Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	work_n	work_v	worldly_a	122	3	7.5112	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49589	The wedding-supper as it was handled out of the fourteen first verses of the 22. chapter of Matthew, in sundry exercises in Tavistock in Devon. Wherein the offer of salvation, both to Jews and Gentiles, is noted: and divers plain and pithy doctrines observed, and applied. Being the effect of twelve sermons preached by Thomas Larkham, the oppressed pastor of the despised Church of Christ there.	Larkham, Thomas, 1602-1669.; Cross, Thomas, fl. 1632-1682, engraver.	1652 (1652)	Wing L442; ESTC R222016	113,881	272

he that invites to the marriage cloaths also Ezek. 16.7 and 10. v. But the scope is to shew that such as are found in their sins shall perish not that the garment of righteousness and Salvation is to be found in any mans own Chest God finds nothing in us but miserable nakedness and filthiness Neither are we any otherwayes reformed unto the image of God but as we put on Christ Therefore I say here is not a discovery or Doctrine of mans power to cloath himself but of Gods Method in the work of conversion who worketh that in the elect which he commandeth men to have See Calvin in Isai 1. ver 16. His words are these as they are translated Now we know that the spirit of God is wont to attribute that to men which himself works in them who is therefore said to pour clear water Ezek. ●6 25 Because repetance is a worke proceeding from him So that I say if God that bids you come to Christs wedding do not give you a wedding garment it is a sign you are not one of his elect or chosen ones For all are not that are called For many are called but few are chosen Now for the sence of the words We are by called ones here to understand not such as are effectually called as in sundry places the word is taken among others 1 Cor. 1.24 where the Gospel is said to be the power of God unto called ones but here by being called is meant only a partaking of an outward call to wit to hear of such a one as Christ was and to joyn outwardly with Christians either according to Law I mean mans Law or according to custom or the practice of our forefathers of which called ones the greatest part are but a rude heap of baptized Pagans and Infidels or else such as are Temporaries and Hypocriets that have some common works of the Spirit some fear of Hell some ta●t of the powers of the world to come and yet are found to be reprobate silver True it is that such as are inwardly and effectually called are likewise so called and ought to joyn themselves with Gods People and Will But yet this is the summe that many are so called outwardly that yet shall perish everlastingly The Next word to be expounded is the word chosen few are chosen Whither we understand hereby choice ones approved ones as some expound the word or else Gods election in Christ before all time of some to be vessels of grace which yet in my poor opinion may rather be called a purpose of election then election it self I say understand it either way T is plain the meaning of the Holy Ghost is That among the Multitudes of People that are by general profession Christians there are but few choice plants chosen of God and pretious which indeed none are but such as God hath predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Eph. 1.5 And this election from everlasting is called Gods purpose and grace and said to be given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 1 Tim. 1.9 And none but such though outwardly called ones shall ever be fitted and trimmed to go in unto the marriage of the Lamb and to be bid wellcome there From this verse thus opened and expounded I shall observe three short points of Doctrine and briefly handle them at this time and so end my Sermon and this whole Parable Doctr. 1 That many by preaching partake of an outward Call That few of those are elected and chosen of God or truly choice and pretious here by the working of the Holy Ghost That those that are not so ordained of old and so sanctified by the Holy Ghost as hath been said shall perish at last notwithstanding their outward call and profession of religion For saith the Text many are called but few are chosen Of these in order Reason And first of the first of them viz. that many partake of an outward Call For both Jews and Gentiles partake thereof as hath been already shewed out of this parable The whole world consists of two sorts of People all the world are to be invited one time or other The Jews from the time of Abraham unto the dissolution of their state Then for the Gentiles you have Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 Rom. 10.18 All Nations must be taught Every creature must be preached unto The sound of the Gospel must go out into all land● The general coming of people to the Ordinances is compared to the calling of Swine pigs to the mingle mangle Come pyr come pyr to the mingle mangle So it hath been the more the pitty in our time and is yet where unhallowed Ministers have to do Surely all that are admitted in the best Societies of Christians are not cercainty sound Vse 1 For the first use we may learn that the preaching of the Gospel is no hidden thing It is preached to a multitude and must be how else shall they be converted It must be made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 The preaching of the Gospel must not be too much restrained The World must hear of Christ Some there are that preach very sweetly to Saints in private places there may be a time for that But there must be a time to tell all the World that Christ died for sinners that he that believeth not shall be damned that Tophet is prepared of old c. Some blame Ministers for that they preach Moses too much Beloved let Moses go first by the Law commeth the knowledge of sin But let Christ follow after For the Law is a killing Letter the Gospel is the grace of God which bringeth Salvation Jude saith difference must be made of some indeed we must have Compassion but others must be saved with fear and pulled out of the fire ver 22. and 23. of that Epistle Though sometimes our words must distill as the rain and drop down as the dew yet there must be fire and a hammer to break the rock in pieces But it may be objected The Gospel is a hidden treasure Mat. 13.44 And a mystery and hidden wisdom 1 Cor. 2.7 I answer Not in regard of the outward means for it is openly to be revealed as before was noted our of Rom. 16.25.26 but because of the blindness of mans understanding because the natural man cannot discern it 1 Cor. 2.14 Because the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 But the blame is in men and it is to them a sign of perdition for If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost saith Paul in the 3. verse of the forementioned chapter and Epistle to the Corinthians And so much for the first use or first branch rather of the information Vse

