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book_n age_n church_n time_n 1,732 5 3.5963 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A39756 The fulfilling of the Scripture, or, An essay shewing the exact accomplishment of the Word of God in his works of providence, performed and to be performed for confirming the beleevers and convincing the atheists of the present time : containing in the end a few rare histories of the works and servants of God in the Church of Scotland. Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694. 1669 (1669) Wing F1265; ESTC R27365 219,887 314

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wife_n for_o her_o husband_n health_n during_o his_o sickness_n he_o be_v so_o fill_v and_o overcome_v with_o the_o sensible_a enjoyment_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v sometime_o overhear_v in_o prayer_n to_o have_v these_o word_n lord_n hold_v thy_o hand_n it_o be_v enough_o thy_o servant_n be_v a_o clay_n vessel_n and_o can_v hold_v no_o more_o ii_o i_o shall_v also_o here_o instance_n mr_n robert_n bruce_n who_o in_o a_o very_a extraordinary_a way_n be_v call_v to_o the_o ministry_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n follow_v the_o study_n or_o the_o law_n both_o in_o this_o country_n and_o in_o france_n yea_o have_v some_o ground_n to_o expect_v a_o place_n among_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o session_n his_o father_n be_v then_o a_o considerable_a baron_n who_o have_v many_o friend_n but_o a_o more_o press_v and_o irresistible_a call_n from_o god_n do_v otherwise_o determine_v while_o he_o be_v in_o the_o ministry_n at_o edinburgh_n he_o shine_v as_o a_o great_a light_n through_o the_o 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be_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a motion_n on_o all_o present_a so_o sensible_a a_o downpowr_v of_o the_o spirit_n that_o they_o can_v hardly_o contain_v themselves_o yea_o which_o be_v most_o strange_a even_o some_o unusual_a motion_n on_o these_o who_o be_v in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o house_n not_o know_v the_o cause_n at_o that_o very_a instant_n one_o mr_n weemes_n of_o lothaker_n be_v then_o occasional_o present_a when_o he_o go_v away_o say_v o_o how_o strange_a a_o man_n be_v this_o for_o he_o knock_v down_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o we_o all_o this_o he_o say_v because_o mr_n bruce_n do_v divers_a time_n knock_v with_o his_o finger_n on_o the_o table_n i_o have_v this_o from_o a_o worthy_a christian_a gentleman_n in_o who_o mother_n house_n this_o be_v he_o be_v deep_o affect_v with_o the_o naughtiness_n and_o profanity_n of_o many_o minister_n then_o in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o unsuitable_a carriage_n of_o other_o to_o so_o great_a a_o call_n and_o do_v express_v much_o his_o fear_n that_o the_o ministry_n of_o scotland_n will_v prove_v the_o great_a persecutor_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o have_v if_o there_o be_v a_o full_a collection_n of_o these_o remarkable_a passage_n which_o have_v be_v know_v to_o other_o in_o his_o life_n it_o will_v further_o witness_v what_o a_o extraordinary_a man_n that_o be_v i_o shall_v only_o shut_v this_o up_o with_o learned_a didoclavius_n his_o testimony_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o alteza_n damascus_n robertus_fw-la brusius_n ver_fw-la genere_fw-la &_o virtute_fw-la nobilis_fw-la majestate_fw-la vultus_fw-la venerabilis_fw-la qui_fw-la plura_fw-la animarum_fw-la millia_fw-la christo_fw-la lucrifecit_fw-la cujus_fw-la anima_fw-la si_fw-la ullius_fw-la mortalium_fw-la absit_fw-la verbo_fw-la inuidia_fw-la sedet_fw-la in_o coelestibus_fw-la anima_fw-la mea_fw-la cum_fw-la anima_fw-la tua_fw-la brusi_n si_fw-la ex_fw-la aliena_fw-la fide_fw-la esset_fw-la pendendum_fw-la iii_o mr_n davidsone_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o salt-prestoun_a may_v be_v true_o here_o instance_a as_o one_o of_o a_o extraordinary_a prophetic_a spirit_n who_o be_v likewise_o eminent_o zealous_a and_o faithful_a for_o his_o master_n in_o a_o time_n of_o the_o church_n defection_n as_o didoclavius_n in_o that_o forementioned_a preface_n term_v he_o cato_n &_o constani_fw-la cato_n svi_fw-la temporis_fw-la he_o do_v then_o foresee_v prelacye_n break_v in_o upon_o the_o church_n when_o king_n james_n be_v press_v the_o set_n up_o of_o superintendent_o under_o a_o very_a specious_a pretext_n and_o be_v for_o that_o end_n himself_o present_a at_o the_o assembly_n in_o dundee_n have_v engage_v many_o alace_o too_o many_o to_o consent_v thereto_o but_o mr_n davidsone_fw-mi with_o great_a boldness_n rise_v up_o and_o warn_v the_o assembly_n of_o the_o hazard_n and_o tell_v they_o he_o see_v the_o
