Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
christian_n christian_a church_n union_n 2,115 5 10.0071 5 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A67047 A word in season. Or Three great duties of Christians in the worst of times viz. abiding in Christ, thirsting after his institutions, and submission to his providences. The first opened, from 1 John 2.28. The second from Psal. 42.1,2. The third from Jer. 14.19. By a servant of Christs in the work of his Gospel. To which is added, by way of appendix, the advice of some ministers to their people for the reviving the power and practice of godliness in their families. Servant of Christ in the work of his Gospel. 1668 (1668) Wing W3548A; ESTC R204145 100,163 272

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

walk_v cry_v out_o with_o david_n lord_n when_o will_v thou_o comfort_v i_o how_o hardly_o and_o heavy_o do_v it_o come_v off_o with_o any_o spiritual_a duty_n how_o weak_o do_v it_o perform_v they_o when_o these_o lock_n be_v shave_v off_o in_o which_o its_o great_a strength_n lie_v it_o become_v as_o another_o soul_n and_o this_o evince_v it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a point_n of_o a_o christian_n wisdom_n to_o abide_v in_o christ_n you_o meet_v with_o a_o promise_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o this_o purpose_n i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o 32.40_o jer._n 32.40_o that_o i_o will_v not_o turn_v from_o they_o to_o do_v they_o good_a but_o i_o will_v put_v my_o fear_n into_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o depart_v from_o i_o mark_v how_o god_n twist_v these_o both_o together_o the_o same_o covenant_n that_o ensure_v we_o god_n abide_v with_o we_o to_o do_v we_o good_a engage_v we_o also_o not_o to_o depart_v from_o he_o thus_o far_o now_o i_o have_v evince_v this_o as_o a_o piece_n of_o a_o christian_n wisdom_n to_o abide_v in_o christ_n by_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o end_n 2._o as_o a_o mean_n a_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o our_o keep_v christ_n abode_n with_o we_o 2._o in_o order_n to_o our_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n and_o much_o fruit_n 3._o in_o order_n to_o the_o preservation_n of_o ourselves_o from_o the_o great_a evil_n of_o be_v cast_v forth_o wither_v and_o burn_v 3._o let_v we_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o condition_n to_o which_o indeed_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v annex_v you_o may_v observe_v all_o the_o promise_v annex_v to_o a_o continuance_n in_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n to_o overcome_v to_o a_o hold_v on_o to_o the_o end_n which_o expression_n and_o many_o more_o of_o like_a import_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o abide_v in_o christ_n it_o be_v a_o question_n among_o divine_n whether_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v absolute_a or_o conditional_a if_o we_o understand_v by_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n that_o eternal_a paction_n which_o be_v betwixt_o god_n the_o father_n and_o his_o eternal_a son_n as_o the_o head_n of_o the_o elect_a it_o be_v no_o question_n absolute_a and_o nothing_o be_v require_v of_o the_o elect_n in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n but_o what_o god_n in_o some_o other_o branch_n of_o that_o sacred_a stipulation_n have_v engage_v to_o do_v for_o they_o give_v unto_o they_o or_o work_v in_o they_o but_o because_o in_o what_o we_o be_v to_o perform_v our_o own_o endeavour_n be_v require_v and_o we_o be_v worker_n together_o with_o god_n to_o use_v the_o apostle_n expression_n in_o another_o cause_n therefore_o in_o all_o exhibition_n and_o declaration_n of_o this_o everlasting_a covenant_n unto_o man_n which_o be_v gradual_a according_a to_o the_o different_a period_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o god_n be_v please_v more_o or_o less_o darkly_o or_o more_o clear_o to_o reveal_v his_o mystery_n it_o be_v propound_v conditional_o and_o this_o be_v the_o condition_n annex_v to_o all_o