●i●ing 〈◊〉 appear 〈◊〉 as men of whom there is some hope because of their promptne●s of wit quickness of conceit fastness of memory clearnesse of understanding soundnesse of judgement and readinesse of speech that they ●ay in time by art industry experience and observation become skilful Linguists subtle Disputants ●opiou● Orators exact Critiques comprehensive Historians profound Divines and powerful Preachers that throughout the three Kingdomes I may have those that may settle the people rightly instruct the ignorant clearly satisfie the doubtful fully meet with the seducers skilfully and promote piety and peace succesfully As the times now are wherein Learning aboundeth even unto wantonnesse and wherein the world is full of Questions Controversies Novelties and Niceties in Religion and wherein most of our Gentry and people are by the advantage of long peace and the customes of modern Education together with a multitude of English Books are able to look through the ignorance of a Clergy-man and censure it if he be tripping in any point of History Cosmography Moral or Natural Philosophy Divinity or the Arts yea and to cha●tise his very method and phrase if he speaks loosely or impertinently or but improperly I as these times are must not admit any Clergy-men without a competency of Learning as who may endeavour by their prayers care and industry to improve the Learning they have so as they may be able upon good occasion to impart a spiritual gift to the people of God whereby they may be established and to speak with such understanding sufficiencie and pertinencie in some good measure of proportion to the quicknesse and ripeness of these present times shewing in their Doctrine uncorruptness gravity sincerity sound speech which cannot be condemned that they which are of the contr●ry party may be ashamed ●●ving no evil to say of them I whose Clergy professed to use and prayed to God to blesse their long Preparative Studies Mediations Writings Readings habitually to fit them for that dread●ul work and for every actual discharge of it I am ashamed of those poor Smatterers who have gathered a few raw and indigested Notions either by superficial reading of the Scriptures or by hearing some Sermons or by gleaning a little here and there from the plainest Writings without any Critical Historical or Polemical Learning who are fit implements to bring in such ignorance irreverence Atheism Superstition and Confusion as shall quite put out the Christian and reformed Religion in this Nation reducing all to the ancient darkness looseness and barbarousness which hath been established by persons of real abilities of good Learning sound knowledge sober Judgements orderly Method grave Utterance and weighty Eloquence which all wise and sober Christians expect should appear in every true Minister of the Church of Christ insuch a competent measure and evident manner as they may be able comfortably to discern them and usefully to enjoy them I am ashamed to see a Roll of four hundred and fix and twenty Tradesmen who 1. out of desultory restlesness 2. out of covetousness and ambition 3. out of ●ullennesse and discontent 4 out of pride and envy having intruded in former years into the sacred Calling of a Minister are now ordained to it I am ashamed that my Authority should consecrate their Extravagancies and that what I looked upon as the misery of late times should be allowed in this that I should countenance vain men that run from that Calling wherein they are called and usurp the 〈◊〉 Honour and Authority of that sacred Priesthood and Evangelical Ministry instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ as sent of God the Father a mischief that greatly threatneth the Church and State Faith and good Manners all things Civil as well as Sacred O what wise and honest hearted Protestant that hath any care of posterity or prospect for the future findes not a sad dispondency with an holy impatience arising in his soul while he seeth so many weak shoulders such unwashen hands such unprepared feet such rash heads such empty souls publikly intruding themselves upon all h●ly Du●ies all sacred Offices all solemn Mysteries all divine Ministrations with equ●l insolency and insufficiency being for the most part so much the more impudent by how much they are grosly ignorant in whom you cannot discern any either ra●ional or religious orderly or honest expressions in any degree proportionable to what was observable in my most solid Ministers my most acute Scholars and most profound Divines who have been 〈…〉 Certainly Reverend Fathers you will not so de●ase and undervalue the Evangelical Offices of Christ as to admit every self 〈…〉 presen●ly to officiate without any due ●●amination o● approbation from those with whom that commission and power hath been ever deposi●ed in a regular and visible succ●ssion from Christ the great Examplar or Origin●l al●hough duely considering the diversities of gi●●s fr●m the same Spirit you are not to exclude any modest pe●son though of meaner parts and less improved education if he be of ingenious education of pious aff●ctions an● an orderly life from a place in Christs Minist●y where one may sow another may reap according to the several

