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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
church_n according_a faith_n rule_n 3,567 5 6.8625 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A39768 The true settlement of a Christians faith,bafter shaking assaults, by its own evidence; and by the internal sealing work of the spirit; pointed at, in some special inquiries thereon in a letter to a friend. With some serious reflections on the present times we are in, and those great vicissitudes of providence, wihch have been in the publick state of Britain in this last age, in a II. letter. By a minister of the Ghospel [sic]. Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694. 1692 (1692) Wing F1277A; ESTC R215628 111,123 216

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be_v and_o may_v yet_o be_v in_o the_o present_a age_n great_a attainment_n of_o the_o same_o than_o most_o of_o christian_n can_v easy_o comprehend_v whole_a trial_n be_v never_o bring_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n and_o in_o that_o manner_n assign_v to_o they_o since_o these_o be_v of_o the_o lord_n measure_v out_o only_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o faith_n give_v they_o rom._n 12_o 3._o 2._o as_o none_o may_v abridge_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o freedom_n and_o soveraingty_n of_o his_o work_n herein_o whatever_o time_n man_n be_v in_o so_o be_v it_o know_v and_o clear_a that_o where_o the_o lord_n do_v allot_v more_o extraordinare_a case_n whither_o to_o church_n or_o particular_a christian_n when_o such_o be_v keep_v close_o by_o he_o and_o the_o reveal_v rule_n of_o their_o duty_n there_o also_o be_v a_o more_o extraordinare_a allowance_n for_o the_o same_o yea_o such_o a_o measure_n and_o increase_v of_o their_o faith_n to_o be_v seek_v from_o the_o great_a 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part_n that_o such_o have_v allot_v to_o they_o in_o the_o time_n we_o be_v fall_v in_o who_o will_v stand_v in_o such_o a_o gape_v &_o breach_n where_o opposition_n now_o thereto_o be_v so_o strong_a and_o it_o may_v seem_v almost_o hopeless_a to_o crave_v justice_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o truth_n at_o the_o bar_n of_o man_n conscience_n when_o a_o latitude_n on_o principle_n have_v come_v to_o such_o a_o height_n as_o the_o authority_n of_o light_n be_v without_o fear_n control_v yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o may_v be_v fear_v that_o the_o answer_v of_o that_o command_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o suitable_o take_v to_o heart_n &_o the_o great_a consequence_n thereof_o which_o be_v to_o walk_v in_o wisdom_n towards_o these_o who_o be_v without_o though_o not_o be_v in_o that_o sense_n without_o the_o church_n yet_o as_o no_o less_o state_v in_o a_o visible_a enmity_n to_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v according_a to_o godliness_n than_o such_o can_v be_v there_o have_v be_v much_o serious_a study_n and_o design_n by_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o age_n to_o promote_v his_o kingdom_n in_o britain_n and_o ireland_n and_o there_o be_v yet_o there_o eminent_o fit_v for_o so_o difficult_a a_o service_n how_o to_o gain_v and_o prevail_v with_o the_o further_a measure_n of_o prudence_n and_o judgement_n upon_o the_o most_o obstinate_o prejudge_v as_o any_o in_o this_o day_n there_o have_v be_v also_o of_o late_a a_o singular_a improvement_n make_v and_o blessed_v for_o a_o more_o unite_v contend_v for_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n in_o so_o hazardous_a a_o time_n but_o it_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v yet_o some_o further_a length_n and_o essay_n call_v for_o upon_o this_o great_a service_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n in_o take_v off_o let_v and_o stumble_a blok_n out_o of_o their_o way_n who_o may_v be_v upon_o a_o sad_a precipice_n of_o break_v and_o further_a alienation_n from_o the_o truth_n and_o for_o some_o 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its_o of_o the_o high_a public_a concern_v so_o do_v it_o require_v a_o more_o than_o ordinare_fw-la measure_n of_o judiciousnes_n in_o follow_v the_o same_o my_o unfitness_n to_o speak_v on_o such_o a_o subject_a shall_v