Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	church_n	particular_a	visible_a	3,187	5	9.2342	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60150	Serious reflections on time and eternity with some other subjects, moral and divine : to which is prefix'd an introduction concerning the first day of the year, how observed by the Jews, and may best be employed by a serious Christian / by John Shower.	Shower, John, 1657-1715.	1689 (1689)	Wing S3687; ESTC R38915	108,085	277

serious_a reflection_n on_o time_n and_o eternity_n with_o some_o other_o subject_n moral_a and_o divine_a to_o which_o be_v prefix_v a_o introduction_n concern_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o year_n how_o observe_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o may_v best_o be_v employ_v by_o a_o serious_a christian_a by_o john_n shower_n the_o second_o edition_n correct_v and_o very_o much_o enlarge_v london_n print_v for_o joseph_n watts_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1689._o to_o the_o reader_n the_o visible_a decay_n of_o piety_n and_o evangelical_n holiness_n be_v a_o common_a subject_n of_o complaint_n and_o hardly_o ever_o more_o just_o than_o now_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o generality_n of_o church_n and_o particular_a christian_n all_o serious_a and_o consider_a person_n must_v needs_o reckon_v themselves_o oblige_v on_o that_o account_n both_o to_o mourn_v and_o fear_v the_o cause_n of_o serious_a mourn_a be_v too_o many_o and_o too_o notorious_a to_o be_v unobserved_a by_o those_o who_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o europe_n even_o among_o the_o most_o reform_a the_o general_a unacquaintedness_n with_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o reproach_n of_o the_o solemn_a assembly_n by_o the_o corruption_n of_o its_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o the_o dishonour_n cast_v upon_o its_o most_o sacred_a institution_n the_o late_a terrible_a desolation_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o sanctuary_n and_o grievous_a suffering_n of_o our_o brethren_n in_o many_o part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o shameful_a apostasy_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o other_o consideration_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o may_v be_v name_v do_v carry_v with_o they_o a_o loud_a call_n to_o humiliation_n and_o mourn_v but_o the_o practical_a degeneracy_n of_o profess_v christian_n unto_o worldliness_n profaneness_n and_o sensuality_n do_v not_o only_o afford_v matter_n of_o lamentation_n for_o the_o present_a but_o too_o much_o ground_n to_o fear_n that_o the_o bitterness_n of_o death_n be_v not_o past_a that_o god_n be_v anger_n be_v not_o turn_v away_o or_o his_o controversy_n end_v with_o the_o protestant_a church_n and_o after_o we_o have_v know_v so_o many_o thousand_o to_o renounce_v and_o abjure_v their_o religion_n in_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n and_o see_v so_o many_o more_o yea_o the_o far_o great_a part_n in_o a_o preparedness_n to_o revolt_n on_o the_o like_a or_o lesser_a trial_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o vicious_a life_n because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o what_o can_v we_o reasonable_o expect_v but_o further_a token_n of_o divine_a displeasure_n and_o how_o little_a of_o any_o encourage_v prospect_n be_v there_o by_o the_o serious_a reformation_n of_o person_n family_n and_o church_n to_o turn_v away_o his_o wrath_n where_o be_v there_o any_o symptom_n of_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n from_o whence_o in_o our_o age_n there_o be_v so_o undeniable_a a_o declension_n and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o party_n that_o there_o be_v so_o how_o little_a be_v to_o be_v see_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n among_o those_o who_o be_v most_o forward_a and_o zealous_a in_o espouse_v the_o reform_a interest_n even_o such_o as_o will_v be_v think_v of_o all_o other_o to_o be_v most_o concern_v for_o its_o preservation_n and_o have_v suffer_v not_o a_o little_a for_o it_o the_o distress_a case_n of_o our_o brethren_n can_v but_o move_v our_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n when_o we_o read_v or_o hear_v from_o time_n to_o time_n the_o relation_n of_o the_o barbarous_a proceed_n of_o their_o persecutor_n but_o the_o sensual_a wicked_a life_n of_o profess_o reform_a christian_n be_v certain_o a_o more_o dreadful_a object_n to_o be_v consider_v and_o aught_o so_o to_o be_v regard_v by_o we_o as_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o be_v much_o more_o to_o be_v fear_v than_o of_o the_o fierce_a persecution_n by_o open_a and_o avow_v enemy_n for_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n never_o lose_v either_o