Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	divine_a	holy_a	scripture_n	3,228	5	5.6311	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96266	The narrow path of divine truth described from living practice and experience of its three great steps, viz Purgation, illumination & union according to the testimony of the holy scriptures; as also of Thomas a Kempis, the German divinity, Thauler, and such like. Or the sayings of Matthew Weyer reduced into order in three books by J. Spee. Unto which are subjoyned his practical epistles, done above 120 years since in the Dutch, and after the author's death, printed in the German language at Frankfort 1579. And in Latin at Amsterdam 1658. and now in English.	Weyer, Matthias, 1521-1560.; Spee, J.	1683 (1683)	Wing W1525A; ESTC R231717	176,738	498

the_o narrow_a path_n of_o divine_a truth_n describe_v from_o live_v practice_n and_o experience_n of_o its_o three_o great_a step_n viz._n purgation_n illumination_n &_o union_n according_a to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o also_o of_o thomas_n a_o kempis_n the_o german_a divinity_n thauler_n and_o such_o like_a of_o the_o say_n of_o matthew_n weyer_n reduce_v into_o order_n in_o three_o book_n by_o j._n spee_n unto_o which_o be_v subjoin_v his_o practical_a epistle_n do_v above_o 120_o year_n since_o in_o the_o dutch_a and_o after_o the_o author_n death_n print_v in_o the_o german_a language_n at_o francfort_n 1579._o and_o in_o latin_a at_o amsterdam_n 1658._o and_o now_o in_o english_a london_n print_v for_o ben._n clark_n in_o george-yard_n in_o lombard_n street_n 1683._o a._n d._n to_o the_o reader_n if_o job_n and_o the_o psalm_n reader_n thou_o do_v know_v then_o the_o same_o truth_n these_o line_n to_o thou_o will_v show_v god_n thou_o enlighten_v to_o sin_v the_o cross-way_n out_o which_o christ_n have_v tread_v thy_o way_n to_o heaven_n no_o doubt_n the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n courteous_a reader_n i_o have_v determine_v to_o collect_v and_o put_v together_o some_o of_o the_o more_o notable_a say_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o make_v for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o book_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v please_v to_o consider_v they_o or_o such_o like_a he_o may_v be_v able_a thereby_o more_o easy_o and_o without_o scruple_n to_o turn_v over_o this_o small_a treatise_n especial_o if_o he_o come_v to_o those_o place_n by_o which_o the_o most_o illuminate_v matthew_n wyer_n complain_v of_o his_o inward_a pain_n and_o anguish_n which_o throughout_o the_o book_n he_o frequent_o do_v lest_o the_o reader_n thereby_o be_v fright_v from_o they_o or_o shall_v account_v such_o pang_n and_o desertion_n for_o absurd_a and_o fantastical_a therefore_o by_o mean_n of_o these_o he_o will_v remember_v and_o consider_v that_o this_o way_n of_o the_o cross_n although_o now_o adays_o it_o be_v almost_o utter_o unknown_a and_o forsake_v be_v even_o to_o christ_n and_o all_o his_o true_a member_n always_o accustom_v and_o tread_v in_o for_o this_o be_v that_o narrow_a way_n and_o that_o straight_a gate_n by_o which_o we_o must_v enter_v into_o life_n yea_o by_o this_o same_o way_n viz._n by_o sorrow_n suffering_n strait_n and_o death_n our_o forerunner_n jesus_n christ_n through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n walk_v even_o to_o his_o sepulchre_n and_o have_v make_v it_o plain_a to_o and_o for_o we_o all_o who_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v imitator_n of_o himself_o for_o it_o behoove_v he_o to_o suffer_v and_o so_o to_o enter_v into_o his_o glory_n of_o he_o isaiah_n say_v he_o have_v no_o form_n nor_o comeliness_n and_o we_o see_v he_o and_o he_o be_v not_o of_o a_o aspect_n so_o as_o that_o we_o can_v be_v delight_v in_o he_o a_o man_n