Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	good_a	work_n	write_v	2,667	5	5.4737	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A07828	Two treatises concerning regeneration, 1. Of repentance, 2. Of the diet of the soule shewing the one, how it ought to be sought after and may be attained vnto, the other, how it being gotten, is to be preserued and continued.	Morton, Thomas, of Berwick.	1597 (1597)	STC 18200.5; ESTC S4792	100,213	251

by_o dip_v and_o drown_v the_o body_n in_o water_n for_o when_o as_o we_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n in_o our_o own_o body_n or_o else_o behold_v it_o administer_v unto_o other_o feel_v a_o sense_n of_o the_o guilt_n of_o eternal_a death_n due_a unto_o we_o for_o sin_n &_o a_o mortification_n of_o thinherent_a corruption_n of_o sin_n come_v from_o thence_o they_o do_v we_o feed_v our_o soul_n by_o this_o sacrament_n &_o that_o no_o less_o when_o we_o see_v it_o administer_v to_o other_o then_o when_o we_o feel_v it_o in_o our_o own_o body_n and_o therefore_o the_o custom_n which_o have_v prevail_v in_o most_o place_n of_o neglect_v &_o contemn_v this_o part_n of_o the_o food_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v to_o be_v condemn_v and_o sharp_o reproove_v likewise_o in_o the_o other_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o bread_n and_o the_o wine_n receive_v in_o it_o feed_v both_o our_o body_n and_o soul_n the_o one_o by_o their_o natural_a virtue_n the_o other_o by_o their_o mystical_a and_o sacramental_a signification_n work_v in_o we_o a_o fresh_a remembrance_n and_o a_o lively_a sense_n of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n represent_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o break_n of_o the_o bread_n in_o piece_n and_o the_o pou●ing_n forth_o of_o the_o wine_n sect._n 5._o thus_o much_o of_o the_o public_a food_n of_o the_o soul_n beside_o the_o which_o we_o have_v other_o mean_n appoint_v by_o god_n to_o be_v use_v private_o for_o christian_n must_v not_o be_v as_o babe_n unable_a to_o feed_v themselves_o or_o to_o take_v any_o nourishment_n unless_o it_o be_v put_v into_o their_o mouth_n by_o other_o but_o must_v as_o they_o receive_v the_o meat_n prepare_v by_o other_o so_o also_o dress_v some_o for_o themselves_o and_o that_o by_o gather_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o only_a food_n of_o the_o soul_n where_o it_o be_v to_o be_v have_v even_o there_o where_o the_o public_a food_n be_v have_v to_o wit_n in_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o creature_n and_o in_o the_o action_n of_o god_n in_o these_o field_n the_o word_n of_o god_n grow_v and_o therefore_o a_o christian_a be_v to_o be_v continual_o conversant_a in_o they_o and_o so_o to_o make_v his_o soul_n strong_a fat_a and_o lusty_a first_o therefore_o he_o be_v to_o give_v himself_o to_o the_o read_n studying_z understand_v and_o meditate_v of_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o profitable_a read_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n diverse_a thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v first_o that_o we_o read_v it_o with_o this_o intent_n and_o purpose_n to_o edify_v ourselves_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o obedience_n of_o christ_n make_v our_o spiritual_a edification_n the_o end_n of_o our_o read_n otherwise_o we_o may_v spend_v all_o our_o day_n yea_o although_o they_o be_v as_o many_o as_o the_o day_n of_o methuselah_n and_o yet_o receive_v no_o more_o increase_n of_o holiness_n than_o they_o who_o never_o hear_v tell_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o why_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v find_v this_o spiritual_a food_n but_o he_o who_o do_v hunger_n after_o it_o and_o seek_v it_o with_o all_o care_n and_o diligence_n indeed_o god_n sometime_o be_v find_v of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o seek_v nor_o yet_o so_o much_o as_o ask_v after_o he_o and_o do_v by_o his_o spirit_n renew_v those_o who_o do_v not_o once_o think_v of_o regeneration_n or_o salvation_n but_o here_o we_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o extraordinary_a and_o immediate_a work_n of_o god_n in_o regenerate_a man_n but_o of_o that_o ordinary_a continuance_n and_o increase_n of_o holiness_n which_o every_o faithful_a man_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o work_v in_o himself_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o god_n have_v appoint_v this_o he_o that_o seek_v find_v he_o that_o seek_v it_o not_o shall_v never_o find_v it_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o many_o