the_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o we_o shall_v abide_v hold_v fast_o persevere_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n not_o draw_v back_o etc._n etc._n i_o shall_v only_o particularize_v in_o one_o and_o that_o be_v no_o mean_a one_o john_n 15.7_o if_o you_o abide_v in_o i_o and_o my_o word_n abide_v in_o you_o you_o shall_v ask_v of_o i_o what_o you_o will_v and_o i_o will_v give_v it_o you_o for_o poor_a worm_n to_o have_v a_o liberty_n to_o go_v to_o god_n to_o ask_v of_o he_o to_o ask_v of_o he_o what_o we_o will_v and_o this_o under_o a_o assurance_n from_o the_o only_a son_n of_o god_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o be_v it_o nothing_o to_o we_o seem_v it_o to_o you_o sir_n a_o small_a thing_n to_o have_v this_o liberty_n of_o access_n to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n this_o be_v promise_v by_o he_o that_o cannot_v lie_v and_o the_o condition_n annex_v be_v your_o abide_n in_o he_o if_o you_o abide_v in_o i_o you_o shall_v ask_v what_o you_o will_v certain_o i_o shall_v need_v say_v no_o more_o to_o evince_v this_o abide_n in_o christ_n the_o great_a concernment_n of_o christian_n 4._o but_o once_o more_o let_v we_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o evidence_n a_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o union_n with_o he_o a_o evidence_n to_o ourselves_o a_o evidence_n unto_o other_o 1._o we_o can_v no_o other_o way_n evidence_n to_o ourselves_o that_o we_o ever_o have_v any_o true_a union_n with_o christ_n than_o by_o our_o abode_n and_o continuance_n with_o he_o there_o be_v a_o real_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o seem_a and_o a_o real_a and_o sincere_a professor_n but_o not_o discernible_a other_o than_o to_o he_o that_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o tri_v the_o reins_o any_o way_n but_o by_o a_o steady_a and_o constant_a abode_n in_o our_o profession_n god_n have_v say_v if_o the_o righteous_a man_n forsake_v his_o righteousness_n and_o commit_v iniquity_n his_o righteousness_n shall_v never_o be_v remember_v and_o again_o if_o any_o one_o draw_v back_o my_o soul_n shall_v have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o he_o while_o those_o and_o such_o like_a text_n abide_v this_o assertion_n must_v be_v true_a the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o some_o that_o be_v go_v out_o from_o the_o church_n say_v they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o they_o have_v continue_v with_o we_o that_o day_n a_o christian_a step_n back_o he_o lose_v all_o his_o hope_n all_o his_o joy_n peace_n comfort_n &_o satisfaction_n 2._o it_o be_v our_o only_a evidence_n unto_o other_o put_v case_n a_o christian_n have_v a_o truth_n of_o grace_n and_o be_v real_o unite_v to_o christ_n by_o a_o union_n which_o sin_n shall_v not_o dissolve_v and_o this_o christian_a apostatize_v from_o his_o profession_n though_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v total_o and_o final_o gradual_o what_o ever_o he_o be_v other_o christian_n during_o his_o apostasy_n before_o his_o return_n can_v judge_v he_o a_o christian_a indeed_o but_o must_v look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o temporary_a professor_n till_o they_o see_v he_o renew_v himself_o by_o repentance_n for_o de_fw-fr secretis_fw-la non_fw-la judicat_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la the_o church_n of_o god_n can_v judge_v only_o from_o what_o appear_v and_o interpret_v his_o heart_n by_o the_o comment_n which_o his_o action_n make_v of_o it_o the_o sum_n now_o of_o all_o be_v this_o if_o a_o christian_a be_v concern_v to_o keep_v the_o manifestative_a and_o influential_a presence_n of_o christ_n with_o he_o to_o bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o holiness_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o much_o fruit_n to_o maintain_v his_o communion_n with_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n his_o vigour_n credit_n and_o glory_n with_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v himself_o out_o of_o hell_n fire_n to_o maintain_v his_o unspeakable_a privilege_n