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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
act_n condition_n faith_n justification_n 3,398 5 9.7058 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A47454 The counterfeit Christian, or, The danger of hypocrisy opened in two sermons : containing an exposition of that parabolical speech of our Blessed Saviour, Matth. XII, 43, 44, 45 ... / by Benjamin Keach ... Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. 1691 (1691) Wing K55; ESTC R18720 49,835 62

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and_o only_o by_o this_o way_n we_o must_v be_v save_v if_o ever_o we_o come_v to_o heaven_n 11._o another_o foundation_n can_v no_o man_n lay_v he_o that_o believe_v not_o 16_o shall_v be_v damn_v let_v he_o be_v what_o he_o will_v righteous_a or_o wicked_a it_o be_v a_o great_a error_n to_o think_v that_o christ_n merit_n make_v our_o service_n or_o performance_n meritorious_a though_o 〈◊〉_d be_v accept_v thereby_o when_o they_o flow_v from_o faith_n yet_o not_o as_o the_o spring_n or_o procure_v cause_n of_o our_o justification_n to_o close_v with_o this_o let_v i_o add_v one_o thing_n further_o which_o show_v the_o danger_n these_o person_n be_v in_o this_o error_n be_v a_o capital_a one_o it_o be_v to_o err_v in_o a_o main_a fundamental_a of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o heresy_n a_o damnable_a principle_n and_o hence_o the_o apostle_n call_v it_o 24_o a_o subvert_v the_o soul_n of_o such_o who_o receive_v it_o and_o it_o be_v also_o from_o hence_o god_n give_v the_o jew_n up_o 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same_o and_o under_o satan_n power_n and_o dominion_n o_o how_o miserable_o be_v some_o man_n deceive_v think_v if_o they_o be_v reform_v and_o become_v zealous_a for_o external_a ordinance_n and_o have_v take_v up_o this_o or_o that_o form_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v take_v for_o saint_n by_o man_n that_o all_o be_v well_o and_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v how_o do_v the_o pharisee_n glory_n in_o their_o seem_a zeal_n and_o piety_n and_o flatter_v themselves_o and_o yet_o woeful_o blind_v and_o in_o a_o damnable_a state_n and_o condition_n note_v also_o that_o 4._o morality_n iu._n external_a gift_n and_o common_a grace_n be_v but_o like_o a_o vain_a paint_n a_o mere_a empty_a and_o artificial_a garnish_n they_o make_v a_o fair_a show_n in_o the_o flesh_n they_o pride_n it_o in_o themselves_o and_o man_n praise_v and_o admire_v they_o but_o what_o do_v all_o this_o signify_v they_o be_v still_o under_o a_o diabolical_a power_n and_o influence_n and_o twofold_a more_o the_o child_n 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knowledge_n they_o conceit_n they_o have_v above_o other_o 41._o but_o now_o you_o say_v you_o see_v therefore_o your_o sin_n remain_v if_o your_o ignorance_n be_v simple_a as_o if_o christ_n shall_v say_v and_o not_o affect_v or_o be_v you_o sensible_a of_o your_o blindness_n than_o your_o disease_n will_v not_o be_v so_o incurable_a but_o now_o you_o say_v you_o see_v and_o you_o doubt_v not_o but_o you_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o happiness_n and_o be_v the_o only_a people_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o presumptuous_o refuse_v the_o way_n of_o your_o relief_n and_o salvation_n and_o do_v not_o conclude_v you_o be_v under_o gild_n and_o wrath_n as_o indeed_o you_o be_v profane_a person_n though_o their_o state_n be_v bad_a and_o very_o miserable_a yet_o be_v not_o general_o so_o blind_a as_o once_o to_o imagine_v their_o condition_n to_o be_v good_a but_o act_n and_o do_v those_o abominable_a deed_n of_o darkness_n against_o the_o light_n and_o dictate_v of_o their_o own_o conscience_n 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bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o corruption_n they_o understand_v not_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o original_a sin_n the_o pravity_n of_o their_o natural_a faculty_n the_o lameness_n and_o impotency_n of_o their_o own_o natural_a power_n nor_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o the_o first_o motion_n of_o their_o heart_n boast_v as_o one_o observe_v of_o self-ability_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o utter_a weakness_n charnock_n and_o a_o affection_n to_o