Constitution for many happy years or if you will believe all men in England who have by oaths and Subscriptions by Vows and Protestations resolved to maintain the Protestant Religion as it was established in the Church of England who despair any where to find the way of truth and peace of holiness and happiness but in the use of those holy means and in the exercise of those divine graces which accompany salvation within me pro●essed and enjoyed I know nothing excellent in any Church for outward policy inward tranquillity and eternal felicity nothing that was pious or peaceable moral or vertuous ritual or spiritual orderly or comely or any way conducing to truth and holiness to grace or vertue to the souls edification and comfort which was not by me entertained with competent Maintenance noble Encouragements ingenious Honours peac●able Serenity and munificent plenty In which I flourished so many years by Gods gooduesse and mans indulgence Alas whatever I have done in the settlements of the Rites Circumstances and Decencies of Religion I have observed that modesty wisdom and humility that became a Church of Christ in discreetly and ingeniously comp●ying with sober primitive and venerable An●iq●ity in the Church as far as it observed the Rules of Gods Word and went not beyond the liberty allowed it in point of Order and Decency O you are too knowing to be ignorant and too ingenious to be insensible of your duty to God and your respect to me who was hereto●ore so much loved by my Children applauded by my Friends reverenced by my Neighbours feared and envyed by mine Enemies for those spiritual Gifts Ministerial Devotional and Practical which were evidently seen in me those heavely influences which people received from me those gr●cious examples and frequent good works set ●orth by me the blessed experiences men enjoyed within me the charitable simplicities exercised by my members the numerous Assemblies the frequent Devotions the reverent Attentions the unanimous Communions the well-grounded hopes and unspeakable comforts which thousands enjoyed both living and dying in obedience to and communion with me which to impartial men were most impregnant evidences and valid demonstrations of true Religion and a true Church setled by the joynt consent and publick piety of a Christian Nation He was a wise holy and reverend Son of my bosome who said That in the greatest maturity of his Iudgment and integrity of his Conscience when most redeemed from juvenile Fervours popular Fallacies vulgar Partialities and secular Flatteries be declared to the present Age and Posterity that since be was capable to move in so serious a search and weighty a disquisition as that of Religion is as his greatest design was through Gods grace to find out and persevere in such a profession of Christian Religion as hath most of truth and order of power and peace of holiness and solemnity of divine verity and Catholi●k antiquity of true charity and holy constancy So he could not apart from all prejudices and prepossessions find in any other Church or Church-way ancient or modern either more of the good he desired or less of the evil he would avoid then he had a long time disc●rned and upon a stricter scrutiny more and more in the frame and ●or● in the Constitution and Dispensation of the Church of England No where saith he diviner Mysteries no where sounder Doctrinals bolier Morals warmer Devotionals apter Rituals or comlier Ceremonials All which together by a meet and happy concurrence of piety and prudence brought forth such Spirituals and Graces both in their Habits Exercises and Comforts as are the Quintessence and Life the Soul and Seal of true Religion those more immediate and special Influences of Gods holy Spirit upon the Soul those joynt Operations of the blessed Trinity for the Iustification Sanctification and Salvation of a Sinner 1. Can you blame my Government that ancient and Catholick Government of godly Bishops which is so agreeable to Right Reason so suitable to the Principles of due Order and Policy among men so consonant to Scripture-wisdome both in Rules and Patterns so conforme to the Catholick and Primitive way of all Christian Churches throughout all Ages and in all places of the world Would you have me against all charity modesty humility or equity to fall away from the Apostolical way of