Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
doctrine_n	holy_a	scripture_n	tradition_n	3,735	5	9.1394	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A69130	The Christian mans walke with the most regardable and remarkable steppes thereof, the true rule according to which, and manner how we must walke: shewing the infallible properties of the children of light. Newly published by the author Nathanael Cole, Preacher at S. Leonards Bromley in Middlesex, on the backside of Stratford-Bow neere London.	Cole, Nathaniel, 1584 or 5-1626.	1624 (1624)	STC 5534; ESTC S115975	148,624	710

points 1. the duetie enioyned in the word proouing 2. the obiect what is pleasing not to men or the wisedome of the flesh but to the Lord. 3. who must thus prooue that is the children of light 4. the continuance of this dutie as appeares by the connexion of these words with 8 verse Walke proouing c. And first of the dutie Proouing The Greeke word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proouing or approouing Now in obseruing the Scriptures I finde that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath a three-fold signification and all necessarily required in the true performance of this duety here inioyned First it signifies to search prooue examine and try a thing as here so it is 1. Thess 5. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trying all things So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let a man examine himselfe And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Try the spirits So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fire shall trie euery mans worke of what sort it is 1. Cor. 3. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Examine your selues 2. Cor. 13. 5. knowing this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The trying of your faith c. Iam. 1. 3. Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth to discerne to iudge of to vnderstand and to know by experience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That yee may iudge of or discerne things that differ Philipp 1. 10. The same is Rom. 2. 18. So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that yee may proue that is know by experience what is Gods will Rom. 12. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And I goe to prooue them to iudge of and haue experience of them Luke 14. 19. So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is experience Rom. 5. 4. Thirdly it signifies to approoue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 approoued 1. Cor. 11. 19. and allow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we are allowed of God 1. Thes 2. 4. Blessed is he that condemneth not himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that thing which hee alloweth Rom 14. 22. The same word is vsed 1. Tim. 3 10. Let the Deacons first bee prooued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is not only tried and examined but allowed of and approoued before they vse their office And all these must goe together for wee must so search as to know not theorically but experimentally and so know as to approoue and allow of what is pleasing to God Searching without knowledge sauours of ignorance knowledge without practise is but hypocrisie Searching and knowing without doing and allowing is a tricke of a Pharisee but first search then know for knowledge without searching sauours of errour and first know then allow for approouing without knowledge is but blinde zeale Rom. 10. 2. Search and trie vnderstand and know and approoue and allow this makes an altogether Christian Many search and try but neuer come to knowledge like the simple women in Timothy Euer learning and neuer able to come to the acknowledgement of the truth 2. Tim. 3. 7. Many know Gods will but neuer doe it and to them it is sinne Iam. 4. 17. Many both seeke and know but allow it not in their hearts such are your close hypocrites and Church-papists who will frequent the Church and seeme to search and proue what is Gods wil know it But they draw neere with their bodies and their hearts are farre from God Esa 29. They heare but vnderstand not they see but perceiue not Act. 28. 26. That I may therefore the more orderly proceede I will handle this dutie in a three-fold obseruation according to the three-fold signification of the word First I obserue that 1. Obser it is the dutie of all Christians in generall and each one in particular diligently to search prooue and try what is the will of God and this in the first place It is not sufficient to know that there is a way but to know which is the right streight and true way So it is not enough to know that Gods will must be fulfilled but to know what that will is which God will haue vs to obey Therefore as a traueller not well knowing the way makes inquirie vpon all occasions and searcheth out the best way and getteth all the best directions hee can to bring him the next way to his iourneys end So must euery Christian that trauelleth the waies of God seeke and make diligent inquirie what is the next way to heauen namely what is the will of God which euery one must doe that euer meanes to come to heauen Math. 7. 