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book_n old_a read_v testament_n 3,485 5 8.0942 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A44137 A discourse of the knowledge of God, and of our selves I. by the light of nature, II. by the sacred Scriptures / written by Sir Matthew Hale, Knight ... for his private meditation and exercise ; to which are added, A brief abstract of the Christian religion, and, Considerations seasonable at all times, for the cleansing of the heart and life, by the same author. Hale, Matthew, Sir, 1609-1676. 1688 (1688) Wing H240; ESTC R4988 321,717 542

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rational_a mean_n conducible_a to_o it_o part_n ii_o chap._n i._o of_o the_o existence_n and_o attribute_n of_o god._n and_o now_o we_o have_v draw_v down_o the_o great_a business_n of_o man_n by_o dark_a and_o intricate_a step_n and_o wind_n to_o a_o clear_a light_n which_o do_v not_o only_o clear_o and_o compendious_o unmask_v and_o unfold_v these_o truth_n which_o with_o so_o much_o difficulty_n of_o discourse_n and_o search_v by_o reason_n we_o dim_o arrive_v unto_o but_o divers_a other_o truth_n which_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o learning_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n can_v never_o attain_v unto_o yet_o such_o as_o without_o which_o all_o the_o passage_n even_o of_o this_o life_n be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a and_o uncomfortable_a we_o shall_v therefore_o now_o fall_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n that_o be_v of_o the_o great_a concernment_n to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n in_o order_n to_o their_o supreme_a end_n and_o to_o evidence_n their_o congruity_n with_o sound_n and_o rectify_a reason_n 1._o this_o book_n teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n which_o although_o it_o be_v deducible_a by_o natural_a evidence_n yet_o this_o declaration_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o singular_a use_n as_o well_o for_o the_o speedy_a and_o easy_a discovery_n of_o it_o as_o also_o for_o the_o ratify_n and_o confirm_v of_o this_o principle_n as_o we_o m●y_v observe_v even_o in_o truth_n of_o a_o inferior_a nature_n which_o though_o by_o the_o discursive_a operation_n of_o the_o understanding_n they_o may_v be_v discover_v and_o assent_v unto_o yet_o these_o discovery_n and_o that_o consent_n be_v facilitated_a and_o strengthen_v when_o in_o the_o write_n or_o dictate_v of_o other_o they_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o in_o the_o several_a discourse_n of_o man_n in_o matter_n natural_a metaphysical_a
rule_n whereby_o god_n justify_v the_o equality_n of_o his_o way_n ezek._n 18.25_o be_v not_o my_o way_n equal_a be_v not_o your_o way_n unequal_a when_o a_o righteous_a man_n turn_v away_o from_o his_o righteousness_n and_o commit_v iniquity_n and_o die_v in_o they_o for_o his_o iniquity_n that_o he_o have_v do_v he_o shall_v die_v again_n when_o the_o wicked_a man_n turn_v away_o from_o his_o wickedness_n etc._n etc._n he_o shall_v save_v his_o soul_n alive_a which_o be_v but_o the_o same_o under_o the_o gospel_n rom._n 2.6_o who_o will_v render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o deed_n though_o the_o great_a god_n be_v absolute_a lord_n of_o his_o creature_n to_o do_v with_o they_o what_o he_o please_v yet_o the_o various_a condition_n of_o his_o creature_n in_o the_o course_n of_o judgement_n and_o mercy_n be_v not_o from_o any_o change_n in_o god_n but_o in_o we_o it_o be_v the_o same_o holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o god_n that_o be_v uniform_a and_o constant_a to_o itself_o that_o work_v these_o different_a effect_n upon_o the_o creature_n as_o the_o same_o uniform_a heat_n of_o the_o sun_n work_v seem_v contrary_a effect_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o subject_n so_o that_o his_o way_n be_v still_o equal_a straight_a and_o righteous_a and_o this_o consideration_n as_o it_o may_v