despise_v and_o the_o least_o of_o man_n a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n and_o know_a infirmity_n etc._n etc._n observe_v and_o consider_v o_o thou_o devout_a reader_n together_o with_o all_o those_o who_o true_o love_v jesus_n christ_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v imitator_n of_o he_o how_o narrow_a and_o sharp_a and_o how_o many_o pang_n and_o desertion_n be_v this_o way_n fill_v with_o which_o yet_o christ_n enter_v into_o after_o his_o last_o supper_n and_o have_v leave_v to_o we_o for_o a_o ensample_n for_o than_o it_o be_v that_o his_o soul_n be_v sorrowful_a even_o to_o the_o death_n than_o it_o be_v that_o for_o very_a agony_n he_o sweat_v drop_n of_o blood_n and_o pray_v to_o his_o heavenly_a father_n thrice_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o cup_n may_v pass_v from_o he_o nor_o yet_o be_v he_o hear_v nor_o w●●●_n any_o helper_n present_a with_o he_o the_o wine-press_n be_v to_o be_v tread_v and_o the_o cup_n to_o be_v drink_v down_o the_o flood_n be_v to_o be_v wade_v through_o and_o obedience_n to_o be_v yield_v unto_o the_o father_n even_o to_o the_o very_a death_n of_o the_o cross_n upon_o that_o he_o be_v hang_v naked_a between_o two_o thieeve_n as_o the_o incendary_a &_o trumpeter_n of_o the_o seditious_a present_o after_o they_o divide_v his_o garment_n by_o lot_n even_o before_o his_o eye_n many_o also_o shake_v their_o head_n at_o he_o so_o that_o nothing_o else_o encompass_v he_o round_o but_o ignominy_n and_o reproach_n and_o one_o sorrow_n tread_v upon_o the_o heel_n of_o another_o then_o the_o wave_n of_o affliction_n be_v so_o many_o that_o they_o enter_v even_o into_o his_o soul_n because_o he_o be_v desert_v of_o his_o father_n that_o out_o of_o mere_a pressure_n and_o dereliction_n he_o cry_v out_o with_o a_o loud_a voice_n my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o all_o which_o be_v find_v describe_v at_o large_a in_o the_o evangelist_n prophet_n and_o in_o the_o psalm_n especial_o in_o the_o 22_o psalm_n where_o the_o prophet_n complain_v in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n my_o god_n i_o call_v unto_o thou_o all_o the_o day_n but_o thou_o will_v not_o hear_v i_o a_o be_o worm_n and_o no_o man_n also_o in_o psalm_n 60._o save_v i_o o_o god_n because_o the_o flood_n have_v enter_v into_o my_o soul_n i_o be_o stick_v fast_o in_o the_o deep_a mire_n and_o there_o be_v no_o bottom_n and_o so_o on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o psalm_n moreover_o in_o psalm_n 88_o my_o soul_n be_v fill_v with_o evil_a and_o my_o life_n approach_v unto_o the_o grave_n or_o hell_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o and_o the_o like_a say_n express_v the_o torment_n of_o christ_n the_o whole_a psalter_n with_o the_o prophet_n be_v perfect_o fill_v but_o now_o if_o thou_o shall_v say_v christ_n indeed_o as_o the_o scripture_n do_v testify_v do_v suffer_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o fulfil_v they_o in_o his_o example_n yet_o be_v it_o impossible_a that_o any_o one_o can_v imitate_v he_o in_o such_o strait_n and_o desertion_n it_o be_v answer_v christ_n himself_o have_v say_v he_o that_o take_v not_o up_o his_o cross_n and_o come_v after_o i_o can_v be_v my_o disciple_n nor_o be_v he_o worthy_a of_o i_o also_o peter_n have_v say_v christ_n have_v suffer_v for_o we_o leave_v we_o a_o example_n that_o we_o may_v follow_v his_o step_n now_o if_o this_o be_v impossible_a will_v not_o these_o and_o the_o like_a say_n read_v every_o where_o up_o and_o down_o the_o scripture_n be_v in_o vain_a but_o what_o do_v paul_n say_v i_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n through_o christ_n that_o strengthen_v i_o and_o christ_n say_v that_o that_o which_o be_v impossible_a with_o man_n be_v possible_a with_o god_n for_o