Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	lord_n	truth_n	word_n	8,447	5	4.0820	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B09242	Something offered to the consideration of friends, with respect to the present difference about some things brought into the church of late, as for instance, the limit of a years time in the case of marriage, where the husband or wife is buried; as also that order that all persons that intend marriage, shall lay their intention before a womans meeting, distinct and apart from the men, &c. which we forbear further to set forth, or particularly to speak to, at this time, because we would not make the breach wider than it must needs be, so shall content our selves in offering something in general, at present.	Hogg, John, fl. 1675-1698.	1675 (1675)	Wing H2369; ESTC R221383	4,754	13

forth and no man that fears God is obliged to practice any thing but what he believes is true and where no man is to practice any thing but what he believe is true it follows there must a choice remain in every thing that is brought forth to be practised according to that understanding which the Lord giveth and where a choice remains no such power can be given to any assemblies because a power to command and a choice to obey are inconsistent Thus we cannot find that any such power was or could be given at first or at any time since But if on the other hand any assembly shall say that they have received this Power from God we say that is to be considered of because the power of God is consistant with it self now he doth not require a duty of any that fears him but first he convinceth them of it to be their duty If therefore it be our duty to receive what others say is true because they say it and not because we know it to be true then we must be convinced that this Authority is Divine on which we must thus depend but this we cannot be but by a divine way then that must be either by the Spirit of Truth in our own hearts or otherwise by some signal Authority of the Truth and Power of God which such have to convince in both cases our Understanding is concerned in our Obedience and Duty but neither of those ways that we know of are apparent therefore to press Obedience under the notion of Truth where we know it not implys a kind of contradiction for it s asmuch as to say we are to go out of the Truth to serve it for so is blind Obedience and this is the high Road into it But if any shall say That this Authority resteth not in Men but in the Spirit of Truth then we say it neither resteth in this nor in that Assembly as a standing Ordinance but is even as the wind that bloweth where it listeth so is every one that in this matter hath the Word of the Lord for though they know from whence it cometh yet none knows when nor unto whom it shall come therefore the submission is not to what this Man nor that Assembly saith because they say it but because we know that what they say is true on which account it 's plain one may have as much Authority over others that fear God as an Assembly for the first may be Truth and the latter can be no more that is to say it cannot be more Truth because many say it for that is to allow degrees of comparison on the side of Truth which is not to be admitted Thus we cannot find that any Assembly hath any power either from Man or God to make circumstantial things terms of Communion or to bring noval things into the Church upon any other foot than Recommendation which must be fairly left for every one to practice as they are perswaded so that the notion of Church Authority to inforce noval things upon such as fear God hath nothing in it of weight or Service for we are as much obliged to receive the Truth from one as from many and no more to heed many than one when what they offer occurs not with our understanding for the submission is not unto Men but unto the Truth and the Truth is received according to the understanding and not contrary to it and where according to Truth our understanding is concerned in our Duty and Obedience there is no absolute or unaccountable authority can rest in any Assembly under the notion of Church Order and Government And that our understanding is concerned in our Obedience hath been all along asserted for Instance William Pen in his Address to Protestants where the case is sufficiently spoken to But having come to this conclusion perhaps some may object that this is to destroy Discipline and overturn Church Government which we conceive is a great mistake so far as Church Government is consistant with Truth and the good of human Society for as William Pen tells us in his Address to Protestants that Church Government supposeth first a Church so we say that Church implys a Society of people agreeing in certain principles and practices now those seem to us to be the Foundation Rule for Government or Discipline for if any go contrary to what they have given up their names to believe and practice or if any go into that which is evil and scandalous or indeavour to lay a new Foundation or Preach a new Doctrine which we conceive is not chargeable upon those that are dissatisfied such may be dealt with because there is certain Rules to proceed by and here it is that an Assembly may perhaps have more power than a particular person which is with respect to such that are disorderly who perhaps will hear the voice of many when they will not do it for one but this is nothing to such as fear God and are conform to Ancient Principles and Practices But if any shall object that though it be true that such as truly fear God is not to be imposed upon beyond that understanding which he giveth yet those that are dissatisfied are such as do not fear God to this must say the objection is very uncharitable and is so far from bringing Peace that it will help to establish Division and that on a certain Foundation because such as are conscientiously dissatisfied of which we are sure there is must needs know that the Judgment is false and every one knows that a false Judgment cannot be brought forth and stood in but by a wrong Spirit this is to make the difference essential which before was but circumstantial for to be sure we are as much commanded to avoid the communion with evil and false Spirits as forbidden to have fellowship with the works thereof the former being the cause the other but the effect it is true the effect is to be avoided but is more excellent to take away the cause These things are offered sincerely for a good understanding that so Peace may be established according to Truth for Peace without Truth is but an ill Commmunion and that Foundation to wit conviction and perswasion on which we builded our Seperation from others may still not only remain firm but be freely allowed as a Sanctuary against all Innovation which is the hearty desire of John Hogg THE END