have_v be_v very_o painful_a reader_n of_o the_o scripture_n who_o never_o find_v in_o they_o any_o spiritual_a fruit_n or_o comfort_n because_o they_o read_v they_o not_o to_o that_o end_n but_o for_o some_o sinister_a respect_n the_o jew_n take_v great_a pain_n in_o read_v or_o rather_o in_o learning_n without_o book_n the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n yea_o so_o great_a as_o may_v make_v christian_n who_o can_v find_v in_o their_o heart_n to_o bestow_v so_o much_o time_n and_o pain_n in_o seek_v or_o keep_v christ_n pardon_v of_o sin_n &_o eternal_a glory_n as_o they_o do_v in_o seek_v a_o earthly_a king_n &_o earthly_a glory_n the_o which_o only_o they_o look_v for_o by_o their_o messiah_n and_o yet_o they_o find_v not_o christ_n nor_o any_o spiritual_a grace_n because_o they_o seek_v not_o for_o such_o thing_n so_o many_o other_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n for_o other_o sinister_a end_n some_o to_o get_v the_o knowledge_n of_o curious_a and_o unprofitable_a question_n and_o controversy_n of_o endless_a genealogy_n yea_o some_o for_o confirmation_n of_o their_o erroneous_a &_o heretical_a opinion_n some_o for_o mere_a knowledge_n &_o vain_a ostentation_n but_o he_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v a_o good_a physician_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n must_v lay_v aside_o these_o and_o all_o such_o respect_n propound_v to_o himself_o the_o confirmation_n and_o increase_n of_o his_o faith_n love_n patience_n temperance_n &_o of_o all_o other_o spiritual_a grace_n these_o thing_n must_v be_v continual_o in_o his_o mind_n yea_o he_o must_v apply_v to_o these_o purpose_n all_o the_o precept_n example_n and_o doctrine_n wherewith_o he_o meet_v mind_v only_a point_n of_o spiritual_a edification_n and_o especial_o those_o whereof_o he_o most_o doubt_v and_o will_v be_v resolve_v and_o which_o belong_v most_o to_o his_o present_a use_n this_o rule_n and_o counsel_n we_o have_v give_v by_o eliphas_n job._n 5.27_o who_o after_o that_o he_o have_v declare_v at_o large_a both_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n in_o punish_v the_o wicked_a and_o his_o goodness_n in_o spare_v save_v and_o bless_v the_o godly_a he_o add_v this_o notable_a conclusion_n loe_o thus_o we_o have_v inquire_v of_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v hear_v it_o and_o know_v it_o for_o thyself_o that_o be_v do_v not_o content_v thyself_o with_o the_o general_a knowledge_n of_o this_o doctrine_n but_o apply_v it_o to_o thy_o own_o special_a state_n not_o as_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o a_o christian_a in_o read_v the_o scripture_n to_o observe_v and_o study_v those_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o direct_o tend_v to_o spiritual_a edification_n for_o it_o be_v good_a and_o commendable_a if_o he_o can_v give_v so_o much_o time_n to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o word_n as_o that_o he_o know_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o th●_n story_n all_o question_n which_o can_v be_v move_v about_o any_o place_n but_o that_o when_o as_o all_o can_v be_v have_v as_o it_o be_v seldom_o see_v that_o any_o gyve_v or_o can_v give_v himself_o so_o whole_o to_o this_o study_n who_o have_v any_o other_o call_v choice_n be_v make_v of_o that_o which_o be_v most_o needful_a profitable_a and_o excellent_a in_o the_o which_o respect_n he_o be_v also_o to_o make_v choice_n of_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n for_o his_o daily_a read_n study_v and_o meditate_v in_o the_o which_o this_o spiritual_a food_n do_v most_o plentiful_o grow_v and_o may_v most_o easy_o be_v have_v for_o although_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v be_v write_v for_o our_o comfort_n and_o edification_n and_o that_o no_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n ought_v to_o be_v account_v barren_a and_o unprofitable_a yet_o some_o part_n be_v more_o excellent_a and_o more_o effectual_a for_o spiritual_a edification_n than_o other_o be_v in_o that_o they_o handle_v those_o point_n wherein_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o soul_n consist_v more_o full_o and_o plain_o then_o other_o do_v thus_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o the_o which_o they_o be_v as_o commentary_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n before_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o that_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o salvation_n be_v now_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n plain_o reveal_v which_o before_o be_v cover_v with_o type_n and_o ceremony_n yea_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o epistle_n write_v by_o the_o apostle_n paul_n and_o other_o do_v more_o didirect_o aim_v at_o this_o mark_n than_o the_o story_n of_o the_o life_n and_o act_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n it_o seem_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o psalm_n do_v most_o excellent_a in_o this_o behalf_n the_o which_o consist_v whole_o of_o spiritual_a meditation_n observation_n precept_n and_o experiment_n insomuch_o that_o it_o may_v true_o be_v call_v the_o christian_a man_n garden_n wherein_o all_o manner_n of_o

