Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	babylon_n	see_v	zion_n	31	3	9.2744	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85173	A faithful discovery of a treacherous design of mystical Antichrist displaying Christs banners, but attempting to lay waste Scriptures, churches, Christ, faith, hope, &c. and establish paganism in England. Seasonably given in a letter to the faithful in and near to Beverley. Containing an examination of many doctrines of the people called Quakers in Yorkshire, together with a censure of their way, and several items concerning the designs of God, Satan, and men, in these things, recommended to the consideration of them who are in good earnest for Christ.	Pomroy, John.; Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.; Glisson, Paul.; Kellet, Joseph.	1653 (1653)	Wing F568; Thomason E699_13; ESTC R202092	45,783	67

scope of the place and other Scriptures of the like Argument 4. The Scripture was given for doctrine reproof correction instruction which is the foundation of a variety discourse from any Scripture Method is prudential and variable according to occasion Study or meditation is duty and blessed which should in a Teacher expresse it self as in a workman that needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth by explication giving each word its due and by application each their portion As for Learning it is but subservient to the understanding the Letter of the Scriptures gives a more distinct utterance helps to significant words and is an advantage that equalls them to their Adversaries armed with learning against the truth But some contend against learning because they know it not as for these people we suppose had they learning as their Leaders and Abbettors beyond the Seas and in England did so would they use it to the utmost against what they oppose There be many railing and impertinent applications of Scriptures made by them which every one may see into that hath not darknesse on his right eye and we shall not mention onely remembring it s not any person or circumstance so much that is aimed at as the Ministry it self or all outward Teachers in which Argument they discover more Envy Pride Passion than in any other But be assured if the Magistrates had not a material sword as the Ministers have not their language would light as heavy on their heads and more than so In all this we plead not for the ignorant ungodly persecuting men called Ministers but do sadly bewail that after all the Petitions from the Nation Declarations of the State and Proposalls from the wise hearted there is yet any thing hinders the doing of something to purpose to withdraw the Publick incouragement from the corrupt Ministry with whom God hath a controversie Concerning that they say God is now comming to redeem his People from all their Teachers and teach them himself● We do declare our apprehensions of such approaching desolation on many things which are in high esteem among men that should they be spoken would make many ears to tingle But God will provide for the houshold of faith and send them Pastors after his own heart untill the new Jerusalem come down from Heaven which these pretend to but know not But as God is about a great and strange work so is Satan who now comes with all deceivablenesse in the Mystery of Iniquity which answers line for line with the Mystery of Godlinesse in bringing in a false Christ and false Kingdome consisting in a Righteousnesse peace and joy all false witnesse the lying Prophets strange wonders strong delusions religious Prophanenesse found amongst us in England triumphing in the abolishing of Good and evil Heaven and Hell and the transcendent speculations concerning God incarnate in all things Apparitions voices trances of and to persons manifestly deluded and bewitched with the spirit of lies Touching their seeming Mortification we advertise you that who so diligently apply themselves to the Law as they rightly advise if righteousnesse were to be sought by the Law such may find by minding their light and standing on their watch a great measure not onely of Mastery over outward Actions but a nipping of the root of evill for a season And how farr Imagination may work when the mind is wholly subjected to it and composed to a contemplative sequestration from all outward objects is partly known to them who by nature or custome are addicted to Melancholy But how far the jealous God may give up over-credulous and unbelieving Minds to sink into these deeps of strange delusions must be left to him who is just yet unsearchable in his waies yet hath given us to know what should be in the last daies Now as there hath been a black and long Parenthesis or dark space in the daies of the Apostacy or back-fliding from Primitive Purity in doctrine and Discipline and according to the Scriptures we are admonished of a happy and peaceable state of all the children of Sion after the Destruction of Babylon the Lords own cannot but rejoice in the remembrance of the Dayes of the Son of man hoping the return of them which they desired to see so long but have not seen Now being in some forwardnesse through the Judgements of God begun in the Nations they are supposing the time is now come upon which the Deceiver takes his advantage saying Lo here and lo there and when he saw that bare forms would not satisfy the children of the Kingdome he addressed himself in a more glorious and taking way saying Now are the daies of the Son of man Now hath Christ sent forth his Disciples as of old the twelve Apostles and 70 disciples without Staff Scrip or money c. See here be miracles there be multitudes flocking in Here 's the great Power of the Holy Ghost there are men falling down and saying God is among you Here is the spirit poured on the hand-maides and there upon the children But we have learned that if an Angell from Heaven bring us another Gospel Christ or Spirit let him be accursed We consider that as evill Angells suggest evil so do Angells of light good motions now Satan transformed into an Angel of Light which is an Embleme of knowledge righteousnesse innocency peace meeknesse is suggesting and helping on good motions and fair compliances with rules of right to an ill end Wherefore 1. Go not after them nor follow them lest you put your selves from under Gods protection if they come to you it is safer 2. Hold fast to the Authority of the Scriptures 3. Exercise Faith much on Jesus Christ the Mediatour 4. Have and hold a form of sound words that cannot be condemned 2 Tim. 1. 13 Tit. 2. 8. A better form of words cannot be than the words of the Wisdome of the Spirit in the Scriptures 5. Take heed of judging ordinances as unnecessary or indifferent things yet let your souls wait on God in them else if you be beguiled of the Marrow you 'l be easily perswaded to throw away the Bone 6. Give diligence to more entire communion among your selves Two are better than one 7. Whatever is offered to you from Scripture do not only examine the truth of the Doctrine but also whether it be the true meaning of that Scripture 8. Discourse not with these People about circumstances but first enquire whether you agree in the main things the Scriptures Christ Faith Resurrection of the body c. 9. Remember that if your hearts be established with Faith and in the Love of God in Christ you shall not be as little children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine 10. Consider also the End of this Generation in Germany and in many places of England We shall conclude pointing you to some serious thoughts concerning the Doctrines and practises of these people which

