A30579:453
Gospel-conversation
Gospel-conversation: wherein is showed, I. How the conversation of believers must be above what could be by the light of nature. II. Beyond those that lived under the law. III. And suitable to what truths the Gospel holds forth. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to Stepney and Cripplegate, London. Being the third book published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nigh, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.Gospel-conversation: wherein is shewed, I. How the conversation of believers must be above what could be by the light of nature. II. Beyond those that lived under the law. III. And suitable to what truths the Gospel holds forth. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to Stepney and Criplegate, London. Being the third book published by Thomas Goodwyn, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1650
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
they have received the spirit of the world, and they are led by the spirit of the world, the god of this world hath taken possession of them, and it's that that makes them so: but they have not received the Spirit of Jesus Christ, they may say quite contrary to the Apostle; saith the Apostle, we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of Jesus Christ: they may say, we have not received the Spirit of Christ, but of the world: it's true, Christ would have us so long as we live in the world, to be as wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves; the wisdom that is for the promotion of the Kingdom of Christ it is a wisdom that hath an upright plainness in it, and is according to the simplicity of the Gospel; indeed when they have to deal with wicked men, they may exercise a natural wisdom, to avoid the dangers of persecution, or to avoid the circumventing of wicked men; but when they have to deal with spiritual things, there the wisdom is that that holds forth a simplicity of the Gospel, that is carried on with plainness and simpleness of heart. The Hebrews have the same word that signifies a naked man, and a cunning subtle man. You shall find where it's said of Adam and Eve, they were naked, nakedness of spirit and subtlety may stand together, they signify the same thing, to show what kind of subtlety should be in those that are the People of God, it should be that that may stand with a naked spirit, so as if God would discover the secrets of all their hearts to all the children of men, that they should not be ashamed to ⟨p. 277⟩have all their secrets to be opened to them: But now, the cunningness, that is, the cunningness of the serpent, is such a cunningness, as men (if they were but laid open) would quickly be ashamed of. And so much of the fourth use, that it is unbeseeming those that are of the kingdom of Christ, to have the spirit of the world, because Christs kingdom is not of this world.
they have received the spirit of the world, and they are led by the spirit of the world, the god of this world hath taken possession of them, and it's that that makes them so: but they have not received the Spirit of Jesus Christ, they may say quite contrary to the Apostle; saith the Apostle, we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of Jesus Christ: they may say, we have not received the Spirit of Christ, but of the world: it's true, Christ would have us so long as we live in the world, to be as wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves; the wisdom that is for the promotion of the Kingdom of Christ it is a wisdom that hath an upright plainess in it, and is according to the simplicity of the Gospel; indeed when they have to deal with wicked men, they may exercise a natural wisdom, to avoid the dangers of persecution, or to avoid the circumventing of wicked men; but when they have to deal with spiritual things, there the wisdom is that that holds forth a simplicity of the Gospel, that is carried on with plainess and simpleness of heart. The Hebrews have the same word that signifies a naked man, and a cunning subtil man. You shall find where it's said of Adam and Eve, they were naked, nakedness of spirit and subtilty may stand together, they signifie the same thing, to shew what kind of subtilty should be in those that are the People of God, it should be that that may stand with a naked spirit, so as if God would discover the secrets of all their hearts to all the children of men, that they should not be ashamed to