o●_n go_v to_o god_n &_o ask_v of_o god_n what_o he_o please_v with_o assurance_n of_o receive_v from_o christ_n what_o he_o ask_v if_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o preserve_v unto_o himself_o and_o to_o have_v to_o give_v unto_o other_o a_o evidence_n that_o he_o have_v not_o mock_v god_n &_o deceive_v man_n in_o his_o profession_n &_o act_v a_o odious_a dissembler_n &_o counterfeit_v in_o religion_n it_o be_v then_o his_o wisdom_n and_o high_a concernment_n to_o abide_v in_o christ_n i_o add_v further_o that_o it_o be_v his_o more_o especial_a concernment_n to_o look_v that_o he_o abide_v in_o christ_n in_o evil_a time_n let_v i_o evince_v that_o a_o little_a and_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o you_o if_o you_o consider_v with_o i_o these_o thing_n 1._o that_o in_o such_o time_n it_o be_v most_o difficult_a to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v a_o know_a saying_n difficilia_fw-la quae_fw-la pulchra_fw-la no_o brave_a thing_n be_v easy_a it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n when_o the_o jew_n prosper_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o the_o skirt_n of_o a_o jew_n and_o say_v we_o will_v be_v call_v by_o thy_o name_n to_o swim_v with_o the_o stream_n alas_o in_o such_o a_o day_n there_o be_v bladder_n enough_o to_o hold_v we_o up_o from_o sink_v beside_o the_o force_n of_o the_o stream_n alone_o will_v do_v it_o but_o a_o evil_a time_n be_v the_o time_n of_o trial_n peter_n himself_o find_v it_o easy_a to_o abide_v with_o christ_n when_o all_o the_o world_n run_v after_o he_o than_o when_o all_o his_o disciple_n ●rsook_v he_o and_o flee_v evil_a time_n ordinary_o afford_v three_o disadvantage_n which_o make_v a_o abode_n in_o our_o profession_n more_o difficult_a to_o professor_n 1._o the_o first_o be_v from_o the_o loosen_a the_o ●kin_n to_o wickedness_n there_o be_v this_o characteristical_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o good_a and_o evil_a time_n in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n in_o 〈◊〉_d
afford_v several_a proposition_n of_o doctrine_n some_o more_o imply_v other_o more_o express_v that_o christ_n will_v appear_v prop._n 1._o prop._n though_o at_o present_a he_o be_v personal_o absent_a and_o disappear_v to_o his_o people_n yet_o he_o will_v come_v again_o he_o will_v appear_v that_o at_o the_o day_n of_o his_o appearance_n prop._n 2._o prop._n some_o will_v have_v boldness_n and_o confidence_n other_o will_v blush_v and_o be_v ashamed_a that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a concernment_n of_o christian_n to_o abide_v in_o christ_n prop._n 3._o prop._n and_o that_o especial_o in_o evil_a time_n 4._o prop._n 4._o prop._n that_o a_o people_n abide_v in_o christ_n will_v add_v to_o a_o godly_a minister_n boldness_n and_o confidence_n when_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v appear_v in_o judgement_n the_o three_o be_v the_o main_a doctrine_n of_o the_o text_n be_v that_o which_o i_o shall_v only_o insist_v upon_o 1._o prop._n it_o be_v the_o great_a concernment_n of_o the_o child_n of_o god_n the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n especial_o in_o evil_a time_n to_o abide_v in_o christ_n the_o foundation_n of_o this_o proposition_n in_o the_o text_n be_v evident_a but_o now_o little_a child_n abide_v in_o he_o now_o that_o the_o time_n be_v thus_o evil_a by_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n by_o the_o rage_n of_o man_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n 26._o jo._n 1.2.18_o 19_o 26._o now_o that_o there_o be_v many_o antichrist_n by_o which_o we_o know_v this_o be_v the_o last_o time_n verse_n 18._o now_o that_o many_o be_v go_v out_o from_o we_o who_o be_v not_o of_o we_o now_o that_o there_o be_v many_o that_o seduce_v you_o verse_n 19_o 26._o now_o abide_v in_o he_o but_o for_o a_o full_a discourse_n upon_o this_o subject_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o i_o shall_v open_v to_o you_o 1._o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o term_n abide_v in_o he_o that_o you_o may_v know_v the_o full_a import_n