Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	believe_v	faith_n	object_n	6,980	5	9.0206	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39770	The confirming work of religion, or, its great things made plain, by their primary evidences and demonstrations whereby the meanest in the church may soon be made to render a solid and rational account of their faith / written by R. Fleming ... ; now published by Daniel Burgess.	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.; Burgess, Daniel, 1645-1713.	1693 (1693)	Wing F1279; ESTC R6736	83,701	146

visible_a professor_n be_v destitute_a of_o any_o defence_n from_o internal_a motive_n and_o solid_a conviction_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v upon_o its_o own_o evidence_n and_o there_o be_v never_o more_o cause_n to_o fear_v some_o unusual_a apostasy_n from_o the_o very_a visible_a profession_n of_o christ_n upon_o any_o violent_a trial_n and_o assault_v this_o way_n when_o such_o find_v it_o more_o easy_a to_o render_v up_o their_o religion_n than_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o same_o under_o strong_a temptation_n who_o yet_o never_o know_v that_o substance_n advantage_n or_o certainty_n herein_o as_o can_v preponderate_v with_o the_o want_n of_o all_o external_a motive_n for_o such_o a_o profession_n posit_n ii_o that_o thus_o one_o of_o the_o high_a service_n of_o these_o time_n for_o the_o public_a good_a of_o the_o church_n do_v convince_o lie_v here_o to_o have_v the_o faith_n of_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o a_o clear_a and_o firm_a certainty_n of_o the_o judgement_n on_o its_o own_o evidence_n more_o vigorous_o promote_v and_o the_o proper_a mean_n and_o assistance_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v for_o this_o end_n in_o some_o other_o manner_n yet_o improve_v than_o seem_v to_o be_v at_o this_o day_n for_o a_o more_o universal_a use_n the_o ground_n to_o enforce_v the_o necessity_n hereof_o be_v these_o i._o that_o it_o be_v sure_a wherever_o the_o gospel_n be_v reveal_v to_o man_n it_o come_v with_o so_o full_a a_o assurance_n of_o understanding_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o objective_a evidence_n as_o can_v admit_v of_o no_o possible_a doubtfulness_n herein_o which_o be_v the_o credit_n and_o glory_n of_o our_o religion_n that_o in_o no_o other_o way_n it_o do_v require_v acceptance_n but_o with_o the_o further_a conviction_n of_o evidence_n ii_o because_o the_o express_a design_n and_o tendency_n of_o this_o bless_a revelation_n be_v no_o less_o to_o find_v such_o a_o rational_a assurance_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o its_o truth_n than_o to_o engage_v the_o will_n and_o consent_n for_o embrace_v thereof_o and_o though_o such_o great_a demonstration_n for_o this_o end_n can_v only_o in_o svo_fw-la genere_fw-la have_v a_o convince_a influence_n to_o persuade_v the_o understanding_n yet_o be_v they_o of_o such_o weight_n here_o as_o next_o to_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o be_v the_o great_a mean_n to_o bring_v up_o man_n assent_n to_o a_o full_a and_o quiet_v rest_n on_o that_o security_n to_o which_o they_o must_v trust_v themselves_o for_o ever_o and_o to_o let_v they_o see_v that_o this_o even_o here_o by_o the_o way_n be_v assure_o full_a though_o not_o yet_o their_o enjoyment_n iii_o because_o this_o faith_n of_o assent_n shall_v be_v first_o follow_v in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v the_o very_a first_o principle_n of_o conversion_n to_o know_v and_o be_v sure_a that_o god_n have_v send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n wherein_o as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o the_o objective_a but_o the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o our_o faith_n so_o be_v not_o the_o internal_a work_n and_o testimony_n he_o give_v on_o the_o soul_n the_o first_o testimony_n but_o must_v still_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o word_n without_o and_o such_o demonstrative_a evidence_n thereof_o wherewith_o it_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o world_n nor_o may_v any_o ever_o separate_a that_o which_o god_n have_v himself_o so_o indissoluble_o join_v iv_o that_o there_o be_v so_o convince_a a_o necessity_n and_o use_n hereof_o to_o the_o church_n and_o in_o a_o special_a way_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o youth_n for_o a_o more_o firm_a lay_n of_o the_o groundwork_n of_o their_o christian_a profession_n and_o for_o the_o seedplot_n of_o a_o bless_a and_o desirable_a growth_n among_o such_o in_o this_o day_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o know_v early_o something_o of_o these_o primary_n ground_n and_o demonstration_n of_o their_o faith_n so_o also_o be_v it_o a_o study_n of_o that_o