Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	comfort_n	good_a	motive_n	1,201	5	11.4452	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91733	Rules for the government of the tongue: together, with directions in six particular cases. [brace] 1 Confession of our faults to men. 2 Confession of Christ before men. 3 Reprehension of faults in others. 4 Christian communication. [brace] Vrbanity and eloquence. 5 Consolation of the afflicted. 6 Self-commendation, and a disproof of perfection in this life. Added, as a supplement, to the Rules for governing [brace] 1 the thoughts, 2 the affections, in the Precepts for Christian practice, or, The rule of the new creature, new model'd. / By Edward Reyner, minister of the Gospel in Lincolne.	Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668.; Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668. Precepts for Christian practice.	1656 (1656)	Wing R1230; Thomason E1594_2; ESTC R208861	220,132	401

2 Pet. 1.13 The Second Reason from the Commodity of Reproof in the effects thereof as 1 To awaken and rouse up such as slumber and a means to keep them waking and watchfull To this end Reproof hath both a cry or call and a rod in it to smite the offending Brother on the ear and heart as the Angel smote Peter on the side to waken and raise him up Let the Righteous smite mee Act. 12.17 Psa 141.5 saith David that is reprove mee Reproofs are not only words but blows to drousy souls Solomon calls them the wounds of a friend Prov. 27.6 Hereby Nathan awakened David who was fast asleep in his sin 2 Sam. 12.7 and Christ the Woman of Samaria by telling her of her filthy sin of Adultery Joh. 4.18 2 To quicken and sharpen dull dead spirits A wise and holy Reproof hath spirit and life in it and conveyes both into them that receive it Turn you at my Reproof saith wisdome what then Pro. 1.23 Chap. 6.23 Behold I will poure out my spirit unto you and the reproofs of instruction are the way of life that is both to quicken and to save Reproofs are lively and life-giving the ear that heareth the Reproof of life abideth among the wise Prov. 15.31 3 To heal distempers and disorders in others Reproof is a soveraign medicine an Antidote against sin David calls it an excellent oyl Psal 141.5 which shall not break his head but give it a plaister The oyl of Reproof being well rub'd in doth cure comfort and refresh a diseased soul It hath a peircing sinking soaking property for a Reproof entreth more into a wise man saith Solomon than a hundred stripes into a fool Prov. 17.10 Tat. 1.13 and it is a means to make men sound in the faith and to purge out corrupt humours 4 To rectifie those that go wrong and to keep them from evil and from the path of the wicked Prov. 4 14. and from the evil woman Prov. 6.23 24. 5 To suppresse sin Many transgressions may be prevented if a by-stander would give but a check thereto by Reproof for Reprovers are a terrour to evil-doers and keep them in awe that they do not offend when such are present whom they know will rebuke them The wicked keep their mouthes with a muzzle while the godly are before them The Majesty of a Reprover will tame the Insolency of a sinner 6 and lastly to give the Remainder in a cluster Reproof is a means of Grace 1 To beget wisdome The Rod and Reproof give wisdome Prov. 29.15 2 And to encrease knowledge Reprove one that hath understanding Prov. 19 25. and hee will understand knowledge Reproof hath an instructing and prudentizing quality 3 To cherish love among the wise Rebuke a wise man and hee will love thee saith the wise man Prov. 9.8 4 To procure favour Hee that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than hee that flattereth with his Tongue Prov. 28.23 A wel-given and well-taken Reproof doth greatly endear and engratiate the Reprover to the reproved 5 To adorn those especially that hearken to it for to reprove another wisely is to hang a Jewel or gold Ring at his ear Prov. 25.12 A wise and well-taken Reproof is a great Ornament both to the Reprover and the reproved 6 To obtain comfort and a blessing for to them that rebuke the wicked shall bee delight and a good blessing shall come upon them Prov. 24.25 1 Delight from the discharge of their duty and the testimony of their consciences and from hope of Gods acceptance and of the prevalence or good successe thereof with man 2 A good blessing from God and from good men shall come upon Reprovers as a reward of their faithfulness herein for the godly will set their affections on them give testimony of them and offer prayers and praises to God for them Reas 