of_o it_o 2._o that_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o wherein_o this_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o great_a concernment_n of_o christian_n 1._o in_o all_o time_n 2._o more_o especial_o in_o evil_a time_n 3._o then_o i_o shall_v bring_v it_o home_o to_o you_o in_o a_o more_o close_a and_o particular_a application_n 1._o quest_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o exhortation_n abide_v in_o he_o what_o be_v this_o to_o abide_v in_o christ_n 1._o abide_v be_v a_o term_n of_o continuance_n and_o signify_v a_o continue_a or_o persevere_v in_o some_o place_n or_o station_n in_o which_o a_o person_n be_v be_v here_o apply_v to_o christ_n it_o must_v signify_v a_o perseverance_n or_o continuance_n in_o union_n with_o christ_n or_o in_o some_o station_n or_o relation_n refer_v to_o he_o there_o be_v three_o way_n by_o which_o a_o man_n may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v a_o relation_n to_o christ_n 1._o sacramental_o we_o be_v say_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n 26._o rom._n 6.3_o gal._n 3_o 26._o rom._n 6.3_o gal._n 3.26_o not_o that_o the_o person_n baptize_v be_v forthwith_o justify_v or_o regenerate_v none_o can_v maintain_v that_o without_o assert_v a_o intercession_n of_o the_o state_n of_o justification_n and_o total_a and_o final_a apostasy_n but_o by_o baptism_n we_o be_v make_v member_n of_o that_o mystical_a body_n whereof_o christ_n be_v the_o head_n i_o mean_v the_o church_n thus_o in_o the_o strict_a sense_n those_o that_o be_v baptize_v be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n mystical_a christ_n as_o the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n though_o not_o as_o the_o head_n of_o the_o elect._n from_o this_o relation_n to_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o start_n but_o by_o renounce_v or_o deny_v our_o baptism_n beside_o we_o be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n as_o the_o soldier_n by_o take_v his_o pay_n or_o take_v his_o oath_n be_v list_v into_o a_o army_n that_o be_v under_o a_o engagement_n to_o profess_v christ_n and_o to_o be_v his_o servant_n 2._o putative_o or_o visible_o it_o be_v a_o figurative_a but_o very_o usual_a expression_n in_o scripture_n for_o man_n to_o be_v say_v to_o be_v what_o they_o judge_v themselves_o to_o be_v or_o what_o they_o outward_o own_v and_o profess_v to_o be_v thus_o the_o seem_o righteous_a man_n be_v call_v righteous_a and_o in_o this_o sense_n you_o read_v of_o some_o that_o deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v and_o we_o be_v bid_v not_o with_o our_o meat_n to_o destroy_v our_o brother_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v three_o more_o spiritual_o and_o real_o by_o a_o union_n of_o faith_n thus_o that_o man_n be_v in_o christ_n who_o actual_o believe_v faith_n be_v that_o grace_n which_o make_v the_o true_a and_o perfect_a union_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o the_o soul_n i_o mean_v that_o faith_n which_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n elect_v the_o faith_n that_o work_v by_o love_n purify_v the_o heart_n give_v the_o soul_n victory_n over_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n which_o faith_n be_v not_o a_o idle_a and_o inactive_a quality_n but_o work_v and_o powerful_a justify_v itself_o 1._o by_o a_o profession_n own_v of_o and_o adhere_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n 2._o by_o a_o suitable_o holy_a life_n and_o conversation_n with_o reference_n to_o this_o i_o take_v the_o exhortation_n 2._o but_o second_o this_o exhortation_n do_v not_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o union_n once_o thus_o make_v betwixt_o christ_n and_o the_o soul_n can_v be_v dissolve_v he_o that_o be_v the_o author_n be_v also_o the_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n the_o seed_n of_o god_n say_v our_o apostle_n abide_v in_o the_o believe_a soul_n it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n of_o some_o to_o conclude_v from_o such_o kind_n of_o exhortation_n as_o these_o the_o possibility_n of_o a_o christian_n