have_v restrain_v i_o herein_o be_v it_o not_o to_o witness_v something_o of_o a_o serious_a desire_n under_o which_o my_o soul_n be_v press_v for_o such_o one_fw-mi end_n when_o the_o hazard_n of_o the_o perish_v of_o so_o many_o who_o have_v one_fw-mi eternal_a state_n before_o they_o be_v so_o visible_a this_o day_n and_o yet_o no_o further_o trial_n make_v to_o gain_v and_o recover_v according_a to_o that_o rule_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o be_v all_o thing_n to_o all_o that_o i_o may_v gain_v some_o other_o can_v more_o fit_o judge_n as_o to_o the_o suitable_a manage_n of_o such_o a_o service_n and_o how_o to_o fall_v in_o on_o the_o right_n lithe_a of_o duty_n herein_o only_a something_n i_o shall_v wish_v be_v more_o design_v for_o take_v off_o 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to_o have_v stumbling_n more_o prevent_v against_o these_o unquestionable_a settle_a administration_n of_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n so_o as_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n may_v be_v right_o understand_v the_o proper_a object_n whereof_o be_v the_o soul_n and_o inward_a man_n and_o it_o be_v great_a design_n to_o restore_v &_o edify_v which_o be_v in_o such_o a_o way_n that_o where_o it_o be_v true_o answer_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o tender_a and_o heal_a and_o to_o attract_v any_o of_o a_o serious_a spirit_n to_o join_v in_o herewith_o for_o it_o be_v a_o sad_a measure_n that_o the_o truth_n shall_v sufler_n from_o the_o weakness_n or_o exorbitancy_n of_o any_o it_o be_v suitable_a for_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n to_o plead_v that_o from_o heathen_n that_o the_o offence_n and_o practice_n of_o none_o shall_v be_v charge_v upon_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o profession_n 3._o it_o be_v desirable_a also_o that_o further_a conviction_n may_v be_v serve_v on_o these_o who_o be_v prone_a to_o stumble_v how_o in_o the_o promote_a of_o truth_n and_o godliness_n there_o be_v no_o pursue_v any_o divide_a interest_n of_o a_o party_n and_o that_o if_o such_o will_v once_o try_v and_o see_v they_o can_v then_o judge_v where_o the_o most_o comprehensive_a interest_n within_o time_n lie_v which_o all_o be_v joint_o concern_v to_o promote_v who_o have_v any_o design_n on_o the_o christian_a profession_n for_o eternal_a thing_n 4._o i_o shall_v but_o add_v this_o more_o wat_fw-mi one_fw-mi advantage_n shall_v it_o be_v for_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o conciliate_v a_o great_a respect_n thereto_o that_o all_o may_v see_v how_o sweet_a a_o contemperature_n and_o harmony_n there_o be_v betwixt_o pure_a zeal_n for_o god_n which_o be_v according_a to_o knowledge_n and_o the_o further_a prudence_n and_o tenderness_n towards_o man_n and_o how_o the_o rule_n and_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v admit_v of_o no_o bitterness_n wrath_n or_o recrimination_n which_o be_v so_o abound_v this_o day_n in_o the_o church_n in_o pursue_v of_o difference_n upon_o any_o concern_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o herein_o do_v the_o glory_n and_o honour_n of_o our_o bless_a head_n more_o eminent_o appear_v in_o secure_v the_o concord_n and_o unity_n of_o his_o church_n under_o a_o diversity_n of_o light_n and_o judgement_n in_o some_o lesser_a difference_n about_o the_o truth_n by_o a_o spirit_n of_o love_n and_o by_o its_o power_n and_o efficacy_n upon_o man_n heart_n in_o subdue_n the_o distemper_n of_o their_o mind_n then_o by_o impose_v the_o most_o severe_a and_o absolute_a uniformity_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o church_n communion_n and_o it_o be_v ever_o find_v how_o this_o have_v be_v most_o easy_a and_o practicable_a among_o such_o who_o have_v make_v the_o high_a advance_v in_o the_o life_n and_o power_n of_o christianity_n then_o any_o else_o since_o he_o near_o the_o line_n be_v to_o the_o centre_n the_o near_a also_o be_v they_o among_o themselves_o and_o i_o must_v add_v herewith_o that_o it_o may_v be_v little_o know_v what_o convictive_a power_n may_v follow_v in_o a_o time_n of_o such_o high_a distemper_n as_o this_o on_o a_o suitable_a application_n of_o that_o wisdom_n which_o dwell_v with_o prudence_n and_o come_v from_o above_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n give_v for_o the_o same_o james_z 3_o 17._o to_o make_v a_o high_a interest_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o save_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o many_o then_o now_o in_o a_o ordinare_fw-la way_n will_v seem_v possible_a 4._o as_o the_o further_a tenderness_n and_o prudence_n be_v call_v for_o to_o prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o a_o further_o advance_v of_o his_o kingdom_n in_o take_v out_o of_o
