Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	witness_n	word_n	worship_v	24	3	7.4171	4	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

Jesus and for the word of God which had not worshipped the Beast c. and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years They that would overcome the Accuser of the brethren by the word of their Testimony should not love their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 but undervalue them and bee willing to expose them to danger in comparison of the confession of Gods truth Obj. Men will not receive our Testimony of Christ and his Truth Answ 1. No more would many receive Christs testimony Joh. 3.32 nor the testimony of his Prophets and Apostles vers 11. which made them complain Lord who hath beleeved our report 2 Yet being called to it wee must give Testimony to Christ and his truth Ez●k 2.5 7. whether men will hear or they will forbear but they shall know there hath been a witnesse of Jesus Christ before them and our Testimony for Christ will be a witnesse against them Mat. 10.18 THe Third particular case in which I am to give Direction is Reprehension To reprove is to tell another of his fault to the end he may repent and amend Mat. 18.15 Luk. 17.3 Let mee give you 1 Preparatives to it 2 Rules for it 3 Reasons of it 1 Preparatives to it which are four Wisdome Righteousness Faithfullness and Boldnesse The qualifications of a reprover 1 Wisdome Wisdome to understand the whole business of reproof what belongs to the Substance and Circumstances to the matter manner and opportunies thereof wisdome is profitable to direct herein Eccles 10.10 for the regular performance of reproof The wise man commends wisdome upon this accompt As an ear-ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Prov. 25.12 It hath a redoubled excellencie A wise reprover is such a one as can fit the reproof to the ear of the reproved and hang it on handsomely as a Jewel and fasten it to stay A wise mans reproof thus taking effect becomes a great ornament to the reproved who is thereby reformed even as a Diamond in a Diadem Wisdome is required in a reprover and obedience in the reproved A seasonable reproof is more beneficiall to him that receives and obeys it than if the reprover should adorn his ear with an ear-ring or bestow a precious Jewel upon him spirituall garnishings with grace are far more glorious than all external deckings of Nature or Art It is better to hear the rebukes of the wise saith the Preacher Eccl. 7.5 than the songs of fooles their jeasts fancies or flatteries Wisdome makes Christians able or potent to admonish one another as it did the Romans and it sends forth a reproof with force Rom. 15.14 as an arrow out of a Bow to make it flye and hit the mark The words of the wise have weight 2 Preparative is Righteousness Righteousness we are fit to reprove faults in others when we are free especially from those faults in our selves to blame others when we are blamelesse else they may say to us Physician heal thy self begin at home first to reform thy self then reprove us shall vice reprove sin Thou Hypocrite saith Christ first cast the Beam out of thine own eye Mat. 7.5 then thou shalt see clearly to pull the mote out of thy Brothers eye It was Davids not only concession but petition Let the Righteous that is he who is godly and unblameable in himself smite mee scil with a rod of reproof and it shall be a kindness The reproof of the Righteous carries healing under its wings and authority to cause yea to command entrance and obedience 3 Faithfulness Preparative is Faithfulnesse to God and man 1 To God to tender his glory and by reproof to prevent sin in others and the dishonour that might come thereby to Gods Name 2 To man To love our neighbour as our selves and to seek his good as our own even the salvation of his Soul the chief good of all and to prevent evil from him as well as from our selves especially sinne which is the greatest evil and that by reproof which is a means of prevention of it as well as of recovery from it It is good service to prevent sin Prov. 27.6 Faithfull are the wounds of a friend that is reproof saith the wise man but the kisses that is fawnings and flatteries of an enemy are deceitful Then faithfulnesse fits us for reproving As wisdome gives direction so faithfulnesse layeth an obligation to the duty He is a faithfull man who zealously indeavoureth to keep dishonour from God and sinne from man or man from sinne It is faithfulness to reprove a brother or neighbour when he offends Fourth Boldnesse Is boldnesse and courage not to fear the faces or frowns of others for that will stop our mouths from giving even just and necessary reproofs Now wisdome righteousnesse and faithfulness breeds boldnesse II Rules for reproof which respect 1 The matter what 2 The persons whom 3 The manner how 4 The season when we should reprove 1 The matter The matter to be