21. For all the while wee are ignorant of Gods will we erre from Gods waies and stray aside in by-pathes There is a way that seemes right vnto man but the end thereof are the waies of death Prou. 14. 12. yea euery way is right to a man in his own eyes Prou. 12. 1. the onely true way is to know the will of God and doe it How great cause then haue we with all diligence to make diligent search and to proue what Gods will is wherein it consisteth what are the duties required about it and the like Almighty God calleth vpon vs for this Stand in the waies and see and aske seeke enquire for the old pathes where is the good way and walke therein Ier. 6. 16. first seeke and enquire for the good way then walke in it So I say first search inquire and proue what this will of God is what to be done and what to be vndone what is pleasing to God what displeasing then walke in obedieuce to it So the watch-man cryeth If ye will enquire enquire yee Isay 21. 2. The Prophets did not onely know that saluation was to be wrought by Christ nor onely belieue in him to be exhibited but as S. Peter noteth Of this saluation the Prophets haue enquired and searched diligently searching what time c. 1. Pet. 1. 10. 11. So it is not sufficient for vs to heare of Gods will and in generall to know that his will must be done but to enquire and make diligent search what it is that wee may proue what that good that acceptable and perfect will of God is Rom. 12. 2. In this search I obserue In this search three things obserued Obser 1. three things first The rule of this search secondly the helpes vnto it thirdly the manner of it First the Rule of this search is the word of God contained in holy Scriptures The Scriptures are able to make vs wise vnto saluation and all Scripture is profitable for doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction 2 Tim. 3. 15. 16. Let the word of God dwell in you plenteously in all wisedome teaching and admonishing your selues Coloss 3. 16. There is nothing needfull to saluation nothing either commanded or forbidden but it is contained in holy Scripture and therefore if any man be ignorant of Gods will it is for want of knowledge in the Scriptures Yee erre not knowing the Scriptures Math. 22. 29. Therefore saith Christ Search the Scriptures for in them ye

thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of mee Iohn 5. 39. This must be done publiquely or priuately In publique in hearing the word to turne to places alledged as the men of Berea who searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so which Paul preached Acts 17. 11. In priuate by reading them and causing them to be read wherein when ye read ye may vnderstand Ephes 3. 4. This word is the touch-stone to try all doctrines as we are exhorted 1 Thes 5. 21. and 1 Ioh. 4. 1. therefore in all difficulties doubts and controuersies we must haue recourse to the word as Esay saith To the law and to the testimony Esay 8. 20. Secondly the helpes vnto Obser 2. this search are First Gods Ministers who are or should be indued with such knowledge that in matters of difficulty and doubts they may be able to giue satisfaction in all necessary not curious points concerning saluation the people must haue recourse vnto them But to the shame of a number be it spoken who to conceale their owne ignorance will neuer resort to their Minister because they will not bewray their blindenesse ignorance and error so they which are ignorant Gods will will be ignorant still for as Paul saith they haue not the knowledge of God I speake this to their shame 1 Cor. 15. But let all such remember what the Lord saith The Priests lips should preserue knowledge and the people should seeke the Law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hostes Malachi 2. 7. Secondly we must vse feruent and effectuall prayer to Almighty God to giue vs hi● holy spirit to enlighten our vnderstandings to informe our iudgements that we may rightly discerne of things that differ and that wee may see what is Gods will Thus wee should neuer goe to heare or read the word publiquely or priuately but first prepare our selues by prayer Obserue the practise of Dauid often in the Psalmes especially 119. Open mine eyes O Lord that I may see the wonderfull things of thy Law Teach me thy statutes Giue me vnderstanding Teach me good iudgement and knowledge and the like The spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God c. 1 Cor. 2. 10. 11. 12. 13. Thirdly wee must compare Scripture with Scripture one place with another and obserue the coherence and scope of the place both what goes before and what followes after for that which seemes more obscure in one place is made more plaine in another In all these wee must truely humble our selues acknowledging that we can doe nothing as of our selues and God will teach the humble man his way Psal 25. 9. Thirdly the manner of Obser 3. this search must be First with vnderstanding for many please themselues in bare hearing and reading and thinke they doe God high seruice because they reade now and then vpon the Sabboth-day a Chapter or two and heare a Sermon whereas they vnderstand nothing They heare but vnderstand not and therefore Paul exhorting vs to proue search what is Gods will explaines himselfe saying Be not wnrise but wise vnderstanding what the will of God is Ephes 5. 