god_n you_o shall_v not_o hearken_v to_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o whither_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o your_o hart_n this_o point_n be_v to_o be_v note_v for_o that_o howsoever_o few_o or_o none_o of_o the_o faithful_a in_o these_o day_n have_v occasion_n give_v unto_o they_o of_o conceit_n and_o obstinacy_n in_o error_n by_o extraordinary_a revelation_n the_o which_o be_v not_o now_o in_o use_n y●t_v because_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v all_o her_o error_n by_o this_o mean_n whereas_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o many_o of_o her_o child_n have_v this_o gift_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o thereof_o follow_v that_o whatsoever_o they_o hold_v or_o think_v be_v true_a and_o agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n the_o three_o &_o last_o of_o those_o disease_n which_o be_v most_o usual_a in_o the_o mind_n &_o which_o we_o will_v here_o mention_v be_v the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o particular_a providence_n of_o god_n &_o of_o his_o reward_v every_o one_o even_o in_o this_o life_n according_a to_o his_o work_n for_o many_o christian_n although_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n will_v in_o his_o universal_a judgement_n reward_v both_o the_o godly_a with_o eternal_a glory_n and_o the_o wicked_a with_o shame_n and_o misery_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o persuade_v that_o he_o execute_v justice_n and_o mercy_n in_o this_o life_n especial_o in_o regard_n of_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n either_o good_a or_o evil_n this_o ignorance_n be_v a_o petty_a atheism_n many_o way_n hurtful_a to_o the_o soul_n and_o therefore_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o be_v avoid_v it_o take_v from_o they_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n judgement_n which_o shall_v be_v a_o bridle_n to_o restrain_v they_o from_o sin_n yea_o the_o hope_n of_o reward_n for_o good_a work_n by_o the_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v pull_v forward_o to_o the_o cheerful_a performance_n of_o they_o whereas_o the_o word_n of_o god_n tech_v as_o experience_n also_o will_v without_o doubt_n testify_v to_o he_o that_o will_v observe_v the_o do_n of_o god_n that_o he_o note_v as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o day_n book_n even_o their_o least_o action_n both_o good_a and_o evil_a yea_o the_o most_o secret_a motion_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o suffer_v none_o of_o they_o to_o go_v unrecompense_v yea_o he_o recompense_v every_o work_n in_o the_o own_o kind_n inflict_v a_o punishment_n like_a unto_o the_o sin_n and_o give_v a_o blessing_n to_o the_o good_a work_n that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v that_o the_o one_o do_v belong_v and_o be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o other_o the_o disease_n happen_v unto_o the_o conscience_n be_v many_o but_o of_o they_o all_o the_o most_o usual_a be_v the_o false_a testimony_n of_o it_o excuse_v where_o it_o shall_v accuse_v for_o see_v that_o it_o do_v manifest_o appear_v that_o in_o the_o life_n of_o many_o christian_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n unlawful_a and_o contrary_a to_o god_n word_n we_o must_v of_o necessity_n grant_v that_o either_o they_o sin_v witting_o against_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o conscience_n or_o which_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o charity_n &_o therefore_o rather_o to_o be_v think_v that_o their_o conscience_n be_v false_a witness_n affirm_v evil_a to_o be_v good_a and_o good_a to_o be_v evil_a hereof_o it_o come_v that_o many_o christian_n think_v it_o lawful_a for_o they_o to_o dissemble_v lie_v and_o gloze_n in_o their_o deal_n and_o affair_n with_o their_o brother_n when_o as_o their_o profit_n &_o advantage_n do_v so_o require_v that_o they_o may_v give_v the_o time_n appoint_v or_o at_o the_o least_o