truth_n or_o holiness_n that_o way_n it_o have_v rather_o be_v a_o considerable_a outward_a mean_n for_o the_o preservation_n and_o increase_n of_o both_o though_o this_o can_v be_v say_v but_o the_o direct_a contrary_a concern_v protestant_n persecute_v one_o another_o for_o lesser_a difference_n the_o sad_a effect_n of_o it_o have_v be_v see_v and_o feel_v to_o that_o degree_n in_o weaken_v the_o common_a true_o christian_a interest_n among_o we_o that_o now_o if_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o loud_a call_n than_o ordinary_a to_o forbearance_n and_o forgiveness_n and_o unity_n of_o affection_n that_o our_o division_n with_o a_o revengeful_a persecute_v spirit_n may_v not_o prove_v our_o ruin._n and_o whatever_o expectation_n we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o have_v from_o the_o unfulfilled_a prophecy_n of_o god_n rebuilding_n zion_n in_o the_o latter_a day_n and_o destroy_v her_o enemy_n which_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v but_o he_o will_v most_o glorious_o effect_v and_o ought_v daily_o to_o pray_v that_o he_o will_v hasten_v it_o for_o his_o name_n sake_n yet_o can_v we_o never_o hope_v to_o see_v any_o thing_n considerable_a of_o that_o kind_n in_o our_o time_n without_o a_o great_a repentance_n and_o reformation_n and_o the_o more_o plentiful_a pour_v out_o of_o the_o h._n spirit_n for_o the_o heal_n of_o the_o nation_n i_o therefore_o wish_v that_o the_o confident_a expectation_n of_o a_o speedy_a deliverance_n of_o the_o church_n may_v not_o divert_v we_o from_o the_o present_a duty_n we_o be_v call_v to_o as_o the_o proper_a appoint_a mean_n to_o which_o god_n have_v direct_v we_o for_o that_o end_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o titus_n what_o be_v it_o that_o do_v hinder_v the_o jew_n from_o harken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n and_o man_n for_o their_o preservation_n but_o this_o presumption_n that_o at_o that_o time_n their_o messiah_n will_v come_v and_o save_v save_v they_o and_o that_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o be_v expect_v wherein_o he_o will_v plead_v the_o controversy_n of_o zion_n against_o babylon_n how_o glorious_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o issue_n may_v be_v it_o be_v likely_a it_o will_v be_v such_o as_o shall_v disappoint_v our_o vain_a and_o foolish_a hope_n concern_v it_o god_n will_v thorough_o purge_v his_o temple_n and_o punish_v the_o man_n that_o be_v at_o ease_n and_o settle_v on_o their_o lees_n and_o tread_v down_o the_o outer-court_n of_o false_a professor_n therefore_o all_o rank_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v awaken_v to_o serious_a repentance_n and_o be_v there_o any_o hopeful_a beginning_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n within_o view_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n on_o foot_n to_o be_v observe_v like_o such_o a_o retrieve_v of_o gospel_n holiness_n in_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o man_n do_v not_o the_o name_n and_o thing_n grow_v more_o and_o more_o into_o contempt_n every_o day_n and_o who_o can_v tell_v how_o far_o it_o may_v proceed_v to_o procure_v judgement_n upon_o any_o particular_a place_n or_o country_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o general_a and_o provoke_v a_o defection_n it_o concern_v we_o therefore_o every_o one_o to_o look_v to_o himself_o to_o repent_v and_o do_v our_o first_o work_n and_o make_v our_o peace_n with_o god_n that_o we_o may_v be_v find_v within_o the_o small_a number_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v think_v worthy_a to_o escape_v the_o almost_o epidemical_a infection_n and_o to_o stand_v before_o the_o son_n of_o man._n on_o which_o account_n any_o thing_n that_o be_v likely_a to_o awaken_v man_n to_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a acknowledge_v principle_n of_o religion_n can_v be_v unseasonable_a yea_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o mean_a and_o weak_a endeavour_n may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n the_o subject_n of_o the_o follow_a reflection_n be_v most_o of_o they_o of_o that_o kind_n necessary_a to_o be_v attend_v to_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o so_o can_v be_v too_o often_o press_v though_o in_o different_a manner_n the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n and_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o bulk_n be_v two_o thing_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o recommend_v a_o book_n to_o most_o reader_n for_o which_o reason_n i_o may_v hope_v this_o will_v be_v read_v by_o several_a who_o suffer_v much_o better_a because_o big_a book_n to_o lie_v by_o they_o neglect_v some_o may_v possible_o give_v it_o the_o read_n as_o a_o new-year_n gift_n and_o whoever_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o persuade_v by_o it_o as_o to_o set_v apart_o some_o time_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n for_o self-examination_n confession_n of_o sin_n repentance_n thanksgiving_n and_o solemn_a renewal_n of_o his_o covenant_n with_o god_n which_o several_a of_o these_o reflection_n may_v not_o only_o excite_v to_o but_o