17. nothing it as a point of greatest folly to search and not vnderstand Let him that readeth vnderstand Marke 13. 14. Vnderstandest thou what thou readest Acts 8. 30. Secondly it must be frequent The men of Berea searched the Scriptures daily Acts 17. 11. The word of God must dwell in vs plenteously and richly Colos 3. 16. which cannot bee vnlesse wee often acqu int● our selues with it in reading hearing meditating conferring and the like The godly mans delight is in the law of the Lord and therein doth he exercise himselfe day and night Psal 1. 2. and Iosh 1. 8. Meditate vpon these things giue thy selfe wholly to them continue in them 1 Tim. 4. 15. 16. Thirdly it must be vpright and in truth with a desire to be bettered and a care to practife those things we learne It is no dallying with edge-tooles Therefore if yee will enquire enquire Isay 21. 12. that is doe it in deede and in good earnest vprightly and in truth My soule saith Dauid breaketh out for the feruent desire that it hath alway vnto thy iudgements Psal 119. 20. Wee must incline our eares to wisedome and apply our hearts to vnderstanding wee must seeke as for siluer and wee must search for her as for hid treasures and then we shall vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of the Lord Prou. 2. 2. 3. 4. but without this diligent and vpright search wee can neuer finde the knowledge of Gods will and therefore hee saith Hee that seeketh findeth Math. 7. 8. This dutie is excellent and necessary Excellent for it is the ground of all happinesse and comfort by it wee haue acquaintance with God himselfe wee come to know his will we are as it were of his Counsaile and all things necessary to our saluation hee reuealeth vnto vs Thus acquainting our selues with God thereby good shall come vnto vs Iob 22. 21. And the knowledge of the holy God is vnderstanding Prou. 9. 10. By this we perceiue the truth it selfe for this word is truth Iohn 17. 17. Here wee haue rules for doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction for patiencein tribulation for resisting Sathans temptations for remedies against sin for attaining of grace for performing all good duties both towards God and Men through the whole course of our liues Necessarily also First for the naturall and carnall man to bring him to knowledge for the naturall man perceiues not the things of God neither can he know them 1 Cor. 2. 4. But it is the word which giueth wisedome to the simple and light vnto the eyes Psal 19. No man naturally vnderstandeth or seeketh after God namely in spirituall things Rom. 3. 11. But the word is a lampe vnto our feete and a light vnto our pathes Psal 119. 105. And whereas wee cannot of our selues conceiue aright of God and his will yet by searching the Scriptures we may for they testifie of him Iohn 5. 39. Secondly it is necessary for the spirituall man namely to increase in the knowledge of Gods will For we know but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9. and we must goe forward in the knowledge of Christ 2 Pet 3. 18. And as new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word to grow thereby 1 Pet. 2. 2. And if any man thinkes he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as hee ought to know 1 Cor. 8. 2. And this be said of this first obseruation or doctrine contayning the first propertie of the Children of light that walke in this first steppe Now for the Vses and first for Reproofe This reprooueth the Popish For Reproofe Vse 1. teachers and people both for doctrine and practise for they teach not the word of Christ nor suffer the people to search the Scriptures but debarre them of them and

vrge vpon them traditions and humane inuentions teaching that it is not lawfull for the common people to studie the Scriptures for they will bring them to madnesse and he is to be accounted the greatest Doctor that studies the Schoolemen Iesuiticall writings and dunsticall Fryers and accordingly doe the people giue credence vnto them thus neglecting the word whereas Christ saith Search ye all the Scriptures both Ministers and Lay-men Scriptures are for whole Churches Reuel 2. and 3. Chap. seauen times Vse 2 This condemneth those that gape to heauen for Reuelations as though God were bound to reueale immediately his will vnto them as the Enthusiasts the like whereas wee must proue by searching the Scriptures what is Gods will Vse 3 This reprooueth the couetous misers and miserable worldlings who make Mammon their God who will turne euery clod for the value of a pennie but not once in a yeare turne ouer one leafe of the Bible to search what is Gods will They measure the Epha and search the statutes of Omri Micah 6. 16. but cast the word of God behinde them Psal 50. 