say_v they_o be_v bad_a casuit_n and_o have_v little_a respect_n to_o the_o church_n edification_n who_o make_v it_o their_o work_n not_o so_o much_o to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n as_o to_o show_v they_o quam_fw-la prope_fw-la ad_fw-la peccatum_fw-la sine_fw-la peccato_fw-la accedere_fw-la liceat_fw-la o_o what_o a_o become_a fear_n be_v that_o not_o to_o lay_v a_o stumble_a block_n in_o the_o way_n of_o other_o to_o grieve_v the_o weak_a or_o confirm_v such_o who_o use_v to_o found_v their_o prejudice_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o way_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o such_o as_o profess_v the_o same_o 2._o this_o excellent_a study_n of_o christian_a prudence_n have_v a_o respect_n to_o man_n take_v offence_n as_o well_o as_o their_o give_v it_o to_o our_o be_v sober_a in_o judge_v in_o personal_a reflection_n to_o cover_v and_o hide_v the_o infirmity_n of_o other_o rather_o then_o spread_v they_o even_o for_o the_o gospel_n sake_n yea_o to_o shut_v as_o it_o be_v our_o eye_n and_o cast_v a_o mantle_n on_o their_o nakedness_n who_o overtake_v with_o the_o violence_n of_o some_o temptation_n may_v yet_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o church_n but_o especial_o this_o shall_v press_v we_o to_o a_o watchful_a regard_n of_o any_o breach_n and_o rend_v in_o the_o church_n and_o to_o study_v a_o heal_a spirit_n so_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a without_o prejudice_n to_o truth_n 3._o it_o be_v also_o a_o concern_v piece_n of_o christian_a prudence_n how_o to_o walk_v wise_o towards_o these_o who_o be_v without_o when_o prejudice_n against_o the_o way_n of_o god_n be_v now_o in_o such_o a_o growth_n to_o study_v how_o we_o may_v convince_v gain_v ground_n and_o by_o christianly_o prudent_a and_o tender_a carriage_n conciliat_fw-la respect_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o thus_o commend_v holiness_n and_o these_o who_o profess_v it_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o study_v that_o rule_n of_o expediency_n much_o in_o thing_n of_o themselves_o warrantable_a what_o fitness_n and_o advantage_n present_a circumstance_n may_v offer_v or_o deny_v for_o edification_n and_o promote_a that_o great_a interest_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o our_o converse_n with_o man_n i_o shall_v now_o cease_v to_o trouble_v you_o further_o only_o will_v premit_fw-la some_o few_o thing_n with_o a_o respect_n to_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o follow_a essay_n 1._o shall_v we_o not_o with_o wonder_n and_o astonishment_n look_v on_o this_o great_a record_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o the_o glorious_a majesty_n of_o god_n do_v speak_v to_o man_n yea_o do_v as_o certain_o communicate_v his_o counsel_n and_o mind_n we_o may_v say_v more_o certain_o then_o if_o we_o have_v a_o immediate_a audible_a voice_n from_o heaven_n o_o can_v we_o have_v such_o ordinary_a thought_n of_o this_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o near_o god_n come_v therein_o to_o we_o i_o think_v if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o corner_n of_o the_o earth_n though_o in_o the_o remote_a part_n where_o man_n 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god_n how_o thus_o the_o lord_n have_v oft_o seal_v their_o instruction_n in_o a_o dark_a plunge_n how_o life_n and_o power_n inlve_a influence_n to_o the_o melt_a of_o their_o heart_n have_v oft_o try_v they_o there_o in_o a_o very_a dead_a frame_n and_o now_o they_o know_v that_o very_o god_n hear_v prayer_n now_o they_o be_v persuade_v and_o have_v learn_v by_o the_o cross_n that_o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o comforter_n yea_o many_o can_v show_v how_o by_o the_o word_n their_o first_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o lord_n do_v begin_v how_o some_o particular_a truth_n like_o a_o pickle_n of_o corn_n throw_v