all Famous Churches and religious Christians to cast off the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nec concili●s in titutum sed semper retentum non nist authoritate Apo●tolica institutum the Apostolici seminis traduces Episcopos that universam sucessionem Episcoporum those successiones ab initis decurrentium Episcoporum that ordinem Episcoporum qui in Iohannem stat Authorem that toto orbe de●retum Shall I not enquire of the former Age and prepare my self to the search of my Fathers for I am but of yesterday and nothing Shall not they teach me and tell me and utter words out of their hearts Shall not I stand in the way and ask for the old way which is the good way and walk therein Would you have me give offence to the whole Christian world which either is or wo●ld be governmed by Bishops as the most Apostolick Primitive and Universal Way Would you have me disown the right succession of the power Ministerial conferred by Episcopal hands unto this day Shall the Jewish Church have the Heads of their Tribes as Bishops and Rulers over their Brethren the Priests and Levites and the Christian Church in imitation of them as in other particulars so in this have their Ap stles Evangelists their Pastors and Teachers without reproach and may no●● O it is certai● e●that what is once well done in a regular publick way is ever after done as to the permanency of that vertue that is alwayes in a great and good example ple shall I lay aside Primitive right Episcopacy which hath s●ch grounds from Scripture both as to the divine wisdom so ordering his ●hurch among the Jews as also by the examPrecept and Direction evident from 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus Christ and the holy Ap●stles in the New Testament who preferred worthy pe●sons for their Piety Zeal and holy Gravity to exercise a christian authority over Ministers and people for their souls good which might consist with charity and humility for the pres●rvation of the Churches peace and purity in the best and primitive times ● such grave persons as for their Age were Fathers for their innocency Saints for industry Labourers for constancy Confessors for zeal Martyrs for charity Brethren for their light Angels and venerable for all Excellencies And I own no other Bishops but such in whom are remarkable the vertues of the most ancient and imitable Bishops the industry of St Austin the Courage of St. Ambrose t●e Devotion of St. Greg●ry the Learning of Nazianzen the Eloq●ence of St. Chryso●tome the Mildness of St. Cyprian the Love of St. Ignatius the Constancy of St. Polycarp the

best sort of Commons ●allow only such Ceremonies as make religious Duties not more pious but more conspicuous not more sacred but more solemn not more spiritual and holy but more visible imitable and exemplary to quicken my children to allure others to instruct and edefie all 5. Are ye offended with my Canons and Injuctions Is it fit that a few men whom Order and Policy hath made inferiour to others as the Rulers and Representatives of the whole society should prefer their own private Opinions and Judgements before the well-advised Results the learned Counsels the pious Endeavours and solemn Sanctions of so many eminent for piety prudence integrity publick influence and just Authority 6. Are my solemne Fasts and Feasts your grievances those solemn remembrances of Gods mercy to men in Christ celebrated with prayer praises preaching and communicating to Gods glory and all sober Christians improvement according to the known president of the Jews and the general practise of the Christian Church What harme is there is some good men observing a day observe it to the tho Lord and others not observing a day observe it not to the Lord 7. Do you-resent my Endeavours for Unity and Uniformity Alas I desire onely that men sincerely worship one true God and pro●ess the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ that they may be partakers of the gifts and graces of the blessed Spirit and may have an holy communion with that adorable T●inity and with one another in love and charity as Christians enjoying the noblest life the sweetest society and most heavenly ●raternity imitating God emulating Angels Children and expectants of happinesse Partakers of grace and daily preparing for eternal Glory that all men who have been called baptized and instructed by lawful Ministers here in the mysteries and duties of the Gospel may make a joynt and publick profession of the Christian Faith and Reformed Religion in the name and as the sense of the whole Nation grounded upon the holy Scripture guided also and administred by that uniforme order due authority and holy Ministry for Worship and Government which according to the mind of Christ the pattern of the Apostles and the practise