Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	angel_n	earth_n	person_n	1,879	5	4.6050	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A45328	An apologie for the ministry and its maintenance wherein is set forth the necessity, dignity and efficacy of a gospel-ministry against the Socinians, Swenckfieldians, Weigelians, Anabaptists, Enthusiasts, Familists, Seekers, Quakers, Levellers, Libertines and the rest of that rout ... / by Tho. Hall.	Hall, Thomas, 1610-1665.; Shaw, Samuel, 1635-1696.	1660 (1660)	Wing H425A; ESTC R28055	88,780	120

erroneous state of our English Church a stranger hath set a black mark England saith he in four years is become a Lerna and sink of all errors and sectaries No Countrey from the foundation of the world hath brought forth and brought up so many monstrous births as it hath done Nay in a word take away the Ministry and you take away faith in in God prayer to God and Salvation given by him Rom. 10. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 16. By this men are turned from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan to God Ier. 23. 22. Luk 1. 16 17. By this Christ hath propagated his Church overthrown the Kingdom of Sathan and the powers of darknesse viz. paganisme idolatry superstition and ignorance Luk 10. 18 19. This stops the blasphemous mouths and cuts out the very tongues of that pestilent generation of Iesuites and Romish agents Therefore when God will hasten the downfall of Anti-Christ he will not doe it by a secular power but by the spirit of his mouth 2. Thes. 2. 8. that is By the power of the Gospell preacht by Ministers not Magistrates by whom also he hath founded true religion kept it upon its Legs when it was founded and restored it when it was fallen To these he hath given that which he hath denyed to the greatest Monarchs of the world the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven Mat. 16. 19. Ioh. 20. 23. So that what they bind on earth is said to be bound in heaven and what they loose to be loosed also Hence some one not amisse inferrs that a Minister rightly discharging his office hath not only preheminence above all other private persons but even Kings and Princes to which Chrysostome gives his suffrage That the very Angells of God in heaven in this may give place to the Angells of God which are upon earth who although they be themselves in heaven yet have no Keys to open to others Take away this Palladium i. e. come who will and take away our place and nation Behold the disasters and disorders and the omnifarious calamitousnesse of those times wherein Israel was without the knowledg of the true God without a teaching priest and without law 2. Chron. 15. 3. 5. Take away this light ye have nothing but stumbling Ioh. 11. 10. Take away Pastours and ye have men like sheep wandring Take away these guides and ye have all ditches every where filled with the carcasses of the blind that are fallen there Take away this light and let us see what solid comfort innumerable gold uninterrupted prosperity and friendly society will afford Take away this Arke and then shew me the glory of Israel Ignorance and impiety goe together in the Gospell texture Eph. 4. 18 and there is but a letter between Ignorants and Covenant-breakers Rom. 1. 31. If ye would find cruelty search the dark places of the earth for they are full of it Ps. 74. 20. Come see and heare the wise man's whoremonger bewayling himself at last Prov. 5. 13 14. I have not obeyed the voyce of my teachers Behold the root of bitternesse the fountain of his sin Nor inclined mine eare to them that instructed me Hin● illae lacl●ymae her 's the ground of the complaint Wherefore the Lord promiseth faithfull pastors as a great blessing and singular kindnesse I● 30. 20 21. The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction Behold the ●ore But thy teachers shall not be removed into Corners any more thine eys shall see thy teachers Behold the salve Although we suffer hunger and thirst and adversity for tryall and purgation yet if God will be present with us in our teachers who may strengthen the weak cheare the sad refresh the faint and teach us the ways of the Lord our hunger will be as good as plenty our adversity will ou●-shine prosperity and our thirst as waged by the waters of the Sanctuary And on the other hand as hunger and thirst are blessings with the word so is a famine of the word the greatest curse on this side hell though in the midst of plenty and prosperity so is it represented Am. 8. 11. Is. 29. 9. 10. what is the body to the soul no more comparable in value then the cloaths are to the body And so consequently what is the sust●ntation and nourishment of the body to that of the soul Wheat is but chaffe to the bread of life Wine is but water to the droppings of the Sanctuary Honey is but Waxe nay very bitternesse to the word of God Ps. 19. 