Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	knowledge_n	sin_n	sin_v	2,885	5	9.7377	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53702	An humble testimony unto the goodness and severity of God in his dealing with sinful churches and nations, or, The only way to deliver a sinful nation from utter ruine by impendent judgments, in a discourse on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, Luk. 13, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 / by John Owen.	Owen, John, 1616-1683.	1681 (1681)	Wing O762; ESTC R17781	63,319	169

let us stand up if we can and plead for our selves herein But the only way whereby we may come to plead with God in this matter is fully described Isai. 15 16 17 18 19. 20. It must be Repentance and Reformation laying a ground for pleading and arguing with God for pardon and Mercy that must save this Nation if it be saved and not a plea for exemption from Judgments on the account of our Innocency This is that which of all things God most abhorred in the People of old and which all the Prophets testifyed against in them But yet to speak somewhat more Particularly unto the first part of the Proposition in reference unto our selves There are four Sins or four sorts of Sins or ways in sinning which unless God prevent will be the ruine of this Nation 1. The first is Atheism an abomination that these parts of the World were unacquainted with all untill these latter Ages I do not speak concerning Speculative or Opinionative Atheism in them that deny the Being of God or which is all one his righteous Government of the World for it will not avail any man to beleive that God is unless withal he believe that he is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Yet of this sort it is to be feared that there are many amongst us yea some that make great Advantages of Religion do live and talk as if they esteemed it all a Fable But I speak of that which is called Practical Atheism when men live and act as if they were influenced by prevalent thoughts that there is no God such the Nation is replenished withal and it exerts it self especially two ways 1. In Cursed Oaths and blasphemous Execrations whereby the highest contempt is cast on the Divine Name and Being The most excellent Thuanus giving an account of the Parisian Massacre with the horrible Desolations that ensued thereon ascribes it in the first place unto the Anger of God revenging the horrid Oaths and monstrous Blasphemies which from the Court had spread themselves over all the Nation Histor. Lib. 53 Nor is it otherwise among us at present though not Generally amongst all yet amongst many and those unpunished 2. Boldness Confidence and security in sinning Many are neither ashamed nor afraid to act avow yea and boast of the vilest of Sins The awe that men have of the Knowledge Conscience and Judgment of others concerning their evil and filthy actions is one means whereby God rules in the VVorld for the restraint of Sin VVhen the yoke hereof is utterly cast away and men proclaim their Sins like Sodom it is the height of Practical Atheism Nor I think did it ever more abound in any age than in that wherein we live 2. The loss of the Power of that Religion whose outward Form we do retain VVe are all Protestants and will abide to be of the Protestant Religion but wherein in the Confession and all the Outward Forms of the Rule and Worship of the Church But are men changed renewed converted to God by the Doctrine of this Religion are they made Humble Holy Zealous fruitful in good Works by it have they experience of the power of it in their own Souls in its transforming of them into the Image of God Without these things it is of very little avail what Religion men profess This is that which is of evil Abode to the Professors of the Protestant Religion at this day through the World The Glory the Power the Efficacy of it are if not lost and dead yet greatly decayed and an outward Carcase of it in Articles of Faith and Forms of worship doth only abide Hence have the Reformed Churches most of them a name to live but are dead living only on a traditional Knowledge Principles of Education Advantages and Interest in all which the Roman Religion doth every way exceed them and will carry the Victory when the Contest is reduced unto such Principles only And unless God be pleased by some renewed Effusion of his Blessed Spirit from above to revive and re-introduce a Spirit of Life Holiness Zeal readiness for the Cross Conformity unto Christ and Contempt of the World in among the Churches which profess the Protestant Religion he will ere long take away the hedg of his protecting Providence which now for some Ages he hath kept about them and leave them for a spoil unto their Enemies So he threatneth to do in the like case Isai. 5. 5 6. such is the State described 2 Tim. ● 1 2 3 4 5. 3. Open Contempt and Reproach of the Spirit of God in all his Divine Operations is another Sin of the same dreadfull Abode Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that he who speaks against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this World neither in the World to come Mat. 12. 32. That is those who persist in opposing or reproaching the holy Ghost and his dispensation and Operations under the New Testament shall not escape vengeance and punishment even in this World for so it befell that Generation unto whom he spake For continuing to do despight unto the Spirit of Grace wrath at length came upon them even in this World unto the utmost which is the sense of the place Now scarcely where the Name of Christ was known did this Iniquity more abound than it doth at this day amongst us For not only is the Divine Person of the holy Spirit by some denied and the substance of the preaching and writing of many is to oppose all his peculiar Operations but they are all made a Scoff a Derision and a Reproach openly and on all Occasions every day Especially as he is a Spirit of Regeneration and Supplication he is the object of Multiplyed sober Blasphemies This Iniquity will be revenged 4. The abounding of Vncleanness which having broken forth from a corrupt Fountain hath overspread the Land like a Deluge These Sins I say among others have such a Predominancy among us as to threaten perishing without Repentance Secondly It is required that all sorts and degrees of Persons are concerned in the Guilt of some of these provoking Sins For Destruction is threatned unto all you shall all likewise perish all not universally pro singulis generum but generally pro generibus singulorum Therefore all must be some way guilty of them And this they may be three ways 1. Personally in their own Hearts Lives and Practices which includes a great multitude 2. By not hindring and preventing these Sins in others so far as their duty leads and their power enables them unto What number of Magistrates of Ministers of Parents of Masters of Families are comprized herein is evident unto all especially Ministers see Mal. 2 7 8. Jer. 23. 14 15. 3. By not mourning for what they cannot help or remedy For it is such alone as shall be exempted from publick Calamities Ezek. 9. And this in some measure takes us in all And the due Consideration hereof