in_o at_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o great_a husbandman_n be_v make_v to_o take_v life_n and_o grow_v 3._o it_o much_o concern_v we_o to_o know_v what_o a_o excellent_a key_n the_o scripture_n be_v to_o unlock_v that_o seal_a book_n of_o providence_n and_o that_o no_o other_o key_n can_v fit_v the_o same_o many_o have_v try_v another_o way_n but_o lose_v themselves_o on_o the_o search_n and_o the_o more_o they_o press_v by_o humane_a wisdom_n they_o become_v the_o more_o dark_a i_o true_o think_v there_o be_v not_o a_o more_o satisfy_a discovery_n within_o time_n than_o this_o to_o trace_v divine_a truth_n back_o until_o we_o see_v its_o first_o break_v forth_o out_o of_o his_o eternal_a decree_n and_o council_n who_o be_v the_o author_n thereof_o how_o thence_o it_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o adequate_a sign_n and_o declaration_n of_o his_o purpose_n and_o then_o how_o the_o word_n take_v hold_v of_o his_o work_n and_o providence_n where_o we_o may_v see_v the_o face_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n clear_o write_v out_o through_o all_o the_o change_n of_o time_n how_o providence_n keep_v a_o certain_a and_o steady_a course_n even_o amid_o the_o most_o perplex_a motion_n and_o reel_n of_o of_o the_o earth_n yea_o how_o all_o thing_n even_o these_o which_o will_v seem_v most_o contradictory_n run_v within_o that_o straight_a channel_n of_o the_o word_n and_o can_v go_v without_o t●ese_fw-mi bound_n 4._o it_o be_v the_o principal_a and_o most_o concern_v scripture-promise_n that_o be_v only_o touch_v in_o this_o follow_a discourse_n these_o which_o carry_v along_o with_o they_o a_o clear_a continue_a series_n of_o the_o church_n condition_n through_o time_n and_o show_v the_o most_o remarkable_a change_n of_o her_o lot_n for_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o in_o diverse_a prophecy_n and_o in_o a_o different_a manner_n the_o spirit_n do_v point_n at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o true_o it_o shall_v cause_v no_o mistake_n or_o prejudice_n thar_z we_o find_v several_a of_o the_o scripture_n prophecy_n express_v in_o such_o dark_a term_n since_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n see_v it_o fit_a that_o for_o a_o time_n these_o truth_n shall_v be_v lock_v up_o and_o seal_v but_o now_o light_n have_v so_o far_o break_v up_o with_o the_o event_n as_o we_o may_v see_v how_o very_a significant_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o matter_n these_o most_o dark_a aenigmatick_a term_n be_v 5._o we_o will_v upon_o no_o account_n shut_v our_o ear_n where_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a and_o give_v we_o ground_n to_o wait_v that_o the_o outgoing_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o his_o people_n in_o their_o deliverance_n and_o for_o the_o destruction_n of_o his_o enemy_n now_o in_o these_o last_o time_n shall_v be_v very_o glorious_a yea_o by_o some_o stately_a and_o stupendous_a act_n of_o providence_n that_o he_o shall_v accomplish_v his_o judgement_n on_o antichrist_n neither_o must_v we_o take_v a_o prejudice_n at_o truth_n because_o of_o the_o wild_a fancy_n of_o many_o who_o will_v extend_v it_o beyond_o its_o bound_n or_o that_o near_a resemblance_n which_o the_o error_n of_o some_o in_o this_o time_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v thereto_o for_o that_o have_v be_v a_o old_a stratagem_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o prejudge_v the_o world_n at_o some_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n by_o 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child_n who_o be_v these_o that_o flee_v as_o a_o cloud_n like_o the_o dove_n to_o their_o window_n o_o bless_a day_n in_o which_o the_o light_n do_v first_o break_v up_o on_o the_o poor_a offspring_n of_o japhet_n who_o then_o dwell_v in_o the_o shadow_n and_o region_n of_o death_n o_o bless_a day_n that_o bring_v salvation_n with_o it_o to_o the_o gentiles_n wherein_o the_o lord_n do_v visit_v these_o dark_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v full_a of_o the_o habitation_n of_o cruelty_n i_o think_v the_o sense_n of_o so_o great_a a_o mercy_n shall_v never_o let_v we_o want_v a_o errant_a for_o give_v thanks_o yea_o put_v much_o to_o silence_v our_o other_o complaint_n 4._o be_v it_o not_o also_o clear_a that_o