Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	find_v	holy_a	scripture_n	3,248	5	5.4817	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93395	The Christians guide to devotion with rules and directions for the leading an holy life : as also meditations and prayers suitable to all occasions / S. Smith.	Smith, Samuel, 1588-1665.	1685 (1685)	Wing S4164A; ESTC R43930	141,697	240

whereas_o in_o religion_n all_o be_v divine_a and_o intellectual_a the_o object_n of_o their_o worship_n be_v most_o a_o agnus_n dei_fw-la a_o relic_n or_o a_o image_n and_o god_n who_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o sole_a object_n of_o our_o devotion_n have_v scarce_o any_o share_n in_o their_o veneration_n i_o do_v require_v our_o christian_a to_o be_v learn_v and_o that_o he_o have_v prey_v either_o into_o the_o secret_n of_o nature_n or_o also_o into_o the_o high_a mystery_n of_o grace_n by_o a_o over-exact_a and_o curious_a research_n i_o hold_v that_o that_o be_v more_o disadvantageous_a than_o prositable_a to_o devotion_n but_o the_o devout_a soul_n must_v be_v spiritual_a enough_o to_o lift_v itself_o up_o above_o the_o sense_n by_o meditation_n meditation_n be_v a_o excellent_a operation_n of_o the_o soul_n whereby_o it_o penetrate_v the_o outside_n of_o object_n and_o sound_v they_o to_o the_o very_a heart_n it_o be_v a_o reflect_a action_n that_o roll_v its_o subject_n upon_o the_o heart_n till_o it_o make_v deep_a impression_n it_o be_v a_o happy_a prospect_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n every_o moment_n discover_v more_o and_o more_o wonder_n in_o that_o which_o it_o be_v about_o but_o these_o discovery_n be_v not_o nice_a speculation_n to_o be_v communicate_v to_o other_o they_o be_v particular_a sentiment_n and_o application_n which_o the_o soul_n make_v and_o which_o be_v only_o for_o it_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o devotion_n for_o this_o do_v not_o embrace_v its_o subject_n but_o proportionable_o as_o meditation_n make_v it_o to_o enter_v therein_o devotion_n be_v a_o agitation_n of_o a_o vigorous_a and_o lively_a soul_n whereby_o we_o be_v lift_v up_o to_o god_n and_o to_o our_o sovereign_a good_a and_o therefore_o the_o more_o devotion_n apply_v we_o to_o this_o great_a object_n and_o let_v we_o see_v the_o depth_n of_o his_o goodness_n the_o more_o ardent_a do_v devotion_n become_v so_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v the_o principal_a subject_n of_o our_o contemplation_n god_n be_v good_a either_o in_o himself_o or_o in_o respect_n have_v to_o we_o in_o himself_o because_o he_o be_v great_a majestic_a bounteous_a merciful_a if_o we_o do_v not_o partake_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o these_o divine_a virtue_n nevertheless_o god_n will_v not_o cease_v to_o possess_v they_o and_o consequent_o he_o will_v be_v infinite_o amiable_a we_o can_v think_v too_o often_o on_o these_o attribute_n of_o god_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o efficacious_a mean_n which_o david_n use_v to_o awaken_v his_o drowsy_a devotion_n awake_v o_o my_o tongue_n say_v he_o and_o thereupon_o he_o sing_v god_n almighty_n power_n in_o his_o work_n his_o majesty_n shine_v forth_o in_o the_o heaven_n his_o justice_n in_o his_o judgement_n his_o wisdom_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n his_o mercy_n towards_o man._n but_o because_o interest_n have_v so_o great_a a_o sway_n with_o we_o we_o be_v to_o join_v to_o this_o consideration_n that-of-god_n benefit_n to_o descend_v into_o the_o abysses_n of_o his_o love_n and_o to_o consider_v he_o in_o jesus_n christ_n reconcile_a the_o world_n unto_o himself_o we_o must_v essay_n to_o dive_v if_o possible_a it_o be_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o