Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	day_n	holy_a	sabbath_n	1,012	5	9.4280	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39775	The one necessary thing to be sought briefly touched in a four-fold dialogue upon some of the great and most concerning truths of practical religion.	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.; Fleming, Robert, 1660?-1716.	1679 (1679)	Wing F1283; ESTC R28632	47,023	70

wherein the Redemption of his Church being perfected he had a full acquitance for the whole debt of his elect Church that day also on which his most usuall and solemne appearance to his Disciples after his Resurrection was and shall we deny such a tribute of our observance thereof on so great an account and to him who hath given us our time and is Lord of the Sabbath 2. Since it is the alone prerogative of God to make a day holy and that the first day of the week is that piece of our time which is only set apart for him under the New Testament should not such a solemne and consecrat time be applyed to spirituall duties and is the highest of sacriledge to turne that which is holy to civill or common actions when they are no works of necessity or mercy for then is such a day no more holy but common 3. You know how deep the prophanation thereof hath been oft found to draw on mens conscience so as it is rare to see a flagitious person under any remorse when brought to a scaffold but hath been then enforced to cry out of the breach of the Sabbath and how their guilt herein did stare them in the face as a provoking cause of what had thus befallen them 4. Should not these dreadfull marks of the holy judgement of God which have been thus put both on persons and places have an aw and dread on mens consciences yea such instances with these signall and convincing circumstances as all might see who looked but at a Distance thereon the stroke pointing as with a finger at the provoking cause 5. Do we hope for an everlasting Sabbath in heaven whilst here a few hours in spirituall converse with God and the souls resting and solacing it self in him is so burdensome a work yea whilst it is sure the greatest of delights and pleasure known upon the earth are these which are Spirituall to such as ever knew what it is to be Christians DIALOGUE IV. QUEST I. SInce we have had this occasion to touch a little some of the great and weighty concernes of practicall religion I must yet press you with some few proposals anent the present time we are fallen in when such sad appearances and a faint almost every where now is so as many are like to give over as men astonished and lose both their heart and hand at once in the matter of duty ANSWER We are indeed fallen in trying times But consider also 1. What great confirmations have been given in to the truth ere our night grew so dark and have now lost sight of them all 2. What kept the saints from sinking an hundred years past when to be burnt at the stake for the truth was one of the most usuall lessons of Christianity and to quite all for Jesus Christ Yea whence was it that their strength and resolution grew as the tide grew strong against them 3. Look through the whole of the Scripture and on the Churches condition under the New Testament and I am sure nothing can be more clear than this that the greatest triumph that ever Jesus Christ hath had in his followers was not in calme and prosperous times from without but when they were at the lowest QU. II. But how is it in such times of abounding light as these now are that these great confirmations of the truth which were then given in by the Saints are now so rare yea much unkuown to most of this generation ANS The way of the Lord is still the same and in all times his word doth good to them that walk uprightly But it may be clear 1. How such degrees of peace comfort and assurance of the truth hath still kept some proportion to some more remarkeable time and measure of the Saints sufferings the spirit of God and of glory then resting upon them 1 Pet. 4 14. 2. Then was the life of faith a following of the Lord fully with a large venturing on hand in another manner known amongst his followers than it seemes to be at this day and Oh! How rare a practice is it now to beleeve when there are almost no sensible grounds to be comforting 3 Though former ages had not that measure of light which is now yet it may be seen how the aw and authority thereof was in another manner on the conscience of Christians and their work to live religion when there was no visible inducement to profess the same but for the truths sake but they endured as seeing him who is invisible and did live and feed on the very marrow and substance of Religion in another manner than seemes by the most of Professors now to be understood QU. III. VVhat might be the most effectuall mean for recovery and to be led in the way of the promise of the Lords returning with these wonted signes of his presence when it seemes to be so dark and dismall an hour now on the Church ANS I hope with some assurance I may offer these 1. That such as love the truth would with greatest seriousness watch against the present publick and prevailing evills of the times to have their garments kept from the smallest touch and defilements thereof I meane such evills after which the multitude most runs where the countenance and favourable aspect of great men seemes most to follow and is a most remarkeable contagion in the time for it is here the smallest accession will draw deeper on the conscience have a more difficult recovery than other personal infirmities a severe withstanding thereto lead in to most sensible enjoyments of the Spirit of God 2. Let us enquire where the Testimony of the present day to the truth doth most ly which may be more peculiar to some of the Reformed Churches of Christ than others for in a closs adherence thereto we may assuredly hope for the outletting of the spirit of God from his own promise of having a special respect thereto Rev. 3 10. and 12 11 and herein should the truth ma●e you free It hath been the blessed disposall of the Lord that this great interest of Christ in his being King and head over his Church and the alone Lawgiver thereto and that his Kingdome is not only within on the souls of the Elect but over his Church as a visible Politick body distinct from all the Kingdomes of the earth is that great truth which the Church of Scotland hath now in these late times had most peculiarly assigned to witness for Yea this great truth we may see not there alone but else where most visibly opposed I hope will be owned as the common cause of all the Reformed Churches to whom thls crown and supremacy of their glorious head should be dearer than all their interests within time Great is that peace and joy will be found in a closs adherence thereto a more large outpowring of the spirit might be hoped for to follow this Testimony when it is now called for

