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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	church_n	day_n	lord_n	2,892	5	3.8416	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80737	Knovvledge & practice, or, a plain discourse of the chief things necessary to be known, believ'd, and practised in order to salvation. Drawn up, and principally intended for the use and benefit of North-Cadbury in Somersetshire, / by Samuel Cradock, B.D. & Pastor there: sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.	Cradock, Samuel, 1621?-1706.	1659 (1659)	Wing C6751; Thomason E1724_1; ESTC R209799	322,548	715

as a Letter written by the hand of God from Heaven unto us If an Angel should bring us a letter from Heaven we should highly value it and regard it The Bible is a message sent from Heaven to acquaint us with the mind of God If we own the divine authority thereof let us read it with reverence and due regard 2. Beg the Spirit of God that endited the Scripture that inspired and infallibly guided and assisted the pen-men thereof to open thy eies to illuminate thy mind and to encline thy heart to a full belief and perswasion that it is the very Word of God and to bring over thy will to a sincere obedience and compliance with the will of God therein revealed 3. Remember that all things necessary to mans salvation are either expresly set down in the Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced there-from Unto which nothing is at any time to be added either by new revelations or traditions of men it being a perfect Canon a perfect rule of Faith and life St. John who outlived the rest of the Apostles sealed up the Canon Rev. 22.18 19. which was a great mercy to the world For God saw what a liberty man enclin'd to in divine things and therefore needed to be tyed up to a rule which here is given us There is enough delivered in the Scripture to make us wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 What should a Christian desire more and the Apostle tels us we ought to give heed thereto till the day-star arise in our hearts that is till we have full communion with Christ Mr. Manton on Jude For our reward in Heaven is expressed by the morning-star Rev. 2.28 To him that over-cometh I will give the morning-star 4. Take notice that those things that are necessary to be known believed and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other that not only the learned but the unlearned also in a due use of the ordinary means God hath appointed may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them If there arise any question about the true and full sense and meaning of any Scripture it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly The certain rule of interpreting the Scripture is the Scripture it self The Scripture saies Camero is so penn'd that they that have a mind to know may know They that have a mind to wrangle may take occasion enough of offence and justly perish by the rebellion of their own reason for God never intended saith he to satisfie men of a stubborn and perverse wit And Tertullian long before him hath told us that God hath so disposed the Scripture that they that will not be satisfied might be hardened 5. And lastly Remember that the supream Judge by which all con●rove●sies of Religion are to be ●ried all decrees of Councils opinions of ancient writers doctrines of men and private spirits are to be examined in whose sentence we are to rest can be no other than the Holy Spirit of God speaking in and by the Scriptures for what the Scripture saies God speaks by it Isa 8 20. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me V. 4● For had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me for he wrote of me Acts 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so V. 12. Therefore many of them believed also of the honourable women which were Greeks and of men not a few Luke 16.29 Abraham saith unto him they have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them V. 31. And he said unto him if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts V. 20. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation V. 21. For the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus V. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse V. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works Luke 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Deut. 17.18 And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a Copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites V. 19. And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the daies of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these statutes to do them Psal 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Psal 119.9 Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word V. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths V. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding unto the simple Psal 147.19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his Judgments unto Israel V. 20. He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them Praise ye the Lord. Mat. 4.4 But he answered and said it is written man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God V. 7. Jesus said unto him it is written again thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God V. 10. Then he saith unto him get thee hence Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Luke 24.27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself V. 44. And he said unto them these are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things

i. e. in spiritual exercises and Meditations and by meanes thereof in spiritual raptures and elevations of soul VIII The Church succeeding the Apostles held her se●f obliged to the same observation For even in times of persecution before any either Imperial Edict or Canon of Council enjoyned it the observation of this day was so taken notice of by the Heathen that it became a constant interrogatory to the Christians in their examining Have you kept the Lords day To which their answer was ever ready I cannot intermit it for I am a Christian and the law of God prompts me to it Baron 30.3 Memb. 5. Now if any man shall enquire how the Sabbath came to be translated into the Lords day I answer Christ in the fourty daies he staied upon the earth after his resurrection did sundry times appear to his Disciples teaching them the things appertaining to the Kingdome of God Acts 1.3 Therefore 't is probable the Apostles were instructed by Christ concerning the change of the day from the seventh to the eighth and had special order immediatly from himself concerning it 'T is evident Christ is Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2.27 And therefore had power not only to abrogate the old Sabbath but to surrogate and substitute the new in its room But whether this day were instituted immediatly by Christ himself or by his Apostles guided and infallibly inspired by his holy Spirit after his ascention still the day will be of Divine Institution And this Act of theirs will appear but the execution of a particular Command from the Spirit of Christ to that purpose For consider how Christ sent these Apostles As my Father sent me so send I you John 20.21 He that heareth you heareth me Luke 10.16 Go Mat. 28.19 There is their mission Teach all Nations There is their Commission What Why What things I command you and to assist and help you Lo I am with you alwaies to the end of the world not in corporal presence but by my Spirit the