his_o mercy_n which_o be_v find_v every_o where_n and_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o dispensation_n of_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n above_o all_o we_o can_v fix_v ourselves_o too_o much_o upon_o the_o passion_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n we_o shall_v see_v there_o a_o thousand_o object_n able_a to_o mollify_v our_o soul_n fince_n god_n love_n to_o mankind_n appear_v there_o in_o all_o it_o be_v extension_n from_o general_a consideration_n it_o be_v good_a to_o come_v to_o particular_a application_n we_o ought_v to_o conceive_v how_o much_o we_o stand_v indebt_v to_o god_n for_o free_v we_o from_o so_o many_o misery_n to_o raise_v we_o up_o to_o such_o glorious_a hope_n in_o short_a and_o to_o speak_v all_o in_o a_o word_n the_o object_n of_o our_o meditation_n be_v as_o vast_a as_o god_n nature_n and_o grace_n altogether_o for_o there_o be_v no_o flower_n in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o may_v gather_v honey_n from_o they_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v therefore_o that_o we_o can_v drain_v a_o subject_a of_o so_o great_a a_o bigness_n but_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v then_o our_o meditation_n be_v frequent_o so_o dry_a and_o our_o recollection_n so_o barren_a it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o seed_n but_o from_o the_o bad_a ground_n whence_o come_v it_o say_v a_o ancient_a father_n that_o our_o mind_n be_v find_v destitute_a of_o good_a thought_n as_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o well-pleasing_a to_o god_n wherewith_o we_o can_v entertain_v ourselves_o this_o come_v not_o say_v he_o but_o from_o a_o carelessness_n of_o spirit_n for_o the_o subject_n be_v inexhaustible_a and_o if_o the_o eye_n can_v reach_v the_o end_n of_o wonder_n to_o be_v see_v much_o less_o can_v the_o mind_n attain_v it_o in_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v if_o the_o eye_n cease_v to_o see_v the_o light_n when_o it_o be_v day_n it_o be_v not_o for_o that_o the_o light_n be_v extinguish_v but_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o dissipation_n of_o the_o sight_n if_o you_o pierce_v and_o open_v a_o field_n in_o all_o ●arts_n with_o a_o ploughshare_n it_o will_v render_v you_o a_o abundant_a harvest_n otherwise_o it_o will_v continue_v barren_a and_o even_o if_o you_o penetrate_v very_o deep_o you_o may_v find_v spring_n of_o live_a water_n in_o like_a manner_n if_o you_o open_v this_o great_a subject_n to_o wit_n god_n and_o his_o work_n by_o profound_a and_o frequent_a meditation_n there_o will_v proceed_v from_o thence_o source_n of_o consolation_n and_o instruction_n last_o make_v no_o difficulty_n to_o repass_v oft_o upon_o the_o same_o subject_n for_o to_o make_v it_o familiar_a to_o you_o our_o soul_n be_v depend_v upon_o the_o body_n during_o the_o time_n we_o be_v upon_o earth_n and_o the_o most_o spiritual_a idea_n be_v form_v in_o we_o by_o bodily_a motion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v high_o useful_a to_o let_v the_o thought_n of_o thing_n divine_a pass_n and_o repass_v frequent_o in_o ourselves_o to_o the_o intent_n we_o may_v give_v a_o inclination_n to_o the_o animal_n spirit_n which_o may_v carry_v they_o that_o aways_o and_o at_o length_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o will_v go_v natural_o in_o that_o road_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o without_o design_n and_o before_o we_o be_v aware_a we_o shall_v think_v on_o good_a thing_n i_o shall_v say_v one_o word_n more_o for_o the_o comfort_n of_o those_o mind_n which_o be_v not_o capable_a either_o of_o a_o pierce_a infight_n or_o a_o strong_a application_n and_o