high_a importance_n as_o i_o humble_o judge_v shall_v be_v of_o notable_a use_n for_o a_o manuduction_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o student_n of_o divinity_n before_o they_o launch_v forth_o in_o that_o vast_a and_o immense_a ocean_n of_o the_o speculative_a part_n thereof_o and_o for_o be_v at_o some_o great_a advantage_n thus_o for_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o confirm_a work_n in_o the_o church_n in_o their_o future_a service_n v._o yea_o of_o what_o use_n may_v this_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o many_o who_o may_v be_v sore_o haunt_v with_o hide_a and_o dreadful_a temptation_n to_o infidelity_n and_o to_o weaken_v they_o in_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n who_o be_v whole_o unfurnished_v of_o any_o such_o ground_n and_o argument_n in_o their_o judgement_n to_o repel_v the_o same_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o to_o believe_v firm_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o god_n be_v manifest_v in_o our_o nature_n to_o save_v man_n be_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o object_n a_o much_o high_a act_n of_o faith_n than_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v save_v we_o since_o as_o the_o one_o do_v unspeakable_o more_o transcend_v all_o human_a reason_n than_o the_o other_o so_o do_v the_o apostle_n thus_o argue_v from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o less_o rom._n 8.32_o that_o he_o who_o give_v his_o own_o son_n to_o the_o death_n will_v he_o not_o also_o with_o he_o give_v we_o all_o thing_n posit_n iii_o that_o such_o a_o confirm_v work_n be_v most_o special_o follow_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a end_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n to_o have_v this_o faith_n of_o assent_n and_o doctrinal_a certainty_n thereof_o on_o its_o proper_a ground_n and_o evidence_n deep_o found_v in_o man_n judgement_n be_v so_o clear_a as_o can_v come_v under_o debate_n i._o that_o this_o way_n do_v the_o great_a author_n of_o our_o profession_n himself_o take_v not_o only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o word_n and_o the_o power_n and_o energy_n of_o grace_n but_o with_o that_o convince_v evidence_n and_o demonstration_n of_o his_o truth_n to_o man_n understanding_n as_o might_n find_v also_o a_o firm_a and_o rational_a assurance_n hereof_o ii_o that_o for_o this_o end_n he_o do_v pray_v the_o father_n joh._n 17.21_o and_o be_v so_o much_o press_v herein_o that_o so_o great_a a_o external_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o concord_n and_o unity_n of_o his_o people_n may_v be_v keep_v clear_a that_o the_o world_n may_v thus_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v send_v of_o god_n and_o have_v a_o deep_a conviction_n hereof_o wrought_v in_o they_o by_o such_o a_o evidence_n iii_o that_o one_o special_a intent_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o luke_n be_v for_o this_o end_n luke_n 1.4_o that_o man_n may_v know_v not_o only_o the_o thing_n themselves_o by_o a_o naked_a relation_n but_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n wherein_o they_o have_v be_v former_o instruct_v iv_o that_o herein_o do_v the_o ministry_n of_o apollo_n so_o bright_o shine_v forth_o act._n 18.28_o and_o be_v then_o of_o most_o singular_a use_n to_o the_o church_n by_o that_o clearness_n of_o rational_a conviction_n and_o demonstrative_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o great_a gainsayer_n can_v not_o withstand_v v._o that_o it_o be_v sure_a it_o be_v then_o without_o exception_n express_o require_v of_o the_o mean_a within_o the_o church_n to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o render_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o hope_n to_o all_o who_o ask_v and_o not_o only_o to_o know_v what_o they_o do_v believe_v but_o why_o they_o do_v so_o as_o be_v clear_a 1_o pet._n 3.15_o this_o can_v not_o be_v by_o bring_v forth_o of_o internal_a evidence_n for_o conviction_n of_o other_o but_o by_o give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o cogent_a ground_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o may_v be_v most_o prevalent_a and_o confirm_v to_o the_o weak_a and_o leave_v other_o inexcusable_a and_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v then_o special_o press_v in_o these_o primitive_a time_n as_o a_o proper_a test_n of_o their_o christian_a profession_n vi_o and_o we_o see_v herein_o also_o how_o much_o these_o excellent_a berean_o be_v take_v up_o and_o be_v so_o high_o commend_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n act._n 17.11_o to_o know_v the_o demonstrative_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o by_o its_o own_o evidence_n with_o that_o entire_a harmony_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o scripture_n therein_o and_o their_o be_v thus_o diligent_o intent_n in_o that_o comparing-work_n of_o religion_n to_o see_v the_o truth_n thereof_o not_o single_o and_o apart_o by_o themselves_o alone_o but_o in_o that_o joynt-union_n &_o coherence_n wherein_o they_o stand_v each_o in_o their_o own_o room_n for_o