reproved The Rules for it are two First The chief matter or principal object of reproof is sinne against God or man Any thing that is a transgression of the Law of God or a violation of the just laws of men not only haynous crimes but lesser faults as disorderly walking idlenesse talkativenesse 2 Thes 3.11 rudenesse in behaviour as Levi. 19.32 not to rise up before the hoary-head nor to honour the faces of the Elders and busy medling in other mens matters If a man do evil as God said to Cain sinne lyeth at the door Gen. 4.7 to be reproved in him or punished upon him if he do not repent and reform Second Rule Bee sure the thing wee reprove in others bee a fault in it self and also a fault in them or that they are guilty of it Wee should not go upon meer conjectures and suspicions or bare rumors and hear-sayes which are often false Our Saviour did not so Is 11.2 3 4 Hee did not judge after the sight of his eyes nor reprove after the hearing of his ears that is not from outward appearances or reports but upon certain knowledge else wee do not admonish but either mistake the matter if it bee not a fault or we falsly accuse and slander the person whom wee reprove if hee bee not guilty of the fault wee charge upon him So wee break one commandement scil in bearing false witnesse to keep another to wit that of reproving and wee may bee justly reproved for reproving unjustly Mat. 16.21 as Peter was by Christ when Christ shewed to his Disciples that hee must go to Jerusalem and suffer and bee killed Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to chide or charge as a master doth his servant as some understand the word for it as a fault in him but Christ reproved him sharply for his

It is hee that talketh with thee Joh. 7.35 36 37. And hee said Lord I beleeve and hee worshipped him Second Case Wee are cal'd to confesse Christ when wee are engaged in disputes or reasonings with others about the matters of Christ and his Gospel Jud. 3 then we should contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints for defence of the Truth and to convince gainsayers Even as Isaacks Servants strove with the Philistims for the well of water they had found Gen. 26.21 knowing that every Christian in his place Phil. 1.17 is set for the defence of the Gospel as well as Paul How plainly and boldly did Paul confesse Christ and how strenuously did hee contend for the Truth as it is in Jesus Act. 19.29 in his disputes with the Grecians at Jerusalem but they went about to slay him Hee being too hard for them at arguments they would bee too sharp for him at weapons with the Jews and devout persons in the Synagogue and in the market daily with them that met with him Act. 17.18 and with certain Philosophers at Athens wherein hee stoutly maintained that the God who made heaven Vers 24 25 28 and earth and preserves all things Vers 30 31 is the only true God and the doctrin of repentance of the last judgement and of the Resurrection Vers 18 19 20 For which dispute the Philosophers persecuted him and brought him unto Areopagus that was the high Court of Justice in Athens as a violator of their Religion to bee judged Paul and Barnabas were stout Champions for the Truth in their Disputes at Antioch with the Jews Act. 15.2 that maintained the necessity of Circumcision Stephen in his dispute with the Doctors of five several Classes Act. 6.9 Vers 10. so confounded them that they were not able to refist the wisdome of the Spirit by which hee spake then they fell to Satanical Artifices as to subornation of false witnesses against him Vers 11 12 c. and persecution of him even unto death Contending for the truth of Christ is confessing of Christ before men This is a Gospel-becomming conversation among Christians Phil. 1.27 which Paul pressed upon the Philippians that whether hee was present or absent hee might hear of their affairs that they stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or wrestling together for the defence of the Truth Pauls Zeal in striving for the Truth and for every parcel of it because precious to him doth further appear by four things 1 He chid the Galatians for their Levity Gal. 1.16 that they were so soon drawn away from the Truth and hee curseth them that bring any other Gospel than what hath been preached unto them whosoever they bee whether men or Angels and in Chapter 3 verse 1 Gal. 3.1 He rebukes them sharply for being carried away from their obedience to the Truth of the Gospel O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you 2 Gal. 2.4 5 The false Brethren that crept in privily to spy out the liberty which the Apostles had in Christ Jesus from legal observances Paul yielded not an inch to them Gal. 2.5 no not for an hour that the Truth of the Gospel might continue with the Galatians and they might resolvedly continue therein 3 When Peter dissembled and halted between two Opinions scil his eating and nor eating with the