10. And so consequently what is a famine of bread or of water to a famine of the word of God which is the most exce●lent food of the most excellent substance in this world even our precious souls 2. This acquaints us with our miserable condition by nature It gives us to understand that we are altogether destitute of the salt of Mortification and Repentance If we were sound and could so preserve our selves what needed we this salt what unsavory filthy stinking corrupt carcases are men till they be seasoned with this heavenly salt Let us therefore bless God for this Seasoner and that he hath caused us to be brought forth and brought within the sound of the glorious Gospell and pray with all earnestness that as God hath out of his mere goodness ordained a Ministry for us that he would preserve it amongst us as he hath set it up so that he would keep it standing whilest the world it self shall stand 3. This acquaints us with the dignity and efficacy of the sacred Ministry of all that serve and minister to Christ his Ambassadours are his chiefest servants and choisest ministers Their ministry is most excellent because they minister to God Heb. 5. 1. and that not in the things pertaining to this life but in the things that respect the Kingdome of God and the everlasting Salvation of men this ministry is called a thing not small Numb 16. 19. ●ay it is called an honour Heb. 5. 4. nay the Prophet puts a beauty with an admiration upon the very feet of the Gospell-ministers Isa. 52. 7. How beautifull are the feet of them that bring good tydings of good that publish salvation how could the beauty of them be exprest more fully than by such an elegant particle of admiration and yet if the beauty of their feet must have an admiration borrowed to express them by what shall we express the beauty of their faces Learn hence what a glorious treasure the Gospell is what a glorious Office the Preaching of it is what glorious and honourable servants the preachers of it they have been a delight to the very Kings of the earth who in token of honour and reverence have called them fathers 2 Kings 6. 21. nay they have not onely spoken reve●●ntly of them but also comfortably to them 2 Chron. 30. 22. and 35. 2. wicked Saul himself could not but reverence holy Samuel 1 Sam. 15. and graceless Herod

Philistines were subdued before Israel And if Moses let God alone the people will be consumed with his wrath Exod. 32. 10 Gods Ministers are not only Souldiers and Captains but they are all the army they are the horsemen and the Charriots of the Church they are for defence unto it And if one Elijah carryed and protected the people and defended them more by his zeal and prayers then thousands of Charriots and horsemen what strength and might shall there be found in many Elijahs These are the Churches walls the bullwarks of the land and the best fortifications for any City They kill the enemyes of God with the sword of Gods word whereby they sharply wound in reproving and kill in threatning death If furious Iehu should chance to let any escape the sword of Elisha shall be sure to slay him 1. Kin 19. 17. And you may see Elija sitting upon a hill and s●aying an hundred of Ahaziahs Souldyers to death and burning them up with the words of his mouth 2. Kin. 1 The same is the power of Gods witnesses out of whose mouths fire doth proceed devour their enemyes Rev. 11. 5. Let England then take heed of pulling down nay so much as loosening these pillars lest the whole structure of Church and state fall together with them 21. They are called Bishops A generall title and given to all the Ministers of the Gospell all whose it is to oversee the flock committed to their trust and to have a diligent care of it Act. 20. 28. And therefore whom the Apostle calls Elders Tit 1. 5 these he calls also Bishops V. 7. Neither doth this title conferre dignity only it inferrs duty also The office of a Bishop has employment as well as preferment in it It is a work in the Apostles judgment 1. Tim. 3. 1. He that desireth the office of a Bishop desireth a good work 22. They are called Teachers this being the great businesse of Ministers to preach and teach the word of God This title primarily belongs to Christ who is the teacher of his people But it is applyed secundarily to his Ministers who are ush●rs to him the Head ● master Eph. 4. 11. 1. Tim. 2. 17. 23. They are called Clouds spirituall Clouds watering refreshing fructifying the vineyard of the Lord with the former and the latter rain of ordinances I● 5. 6. Hence they are sayd to drop their doctrine upon men by a word fetcht from the Clouds Deut. 32. 2. Ezech. 21. 2. Am 7. 16. But Heretiques and deceivers are emp●y bottles waterlesse Clouds ●ossed to and fro with the winds Iude. 12. They make an ostentation and specious pretence of knowledg when as indeed their sounds are but the sounds of empty bottles and they are specious white Clouds that seem to promise the earth a belly full of water but when they should come to distill it they are gone with a blast of wind and so gull the thirsty expectation of the silly spectators 24. They are called Nurses 1. Th●s 2. 