fall_v from_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n 3._o but_o last_o though_o a_o christian_a once_o true_o implant_v into_o christ_n and_o by_o faith_n engraft_v can_v but_o abide_v in_o he_o be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o uphold_v by_o a_o everlasting_a arm_n yet_o 1._o this_o union_n on_o our_o part_n must_v be_v preserve_v by_o the_o use_n of_o such_o mean_n as_o he_o have_v appoint_v 2._o a_o man_n may_v fall_v away_o gradual_o from_o his_o profession_n and_o may_v abate_v of_o his_o practice_n in_o holiness_n now_o with_o reference_n to_o one_o or_o both_o these_o be_v this_o exhortation_n and_o many_o other_o of_o like_a nature_n in_o scripture_n which_o signify_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o live_v in_o a_o diligent_a use_n of_o all_o those_o sacred_a institution_n and_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v you_o in_o order_n to_o your_o preservation_n in_o that_o state_n of_o grace_n into_o which_o the_o lord_n have_v bring_v you_o and_o will_v by_o his_o power_n but_o through_o faith_n on_o your_o part_n preserve_v you_o to_o salvation_n 2._o and_o take_v heed_n that_o you_o abate_v not_o in_o degree_n of_o faith_n and_o love_n this_o now_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o short_a exhortation_n abide_v in_o he_o which_o we_o shall_v the_o better_o understand_v by_o consider_v other_o scripture_n in_o word_n or_o in_o sense_n parallel_n to_o this_o it_o be_v a_o phrase_n we_o rare_o meet_v with_o in_o holy_a write_n but_o only_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o this_o bless_a apostle_n it_o be_v christ_n exhortation_n john_n 15.4_o abide_v in_o i_o 10._o joh._n 15.4_o 7_o 10._o expound_v for_o 7._o if_o any_o man_n abide_v in_o i_o and_o my_o word_n abide_v in_o he_o ver_fw-la 10._o 3.6_o 1_o joh._n 2.6.24.17.10_o 1_o joh._n 3.6_o abide_v in_o my_o love_n 1_o john_n 2.24_o it_o be_v a_o little_a alter_v if_o you_o abide_v in_o that_o which_o you_o have_v hear_v 1_o john_n 2.26_o he_o that_o say_v he_o abide_v in_o he_o ought_v so_o to_o walk_v as_o he_o also_o walk_v ver_fw-la 10._o it_o be_v call_v a_o abide_n in_o light_n 1_o john_n 3.6_o who_o so_o abide_v in_o he_o sin_v not_o so_o then_o when_o we_o be_v exhort_v to_o abide_v in_o he_o we_o be_v call_v upon_o to_o take_v heed_n of_o sin_n to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o walk_v in_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o own_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n may_v abide_v in_o we_o two_o thing_n we_o be_v call_v to_o for_o two_o thing_n we_o be_v admonish_v to_o take_v heed_n of_o 1._o we_o be_v call_v to_o for_o a_o steadfast_a own_n of_o and_o adhere_v to_o such_o proposition_n as_o we_o before_o by_o faith_n have_v embrace_v and_o be_v persuade_v of_o from_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o admonish_v to_o take_v heed_n of_o
among_o other_o i_o say_v it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o appetite_n of_o a_o good_a christian_a may_v abate_v or_o seem_v to_o abate_v as_o to_o his_o proper_a spiritual_a food_n but_o a_o soul_n that_o true_o live_v the_o spiritual_a life_n can_v long_o want_v a_o appetite_n any_o more_o than_o a_o body_n can_v long_o live_v without_o appetite_n to_o meat_n three_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o a_o jea●●s_v christian_n may_v mis-judge_n himself_o as_o to_o his_o spiritual_a thirst_n concl._n 3._o concl._n and_o this_o 1._o either_o ●●dging_n he_o have_v none_o when_o he_o either_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o he_o desire_v or_o not_o so_o much_o as_o he_o have_v former_o have_v or_o not_o so_o much_o to_o one_o divine_a institution_n as_o to_o another_o 1._o when_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o he_o desire_v the_o true_o gracious_a soul_n be_v exceed_o covetous_a as_o soon_o may_v the_o ●●ave_v or_o the_o barren_a womb_n or_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n solomon_n mention_n as_o insatiable_a be_v satisfy_v as_o the_o gracious_a soul_n ●●y_n i_o have_v enough_o of_o any_o gracious_a