softness of nature so blessed a cure and relief to the most tart and froward temper hath such advantage with it to convince the World and conciliat mens respects to the truth of holiness who look but at a distance by so lovely and gaining an appearance And why is such a cover put on an imbittered and passionat disposition that it is their natural complexion it may be true but it is sure it is black nature unsubdued to the grace of God whilst many naturally passionat and cholerick have through grace got that conquest over themselves as few with whom they have conversed could discerne any such thing even upon most remarkeable provocations 3. To know and be under some weight of this as a special opportunity for the Lord the loss whereof should be a loss indeed when there is such a call to requite evil with good both in doing and speaking and your reward shall be great Luk. 6 v. 35. And are not a Christians opportunities a part of his riches and treasure I know this will seeme a strange contradiction to many but a subdued Christian by the grace of God is a strange and marvellous thing 4. Let us know more what it is to be humble and then forbearance and tender condescendence in our walk with others will natively follow O blessed humility that shineth most in its disappearing and layes the Christian more truely near his hope yea nearer to heaven when it layes his face on the dust than when his head hath seemed to be among the starrs O what sweet and desireable society should this make amongst Christians which teacheth effectually to pass by injuries and not seek their own glory or to dare a despising of others which by keeping the Spirit low fitts them for nearer converse with God and a being led in the way of his Counsels and whilst pride swells and causeth a fever in the soul this brings so sweet and sensible a coole thereto Yea is one of the two great lossons that Christ hath put by themselves Matth. 11 v. 29. and thus ensured a rest and tranquillity of soul whatever be the changes of their outward Lot 5. Let us also for this end get sight much kept of that great example set before us for our conformity thereto 1. Pet. 2 23. who being reviled reviled not again but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously and it is sure we then frustrat our relief in the last part of these words if the first be not seriously taken alongs therewith 6. We have this excellent mean also expresly commanded us to seek peace with all men and follow after it Ps 34 v. 14 Heb. 12 14. Yea even with such from whom we may have sustained greatest injury nor can it answer this to give it entertainment when it comes but to goe forth and meet the same yea to seek it when it is a missing and though it flee to follow it O! what a lovely appearance doth this put upon Christians and gives them a greatet Victory than to overcome a City when thus grace in its vigorous exercise in one meets with the prevailing corruption of another and by yeelding overcomes by a humble condescendence subjects the proud so as to enforce their falling before that more excellent Spirit with a discerneable aw authority over them for greater is he who is in them than he who is in the world 1 Joh. 4 v 4. 7. Let us be tender in taking offence no less than in giving in a hasty judging of persons or actions at a distance when we cannot so certainly know what circumstances may concurre in such a case and sure each may know how many things have begot jealousy bitterness of Spirit which upon more clear and convincing trial have not had the least ground whilst thus the great Adversary of the Church geteth advantage 8. To be slow to speak which hath its peculiar beauty and advantage at all times is of singular use here when under any stirre or perturbation of Spirit thus to get a restraint over themselves till the water be more clear and the mudd fallen to the ground O what a choice mean were this to prevent the frequent discomposure many fall in to be under some serious and severe resolution not to speak for some time when they are provoked and how sweet and quieting should this be upon after thoughts 9. A being much at home by self reflection and having our eyes turned inward should much help to blunt the keenness of that edge which is too oft against others and put Christians on another scent how to restort such with the Spirit of meekness who may be over taken with a fault considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6 vers 1. Here must be no cover for any coolness or indifferency in the matters of truth but it is sure there is a sweet concord there in the Zeal of God with the Spirit of meekness and no jarre but what our corruption makes O blessed they who can goe the furthest length of ceding in their own things and bear personal Reflections but may not nor dare quite any thing upon their Masters interest I am much perswaded one great let of such a discerneable with holding of the influences of God and which obstructeth prayer at this day is much there that the Spirit of Love and Tenderness is not more entertained amongst Christians QU. VII If these truths you speak of were more practically known what another lustre and appearance should Christian Society and Converse then have and the times we are now fallen in seeme to need examples more than precepts this way but oh for what use can some be to promote any interest for God who are in so mean and low a capacity ANS Why do ye thus speak For it is sure none can want some triall in this present case to give a convincing example to others of the Truth and Power of Godliness nor is there any Lot and Condition so low and obscure where these advantages does not wait them for some honourable service to the Lord in their day 1. To adorne the Doctrine of the Gospel by a Christianly Prudent and tender walk in shewing forth the power and vertues of him that hath called them and thus by commending holiness to gain respect to the truth even from the conscience of such as hate it How remarkeably hath this made a very mean and obscure Person otherwise shine with greatest brightness in the place and corner he lived in 2. And doth not times of deepest distress in a low and afflicted state afford most special Opportunities for some eminent fruit and service to Jesus Christ by abasement rather than abounding Yea what is not the Affliction and Poverty of the meanest a talent to improve for the Lord and paying rent to him by Patience and Christian enduring with Cheerfulness that it is for his sake no less than the greatest enlargement of others 3. As no service