Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
doctrine_n	according_a	church_n	discipline_n	2,858	5	9.0169	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A51916	Sermons preach'd on several occasions by John March ..., the last of which was preach'd the twenty seventh of November, 1692, being the Sunday before he died ; with a preface by Dr. John Scot ; to which is added, A sermon preach'd at the assizes, in New-Castle upon Tine, in the reign of the late King James.	March, John, 1640-1692.; Scott, John, 1639-1695.	1699 (1699)	Wing M583; ESTC R18158	123,796	330

but_o of_o the_o devil_n themselves_o for_o it_o be_v the_o know_v say_v of_o our_o saviour_n that_o satan_n kingdom_n if_o it_o be_v divide_v against_o itself_o it_o can_v not_o stand_v unity_n indeed_o be_v such_o a_o blessing_n as_o the_o church_n of_o god_n will_v earnest_o desire_v and_o pray_v for_o but_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n do_v not_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n when_o it_o want_v this_o blessing_n and_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o division_n in_o vain_a also_o do_v some_o man_n make_v universality_n or_o largeness_n of_o extent_n a_o mark_n of_o the_o church_n for_o we_o be_v tell_v plain_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o christ_n flock_n be_v but_o a_o little_a flock_n and_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o far_o exceed_v in_o amplitude_n both_o by_o mahometan_n and_o pagan_n that_o if_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v divide_v into_o thirty_o part_n as_o breerwood_n calculate_v in_o his_o inquiry_n five_o only_o will_v be_v find_v christian_n six_o mahometan_n and_o nineteen_o pagan_n as_o for_o antiquity_n which_o some_o pretend_v be_v the_o mark_n of_o the_o church_n though_o we_o may_v well_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a ornament_n when_o attend_v with_o truth_n yet_o when_o this_o be_v want_v it_o be_v but_o vetustas_fw-la erronis_fw-la as_o st._n cyprian_n call_v it_o not_o age_n but_o dotage_n nothing_o but_o error_n of_o a_o long_o stand_v and_o so_o hard_a to_o be_v root_v out_o some_o also_o be_v fond_a of_o a_o long_a series_n or_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n but_o as_o st._n ambrose_n speak_v those_o who_o have_v not_o st._n peter_n faith_n can_v succeed_v to_o st._n peter_n inheritance_n and_o since_o the_o pontificate_n of_o aaron_n may_v sometime_o descend_v upon_o a_o wretched_a caiaphas_n such_o a_o ancient_a pedigree_n as_o this_o may_v be_v more_o honourable_a in_o heraldry_n than_o it_o can_v be_v in_o religion_n but_o of_o all_o the_o mark_n which_o some_o make_v of_o the_o true_a church_n that_o of_o holiness_n best_o deserve_v the_o name_n for_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v holy_a like_o its_o head_n but_o when_o we_o say_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n be_v the_o true_a mark_n of_o the_o church_n we_o do_v not_o exclude_v but_o include_v sanctity_n for_o since_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o st._n paul_n define_v it_o a_o doctrine_n according_a unto_o godliness_n where_o this_o doctrine_n be_v preach_v in_o its_o great_a purity_n there_o substantial_a holiness_n free_a from_o from_o all_o superstition_n and_o hypocrisy_n be_v most_o likely_a to_o be_v find_v and_o if_o such_o holiness_n do_v not_o at_o all_o time_n flourish_v alike_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n but_o in_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o these_o be_v reckon_v by_o some_o the_o principle_n mark_n and_o character_n of_o the_o true_a church_n but_o since_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a mark_n that_o without_o apostolical_a doctrine_n they_o signify_v little_a i_o hope_v you_o will_v allow_v i_o to_o conclude_v according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o ancient_a father_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n be_v the_o only_a foundation_n on_o which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v build_v