that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v grieve_v if_o they_o do_v not_o find_v themselves_o forcible_a enough_o to_o drive_v on_o their_o reason_n so_o far_o and_o if_o conception_n fail_v they_o provide_v this_o come_v not_o from_o any_o coldness_n some_o short_a but_o frequent_a meditation_n whereby_o a_o faithful_a person_n of_o the_o mean_a sort_n do_v often_o apply_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o author_n of_o his_o salvation_n and_o god_n benefit_n may_v serve_v instead_o of_o long_a reflection_n when_o one_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o they_o to_o help_v devotion_n we_o be_v without_o doubt_n to_o call_v in_o the_o read_n of_o good_a book_n for_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v we_o can_v draw_v all_o from_o our_o own_o well_o and_o among_o those_o book_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v as_o much_o above_o all_o other_o as_o god_n be_v above_o man_n and_o the_o sun_n above_o the_o star_n of_o the_o six_o magnitude_n this_o be_v that_o word_n which_o be_v as_o powerful_a and_o pierce_a as_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n this_o be_v that_o fire_n which_o can_v warm_v our_o entrail_n and_o make_v we_o say_v do_v not_o our_o heart_n burn_v within_o we_o one_o only_a passage_n in_o st._n paul_n let_v we_o walk_v honest_o as_o in_o the_o day_n not_o in_o riot_v and_o drunkenness_n not_o in_o chamber_v and_o wantonness_n not_o in_o strife_n and_o envy_v but_o put_v you_o on_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n wrought_v the_o conversion_n of_o st._n austin_n in_o every_o page_n of_o this_o book_n we_o shall_v find_v god_n benefit_n and_o his_o excellent_a promise_n so_o proper_a to_o awaken_v devotion_n we_o shall_v find_v there_o many_o example_n of_o heavenly_a meditation_n fit_a to_o lift_v up_o the_o soul_n and_o guide_v we_o in_o our_o own_o especial_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n be_v a_o inestimable_a treasure_n for_o devout_a soul_n and_o if_o we_o can_v prize_v it_o and_o say_v of_o it_o beyond_o what_o the_o ancient_n do_v we_o can_v never_o say_v enough_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o this_o treasure_n be_v lay_v up_o entire_o in_o our_o memory_n

know_v not_o to_o what_o their_o duty_n tie_v they_o and_o now_o i_o return_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o imagination_n whereof_o i_o begin_v to_o speak_v among_o these_o pleasure_n of_o the_o imagination_n some_o we_o find_v innocent_a a_o man_n for_o example_n may_v without_o sin_n take_v a_o great_a pleasure_n in_o the_o cultivate_a a_o little_a land_n his_o house_n be_v to_o he_o the_o most_o stately_a palace_n and_o garden_n as_o good_a as_o the_o fine_a in_o the_o world_n he_o will_v divert_v himself_o perfect_o in_o frame_v and_o set_v right_o his_o little_a parterre_n his_o palisadoe_n his_o hedge-row_n of_o fruit_n and_o his_o dwarfish_a tree_n he_o will_v gather_v the_o fruit_n with_o more_o acknowledgement_n to_o god_n goodness_n than_o monarch_n will_v have_v in_o take_v tribute_n from_o all_o the_o earth_n a_o father_n of_o a_o family_n rejoice_v at_o the_o good_a conduct_n of_o his_o house_n a_o woman_n at_o her_o work_n a_o artificer_n at_o the_o success_n of_o his_o labour_n be_v there_o not_o real_a happiness_n in_o all_o this_o these_o be_v pleasure_n of_o imagination_n but_o not_o of_o a_o foolish_a one_o which_o feed_v its_o self_n with_o imposture_n but_o one_o that_o be_v conduct_v by_o reason_n clarify_v by_o grace_n and_o judge_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o esteem_v more_o what_o we_o have_v than_o all_o which_o we_o have_v not_o these_o pleasure_n and_o these_o innocent_a error_n if_o i_o may_v call_v they_o so_o be_v