Selected quad for the lemma: world_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
world_n	choose_v	confound_v	despise_v	2,785	5	9.2107	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85407	Peace protected, and discontent dis-armed. Wherein the seventeen queries (with the addition of three more, postscript-wise) lately published, partly to allay the discontents of some about the late revolution of government, but more especially to guide every mans feet into the way of peace, as well his own, as the publique, are reinforced with replies unto, and animadversions upon, such answers, which some (it seems) have given unto them, to invalidate their purport and intent. Together with four new queries superadded. By the author of the said seventeen queries.	Goodwin, John, 1594?-1665.; Goodwin, John, 1594?-1665.	1654 (1654)	Wing G1188; Thomason E732_27; ESTC R202310	55,941	80

nearest unto Sathans sieve I beleeve the same Persons will be found to inherit the relation of this proximi●y too Nor can I easily perswade my self that the Answerer himself whoever he be one or more is able to perswade them out of a corceit that they are equal at least to the first born sons of wisdom in their generation 4. It is the sence of wiser men then I and these not a few that the men whom the Answer would make contenders with the world to the l●sse of their honours names estates and upon this account to be counted fooles are rather gainers in all these then losers in any by that contest wherein they have lately appeared and which they still prosecute I can not say with or against the World but with Persons of as much Christian worth as I know any so that by considering men they are counted rather subtile then fooles in entering the lists of their present contention 5. I confesse that those souls who walk in the light of the same spirit with them may very probably be exceeding confident and imagine that they know that they are of God in as much as every mans wayes seems right in his own eyes and consequently other mens ways which are the same with theirs must needs seem right also 6. lastly Neither doth God always chuse the weak and foolish things of this World for his instruments to bear forth every testimony of his in their generation Luther Melancthon Calvin with many others of like note about their times were none of the weak or foolish things of this World but men of great endowments guilts abilities of learning knowledge in tongues arts and sciences c. and yet these were chosen by God to bear forth a great testimony of his in their generation Not to speak of Moses his great Instrument of old for the service and purpose here mentioned to whom the Holy Ghost himself speaking by the mouth of Stephen giveth t is testimony that he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and that he was mighty in words as well as in deeds Paul himself who was a chosen vessel unto him to bare his Name even befors Kings b had neverthelesse been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel a Doctor of the Law and a man of great reputation in his generation c and was taught according to the perfect law of the Fathers d yea and immediately before his being stirred up by God to bear forth his testimony was by the great men of the world in his generation highly esteemed and judged meet to be imployed in their greatest affaires Therefore neither was he any of the weak or foolish things of the world The rest of the Apostles however before and at the time of their calling to be Apostles they might be numbred amongst the weak and foolish things of the world yet before God sent them forth to bear his great Testimony unto the World they were extraordinarily and miraculously endued with strength from on high with wisdom and great understanding with the knowledge of tongues and much other learning as is to be seen in their writings Nor doe I beleeve that God ever stirred up any instrument to bear forth any testimony of his in their generation in any solemn or publique manner but onely such whom either he found men of worthy guifts and abilities at the time of his stirring them up or else whom he furnished accordingly in or upon their stirring before he imployed them in any such service The Scripture indeed saith that God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty 1 Cor. 1. 27. speaking as is evident from the context of the mean condition and esteem of the generality or greater part of Beleevers in the world in comparison of the great and numbers of rich men learned and prudent men men in high places who oppose or reject the Gospel according to that of Christ Mat. 11. 