17. Vse 4 Lastly this condemneth those that thinke they know as much as they neede to know they know what such a one teacheth and what another hath taught and they will liue and die in that simplicity yea it condemneth vs all of back wardnesse in this dutie ●ot caring to search the Scrip●●●● diligently For Instruction teaching For Instruction Obser 1. vs to be very studious in the Scriptures to giue our selues to reade them and throughly to search them and neuer to be at quiet or to thinke our selues well till we haue proued out of the word what is the will of God The will of God must be the Rule of all our actions if it be according to his will we must doe it if it be against his will we must not dare to doe it But if we neuer search the Scriptures in which his will is plainely reuealed and where onely we may finde the knowledge of it if we vtterly neglect the Scriptures which teach vs what is to be done and what vndone what one action can we performe being ignorant of his will pleasing or acceptable to the Lord ●●is is the ground of all our ●●edience without which we cannot but disobey God in all things Let vs therefore follow the practise of Dauid O how I loue thy law all the day long is my studie in it Psal 119. 97. And this be said for the first obseruation the second followeth Secondly I obserue that Obser 2. it is the dutie of euery Christian to know Gods will and doe it For there is a two-fold knowledge theoricall experimentall The first is necessary but not sufficient to saluation wee must as I haue said know what Gods will is and to be informed in our iudgements of the truth of it this is the point I haue stood vpon this is theoricall knowledge consisting onely in speculation but this alone can saue none for he that knoweth his Masters will and doth i● not shall be beaten with many stripes Luke 12. 47. Experimentall knowledge is when we so know his will as to practise it in our liues to know by experience what is Gods will and this is sauing knowledge for he onely that doth the will of God shall be saued Math. 7. 21. And this the Apostle chiefely aymes at in this place when hee saith Proouing what is pleasing to God that is discerne and vnderstand and iudge of by experience and know experimentally what is Gods will This he explaineth Verse 17. Be not vnwise but vnderstand what the will of God is For as practise without knowledge tends to superstition so knowledge without practise sauours of hypocrisie therefore both must goe together And the more we are exercised in obedience to Gods will the more liuely doe wee perceiue and know what is pleasing and acceptable to God The simple knowledge which we haue by the word goes before but this experimentall knowledge followes after and perfects the former I know honey is sweete by reading and because I heare men say so but when I tast it I proue it so indeede I know it by experience and by this latter the former is perfected This Dauid exhorteth to Tast and see how gratious the Lord is Psal 34. 8. Thus Christ is said to haue learned id est experimentally obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 8. and of this speaketh Christ Reuel 2. 17. To him that ouercommeth will I giue a white stone and in that stone a new name written which no man knoweth id est experimentally saue hee that receiues it Therefore as Christ saith If wee know these things blessed are wee if wee doe them Iohn 13. 17. not because we know but if wee know and if wee doe then blessed are wee Now this doing of Gods Doing of Gods will two-fold will is two-fold Legall and perfect Euangelicall and imperfect The first is to doe Gods will so as the law requires in a most perfect and absolute manner according to the rigour exaction and strict order prescribed in the Law without the least breach of any part of any one Commaundement either in thought word or deede This absolute fulfilling of Gods will in this life since the fall of man none Christ alone excepted euer did or can attaine to in this life but in the kingdome of glory all Gods children shall perfectly both know and doe it The second is such a kinde of obedience as the Gospell requires that is to say It is an vpright and sincere endeauour wherby we striue to the vttermost of our power by vsing all good meanes to doe that which is pleasing to God and to auoid that which is displeasing in his sight This wee may and must attaine vnto in this life and that betimes but this is imperfect in the best in this world and yet God accepts of it in Christ and the imperfections thereof are neuer imputed to Gods children but the perfect obedience of Christ is imputed vnto vs and so in Christ and through him God accepts of our imperfect obedience and beholds vs in him as righteous and perfect before him Yea in all Gods children where God sees this holy endeauour striuing against sin and weakenesse and that wee are heartily sorry that we can doe it no better God in mercy accepts the will for the deede For if there be first a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that hee hath not 2 Cor. 8. 12. And this is our comfort in distresse of Conscience But here let it be well obserued that those forenamed words of the Apostle are most grossely abused of a number to licentiousnesse of liuing presuming and taking libertie to sinne as they list thinking that God will hold them excused for their intents and good meanings and that God will accept of them for their good desires for they