not_o altogether_o enemy_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o devotion_n last_o there_o be_v pleasure_n of_o the_o mind_n among_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o find_v innocence_n honest_a and_o civil_a conversation_n read_v of_o good_a book_n eloquent_a discourse_n the_o study_n of_o good_a science_n and_o work_n of_o wit_n may_v afford_v these_o pleasure_n but_o many_o caution_n be_v to_o be_v use_v herein_o first_o we_o must_v take_v care_n lest_o we_o confound_v the_o wit_n with_o its_o impurity_n oftentimes_o we_o think_v we_o find_v pleasure_n in_o a_o piece_n because_o it_o have_v wit_n and_o this_o be_v only_o because_o it_o have_v impurity_n there_o be_v certain_a poduction_n of_o wit_n that_o flatter_v our_o passion_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v the_o composure_n of_o the_o theatre_n the_o sable_n of_o romance_n and_o that_o which_o they_o call_v gallant_a prose_n and_o verse_n we_o admire_v there_o the_o delicacy_n of_o expression_n the_o beauty_n of_o thought_n and_o the_o strength_n of_o imagination_n look_v a_o little_a near_o and_o you_o will_v see_v that_o the_o heart_n be_v incomparable_o more_o touch_v than_o the_o mind_n these_o production_n we_o love_v because_o they_o have_v a_o secret_a alliance_n with_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o a_o conformity_n to_o the_o impression_n of_o our_o vitiate_a imagination_n the_o pleasure_n that_o we_o find_v therein_o come_v chief_o from_o the_o impurity_n which_o be_v so_o nice_o and_o delicate_o display_v there_o be_v some_o object_n who_o turpitude_n be_v so_o great_a as_o at_o the_o first_o blush_n we_o dread_v they_o when_o they_o be_v show_v we_o all_o naked_a we_o can_v endure_v the_o sight_n nevertheless_o we_o be_v willing_a enough_o to_o take_v a_o view_n of_o they_o if_o they_o be_v cover_v with_o a_o thin_a veil_n which_o hide_v their_o uncleanness_n from_o the_o sense_n and_o yet_o let_v it_o be_v whole_o see_v by_o the_o imagination_n which_o apply_v its_o self_n to_o these_o object_n with_o a_o extreme_a delight_n this_o be_v the_o character_n of_o those_o work_n whereof_o we_o speak_v we_o be_v to_o take_v care_n also_o that_o among_o the_o innocent_a pleasure_n we_o do_v not_o taste_v that_o which_o spring_v from_o sinful_a curious_a and_o visible_o vain_a science_n of_o no_o more_o manner_n of_o use_n and_o that_o only_o serve_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o mind_n capacity_n and_o a_o emptiness_n of_o all_o good_a thing_n in_o a_o word_n if_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o taste_v pleasure_n in_o the_o study_n of_o good_a science_n and_o useful_a and_o innocent_a knowledge_n at_o least_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o care_n we_o be_v not_o whole_o take_v up_o by_o they_o nothing_o can_v be_v innocent_a that_o become_v to_o we_o a_o obstacle_n of_o piety_n this_o be_v sufficient_a i_o think_v to_o show_v that_o devotion_n have_v not_o declare_v war_n to_o pleasure_n and_o joy_n in_o make_v a_o wise_a and_o prudent_a choice_n of_o such_o pleasure_n we_o may_v find_v they_o sufficient_a to_o sweeten_v the_o bitterness_n of_o life_n so_o as_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o bury_v ourselves_o alive_a and_o keep_v the_o soul_n constant_o mourn_v and_o wail_v and_o clothing_n it_o in_o a_o black_a and_o dismal_a melancholy_n meditation_n how_o much_o indebt_v be_o i_o to_o my_o god_n what_o shall_v i_o render_v unto_o he_o for_o his_o love_a kindness_n who_o have_v make_v i_o to_o be_v place_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o many_o good_a thing_n and_o leave_v i_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v have_v have_v no_o cause_n to_o complain_v