from_o they_o consider_v to_o awaken_v endeavour_n of_o a_o recovery_n in_o what_o manner_n the_o faith_n of_o adherence_n may_v be_v act_v by_o one_o who_o have_v no_o assurance_n it_o can_v but_o be_v of_o use_n to_o believer_n also_o at_o state_v time_n to_o examine_v themselves_o concern_v their_o languish_n and_o decay_n in_o grace_n fall_v from_o their_o first_o love_n to_o a_o spirit_n of_o indifferency_n and_o lukewarmness_n disorderly_o walk_v or_o unfruitfulness_n whether_o gray_a hair_n be_v not_o here_o and_o there_o upon_o they_o and_o they_o know_v it_o not_o for_o god_n may_v withdraw_v by_o degree_n so_o that_o his_o departure_n may_v not_o present_o be_v perceive_v and_o some_o kind_n of_o activity_n in_o duty_n may_v be_v continue_v upon_o false_a principle_n and_o from_o common_a assistance_n while_o a_o christian_n as_o to_o his_o spiritual_a state_n may_v be_v under_o a_o dangerous_a consumption_n it_o be_v not_o difficult_a for_o other_o to_o observe_v it_o some_o time_n and_o will_v be_v visible_a enough_o to_o themselves_o will_v they_o spare_v a_o few_o hour_n to_o examine_v the_o matter_n the_o punishment_n of_o such_o backslide_n the_o loss_n of_o the_o quicken_a and_o comfort_v presence_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n deserve_v likewise_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o in_o order_n to_o a_o speedy_a remedy_n and_o shall_v enforce_v the_o counsel_n i_o mean_v not_o bare_o the_o ebb_a of_o affection_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n or_o the_o want_n of_o life_n and_o quicken_a from_o sensible_a consolation_n which_o new_a convert_v especial_o such_o as_o have_v be_v reclaim_v from_o a_o course_n of_o notorious_a impiety_n have_v more_o of_o at_o first_o than_o afterward_o this_o doubt_a christian_n shall_v particular_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o prodigal_n who_o be_v extraordinary_o feast_v at_o his_o first_o return_n but_o be_v doubtless_o content_v afterward_o with_o the_o ordinary_a provision_n of_o his_o father_n house_n neither_o do_v god_n dispense_v the_o same_o measure_n to_o all_o alike_o nor_o to_o any_o alike_o at_o all_o time_n some_o who_o be_v call_v to_o great_a service_n and_o suffering_n than_o other_o or_o have_v great_a conflict_n before_o conversion_n may_v have_v a_o great_a share_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o brethren_n neither_o will_v the_o same_o degree_n of_o grace_n impart_v to_o some_o person_n so_o discernable_o move_v and_o comfort_v as_o it_o will_v do_v some_o other_o of_o a_o different_a temper_n it_o be_v not_o therefore_o so_o much_o to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o enquiry_n if_o at_o all_o it_o need_v to_o be_v so_o whether_o we_o have_v more_o or_o less_o of_o sensible_a joy_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o duty_n but_o whether_o we_o be_v not_o fall_v and_o decline_v as_o to_o the_o inward_a vital_a act_n of_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o outward_a fruit_n of_o holiness_n whether_o we_o have_v such_o clear_a convince_a apprehension_n of_o divine_a and_o spiritual_a truth_n and_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o former_o whether_o our_o mind_n be_v not_o become_v more_o vain_a and_o heedless_a whether_o our_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n be_v as_o powerful_a and_o efficacious_a upon_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n as_o heretofore_o whether_o there_o be_v no_o less_o frequency_n less_o consistency_n less_o inward_a satisfaction_n in_o holy_a serious_a thought_n than_o former_o you_o be_v wont_a to_o pray_v and_o endeavour_v that_o god_n may_v be_v first_o and_o last_o in_o your_o thought_n every_o day_n and_o by_o frequent_a ejaculation_n in_o civil_a affair_n to_o maintain_v a_o daily_a converse_n with_o god_n but_o now_o you_o mind_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o not_o yea_o you_o can_v but_o know_v that_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o with_o you_o still_o it_o be_v once_o your_o burden_n to_o be_v pester_v with_o foolish_a filthy_a worldly_a vain_a thought_n especial_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n or_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n you_o reject_v and_o disow_v they_o you_o lament_v and_o pray_v against_o they_o do_v so_o much_o as_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v thus_o