Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	command_v	servant_n	unprofitable_a	1,244	5	10.6349	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59894	A short summary of the principal controversies between the Church of England, and the church of Rome being a vindication of several Protestant doctrines, in answer to a late pamphlet intituled, Protestancy destitute of Scripture-proofs.	Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1687 (1687)	Wing S3365; ESTC R22233	88,436	166

yet_o we_o may_v supererogate_v and_o deserve_v some_o thanks_o from_o he_o it_o be_v true_a god_n be_v infinite_o happy_a and_o perfect_a in_o himself_o we_o can_v make_v no_o addition_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o can_v in_o a_o strict_a sense_n profit_v he_o nor_o therefore_o can_v our_o saviour_n understand_v it_o in_o this_o sense_n but_o as_o that_o servant_n may_v be_v say_v to_o profit_v his_o master_n and_o to_o deserve_v thanks_o who_o do_v more_o than_o be_v his_o duty_n so_o may_v we_o be_v say_v to_o be_v profitable_a servant_n can_v we_o also_o supererogate_v or_o do_v more_o than_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o here_o our_o saviour_n argument_n lie_v that_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o that_o be_v command_v we_o all_o the_o good_a that_o we_o can_v possible_o do_v yet_o we_o must_v confess_v ourselves_o unprofitable_a servant_n because_o we_o have_v do_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v and_o can_v do_v no_o more_o than_o be_v their_o duty_n i_o think_v our_o church_n may_v very_o well_o charge_v these_o teacher_n of_o work_n of_o supererogation_n with_o arrogance_n and_o impiety_n if_o to_o advance_v themselves_o above_o the_o apostle_n be_v arrogance_n and_o to_o make_v god_n a_o debtor_n to_o they_o be_v impiety_n but_o that_o our_o people_n may_v a_o little_a understand_v the_o weight_n and_o moment_n of_o this_o controversy_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a brief_o to_o unriddle_v it_o of_o what_o consequence_n the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v sufficient_o know_v for_o a_o church_n which_o can_v persuade_v people_n that_o without_o her_o help_n they_o must_v be_v damn_v for_o some_o hundred_o or_o thousand_o year_n for_o purgatory_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o temporal_a damnation_n as_o hell_n be_v eternal_a which_o be_v the_o only_a difference_n between_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v a_o great_a authority_n over_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n who_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o do_v not_o live_v so_o innocent_o as_o to_o be_v out_o of_o danger_n of_o purgatory_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n itself_o can_v do_v the_o church_n no_o service_n have_v she_o not_o the_o power_n of_o indulgence_n to_o remit_v the_o pain_n of_o purgatory_n and_o yet_o indulgence_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o stock_n of_o merit_n which_o the_o church_n have_v the_o keep_n and_o disposal_n of_o and_o yet_o there_o can_v be_v no_o merit_n without_o some_o work_n of_o supererogation_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o work_n of_o supererogation_n if_o no_o man_n can_v do_v more_o than_o what_o be_v command_v than_o what_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o do_v for_o when_o we_o do_v no_o more_o than_o our_o duty_n we_o must_v confess_v ourselves_o to_o be_v unprofitable_a servant_n as_o that_o be_v oppose_v to_o merit_n for_o no_o man_n merit_v mere_o by_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o this_o occasion_n this_o dispute_n whether_o all_o christian_a excellency_n be_v command_v for_o if_o we_o can_v do_v no_o good_a thing_n but_o what_o be_v command_v there_o be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o merit_n nor_o work_n of_o supererogation_n and_o then_o there_o can_v be_v no_o stock_n of_o merit_n to_o be_v the_o fund_z of_o indulgence_n and_o then_o purgatory_n will_v be_v so_o uncomfortable_a a_o doctrine_n that_o no_o man_n will_v trust_v to_o it_o but_o will_v think_v it_o his_o interest_n to_o live_v virtuous_o that_o he_o may_v escape_v both_o hell_n and_o purgatory_n and_o go_v to_o heaven_n when_o he_o die_v and_o then_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v lose_v her_o authority_n and_o her_o gainful_a trade_n together_o this_o be_v the_o plain_a state_n of_o the_o case_n and_o therefore_o to_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n right_o she_o principal_o attribute_n merit_v to_o such_o good_a work_n as_o she_o call_v they_o which_o god_n have_v no_o where_o command_v but_o whether_o these_o be_v christian_a excellency_n or_o no_o will_v be_v consider_v the_o monkish_a vow_n of_o poverty_n coelibacy_n and_o absolute_a