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christian_n church_n faith_n unity_n 2,037 5 9.1432 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A51916 Sermons preach'd on several occasions by John March ..., the last of which was preach'd the twenty seventh of November, 1692, being the Sunday before he died ; with a preface by Dr. John Scot ; to which is added, A sermon preach'd at the assizes, in New-Castle upon Tine, in the reign of the late King James. March, John, 1640-1692.; Scott, John, 1639-1695. 1699 (1699) Wing M583; ESTC R18158 123,796 330

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the_o saint_n till_o we_o all_o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o a_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o just_a and_o full_a stature_n christian_n may_v grow_v to_o in_o this_o life_n they_o may_v come_v to_o the_o perfect_a man_n that_o be_v to_o such_o degree_n of_o grace_n to_o such_o a_o state_n of_o evangelical_n though_o not_o legal_a or_o absolute_a perfection_n as_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o carry_v they_o to_o heaven_n as_o in_o natural_a growth_n man_n have_v a_o fix_v and_o determinate_a stature_n to_o which_o they_o arrive_v so_o in_o spiritual_a growth_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a stature_n too_o which_o when_o we_o arrive_v at_o we_o become_v perfect_a man_n and_o complete_a christian_n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v infallible_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n thus_o i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a growth_n of_o grace_n attainable_a in_o this_o life_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o assure_v we_o of_o eternal_a salvation_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o show_v you_o what_o this_o save_a growth_n in_o grace_n import_v and_o that_o both_o negative_o and_o positive_o and_o one_a it_o do_v not_o import_v a_o absolute_a freedom_n from_o all_o sin_n but_o be_v consistent_a with_o sin_n of_o ignorance_n and_o infirmity_n there_o be_v no_o state_n of_o absolute_a perfection_n on_o this_o side_n the_o grave_a for_o there_o be_v dung_n in_o all_o our_o sacrifice_n and_o our_o very_a righteousness_n be_v as_o filthy_a rag_n as_o the_o best_a grain_n have_v its_o chaff_n and_o the_o bright_a marble_n its_o spot_n and_o flaw_n so_o the_o best_a of_o christian_n want_v not_o a_o mixture_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o high_a saint_n have_v some_o allay_n of_o original_a corruption_n hence_o solomon_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o just_a 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our_o psalmist_n have_v sure_o they_o frame_v to_o themselves_o such_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n as_o allow_v they_o with_o jehu_n to_o drive_v on_o furious_o in_o the_o way_n of_o wickedness_n it_o will_v therefore_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o charity_n to_o undeceive_v these_o delude_a wretch_n to_o show_v they_o the_o weakness_n of_o those_o principle_n they_o build_v upon_o and_o the_o vanity_n of_o those_o reason_n which_o so_o much_o embolden_v they_o in_o their_o evil_a practice_n and_o this_o be_v the_o second_o general_n i_o propose_v to_o speak_v to_o and_o first_o atheism_n be_v one_o main_a reason_n why_o many_o discover_v so_o little_a fear_n of_o god_n in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n as_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o he_o that_o come_v unto_o god_n must_v first_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v as_o s._n paul_n speak_v heb._n 11._o 6._o so_o on_o the_o contrary_a atheism_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o spring_n and_o 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threaten_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o the_o hope_n of_o impunity_n make_v they_o run_v to_o all_o excess_n of_o riot_n for_o when_o there_o be_v a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n there_o will_v be_v a_o depart_n from_o the_o live_a god_n hence_o be_v that_o advice_n of_o the_o apostle_n heb._n 3._o 12._o take_v heed_n brethren_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n and_o what_o better_a remedy_n can_v there_o be_v of_o this_o unbelief_n than_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v our_o faith_n in_o the_o gospel_n for_o as_o miracle_n be_v the_o high_a evidence_n heaven_n can_v give_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v confirm_v by_o many_o prodigious_a miracle_n so_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v attest_v both_o by_o friend_n and_o foe_n the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n for_o more_o than_o 1600_o year_n can_v but_o be_v a_o very_a substantial_a evidence_n of_o these_o miracle_n to_o all_o christian_n