i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o show_v you_o that_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n upon_o which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v build_v be_v sufficient_o deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whatever_o doctrine_n be_v contain_v in_o these_o sacred_a oracle_n be_v own_a by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o by_o we_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n but_o they_o be_v please_v to_o charge_v the_o holy_a scripture_n with_o imperfection_n pretend_v that_o they_o contain_v not_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o must_v be_v aid_v by_o their_o unwritten_a and_o uncertain_a tradition_n but_o sure_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o tradition_n hand_v down_o from_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n to_o this_o present_a age_n these_o tradition_n must_v needs_o pass_v through_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n before_o they_o can_v come_v to_o we_o but_o the_o ancient_a father_n know_v no_o such_o tradition_n but_o every_o where_o assert_v the_o perfection_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n ireneus_fw-la call_v the_o holy_a scripture_n such_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o none_o must_v vary_v from_o st._n chrysostome_n say_v that_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a be_v plain_a and_o manifest_a in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n non_fw-la credimus_fw-la quia_fw-la non_fw-la legimus_fw-la we_o believe_v no_o more_o than_o we_o read_v say_v st_n jerome_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n basil_n who_o say_v it_o be_v contrary_a to_o faith_n and_o a_o certain_a argument_n of_o pride_n to_o reject_v any_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n or_o to_o impose_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o write_v there_o thus_o the_o father_n know_v nothing_o of_o any_o unwritten_a tradition_n that_o be_v to_o cut_v out_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o they_o refer_v we_o to_o they_o as_o to_o a_o perfect_a rule_n and_o well_o indeed_o they_o may_v since_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n and_o he_o add_v more_o full_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o do_v so_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o every_o good_a work_n thus_o great_a be_v the_o perfection_n of_o these_o holy_a oracle_n and_o thus_o plain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n on_o which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v build_v be_v full_o and_o sufficient_o deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o come_v in_o the_o three_o place_n to_o show_v you_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o as_o he_o be_v not_o unwilling_a to_o die_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o at_o his_o death_n he_o leave_v she_o the_o rich_a legacy_n he_o can_v even_o the_o most_o honourable_a character_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v bestow_v on_o the_o best_a of_o church_n for_o this_o advice_n he_o give_v to_o his_o royal_a son_n the_o best_a profession_n of_o religion_n i_o have_v ever_o esteem_v that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o tell_v you_o i_o have_v try_v it_o and_o after_o much_o search_n and_o many_o dispute_n i_o have_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v the_o best_a in_o the_o world_n as_o come_v near_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o doctrine_n and_o the_o primitive_a example_n for_o government_n whosoever_o do_v but_o look_v into_o the_o article_n of_o our_o church_n will_v find_v how_o well_o she_o deserve_v this_o most_o honourable_a character_n for_o she_o profess_v to_o believe_v the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o as_o i_o show_v above_o contain_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n she_o believe_v the_o same_o faith_n and_o no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o be_v comprise_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o