obedience_n to_o their_o superior_n be_v think_v a_o state_n of_o perfection_n and_o merit_n and_o if_o they_o be_v so_o these_o be_v work_n of_o supererogation_n indeed_o for_o they_o be_v no_o where_o command_v by_o god_n but_o i_o confess_v i_o can_v understand_v the_o excellency_n of_o they_o especial_o not_o as_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o great_a and_o excellent_a mind_n to_o live_v above_o this_o world_n and_o to_o despise_v all_o the_o charm_n and_o flattery_n of_o it_o but_o what_o virtue_n it_o be_v to_o renounce_v the_o possession_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n i_o can_v tell_v it_o be_v in_o itself_o no_o virtue_n that_o i_o know_v of_o to_o be_v poor_a and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v no_o virtue_n to_o choose_v poverty_n the_o world_n be_v make_v for_o the_o use_n of_o man_n and_o to_o use_v it_o well_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o virtue_n but_o mere_o to_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v none_o to_o bear_v want_n with_o a_o patient_a mind_n and_o a_o quiet_a submission_n to_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v a_o virtue_n but_o to_o choose_v want_n be_v none_o much_o less_o be_v it_o any_o virtue_n to_o renounce_v our_o private_a possession_n to_o live_v plentiful_o upon_o a_o common_a stock_n and_o to_o be_v as_o intent_n in_o enrich_v a_o monastery_n as_o any_o man_n can_v be_v to_o advance_v his_o private_a fortune_n which_o be_v no_o great_a argument_n of_o a_o contempt_n of_o the_o world._n and_o no_o more_o be_v it_o to_o renounce_v all_o honest_a and_o industrious_a way_n of_o live_v as_o some_o do_v and_o to_o turn_v imperious_a and_o godly_a beggar_n and_o live_v delicious_o on_o the_o spoil_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o people_n coelibacy_n itself_o be_v no_o virtue_n for_o then_o marriage_n which_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o a_o popish_a sacrament_n must_v be_v a_o vice._n for_o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n strict_o so_o call_v but_o be_v oppose_v to_o some_o vice_n and_o coelibacy_n be_v oppose_v to_o nothing_o but_o marriage_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v seek_v for_o the_o virtue_n of_o coelibacy_n not_o mere_o in_o a_o vow_n against_o marriage_n which_o be_v no_o virtue_n but_o as_o it_o signify_v a_o great_a mortification_n to_o all_o bodily_a pleasure_n and_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o advance_v we_o to_o a_o more_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a state_n of_o mind_n and_o every_o degree_n of_o virtue_n we_o attain_v to_o shall_v receive_v a_o proportionable_a reward_n and_o thus_o coelibacy_n though_o it_o be_v not_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n itself_o yet_o may_v advance_v we_o to_o a_o more_o perfect_a state_n and_o if_o we_o be_v the_o better_a man_n for_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v the_o great_a reward_n but_o to_o vow_v coelibacy_n and_o to_o burn_v with_o lust_n and_o to_o practice_v all_o the_o impurity_n of_o the_o stew_n to_o renounce_v marriage_n and_o to_o defile_v wife_n and_o virgin_n and_o still_o to_o call_v this_o a_o more_o perfect_a state_n than_o marriage_n be_v a_o work_n of_o supererogation_n indeed_o but_o whether_o it_o be_v supererogate_a virtue_n or_o vice_n god_n will_v judge_v who_o have_v forbid_v all_o uncleanness_n and_o institute_v marriage_n not_o only_o for_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n but_o as_o a_o remedy_n against_o lust._n to_o vow_v absolute_a obedience_n to_o any_o creature_n without_o reserve_v to_o ourselves_o a_o judgement_n whether_o what_o he_o command_v be_v good_a or_o evil_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o state_n of_o perfection_n that_o it_o be_v a_o encroachment_n upon_o the_o divine_a prerogative_n and_o give_v such_o obedience_n to_o man_n as_o be_v due_a only_a to_o god._n this_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o our_o saviour_n precept_n but_o call_v no_o man_n rabbi_n for_o one_o be_v your_o master_n even_o christ_n and_o all_o you_o be_v brethren_n and_o call_v no_o man_n your_o father_n upon_o earth_n for_o one_o be_v your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n neither_o be_v you_o call_v master_n for_o one_o be_v your_o master_n even_o christ_n matthew_n 23._o 8_o 9_o 10._o which_o do_v not_o oppose_v the_o use_n of_o these_o name_n in_o common_a speech_n but_o forbid_v we_o to_o ascribe_v such_o a_o authority_n to_o any_o man_n on_o earth_n as_o be_v due_a only_a to_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o if_o a_o vow_n of_o blind_a obedience_n do_v not_o make_v man_n our_o master_n in_o this_o forbid_a sense_n i_o think_v nothing_o can_v thus_o voluntary_a and_o unnecessary_a severity_n to_o the_o body_n which_o serve_v no_o end_n of_o mortification_n or_o devotion_n say_v over_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ave_fw-la mary_n go_v in_o pilgrimage_n to_o jerusalem_n or_o loretto_n or_o to_o the_o