strengthen_v our_o heart_n in_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n so_o it_o will_v make_v the_o history_n of_o the_o book_n of_o god_n of_o singular_a use_n to_o we_o upon_o all_o occasion_n when_o we_o shall_v with_o david_n psal_n 77.10_o i_o will_v remember_v the_o year_n of_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o most_o high_a i_o will_v remember_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o will_v remember_v thy_o wonder_n of_o old_a and_o together_o with_o it_o consider_v that_o the_o same_o lord_n that_o do_v thus_o or_o thus_o in_o former_a time_n be_v the_o same_o god_n yesterday_o to_o day_n and_o for_o ever_o and_o by_o this_o consideration_n every_o history_n in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n be_v as_o a_o measure_n for_o all_o the_o present_a or_o future_a concernment_n of_o myself_o and_o other_o and_o will_v teach_v i_o how_o to_o behave_v myself_o in_o the_o like_a occasion_n and_o to_o judge_v even_o of_o future_a event_n in_o the_o passage_n of_o nature_n we_o see_v a_o wonderful_a order_n and_o constancy_n for_o the_o most_o part_n for_o all_o thing_n conform_v themselves_o to_o those_o rule_n which_o god_n have_v put_v into_o they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o best_a and_o high_a resolution_n we_o can_v give_v for_o they_o for_o when_o we_o come_v to_o make_v a_o particular_a inquiry_n into_o the_o particular_a cause_n of_o those_o thing_n there_o be_v not_o the_o easy_a part_n of_o his_o work_n and_o that_o which_o long_o and_o constant_a continuance_n have_v make_v obvious_a to_o all_o man_n but_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n notwithstanding_o all_o these_o advantage_n be_v puzzle_v and_o confound_v in_o because_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o to_o man_n psal_n 77.19_o his_o way_n be_v in_o the_o sea_n and_o his_o path_n in_o the_o great_a water_n and_o his_o footstep_n be_v not_o know_v there_o we_o see_v a_o certainty_n but_o we_o can_v find_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n or_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o passage_n of_o mankind_n we_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o any_o certainty_n at_o all_o or_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o uncertainty_n which_o make_v the_o wise_a man_n conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v the_o one_o against_o the_o other_o that_o man_n shall_v find_v nothing_o after_o he_o eccles_n 7.14_o which_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a as_o to_o a_o bare_a natural_a or_o rational_a observation_n yet_o even_o these_o work_n of_o god_n be_v seek_v out_o of_o all_o they_o that_o have_v pleasure_n in_o they_o psal_n 111.2_o and_o though_o his_o judgement_n be_v a_o great_a deep_a psal_n 36.6_o unsearchable_a and_o past_a find_v out_o rom._n 11.33_o till_o he_o be_v please_v to_o discover_v they_o yet_o he_o be_v still_o unchangeable_a and_o the_o same_o yesterday_o and_o to_o day_n and_o for_o ever_o so_o much_o even_o of_o those_o secret_a way_n towards_o man_n as_o be_v expedient_a for_o our_o knowledge_n and_o use_n he_o have_v discover_v in_o his_o book_n to_o those_o that_o will_v diligent_o observe_v it_o thus_o the_o secret_a of_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o psal_n 25.14_o the_o most_o of_o the_o variety_n that_o happen_v to_o the_o child_n of_o man_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o immutability_n of_o god_n in_o his_o purity_n and_o in_o his_o justice_n if_o a_o straight_a line_n be_v draw_v parallel_n to_o another_o though_o they_o be_v infinite_o extend_v they_o will_v keep_v the_o same_o distance_n one_o from_o another_o but_o if_o the_o line_n be_v crooked_a it_o will_v be_v in_o some_o place_n near_o some_o place_n far_o off_o and_o it_o may_v be_v will_v cross_v the_o straight_a line_n god_n have_v give_v to_o man_n a_o liberty_n of_o his_o will_n and_o so_o long_o as_o his_o will_n and_o the_o action_n of_o