explain_v more_o large_o in_o those_o creed_n which_o be_v call_v the_o nicene_n and_o the_o athanasian_n and_o as_o for_o those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v controvert_v between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n a_o little_a examination_n will_v discover_v which_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o 1._o let_v we_o examine_v that_o supremacy_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v challenge_v for_o st._n peter_n if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v nothing_o there_o that_o make_v st._n peter_n the_o chief_a of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o christ_n have_v ever_o intend_v st._n peter_n any_o such_o power_n over_o the_o rest_n he_o will_v doubtless_o have_v declare_v so_o much_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v at_o strife_n who_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a but_o so_o far_o be_v our_o saviour_n from_o declare_v st._n peter_n supremacy_n that_o he_o chide_v they_o for_o their_o vain_a strife_n and_o contention_n yea_o tell_v they_o in_o plain_a term_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v among_o they_o as_o in_o secular_a kingdom_n and_o monarchy_n where_o one_o be_v chief_a and_o if_o st._n peter_n have_v at_o any_o time_n afterward_o be_v make_v a_o prince_n we_o can_v imagine_v st._n paul_n can_v have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o 2._o cor._n 11._o 5._o that_o he_o be_v not_o behind_o the_o very_o chief_a apostle_n

sermon_n preach_v on_o several_a occasion_n by_o john_n march_n b._n d._n late_a vicar_n of_o newcastle_n upon_o tine_n the_o last_o of_o which_o be_v preach_v the_o twenty_o seven_o of_o november_n 1692._o be_v the_o sunday_n before_o he_o died._n with_o a_o preface_n by_o dr._n john_n scot._n the_o second_o edition_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n in_o newcastle_n upon_o tine_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o late_a king_n james._n london_n print_v for_o robert_n clavell_n at_o the_o peacock_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1699._o imprimatur_fw-la c._n alston_n r._n p._n d._n hen._n episc._n lond._n à_fw-la sacris_fw-la julii_n 3._o 1693._o the_o preface_n the_o reverend_a author_n of_o the_o follow_a sermon_n be_v a_o person_n of_o that_o great_a worth_n and_o excellency_n that_o among_o those_o who_o know_v he_o they_o need_v no_o other_o recommendation_n than_o his_o own_o name_n for_o beside_o that_o they_o carry_v in_o they_o a_o certain_a strain_n of_o serious_a and_o unaffected_a piety_n and_o this_o embellish_v with_o such_o clearness_n and_o perspicuity_n such_o strength_n and_o vigour_n of_o expression_n such_o solidity_n of_o argument_n and_o discourse_n as_o must_v have_v render_v the_o perusal_n of_o they_o very_o pleasant_a and_o profitable_a to_o all_o well-disposed_a reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v be_v anonymous_n beside_o which_o i_o say_v the_o true_o pious_a and_o learned_a author_n of_o they_o be_v a_o person_n of_o such_o great_a accomplishment_n both_o moral_a and_o intellectual_a as_o will_v have_v just_o give_v credit_n with_o all_o that_o know_v his_o personal_a excellency_n to_o much_o mean_a performance_n than_o these_o the_o main_a objection_n this_o degenerous_a age_n have_v against_o he_o be_v that_o he_o be_v a_o faithful_a son_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o a_o zealous_a asserter_n of_o its_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n and_o one_o will_v think_v for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v true_a to_o his_o profession_n to_o that_o which_o he_o have_v ex_fw-la animo_fw-la subscribe_v his_o judgement_n and_o declare_v his_o unfeigned_a assent_n and_o consent_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v repute_v a_o fault_n in_o he_o by_o those_o who_o pretend_v either_o to_o common_a honesty_n or_o modesty_n that_o it_o shall_v rather_o be_v esteem_v his_o glory_n and_o excellency_n as_o for_o his_o conversation_n it_o be_v