because_o it_o be_v common_a to_o a_o exhortation_n as_o well_o as_o precept_n suppose_v this_o then_o at_o least_o it_o may_v be_v a_o command_n as_o well_o as_o a_o exhortation_n and_o he_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o command_n and_o therefore_o can_v never_o confute_v any_o man_n who_o say_v it_o be_v a_o command_n but_o suppose_v it_o be_v a_o exhortation_n i_o think_v that_o the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v always_o include_v a_o command_n and_o i_o desire_v one_o instance_n of_o any_o exhortation_n in_o scripture_n which_o relate_v to_o thing_n necessary_o good_a or_o evil_n which_o do_v not_o include_v a_o command_n indeed_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o run_v in_o the_o form_n of_o law_n but_o of_o exhortatory_n command_v enforce_v with_o reason_n and_o argument_n to_o persuade_v and_o it_o be_v a_o effectual_a way_n to_o baffle_v all_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o such_o exhortation_n as_o be_v make_v in_o common_a to_o all_o christian_n have_v not_o the_o force_n of_o a_o command_n but_o i_o observe_v far_o that_o whatever_o virtue_n be_v command_v we_o must_v always_o reckon_v that_o the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o those_o virtue_n be_v command_v for_o god_n can_v command_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o perfect_a virtue_n and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o all_o christian_a excellency_n must_v be_v command_v unless_o they_o be_v such_o excellency_n as_o be_v no_o virtue_n which_o i_o fear_v may_v be_v the_o case_n all_o christian_a virtue_n be_v command_v in_o scripture_n without_o any_o bound_n or_o limitation_n set_v to_o our_o duty_n and_o i_o always_o think_v that_o justice_n and_o goodness_n and_o charity_n meekness_n and_o humility_n temperance_n and_o chastity_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o man_n do_v signify_v perfect_a virtue_n and_o a_o perfect_a virtue_n must_v be_v perfect_a in_o degree_n as_o well_o as_o in_o its_o kind_n and_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o far_o from_o limit_v our_o duty_n that_o it_o make_v the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o our_o pattern_n and_o example_n that_o we_o must_v be_v follower_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d imitator_n of_o god_n like_o dear_a child_n and_o that_o we_o must_v be_v perfect_a as_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a which_o advance_v our_o duty_n to_o the_o utmost_a possible_a attainment_n in_o virtue_n but_o then_o i_o add_v that_o the_o attainment_n of_o the_o high_a perfection_n in_o virtue_n be_v not_o make_v the_o necessary_a condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n though_o a_o perfect_a virtue_n be_v command_v yet_o for_o christ_n sake_n a_o sincere_a though_o imperfect_a obedience_n shall_v be_v accept_v but_o the_o more_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a virtue_n shall_v have_v the_o more_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a reward_n which_o be_v reason_n enough_o for_o we_o to_o aspire_v after_o the_o great_a perfection_n and_o yet_o those_o degree_n of_o perfection_n which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o attain_v to_o must_v bear_v some_o proportion_n to_o what_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o god._n for_o to_o who_o much_o be_v give_v of_o they_o shall_v be_v much_o require_v which_o show_v that_o such_o attainment_n as_o bear_v proportion_n to_o our_o receipt_n shall_v be_v exact_v from_o we_o as_o a_o just_a debt_n which_o may_v make_v different_a degree_n of_o virtue_n in_o different_a man_n matter_n of_o strict_a duty_n this_o our_o author_n say_v import_v that_o proportion_n not_o equality_n must_v be_v in_o our_o account_n to_o our_o ability_n this_o i_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v for_o a_o equal_a proportion_n be_v a_o equality_n but_o this_o he_o say_v do_v not_o agree_v with_o this_o doctrine_n that_o we_o must_v always_o reckon_v the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n be_v command_v his_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v this_o the_o account_n correspond_v to_o our_o ability_n so_o sure_o do_v the_o command_n but_o all_o ability_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o all_o how_o then_o can_v god_n command_n be_v so_o to_o all_o as_o they_o be_v if_o he_o always_o enjoin_v the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n the_o account_n he_o say_v correspond_v with_o our_o ability_n and_o therefore_o the_o command_n