of all primitive Churches hath been lawfully established by the wisdome and consent of all Estates in this Kingdome for Gods honour the Churches safety the publick peace and the common good of souls 8. Doe I not allow you a just liberty to dot such things constantly and chearfully which are most proper and advantagious to the nature and excellency of men to think what is true to do what is fit and enjoy what is just in reference to God others and your selves I have taken from you no liberty but that of doing evil you are at liberty to enjoy all the comforts priviledges and Ordinances which Christ hath instituted in an holy order and regular way for private or publick good and to hope for that reward and crown which God the righteous Judge hath promised those that persevere in well doing My highest aim is that you may have liberty to exercise a good conscience void of offence towards God and towards man that they may willingly in all things live honestly 9. Are ye displeased with my Members Alas innocent men they pursue after the knowledge of and communion with God in order to a rational religious spiritual gracious perfect and unchangeable life enjoying themselves in the blessed enjoyment of God the enjoyment of whom satisfieth all their desires rewards all their duties requites all their sufferings compleats all their happiness crowns and perfects true Religion They endeavour that on earth which they hope for in heaven viz. a right knowledge and a willing performance which as reasonable they owe for ever to God their Maker Preserver and Redeemer in Christ. With this religious frame and temper of which themselves only are consciencious they prepare for a glorious and blessed immortality with a sincerity of heart and uprightness of conversation which hath no other Rule but Gods Word no other End but Gods Glory no other Comfort but the Constancy of this Disposition to their Lives end Innocent men they look for one common Salvation they use one common Sacrament they professe one Faith and Rule of Holinesse they have one Gracious Temper the same inward sense of Duty and Devotion they walk in the same order with the Catholick Church over the face of the earth 10. Doe you envy me my Patrimony and Maintenance what the Law of God allows me what the Gospel hath provided me what the piety of elder times hath bestowed upon me what good Kings Peers and people of their own endowed me with freely honouring the Lord with their substance that they that served the Altar might live by the Altar O why may not my children who attend the Gospel live by the Gospel since they attend a Ministry as venerable in its Mysteries as clear in its Doctrine as glorious in its chief Minister Iesus as painful to it's Ministers and as comfortable to pious and devout souls as the Ministry of the Law Why are you offended that they of my children that are taught should communicate to them of my children that teach in every good thing 11. Do you envy my just Power and Authority whereby with the wisdome gravity and integrity of such men as are invested with that power I may chekc all abuses and disorders in the Church and by a well ordered discipline I may recover my self to my former glory and renown for which I was spoken of throughout the world 12. Doe you except against the private infirmities the personal failings of my Bishops and Ministers as lesse strict and unblameable in their lives less painful in thir calling lesse prudent in their undertakings or lesse compassionate in their Government though all the world knoweth that within me Learning flourisheth Knowledge multiplyeth Grace aboundeth ●xcellent Preaching thriveth Sacraments are duelie administred the fruits of Gods spirit are mightihe diffused hospitable Kindness is exercised Christian charity is main●ained plain heartednesse and goods works are emi●●ent though I know the Christian world cannot shew men more eminent then some of my Clergy are for well-weighed knowledge for Christian Courage and Patience for sincere piety for indefatigable industry for Care and Vigilancie for exemplary Vertue for sound Doctrine useful Writing prudent Governing for a firm Co●stancy for fatherly I●●●ructions charitable Corrections and imitable Conversations who guide the people without any allowed ●centiousnesse in conversation any undecency in Devotion any irregularitie in Administration in all which according to the ●acred direction of Gods Word according to the heave●lie assistance of Gods spirit through Faith in Jesus Christ they ●each them to worship the only true God who is blessed for ever as the admirable instruments of Gods glory and the good of mens souls teaching them a fruitful and effectual Faith a sound and judicious Knowledge an hearty and sincere Love a discreet and prudent Zeal a