in_o all_o respect_n so_o sober_a and_o regular_a so_o pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a as_o that_o though_o he_o have_v but_o little_a reason_n to_o apprehend_v himself_o concern_v in_o that_o denunciation_n woe_n be_v to_o you_o when_o all_o man_n speak_v well_o of_o you_o yet_o so_o far_o as_o i_o ever_o hear_v even_o those_o who_o speak_v worst_a of_o he_o dare_v never_o bespatter_v he_o with_o a_o immorality_n he_o be_v a_o very_a diligent_a pastor_n of_o the_o flock_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o public_a ministry_n from_o which_o without_o some_o necessary_a occasion_n he_o very_o rare_o absent_v himself_o but_o also_o in_o his_o private_a converse_v for_o beside_o that_o every_o lord_n day_n in_o the_o evening_n he_o general_o spend_v a_o considerable_a portion_n of_o time_n in_o instruct_v the_o youth_n of_o his_o parish_n from_o which_o pious_a and_o charitable_a exercise_n he_o very_o rare_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v divert_v even_o by_o the_o visit_n of_o his_o best_a and_o great_a friend_n beside_o which_o i_o say_v his_o know_a ability_n in_o resolve_v case_n of_o conscience_n draw_v after_o he_o a_o great_a many_o good_a people_n not_o only_o of_o his_o own_o flock_n but_o from_o remote_a distance_n who_o resort_v to_o he_o as_o to_o a_o common_a oracle_n and_o common_o go_v away_o from_o he_o entire_o satisfy_v in_o his_o wise_a and_o judicious_a resolution_n and_o by_o these_o his_o excellent_a quality_n and_o labour_n he_o have_v not_o only_o purchase_v to_o himself_o a_o crown_n of_o glory_n in_o heaven_n but_o also_o so_o endear_v his_o memory_n upon_o earth_n to_o all_o that_o be_v virtuous_a and_o good_a that_o like_o the_o leave_v of_o rose_n still_o retain_v their_o fragrancy_n though_o the_o rose_n itself_o be_v wither_v and_o dead_a and_o that_o be_v dead_a he_o may_v yet_o speak_v to_o his_o survive_a auditor_n and_o that_o the_o memory_n of_o his_o good_a example_n and_o doctrine_n may_v ever_o flourish_v among_o they_o it_o be_v the_o earnest_a desire_n of_o his_o friend_n that_o these_o sermon_n of_o he_o may_v be_v make_v public_a which_o though_o they_o have_v not_o that_o accomplish_a accuracy_n as_o they_o will_v have_v have_v have_v they_o have_v his_o last_o hand_n to_o they_o and_o be_v prepare_v for_o the_o press_n by_o his_o own_o skilful_a pen_n yet_o as_o they_o be_v they_o be_v right_o worthy_a the_o christian_a reader_n perusal_n and_o as_o such_o i_o recommend_v they_o to_o his_o view_n and_o remain_v his_o affectionate_a and_o humble_a servant_n john_n scot._n sermon_n i._n psalm_n lxxvi_o 7._o thou_o even_o thou_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v and_o who_o may_v stand_v in_o thy_o sight_n when_o once_o thou_o be_v angry_a i_o know_v no_o motive_n nor_o argument_n more_o likely_a to_o awaken_v sinner_n to_o their_o duty_n than_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o god_n infinite_a goodness_n and_o almighty_a power_n know_v thou_o not_o say_v st._n paul_n that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n lead_v thou_o to_o repentance_n transcendent_o great_a be_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n towards_o poor_a sinner_n he_o free_o give_v we_o his_o son_n to_o purchase_v heaven_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n for_o we_o he_o send_v down_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o dwell_v with_o we_o that_o he_o may_v sanctify_v our_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o make_v we_o meet_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o vast_a inheritance_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o light_n and_o he_o excite_v we_o to_o a_o due_a improvement_n of_o these_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n by_o propose_v the_o most_o glorious_a reward_n of_o heaven_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n thus_o god_n draw_v sinner_n to_o their_o duty_n by_o the_o band_n of_o love_n and_o the_o cord_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v by_o argument_n of_o