Selected quad for the lemma: sense_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A66930
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Sheperdy spiritualiz'd or, The improvement of a shepherd's life to soul-advantage. By James Woode, an unworthy follower of the great shepherd of souls
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Wood, James, 1608-1664.
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1680
(1680)
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Wing W3396; ESTC R233357
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138,882
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225
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23. 15. x Fuit autem consilium Pharisaeorum non Deo Proselytos sed sibi sectae suae discipulos asseclas conciliare Camer that they compassed Sea and Land to make one Proselyte that is they took great pains moved every stone to bring over Disciples to themselves But the Disciples of Christ long and labour to bring over not followers of themselves but Disciples of their Lord or if followers of them yet only as they are of Christ 1 Cor. 11 1. The Spouse her Teeth ye heard from Cant. 4. 2. are compared to a Flock of new shorne washed and fruitful Sheep Now what are these Teeth Interpreters especially understand by them the Pastors and Ministers of the Churches which are compared to eyes vers 1. as being Seers so called of old and here set out by Teeth so the Chaldee Paraphrase plainly mentions the Priests and the Levites which offered their oblations and did eat of the Flesh of the Sacrifices the Tythes and First-fruits And truly the Ministers of the Gospel are as much concerned whose care it must be to bring many to God whom they may one day present with here am I and the Children whom the Lord God hath given me Paul shews himself a worthy instrument of God this way 1 Cor. 9. 19 20 21 22 23. ye find him there all for gaining but it is them not theirs The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there so often used and rendred gain hath two Etymons given it by learned men it is say some quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it delights the hearts Paul's heart was much taken up with and delighted in this work Hence in those verses he harps so much on that string out of a strong desire of winning Souls to Christ Others observe that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whence this verb signifies guile and craft as well as gain even such craft as is that of the Fox which is hence called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of which Creature it is storied that when he is very hungry after prey and can find none he lyeth down and feigneth himself to be a dead carkass and so the fowls fall upon him and then he catcheth them Even so say these must Ministers deny themselves that they may gain their hearers They turn themselves into all Shapes and Fashions both of Spirit and Speech that they may gain Souls to God striving to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Athenian Oratours were called i. e. people-leaders Thus Paul shews his zeal also for God towards the Galatians Chap. 4. 19. when he puts on the Person of a most affectionate Mother calling them little Children embryos new form'd in the Womb of whom he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word signifies not only that pain that is in bringing forth a Child into the world but also all that loathsomness and sickness that Women endure whilst they go with Child Never did any sick Mother more desire to see the Man-child that sticks in the place of breaking forth of Children than Paul did to see Christ formed in these Galatians viz. that they might seek for Salvation by him alone And as here he personates the Mother so elsewhere the Father 1 Cor. 4. 15. Philem. 10. he will be any thing Father Mother Nurse and what not that their Souls might thrive Thus Cyprian called Caecilius that converted him novae vitae parentem the Father of his new Life And Latimer saith as much of his blessed Saint Bilny as he called him 'T is to this sense that most understand Numb 3. 1. Aaron's Sons by Nature Moses's by education and instruction because Moses y Quòd eos Moses Legem docuisset R. R. in Muis. Eosque velut sibi adoptaverat instituer at Grot. Solent discipuli filii vocari Mu. taught them the Law say the Rabbins and adopted them as his and so instructed them 'T is usual in Scripture for Disciples to be called Children see 2 King 2. 5 12. But not only Ministers as such Design the begetting and bringing forth of others to Christ but even private Christians too would feign be at this work in their station and place speaking of the good things of God and what they have found of sins sinfulness and God's grace and tenderness David would tell what God had done for his Soul Psal 66. 16. z Vide gratorum hominum ingenium qui alios secum trahunt ad Dei venerationem c. Gei Christianity is no churl loves not to eat its morsels alone would that others should have experience of the same Grace Aquila and Priscilla take Apollos aside and open the way of the Lord more plainly and more fully unto him Act. 18. 26. true grace is diffusive hence compared to fire water light wind c. to spices and Aromatick Trees that sweat out their precious and soveraign Oyls for the good of others Apollos being helped by others helps others vers 27. he was not of those that had rather praeesse than prodesse nor of those that chuse proficere rather than prodesse to inform themselves rather than to instruct others to know than to teach yea he had rather be an Angel for Ministry than a Seraphim for illumination Paul could have been content yea and desirous too that not only King Agrippa but all that heard him were as he those his bonds excepted Act. 26. 29. Saints endeavour to bring in others to Christ First By their seasonable and well-temper'd reproofs shewing them their sin and the greatness of that sin whereof they are guiltly Reproofs must be well tim'd or else there 's danger they may lose their effect sometimes presently which at other times will rather incense than break the heart Opportunities should be watcht for this work Men are wisely to consider whether it may be better done presently and in hot blood or more conveniently and profitably at another time Pro. 29. 11. Eccles 3. 7. usually when men are in their drink 1 Sam. 25. 36. or in the heat of passion Pro. 18. 19. it 's no time to reprove Though we have read of some that even then have spoken reproofs to good purpose Mr. White reports of a Knight not many years since playing at Tables his Chaplain standing by the Knight being angry swore the Chaplain reproved him the Knight swearing again he reproved him again whereupon the Knight in much anger turning towards him said Who art thou that darest reprove me The Chaplain answered Nay but who are thou that thou darest thus blaspheme thy Maker The Knight being convinced by this just reproof retired into his Chamber and gave his Chaplain Twenty pieces for his faithfulness to him Reproofs also must be well temper'd as well as seasonable done in meekness Though sometimes some warmth be needful yet should it not be scalding lest persons think it more out of wrath then kindness Reproof is though a wholesome yet a bitter Pill there is need of gilding and sugaring it for