5 the poor receive the Gospel as the former translation read it but it no where saith with the Answer that he hath chosen the weak and foolish things of the World to bear forth his testimony in their generation in a ministerial and publique way XV Whether is there any kind of zeal more ecstatical and fierie then that which is blind and without knowledg Or was it not such a zeal as this which made the Apostle Paul himself whilst yet a Pharisee exceedingly mad against the Saints in so much as to persecute them even unto strange Cities a Or were not the Jews to whom notwithstanding Paul bears this witness that they had a zeal of God the fiercest enemies of all others to the most worthy and faithful Servants of God Or was it not a spark of this unhallowed fire that provoked the two Disciples James and John to demand of Christ whether they should not command fire to come down from Heaven to consume the Samaritans because they received them not Or did not the Lord Christ upon their motion turn himself towards them and rebuke them in these words Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of b Or do they understand and consider of what spirit they either are or ought to be who in effect call for fire not only from Heaven but from Earth also I mean from the vulgar and less considerate sort of people to destroy if not the persons yet the power and Authority which must needs endanger the persons also of such Rulers amongst them who do not receive their notions and Doctrines about Government and submit to an investiture from them and such as they please to joyn in the Act of this investiture with themselves This Query is presum'd satisfied with this bimembrous Answer 1. If zeal without knowledg be bad surely knowledg of without zeal against the sins of our generation is much worse and shall receive the greater condemnation 2. The people that know not the Law are cursed said the Pharisees of the hearers and followers of our Lord Iesus To the former part of this Answer thus First the Answerer had small cause to reflect upon the Querist as a man without zeal against the sins of his generation His Queries themselves are with the best strength he could readily put to them bent against some of the greatest sins at least in his judgement and as farre as his knowledge extendeth of his generation as viz. turbulencie of spirit running without sending revileing Magistrates murmurings and discontentments against the gracious and wise dispensations of God towards the Nation beleeving of spirits without trying whether they be of God or no with others of affinitie with these 2. Zeal being nothing but the strength and fervour of desire to accomplish some end it may expressed otherwise then by blustering or by crying out either in the streets or temple Christ shewed as much zeal or

and prayers at least if they supplicate and pray according to the prescription of the Holy Ghost now mentioned who labour in the very fire without ceasing to make proselytes unto Barabbas in stead of Jesus Christ striving might and main to season all they can with principles of turbulency and sedition and to mold their Christian Brethren into such counsels and resolutions which no man can reasonably imagine or expect but that they should or will exasperate those in Authority into such ways which must needs make their lives less quiet and peaceable To this Query this bi-membred Answer is given 1. Kings and Governors that do oppose the testimony of Jesus that breaks forth and is proper to their generation are indeed to be interceded for but not to be given thanks for no more then we are bound to give thanks for theeves and murtherers because the Apostle hath commanded thanks to be given for all men 2. The Author should have declared what those principles of sedition be Pauls principles were counted seditious and yet they were only such things as concern'd the kingdome of God and name of Jesus For the first member of this answer it is quite besides the matter of that part of the Query to which it pretends the relation of an Answer For this speaks of the prevarication of Christians with the scope and intent of their own supplications and prayers in case they pray according to the prescription of the Holy Ghost 1 Tim. 2. 12. The Answer excepts nothing against praying or supplicateing for any sort of men but against giving of thanks for some men concerning which the Query moveth nothing at all further then the bare citeing of the words giving of thanks amongst others in the passage transcribed from the Apostle What testimony of Jesus it is which this part of the Answer supposeth to be proper to a generation and more especially to this generation for this is the emphasis of the busine he Answerer should have declared as he saith to me concerning the principles of sedition of which I speak It seems there were some in Paul's dayes who troubled the minds of many with this not on or Doctrine that the day of Christ was at hand 2 Thes. 2. 