not_o only_o as_o to_o the_o time_n but_o these_o very_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o esai_n and_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n do_v particular_o point_v at_o this_o promise_n have_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n for_o it_o be_v this_o day_n manifest_v the_o isle_n which_o we_o find_v so_o frequent_o mention_v that_o these_o shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n whence_o he_o shall_v bring_v th●_n daughter_n of_o his_o disperse_a may_v have_v a_o clear_a commentar_n upon_o the_o same_o from_o what_o the_o lord_n have_v do_v to_o britain_n and_o ireland_n with_o other_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n yea_o have_v not_o the_o aethiopian_n be_v make_v to_o stretch_v out_o their_o hand_n even_o in_o these_o sunburn_a place_n of_o africa_n have_v not_o christ_n also_o have_v a_o conquest_n where_o many_o a_o black_a moor_n be_v through_o grace_n make_v as_o the_o snow_n of_o salmon_n and_o the_o feather_n of_o a_o dove_n so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_a how_o these_o particular_a place_n which_o be_v so_o oft_o point_v at_o by_o the_o prophet_n have_v be_v visit_v by_o the_o gospel_n and_o fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o the_o church_n 5._o this_o change_n which_o by_o the_o incoming_a of_o the_o gentiles_n to_o the_o church_n be_v wrought_v upon_o the_o earth_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o great_a and_o astonish_v that_o be_v it_o still_o in_o the_o promise_n and_o this_o not_o yet_o fulfil_v it_o will_v true_o stagger_v our_o faith_n how_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v ever_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o be_v there_o not_o here_o a_o miracle_n that_o the_o world_n can_v possible_o deny_v even_o this_o great_a work_n of_o god_n in_o bring_v of_o the_o gentiles_n which_o without_o a_o extraordinary_a power_n can_v not_o be_v effectuate_v if_o man_n will_v consider_v first_o that_o swift_a progress_n which_o then_o the_o gospel_n have_v how_o it_o do_v run_v and_o be_v glorify_v through_o the_o further_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o like_o a_o ligtning_n break_v forth_o from_o one_o place_n to_o another_o so_o that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o scripture_n do_v show_v how_o most_o of_o the_o conspicuous_a province_n of_o asia_n have_v receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o tertullian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o second_o century_n in_o his_o book_n contra_fw-la judaos_n do_v there_o witness_v how_o many_o nation_n and_o these_o most_o remote_a from_o other_o parthian_n mede_n armenia_n phrygia_n cappadocia_n pontus_n and_o pamphilia_n with_o much_o of_o egypt_n and_o diverse_a part_n of_o africa_n beside_o rome_n spain_n and_o other_o place_n of_o europe_n be_v in_o his_o time_n almost_o whole_o christian_n for_o it_o be_v indeed_o clear_a that_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o church_n be_v then_o of_o a_o large_a extent_n than_o it_o be_v now_o at_o this_o day_n 2._o it_o be_v also_o undeniable_a that_o in_o this_o solemn_a day_n of_o the_o gospel_n spread_v among_o the_o nation_n suffer_v and_o persecution_n do_v all_o that_o time_n attend_v the_o church_n yea_o in_o such_o a_o measure_n that_o as_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o time_n do_v witness_v neither_o famine_n pestilence_n nor_o the_o sword_n do_v destroy_v so_o many_o of_o the_o world_n as_o then_o be_v of_o christian_n in_o the_o two_o first_o century_n put_v to_o death_n for_o adhere_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o this_o great_a work_n of_o god_n in_o such_o a_o swift_a spread_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o discernible_a in_o these_o time_n of_o hot_a persecution_n yea_o then_o be_v she_o most_o effectual_a growth_n and_o increase_v which_o upon_o she_o get_v some_o rest_n and_o beginning_n to_o flourish_v with_o external_a peace_n be_v at_o a_o visible_a stand_n 3_o how_o marvellous_a a_o thing_n be_v this_o to_o be_v bring_v about_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o many_o different_a language_n that_o do_v then_o stop_v correspondence_n between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o how_o can_v the_o truth_n thus_o