god_n under_o prevail_v and_o horrid_a enmity_n pride_n common_o arise_v from_o a_o conceit_n of_o some_o excel_a quality_n whether_o beauty_n part_n or_o knowledge_n or_o affect_a piety_n and_o these_o man_n never_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o own_o natural_a deformity_n filthiness_n and_o pollution_n of_o sin_n that_o contagion_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o universal_a stain_n of_o nature_n nothing_o but_o pollution_n succeed_v in_o the_o place_n of_o original_a purity_n be_v swell_v up_o in_o spiritual_a pride_n and_o self-conceitedness_n the_o pharisee_n be_v the_o proud_a of_o all_o people_n and_o they_o be_v the_o most_o ignorant_a of_o gospel-truths_n they_o will_v have_v their_o opinion_n a_o rule_n to_o all_o the_o people_n and_o that_o must_v be_v a_o truth_n which_o they_o so_o esteem_v to_o be_v and_o that_o a_o error_n which_o they_o conceit_n so_o to_o be_v pride_n be_v the_o devil_n sin_n be_v hateful_a to_o god_n he_o that_o look_v upon_o himself_o too_o much_o look_v upon_o god_n too_o little_a if_o god_n hide_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n from_o any_o 25._o it_o be_v from_o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o the_o glorious_a contrivance_n of_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n be_v to_o confound_v and_o destroy_v the_o pride_n of_o man_n and_o because_o man_n corrupt_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v the_o sacred_a mystery_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n they_o contemn_v and_o disbelieve_v the_o revelation_n of_o it_o no_o religion_n nor_o ordinance_n of_o god_n be_v value_v by_o some_o man_n but_o what_o suit_v with_o their_o own_o affect_a principle_n and_o notion_n from_o hence_o the_o greek_n count_v the_o gospel_n foolishness_n 1._o and_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o wed_v to_o their_o own_o legal_a righteousness_n that_o unto_o they_o jesus_n christ_n be_v a_o stumbling-block_n the_o pride_n of_o their_o knowledge_n and_o attainment_n be_v the_o mother_n and_o nurse_n of_o their_o incredulity_n 48._o have_v any_o of_o the_o pharisee_n believe_v on_o he_o these_o man_n sin_n as_o i_o have_v often_o tell_v some_o of_o you_o against_o the_o remedy_n and_o fence_v against_o the_o edge_n of_o that_o sword_n by_o which_o their_o soul_n shall_v be_v wound_v and_o they_o die_v if_o ever_o they_o come_v to_o live_v indeed_o therefore_o what_o hope_n be_v there_o of_o they_o alas_o man_n swell_v up_o with_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o own_o good_a estate_n and_o condition_n without_o christ_n be_v unfit_a for_o faith_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a hold_n exalt_v itself_o against_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n how_o loath_a be_v a_o proud_a man_n to_o become_v a_o fool_n that_o he_o may_v be_v wise_a or_o to_o captivate_v his_o reason_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v justify_v by_o another_o righteousness_n and_o that_o our_o own_o righteousness_n which_o be_v so_o pleasant_a and_o acceptable_a in_o our_o sight_n and_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v as_o filthy_a rag_n or_o a_o loathsome_a thing_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n be_v to_o these_o sort_n of_o people_n a_o strange_a paradox_n lucifer_n as_o some_o pretend_v be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o devil_n who_o be_v call_v also_o the_o king_n of_o pride_n if_o so_o certain_o he_o be_v one_o of_o those_o wicked_a spirit_n that_o enter_v into_o this_o person_n now_o what_o but_o infinite_a power_n can_v throw_v out_o this_o devil_n this_o pride_n and_o bring_v this_o soul_n to_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o make_v it_o strike_v its_o swell_a sail_n to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o become_v nothing_o in_o itself_o and_o to_o hate_v and_o loathe_v its_o own_o righteousness_n by_o reason_n of_o that_o impurity_n and_o pollution_n that_o cleave_v to_o every_o best_a duty_n they_o do_v or_o can_v perform_v thus_o this_o unclean_a spirit_n raise_v up_o strong_a fortification_n against_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n the_o way_n of_o faith_n or_o go_v to_o jesus_n christ_n for_o all_o as_o poor_a and_o undo_v sinner_n these_o enemy_n in_o hypocritical_a and_o