and_o yet_o beside_o this_o we_o have_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o pagan_n josephus_n the_o jew_n report_v of_o our_o saviour_n that_o he_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o confirm_v his_o doctrine_n by_o mighty_a sign_n and_o wonder_n nay_o far_o yet_o pontius_n pilate_n as_o eusebius_n inform_v we_o send_v a_o large_a narrative_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n to_o tiberius_n caesar_n who_o lay_v they_o up_o among_o the_o record_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o according_o they_o be_v appeal_v to_o by_o the_o ancient_a father_n let_v we_o not_o therefore_o be_v any_o long_a faithless_a but_o believe_v we_o can_v have_v a_o sure_a foundation_n for_o our_o faith_n than_o the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o miracle_n of_o infidelity_n himself_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n see_v they_o have_v be_v attest_v both_o by_o friend_n and_o foe_n and_o confirm_v to_o we_o not_o only_o by_o christian_n but_o also_o by_o jew_n and_o pagan_n three_o i_o shall_v name_v but_o one_o reason_n more_o why_o many_o man_n discover_v so_o little_a fear_n of_o god_n in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n and_o that_o be_v a_o dangerous_a opinion_n they_o have_v imbibe_v of_o a_o state_n of_o annihilation_n after_o death_n the_o infamous_a author_n of_o the_o monstrous_a leviathan_n have_v sad_o debauch_v this_o unhappy_a age_n of_o we_o by_o teach_v that_o the_o wicked_a after_o death_n shall_v have_v no_o resurrection_n no_o as_o he_o tell_v they_o they_o shall_v return_v to_o their_o primitive_a nothing_o and_o have_v no_o more_o sense_n of_o pain_n than_o they_o have_v before_o they_o receive_v their_o be_v a_o doctrine_n this_o most_o fatal_a to_o piety_n and_o virtue_n for_o if_o wicked_a man_n can_v once_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o they_o need_v not_o fear_v any_o severe_a punishment_n after_o death_n than_o that_o of_o annihilation_n than_o they_o will_v for_o certain_a run_v to_o all_o excess_n of_o riot_n for_o this_o and_o no_o other_o be_v the_o use_n which_o be_v make_v of_o this_o pernicious_a doctrine_n in_o the_o day_n of_o st._n paul_n this_o and_o no_o other_o be_v the_o language_n of_o epicurean_o then_o as_o you_o may_v read_v in_o 1_o cor._n 15._o 32._o if_o the_o dead_a rise_v not_o say_v they_o let_v we_o eat_v and_o drink_v for_o to_o morrow_n we_o die_v but_o what_o say_v solomon_n to_o such_o sinner_n as_o these_o eccles._n 11._o 9_o rejoice_v o_o young_a man_n in_o thy_o youth_n and_o let_v thy_o heart_n cheer_v thou_o in_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o youth_n walk_v on_o in_o the_o way_n of_o thy_o own_o heart_n and_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o thy_o own_o eye_n yet_o know_v thou_o that_o for_o all_o these_o thing_n god_n will_v bring_v thou_o unto_o judgement_n what_o a_o dismal_a day_n will_v the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v to_o such_o delude_a sinner_n they_o will_v 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enjoy_v the_o bright_a beam_n of_o heavenly_a light_n whilst_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o groan_n under_o worse_a than_o egyptian_a darkness_n this_o be_v the_o true_a gideon_n fleece_n which_o be_v water_v with_o the_o dew_n of_o celestial_a grace_n whilst_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n lie_v dry_a and_o parch_a not_o unlike_o some_o barren_a and_o curse_a wilderness_n this_o in_o st._n austine_n comparison_n be_v the_o true_a ark_n in_o which_o alone_o we_o can_v be_v secure_a from_o the_o deluge_n of_o god_n wrath_n thus_o great_a be_v their_o happiness_n who_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o some_o difficulty_n there_o be_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n as_o tertullian_n observe_v of_o old_a faciunt_fw-la favos_fw-la &_o vespae_fw-la faciunt_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la &_o marcionitae_n the_o most_o dangerous_a wasp_n have_v their_o cell_n say_v he_o even_o so_o the_o worst_a of_o heretic_n be_v ready_a to_o cry_v out_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o lord_n 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of_o heretic_n do_v not_o our_o saviour_n himself_o tell_v we_o that_o his_o sheep_n will_v hear_v his_o voice_n and_o not_o the_o voice_n of_o stranger_n and_o where_o be_v this_o voice_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v hear_v but_o sound_v in_o the_o write_n of_o these_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n this_o therefore_o be_v the_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n whereunto_o say_v st._n peter_n you_o do_v well_o if_o you_o take_v heed_n nor_o be_v this_o any_o other_o mark_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n