sabath_n morning_n with_o a_o extraordinar_a colic_n which_o grow_v upon_o he_o to_o that_o height_n as_o in_o a_o ordinare_fw-la way_n render_v it_o not_o possible_a to_o go_v forth_o upon_o the_o public_a work_n of_o the_o day_n which_o then_o lie_v upon_o he_o and_o to_o a_o great_a auditory_a at_o that_o time_n so_o that_o whilst_o he_o assay_v to_o rise_v he_o be_v press_v to_o take_v his_o bed_n again_o a_o very_a few_o minute_n before_o the_o set_v time_n for_o go_v to_o church_n but_o whilst_o he_o present_v the_o case_n to_o god_n upon_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o service_n it_o be_v in_o a_o moment_n take_v off_o not_o by_o any_o gradual_a abatement_n of_o such_o a_o distemper_n but_o entire_o at_o once_o so_o as_o he_o never_o have_v more_o sweet_a access_n and_o freedom_n to_o go_v forth_o on_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n both_o at_o that_o diet_n and_o in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o the_o public_a work_n and_o this_o also_o be_v when_o no_o outward_a mean_n be_v concur_v herein_o as_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o passive_a faith_n which_o christ_n do_v special_o require_v for_o a_o immediate_a cure_n from_o himself_o matth_n 9_o be_v this_o believe_v thou_o that_o i_o be_o able_a to_o help_v when_o no_o ordinare_fw-la mean_n can_v do_v so_o i_o doubt_v not_o this_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n act_v in_o both_o these_o instance_n leave_v room_n for_o omnipotency_n to_o act_v in_o such_o a_o exigence_n 9_o nor_o have_v there_o be_v want_v eminent_a proof_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o special_a application_n of_o faith_n make_v unto_o god_n by_o prayer_n in_o behalf_n of_o other_o under_o disease_n where_o ordinare_fw-la mean_n have_v be_v lay_v aside_o and_o the_o case_n past_o all_o hope_n and_o of_o such_o return_n by_o a_o present_a restore_n and_o under_o such_o evidence_n as_o enforce_v the_o conviction_n hereof_o upon_o man_n conscience_n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o in_o some_o strange_a case_n of_o this_o kind_a the_o true_a cause_n and_o the_o lord_n design_v herein_o do_v not_o until_o then_o break_v up_o according_a to_o that_o john_n 9_o 3._o that_o the_o work_n of_o god_n may_v be_v t●us_o make_v manifest_a in_o they_o 10_o i_o may_v further_o add_v if_o there_o be_v this_o day_n a_o new_a erection_n and_o settlement_n of_o some_o particular_a church_n from_o among_o infidel_n and_o the_o commission_n for_o this_o end_n of_o minister_n of_o christ_n make_v evident_a and_o clear_a to_o go_v forth_o on_o such_o a_o service_n where_o no_o natural_a and_o ordinare_fw-la mean_v of_o conviction_n be_v attainable_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o something_o in_o a_o more_o extraordinare_a way_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o miracle_n and_o immediate_a appearance_n of_o god_n herein_o may_v be_v expect_v as_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n when_o on_o the_o same_o ground_n it_o be_v let_v forth_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v find_v there_o have_v be_v any_o particular_a church_n of_o christ_n without_o some_o extraordinare_a seal_n o●_n this_o kind_n especial_o in_o the_o first_o entry_n and_o erection_n of_o the_o same_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o time_n or_o age_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o the_o clear_a sense_n of_o that_o scripture_n mark_v 9_o 23._o all_o thing_n be_v possible_a to_o they_o that_o believe_v do_v not_o take_v place_n which_o be_v that_o no_o measure_n of_o trial_n or_o difficulty_n whither_o as_o to_o church_n or_o particular_a christian_n in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o