he_o work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v yield_v thyself_o therefore_o to_o god_n and_o commit_v thy_o cause_n unto_o he_o o_o man_n and_o hope_v in_o he_o that_o he_o will_v perform_v and_o fulfil_v all_o thing_n in_o thou_o for_o he_o always_o even_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n even_o to_o this_o very_a day_n have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o combat_n of_o his_o people●_n and_o he_o be_v faithful_a and_o suffer_v no_o man_n to_o be_v tempt_v beyond_o what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v never_o yet_o do_v such_o misery_n touch_v his_o elect_n but_o he_o still_o together_o with_o the_o temptation_n find_v out_o a_o way_n to_o escape_v as_o it_o be_v make_v manifest_a in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o patriarch_n prophet_n and_o apostle_n who_o all_o as_o also_o the_o author_n of_o these_o saying_n be_v lead_v through_o fire_n and_o water_n through_o misery_n and_o strait_n and_o through_o a_o total_a desertion_n yet_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o measure_n so_o as_o they_o become_v as_o gold_n purify_v in_o the_o fire_n and_o be_v purge_v from_o their_o sin_n alas_o how_o vast_o great_a be_v that_o micsey_n in_o which_o david_n cry_v out_o ●nd_v complain_v the_o sorrow_n of_o death_n have_v compass_v i_o about_o and_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n have_v make_v i_o afraid_a the_o snare_n of_o death_n have_v lay_v hold_v upon_o i_o also_o when_o jeremiah_n for_o mere_a anxiety_n and_o desertion_n curse_v the_o day_n of_o his_o nativity_n as_o we_o may_v read_v they_o in_o their_o own_o place_n and_o who_o can_v express_v in_o word_n that_o both_o internal_a and_o external_a misery_n wherewith_o job_n be_v afflict_v from_o the_o lord_n who_o will_v give_v unto_o i_o this_o say_v he_o that_o thou_o may_v cover_v i_o in_o hell_n or_o the_o grave_a my_o dwelling_n be_v in_o hell_n or_o the_o grave_n and_o i_o have_v make_v my_o bed_n in_o darkness_n etc._n etc._n also_o in_o another_o place_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o continual_a desertion_n he_o open_o curse_v the_o day_n of_o his_o birth_n as_o do_v jeremiah_n to_o many_o more_o such_o

like_a may_v we_o turn_v throughout_o that_o whole_a book_n and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v yet_o desire_v more_o testimony_n let_v he_o search_v the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o it_o be_v all_o every_o where_o full_a of_o this_o doctrine_n that_o christ_n and_o all_o his_o member_n even_o from_o abel_n down_o to_o these_o time_n have_v always_o tread_v in_o this_o path_n if_o therefore_o any_o one_o shall_v through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n believe_v this_o to_o he_o i_o hope_v this_o small_a treatise_n will_v be_v very_o serviceable_a and_o profitable_a but_o unless_o every_o one_o himself_o shall_v hear_v &_o learn_v this_o of_o the_o father_n these_o testimony_n nor_o any_o other_o will_v never_o help_v he_o no_o not_o the_o whole_a bible_n with_o all_o its_o quotation_n christ_n crucify_v be_v always_o a_o scandal_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o foolishness_n to_o the_o gentile_n but_o to_o they_o that_o believe_v he_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n blessed_n be_v every_o one_o say_v christ_n who_o shall_v not_o be_v offend_v in_o i_o which_o be_v say_v i_o shall_v now_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o preface_n o_o lord_n who_o by_o thy_o grace_n be_v able_a to_o kill_v and_o to_o make_v alive_a to_o lead_v down_o into_o hell_n or_o the_o grave_n and_o to_o bring_v forth_o from_o thence_o again_o show_v to_o we_o thy_o mercy_n and_o grant_v we_o free_o thy_o salvation_n amen_n the_o saying_n of_o mat_n wire_n the_o