disposition_n now_o this_o a_o great_a error_n to_o conclude_v a_o total_a want_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o a_o partial_a want_n only_o relate_v to_o a_o degree_n beside_o a_o gracious_a soul_n be_v natural_o exceed_v jealous_a and_o suspicious_a jealous_a of_o christ_n love_n to_o it_o suspicious_a of_o its_o own_o love_n to_o christ_n and_o this_o indeed_o make_v it_o take_v advantage_n to_o mis-judge_n itself_o from_o the_o want_n of_o a_o desire_a degree_n of_o grace_n 2._o second_o when_o it_o do_v not_o find_v such_o a_o vehement_a thirst_n as_o it_o have_v former_o have_v either_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o its_o conversion_n or_o it_o may_v be_v at_o some_o particular_a time_n since_o though_o a_o gracious_a soul_n never_o want_v a_o appetite_n to_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n yet_o there_o be_v time_n when_o its_o appetite_n be_v great_a and_o thirst_v strong_a and_o more_o vehement_a as_o first_o 1._o in_o the_o begin_n of_o its_o conversion_n when_o the_o soul_n have_v receive_v the_o first_o powerful_a impression_n of_o the_o word_n upon_o its_o conscience_n and_o be_v first_o raise_v to_o a_o lively_a hope_n in_o the_o promise_n oh_o how_o sweet_a then_o be_v every_o opportunity_n of_o hear_v prayer_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v the_o observation_n of_o divine_n that_o in_o this_o time_n affection_n be_v always_o strong_a passion_n for_o god_n always_o high_a the_o reason_n i●_n because_o the_o soul_n taste_n be_v then_o most_o imperfect_a its_o sense_n of_o mercy_n quick_a the_o woman_n love_v her_o husband_n as_o well_o afterward_o as_o upon_o her_o first_o marriage_n but_o not_o so_o passionate_o afterward_o as_o at_o first_o 2._o after_o some_o restraint_n from_o those_o enjoyment_n whether_o from_o natural_a or_o moral_a cause_n god_n in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o amos_n threaten_v a_o famine_n of_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n then_o say_v he_o they_o shall_v run_v from_o city_n to_o city_n to_o seek_v one_o who_o shall_v speak_v to_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n 3._o in_o the_o begin_n of_o some_o spiritual_a desertion_n cant._n 3.2_o at_o this_o time_n the_o spouse_n rise_v and_o go_v about_o the_o city_n in_o the_o street_n and_o in_o the_o broad_a way_n seek_v he_o who_o her_o soul_n love_v i_o say_v in_o the_o beginning_n for_o many_o time_n in_o the_o process_n of_o a_o desertion_n temptation_n arise_v upon_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o discouragement_n which_o it_o meet_v with_o in_o performance_n of_o spiritual_a duty_n now_o it_o be_v a_o erroneous_a judgement_n to_o determine_v that_o we_o have_v no_o spiritual_a hunger_n and_o thirst_n because_o we_o have_v it_o not_o in_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n 3_o three_o a_o soul_n may_v be_v afraid_a o●_n at_o least_o not_o so_o fond_a of_o a_o ordinance_n after_o discouragement_n meet_v with_o in_o it_o and_o yet_o may_v have_v a_o true_a thirst_n to_o it_o a_o man_n eat_v and_o be_v continual_o sick_a after_o h●●_n meat_n it_o will_v make_v he_o not_o to_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o his_o meat_n yet_o he_o may_v have_v mind_n enough_o to_o it_o he_o sit_v down_o with_o a_o kind_n of_o fear_n to_o his_o meat_n yet_o he_o have_v a_o appetite_n to_o it_o 4._o four_o a_o temptation_n may_v prevail_v upon_o a_o soul_n that_o he_o shall_v dish●●nour_v god_n or_o increase_v his_o own_o damnation_n by_o wait_v upon_o god_n in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o ordinance_n this_o make_v he_o he_o dare_v not_o do_v it_o yet_o his_o appetite_n to_o it_o may_v be_v good_a enough_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a concl._n 4._o concl._n that_o a_o christian_n may_v have_v a_o more_o singular_a special_a appetite_n to_o one_o ordinance_n than_o another_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o this_o in_o the_o ordinance_n all_o ordinance_n have_v the_o same_o stamp_n of_o divine_a institution_n upon_o they_o a_o attendance_n upon_o