7. For as a Nurse dandles and husheth and suckleth and ●lattereth the little infant so the Ministers of the Gospel should even hugg in their bosomes speak pleasantly unto feed with the sincere milk of the word Christs new born-babes accommodating their language behaviour and way of feeding to their infant state And as a nurse with admirable patience doth digest the wranglings endure the frowardnesses of her nu●seling not grudging it her own blood to feed upon So a faithfull Minister should be patient in his pains indefatigable in his diligence and not count his life dear unto him if by it the Church of Christ may be advantaged nor think much at his own destruction if by it his people may be edisyed 25. They are called the Ministers of Christ. 1. Cor. 4. 1. Which word in the Greek bespeaks sorrow and calls for ●ains as the office of a rower doth require They sit at the oares where if the wind of Gods spirit do not exceedingly help they will find intolerable pains and if it do help yet they must use an indefatigable diligence And if they be the Ministers of God administring faithfully the word and ●●●●ments they must be approved in much patience in afflictions in necessi●yes in distresses c. 2. Cor 6 4. They are not prese●'d to 〈◊〉 and imperiall dignity but an Ecclesiasticall Ministry in which they may promise themselves whatever pains the meanest of servants in rowing running or what else do find and more 26. They are called Starrs and that not wandring but fixed For Christ who sits at the right hand of God holds them in his right hand Rev. 1. 20 1. Starrs shine so ought they by clearnesse of doctrine and integrity of life to shine before others 2 Starrs shine in the night so let a Minister of the Gospell shine more glorio●sly and illustriously when the Church of Christ is be●louded with heresyes and benighted in persecutions 3. Starrs shine with a borrowed light so the Ministers of Christ receive their calling gifts and doctrine from him the Sun of righteousnesse Nay they excell either fun or starrs for these shall be turned into darknesse the sun shall be totally eclipsed the starrs sink down into their sockets and be put out at the dissolution of the world but they shall shine for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. Oh that they were also as the starrs of heaven for number the Lord of the harvest sending out plenty of labourers to reap his yet plentifull ha●vest and more fixed in the firmament of our Church then the stars in heaven that sometimes tumble head-long 27. They are called Angells of the Church Rev. 1. 20. 14. 6. For 1. like Angells they are messengers sent by God to declare his will to men 2. They ought to imitate an Angelicall purity chastity zeal and celerity that they may be as Angells amongst men Masters amongst boyes and shepheards amongst sheep So that this name also brings duty with it as well as dignity Many would be content to be Angells to dwell in heaven but loath to be Angells to doe Gods errands upon earth but he that would enjoy the honour must first be imployed in the office and execute that office too with carefullnesse cherefullnesse and speedinesse as the Angells doe Now if Timothy as being a man of God must flee covetousnesse how much rather ought he to doe it as being an Angell of God And if the Angels of God by pride fell from the presence and glory of God it concerns these Angels that yet they be humble as men What matters now though the world call us blind guides God counts us starrs and will set us in heaven when the starrs themselves shall be misplaced What though they call us devills it is honour enough that God counts us Angels Let us doe the work of Angels and God will not stick to own us and honour us as such before all men and Angels 28. They are called Presbiters and

proud severity or a supercilious gravity but by mildeness and a sweet composure of manners and b●haviours strive to win them engage them to us and make them our own so shall we be able to have an Influence upon them prevail with them and live profitably and comfortably amongst them Love me said ●ustine and say what you will and do what you will As an Oratour should not onely be qualif●●d with prudence but with benevolence also so a Preacher For as the Philosopher observes it con●●ibutes much to the creditableness of the Orator if the Auditours be perswaded that he stands well affected to them The gravity of a Minister should not be such as may affright men from coming before him but such as compose them to reverence that do come Let us feed the Flock of Christ not imperiously as Lords much less rigidly as Tyrants but gravely and mildely as Fathers with a fatherly benevolence and affection desiring rather to be loved then feared To this purpose speaks La●renti●● upon 1 Pet. 5. 3. Let every Pastor govern the Church providently and prudently not straining his power to its utmost rigour but exercising a spirit of Lenity not alwayes in all things towards all using his utmost power and au●hority but sometimes denying something of his own right as Paul often did 1 Cor. 9. 12. 2 Cor. 3. 2. 2 Thes. 3. 