first_o book_n chap._n 1._o such_o as_o be_v the_o state_n of_o a_o man_n so_o he_o understand_v the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o he_o be_v still_o in_o nature_n he_o interpret_v their_o mean_v to_o be_v of_o natural_a thing_n but_o if_o he_o be_v ascend_v high_a he_o understand_v they_o of_o thing_n more_o sublime_a and_o by_o how_o much_o the_o high_a he_o go_v he_o find_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o much_o the_o more_o sublime_a testimony_n of_o thing_n thing_n below_o be_v the_o image_n and_o similitude_n of_o thing_n above_o if_o therefore_o a_o man_n be_v still_o in_o the_o low_a degree_n the_o scripture_n propound_v to_o he_o the_o low_a matter_n but_o if_o he_o be_v get_v up_o into_o thing_n above_o the_o scripture_n show_v to_o he_o superior_a matter_n when_o paul_n say_v not_o in_o riotous_a feast_n and_o drunkenness_n not_o in_o chambering_n and_o wantonness_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o 13_o to_o the_o rom._n 19_o that_o concern_v a_o man_n according_a to_o the_o various_a state_n of_o his_o life_n either_o literal_o or_o spiritual_o if_o he_o live_v carnal_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o gross_a flesh_n but_o if_o he_o live_v spiritual_o flesh_n also_o be_v thereby_o mean_v but_o a_o more_o refine_a sort_n of_o flesh_n to_o which_o also_o he_o must_v die_v but_o before_o he_o can_v die_v to_o it_o it_o be_v necessary_a he_o shall_v first_o have_v live_v thereunto_o and_o he_o can_v first_o have_v live_v thereunto_o unless_o first_o he_o have_v die_v unto_o the_o more_o gross_a carnality_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v this_o sublime_a way_n of_o die_v before_o he_o be_v come_v up_o unto_o that_o degree●_n now_o if_o any_o one_o be_v come_v up_o thither_o rather_o in_o a_o notional_a understanding_n thereof_o then_o in_o the_o true_a essence_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o be_v in_o very_o great_a danger_n of_o wander_v into_o error_n the_o spiritual_a life_n of_o flesh_n be_v most_o clean_o express_v in_o that_o rich_a man_n who_o live_v sumptuous_o and_o be_v clothe_v in_o scarlet_n when_o on_o the_o contrary_a lazarus_n lie_v poor_a hungry_a naked_a and_o full_a of_o sore_n but_o what_o come_v it_o too_o the_o high_a riches_n be_v bring_v unto_o the_o low_a poverty_n and_o the_o low_a poverty_n be_v change_v into_o the_o high_a riches_n christ_n say_v john_n 12.32_o when_o i_o shall_v be_v lift_v up_o from_o the_o earth_n i_o will_v draw_v all_o unto_o i_o there_o the_o earth_n be_v purify_v and_o glorify_v and_o make_v fit_a for_o god_n there_o than_o a_o man_n abide_v yield_v up_o to_o god_n and_o suffer_v all_o in_o god_n whatsoever_o he_o shall_v do_v in_o he_o here_o therefore_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o passion_n under_o god_n but_o not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o action_n and_o god_n possess_v he_o for_o his_o proper_a own_a and_o if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o yet_o possess_v god_n as_o his_o propriety_n viz._n while_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a and_o not_o when_o he_o be_v dead_a then_o be_v not_o the_o very_a bottom_n of_o his_o heart_n as_o yet_o purge_v from_o sin_n for_o the_o root_n of_o sin_n still_o be_v in_o he_o and_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o eradicate_v but_o at_o length_n this_o bottom_n be_v make_v manifest_a to_o the_o man_n and_o sin_n be_v account_v and_o be_v condemn_v as_o sin_n when_o christ_n be_v lift_v up_o from_o the_o earth_n than_o a_o man_n stand_v in_o death_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n come_v upon_o he_o there_o the_o bottom_n of_o his_o heart_n be_v purify_v and_o the_o root_n pluck_v up_o when_o a_o man_n know_v that_o he_o be_v to_o omit_v