Comforter whom I will send you John 15.26 And he shall bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 14.26 This Spirit of Truth shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak He shall receive of mine and shew it you Thus we see the Apostles were undoubtedly inspired by the Spirit of Christ who revealed his will unto them And that they were thus acted by the holy Ghost they themselves testifie in their first Council It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us Acts 15.28 Thus we see there are two things whereon the Divine right of the Lords day is founded Upon the morality of the fourth Commandement and upon Evangelical Institution either by Christ himself or his Apostles And what the Apostles delivered by the dictate of the holy Ghost is as firm and indefeizable saies Cyprian de ablut pedum as what Christ himself Our Church reduceth the institution of this day as a weekly day to the fourth Commandement and as the first day of the week she foundeth it upon Apostolical practise and tradition I shall conclude this with the words of the judicious Hooker in his Eccles Pol. Book 5. parag 17. We are bound saies he to account the sanctification of one day in seven a duty which Gods immutable Law doth exact for ever although with us the day be changed in regard of a new revolution begun by our Saviour Christ yet the same proportion of time continueth which was before by way of a perpetual homage never to be dispensed withal nor remitted I come now to the second Particular The manner how we ought to observe this day 1. We ought to prepare for the Sabbath before it comes by a prudent care so disposing and dispatching our worldly businesses and affairs that they may be off our hands and out of our minds as much as is possible on that day that so our hearts may be more free and fit for those spiritual duties then required of us The Jewes before the Sabbath had a time of preparation Luke 23.54 Why should not we 2. We ought to sanctifie the Lords day not only by resting from worldly employments and recreations on other daies lawful but consecrating that rest unto God making it our delight to spend the whole time excepting so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy and such as are needful for the comfortable passing of the Sabbath in the publick and private exercises of Gods Worship and Service Such as Prayer Reading the Scripture Preparing for the publick duties Attending on the Word Singing the praises of God Private meditation on that which hath been preached Repetition thereof in the Family and religious conference to make the publick Ordinances the more profitable Take heed therefore of being found a slighter of those duties the neglect whereof cannot consist with any true vigour and power of Religion or any due care of our own or others soules that we ought to have a care of Consider God hath blessed and sanctified this day not only as a day of service to himself but as a time wherein he will confer blessings on the conscionable observers of it It is his special day of proclaiming and sealing pardons to penitent sinners 'T is a blessed day to the careful observers of it and sanct●fied to many gracious purposes The Sabbath was made for man said our Saviour Mark 2.27 i. e. For mans great benefit and advantage It would not be for the good and benefit of mankind to be dispensed with from the religious observation of it How much then are they to blame that make it a day of carnal rest a day of Idlenesse and jollity of feasting and pastimes which more alienate the mind from God than ordinary labours and take away the tast of spiritual things Some people if they have any visit to make or any odd businesse to do they refer them to this day Some keep the Sabbath as the Oxe they rest from their labours but serve not the Lord that day They are weary of the duties of the Sabbath they do not call the Sabbath a delight as it is Isa 58.13 Delight sweetens any labour How will people toyl at their sports and pleasures O had we spiritual hearts we should account the celebration of the Sabbath not only our duty but our priviledge By observing the Sabbath we continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgment of true Religion The Sabbath duly observed is a type of the everlasting rest that remaines for the people of God Heb. 4.9 How then can those ever think to come to Heaven and to keep an everlasting Sabbath in praising and adoring God to whom the celebration of a weekly Sabbath is so tedious and irksom here 3. Every true Christian is to take care not on●y to sanctifie the Lords day himself but that

his Family Luke 9.18 And it came to pass as he was alone praying his Disciples were with him As he was alone not singly but privately alone as appears by comparing this place with Mark 4.10 And when he was alone they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the Parable 9. Does not our Saviour in the Lords Prayer plainly teach that Christians should pray joyntly as well as severally Our Father c. Give us this day our daily bread c. 10. Does not the Apostle bid us pray with all prayer Eph. 6.18 i. e. With all manner of lawful prayer therefore with Family prayer 11. Is there not a blessing promised to joynt-prayer Matth. 18.19 Again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven v. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them 12. Should not every Christian Family be a little Church of Christ And is not a Church to pray together Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church for him v. 12. And when he had considered the thing he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose Sir-name was Mark where many were gathered together praying Acts 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 13. Do not the necessities of a Family require it They are joyn'd in mercies in judgments and often in sins Should they not therefore joyn in humiliations prayers and thanksgivings 14. Can a Family expect to be blessed by God that lives in a constant neglect of this duty The favour of Providence is a mans best inheritance Family Piety is usually attended with Family prosperity Prov. 3.33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked but he blesseth the habitation of the just 15. Were not houses as well as Temples to be dedicated to God by the inhabitants at their first entrance into them Deut. 20.5 And the Officers shall speak unto the people saying What man is there that hath built a new house and hath not dedicated it let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battel and another man dedicate it Psal 30. Title A Psalm and song at the dedication of the house of David And why should they not afterward be used for places to pray in to read the Word to sing Psalms in as well as to eat and drink and sleep in Is there not as good fellowship in holy duties as in merry company and idle communication Why should a Family do nothing joyntly that tends to the good of their souls Are we Christians and shall we not be willing God should be the Master of our houses 16. Does not the neglect of prayer expose a Family to many judgments and many sins Where prayers are shut out of any house there usually the door is opened wide to prophanenesse and all licentiousnesse And what follows thereupon but the wrath and curse of God Let not Family prayer therefore morning and evening be neglected upon any pretence whatsoever and let all persons be carefull they be not slight and formal in the performance of it And besides prayer let there be reading the