2. Yet this was no testimony of Jesus proper to that generation with what confidence soever it might be pretended to have been such And to set a few people a gogg with a conceit that if they might chuse and set up such or such Persons in places of power and Authority over them they should lay the foundations of the fift Monarchie and suddenly bring the Kingdome of Christ so much spoken of upon the world is no testimony of Jesus proper to this generation For Jesus hath no where declared such a propriety as this to reside in such a Doctrine or testimony of him as that now mentioned If by proper to a generation the Answer meaneth commodious usefull or necessary to a generation certain I am that the Doctrin of subjection unto the Higher powers is very proper to this generation But concerning what the answer speaks though eccentrically to the Querie against giving thanks for theeves and murtherers Doubtlesse in such a sence as we ought or may pray or intercede for them we may and ought to give thanks For for whatsoever good thing we may or ought intercede or pray for on their behalf we may and ought to give thanks when God vouchsafeth to give it unto them The matter of our prayer or interceding for them ought not to be any thing sinfully evill nor ought the matter of our giveing of thanks for them be any such thing I mean that is sinfully evill in them but onely that which is good as being some expression or testimony of the goodnesse of God towards them But this is more against the Answer then for the Querie Whereas the latter part of the Answer instructeth me in my duty and telleth me that I should have declared what those principles of sedition be whereof the Query speaketh considering that Pauls principles were counted seditious which yet were onely such things which concerned the kingdome of God c. I repone by way of excuse for my oversight or failing in this point 1. That I was rank of beleif that no person who would vouchsafe to cast his eye upon the Query could look upon either the Querist himself or any other person in the least degree considerable amongst us as no more able to distinguish between principles of sedition and things which concern the kingdom of God then those Pagans and professed Infidels were who so broadly mistook Pauls principles as the Answer suggesteth If my confidence in this kind did ill become me I doe accept of the blame and shame of it But 2. to redeem my oversight in the premisses and obey the voyce of the admonition given me I declare 1. in the negative that by principles of sedition I did not mean things concerning the kingdom of God nor 2. things of a doubtfull disputation whether they were I mean principles of sedition or no but in the affirmative such Doctrines Tenents or Conceits which in the eye and judgement of any considering man not intoxicated with the cup of the same notions and designes have a manifest tendencie in them to disturbe the course of the present Government to alienate the hearts and affections of people from those rulers and Governors which God hath judged meet to set over us and consequently to prepare them for tumultuous counsels and practises and for a conjunction with dis-affected persons who shall at any time appear in the least degree considerable for the re-imbroyling of the nation in order to an alteration of the government or Governors of it Besides I verily beleeve that there is not one of many but sufficiently understands what the Querie meaneth by Principles of turbulencie and sedition without any such Declaration as the Answer seemes to require XIII Whether are such men filled with the Spirit of God or with a contrary spirit who in stead of giving thanks unto God for those in Authority which is the express Command of the Apostle as we heard that giving of thanks be made for all men For Kings and for ALL that are in Authority c. do little else upon all occasions but fill the ears of men with their discontents complaints and murmurings against those in Authority And whether are not murmurers and complainers a and so again traytors heady high-minded b and again men who despise Government or Lordship {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} presumptuous self-willed NOT AFRAID to speak evil of dignities c ranged by the Holy Ghost himself amongst persons highly disapproved by God And whether is not that wisdom which is from above as well peaceable as pure gentle and easie to be entreated d as that which is found in persons having bitter envying and strife in their hearts earthly sensual devillish e

To this Query this Answer tripartite is given 1. It were better to try the spirits then by Querying of what spirit some are of to gratifie the carnal world who is alwaies ready to reject that Spirit which is of God 2. To reprove the sins of Government is not to despise Government but to remove from it that which makes it desspiseable 3. The wisdome from above is first pure then peaceable To the first member of this Answer 1. That the main designe of the Queries both divisim and conjunctim is to try spirits and to discover who are the persons that in their deportments about the present Government and Governours are acted and led by the spirit of God and who by their own spirits or by the spirit of the World Therefore if the trying of spirits be so commendable a work the Answerer hath no cause ●o blame the Queries at least in respect of their projection or end If they have not quitted themselves in their undertaking with that dexterity or regularnesse of proceeding which was to be desired nor done their work to satisfaction there is this to be said for them that their will was good onely how to perform it they found not 2. I doe not at any hand understand how the Querying of what spirit some men are of should be any matter of gratification to the carnal world It is a greater and more dangerous gratification of them either so to speak or so to doe that