this_o or_o that_o and_o yet_o commit_v it_o his_o prayer_n for_o more_o sublime_a gift_n be_v not_o hear_v for_o he_o lift_v not_o up_o pure_a hand_n because_o so_o long_o as_o he_o lay_v not_o aside_o inferior_a thing_n he_o receive_v no_o virtue_n to_o omit_v high_a thing_n as_o long_o as_o he_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o do_v or_o omit_v that_o which_o he_o acknowledge_v be_v to_o be_v omit_v or_o do_v by_o he_o so_o long_o be_v hide_v from_o he_o the_o do_v or_o omit_v of_o more_o sublime_a thing_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o he_o but_o if_o he_o have_v be_v faithful_a in_o low_a matter_n he_o shall_v be_v advance_v to_o high_a if_o something_n be_v to_o be_v renounce_v by_o a_o man_n and_o yet_o he_o will_v not_o renounce_v they_o then_o although_o he_o pray_v yet_o be_v he_o not_o hear_v but_o be_v force_v to_o depart_v empty_a hand_v chap._n ii_o if_o a_o man_n abstain_v from_o external_a idolatry_n as_o also_o from_o the_o company-keeping_n feast_n merry-meeting_n and_o drink_n from_o the_o proud_a apparel_n and_o from_o all_o such_o like_a that_o spring_n out_o of_o sin_n yet_o be_v he_o not_o so_o to_o rest_v satisfy_v it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o these_o aught_o to_o be_v so_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v omit_v what_o be_v to_o be_v omit_v yet_o this_o i_o say_v that_o however_o he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v at_o rest_n or_o to_o content_v himself_o thus_o for_o just_a as_o he_o who_o be_v to_o go_v to_o ●olen_v be_v not_o content_a to_o pass_v over_o the_o rhine_n only_o nor_o stop_v he_o there_o but_o continue_v on_o his_o journey_n until_o he_o come_v to_o colen_n so_o also_o we_o must_v always_o be_v go_v forward_o and_o look_v still_o further_o on_o to_o internal_a purification_n that_o as_o the_o external_a conversation_n be_v purge_v so_o also_o must_v the_o inward_a foundation_n be_v purge_v now_o christ_n alone_o affect_v that_o he_o cleanse_v the_o foundation_n and_o take_v away_o sin_n and_o beyond_o all_o our_o endeavour_n or_o working_n expel_v it_o by_o faith_n only_o if_o satan_n be_v so_o powerful_a that_o he_o can_v bring_v in_o sin_n then_o be_v christ_n much_o more_o powerful_a and_o can_v both_o conquer_v and_o expel_v it_o he_o that_o experience_v the_o thing_n itself_o how_o christ_n expel_v sin_n and_o purify_v a_o man_n he_o only_o true_o feel_v the_o effect_n thereof_o before_o purgation_n sin_n may_v indeed_o be_v suppose_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o break_v forth_o into_o fruit_n yet_o be_v it_o still_o present_a viz._n in_o the_o bottom_n and_o thence_o it_o must_v be_v remove_v and_o cast_v out_o if_o a_o man_n will_v arrive_v at_o regeneration_n and_o righteousness_n be_v advance_v in_o he_o which_o render_v a_o man_n inclinable_a and_o cheerful_a to_o all_o good_a whatsoever_o but_o loath_a and_o heavy_a to_o all_o that_o be_v evil_a even_o as_o before_o sin_v make_v the_o man_n loath_a and_o heavy_a to_o good_a but_o ready_a and_o cheerful_a to_o evil_a if_o evil_a be_v not_o omit_v by_o and_o through_o regeneration_n nor_o good_a by_o and_o through_o the_o same_o regeneration_n perform_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v forcible_o with_o regret_n against_o our_o will_n whatever_o of_o evil_n be_v thus_o omit_v or_o whatever_o of_o good_a be_v thus_o perform_v for_o there_o in_o that_o case_n be_v as_o yet_o no_o renew_n but_o the_o old_a evil_a stock_n still_o remain_v which_o endeavour_v to_o effect_v its_o proper_a work_n and_o to_o produce_v they_o into_o act_n and_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o new_a creature_n but_o when_o the_o victory_n and_o regeneration_n be_v obtain_v the_o