such_o a_o oblige_a nature_n as_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o prevail_v with_o man_n who_o he_o have_v endow_v with_o reason_n and_o understanding_n but_o how_o few_o be_v there_o who_o have_v so_o much_o ingenuity_n as_o to_o be_v win_v by_o kindness_n the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n must_v be_v treat_v with_o severe_a method_n according_a to_o the_o observation_n of_o st._n austin_n plures_fw-la sunt_fw-la quos_fw-la terror_fw-la corrigit_fw-la pauciores_fw-la quos_fw-la allicit_fw-la amor_fw-la such_o say_v he_o be_v the_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o very_o few_o be_v draw_v to_o their_o duty_n by_o the_o band_n of_o love_n the_o generality_n of_o man_n must_v be_v drive_v to_o it_o by_o the_o fear_n of_o punishment_n for_o this_o reason_n the_o wise_a heathen_n make_v hercules_n their_o god_n of_o power_n their_o god_n of_o eloquence_n too_o intimate_v that_o no_o argument_n be_v more_o forcible_a or_o more_o prevalent_a than_o those_o which_o alarm_n our_o fear_n now_o god_n who_o be_v never_o want_v in_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v conduce_v to_o our_o salvation_n be_v observe_v in_o scripture_n frequent_o to_o urge_v these_o powerful_a argument_n upon_o we_o fear-not_a they_o say_v our_o saviour_n who_o can_v do_v no_o more_o than_o destroy_v the_o body_n but_o fear_v he_o who_o be_v able_a to_o destroy_v both_o body_n and_o soul_n in_o hell_n know_v therefore_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n we_o persuade_v man_n say_v st._n paul_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 11._o to_o the_o same_o end_n and_o purpose_n we_o find_v asaph_n the_o author_n of_o this_o psalm_n magnify_v the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o the_o defeat_n of_o sennacherib_n army_n thou_o have_v break_v the_o arrow_n of_o the_o bow_n the_o shield_n and_o the_o sword_n and_o the_o battle_n ver_fw-la 3._o the_o stout_a heart_a be_v spoil_a they_o have_v sleep_v their_o sleep_n and_o none_o of_o the_o man_n of_o may_v have_v find_v their_o hand_n ver_fw-la 5._o at_o thy_o rebuke_n o_o god_n of_o jacob_n both_o the_o chariot_n and_o horse_n be_v cast_v into_o a_o deep_a sleep_n ver_fw-la 6._o those_o expression_n of_o our_o psalmist_n relate_v unto_o sennacherib_n king_n of_o the_o assyrian_n this_o monarchy_n in_o daniel_n vision_n be_v for_o its_o strength_n compare_v unto_o the_o lion_n and_o it_o be_v at_o its_o zenith_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o sennacherib_n who_o very_a name_n signify_v a_o fierce_a warrior_n and_o who_o subject_n the_o assyrian_n be_v deserve_o style_v by_o our_o psalmist_n the_o stouthearted_n because_o be_v flush_v by_o many_o victory_n they_o fear_v neither_o man_n nor_o god_n himself_o who_o

come_v now_o four_o in_o the_o four_o place_n to_o show_v you_o what_o reason_n and_o encouragement_n we_o have_v to_o endeavour_v after_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o grace_n and_o one_a our_o serious_a endeavour_n after_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o grace_n will_v be_v a_o excellent_a mean_n to_o preserve_v that_o save_a growth_n in_o grace_n the_o pious_a christian_a have_v already_o attain_v to_o there_o be_v a_o dangerous_a opinion_n in_o the_o world_n that_o a_o man_n can_v total_o and_o final_o fall_v away_o from_o grace_n according_a to_o these_o man_n sentiment_n he_o that_o be_v once_o sincere_o righteous_a will_v infallible_o hold_v on_o and_o persevere_v unto_o the_o end_n now_o if_o this_o opinion_n be_v true_a this_o exhortation_n will_v be_v vain_a but_o certain_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o plain_a doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n hear_v what_o st._n peter_n say_v chap._n 1._o of_o this_o epistle_n vers_fw-la 10._o give_v all_o diligence_n say_v he_o to_o make_v your_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a for_o if_o you_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o shall_v never_o fall_v you_o see_v he_o put_v a_o if_o in_o the_o case_n such_o