Selected quad for the lemma: death_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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B08266
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The last advice of Mr. Ben. Alexander (late minister of West-Markham, in the county of Nottingham) to his children. In two parts. The contents follow.
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Alexander, Ben. (Benjamin)
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1659
(1659)
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Wing A912A; ESTC R172146
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13,153
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80
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The Last ADVICE OF Mr. BEN. ALEXANDER late Minister of West-Markham in the County of Nottingham To His CHILDREN In Two Parts The Contents follow Prov. 24.21 My Son fear thou the Lord and the King and Meddle not with them that are given to change London Printed for Nath. Ekins at the Gun in S. Pauls Church-yard 1659. The CONTENTS OF This BOOK In the first Part. A Preface to Page 3. A Catechisticall Dialogue to p. 13. A Godly Form of Prayer to p. 26. In the second Part. Generall and Particular Advice 1 In Religion from p. 29. to p. 43. 2 Opinion to p. 48. 3 Morality to p. 60. 4 Government to p. 65. 5 Study to p. 72. 6 Mariage to p. 75. The ADVICE OF Mr. Benjamin Alexander To his CHILDREN IT was great joy which S. John 3. Epistle of John v. 4. had when he heard that Gaius and his Children did walk in the truth and if it be a part of the glory of Heaven to know what is done on earth my glory should be exceeding glorious to know that you my Children did so But whether I know it or know it not if ye do so ye are certain of the crown of glory This which I have left you concerneth you first as you stand to God secondly to men thirdly to your selves the Lord bless you these and allother helps of piety to you that you may be glorious through holiness here and in holinesse hereafter Your loving Father Ben. Alexander August 2. 1658. The first part Sarah I pray thee Brother let us sit under yonder green tree Ben. I will sister for it is pleasant weather But why wilt thou go to day S. Because I am now at leisure and would speak to thee in private B. Let us go S. Pray tell me one thing Brother B. Doubt not Sister I will if I can S. I have seen my Father oft times on his knees in the hall and sometimes in the parlour what doth he mean by that B. My Father goeth then to prayers S. To pray what is that B. It is a duty S. Is there a duty due to any but my Father and Mother B. Yea Sister that there is S. To whom B. To God S. What is he B. A Spirit S. A Spirit what is that B. A spirit is an intelligent substance without body or bodily qualities S. What is God then B. God is a Spirit most holy most wise eternall and infinite in whom we live move and have our being S. How many Gods are there B. But one in essence but three in persons viz. Father Son and holy Ghost S. How shal I come to know him B. Three waies S. Which are they B. By his works about us his word unto us his workings in us S. What is his word B. That which we call Scripture S. How came that to us B. God breathed it into men who spake as they were inspired by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost S. What men were they B. Enoch Moses the Prophets Evangelists Apostles c. S. What are his works B. The Creation of the world and all the things therein as Sun Moon Cloud Earth Sea and his Powerfull and wise Providence in upholding and ordering all things till the end come S. What are his Workings B. Light Love Feare and all affections acts of Conscience Faith and all Graces S. But why doth my Father Pray B. That God would forgive our sins and give all things necessary for life and godliness S. What is sin B. Sin is the transgression of the Law S. And have I any sin B. Yea Sister and I also for we were born in sin and are thereby enemies to God and all goodness and subject to sicknesses crosses and losses in this life yea we must die also and without the speciall Grace of God are cast away for ever and ever S. Thou tellest me a strange thing how cometh this to pass B. By Adams sin in whose loynes we were and so are liable to these punishments S. What did Adam do B. He disobeyed the Commands of God in eating the fruit which he had forbidden S. How is that proved good Brother B. See Rom. 5.12 By one man sin entered into the World and death by him and so death passed over all men for that all have sinned S. Is there any more Scripture for it B. Yea Sister S. Which are they B. Read Psal 1.51.5 I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive and Epes 2.3 we are by nature the children of wrath even as others S. Alas Brother what case are we then in B. In the state of damnation and God may cast us into hell S. Hell what is that B. The place of torments by fire and brimstone where is weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth S. These are torments the Lord deliver us from them is there a way to escape them B. Yea Sister S. How B. By the Son of God S. Who is he that I may know him B. Jesus Christ of whom you read in the Bible S. Is it he of whom I read in my Psalter that was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried rose again the third day and shall come in the end of the world to Judge the quick and the dead B. Yea Sister the very same S. What is he that I may see him B. He is in heaven thou canst not see him yet S. How then shall I know him B. By mixing faith with thy reading of the Gospel S. What is Faith B. Faith is the gift of God by which he giveth a mind to believe in Jesus Christ and a full perswasion settled that what he did suffered in life or death as it was sufficient so it was efficacious for my salvation S. And is there nothing but this Faith required B. Faith alone doth save us but this Faith never goeth alone but it worketh by love S. Which is the Rule of love B. The ten Commandements S. What is the summe of the Commandements B. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy neighbour as thy selfe S. Faith then is a perfect jewell how shall I finde it B. The Word begets it Sacraments confirme it Prayer encreaseth it S. And will this bring me to Heaven B. Yea if you persevere to the end S. But you told me I must die how then can I go to Life B. Death is the doore to Life S. Doth my soul die B. No that goeth to God that gave it S. Then my body onely stayeth in the grave B. Yea. S. How shall that rise B. According to the Scripture by the Power of God S. When B. In the Resurrection of the last day when they which have done good shall go into everlasting life but hypocrites and unbelievers to eternall fire S. Will you help me to Pray B. Yea Sister S. I thank you Brother how then must I pray The Prayer O Most