Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	blood_n	spirit_n	spot_n	1,180	5	9.7005	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A32783	Via lactea, or, The saints onely way to true blessedness opened in a sermon from Matth. 5, 8 : also the danger of neglecting gospel-salvation, from Heb. 2, 3 / by Thomas Cheesman ... ; with his epistle to vindicate himself from those absurdities of method and language and little less then blasphemies, with which he was abused by a mercenary pen, in the former impression.	Cheesman, Thomas.	1663 (1663)	Wing C3776; ESTC R43092	18,787	38

universal divorce and perpetual separation from it Those that continue impenitent can lye soaking in the mire of bloody raigning lust and yet not be sensible of the least defilement but the truly penitent soul is solicitous to wash out every spot and stain Fourthly Love that has a notable purifying influence upon the heart Love chiefly stands in a reciprocal similitude of disposition They that love God will strive every day to have more and more of his likeness of his picture they are ambitious to be beautified with the most plentiful participation of his image They that love God will endeavour for such a measure of holiness and purity as may dispose and fit them to maintain a refreshing fellowship and communion with God You that can wallow in the fink of common profaness without the least check or remorse of conscience Oh! it is a sign you have not the least dram of true love to God Fiftly Purity of heart requireth that we should be consecrated devoted and given up to the service of God Men of drossy impure spirits look after carnal self in whatsoever they doe they aim at nothing but the pleasing and gratifying of their flesh that 's the great end which they propose to themselves in all their actions but those who have a pure heart endeavour to glorifye God by yeilding impartial obedience to his Commands They act according to the simplicity of the Gospel walking in the plainess candor and ingenuity of a gracious spirit Pharisaical Hypocrites how ever they may cleanse the outside yet their hearts are rotten and impure because they onely serve God for by-ends and self respects Sixthly purity of heart requireth that we should resist vain thoughts Jerem. 4.14 Oh Jerusalem wash thy heart from wickedness that thou mayst be saved what wickedness was this which must be washed away lest it did hinder salvation the holy Ghost tells you in the following words how long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee Those which indulge themselves in the harbouring of vain thoughts must never look to have their hearts clensed therefore when ever thoughts begin to rise in thy soul command them to stand and undergo a serious examination if they can shew a pass from the Scripture let them go on and be encouraged but if they appear to be vain idle and impertinent send them back to hell from whence they came not giving them the least countenance or approbation In the last place purity of heart requires that we should bridle immoderate affections You know water though it be never so fresh and pure while it runs in its proper Channel yet if it overflow the banks it will quickly grow mudy and defiled thus thy affections if they be kept within due bounds and proper limits they may be pure but when once they overflow the banks of sobriety and moderation they presently are defiled Take heed therefore lest thy spirit be defiled by the irregular distempers and corrupt excess of joy anger carnal love or other the like transporting violent passions In the next place I proceed to shew why we should labour after this purity 1. Because without this we cannot hear the word so as to profit by it If the stomack be filled with corrupt matter the most wholesome food will prove distastful thus when the heart abounds with impurity the most spiritual and heavenly truths that can be delivered will scarce find any acceptable or savoury relish those which cannot feed upon the word with such sweetness delight satisfaction if they would seriously examine themselves they may possibly find that they have defiled their consciences by some secret way of sinning against God and that 's the reason why their hearts are so little affected under the Preaching of those Gospel truths which were formerly entertained with highest esteem and were thought worthy of all acceptation 2. Without this we cannot draw nigh to God in any other Religious duties James 4.8 Draw nigh unto God and he will draw nigh unto you but how shall we be made partakers of this incomparable priviledge the former words direct us cleanse your hands you sinners and purifie your hearts you double-minded Isaiah 1.16 wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes come now let us reason together saith the Lord there is no coming unto God except we be first wash'd and made clean Heb. 9.13 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself up without spot unto God cleanse your consciences from dead works that you serve the living God you cannot serve the everliving God in an acceptable manner unless your consciences be clensed from dead works and this can onely be done by the blood of Jesus Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself up without spot unto God 3. We should therefore labour for purity of heart because without this we can have no true peace peace and purity go together When God appears in his Majesty and Glory when he ariseth terribly to shake the earth and magnifies his excellent power working wonders amongst the children of men this is the priviledge of those which are pure in heart that they shall remain undaunted because conscience will speak peace to them Job 11.14 15. If iniquity be in thy hand put it far away and let not wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacles for then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and shalt not fear So Psal 51.7 8. saith David purge me with Hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter then snow make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce as if he had said Lord I have defiled my self by this bloody sin which I have committed and because of my defilement joy and gladness hath been banished from my spirit but do thou wash me purge me clean and then the joy of thy salvation will be restored peace will return again Many they complain for want of comfort for want of peace let them consider whither there be not some sin or other that they harbour with allowance for beleive it one sin will fill the heart with bitterness vexation and galling perplexity Sin is a Jonah that raiseth storms and tempests where ever it comes Fourthly We should labour for purity because without this there can be no scriptural wel grounded hope of getting to heaven David saith Psal 24.3 4. Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord who shall stand in his holy place hee that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity Those that live after the flesh wallowing in all impurity 't is strange that they should cheat themselves with such confident expectation of future blessedness The new Jerusalem is Civitas Sancta gloriosa tota ex auro tota gemmis et margaritis decorata as Zanchy speaks Consider that magnificent description of this City which