they may be incouraged or perswaded that such persons who are of their spirit are of the Spirit which is of God 3. Nor is it alwayes or universally true that the carnal World is ready to reject that Spirit which is of God if by carnall world be meant all persons at present un-regenerate For how then should the world in any part of it become regenerate Doubtlesse no man becomes regenerate by rejecting the Spirit of God nor by a readinesse to reject it no nor whilest either of these are found in them But this is little to the businesse before us The second member of the Answer in directnesse of termes contains nothing but a most true and worthy sentence onely a little explication would strengthen the claim of it to this honour To reprove the sins of Government with a Christian gravitie and with a discovery of an honourable esteeme of that Government it self the sins of which we reprove is not to despise the Government but it is a matter of easie miscarriage to reprove the sins of Government after such a manner as herein to betray our selves that we are despisers of Government yea and to incourage those that hear us to despise it also 2. It is one thing to reprove the sins of Government another to asperse it with the imputations and charge of such sinnes of which it is not guilty and then to fall heavy and foul upon it for such sins of which either the strength of our disaffections only or the weaknesse of our understandings or both have made it guilty The words of the third and last member of the Answer are of too great an inspiration to be questioned But 1. it is no impurity not to reproach revile or curse the ruler of a mans people 2. From the expresse tenour of the words that wisdom which is not peaceable whatever it may pretend to purity is evicted not to be from above But saith the Apostle Iames if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not and lie not against the Truth by saying or thinking you are men truly wise when as you are nothing lesse This wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly c. XIV Whether did not Satan the great Enemy of the peace and safety of mankind desire to sift the Apostles rather then any other sort of men i. e. to disturb and trouble their fancies memories understandings c. for a time with an intent and hope by this means to draw out of them some soyl or dross some unworthy carriages or other which coming from them he knew must needs be more serviceable for his ends then the same or the like coming from other men Or doth he not in these days labour in the very fire to disturb the principles distemper the imaginatives disorder and confound the reasons apprehensions and understandings of such men whose disordered actings and miscarriages he supposeth will be of highest conducement to his ends which are known to be the trouble misery and destruction of the poor creature called Man Or are not such men the men of this character whose zeal hath so highly commended them to the opinions and thoughts of many devout and well-meaning men and women that they judg their thresholds to be much nearer the threshold of God himself then other mens Against this Query this Answer magnifies it self We find none of the Apostles that Sathan had this advantage against but Peter who was so confident of his own abilities that he thought none so able to stand as he And they are nearest unto Sathans sieve who count themselves the masters of wisdome and rationality in their generation And as Sathan had the greatest advantage upon men of that temper so when God stirrs up instruments to bear forth any testimony of his in their generation he cl●useth the weak and the foolish things of this world Not that they are foolish for there is no wisdom like to that which is from above But so they are called because so esteemed by the world in which they live and with which they contend to the losse of their honours names estates and therefore are counted fooles But notwithstanding they are known to be of God by those poor souls that walk in the light of the same spirit of God which they walk in To these things 1. The Scripture will not allow it for truth that Sathan had not the advantage of sifting against ANY OF the Apostles but Peter onely For presently upon the apprehending of Christ by the multitude that were sent from the cheif Priests and elders with swords and staves against him it is expresly said that all the Disciples as well as Peter forsook him and fled Mat. 26. 56. This was an effectual sifting Yea Peter it seemes in case it be supposed that he fled also immediately repented of his flying and shewed more courage at least for a time then any of his fellows But 2 If Peter was therefore more obnoxious to Sathans sifting then the rest of the Apostles because he was so confident of his abilities that he thought none so able to stand as he this is fully concurrent with the design of the Query For I verily beleeve that there are no men more confident of their abilities or that think they are more able to stand then the Persons looked upon by the Query and admired by the Answer 3. If they who count themselves the masters of wisdom in their generation be the men that are