duty_n can_v be_v at_o such_o a_o height_n as_o to_o restrain_v or_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o work_n of_o faith_n on_o a_o infinite_a divine_a power_n though_o all_o natural_a or_o second_o cause_n shall_v cease_v yea_o that_o there_o be_v no_o case_n so_o singular_a wherein_o the_o warrant_n of_o a_o divine_a promise_n herein_o and_o a_o christian_n faith_n shall_v not_o be_v of_o the_o same_o extent_n the_o ii_o proposal_n that_o i_o shall_v brief_o touch_v as_o it_o thus_o follow_v upon_o the_o former_a be_v whither_o in_o these_o last_o time_n the_o lord_n do_v appear_v by_o any_o such_o extraordinare_a sign_n that_o be_v public_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o world_n and_o bring_v near_o such_o discovery_n of_o his_o godhead_n in_o any_o special_a act_n of_o providence_n as_o may_v bear_v the_o same_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n for_o answer_v it_o be_v sure_a the_o lord_n do_v not_o reveal_v himself_o this_o way_n but_o on_o some_o great_a and_o extraordinare_a ground_n who_o have_v settle_v the_o faith_n of_o his_o church_n absolute_o on_o his_o reveal_v truth_n yet_o may_v it_o be_v say_v that_o no_o age_n be_v leave_v without_o some_o witness_n of_o such_o a_o kind_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o sad_a inadvertence_n and_o shut_v of_o man_n eye_n when_o the_o lord_n be_v go_v by_o they_o in_o any_o great_a act_n of_o his_o power_n but_o as_o to_o this_o proposal_n i_o shall_v only_o point_v at_o some_o instance_n that_o seem_v to_o have_v least_o fuitable_a regard_n or_o notice_n and_o to_o be_v pass_v by_o 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upon_o which_o account_n david_n do_v choice_n rather_o to_o come_v under_o this_o stroke_n than_o the_o sword_n or_o famine_n because_o it_o be_v in_o a_o more_o immediate_a way_n the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o more_o than_o ordinare_fw-la near_o approach_n and_o discovery_n of_o himself_o unto_o man_n 2._o it_o be_v of_o public_a and_o uncontrollable_a evidence_n that_o miraculous_a and_o immediate_a witness_n from_o heaven_n in_o the_o blead_n of_o the_o body_n of_o man_n on_o the_o touch_n of_o the_o murderer_n in_o such_o case_n where_o no_o ordinare_fw-la mean_n can_v bear_v evidence_n i_o will_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o warrantable_a use_n of_o such_o a_o appeal_n where_o the_o reveal_v rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o practice_n be_v not_o express_v herein_o but_o as_o its_o undoubted_a in_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o the_o same_o where_o no_o humane_a witness_n can_v answer_v to_o this_o end_n so_o be_v it_o sure_o one_fw-mi immediate_a 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seem_v to_o bear_v no_o weight_n i_o doubt_v not_o ere_o long_o of_o such_o a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o ever_o bless_a redeemer_n which_o he_o shall_v give_v before_o the_o world_n that_o he_o may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v god_n as_o will_v for_o ever_o end_v this_o controversy_n there_o be_v a_o constraint_n on_o the_o elect_a angel_n to_o admire_v what_o they_o can_v comprehend_v of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o incomprehensible_a love_n of_o god_n to_o fall_v man_n but_o oh_o what_o a_o return_n and_o recompense_n do_v engage_v mankind_n give_v to_o he_o who_o count_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a to_o god_n yet_o to_o become_v man_n for_o our_o sake_n that_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o great_a brightness_n of_o light_n do_v bear_v such_o enmity_n to_o his_o godhead_n as_o the_o eye_n of_o reason_n must_v be_v put_v out_o to_o serve_v this_o end_n and_o when_o such_o a_o light_n be_v turn_v into_o darkness_n how_o 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no_o woman_n god_n and_o cast_v dust_n on_o their_o head_n upon_o so_o irrational_a a_o blasphemy_n it_o be_v true_a some_o of_o the_o rabbi_n then_o do_v much_o desire_n protestant_n divine_v to_o have_v meet_v with_o they_o but_o that_o the_o pope_n and_o emperor_n have_v join_v to_o shut_v they_o whole_o out_o though_o thousand_o of_o stranger_n be_v then_o present_a at_o a_o meeting_n of_o so_o