due_a to_o holy_a exercise_n and_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n to_o eat_v drink_v sleep_n pastime_n company_n traffic_n and_o to_o any_o worldly_a pleasure_n or_o profit_n that_o they_o need_v not_o practice_v any_o duty_n of_o love_n pity_n or_o thankfulness_n to_o their_o brother_n but_o in_o all_o thing_n regard_v and_o do_v that_o only_o which_o stand_v with_o their_o own_o profit_n and_o last_o when_o as_o they_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v and_o think_v to_o be_v unlawful_a yet_o this_o lie_a witness_n bear_v they_o in_o hand_n that_o god_n will_v wink_v at_o these_o escape_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n allow_v they_o to_o do_v so_o and_o so_o they_o draw_v god_n into_o the_o society_n of_o their_o sin_n make_v he_o as_o it_o be_v the_o receiver_n of_o their_o theft_n and_o think_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v like_a unto_o themselves_o this_o disease_n be_v diligent_o to_o be_v search_v out_o by_o examine_v our_o conscience_n and_o life_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n and_o law_n of_o god_n which_o will_v not_o lie_v and_o in_o those_o case_n whereof_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o any_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n to_o abstain_v from_o action_n till_o god_n give_v unto_o we_o some_o ground_n whereon_o to_o lean_v think_v it_o far_o better_a to_o abstain_v from_o many_o thing_n yea_o although_o it_o be_v to_o our_o trouble_n and_o loss_n then_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o a_o doubtful_a &_o waver_a mind_n much_o less_o then_o to_o sin_v presumptuous_o against_o god_n by_o do_v that_o which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v unlawful_a we_o must_v in_o this_o case_n learn_v to_o remove_v all_o those_o prop_n whereon_o this_o false_a witness_n do_v rely_v itself_o as_o namely_o first_o the_o privilege_n of_o christian_a liberty_n under_o pretence_n whereof_o many_o take_v unto_o themselves_o great_a scope_n than_o be_v meet_v &_o make_v vagary_n beyond_o the_o limit_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n but_o we_o know_v or_o else_o we_o be_v to_o learn_v that_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o abrogate_v any_o jot_n or_o title_n of_o the_o law_n that_o christ_n have_v free_v we_o from_o the_o curse_n but_o not_o from_o the_o obedience_n of_o it_o yea_o that_o our_o liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o lawful_a be_v to_o be_v restrain_v and_o keep_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o conveniency_n and_o the_o spiritual_a edification_n of_o ourselves_o and_o our_o brother_n in_o godliness_n the_o which_o if_o we_o do_v neglect_v we_o transgress_v the_o law_n even_o in_o do_v that_o which_o otherwise_o be_v permit_v by_o the_o law_n the_o second_o prop_n whereon_o this_o lie_a witness_n lean_v be_v the_o example_n of_o virtuous_a and_o godly_a man_n endue_v with_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o all_o spiritual_a grace_n and_o therefore_o worthy_a to_o be_v make_v pattern_n for_o other_o to_o behold_v and_o imitate_v who_o have_v practise_v defend_v allow_v or_o tolerate_v that_o which_o we_o allege_v against_o the_o receyve_v opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o godly_a to_o be_v lawful_a but_o neither_o will_v this_o serve_v the_o turn_n for_o no_o man_n life_n be_v a_o law_n the_o best_a man_n do_v sometime_o go_v astray_o yet_o they_o must_v then_o go_v alone_o and_o not_o lead_v other_o out_o of_o the_o way_n three_o this_o false_a excuser_fw-fr will_v bring_v in_o way_n of_o defence_n the_o manifold_a commodity_n which_o will_v ensue_v hereof_o the_o necessary_a use_n redound_v to_o ourselves_o and_o to_o our_o brother_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o to_o our_o body_n and_o by_o these_o plausible_a pretence_n labour_v to_o justify_v that_o which_o be_v not_o warrantable_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o we_o be_v straight_o way_n to_o stop_v his_o mouth_n with_o that_o true_a and_o know_v say_v that_o we_o must_v not_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o by_o these_o infirmity_n and_o disease_n of_o the_o soul_n we_o may_v gather_v the_o rest_n and_o learn_v to_o avoid_v and_o heal_v they_o to_o our_o unspeakable_a comfort_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n finis_fw-la