Gentiles he others following his example did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 walk with a right foot according to the Gospel Gal. 2.11 12 13 14 Paul withstood Peter to the face that is Vers 11. Ver. 14 15 16. openly professedly because he was to be blamed and he reproved him sharply boldly before them all 4 Paul wished that the corrupters of Christs Truth or vehement Urgers of Circumcision who troubled or unsetled the Galatians were cut off Gal. 5.12 to wit as superfluous flesh that themselves might suffer what they do The Third Case when we are in company where the Name of Christ is blasphemed or his Truths ways Servants are evil spoken of contradicted or calumniated Then ought 〈◊〉 stand up in defence of Christ and of what is Christs person or things to speak as much for them as others speak against them yea more to out-speak them and put them to silence else wee should betray Christ and his cause by our silence for that would seem to be a consent and the wicked would thereby be imboldened to continue yea to multiply their evil speakings and weak ones would be occasioned to fall from the Faith and strong Christians would bee much offended and the glory of Christ and the splend or of his Truth would be greatly darkened and impeached thereby In this case confession of Christ is necessary though we be not examined about him or his Thus I have shewed when we ought to confess with our mouthes at other times we have liberty to conceal our Faith and opinions yea our persons sometimes as Christ himself did The Third Thing why ought we to confesse with the mouth The Reasons may be drawn from God Christ our selves and others 1 From God they are three 1 Because Confession is a homage service and fealty which God requires of us and swears he will have from us Isa 45.23 compared with Rom. 14.11 As I live Isa 45.24 saith the Lord every knee shall bow to mee and every Tongue shall confesse to God and surely shall one say In the Lord have I Righteousness and strength By denying or not doing the same we make God falsifie his oath or provoke him to punish us 2 Because God the Father did confesse or give Testimony even by a voice from Heaven to his Son Jesus Christ both at his Baptism Mat. 3.17 and at his transfiguration Mat. 17.5 saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased This voice saith Peter came from the excellent glory when Christ received from God the Father honour and glory Our Saviour saith often The Father that sent mee beareth witnesse of mee Joh. 5.32 37 8.18 As we should receive the witnesse of God which hee hath testified of his Son 1 Joh. 5.9 10. else we make God a lyar So we vhould be followers of God as dear Children in giving Testimony of Christ our Saviour and elder Brother as God our Father did 3 By confession of God and Christ and his Truth we give glory to God Every Tongue should confesse that Jesus Christ is Lord Phil. 2.11 to the glory of God the Father Josh 7.19 Rom. 15.6 If by confessing our sins as Joshua said to Achan much more our Saviour and by joynt confession we glorifie God with one mouth Reas 2 From Christ they are two 1 It is his priviledge to be confessed 2 It was his practice to confesse 1 It is Christs priviledge to be confessed or a high

therefore what you have received Act. 13.25 Rev. 3.3 and heard and hold fast and speak out the same even to the end We should confess Christ with our Tongues while we are able to speak yea chuse to dye with a Testimony of Jesus in our mouthes of our Faith and Hope in him and love to him and for the Truth against Errors for the straight and holy wayes of God against all false and by-wayes Then we may boldly look God in the face and go triumphantly to Heaven We should confesse Christ in evil times when others deny him When Christ and his truths and wayes are opposed despised and persecuted and his servants for them Then to own Christ and to speak for him 2 Tim. 1.8 and for his and not to be afraid of his Crosse nor ashamed of his cause or Testimony will be kindly taken by Christ as Paul● witnesse of him at Jerusalem and Rome and elsewhere was Rev. ● 1● and the Church of Pergamos her not denying his Faith but holding fast his Name even in those dayes wherein Christs faithful Martyr Antipas was slain Rev. 3. ● and in that place where Satan dwelt and had his Throne The Church of Philadelphia though she had but a little strength yet she kept Christs word and denyed not his Name though she had adversaries and because shee kept the word of Christs patience that is Vers 1● with great patience she held and maintained the Truth of Christ and her profession of it Therefore Christ will keep her from the hour of Tentation which shall come upon all the World 5 Innocently without giving offence or occasion to any to speak evil of us while we are speaking good of Gods Name or for his Truths and wayes This was Pauls care Act. 24.20 and for this he challenged