still_o consider_v all_o your_o affection_n and_o their_o several_a object_n and_o see_v whether_o a_o criminal_a lukewarmness_n have_v not_o diffuse_v itself_o into_o every_o of_o they_o examine_v every_o grace_n and_o see_v whether_o your_o faith_n hope_n love_n holy_a desire_n and_o delight_n in_o god_n be_v not_o miserable_o abate_v as_o to_o the_o strength_n and_o vigour_n the_o efficacy_n and_o frequent_a exercise_n of_o every_o of_o they_o so_o that_o your_o thought_n of_o god_n be_v few_o cold_a and_o lifeless_a without_o desire_n delight_n and_o love_n consider_v the_o opportunity_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o solemn_a occasion_n of_o approach_v the_o divine_a presence_n be_v they_o as_o much_o the_o desire_n of_o your_o soul_n and_o the_o rejoice_v of_o your_o heart_n as_o once_o they_o be_v be_v you_o not_o more_o easy_o divert_v from_o they_o less_o satisfy_v and_o refresh_v by_o they_o be_v not_o all_o gospel_n ordinance_n less_o powerful_a and_o quicken_a and_o your_o profit_n and_o advantage_n thereby_o unspeakable_o less_o than_o former_o do_v you_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n and_o pant_v as_o the_o hart_n after_o the_o water-brook_n to_o draw_v nigh_o to_o god_n and_o come_v into_o his_o court_n do_v you_o make_v conscience_n of_o prepare_v before_o hand_n do_v you_o come_v with_o a_o real_a desire_n and_o design_n and_o expectation_n of_o profit_v and_o better_v your_o spirit_n do_v you_o join_v in_o every_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n with_o that_o attention_n seriousness_n and_o composure_n of_o mind_n and_o taste_v the_o sweetness_n and_o benefit_n of_o such_o solemnity_n as_o former_o be_v such_o service_n perform_v with_o that_o awe_n of_o god_n with_o that_o humility_n fervency_n and_o intenseness_n of_o spirit_n as_o sometime_o they_o be_v be_v you_o not_o more_o negligent_a and_o unconcern_v before_o and_o after_o whether_o you_o find_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o or_o no_o though_o your_o desire_n be_v weak_a your_o heart_n flat_a your_o thought_n wander_v your_o spirit_n trifle_v so_o the_o work_n be_v do_v and_o the_o duty_n be_v over_o in_o how_o formal_a customary_a and_o careless_a a_o manner_n soever_o it_o be_v you_o consider_v it_o not_o you_o lay_v it_o not_o to_o heart_n you_o reflect_v not_o upon_o it_o you_o bewail_v it_o not_o or_o at_o least_o be_v better_o content_v and_o soon_o quiet_v and_o take_v less_o notice_n of_o the_o frame_n of_o your_o heart_n in_o such_o duty_n than_o former_o examine_v far_o how_o it_o be_v with_o you_o as_o to_o the_o great_a distinguish_a duty_n of_o a_o upright_a christian_a if_o perform_v as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v i_o mean_v secret_a prayer_n and_o meditation_n be_v you_o as_o strict_a and_o careful_a constant_a and_o conscientious_a frequent_a and_o abundant_a in_o these_o as_o former_o may_v not_o our_o closet_n and_o place_n of_o retirement_n witness_n against_o we_o how_o seldom_o be_v we_o there_o how_o quick_o be_v we_o go_v how_o easy_o divert_v how_o soon_o tire_v how_o do_v we_o trifle_v in_o that_o work_n and_o shuffle_v it_o over_o and_o take_v up_o with_o the_o shadow_n and_o image_n of_o prayer_n our_o former_a humble_a and_o importunate_a prayer_n joyful_a thanksgiving_n and_o sweet_a contemplation_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n compare_v with_o our_o present_a daily_a practice_n will_v testify_v that_o we_o be_v decline_v and_o fall_v moreover_o consider_v the_o evil_a of_o sin_n and_o how_o your_o heart_n stand_v affect_v to_o it_o be_v not_o your_o hatred_n of_o sin_n and_o zeal_n against_o it_o much_o decay_v especial_o with_o respect_n to_o inward_a spiritual_a sin_n such_o as_o the_o secret_a working_n of_o unbelief_n and_o distrust_n pride_n envy_n uncharitableness_n etc._n etc._n do_v you_o bewail_v it_o strive_v against_o it_o and_o shun_v the_o occasion_n and_o fear_v the_o temptation_n that_o may_v lead_v you_o into_o sin_n as_o once_o you_o do_v have_v you_o not_o lose_v much_o of_o that_o tenderness_n and_o holy_a jealousy_n over_o your_o heart_n and_o way_n you_o former_o have_v do_v you_o not_o now_o make_v more_o bold_a with_o temptation_n be_v you_o not_o often_o conquer_v and_o with_o less_o reluctance_n and_o by_o small_a temptation_n etc._n etc._n be_v you_o not_o more_o vnserviceable_a root_n and_o fruit_n in_o a_o wither_a condition_n god_n less_o honour_a and_o other_o less_o profit_v and_o edify_v by_o your_o example_n and_o life_n do_v you_o not_o adhere_v more_o to_o the_o world_n conform_v to_o it_o and_o comply_v with_o it_o in_o many_o thing_n which_o former_o you_o dare_v not_o have_v do_v and_o be_v every_o day_n wax_v worse_a make_v a_o pause_n a_o while_n and_o bethink_v yourself_o what_o this_o will_v come_v