than_o what_o be_v general_o own_a by_o the_o ancient_a father_n tertullian_n bring_v in_o the_o church_n speak_v such_o word_n as_o these_o sum_n apostolorum_fw-la sic_fw-la teneo_fw-la sicut_fw-la illi_fw-la testamento_fw-la caverunt_fw-la i_o be_o heir_n say_v she_o to_o the_o holy_a apostle_n whatever_o truth_n they_o leave_v i_o in_o their_o write_n whatever_o doctrine_n they_o bequeath_v i_o in_o their_o testament_n these_o i_o firm_o believe_v these_o i_o will_v constant_o hold_v 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be_v take_v in_o this_o figurative_a sense_n this_o cup_n represent_v my_o blood_n for_o it_o follow_v present_o after_o i_o will_v not_o drink_v henceforth_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o vine_n say_v christ_n until_o that_o day_n when_o i_o drink_v it_o new_a with_o you_o in_o my_o father_n kingdom_n the_o fruit_n be_v call_v sometime_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o grape_n but_o sure_o without_o a_o figure_n it_o can_v be_v call_v the_o blood_n of_o christ._n thus_o you_o see_v that_o our_o church_n be_v apostolical_a also_o in_o deny_v transubstantiation_n 6._o the_o adoration_n of_o the_o host_n be_v account_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n a_o most_o dangerous_a crime_n for_o since_o as_o you_o have_v hear_v there_o be_v no_o transubstantiation_n but_o it_o remain_v bread_n we_o dare_v not_o pay_v our_o adoration_n to_o it_o which_o we_o believe_v a_o creature_n for_o it_o be_v the_o plain_a doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v 7._o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o condemn_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n condemn_v only_o what_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n have_v condemn_v before_o for_o this_o charge_n be_v give_v in_o the_o second_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v not_o make_v unto_o thyself_o any_o grave_a image_n nor_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n above_o or_o in_o the_o earth_n beneath_o or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n thou_o shall_v not_o bow_v down_o to_o they_o nor_o worship_v they_o here_o we_o be_v forbid_v and_o that_o in_o most_o comprehensive_a term_n the_o make_n of_o any_o image_n whatsoever_o to_o worship_n it_o it_o be_v not_o say_v thou_o shall_v not_o make_v image_n of_o idol_n or_o false_a god_n but_o it_o be_v say_v thou_o shall_v not_o make_v any_o grave_a image_n nor_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v a_o image_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v a_o violation_n of_o this_o commandment_n for_o 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learned_a papist_n have_v neither_o precept_n nor_o example_n in_o scripture_n to_o warrant_v it_o and_o consequent_o it_o can_v be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o text_n i._n e._n the_o foundation_n of_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n the_o temple_n of_o old_a be_v call_v the_o house_n of_o prayer_n to_o denote_v that_o religious_a prayer_n be_v a_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o do_v not_o our_o saviour_n say_v express_o thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v to_o hear_v mental_a prayer_n belong_v only_o to_o god_n who_o alone_o try_v the_o reins_o and_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o therefore_o to_o make_v such_o prayer_n unto_o creature_n be_v to_o make_v they_o more_o than_o creature_n the_o saint_n must_v be_v omnipresent_v if_o they_o can_v hear_v all_o their_o votary_n who_o pray_v to_o they_o in_o all_o quarter_n of_o the_o earth_n now_o omnipresence_n be_v a_o attribute_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o divine_a essence_n thou_o be_v a_o god_n that_o hear_v prayer_n say_v the_o psalmist_n and_o therefore_o unto_o thou_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v we_o be_v tell_v in_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n and_o since_o he_o be_v most_o willing_a and_o able_a to_o save_v they_o to_o the_o uttermost_a who_o come_v unto_o god_n by_o he_o we_o do_v not_o use_v the_o intercession_n of_o the_o saint_n for_o fear_v we_o shall_v injure_v the_o merit_n of_o that_o all-sufficient_a mediator_n who_o ever_o live_v to_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o by_o these_o few_o instance_n which_o i_o have_v give_v and_o i_o may_v have_v give_v you_o many_o more_o it_o can_v but_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o serious_a unprejudiced_a person_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n keep_v close_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o like_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o text_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o 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