as_o fair_o imply_v that_o we_o may_v neglect_v our_o duty_n and_o fall_v from_o our_o own_o steadfastness_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n st._n paul_n give_v this_o necessary_a caution_n rom._n 11._o 20._o etc._n etc._n be_v not_o high-minded_a but_o fear_v for_o if_o god_n spare_v not_o the_o natural_a branch_n take_v heed_n lest_o he_o also_o spare_v not_o thou_o behold_v therefore_o the_o goodness_n and_o severity_n of_o god_n on_o they_o which_o fall_v severity_n but_o towards_o thou_o goodness_n if_o thou_o continue_v in_o his_o goodness_n otherwise_o thou_o also_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o but_o a_o full_a confutation_n of_o this_o dangerous_a opinion_n we_o can_v desire_v than_o what_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n ezek._n 18._o 24._o when_o the_o righteous_a man_n turn_v away_o from_o his_o righteousness_n and_o commit_v iniquity_n and_o do_v according_a to_o all_o the_o abomination_n that_o the_o wicked_a man_n do_v shall_v he_o live_v say_v the_o lord_n no_o all_o his_o righteousness_n that_o he_o have_v do_v shall_v not_o be_v mention_v in_o his_o trespass_n that_o he_o have_v trespass_v and_o in_o his_o sin_n that_o he_o have_v sin_v in_o they_o shall_v he_o die_v thus_o plain_a it_o be_v that_o a_o christian_n may_v fall_v away_o from_o that_o save_a state_n of_o grace_n he_o have_v attain_v to_o and_o what_o i_o pray_v be_v more_o likely_a to_o secure_v his_o steadfastness_n than_o serious_a endeavour_n after_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o holiness_n our_o apostle_n it_o seem_v think_v so_o for_o have_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n give_v this_o necessary_a caution_n beware_v brethren_n lest_o you_o fall_v from_o your_o own_o steadfastness_n he_o present_o subjoin_v in_o the_o text_n as_o the_o proper_a mean_n to_o secure_v they_o from_o fall_v but_o grow_v in_o grace_n it_o be_v the_o same_o in_o spiritual_a growth_n that_o it_o be_v in_o natural_n for_o as_o a_o man_n by_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o other_o natural_a action_n preserve_v his_o natural_a life_n so_o the_o christian_a by_o serious_a endeavour_n after_o high_a degree_n of_o holiness_n preserve_v his_o spiritual_a life_n the_o musician_n screw_v up_o his_o peg_n to_o a_o high_a pitch_n that_o he_o may_v be_v sure_a it_o will_v not_o fall_v low_o than_o the_o true_a note_n even_o so_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n we_o aspire_v to_o the_o less_o danger_n shall_v we_o be_v in_o of_o fall_v low_o than_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o this_o certain_o be_v sufficient_a encouragement_n to_o continue_v these_o our_o serious_a endeavour_n 2_o these_o serious_a endeavour_n after_o a_o further_a growth_n in_o grace_n than_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n will_v give_v the_o pious_a christian_a a_o more_o comfortable_a assurance_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o kind_n of_o heaven_n upon_o earth_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o heaven_n whilst_o we_o be_v here_o upon_o earth_n this_o be_v that_o hide_a manna_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n which_o fill_v the_o soul_n with_o all_o variety_n of_o delight_n now_o nothing_o beside_o a_o particular_a revelation_n from_o heaven_n can_v be_v more_o likely_a to_o create_v this_o full_a assurance_n in_o the_o soul_n than_o these_o heroic_a attainment_n of_o grace_n and_o virtue_n grace_n be_v that_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n by_o which_o we_o be_v mark_v and_o seal_v unto_o the_o day_n of_o redemption_n and_o certain_o the_o bright_a and_o more_o evident_a that_o grace_n be_v the_o more_o evident_a will_v it_o be_v to_o our_o own_o self_n and_o the_o full_a our_o assurance_n of_o heaven_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n many_o good_a christian_n be_v in_o a_o safe_a condition_n and_o yet_o their_o condition_n be_v not_o so_o comfortable_a by_o reason_n of_o those_o fear_n and_o doubt_n which_o do_v often_o accompany_v these_o