god_n will_v more_o adundant_o break_v forth_o hereafter_o but_o i_o must_v possess_v my_o end_n and_o departure_n hence_o and_o that_o be_v now_o at_o hand_n yet_o nevertheless_o i_o stand_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o those_o forspeak_v of_o god_n be_v a_o perfect_a and_o a_o pure_a god_n with_o who_o that_o one_o may_v be_v unite_v many_o thing_n be_v requisite_a and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o cry_v out_o too_o plain_o although_o we_o hear_v and_o see_v many_o great_a matter_n in_o a_o certain_a man_n for_o all_o as_o yet_o may_v have_v a_o ill_a conclusion_n this_o i_o say_v for_o this_o end_n that_o we_o shall_v always_o abide_v in_o fear_n chap._n xxxvi_o contain_v the_o last_o exhortation_n of_o matthew_n wyer_n and_o his_o departure_n out_o of_o this_o life_n and_o now_o i_o shall_v bid_v you_o farewell_o for_o perhaps_o it_o be_v determine_v that_o i_o may_v speak_v no_o more_o i_o will_v recommend_v myself_o to_o the_o lord_n see_v that_o you_o labour_v and_o walk_v in_o 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shall_v see_v that_o the_o business_n have_v succeed_v well_o enough_o in_o affliction_n nothing_o be_v know_v how_o that_o a_o man_n be_v sustain_v and_o take_v care_n of_o but_o at_o last_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o then_o it_o be_v know_v that_o god_n be_v always_o present_a even_o in_o his_o desertion_n the_o high_a affliction_n do_v manifest_a that_o selfishness_n or_o propriety_n which_o yet_o be_v before_o undiscerned_a and_o god_n prepare_v a_o man_n for_o this_o high_a of_o affliction_n all_o thing_n be_v snatch_v from_o i_o even_o before_o my_o face_n yet_o i_o know_v what_o i_o be_o to_o do_v i_o will_v beg_v of_o god_n a_o favourable_a death_n for_o myself_o o_o lord_n behold_v thy_o miserable_a creature_n o_o lord_n embrace_v i_o for_o all_o thing_n be_v from_o thou_o o_o lord_n embrace_v all_o my_o power_n and_o strength_n and_o grant_v strength_n unto_o i_o in_o this_o my_o deep_a misery_n here_o i_o lie_v before_o thou_o like_o a_o most_o wretched_a worm_n all_o the_o affliction_n which_o i_o have_v hitherto_o suffer_v be_v nothing_o to_o this_o misery_n have_v finish_v these_o word_n and_o commend_v his_o spirit_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n he_o fall_v asleep_a in_o the_o lord_n by_o a_o pleasant_a and_o easy_a departure_n on_o the_o 25_o april_n in_o the_o year_n 1560_o about_o the_o four_o hour_n in_o the_o morning_n at_o wesel_n in_o the_o year_n 〈◊〉_d his_o age_n 39_o here_o end_v the_o say_n the_o epistle_n of_o m._n wyer_n which_o he_o send_v to_o his_o familiar_a friend_n write_a by_o the_o author_n in_o the_o low-dutch_a and_o publish_v after_o his_o death_n be_v afterward_o turn_v into_o latin_a and_o out_o of_o the_o latin_a now_o at_o last_o into_o the_o english_a tongue_n london_n print_v for_o benj._n clark_n in_o george-yard_n in_o lombardstreet_n 1683._o to_o the_o reader_n a_o brief_a narrative_n concern_v the_o original_a of_o this_o small_a treatise_n reader_n who_o be_v a_o christian_n in_o good_a earnest_n before_o i_o shall_v begin_v to_o relate_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o little_a tract_n or_o of_o its_o original_n or_o subject_a i_o be_o willing_a faithful_o to_o exhort_v thou_o as_o also_o most_o earnest_o to_o beseech_v thou_o that_o thou_o diligent_o call_v upon_o god_n for_o illumination_n and_o for_o the_o open_n of_o the_o eye_n of_o thy_o understanding_n whereby_o thou_o may_v be_v enable_v according_a to_o his_o good_a pleasure_n right_o to_o understand_v that_o which_o be_v here_o propose_v which_o be_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n perform_v thou_o shall_v in_o very_a deed_n experience_n that_o this_o book_n will_v be_v very_o useful_a and_o profitable_a unto_o thou_o see_v it_o be_v every_o where_o fill_v with_o the_o