and_o new_a nature_n with_o as_o discernible_a evidence_n as_o if_o one_o man_n shall_v meet_v with_o another_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n in_o such_o a_o place_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v only_o inhabit_v with_o beast_n 6._o by_o consider_v also_o with_o a_o deep_a and_o serious_a reflection_n hereon_o that_o sure_a and_o know_v conjunction_n which_o be_v betwixt_o the_o most_o rare_a experience_n of_o a_o christian_n life_n and_o the_o most_o search_a trial_n thereof_o with_o that_o uniform_a consent_n that_o have_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o such_o marvellous_a thing_n as_o these_o 1._o what_o solemn_a token_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o his_o acceptance_n be_v find_v usual_o to_o meet_v his_o people_n in_o the_o entry_n of_o some_o great_a trial_n or_o service_n for_o he_o even_o in_o some_o unusual_a manner_n then_o in_o the_o sense_n whereof_o as_o it_o be_v with_o elijah_n they_o have_v be_v make_v to_o go_v many_o day_n after_o in_o a_o wilderness-state_n yea_o how_o this_o do_v not_o respect_n person_n only_o but_o church_n that_o the_o word_n still_o use_v to_o go_v before_o with_o some_o remarkable_a confirm_a work_n to_o secure_v the_o heart_n before_o the_o cross_n and_o some_o special_a trial_n of_o persecution_n come_v 2._o that_o as_o each_o day_n have_v its_o proper_a burden_n and_o work_v so_o have_v it_o its_o proper_a allowance_n provide_v for_o the_o same_o which_o shall_v be_v no_o less_o seek_v after_o by_o a_o christian_a than_o his_o daily_a bread_n and_o when_o the_o pressure_n of_o such_o a_o day_n grow_v to_o some_o more_o singular_a height_n so_o also_o shall_v the_o expense_n hereof_o be_v in_o faith_n seek_v for_o and_o expect_v 3._o how_o the_o choice_a mercy_n be_v reserve_v to_o the_o sad_a time_n of_o a_o christian_n lot_n and_o most_o usual_o cross_v to_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o they_o have_v have_v the_o great_a struggle_n with_o those_o method_n of_o providence_n which_o in_o the_o issue_n tend_v most_o to_o their_o advancement_n 4._o yea_o how_o the_o return_n of_o a_o long_o defer_v hope_n after_o much_o humble_a wait_a have_v be_v to_o they_o as_o a_o pisgah_n whence_o they_o have_v not_o only_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o comfort_v prospect_n of_o their_o bypass_a trial_n but_o have_v be_v more_o full_o confirm_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o can_v bear_v now_o that_o testimony_n that_o the_o lord_n have_v clear_v all_o past_a thing_n to_o they_o and_o have_v take_v the_o veil_n off_o his_o work_n which_o for_o long_o have_v be_v as_o a_o dark_a and_o strange_a riddle_n 7._o this_o likewise_o give_v a_o most_o clear_a and_o confirm_v prospect_n of_o that_o great_a seal_n of_o experience_n when_o he_o can_v now_o see_v both_o in_o his_o own_o case_n and_o of_o other_o what_o the_o issue_n of_o believe_v in_o a_o singular_a exigency_n and_o trial_n and_o upon_o some_o special_a act_n of_o trust_n and_o adventure_v herein_o do_v at_o last_o come_v to_o which_o the_o more_o deep_o it_o be_v consider_v he_o find_v one_o of_o the_o most_o peculiar_a assistance_n to_o his_o faith_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a attainment_n of_o experimental_a religion_n within_o time_n when_o he_o can_v thus_o see_v the_o same_o way_n of_o believe_v in_o some_o strong_a and_o extraordinary_a assault_n which_o he_o have_v find_v to_o crush_v and_o break_v he_o herein_o which_o have_v carry_v so_o many_o thorough_a in_o their_o sad_a trial_n bring_v he_o also_o in_o his_o turn_n to_o be_v a_o instance_n in_o the_o same_o kind_n to_o bear_v a_o honourable_a testimony_n to_o this_o sure_a and_o excellent_a way_n of_o believe_v before_o the_o world_n that_o none_o may_v fear_v after_o he_o to_o hold_v by_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o venture_v on_o that_o security_n though_o it_o then_o seem_v against_o hope_n who_o dispensation_n do_v yet_o never_o never_o give_v his_o word_n the_o lie_n carat_n iv_o he_o be_v a_o true_o confirm_v christian_n who_o in_o a_o dismal_a time_n be_v not_o stagger_v in_o his_o faith_n from_o the_o present_a sign_n and_o appearance_n thereof_o but_o have_v his_o soul_n ballast_v with_o such_o solid_a ground_n of_o confirmation_n against_o the_o same_o that_o those_o providence_n whereat_o other_o do_v most_o stumble_v tend_v to_o his_o