Apparel though it be above what Poor men can compass Poor men may be as proud in their best cloaths as Rich men in their costly garments 4. Though neither men nor women professing godlinesse are so to adorn themselves with gold silver and pearls as seeking praise in garments and not in good works yet surely God hath allowed men in Eminent Places civil and military to put on those badges of Honour that belong in a civil way to to their offices so as that the brutish part of mankind that are taken with nothing but Pomp and Power may not rudely assault their Persons and offices which are to keep order in this world which is a curse threatned Isa. 3. 5. Neither doth this onely extend to persons in place but their very houshold and wherever God hath given plenty we know not any thing against a cleanly modest apparel unto a decorum and some ornament according to the sinless customs of the Times and place of residence This remembring that they must give an accompt to God for the spending of wealth who would have each thing served in its place upon which accompt the costlinesse of apparell within the forementioned bounds seems to be according to the surplusage or remainder of estate after works of necessity Piety Hospitality Charity which are of more concernment than to comport or comply with Pedigree or Place c. In all these cases its best to keep within compasse and not fashion our selves according to the Lusts in our ignorance and conforming our selves to this wanton world but to what is most comely and honourable for them who should have all things under their feet Touching diet we need not speak having so much insisted on rayment which is in the same rank This knowing that the sonne of man came eating bread and drinking wine and yet was in hunger and thirst to teach us to want and to abound which is unspeakable happiness to them that have so learned and that we are to walk as free yet not using our liberty as an occasion to the flesh 5. We know it of unquestionable verity that whoever being in an honourable Condition in this world are called and come to Christ should imbrace the reproaches of Christ and gladly croud through honour and dishonour else they are not fit for the Kingdome of God neither can they believe if they be resolved to keep honour among carnall and Worldly Men Yet we professe against that unchristian unhumane throwing off all subjection to and acknowledgement of Superiours by word or deed found among the maintainers of these Doctrines which we contend against and do declare that their shew of humility is most abhominable Pride in denying all respects to men whom God hath said we should honor Rom. 137. 1 Tim. 5. 17. 1 Tim. 6. 1 2 3. Eph. 6. 2. and not onely Magistrates Elders Masters Parents as such who may be godly are to be honored by the faithful but he saith also Honor all men 1 Pet. 2. 17. which honor Luke Paul John c. gave to persons godly and ungodly in the phrases usuall and distinguishing We might mention that honour which Job Joseph Mordecai Daniel and the Kings of Judah and faithfull men of old received in their conditions of Advancement Paul also was honoured with many Honours which he acpted Acts 28. 10. Times are in the Fathers hands he that said is faithfull The meek shall inherit the Earth and to the Daughter of Sion should come the first Dominion And as the first coming of Jesus Christ was attended with the crosse and persecution of all that followed him so some do think that at or before the second comming of the Man Christ Jesus exalted Jerusalem which now is a Praise in heaven shall be a Praise in Earth as Babylon hath been Now distinguish of the Times and you may reconcile these and the like Scriptures with them that lay Tribulations and persecutions upon all the Followers of Christ God hath taken off much of the yoak from his persecuted in England It s most true the Jew inwardly desires not the praise of men yet God will make his enemies bow before them and acknowledge them the seed which the Lord hath blessed when he calls his servants by a new name having taken away the names of reproach This we should not plead for as knowing the error is commonly on the other hand in too many complements yea among Saints but that we see Morositie and rudenesse imposed by them upon us as conformity to the crosse of Christ neither do we yet think the Saints are fit for such a condition until we see more of the fine Linnen in use Rev. 19. 8. or that they should presse after worldly honor but what righteousnesse holinesse and the image of Christ by the grace of God in Providence casts upon them God will yet more stain the Pride of all glory and bring into contempt all the Honourable of the Earth that are not willing to decrease that he might increase Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true and not phantasticall vain shews grave and not ridiculous or disorderly whatsoever things are just giving each their due God and Caesar Saints and all men Pure and not defiled with wanton mixtures of pride and vanity whatsoever are lovely and not rude and harsh and of good report among men judging rationally think on those things And let not the ungodly outstrip you in any true excellency nor reproach you as if Christianity did not perfect humanity Thus shall the riches of the Gentiles be spiritually brought into the new Jerusalem Furthermore we think it convenient in this place to adde something touching Propriety and Community in worldly things because we have sufficient reason to perswade us to judge that the Maintainers of the fore-mentioned Doctrines which are opposed by us do think it unreasonable that one man should have so much and another so little and some of them are not free to be Tenants to other men OUR Intentions are not to countenance that churlish private spirit found among men which indeed too much leavens the upright neither to ty up any from giving all their goods to the poor if they wrong not their relations and Creditors But we do oppose the Law of Community which some did they speak out extend to break marriage bonds while they do but tamper in words questioning what Scripture Ministers have to join people together in Wedlock But they know it is not time to vent these things yet for one chief among them did say he is a fool that speaks all his mind to every one We dare not incourage those grinding oppressions of and proud insultings of ungodly men over the poor and needy as if Nations Townes Tenants Servants c. were born for no other end but to be their Drudges but we must affirm it as most reasonable to submit to