Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n scripture_n sense_n true_a 4,624 5 5.7921 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A49462 The interest of the spirit in prayer. By H. Lukin Lukin, H. (Henry), 1628-1719. 1674 (1674) Wing L3475; ESTC R222700 22,281 132

There is 1 snippet containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

THE INTEREST OF THE SPIRIT IN Prayer By H. Lukin LONDON Printed by J. D. for Brabazon Aylmer at the three Pigeons in Cornhil 1674. READER THe following Discourse was a Sermon preacht some years since and one that heard it desiring a Copy of it I did at length yeeld to his importunity and sent it him as now you see it with the addition of these few Latin Quotations which I do not use to interrupt the attention of ordinary hearers with in popular Discourses and this I did not purposing to make it thus publick but having once transcribed it I consented further to the desire of some to have it printed but never had opportunity to review what I had written from the first time that I sent it till I saw it from the Press This I thought meet to advertise you of that you may not expect much accurateness though you knew not the Authour before nor a clear and full discussion of such things as a discourse of this nature would allow only some brief touches of it I hope none will complain of a bold pressing of Scripture to serve an Hypothesis of propension to any party of a slavish subjection to the Authority of great Names of a Sceptical or Magisterial censuring of other Men of their Opinions I have endeavoured to shew that candour freedom impartiality moderation that I may not be afraid of or ashamed to own it as a Man a Scholar a Christian a Minister either when it is exposed to the censure of others or at that day when every mans work shall be made manifest I have for the finding out of the truth herein attended to two things Scripture and Experience both of which we should have a due regard to in our search after Truth As in Physick through practice and Experience be a great advantage to Men and make things more clear as Examples do Rules yet if Men trust wholly thereto the Emperical Physician may be deceived assoon as the Rational or Methodical because there being so many things that effects depend upon or may proceed from it is very easie to mistake that for the cause of a thing which is not the cause of it and though they see the effects they know not what concurs thereto or what hath the chief influx into them and I have oft observed and lemented Mens being imposed upon by this fallacy of non causa pro causa or taking that for the cause of a thing which is not especially in matters of Religion Besides Men are apt to infer general conclusions from particular experiments and so either measure themselves by others or make their own experience a standard for the tryal of others So on the other hand many times Men attain not the true sense of Scripture while thay consider things only in the Idea or notion without examining how things are really in particular Subjects I know we must not make Man the measure of all things as Protagoras in another sense Men must be tryed by Scripture not the Scripture by Men. Yet we must acknowledge the Scripture speaks sometimes according to what really is or it speaks as things are sometimes found to be not according to what is constantly or universally true Wherefore I have endeavoured to find out what the Scripture according to its ordinary stile and manner of speaking may intend in such places as I have had occasion to inquire into and have likewise observed and examined what is the ordinary experience of sober serious Christians who dare not boast of such things as they have not really found in themselves but have that experience of God's Gracious working in them which they would not want for the whole world and which doth establish them more firmly in the belief of Spiritual things than to be shaken by such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or vain-spirited persons as are not likely to be acquainted with such matters or to be competent Judges of them There are some Erratas in the Printing for those who are in the few words of Hebrew Greek and Latin as the Learned only can take notice of them so they know how to correct them There are some small faults in pointing and omissions of a letter in some places which any ordinary Reader may know how to rectifie The more considerable you may correct thus ERRATA Pag. 35. l. 13 r. as he knows P. 39 l. 3. r. riches of his Mercy P. 48. l. 19 r. desultorians P. 55. marg r. Gen. 45.26 P. 59. l. 17. r. do confidently P. 61. l. 4. r. the Philosopher speaks P. 73. l. 17. r. ingenuously P. 75. l. 4. r. desired P. 83 l. 12. r. to assist P. 100. l. 6 r. in Prayer The Interest of the Spirit in Prayer Rom. 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities For we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered THere are two Things which are the chief Trouble of Christians in this world inward Corruptions or the Remainders of Sin and outward Afflictions or Tribulations Against both these doth the Apostle comfort and encourage them in this Chapter and in these words especially wherein he shews how the holy-Ghost whom our blessed Saviour had promised as a Comforter to his People doth perform this Office particularly by assisting us in our Prayers For the better understanding of the Words we may observe that by Infirmities in Scripture are understood either Afflictions which we call natural Infirmities or sinful Defects or Imperfections which we call Moral or Spiritual Infirmities It is likely the Apostle understands the former where he saith 2 Cor. 12.10 he takes Pleasure in Infirmities It can hardly be conceived how he should take pleasure in moral Infirmities and without question he understands outward Afflictions where he saith Christ was compassed about with Infirmities Heb. 5.2 for he was free from all sinful Defects 1 Pet. ●2 22. He did no sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth Now if the Apostle should here speak of these natural Infirmities it is certain the Spirit helps us against them by assisting us in our Prayers Prayer being an excellent Remedy against afflictions Wherefore David when he was in a great Strait Psal 109.4 resolves to give himself to Prayer Which Words have much exercised Criticks But I think our English Translation hath fully expressed the Sense of them and Prayer is a Remedy against Affliction 1. As thereby we ease our Minds by pouring out our Hearts to God Psal 62.8 So the Psalmist expresses the Nature of Prayer It is an Ease to us in Trouble to pour out our Complaints into the Bosom of a Friend Job 32.20 and we refresh our selves by giving vent to our passion if it be a Friend that will consider our Condition and pity us in it so by Prayer we open our Cause to God or reveal our Cause to him Jer. 11 20. Cap.