3 From the excellency of Reproof Excellency 1 This is Gods manner of dealing with his Children for their good scil to reprove them for their faults As many as I love I rebuke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Lord Rev. 3.19 My for faint not when thou art rebuked of the Lord. This is the Method of the Spirit Heb. 12.5 ver to bring men to comfort by Reproof When the COmforter is come the first thing hee will do is this Hee will reprove c. Joh. 16.8 God reproves his people to humble and reform and save them and hee reproves the wicked to convince restrain and condemn them Psal 50.21 To them God saith These things hast thou done c. but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Thus God reproved Kings for Israels sake 1 Chron. 16.21 What God doth is excellent Gods example or exercise of Reproof puts sublimity and excellency upon it as it is mans duty 2 This is one of the highest acts of amity and fidelity scil to reprove a Brother when hee offends Though it bee a fruit and flower of love yet in some cases it is better than love Open rebuke is better than secret love Prov. 27.5 or an open reproving love is to be preferred before a secret silent love for the former delivers a Brother from sin and Satan and the latter delivers him up to both The former is fruitfull the latter barren Love without rebuke when our Brothers case requires it is like a Bow without an Arrow to shoot in it like a knife without an edge to cut a hand without a plaister to heal or like a Bee without a sting a drone or slug good for nothing 3 David calls Reproof a precious Oyl Psal 141.5 Christ calls it a pearl and holy thing Mat. 7.6 Solomon prefers it before silver and gold and rubies It is the Merchandize of Wisdome which is better than precious Treasures Prov. 3.14 15. Hee calls it an ear-ring of gold an ornament of fine gold Chap. 25.12 The Reasons inforce a double duty upon us scil To give and take Reproof well 1 Duty to give Reproof to those that offend Great is our averseness to it the common causes whereof are 1 Ignorance and folly wee know not how to do it aright 2 Want of love to mens souls and of hatred to their sins 3 Self-guiltinesse of the same faults 4 Unfaithfulnesse to God and man 5 Fearfulness or want of zeal and courage Godly men have much bewailed it in themselves as it is reported of Mr. Hieron a faithfull Minister of Christ in his Generation that he did say when he lay on his death-bed I confess that in publick I have been somewhat full in Reproof Admonition Instruction but in private my backwardnesse my bashfulnese my dastardliness hath been intolerable and I may truly say that if any thing lye as a burden upon my conscience This it is These Reasons should bee as Nails to fasten this duty of Reproof to our hearts and as Goads to prick us forward to the practice of

Motives to this duty from two heads 1 The good of receiving Reproof 2 The evil of rejecting it 1 The good of receiving Reproof 1 It is a sign of a gracious heart to take reproof well as David did from the Prophet Nathan hee affected and respected him more for his plain and home-reproof of him Thou art the man than before Hee had liberty of accesse into King Davids presence who communicated to him the secret and weighty affairs of his Kingdome 1 King 1.23 27. and afterwards from the Prophet Gad Davids Seer 2 Sam. 24.11 to 15. to whose Admonition with a Kallender of judgements annexed to it for Davids sin in numbring the people David hearkened with meeknesse and submission Yea David took a blow of reproof well not only from Gods Prophets but from any righteous man even as head-Oyl Psal 141.5 a heart-kindnesse though reproof bee a dry morsel yet hee could rellish it and digest it well yea from a woman as Abigail whose wise reproof hee embraced with all thankfullnesse to God and her and took her afterward to be his wife 1 Sam. 25.32 33 34. If you would be David like men after Gods own heart then write after his Coppy take reproof well whosoever gives it You may read in the life of John Gersin Chancellour of Paris that he rejoyced in nothing more quamsi ab aliquo fraterne ut ait Charitative redargueretur than to be brotherly and lovingly reproved by any Though Paul reproved Peter sharply and recorded his reproof yet Peter took it well else he would not have commended Paul and his Epistles afterwards 2 Pet. 3.15 16. Christ as a stranger reproved the two Disciples going to Emmaus for their folly and unbeleef yet they constrained him by intreaty to come in and eat with them Luk. 24.25 29 30. 