Selected quad for the lemma: water_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
water_n	life_n	soul_n	spirit_n	4,592	5	5.4327	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50259	A novelty: or, a government of vvomen distinct from men, erected amoungst some of the people, call'd Quakers. Detected in an epistle, occasionally written to a man-judge, upon a young man's refusing (for good conscience sake) to submit to their authority in marriage, seeing that relations and friends were already satisfied. To which is added, a lamentation for the fall of so many of that people. Published for no other end, but to deter all honest hearts of the said people, from erecting the like unscriptural government. Tho' this may not so far prevail with such women as has a secret command of their husbands purses; together with those preachers that reap profit by such a female government, as to consent to the disanulling the same. Written by William Mather, a dear lover of the said people, who has for several years been much troubled, that some of them should fall from there primitive institution, as to set up women's and men's meetings, as guides in government, ... .	Mather, W. (William), fl. 1695.	1694 (1694)	Wing M1284C; ESTC R221850	22,580	23

shall force me to confess that I err in what I write before I see it my self are the Imposers My Opinion is this by way of Advice † † From a weak one yea one of the most despised in Israel being not a Conformist When a Couple shall come to your private Monthly Meeting in Huntington to acquaint you of their Intentions of Marriage say to them as to the antient Christian Quakers Friend Who made us Judges over you Go if you find freedom of Spirit and publish your Intentions at the end of the Publick Religious Meeting for Worship to which you belong or nearest to your Dwelling * * The ancient Practice of Friends for they best know whither or no you are clear from all other Engagements in this kind where you may have a sufficient number of Witnesses at your Certificate And that we now let you know this was the Innocent Practice of our dear deceased Friends in the beginning when God sent among us to turn our Minds to Christ's Inward and Spiritual Grace † † Mention'd in the Church of England's Catechism to be the Substance Baptism and the Supper of the Lord being but signs thereof in each Soul to be our Guides not Man Likewise on the other Hand say unto this Couple in the fear of God Friends If you have freedom and find it 's not contrary to the Teachings of Christ's Inward and Spiritual Grace † † Mention'd in the Church of England's Catechism to be the Substance Baptism and the Supper of the Lord being but signs thereof in your own Souls Publish your Intentions of Marriage twice in our Women's Meetings and when all the VVomen-Judges think you a fit Match then you must mention it also twice to us of the Men's Meeting which we think necessary * * This Decree was made at the Yearly Meeting 1657 and also in a Quarterly Meeting in the Isle of Ely And that when we who are most commonly Strangers to your Proceedings tho' we are well informed by a Friend all things are clear on both sides yet you are to come and wait on us Monthly or Quarterly until such time as all the VVomen and Men of both Meetings say you may joyn in Marriage for fear you should bring a Scandal upon the Truth tho' your Dwelling be Twenty Miles off or more from hence † † Not caring how it hinders their Business Horse-hire These two manner of ways of Marriage we lay before you chuse which of the two that answers best to the witness of God in your own Souls for we are not to be Judges of that So we freely leave you to your Choice * * The want of this has brought much Confusion so as you come together in the fear of God and we shall think never the worse of you † † How have you hated those that conform'd not For we seek God's Glory not our own which is according to our first Institution when first we became a People For our Labour is to perswade People to submit to Christ's Spiritual Government in their own Souls So that as we are not to answer for your Miscarriges neither are you for ours If thou believest I write this to thee in Enmity to any Person or Persons whatsoever thy diserning is but weak so not fit to sit as a Judge in Israel But hope better things of thee to whom my true Love is and to all that do faithfully return to the Truth as it was amongst Friends when first the Mockers called us Quakers Bedford 11d 5m 94. I am thy Friend William Mather To which Letter no Answer hath yet been given A Lamentation for the Fall of so many once Worthies in Spiritual Israel OH The Author's Sorrow what shall I say or write unto you that once run to and fro on Foot from place to place spending your Time and Strength to turn Peoples Minds into the Centre of their Souls to Christ's Inward and Spiritual Grace to be their Teacher and Leader into all Truth But now that you should contradict your former Advice by setting up VVomen and Men Guides over an Innocent People is greatly to be lamented How are you fallen what Lamentation shall I take up for you Oh! that mine Eyes were as a Fountain of Water that I might weep Day and Night for the Fall of so many once Worthies in Spiritual Israel who were once in that Spirit and Love of Jesus that they could lay down their Lives to win Souls to God loved their very Enemies yea could forgive the Trespasses of a Brother Matth. 18.22 seventy times seven But alas this true Love or Lamb's Patience is not now to be found on Earth O Truth art thou fled to Heaven again Is Man's Souls too straight to contain thee except amongst a few upright Hearts that has chosen Christ's Inward and Spiritual Grace for their Guide such can wash the Feet of their Enemies Deceive not your selves for you cannot save your selves by saying you are in the Light when you envy any Man for whoever doth is in Darkness even until now 1 Joh. 1.9 Now let me a little reason with you Was there not true Love and Charity in general amongst the Professors of the Truth when all thought themselves Poor and Low in their own Eyes * Have you not forgotten that good Day before Ambitious Women and Ambitious Men crept in among you such I mean that thirsted for Honour and Rule over an Innocent People Absolon like saying in Heart O that I was a Judge in Israel when alas most of such Judges The Heart of Man is deceitful none can know it but by the Grace of God What is not of Faith is Sin have and do busie themselves in judging others for the Moats in their Eyes when the Beam is still in their own Eyes These Lordly Spirits in Women's-Meetings and Men's Meetings would have an Innocent People submit to their Rules Orders and Ceremonies whither the Parties see it their Duty to obey or not Holding those Meetings Monthly and Quarterly in private Rooms where sometimes there are not above four Persons that take upon themselves to Rule † And alas most of them Ignorant ones not knowing who gave them their usurped Power yet will be as angry as a Woman if you obey not their Wills when you come before them and there dispose of such Monies as they collect at the end of Religious Meetings where the most Givers are where they ought also to give a publick Account how they disposed of the Money unto the general Givers but this I never see them do except the Collection was for a Fire c. It 's true Monies for the Poor were at first that is when first God raised us to be a People who discovered more of his Love to us than too many before us in this latter Age. I say then Moneys were collected or freely given always