great_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n come_v in_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o i_o mention_v it_o for_o this_o end_n what_o a_o cry_n will_v that_o have_v make_v if_o they_o have_v be_v tell_v of_o a_o create_v and_o dependent_a god_n &_o to_o subject_n themselves_o here_o to_o the_o great_a contradiction_n to_o reason_n 5._o i_o shall_v now_o in_o the_o close_a but_o add_v this_o further_a what_o shall_v be_v special_o expect_v upon_o the_o grow_a state_n of_o christ_n visible_a kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n that_o as_o these_o fog_n &_o mist_n which_o have_v be_v raise_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o truth_n will_v be_v then_o quik_o dispel_v so_o be_v there_o a_o high_a tribute_n to_o be_v give_v into_o he_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o work_n and_o the_o out-going_n of_o his_o providence_n about_o the_o church_n in_o these_o last_o time_n i_o know_v the_o work_n and_o business_n of_o this_o day_n lie_v not_o here_o or_o in_o design_n of_o that_o nature_n but_o it_o be_v well_o if_o much_o of_o that_o which_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n this_o day_n in_o the_o way_n of_o religion_n have_v its_o room_n fill_v with_o so_o choice_n a_o study_n as_o this_o be_v though_o it_o be_v indeed_o one_o of_o the_o peculiar_a endowment_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n give_v to_o some_o more_o eminent_o than_o other_o to_o be_v skill_v in_o the_o method_n and_o deep_n of_o providence_n and_o to_o understand_v aright_o how_o the_o work_n of_o god_n lie_v towards_o the_o church_n and_o his_o design_n therein_o according_a to_o these_o discovery_n give_v of_o the_o same_o in_o his_o word_n and_o what_o watch_n of_o the_o night_n we_o be_v now_o under_o but_o on_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v speak_v to_o a_o few_o ground_n whereon_o this_o tribute_n to_o the_o declarative_a glory_n of_o god_n from_o his_o great_a work_n of_o providence_n about_o his_o church_n will_v in_o another_o manner_n be_v render_v to_o he_o then_o heretofore_o 1._o because_o it_o be_v sure_o in_o this_o way_n of_o his_o great_a and_o extraordinar_a work_n that_o the_o lord_n do_v design_n a_o more_o eminent_a discovery_n of_o himself_o then_o in_o all_o these_o time_n that_o be_v hitherto_o past_a and_o will_v thus_o enter_v his_o church_n on_o that_o brightness_n and_o splendour_n of_o his_o second_o come_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o last_o age_n when_o his_o go_v forth_o in_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o strength_n will_v be_v with_o that_o evidence_n as_o shall_v seize_v the_o world_n with_o fear_n and_o astonishment_n and_o when_o he_o be_v in_o another_o manner_n to_o glorify_v himself_o in_o his_o people_n than_o be_v former_o in_o these_o suffer_a time_n which_o be_v now_o past_a wherein_o his_o glory_n be_v to_o shine_v forth_o in_o the_o eminency_n of_o the_o passive_a grace_n of_o his_o spirit_n for_o now_o be_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n in_o what_o yet_o remain_v thereof_o to_o be_v finish_v in_o another_o way_n to_o take_v place_n as_o shall_v call_v the_o generation_n that_o be_v come_v up_o to_o such_o a_o observe_v and_o admire_a work_n of_o the_o great_a act_n of_o god_n that_o may_v need_v a_o more_o than_o ordinare_fw-la measure_n of_o grace_n to_o answer_v the_o same_o but_o we_o must_v look_v for_o great_a thing_n of_o judgement_n come_v on_o to_o be_v accomplish_v as_o well_o as_o of_o mercy_n the_o vyall_n of_o
divine_a wrath_n and_o last_o plague_n be_v but_o in_o part_n pour_v out_o wherein_o the_o appearance_n of_o god_n will_v be_v with_o much_o terror_n to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o last_o triumph_n of_o his_o justice_n within_o time_n will_v not_o be_v of_o one_fw-mi ordinare_fw-la kind_n we_o be_v to_o expect_v great_a shake_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o time_n of_o break_v down_o as_o well_o as_o of_o build_v up_o which_o be_v yet_o to_o come_v and_o draw_v near_o ii_o because_o we_o be_v enter_v on_o these_o time_n when_o the_o lord_n be_v in_o a_o more_o singular_a way_n then_o heretofore_o to_o put_v the_o whole_a generation_n of_o his_o people_n on_o that_o