his_o will_n run_v parallel_v in_o a_o straight_a line_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n there_o be_v still_o a_o communication_n of_o good_a from_o god_n to_o his_o creature_n but_o when_o man_n choose_v crooked_a way_n he_o be_v draw_v thereby_o sometime_o away_o from_o god_n and_o so_o be_v remove_v from_o his_o blessing_n and_o communion_n sometime_o it_o cross_v and_o thwart_v he_o and_o then_o it_o meet_v with_o his_o wrath_n and_o vengeance_n and_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o unless_o we_o shall_v with_o the_o presumptuous_a fool_n in_o the_o psalmist_n psal_n 50.21_o think_v that_o god_n be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o ourselves_o and_o his_o will_n as_o crooked_a as_o we_o if_o a_o bare_a reasonable_a man_n have_v look_v upon_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o go_v out_o of_o egypt_n until_o their_o final_a captivity_n he_o will_v easy_o see_v as_o much_o variety_n as_o in_o any_o state_n of_o man_n and_o perhaps_o see_v as_o little_a cause_n for_o it_o but_o yet_o that_o very_a changeableness_n of_o their_o condition_n do_v most_o admirable_o set_v forth_o the_o immutability_n of_o god_n and_o instruct_v we_o how_o to_o judge_v of_o thing_n and_o man_n they_o be_v a_o people_n in_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o he_o be_v please_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o they_o and_o so_o long_o as_o they_o keep_v to_o their_o undertake_n not_o one_o tittle_n of_o all_o his_o promise_n fail_v they_o but_o when_o they_o once_o forsake_v he_o he_o warn_v and_o if_o they_o repent_v not_o he_o forsake_v they_o if_o they_o walk_v contrary_a to_o he_o he_o walk_v contrary_a to_o they_o and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o they_o return_v and_o repent_v he_o return_v to_o they_o see_v psal_n 106_o 107._o the_o abbreviation_n of_o their_o vicissitude_n and_o when_o at_o last_o they_o be_v whole_o corrupt_v than_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n arise_v and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n all_o these_o variety_n justify_v the_o equality_n and_o evenness_n of_o the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o manifest_v the_o crookedness_n and_o inequality_n of_o the_o way_n of_o men._n and_o be_v god_n the_o same_o now_o that_o he_o be_v then_o his_o way_n then_o be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o they_o be_v then_o be_v thou_o one_o that_o haste_v enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n beware_v thou_o keep_v to_o it_o and_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n if_o not_o be_v sure_a thou_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o like_a measure_n as_o his_o people_n of_o old_a do_v his_o justice_n be_v the_o same_o still_o he_o will_v scourge_v thou_o with_o the_o rod_n of_o man_n though_o if_o thou_o have_v a_o heart_n to_o return_v he_o will_v not_o utter_o take_v his_o lovingkindness_n from_o thou_o and_o have_v thou_o meet_v with_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o sin_n in_o a_o temporal_a punishment_n consider_v it_o be_v a_o evil_a thing_n and_o a_o bitter_a to_o depart_v from_o the_o live_n god._n what_o make_v thou_o wander_v from_o thy_o strength_n and_o thy_o safety_n as_o well_o as_o thy_o covenant_n and_o thy_o duty_n what_o can_v thou_o expect_v to_o find_v when_o thou_o stragle_v from_o he_o but_o that_o some_o evil_n shall_v overtake_v thou_o get_v home_o again_o as_o fast_o as_o thou_o can_v and_o as_o thou_o have_v find_v that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o god_n of_o justice_n that_o ever_o he_o be_v so_o thou_o shall_v find_v that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o god_n of_o mercy_n and_o tenderness_n upon_o return_v that_o ever_o he_o be_v psal_n 106.45_o and_o he_o remember_v for_o they_o his_o covenant_n and_o repent_v according_a to_o the_o multitude_n of_o his_o mercy_n it_o be_v true_a the_o same_o thing_n may_v befall_v