self-righteous_a person_n stand_v arm_v in_o the_o breach_n of_o nature_n as_o one_o observe_v to_o beat_v off_o all_o assault_n of_o the_o gospel_n charnock_n and_o therefore_o the_o latter_a state_n of_o these_o person_n be_v worse_o than_o the_o first_o three_o self-confidence_n may_v be_v another_o evil_a spirit_n that_o be_v enter_v into_o these_o person_n and_o which_o render_v their_o state_n so_o bad_a it_o be_v impossible_a to_o persuade_v they_o that_o their_o condition_n be_v nought_o and_o damnable_a you_o may_v as_o i_o hint_v before_o quick_o bring_v a_o vile_a and_o debauch_a person_n to_o acknowledge_v his_o state_n be_v dangerous_a though_o there_o be_v no_o turn_v he_o from_o his_o evil_a course_n yet_o he_o stand_v not_o upon_o self-justification_n but_o rather_o ready_o yield_v to_o you_o if_o you_o deal_v with_o he_o at_o a_o seasonable_a time_n with_o wisdom_n and_o tell_v he_o he_o be_v a_o very_a wretched_a creature_n i_o know_v i_o be_o so_o say_v he_o the_o lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o i_o but_o the_o man_n out_o of_o who_o the_o debauch_a devil_n be_v go_v be_v in_o his_o own_o eye_n become_v another_o person_n a_o seem_a saint_n one_o that_o hear_v sermon_n prays_n and_o give_v alm_n and_o yet_o not_o renew_v nor_o his_o evil_a habit_n change_v o_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a thing_n to_o bring_v he_o once_o to_o doubt_n or_o question_v the_o goodness_n of_o his_o condition_n he_o bless_v god_n for_o that_o help_n he_o have_v have_v to_o change_v his_o former_a course_n of_o life_n god_n i_o thank_v thou_o i_o be_o not_o as_o other_o man_n nor_o as_o this_o publican_n i_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o other_o but_o i_o be_o become_v religious_a now_o i_o be_o no_o swearer_n whoremonger_n drunkard_n extortioner_n etc._n etc._n to_o this_o purpose_n you_o have_v the_o pharisee_fw-mi boast_v and_o praise_v of_o god_n this_o render_v his_o state_n lamentable_a with_o a_o witness_n what_o make_v the_o foolish_a virgin_n so_o bold_a as_o to_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n be_v it_o not_o that_o confidence_n they_o have_v that_o their_o condition_n be_v good_a 16._o a_o wise_a man_n say_v solomon_n fear_v and_o depart_v from_o iniquity_n but_o a_o fool_n rage_v and_o be_v confident_a confidence_n be_v oppose_v to_o fear_v so_o that_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v secure_a and_o unsensible_a of_o their_o danger_n till_o it_o be_v too_o late_o as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n they_o see_v not_o their_o fearful_a state_n till_o the_o midnight_n cry_v be_v hear_v and_o hence_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n 33._o that_o publican_n and_o harlot_n go_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n before_o they_o which_o full_o confirm_v what_o we_o say_v from_o this_o dark_a scripture_n viz._n that_o open_o profane_a person_n and_o notorious_a sinner_n be_v not_o in_o so_o dangerous_a a_o condition_n as_o a_o false_a professor_n or_o counterfeit_a christian_n who_o have_v pass_v under_o a_o seem_a change_n of_o life_n and_o leave_v the_o gross_a act_n of_o sin_n though_o never_o thorough_o wrought_v upon_o by_o regenerate_a grace_n and_o i_o conclude_v this_o of_o self-confidence_n be_v one_o of_o those_o more_o wicked_a spirit_n that_o be_v now_o enter_v into_o he_o behold_v thou_o be_v call_v a_o jew_n 19_o and_o rest_v in_o the_o law_n and_o make_v thy_o boast_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v confident_a that_o thou_o thyself_o be_v a_o guide_n of_o the_o blind_a a_o light_n to_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n etc._n etc._n thus_o these_o person_n proud_o with_o great_a self-confidence_n arrogate_v all_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n to_o themselves_o and_o be_v like_o the_o sluggard_n solomon_n speak_v of_o 16._o i.e._n wise_a in_o their_o own_o conceit_n than_o seven_o man_n that_o can_v render_v a_o reason_n tremble_v you_o who_o fear_v nothing_o who_o conclude_v all_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n be_v with_o you_o and_o that_o you_o need_v not_o be_v teach_v more_o than_o you_o already_o know_v some_o man_n though_o open_o profane_a glory_n and_o boast_v of_o their_o church_n and_o christianity_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o that_o faith_n to_o be_v save_v but_o if_o those_o who_o be_v of_o a_o good_a moral_a life_n and_o zealous_a for_o the_o external_a part_n of_o true_a