spread_v among_o the_o nation_n yea_o in_o such_o remote_a place_n of_o the_o world_n church_n be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v the_o scripture_n translate_v and_o make_v legible_a to_o they_o without_o that_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o tongue_n which_o for_o that_o end_n be_v then_o give_v from_o the_o lord_n sure_o beside_o sacred_a authority_n anent_o this_o reason_n may_v convince_o witness_v to_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o miracle_n 4._o how_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a a_o change_n be_v this_o that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n the_o gospel_n shall_v thus_o enlighten_v and_o put_v such_o a_o lustre_n on_o the_o most_o rude_a and_o savage_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o scarce_o humanity_n have_v be_v and_o bring_v they_o from_o the_o condition_n of_o beast_n to_o man_n shall_v thus_o tame_v and_o civilize_v the_o great_a barbarian_n and_o cause_v the_o lion_n to_o lie_v down_o with_o the_o lamb_n yea_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o that_o gospel_n and_o of_o a_o crucify_a christ_n which_o as_o it_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n a_o stumble_a block_n so_o to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n and_o in_o a_o word_n be_v not_o this_o indeed_o a_o miracle_n how_o in_o a_o mattet_n of_o such_o high_a concernment_n as_o that_o wherein_o man_n soul_n and_o everlasting_a interest_n lie_v they_o shall_v be_v turn_v off_o their_o old_a way_n and_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o and_o their_o father_n have_v be_v so_o long_o root_v &_o that_o a_o little_a spark_n which_o do_v break_v up_o in_o judea_n shall_v bring_v down_o the_o idol_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o burn_v up_o their_o temple_n alace_o that_o there_o be_v so_o little_a of_o a_o large_a heart_n of_o that_o primitive_a zeal_n and_o fervour_n this_o day_n among_o christian_n for_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o church_n that_o such_o merchant_n be_v now_o rare_a who_o will_v venture_v out_o to_o trade_n with_o other_o part_n for_o this_o excellent_a ware_n the_o merchandise_n whereof_o be_v better_a than_o of_o gold_n o_o that_o in_o these_o part_n where_o the_o truth_n be_v know_v and_o profess_v the_o lord_n will_v raise_v up_o man_n of_o such_o a_o spirit_n and_o such_o a_o magistrate_n who_o will_v make_v it_o their_o work_n and_o lay_v down_o solid_a ground_n how_o to_o advance_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o dark_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o reckon_v their_o interest_n in_o a_o foreign_a plantation_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o gospel_n no_o less_o then_o on_o the_o account_n of_o trade_n we_o will_v pray_v and_o yet_o hope_v for_o this_o viii_o what_o we_o find_v foretell_v by_o daniel_n yea_o by_o christ_n himself_o anent_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o cease_v of_o the_o jewish_a daily_a sacrifice_n with_o the_o rejection_n of_o that_o people_n dan._n 12._o ver_fw-la 11._o matth._n 24_o ver_fw-la 2._o have_v many_o age_n pass_v come_v to_o pass_v wherein_o the_o world_n may_v see_v how_o clear_o the_o event_n do_v answer_v this_o prophecy_n for_o it_o be_v manifest_a 1._o that_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o do_v need_v no_o other_o witness_n than_o the_o scatter_a remnant_n and_o desolate_a ruin_n of_o that_o once_o flourish_a church_n and_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o we_o see_v with_o our_o eye_n at_o this_o day_n who_o present_a state_n be_v so_o great_a a_o monument_n of_o divine_a judgement_n so_o clear_a a_o witness_v to_o the_o scripture_n that_o i_o think_v man_n can_v look_v thereon_o if_o they_o be_v in_o any_o measure_n serious_a but_o must_v have_v such_o a_o conviction_n 2._o what_o have_v befall_v this_o people_n may_v it_o not_o be_v a_o astonishment_n to_o the_o world_n in_o all_o succeed_a age_n a_o stroke_n that_o have_v put_v they_o in_o a_o more_o sad_a condition_n than_o any_o nation_n or_o people_n we_o ever_o yet_o hear_v of_o that_o have_v cast_v they_o out_o of_o their_o own_o land_n scatter_v they_o as_o vagabond_n through_o the_o earth_n so_o that_o these_o many_o age_n they_o have_v have_v no_o sceptre_n