they_o all_o fall_n under_o the_o same_o authority_n of_o divine_a precept_n all_o of_o they_o be_v under_o a_o like_a ordination_n for_o the_o beginning_n or_o perfecting_n of_o grace_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o reason_n for_o this_o in_o our_o self-love_n which_o incline_v every_o one_o most_o to_o desire_v and_o delight_n in_o those_o institution_n in_o which_o he_o have_v ●et_a with_o more_o sensible_a manifestation_n 〈◊〉_d the_o presence_n power_n and_o goodness_n of_o ●od_a hence_o you_o shall_v find_v some_o chri●●●rs_n more_o delight_v in_o prayer_n other_o ●●re_v in_o hear_v the_o word_n though_o 〈◊〉_d fault_n of_o this_o be_v the_o corruption_n of_o ●r_n heart_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o be_v the_o ordinary_a weakness_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d precious_a soul_n and_o therefore_o a_o christian_a find_v this_o have_v no_o reason_n ●o_o mis-judge_n himself_o as_o total_o want_v ●is_n spiritual_a appetite_n the_o want_n of_o appetite_n to_o any_o institution_n 〈◊〉_d christ_n concl._n 5._o concl._n be_v what_o no_o gracious_a soul_n ought_v ●●llow_v himself_o in_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o ●t_a they_o all_o have_v the_o image_n and_o super●●●ption_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n upon_o 〈◊〉_d they_o all_o fall_n under_o a_o equal_a ●●●ority_n of_o divine_a precept_n then_o 〈◊〉_d say_v holy_a david_n shall_v i_o not_o be_v ashamed_a when_o i_o shall_v have_v respect_n to_o all_o thy_o commandment_n they_o be_v all_o as_o i_o use_v before_o under_o a_o ordination_n for_o our_o 〈◊〉_d advantage_n and_o be_v the_o proper_a use_v of_o christian_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n assign_v for_o a_o partial_a respect_n to_o any_o institution_n of_o christ_n but_o some_o selfishness_n in_o we_o if_o therefore_o this_o be_v thy_o temper_n christian_n that_o thou_o a_o enamour_a and_o exceed_v fond_a upon_o one_o ordinance_n of_o another_o not_o so_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o thy_o infirmity_n not_o condemn_v thyself_o for_o it_o as_o one_o not_o at_o a●_n thirst_v after_o god_n in_o his_o institution_n but_o as_o what_o thou_o ought_v not_o to_o allow_v thyself_o in_o but_o to_o groan_v under_o to_o search_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o and_o not_o to_o leave_v thy_o soul_n until_o thou_o have_v bring_v it_o in_o to_o a_o more_o even_a temper_n last_o concl._n 6._o concl._n as_o a_o total_a want_n of_o this_o spiritual_a thirst_n after_o divine_a institution_n unquestionable_o speak_v a_o dead_a soul_n one_o that_o have_v nothing_o of_o the_o life_n of_o grace_n but_o be_v dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n still_o an●_n never_o taste_v how_o good_a the_o lord_n i●_n so_o a_o faint_a decay_a appetite_n to_o they_o argue_v a_o decline_a and_o a_o decay_a soul_n let_v 〈◊〉_d be_v upon_o what_o principle_n it_o will_v whether_o of_o looseness_n not_o be_v able_a to_o be●●_n the_o strict_a yoke_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o kee●_n thyself_o so_o close_o to_o duty_n or_o fro●_n a_o dream_n of_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n an●_n a_o life_n of_o god_n above_o ordinance_n the_o reason_n be_v plain_o here_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o absolute_a perfection_n here_o ordinance_n be_v the_o soul_n food_n and_o while_o a_o soul_n live_v on_o this_o side_n of_o heaven_n it_o can_v better_o live_v without_o they_o than_o the_o natural_a body_n can_v live_v without_o water_n observe_v i_o pray_v you_o 1._o spiritual_a life_n lie_v in_o spiritual_a ●nion_n with_o christ_n all_o life_n consist_v in_o ●nion_n the_o natural_a life_n in_o the_o union_n betwixt_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n eternal_a life_n 〈◊〉_d nothing_o else_o but_o a_o union_n with_o god_n in_o glory_n so_o spiritual_a life_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o soul_n spiritual_a union_n with_o christ_n 2._o all_o union_n be_v preserve_v by_o communion_n i●_n mutual_a communication_n the_o natural_a union_n