herein be accepted Joyn with the Lord in these actions Let us do it We have many Motives Mot. 1 For first God will hereby be glorified the contrary will be to his great dishonour Secondly the benefit will be our own for it is the only way to get grace Ask and ye shall have seek and ye shall finde knock and it shall be opened unto you Matth. 7.7 Thirdly and Lastly It will be a good example to others our example may draw others as bad examples do spread like a leprosie So much for that We come in the third place to the Message that the Lord wills to be delivered Tell them that are bidden Behold I have prepared my dinner my oxen and my fatlings are killed and all things are ready come unto the Marriage There is not much in these words which hath not been spoken of already Only mark here is an invitation to a Marriage Venite inquit non ad labores aut ad luctum sed ad Nuptias Marlorat He doth not say come to labours or lamentation but to a marriage Per terrena autem adumbrat Christus Coelestia c. Here by earthly things are shadowed out heavenly But that which I shall a little fasten upon and yet I shall not be long neither is the opportunity offered t is supper time all things are ready therefore come and take it whilest it is going as we say whilest it is to be had Doct. This shall be the Doctrine or observation That the opportunity of the season for the gaining of grace ought to be a special Argument to perswade people to come c. Reason It is an Argument that is wont to be of special force with men concerning their worldly affairs Men will go to Market upon the Market-day and make hay whilest the Sun shines cut their Corn when it is ripe much more should it be a prevailing Argument in more weighty matters For man also knoweth not his time as the fishes that are taken in an evil net and as the birds that are caught in the snare so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them Eccles 9.12 Great use is made by the Spirit of God of this Argument in many places of Scripture I will quote and read some Prov. 9.1 2 3. Wisdom hath builded her house she hath hewen out her seven pillars she hath killed her beasts she hath mingled her wine she hath also furnished her Table She hath sent forth her Maidens c. Isaiah 55.6 7. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near Let the wicked forsake his way c. Matth. 3.2 Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand 2 Cor. 6.2 For he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee behold now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation Heb. 3.13 But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin from all which Places this truth is plainly made good that the opportunity and Seasons of Grace are to be regarded And therefore we will now come to the Uses of the Point Vse 1 And first it lays great blame on them that neglect the pretious opportunities that are put into their hand that do not make hay while the Sun shines that do not repent while it is called to day Remember the foolish Virgines Vse 2 And next here is comfort for wise Virgines such as take Gods Grace when it is offered such as take oyle in their Vessels with their Lamps Mat. 25.4 Such as are faithfull ver 21. They shall enter in with the Bridegroom into the Marriage ver 10. They shall enter into the joy of their Lord ver 21. aforenamed Vse 3 Lastly hearken to this serious admonition that I am about to give you It is through the great mercy of God that you enjoy now a season of Grace Gods dinner is prepared c. O how have I been deceived in you What fair promises were made if the Lord would but let you see the face of a Minister of your own again How did the Lord seem to hide his face from you for a great while Motive 1 Consider more particularly Its Grace and mercy not desert that you are once more invited We are not worthy to be bidden Guests not the best of us all yet we are Secondly This renewed season is uncertain how long it will continue Friends it is like be a catching harvest the base carriage of the great Ones among you the like whereof I have hardly met with wherever I have lived and of the most besides threatens a removal of the means of Grace from you There is such a deal of pride and heart-burning and despight shewed to the People and wayes of God among us as that we may justly fear the season of Grace will not be long Gospel seasons in glory are not usually long Thirdly If you will consent to accept of Christ now while he is going and take him to be your Priest Prophet and King you will do your selves the greatest pleasure that possibly can be imagined Ye shall go in with the Bridegroom into the Marriage The Lord set home what hath been said Amen Amen I proceed ver 5. But they made light of it c. Here begins the second Branch under the second Invitation of the Jews The success or the manner of the entertainment of this gracious offer again renewed Some neglect it as it is in this ver Others maliciously oppose it in the next verse In the vers now in hand two things are to be spoken of First To shew you how the Jews stood affected unto the precious season of Grace vouchsafed them viz. they made light of it Secondly The ground and occasion of their light esteeming of it to wit their overprizing of their worldly profits and Commodities their Farms and Commodities of Merchandizing their shops and their livings For the first They made light of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they had no care as the word signifieth they regarded him not nor his Salvation as a thing of no worth they did set it at naught and despised it You see this Lesson plainly may hence be learned Doct. That the precious seasons and means of Grace are little regarded by worldly-minded People Or Thus. It is the property of Worldly men to slight Christ if they may get Worldly things Covetousness is a great cause of irreligiousness The Lord sends forth his Servants to invite them to come to the Marriage of his Son but they had no great minde to it So their Ancestors long before 2 Kings 17.13.14 So God complains Psalm 81.11 But my People would not harken to my voice and Israel would none of me So Isai 65.2 Till Christ come with the power of his spirit into worldly mens hearts there is nothing but raking