if_o he_o have_v tear_v i_o out_o of_o this_o world_n to_o throw_v i_o into_o hell_n be_v it_o not_o in_o his_o freewill_n also_o to_o make_v even_o this_o world_n here_o to_o become_v a_o hell_n to_o i_o that_o i_o may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o other_o world_n i_o can_v not_o blame_v his_o wisdom_n nor_o his_o justice_n though_o he_o have_v put_v i_o here_o to_o continual_a torment_n though_o he_o have_v lock_v up_o from_o i_o all_o the_o source_n of_o these_o pleasure_n though_o he_o make_v all_o my_o good_a day_n so_o many_o darksome_a night_n he_o may_v have_v leave_v i_o eye_n only_o to_o pour_v forth_o tear_n ear_n to_o hear_v only_o the_o sound_n of_o thunder_n and_o the_o voice_n of_o his_o judgement_n taste_v only_o for_o the_o bitterness_n of_o gall_n and_o wormwood_n touch_v only_o to_o feel_v the_o weight_n of_o his_o blow_n he_o may_v have_v mingle_v gall_n in_o all_o my_o repast_n empoison_v all_o object_n and_o that_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v invest_v they_o with_o thorn_n to_o pierce_v i_o as_o they_o come_v near_o i_o if_o he_o have_v do_v this_o i_o must_v have_v say_v he_o be_v just_a and_o i_o be_o a_o sinner_n it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o this_o world_n be_v sully_v by_o my_o sin_n shall_v be_v the_o theatre_n of_o my_o punishment_n and_o that_o the_o object_n of_o my_o sense_n upon_o which_o my_o corruption_n have_v display_v its_o self_n become_v the_o avenger_n of_o my_o crime_n but_o all_o on_o the_o other_o side_n god_n who_o command_v i_o to_o be_v sober_a wise_a temperate_a moderate_a to_o renounce_v the_o vain_a pleasure_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o world_n leave_v i_o still_o for_o all_o this_o more_o pleasure_n than_o i_o deserve_v he_o leave_v i_o enough_o to_o temper_v and_o to_o render_v the_o sad_a consequence_n of_o sin_n supportable_a true_a it_o be_v he_o smite_v i_o sometime_o and_o make_v i_o to_o see_v his_o angry_a countenance_n i_o be_o subject_a to_o malady_n i_o may_v become_v weak_a and_o feeble_a i_o may_v lose_v what_o he_o have_v give_v i_o of_o good_a thing_n my_o honour_n may_v be_v take_v away_o from_o i_o i_o may_v be_v persecute_v but_o when_o i_o reckon_v my_o ill_a and_o compare_v they_o with_o my_o good_a day_n i_o find_v that_o these_o be_v in_o a_o great_a number_n than_o they_o my_o pleasure_n do_v infinite_o surmount_v my_o pain_n if_o i_o recollect_v my_o sickness_n and_o my_o hour_n of_o trouble_n perhaps_o they_o may_v arise_v to_o some_o month_n or_o almost_o to_o some_o year_n but_o how_o many_o year_n of_o prosperity_n have_v my_o god_n grant_v i_o wretched_a and_o ungrateful_a as_o i_o be_o a_o little_a pain_n in_o my_o finger_n hinder_v i_o from_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o whole_a body_n health_n one_o hour_n of_o perplexity_n envenom_v my_o whole_a life_n and_o make_v i_o forget_v all_o my_o prosperity_n and_o all_o the_o obligation_n i_o have_v to_o my_o god_n but_o though_o my_o misfortune_n be_v very_o long_o and_o pursue_v they_o will_v not_o be_v still_o so_o long_o as_o my_o life_n and_o by_o consequence_n not_o have_v so_o long_a duration_n as_o my_o sin_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v to_o but_o rather_o to_o bless_v and_o praise_v my_o god_n for_o if_o i_o be_o unhappy_a a_o few_o year_n i_o be_o a_o sinner_n from_o the_o very_a first_o moment_n of_o my_o life_n so_o that_o if_o the_o moment_n of_o my_o affliction_n be_v to_o pass_v in_o account_n before_o god_n and_o to_o satisfy_v his_o justice_n for_o so_o many_o moment_n mark_v by_o my_o sin_n alas_o my_o soul_n how_o much_o will_v thou_o still_o owe_v to_o the_o divine_a justice_n since_o the_o number_n of_o thy_o calamity_n do_v not_o