his enemies Let these same here say If they have found any evil doing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or thing amiss in mee while I stood before the Council scil to give Testimony of Christ the Scribes that were of the Pharisees part said Act. 23.9 we find no evill in this man To this end wee should give a reason of our hope or an account of our faith with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 1. With meeknesse from an humble lowly spirit without any shew or appearance first of pride ostentation or vain-glory or secondly of passion or bitternesse in us for the wrath of man as it worketh not so it testifieth not the righteousnesse of God it doth not at all adorn the Truths or wayes of God nor our profession or confessions of them which meeknesse of spirit doth 2 With fear of God of offending him while wee are confessing him of saying or doing any thing that may cause the way of Truth to bee evil spoken of for our sakes and reverence of men to give all due respect to them before whom wespeak Sixth Sincerely Out of Love and Zeal 1 Out of Love to Christ and his truth for what wee love wee will own or avouch openly Confession and commendation are fruits of love Love knows no shame in acknowledging and praising its beloved Lovers are the freest and largest Confessers and Commenders See it in the Spouse her Encomium of Christ her beloved from head to foot when the Daughters of Jerusalem asked her what is thy beloved more than another beloved Cant. 5.9 to the end when love to Christ and to his truth move us to confess him and it then we will speak liberally yea all that we can possibly for them whosoever saith nay thereto Love is strong as death and the love of Christ will constrain us to confesse Christ to death yea though wee die for it Hence John who was the best beloved and most loving Disciple gave special Testimony of Christ Joh. 19.35 and 21.24 Those that leave their first love grow loath and averse to confesse Christ 2 Out of Zeal for God for the glory of his name the credit of his cause the honour of his truth the propagation of his Gospell for the encouragement and comfort of Christs Friends for the conviction and obstruction of his enemies not to get praise to our selves nor to seek our own glory for love of praise is a great prejudice to the confession of Christ Joh. 12.42 43 Some among the chief Rulers did not confesse Christ for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God The Sanctuary fire of zeal kindled from heaven in our hearts will burn out that Lukewarmness Neutrality and indifferency of spirit which makes us to bee of Gallio's temper in the things of God carelesse of such matters what any say or do against the Name or truth wayes or Kingdome of Christ what errors heresies and blasphemies are broached dispersed or maintained This will also consume to ashes the Conceits of the Libertines and Familists who think it lawfull to dissemble their faith even before the Magistrate and of the Nicodemites of these dayes who count it sufficient to beleeve with the heart taking liberty to confesse what they list with their mouth Seventh and last Wee must confesse Christ patiently with a disposition and resolution to suffer for our Testimony if God call us to it because the confessing of Christ before men may cost us dear the losse of Liberty goods Friends yea life and all as it did the Apostles Mat. 10.37 38 39. and many other the faithfull witnesses of Christ Christ requires wee should bee willing to part with all upon that Account Confessing of Christ hath been a cause of suffering for Christ ever since Christs time Satan and his instruments have raised opposition and persecution against the profession of Faith as well as against the practice of piery and against the persons that have held forth the same even from Generation to Generation The Jews agreed that if any man did confesse Christ Joh. 9.22 Rev. 1.9 he should bee put out of the Synagogue John was banished into the Isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony hee gave of Jesus Christ When the Lamb had opened the fifth Seal Rev. 6.9 John saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain under the Roman Emperours for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held Rev. 11.3 The two witnesses of Christ prophecy in Sack-cloath and when they have finished their Testimony Vers 7 they shall bee slain by the Beast to wit of Rome that is Anti-Christ and the inhabitants of the earth that is of the Malignant or Antichristian Church shall rejoyce thereat and make merry and as a congratulation of their riddance send gifts one to another This was the cause of the Dragons quarrel with a remnant of the Womans seed scil Rev. 12.17 they kept the Commandements of God and had the Testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 20.4 John saw also the Souls of them that were beheaded for the witnesse of