most_o excellent_a and_o choice_a expression_n which_o be_v able_a to_o lead_v thou_o unto_o the_o true_a judgement_n of_o many_o point_n nor_o do_v it_o only_o bring_v most_o notable_a advantage_n to_o thou_o only_o but_o also_o to_o all_o the_o elect_n who_o due_o and_o according_a to_o true_a knowledge_n have_v a_o zeal_n for_o god_n but_o to_o such_o as_o be_v perverse_a and_o behold_v all_o thing_n with_o perverse_a and_o blind_a eye_n these_o thing_n will_v without_o doubt_n seem_v to_o be_v full_a of_o dulness_n and_o foolishness_n o_o that_o our_o eye_n be_v single_a then_o certain_o we_o shall_v easy_o perceive_v that_o these_o epistle_n and_o say_n have_v not_o flow_v from_o humane_a wisdom_n nor_o through_o the_o dead_a letter_n as_o to_o the_o more_o divine_a sense_n nor_o from_o the_o outward_a bark_n only_o but_o from_o the_o instinct_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o that_o he_o who_o write_v and_o speak_v these_o to_o have_v be_v indeed_o a_o man_n divine_o illuminate_v and_o a_o very_a intimate_a friend_n of_o god_n and_o that_o he_o learn_v and_o draw_v these_o truth_n out_o from_o the_o book_n of_o his_o cross_n and_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o his_o inward_a sorrow_n in_o the_o school_n of_o christ_n but_o let_v we_o make_v our_o 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find_v it_o and_o in_o which_o place_n only_o it_o can_v be_v find_v and_o get_v viz._n in_o god_n the_o ever_o spring_a fountain_n of_o all_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o from_o who_o flow_v these_o live_a stream_n neither_o may_v any_o one_o who_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o be_v deceive_v draw_v they_o from_o strange_a muddy_a cistern_n or_o lake_n now_o by_o what_o mean_v those_o his_o say_n be_v he_o not_o know_v it_o take_v from_o his_o mouth_n and_o comprehend_v in_o one_o volume_n we_o shall_v brief_o declare_v this_o most_o religious_a matthew_n among_o those_o of_o his_o family_n breed_v up_o a_o honest_a young_a man_n who_o name_n be_v john_n spee_n fill_v with_o a_o earnest_a fervour_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o divine_a glory_n this_o person_n

a_o new_a promise_n of_o grace_n because_o grace_n in_o the_o regenerate_v have_v take_v most_o deep_a root_n according_a to_o its_o own_o true_a nature_n so_o that_o such_o have_v certain_o no_o need_n to_o seek_v out_o some_o remedy_n out_o of_o their_o own_o self_n which_o whilst_o other_o do_v they_o do_v in_o this_o very_a point_n testify_v that_o they_o have_v not_o attain_v to_o that_o of_o which_o they_o boast_v and_o which_o they_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n attribute_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o very_a truth_n and_o according_a to_o the_o proper_a essence_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o the_o old_a man_n who_o always_o by_o force_n usurp_v the_o empire_n in_o man_n with_o transgression_n which_o indeed_o be_v term_v a_o trip_v and_o be_v make_v light_n of_o yet_o nevertheless_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n it_o can_v never_o be_v tolerate_v in_o the_o new_a man_n without_o real_a mortification_n allege_v a_o contrary_a testimony_n viz._n that_o we_o yet_o 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possible_o thou_o can_v find_v out_o also_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o state_n or_o condition_n for_o when_o thou_o shall_v come_v hither_o i_o shall_v more_o full_o discover_v to_o thou_o my_o opinion_n concern_v those_o write_n now_o i_o only_o ask_v pardon_n see_v that_o matter_n be_v thus_o the_o cause_n whereof_o if_o it_o shall_v please_v the_o lord_n i_o shall_v tell_v thou_o at_o thy_o come_n may_v the_o merciful_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v mercy_n