necessity_n of_o faith_n and_o regeneration_n sort_n these_o be_v not_o only_o averse_a to_o all_o humane_a innovation_n and_o tradition_n of_o man_n and_o so_o contend_v for_o god_n holy_a institution_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o visible_a worship_n as_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o but_o seem_v to_o be_v enlighten_v very_o much_o into_o that_o internal_a work_n of_o god_n grace_n upon_o the_o soul_n etc._n etc._n but_o never_o come_v themselves_o under_o those_o save_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n but_o rest_n in_o the_o speculative_a knowledge_n of_o those_o mystery_n and_o be_v mere_a empty_a and_o formal_a person_n and_o stranger_n to_o that_o divine_a life_n and_o sacred_a change_n of_o which_o they_o speak_v and_o yet_o possible_o may_v not_o be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o that_o deceit_n and_o delusion_n they_o be_v under_o but_o may_v hope_v all_o be_v well_o with_o they_o but_o since_o they_o be_v not_o saving_o renew_v but_o only_o reform_v have_v not_o jesus_n christ_n dwell_v in_o their_o heart_n nor_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o enable_v and_o influence_n their_o soul_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o in_o mortification_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o corruption_n they_o be_v frequent_o overcome_v by_o satan_n and_o horrid_a evil_n prevail_v and_o predominate_v in_o they_o by_o which_o mean_v they_o bring_v great_a reproach_n upon_o religion_n and_o all_o those_o who_o do_v profess_v it_o hence_o the_o apostle_n call_v this_o sort_n the_o enemy_n of_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n phil._n 3._o 18._o and_o this_o further_a aggravate_v their_o sin_n and_o misery_n for_o whilst_o open_o profane_a and_o not_o pretend_v to_o religion_n and_o godliness_n they_o can_v not_o injure_v the_o name_n of_o god_n nor_o expose_v the_o gospel_n and_o professor_n thereof_o to_o that_o scorn_n and_o reproach_n as_o now_o they_o do_v sinner_n open_o wicked_a though_o notorious_a and_o vile_a enemy_n to_o god_n yet_o the_o hurt_n and_o wrong_n they_o do_v be_v especial_o to_o their_o own_o soul_n but_o these_o by_o their_o carnal_a earthly_a pr●●●_n loose_a and_o formal_a walk_n hinder_v the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o conversion_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n beside_o their_o weaken_v the_o hand_n and_o grieve_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o true_o godly_a moreover_o they_o also_o pollute_v and_o defile_v too_o often_o the_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o bring_v great_a trouble_n upon_o the_o same_o hence_o there_o be_v in_o most_o congregation_n who_o keep_v up_o a_o strict_a and_o regular_a discipline_n 〈◊〉_d so_o much_o church-work_n which_o make_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n the_o more_o uncomfortable_a to_o they_o for_o though_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o sincere_a person_n may_v fall_v under_o sin_n and_o temptation_n and_o so_o all_o the_o trouble_n of_o church_n and_o reproach_n that_o fall_v upon_o religion_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o these_o counterfeit_n christian_n or_o formal_a professor_n yet_o doubtless_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o they_o do_v it_o be_v say_v offence_n will_v come_v but_o woe_n to_o they_o by_o who_o the_o offence_n come_v from_o all_o which_o consideration_n their_o state_n seem_v worse_a in_o many_o degree_n than_o before_o sixthly_a the_o wicked_a spirit_n or_o abominable_a sin_n that_o some_o of_o these_o man_n soul_n be_v also_o possess_v with_o be_v legality_n and_o though_o this_o clear_o appear_v by_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v yet_o i_o shall_v speak_v a_o little_a more_o full_o and_o distinct_o unto_o it_o all_o that_o these_o person_n do_v and_o perform_v be_v in_o a_o legal_a spirit_n and_o that_o i_o may_v show_v you_o what_o i_o mean_v by_o legality_n in_o short_a it_o be_v this_o i._n e._n they_o act_n and_o do_v for_o life_n look_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v under_o a_o conditional_a covenant_n and_o whilst_o they_o