part_n of_o divinity_n and_o the_o study_n thereof_o which_o relate_v to_o his_o work_n and_o that_o great_a mystery_n of_o providence_n about_o his_o church_n when_o the_o key_n shall_v then_o be_v put_v in_o their_o hand_n for_o open_v up_o and_o a_o more_o full_a understanding_n the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o these_o time_n pass_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o weighty_a part_n of_o divinity_n which_o be_v reserve_v to_o the_o latter_a time_n in_o the_o perfection_n thereof_o and_o these_o high_a improvement_n to_o be_v make_v on_o that_o bless_a study_n than_o be_v attainable_a in_o former_a age_n when_o his_o work_n now_o be_v come_v to_o a_o more_o full_a point_n it_o have_v be_v remarkable_o the_o business_n of_o this_o age_n to_o make_v a_o more_o accurate_a search_n and_o some_o great_a discovery_n upon_o natural_a cause_n and_o the_o working_n thereof_o but_o i_o doubt_v not_o that_o ere_o long_o the_o inquisitive_a world_n shall_v be_v in_o another_o manner_n awake_v and_o their_o inquiry_n run_v in_o a_o high_a channel_n above_o all_o second_o cause_n to_o see_v and_o admire_v the_o great_a act_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o divinity_n thereof_o and_o not_o what_o be_v humane_a therein_o but_o as_o they_o be_v by_o way_n of_o eminency_n the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o the_o brightness_n of_o his_o immediate_a appearance_n in_o the_o same_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o dismal_a sign_n of_o the_o present_a time_n how_o much_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n be_v at_o work_n to_o darken_v so_o far_o as_o possible_a the_o most_o eminent_a discovery_n of_o god_n in_o his_o work_n and_o in_o the_o most_o extraordinare_a revolution_n of_o humane_a affair_n as_o if_o they_o will_v set_v bound_n and_o limit_n to_o he_o according_a to_o the_o course_n and_o order_n of_o second_o cause_n and_o subject_n both_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n and_o his_o work_n to_o the_o comprehension_n of_o their_o reason_n though_o some_o civil_a respect_n they_o will_v give_v and_o the_o name_n of_o his_o be_v the_o prime_a cause_n but_o shut_v their_o eye_n on_o what_o be_v more_o extraordinar_a and_o solemn_a in_o any_o piece_n of_o his_o work_n i_o will_v yet_o point_v at_o some_o special_a head_n that_o belong_v to_o this_o choice_n part_n of_o divinity_n which_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v will_v in_o another_o manner_n be_v open_v up_o and_o i_o desire_v to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o hope_n hereof_o 1._o as_o to_o these_o more_o singular_a case_n of_o providence_n which_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n course_n since_o her_o first_o translation_n from_o the_o jew_n to_o the_o gentile_n with_o the_o issue_n and_o consequence_n thereof_o contrare_fw-la to_o the_o rule_n or_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n which_o be_v one_fw-mi inquiry_n to_o be_v more_o full_o improven_v than_o whatever_o have_v be_v attain_v this_o way_n when_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o end_n of_o the_o lord_n herein_o with_o such_o evidence_n as_o shall_v tend_v to_o clear_v all_o bygone_n in_o his_o work_n 2._o these_o remarkable_a period_n of_o time_n wherein_o the_o prophetical_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v successive_o bring_v forth_o in_o their_o proper_a season_n as_o be_v foretell_v be_v yet_o to_o have_v the_o seal_n more_o full_o take_v off_o and_o that_o vale_n which_o be_v over_o they_o so_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v clear_a and_o easy_a to_o see_v how_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o only_o keep_v his_o word_n and_o truth_n to_o his_o church_n but_o have_v keep_v these_o time_n also_o exact_o to_o which_o such_o great_a event_n of_o providence_n do_v relate_v 3._o there_o be_v a_o great_a discovery_n yet_o to_o be_v make_v then_o have_v be_v hitherto_o how_o the_o church_n have_v be_v lead_v in_o a_o right_a way_n and_o by_o a_o straight_a line_n in_o her_o whole_a course_n through_o that_o long_a and_o terrible_a wilderness_n which_o she_o be_v to_o pass_v under_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o what_o