on_o they_o and_o we_o that_o in_o a_o acknowledgement_n of_o their_o darkness_n they_o may_v be_v lead_v by_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o straight_a way_n unto_o his_o essential_a truth_n before_o which_o the_o natural_a reason_n which_o inordinate_o appropriate_v god_n to_o itself_o may_v utter_o perish_v whereby_o i_o fear_v they_o be_v still_o too_o much_o bind_v though_o they_o think_v themselves_o clear_o set_v free_a therefrom_o for_o all_o that_o for_o which_o they_o labour_v and_o contend_v and_o which_o they_o account_v their_o utmost_a aim_n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v imagine_v must_v yet_o be_v judge_v of_o god_n for_o that_o which_o reason_n endeavour_v to_o effect_v with_o they_o by_o know_v all_o that_o must_v be_v god_n himself_o so_o that_o nothing_o but_o god_n can_v acknowledge_v himself_o in_o we_o we_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v by_o a_o real_a death_n of_o body_n and_o soul_n as_o to_o our_o creature_o part_n whole_o lay_v aside_o and_o then_o that_o life_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o we_o can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o christ_n as_o paul_n say_v likewise_o so_o that_o after_o we_o be_v bury_v by_o death_n we_o be_v no_o more_o raise_v up_o again_o into_o nature_n but_o into_o the_o spirit_n for_o nature_n remain_v condemn_v upon_o the_o cross_n and_o be_v once_o dead_a be_v not_o again_o revive_v now_o i_o judge_v that_o nature_n in_o these_o people_n be_v still_o egregious_o and_o in_o very_a deed_n and_o especial_o alive_a although_o they_o may_v think_v that_o they_o be_v already_o purify_v because_o that_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o through_o their_o ignorance_n and_o blindness_n that_o they_o have_v already_o plain_o conquer_v that_o combat_n of_o a_o accuse_a conscience_n i_o write_v all_o this_o to_o thou_o with_o the_o great_a brevity_n because_o thou_o do_v demand_v my_o opinion_n but_o when_o god_n permit_v thou_o shall_v come_v thyself_o we_o will_v talk_v more_o concern_v they_o my_o opinion_n therefore_o as_o i_o say_v be_v contrary_a to_o these_o write_n and_o my_o mind_n can_v no_o way_n assent_v unto_o they_o for_o that_o aim_n which_o the_o writer_n himself_o call_v the_o intellect_n of_o god_n in_o my_o sense_n be_v indeed_o nothing_o else_o than_o that_o they_o will_v have_v nature_n as_o yet_o not_o deadn_v to_o become_v a_o propriety_n to_o themselves_o when_o indeed_o nature_n before_o it_o be_v dead_a can_v be_v otherwise_o in_o itself_o for_o in_o it_o the_o high_a death_n consist_v true_o indeed_o that_o by_o read_v i_o find_v somewhat_o concern_v death_n and_o of_o the_o abnegation_n of_o the_o reason_n and_o the_o discretion_n of_o nature_n so_o as_o that_o the_o author_n will_v have_v all_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n overturn_v before_o we_o can_v come_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n yet_o nevertheless_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o man_n do_v remain_v proper_a to_o he_o yea_o though_o he_o renouncee_v his_o intellect_n so_o that_o in_o this_o very_a point_n the_o writer_n err_v in_o which_o he_o tax_v other_o and_o in_o truth_n far_o more_o vile_o see_v that_o he_o thereby_o will_v come_v to_o a_o great_a knowledge_n but_o especial_o that_o he_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o his_o temerity_n will_v arrive_v at_o that_o which_o other_o seek_v by_o mean_n of_o worship_n and_o ceremony_n for_o these_o from_o a_o vow_n do_v love_n their_o body_n good_n wife_n and_o child_n that_o they_o may_v possess_v the_o inheritance_n of_o heaven_n but_o they_o do_v forsake_v their_o natural_a and_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o 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