2 To take reproof well is and will bee 1 Our wisdome For hee that regardeth Reproof is prudent Prov. 15.5 Vers 31 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise In medio sapientum pernoctabit shall lodge among the wise that is hee shall be received regarded and rewarded as a fellow servant with other wise men in Gods houshold 2 Our Profit for great is the benefit and blessing of reproof as hath been declared and to receive it readily is the means to reap it wholly 3 Our comfort that reproofs have been healing medicines to us as Abigail said to David 1 Sam. 25.30 31. when the Lord hath done to us according to all the good hee hath promised us then it will bee no grief unto us nor offence of heart that wee have hearkened to counsel and been reformed by reproof 4 Our honour For hee that regardeth Reproof shall bee honoured Prov. 13.18 scil among the wise and holy and such as fear God and our Ornament as I shewed before for it is a greater grace to a man to have an obedient ear that is an ear open to the Discipline of reproof to take it in freely than any Jewel Ear-ring or ornament of gold can bee Object How can I bear Reproof well seeing it wounds and cuts mee to the heart Ans 1 Reproofs are but the wounds of a friend which are faithfull or nutrienda Prov. 27.6 as some think the word signifieth to be nourished and received with thankfulnesse even deep peircing reproofs but the kisses i. e. fawnings and flatterings of an enemy are deceitfull or deprecanda as Junius renders it to be prayed against 2 The wounds of a faithfull reproof are but like the wounds which a Surgeon makes when hee cuts the flesh to cure the sore not like the wounds of an enemy which tend to kill and destroy To have thy sin discovered and thy heart pricked with grief for it by the point of a reproof is the way to have thy soul healed of sinne and saved from hell whereas to think thy self so whole as not to need the Physick of reproof may prove a Corrasive to thy Conscience and a stab to thy heart another day Second Motive Consider the evil of rejecting reproof both the evil of sin and of punishment 1 The evil of sin that is in it which appears in six particulars 1 Not to bear reproof is a fault in a King who if any person might think himself to be above reproof and exempted from the lash thereof much more in an inferior Better is a poor Eccl. 4.13 and wise Child saith the Preacher to wit who will receive reproof and correction than an old and foolish King who will no more be admonished or who knows not to bee admonished as yet that is to take it well For he that is past reproof for his faults is past hope of amendment It is the Character of a self-conceited and wilful man to bee so wedded and wedged to his opinion or way as that he cannot indure any mans advice or reproof 2 It is folly for hee is a foolish King though a King and old who will not indure to bee admonished Untractablenesse of heart against Reproof is a fruit and sign of folly For Reproof is an instructive and corrective of wisdome It is folly and madnesse to storme and rage against it and not to justifie the Lord in what is spoken against our sins or against us for them If wee will not bear verbal Reproofs how can wee bear real blows or stripes when wee are buffeted for our faults 1 Pet. 2.20 Is it not great folly in us wilfully to deprive our selves of the means of our good or of good by the means To cast off reproofs is to cast up meat as soon as wee have eaten it how can it nourish us or physick as soon as wee have taken it how can it purge us or to pull off a plaister as soon as it is laid on how can it heal us 3 It is bruitishnesse Hee that hateth reproof is bruitish Prov. 12.1 saith Solomon hee is a beast hee hath not the understanding of a man He is like a dog that barks and bites when his master takes a Thorn or prick out of his foot or like a horse that kicks and strikes when the Ostler doth but rub the dirt and mire off him or when the Rider spurs him for his slowness or stumbling Thou hast no more understanding than an Oxe or Asse that lifts up thy heel or opens thy mouth to find fault with him that reproves thee friendly and faithfully for thy sins thou art a beast in mans shape that chuseth to live in such families and societies where all things are lawfull or where there is liberty for every one to live as he list and do what seems good in his own eyes and no man is to reprove another or say ill thou dost Is not this to live like a Beast or in a herd among beasts Such have cause to judge and humble themselves before the Lord and say with the Psalmist So foolish was I