eminent_a service_n the_o saint_n have_v be_v put_v on_o in_o these_o strange_a measure_n of_o their_o warefare_n which_o be_v then_o allot_v to_o they_o and_o in_o theit_n overcome_v work_n thereby_o yea_o what_o a_o high_a triumph_n our_o bless_a redeemer_n have_v have_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o patience_n of_o his_o people_n in_o so_o dismal_a a_o time_n then_o in_o any_o external_a flourish_a state_n of_o his_o church_n so_o as_o it_o may_v be_v say_v it_o be_v then_o day_n as_o to_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o irresistible_a efficacy_n of_o his_o truth_n on_o his_o follower_n when_o it_o seem_v otherwise_o as_o the_o darkness_n of_o midnight_n 4._o there_o belong_v to_o this_o part_n of_o divinity_n some_o high_a break_v up_o of_o light_n yet_o to_o be_v make_v on_o that_o mystery_n of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n here_o with_o other_o in_o the_o way_n of_o providence_n and_o what_o a_o joint_a interest_n they_o have_v herein_o as_o to_o what_o have_v be_v more_o singular_a in_o the_o lord_n way_n and_o disposal_n about_o other_o of_o his_o people_n we_o have_v little_o understand_v what_o one_fw-mi enrich_n trade_n we_o may_v drive_v upon_o that_o stock_n of_o these_o ancient_a experiment_n of_o christian_n in_o follow_v the_o lord_n and_o these_o eminent_a trial_n they_o have_v make_v of_o the_o truth_n who_o have_v in_o age_n past_o go_v before_o and_o what_o a_o pawn_n be_v thus_o put_v in_o our_o hand_n for_o a_o further_o strengthen_v in_o the_o faith_n yea_o what_o public_a interest_n thus_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n have_v in_o some_o eminent_a act_n of_o providence_n about_o particular_a christian_n which_o in_o the_o import_n and_o greatness_n thereof_o be_v not_o give_v for_o themselves_o only_o but_o as_o a_o public_a concern_v to_o the_o whole_a generation_n that_o seek_v after_o god_n in_o their_o day_n and_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v according_a to_o that_o psal_n ●0_n 3._o many_o shall_v see_v it_o and_o fear_n and_o shall_v trust_v in_o the_o lord_n 5._o i_o must_v add_v one_o great_a improvement_n of_o this_o special_a head_n of_o divinity_n which_o will_v yet_o be_v above_o the_o measure_n of_o time_n past_a in_o the_o extent_n of_o that_o reference_n and_o appeal_v before_o angel_n and_o man_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n for_o what_o he_o have_v speak_v and_o promise_v to_o his_o church_n and_o be_v that_o tribute_n of_o praise_n which_o in_o a_o high_a degree_n be_v to_o be_v pay_v in_o to_o he_o now_o when_o it_o be_v so_o near_o to_o the_o close_a of_o time_n then_o by_o that_o great_a testimony_n of_o joshua_n 25_o 14._o how_o not_o one_o thing_n have_v fail_v of_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n the_o lord_n have_v then_o speak_v in_o behalf_n of_o his_o church_n but_o have_v full_o take_v place_n and_o be_v the_o same_o appeal_n which_o solomon_n make_v i._o king_n 8_o 56._o for_o this_o with_o a_o high_a glory_n and_o evidence_n be_v to_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o latter_a day_n when_o it_o be_v draw_v near_o to_o that_o magnificent_a close_a and_o period_n of_o prophetic_a chronology_n and_o finish_v of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n therein_o how_o his_o spotless_a truth_n have_v as_o the_o sun_n in_o his_o strength_n keep_v its_o way_n and_o course_n amid_o all_o these_o dark_a cloud_n which_o have_v spread_v to_o darken_v the_o same_o and_o no_o promise_n or_o prediction_n of_o that_o sacred_a record_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v ever_o fail_v or_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o when_o it_o be_v draw_v so_o near_o to_o the_o perfect_a day_n it_o be_v true_a each_o age_n have_v have_v their_o proper_a measure_n of_o light_n in_o order_n to_o the_o service_n of_o that_o time_n and_o something_o peculiar_a allot_v in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o providence_n yea_o some_o great_a eminency_n do_v belong_v to_o these_o time_n past_a when_o the_o suffering_n of_o christian_n do_v most_o abound_v in_o the_o adventure_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o trial_n of_o love_n then_o in_o after_o time_n but_o as_o to_o high_a