further_a strengthen_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n when_o he_o do_v now_o clear_o see_v 1._o how_o tribulation_n and_o the_o cross_n make_v one_o of_o the_o most_o illustrious_a and_o beautiful_a part_n of_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o providence_n about_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o lot_n of_o each_o christian_a so_o as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o poss●ble_a stumble_v to_o any_o for_o want_v of_o light_n here_o that_o sore_a trial_n and_o distress_n shall_v most_o remarkable_o follow_v those_o in_o their_o journey_n who_o have_v a_o eternal_a blessedness_n before_o they_o in_o the_o close_a hereof_o when_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v direct_v not_o only_o for_o comfort_n but_o for_o clear_a conduct_n of_o the_o christian_n faith_n through_o all_o the_o intricacy_n and_o labyrinth_n of_o such_o a_o dispensation_n he_o s●●s_v how_o high_o congruous_a it_o be_v to_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n that_o so_o strait_a and_o narrow_a a_o way_n in_o such_o a_o s●ate_n of_o trial_n as_o be_v here_o shall_v go_v be●ore_o the_o st●te_n of_o everlasting_a enjoyment_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v s●●h_o a_o stage_n and_o theatre_n also_o whereon_o the_o passive_a grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n may_v not_o only_o be_v exercise_v but_o display_v in_o their_o true_a lustre_n and_o glory_n before_o angel_n and_o man_n yea_o that_o thus_o the_o redeem_a of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v first_o train_v in_o so_o sharp_a a_o warfare_n as_o may_v not_o only_o put_v a_o due_a value_n and_o respect_n on_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o triumph_n and_o reward_v which_o be_v to_o come_v but_o be_v matter_n of_o ineffable_a joy_n and_o exultation_n that_o ever_o they_o be_v admit_v thus_o to_o evidence_n their_o love_n and_o adherence_n to_o their_o bless_a head_n and_o his_o truth_n here_o on_o the_o earth_n and_o account_v worthy_a to_o be_v put_v on_o some_o hot_a service_n and_o to_o peculiar_a trial_n and_o conflict_n this_o way_n beyond_o other_o for_o some_o example_n and_o encouragement_n to_o the_o church_n in_o their_o day_n and_o here_o also_o he_o can_v now_o see_v how_o the_o great_a enjoyment_n of_o comfort_n be_v more_o owe_v to_o the_o most_o sharp_a and_o afflict_a trial_n of_o their_o life_n than_o to_o the_o great_a external_a calm_a and_o that_o to_o endure_v patient_o and_o suffer_v for_o the_o name_n christ_n be_v such_o a_o privilege_n as_o the_o elect_a angel_n have_v not_o be_v admit_v to_o yea_o that_o the_o lord_n chasten_v work_n and_o sore_a smite_v of_o his_o own_o be_v a_o act_n also_o of_o save_v so_o that_o thus_o the_o more_o deep_o he_o search_v here_o the_o more_o do_v he_o see_v admire_v and_o consent_n to_o that_o glorious_a piece_n of_o the_o administration_n of_o providence_n about_o the_o church_n and_o find_v it_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a confirmation_n of_o his_o faith_n within_o time_n 1._o he_o do_v now_o clear_o see_v how_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n be_v commensurate_a to_o his_o whole_a work_n of_o providence_n and_o that_o all_o the_o line_n hereof_o as_o they_o do_v lead_v from_o his_o reveal_v counsel_n in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o adequate_a sign_n of_o his_o eternal_a counsel_n and_o decree_n so_o do_v they_o return_v thither_o again_o to_o make_v this_o great_a demonstration_n clear_a that_o if_o a_o full_a history_n be_v write_v of_o this_o world_n and_o what_o have_v be_v conspicuous_a through_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o time_n pass_v in_o all_o these_o conjunction_n of_o inferior_a cause_n whether_o necessary_a free_a or_o contingent_a and_o of_o such_o event_n that_o seem_v most_o casual_a it_o shall_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o ex●ct_a transcript_n and_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o bear_v this_o witness_n that_o the_o world_n be_v nothing_o but_o god_n set_v forth_o in_o his_o own_o scripture-light_n but_o though_o a_o full_a discovery_n hereof_o be_v not_o attainable_a within_o time_n yet_o be_v it_o a_o sad_a and_o deplorable_a want_n that_o the_o great_a act_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o each_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o more_o search_v and_o seek_v out_o of_o all_o they_o that_o take_v pleasure_n therein_o that_o they_o may_v be_v see_v observe_v and_o admire_v by_o that_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n angel_n and_o man_n who_o be_v only_o in_o a_o capacity_n to_o know_v the_o same_o which_o be_v a_o service_n for_o the_o lord_n wherein_o his_o praise_n and_o