live_v up_o to_o that_o law_n or_o rule_n which_o they_o judge_v they_o be_v bind_v to_o observe_v and_o keep_v in_o order_n to_o justification_n they_o have_v peace_n render_v the_o gospel_n and_o covenant_n of_o grace_n by_o their_o false_a apprehension_n of_o it_o no_o better_a than_o a_o legal_a ministration_n or_o conditional_a covenant_n as_o be_v hint_v before_o in_o respect_n of_o another_o sort_n of_o man_n for_o like_a as_o the_o jew_n of_o old_a act_v in_o a_o legal_a spirit_n and_o seek_v to_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o work_v of_o the_o law_n so_o these_o perform_v all_o their_o service_n and_o duty_n in_o the_o same_o spirit_n viz._n not_o from_o life_n or_o a_o divine_a principle_n of_o saving-faith_n but_o for_o life_n to_o keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o live_v religious_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a but_o then_o this_o must_v be_v do_v from_o a_o renew_a nature_n and_o flow_v from_o faith_n it_o be_v the_o proper_a effect_n or_o fruit_n thereof_o but_o to_o strive_v to_o live_v a_o sober_a and_o holy_a life_n and_o obey_v god_n precept_n and_o rest_n upon_o their_o so_o do_v and_o look_v to_o be_v accept_v with_o god_n and_o justify_v thereby_o be_v that_o which_o too_o many_o of_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n do_v and_o this_o be_v to_o act_v in_o a_o legal_a spirit_n possible_o a_o man_n may_v say_v i_o know_v i_o can_v perfect_o keep_v the_o law_n but_o i_o will_v do_v by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n what_o i_o can_v and_o wherein_o i_o through_o weakness_n do_v transgress_v the_o lord_n be_v merciful_a and_o i_o trust_v will_v forgive_v i_o but_o let_v i_o remember_v what_o god_n say_v viz._n that_o he_o will_v in_o no_o wise_a clear_a the_o guilty_a moreover_o what_o the_o law_n say_v it_o say_v to_o they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o law_n 19_o that_o all_o mouth_n may_v be_v stop_v and_o the_o whole_a world_n become_v guilty_a before_o god_n it_o be_v evident_a as_o god_n will_v not_o forgive_v a_o impenitent_a person_n so_o he_o will_v not_o forgive_v the_o penitent_a except_o they_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o sake_n or_o worth_n of_o repentance_n that_o god_n forgive_v any_o man_n the_o penitent_a as_o well_o as_o the_o impenitent_a be_v guilty_a all_o have_v break_v the_o law_n all_o be_v under_o sin_n and_o wrath_n repentance_n will_v not_o do_v a_o holy_a life_n will_v not_o do_v prayer_n and_o hear_v sermon_n will_v not_o do_v by_o the_o deed_n of_o the_o law_n and_o by_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v do_v no_o flesh_n shall_v be_v justify_v if_o man_n believe_v not_o on_o christ_n let_v they_o be_v what_o they_o will_v professor_n or_o profane_a they_o shall_v die_v in_o their_o sin_n god_n pardon_v no_o sinner_n as_o a_o simple_a act_n of_o his_o mercy_n 24._o without_o a_o respect_n have_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n christ_n have_v make_v to_o his_o offend_a justice_n by_o his_o death_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n say_v all_o have_v sin_v 25._o and_o come_v short_a of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v justify_v free_o by_o his_o grace_n through_o the_o redemption_n that_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n who_o god_n have_v set_v forth_o to_o be_v a_o propitiation_n through_o faith_n in_o his_o blood_n to_o declare_v his_o righteousness_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n that_o be_v past_a through_o the_o forbearance_n of_o god_n therefore_o god_n do_v not_o accept_v of_o our_o obedience_n in_o keep_v the_o precept_n either_o of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n and_o forgive_v all_o our_o deviation_n as_o a_o mere_a act_n of_o his_o mercy_n for_o if_o this_o way_n righteousness_n and_o justification_n be_v attainable_a it_o be_v evident_a christ_n die_v in_o vain_a as_o i_o say_v before_o for_o can_v not_o god_n have_v do_v this_o if_o christ_n have_v never_o come_v to_o shed_v his_o precious_a blood_n i_o remember_v some_o year_n ago_o i_o hear_v of_o a_o man_n who_o lie_v on_o his_o deathbed_n when_o a_o godly_a person_n desire_v he_o to_o look_v out_o for_o a_o christ_n answer_v he_o have_v live_v a_o godly_a life_n all_o 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