must_v but_o how_o do_v he_o prove_v this_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o we_o according_a to_o our_o ability_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o grace_n and_o favour_n and_o owe_v to_o the_o merit_n and_o intercession_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o his_o command_n too_o which_o be_v the_o eternal_a and_o unalterable_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n must_v be_v proportion_v to_o our_o ability_n as_o if_o god_n may_v not_o in_o grace_n and_o mercy_n accept_v of_o less_o than_o in_o justice_n he_o can_v require_v or_o as_o if_o it_o become_v a_o holy_a and_o perfect_a be_v to_o command_v less_o than_o a_o perfect_a virtue_n but_o all_o ability_n be_v not_o the_o same_o how_o then_o can_v god_n command_n be_v so_o to_o all_o that_o be_v the_o same_o to_o all_o men._n and_o be_v not_o his_o command_n the_o same_o to_o all_o man_n do_v his_o command_n differ_v as_o man_n ability_n do_v how_o many_o several_a gospel_n and_o several_a law_n then_o must_v we_o have_v and_o where_o do_v we_o find_v these_o several_a command_v proportion_v to_o man_n several_a ability_n we_o have_v but_o one_o gospel_n that_o i_o know_v of_o and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o all_o and_o it_o be_v necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v so_o that_o all_o man_n may_v know_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v as_o good_a as_o they_o can_v and_o not_o absolve_v themselves_o from_o any_o degree_n of_o virtue_n as_o above_o their_o ability_n and_o therefore_o not_o command_v they_o by_o god_n this_o be_v what_o god_n will_v do_v himself_o when_o he_o come_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n he_o will_v merciful_o consider_v whether_o man_n have_v do_v what_o they_o can_v and_o will_v accept_v of_o a_o little_a when_o it_o be_v their_o best_a but_o we_o must_v know_v that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o do_v all_o the_o good_a we_o can_v and_o therefore_o that_o the_o law_n require_v the_o most_o perfect_a virtue_n which_o will_v engage_v we_o to_o do_v our_o best_a and_o use_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o please_v god_n and_o then_o depend_v on_o his_o grace_n to_o accept_v our_o sincere_a endeavour_n instead_o of_o perfection_n have_v i_o indeed_o say_v that_o god_n have_v make_v the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o all_o man_n than_o he_o may_v have_v confute_v i_o from_o our_o saviour_n rule_n of_o proportion_n to_o who_o much_o be_v give_v of_o they_o shall_v be_v much_o require_v but_o this_o i_o express_o deny_v that_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v damn_v who_o do_v not_o attain_v to_o the_o high_a perfection_n and_o express_o affirm_v that_o a_o sincere_a christian_a shall_v be_v save_v notwithstanding_o his_o many_o defect_n but_o our_o reward_n shall_v be_v proportion_v to_o our_o several_a degree_n and_o attainment_n in_o virtue_n that_o the_o most_o perfect_a virtue_n shall_v have_v the_o most_o excellent_a reward_n and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o confound_v the_o pretence_n of_o merit_n and_o work_n of_o supererogation_n especial_o that_o senseless_a doctrine_n of_o one_o man_n merit_v for_o another_o which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o popish_a indulgence_n for_o if_o the_o most_o perfect_a virtue_n be_v matter_n of_o duty_n and_o under_o command_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o man_n can_v do_v more_o than_o his_o duty_n unless_o he_o can_v do_v something_o better_a than_o the_o best_a and_o if_o our_o reward_n be_v proportion_v to_o our_o best_a action_n what_o redundancy_n of_o merit_n can_v there_o be_v when_o all_o the_o good_a we_o do_v be_v so_o ample_o reward_v thus_o i_o observe_v our_o church_n confute_v the_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o supererogation_n from_o what_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n when_o you_o have_v do_v all_o that_o be_v command_v to_o you_o say_v we_o be_v unprofitable_a servant_n to_o this_o our_o author_n answer_v if_o to_o supererogate_v do_v signify_v with_o catholic_n to_o profit_n god_n than_o the_o fourteen_o article_n condemn_v the_o teacher_n of_o work_n of_o supererogation_n of_o arrogance_n and_o impiety_n have_v be_v solid_o found_v on_o when_o you_o have_v do_v all_o that_o be_v command_v to_o you_o say_v we_o be_v unprofitable_a servant_n but_o we_o mean_v no_o such_o thing_n the_o article_n pervert_v scripture_n this_o be_v a_o admirable_a answer_n which_o do_v somewhat_o more_o than_o pervert_v for_o it_o ridicules_a the_o text._n for_o may_v not_o the_o disciple_n have_v answer_v our_o saviour_n as_o this_o disputer_n do_v we_o be_v not_o so_o silly_a as_o to_o think_v we_o can_v profit_v god_n but_o