holy Scriptures and other good books singing Psalms Catechizing and private instruction a due care to sanctifie the Lords day a diligent frequenting the publick Ordinances a reviving by repetition in private what they have heard in the publick religious conference and whatever else may conduce to the encreasing true Piety and Godlinesse among them IV. Let Governours of Families call upon and charge those under their Government to pray privately and in secret and not to content themselves only with the Family-prayer as too many are apt to do V. Let them keep out as much as they can lewd company out of their Families When swearers drunkards Atheists scorners of Godlinesse may have free access entertainment and countenance in a Family Religion is not like to thrive there nor any thing that is of good report or praise-worthy VI. Let them also be careful to preserve their Families from seducers and soul deceivers 2 Epist John v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed VII Let them watch over their Families The want of vigilancy in the Governour is usually the fountain of most disorders in the Family Let there be Family-Discipline Let them admonish the unruly and seek to reclaim them and if they prove incorrigible cast them out if they be separable members Let them incourage those that do well letting them see they take notice as readily of their well-doing as of their faults When there is cause to rebuke any offender let it be done without bitternesse or reviling Let there be more strength of reason in their words to convince them of their sins and to make them see their danger and to know how to amend than heat of anger to utter their own displeasure Let the fault be made manifest to the person offending that his own Conscience may condemn him Bitternesse does oftner harden the heart than reform the life And if Governours of Families would according to these Directions labour to do their duties faithfully they might be exceeding instrumental of the salvation of those under their Government Oh how much good may the prayers precepts example prudent admonitions and constant vigilancy of such pious Governours do They may more promote the businesse of Religion in their Families than any Minister can 'T is morally impossible a Minister should bring a Town or Congregation to good order except assisted by Governours of Families The long desired reformation both of Church and State sticks here To reform all let us begin at home 'T is a vain thing to expect the reformation of a Congregation while private Families remain unreformed and are pestered with ignorance errour or prophanenesse A Governour of a Familie should look upon himself as Christs deputy in his own house and as it were invested with his three Offices of Prophet Priest and King He should be 1. A Prophet to teach instruct catechize his houshold Deu. 6.7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up An uncatechized head and an unsanctified heart do too frequently go together Lewis the ninth of France was found instructing a poor Kitchin boy and being asked why he would do so answered the meanest hath a soul as precious as my own and bought with the same blood of Christ Our Saviour instructed his Disciples praied with them taught them to pray sung an Hymn with them And can you follow a

and were Created Heb. 11.3 Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good and the evening and the morning were the sixth day Psal 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psal 19.1 The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work Job 26.13 By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his hand hath formed the crooked Serpent Job 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life Jer. 10.12 He hath made the earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdom and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands Good Angels Job 38.7 When the morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire Luke 2.13 And suddainly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying V. 14. Glory be to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards Men. V. 15. And it came to passe as the Angels were gone away from them into heaven the shepheards said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to passe which the Lord hath made known unto us Acts 10.22 And they said Cornelius the Centurion a just man and one that feareth God and of good report among all the Nation of the Jews was warned from God by an holy Angel to send for thee into his house and to hear words of thee Psal 103.20 Blesse the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word 1 Tim. 5.21 I Charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality Luke 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance Dan. 7.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousands of thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgment was set and the books were opened Psal 34.7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Psal 91.11 For he shall give his Angels Charge over thee te keep thee in all thy waies V. 12. They shall bear thee up in their hands least thou dash thy foot against a stone Mat. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Gen. 48.16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil blesse the Lads and let my name be named on them and the name of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth Acts 12.15 And they said unto her thou art mad but she constantly affirmed that it was even so then said they it is his Angel Psal 148.2 Praise ye him all his Angels praise ye him all his Hosts 1 Cor. 11.10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the Angels Mat. 4.11 Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and ministred unto him Luke 22.43 And there appeared an Angel from Heaven strengthning him Luke 16 22. And it came to passe that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome the rich man also died and was buried Mat. 28.2 And behold there was a great earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sate upon it V. 3. His countenance was like Lightning and his raiment white as snow V. 4. And for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead men Mat. 24.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Luke 20.35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage V. 36. Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection Matth. 22.30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven Devils 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement Jude v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darknesse unto the judgement of the great day Matth. 25.41 Then shall he say also to them on his left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels 1 Tim. 3.6 Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil 2 Tim. 2.26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will Ephes 6.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places V. 14. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the brest plate of righteousness John 8.44 Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own for he is a Liar and the Father of it 2 Cor. 4.4 In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which beleeve not lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Eph. 2.2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Aire the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Mat. 12.24 But when the Pharisees heard it they said this fellow doth not cast out Devils but