our_o sin_n to_o god_n by_o good_a work_n for_o a_o thousand_o good_a work_n will_v not_o countervail_v the_o least_o sin_n before_o god_n judgement_n seat_n but_o that_o as_o by_o our_o sin_n heretofore_o commit_v we_o have_v disobey_v and_o dishonour_v god_n so_o now_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v and_o glorify_v he_o by_o our_o good_a work_n and_o christian_a life_n yet_o in_o regard_n of_o our_o brethren_n we_o may_v and_o must_v to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o our_o power_n make_v full_a recompense_n thus_o do_v zacheus_n in_o his_o repentance_n luke_n 19.8_o promise_v christ_n that_o he_o will_v first_o give_v half_a his_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a in_o a_o testification_n of_o his_o obedience_n thankfulness_n and_o faith_n which_o he_o have_v towards_o god_n and_o then_o for_o satisfaction_n of_o man_n restore_v four_o fold_n to_o every_o one_o from_o who_o he_o have_v injurious_o take_v any_o thing_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o renovation_n to_o wit_n amendment_n of_o life_n to_o the_o which_o john_n exhort_v the_o jew_n in_o his_o ministry_n of_o repentance_n say_v matth._n 3.8_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n worthy_a repentance_n or_o such_o as_o beseem_v they_o who_o profess_v themselves_o to_o have_v change_v their_o course_n of_o life_n and_o to_o be_v conver●ed_v from_o sin_n to_o god_n but_o our_o repentant_a must_v not_o stay_v here_o for_o than_o he_o play_v the_o hypocritical_a pharisie_n make_v the_o outside_n of_o the_o cup_n clean_o but_o leave_v it_o foul_a and_o filthy_a within_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v desire_v he_o to_o try_v what_o he_o can_v do_v in_o mend_v the_o corrupt_a and_o sinful_a life_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o of_o all_o the_o faculty_n thereof_o this_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o hard_a piece_n of_o work_n pass_v the_o cunning_a of_o any_o creature_n and_o belong_v to_o god_n only_o yet_o man_n may_v in_o some_o sort_n change_v his_o soul_n although_o not_o from_o sinfulness_n to_o holiness_n yet_o from_o vice_n to_o virtue_n and_o from_o ignorance_n to_o knowledge_n wherein_o our_o repentant_a be_v to_o labour_n use_v all_o good_a mean_n of_o get_v knowledge_n and_o virtue_n he_o be_v to_o give_v himself_o careful_o to_o the_o read_n and_o study_v of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o all_o other_o book_n contain_v sound_n and_o true_a doctrine_n gather_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god._n yea_o although_o he_o meet_v with_o many_o point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o he_o can_v possible_o understande_v conceive_v or_o believe_v yet_o he_o be_v not_o to_o give_v over_o but_o rather_o to_o ascribe_v the_o hardness_n of_o they_o to_o his_o own_o dulness_n and_o the_o impossibility_n of_o other_o of_o they_o to_o his_o own_o incredulity_n not_o consider_v the_o power_n of_o god_n likewise_o he_o be_v to_o labour_v in_o change_v the_o inward_a disposition_n of_o his_o will_n and_o affection_n frame_v and_o bend_v they_o from_o evil_a to_o good_a by_o reason_n and_o persuasion_n take_v both_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o also_o out_o of_o profane_a writer_n in_o who_o we_o may_v find_v notable_a pattern_n of_o all_o virtue_n by_o the_o example_n of_o christian_n and_o also_o of_o infidel_n of_o who_o many_o have_v so_o profit_v in_o these_o exercise_n that_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o have_v attain_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n yea_o he_o be_v to_o use_v great_a severity_n toward_o himself_o in_o repress_v the_o perverseness_n and_o rebellion_n of_o these_o headstrong_a faculty_n and_o that_o by_o deny_v unto_o they_o the_o lawful_a use_n of_o thing_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v far_o from_o unlawful_a desire_n to_o be_v short_a he_o who_o do_v desire_n and_o seek_v for_o regeneration_n must_v by_o all_o mean_v endeavour_n not_o only_o to_o purge_v himself_o from_o all_o open_a and_o gross_a sin_n by_o lead_v a_o life_n unblameable_a before_o man_n but_o also_o from_o small_a and_o secret_a sin_n by_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n in_o all_o his_o way_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n yea_o not_o only_o to_o abstain_v from_o evil_a but_o also_o to_o perform_v all_o christian_n and_o honest_a duty_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n yea_o he_o must_v purge_v not_o only_o his_o life_n and_o action_n from_o sin_n but_o also_o his_o mind_n from_o ignorance_n use_v all_o good_a mean_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o religion_n yea_o his_o will_n and_o affection_n from_o all_o vice_n lust_n and_o corrupt_a desire_n and_o