low_a degree_n of_o grace_n but_o the_o more_o we_o abound_v in_o good_a work_n and_o the_o more_o eminent_o our_o grace_n shine_n the_o more_o comfortable_a will_v our_o assurance_n be_v and_o the_o clear_a our_o title_n to_o heaven_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n read_v st._n paul_n 11_o chap._n to_o the_o hebrew_n where_o he_o set_v down_o a_o large_a calendar_n of_o god_n eminent_a saint_n such_o as_o advance_v into_o the_o high_a form_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n and_o you_o will_v find_v their_o faith_n as_o great_a as_o be_v their_o growth_n in_o grace_n and_o their_o assurance_n of_o heaven_n bear_v a_o just_a proportion_n to_o their_o improvement_n in_o holiness_n for_o st._n paul_n describe_v their_o faith_n ver_fw-la 1._o call_v it_o the_o substance_n or_o subsistence_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o the_o evidence_n or_o clear_a demonstration_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v 3_o these_o serious_a endeavour_n after_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o grace_n as_o they_o will_v secure_v our_o title_n to_o heaven_n and_o give_v we_o a_o more_o comfortable_a assurance_n of_o it_o for_o the_o present_a so_o they_o will_v hereafter_o advance_v we_o to_o high_a degree_n of_o glory_n in_o heaven_n we_o know_v there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o glory_n in_o heaven_n even_o as_o one_o star_n differ_v from_o another_o star_n in_o glory_n so_o also_o say_v st._n paul_n shall_v be_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o just_a as_o st._n austin_n speak_v splendour_n dispar_fw-la caelum_fw-la common_a the_o saint_n shall_v dwell_v together_o in_o the_o same_o heaven_n but_o yet_o like_a star_n they_o shall_v shine_v with_o different_a ray_n of_o glory_n now_o these_o high_a degree_n of_o glory_n will_v be_v confer_v on_o such_o who_o arrive_v at_o high_a degree_n of_o grace_n hence_o when_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n john_n 14._o 2._o in_o my_o father_n house_n be_v many_o mansion_n tertullian_n remark_n thus_o upon_o the_o place_n quomodo_fw-la multae_fw-la mansiones_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la pro_fw-la varietate_fw-la meritorum_fw-la wherefore_o say_v he_o shall_v our_o saviour_n mention_v many_o mansion_n in_o his_o father_n house_n if_o there_o be_v not_o several_a room_n of_o different_a size_n and_o glory_n provide_v for_o his_o saint_n according_a to_o the_o variety_n of_o their_o desert_n indeed_o heaven_n have_v room_n enough_o to_o lodge_v all_o the_o godly_a but_o as_o in_o other_o magnificent_a palace_n so_o in_o this_o of_o heaven_n there_o be_v high_a and_o low_o large_a and_o lesser_a mansion_n in_o which_o god_n saint_n shall_v be_v dispose_v of_o according_a to_o those_o service_n they_o have_v perform_v upon_o earth_n their_o reward_n hereafter_o shall_v be_v answerable_a to_o their_o obedience_n here_o see_v then_o what_o encouragement_n there_o be_v to_o endeavour_v after_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o glory_n these_o it_o seem_v will_v create_v a_o heaven_n in_o our_o soul_n whilst_o we_o live_v here_o on_o earth_n these_o will_n at_o our_o death_n carry_v our_o soul_n as_o high_a as_o heaven_n nay_o which_o be_v more_o they_o will_v lodge_v they_o in_o the_o best_a mansion_n there_o hence_o be_v that_o of_o our_o apostle_n chap._n 1._o 11._o if_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o you_o and_o abound_v then_o shall_v a_o entrance_n be_v minister_v unto_o you_o abundant_o into_o the_o everlasting_a kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n have_v therefore_o these_o promise_n dear_o belove_v let_v we_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o all_o filthiness_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n let_v we_o go_v from_o strength_n to_o strength_n and_o grow_v from_o one_o degree_n of_o grace_n unto_o another_o until_o we_o appear_v before_o our_o god_n in_o zion_n i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o with_o st._n paul_n exhortation_n