9. In a word let us imitate Basil who for patience and constancy was an Adamant for meekness a Loadstone 6. Let a Pastour feed his flock zealously not carelesly and coldly Let us cry aloud and lift up our voyce like a Trumpet because we speak to dead men and stones Let us pray the father of Light to touch our tongues with a coal from the Altar that our lips may breath out nothing but what is pure and heavenly that we may be Lamps burning in zeal faith and Love and shining in words and works that we may be coals to our selves and lamps to our people such was Iohn Ioh. 5. 35. Wherefore Christ gave not fleshly but fiery tongues to the Primitive Preachers that they might preach zealously with them and enflame the hearts of their hearers Act. 2. 3. Excellent is that commendation of Luther VVhatever Luther speaks or writes pi●●ces into the ●earts and leaves a wonderfull sting in the cons●●ences of the hearers Let us look unto our Saviou● whom Zeal for Gods glory eat up Let us imitate Elijah qui zelando zelavit who was very zealous for the Lord all ●i●e for God whom God therefore sent for in a Fiery Chariot Let us imita●● Elisha Isaiah Ier●miah Ier. 20. 9. Iohn Baptist Paul Gal 2. 11. Who all being enflamed with the fire of Love did burne the cold hearts of their hearers with zealous Discourses Let our hearts our tongues our hands be all of a fire that we may bring men from sin unto God Even immoderate z●al is better than coldness in Gods cause for it is an error of love and not a love of error Let us neglect nothing through idleness or cowardi●● which may conduce to the Salvation of the soules of our people In a word let us imitate the holy Seraphims who have their name from fire who burning in zeal are alwayes in readiness to execute every command of God having with them six wings with which we may speedily move upward downward forward backward on this hand on that hand as God calls So zealous was the Angel who had the everlasting Gospel to preach who did not creep nor walk nor run but fly with a swift wing through the midst of Heaven Rev. 14. 16. See VVard's Coal from the Altar p. 390. 7. The word of God is to be dispensed purely without any sophisticall or superstitious comments Let nothing be said of God without Gods authority In all doubts we must have recourse to the Law and the Testimony Isa. 8. 20. Moses returning from the Mount brought commands not his own but Gods Exod. 19. 7 8. The Apostles Commission runns not for them to teach humane Traditions private Fancies but to teach all things that Christ Iesus had commanded them Mat. 28. 20. that is either by himself or by his Prophets Therefore the Apostles themselves father their Doctrines upon Christ 1 Cor. 11. 23. I have received of the Lord that which also I have delivered unto you so 1 Thes. 4. 2. Ye know what Commandements we gave you by the Lord Iesus● As much as if he had said The Commandements which I gave you are not mine but Christs he is the Law-giver I am onely his Messenger So also 1 Pet. 4 11. if any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God Let him be a Teacher well instructed in the Word of God and produce Oracles as it were out of Gods mouth God cannot abide unlawfull Mix●ures that men should play the huxters with his Word or plow with the oxe of his Word and the Asse of humane traditions together God will not have men set their thresholds by his and their posts by his posts Ezek. 43. 8. VVhat is the cha●●e to the wheat What are false Prophecies to the truth of God Ier. 23. 28. Mens inventions are like light and empty cha●●e that has no substance in it nor give any spirituall nourishment but Gods Word is nu●ritive like the purest wheat We are called to be dispencers of the Ministries of God not broachers of out own groundless conceptions prop●gators of the old way and Doctrine not coiners of a new If an Angel from heaven should preach any other Gospell let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8. Reject therfore all new and feigned worships and worship God after a way that is Gods 8. The word of God is to be dispensed plainly He is the best Preacher not who s●●atcheth the ears but who pricketh and pierceth the heart Therefore does Paul profess that he had rather speak 〈◊〉 words in a known and intelligible Language than five thousand in a strange and unknown tongue 1 Cor 14 19. Let us preach a crucified Christ in a crucified stile not with the perswasive words of mans wisdome but in the demo●station of the spirit and power not Rhetorically but Apostolic●lly not so much fi●ely as soundly not so curiously as carefully not so ●dmirably as intelligibly Let our speech be simple witho●● figures plain without mysteries pure without mixtu●e not curious painted affected unnecessarily adorned and so shall they be as fiery darts piercing the inmost conscience and strong hammers bre●king the hardest rock 9. The Word of God is to be dispensed fully For so runns the Dispensers Commission Mat. 28. 20. all things whatsoever c. The least particle of Gods Word is not fraudulently to be detained but the whole counsel of God without addition or diminution is to be declared Act. 20. 27. And then if any soul dye it shall fall by its own hand and not by ours and its blood charged upon its won head not ours when we shall faithfully