so_o as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o his_o power_n to_o renew_v himself_o and_o yet_o when_o he_o have_v do_v all_o that_o he_o can_v he_o be_v but_o where_o he_o be_v to_o wit_n a_o carnal_a man_n as_o dead_a in_o sin_n as_o any_o man_n be_v in_o his_o grave_n yet_o he_o have_v use_v the_o first_o mean_n of_o obtain_v grace_n and_o eternal_a glory_n and_o have_v do_v that_o whereby_o that_o grievous_a condemnation_n which_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o wicked_a be_v avoid_v and_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n procure_v at_o least_o for_o temporal_a blessiing_n sect._n 3_o the_o second_o mean_n of_o attain_v to_o regeneration_n be_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n the_o which_o be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n by_o the_o which_o god_n work_v regeneration_n in_o his_o elect_a we_o say_v ordinary_a because_o some_o time_n it_o please_v god_n to_o work_v without_o it_o by_o other_o mean_n as_o namely_o by_o private_a read_n instruction_n and_o exhortation_n by_o miracle_n by_o cross_n and_o great_a humiliation_n yea_o sometime_o by_o temporal_a blessing_n plentiful_o and_o strange_o bestow_v on_o man_n yet_o the_o usual_a and_o appoint_a mean_n be_v the_o public_a ministry_n of_o his_o holy_a word_n perform_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o simple_a manner_n as_o we_o read_v 1._o pet._n 1.23_o be_v bear_v again_o not_o of_o mortal_a seed_n but_o of_o immortal_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n endure_v for_o ever_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v what_o need_v any_o mean_n in_o regeneration_n it_o be_v a_o immediate_a work_n of_o god_n why_o this_o mean_n more_o than_o some_o other_o why_o the_o public_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n rather_o than_o the_o same_o doctrine_n private_o teach_v we_o answer_v to_o the_o first_o question_n that_o as_o in_o all_o other_o miracle_n so_o also_o in_o this_o god_n use_v some_o show_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o so_o he_o may_v conceal_v his_o own_o extraordinary_a work_n as_o it_o be_v proverb_n 25.1_o it_o be_v a_o glory_n to_o god_n to_o conceal_v his_o do_n so_o in_o regeneration_n as_o great_a a_o miracle_n as_o any_o other_o yea_o the_o only_a miracle_n in_o this_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n continue_v in_o all_o age_n of_o it_o god_n use_v ordinary_o the_o mean_n of_o his_o word_n preach_v in_o which_o respect_n it_o be_v a_o mediate_a work_n of_o god_n yet_o because_o this_o mean_n have_v not_o this_o power_n inherent_a in_o itself_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o immediate_a work_n to_o the_o second_o question_n we_o answer_v that_o god_n for_o the_o end_n mention_v to_o wit_n the_o conceal_n of_o his_o miraculous_a work_n use_v to_o use_v a_o mean_n have_v in_o it_o a_o virtue_n although_o not_o able_a to_o bring_v forth_o the_o effect_n yet_o help_v towards_o it_o and_o of_o some_o force_n for_o that_o purpose_n even_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o natural_a man_n and_o so_o in_o regeneration_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o have_v for_o most_o man_n think_v that_o it_o have_v indeed_o the_o power_n of_o renew_v man_n inherent_a in_o itself_o for_o thus_o they_o reason_n man_n be_v endue_v with_o reason_n may_v by_o teach_v be_v bring_v to_o knowledge_n by_o force_n of_o argument_n they_o may_v be_v persuade_v to_o virtue_n and_o moderation_n whereof_o a_o virtuous_a and_o honest_a life_n will_v easy_o follow_v yea_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o god_n do_v ordinary_o prepare_v man_n after_o a_o sort_n for_o grace_n draw_v they_o near_o to_o himself_o then_o other_o carnal_a man_n be_v and_o therefore_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n be_v a_o fit_a mean_n of_o regeneration_n the_o three_o point_n may_v very_o well_o be_v make_v a_o question_n among_o those_o who_o think_v that_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n have_v the_o faculty_n of_o regenerate_v inherent_a in_o itself_o for_o why_o shall_v not_o a_o man_n learn_v and_o be_v persuade_v as_o well_o by_o himself_o as_o with_o other_o as_o well_o at_o home_n as_o in_o the_o church_n otherwise_o it_o be_v no_o question_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o other_o answer_n to_o be_v make_v unto_o it_o but_o only_o this_o that_o so_o it_o please_v god_n to_o work_v by_o public_a and_o not_o by_o private_a mean_n and_o yet_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v more_o meet_a that_o