Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	day_n	lord_n	time_n	5,344	5	4.0909	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A23635	New-Englands choicest blessing and the mercy most to be desired by all that wish well to this people cleared in a sermon preached before the court of election at Boston on May 28, 1679 / by James Allen ...	Allen, James, 1632-1710.	1679 (1679)	Wing A1028; ESTC W13883	18,844	19

Trajan c. they would not be fit for this People if they are not pious Solomon saith wisdome with an Inheritance is good that is most true here or it is good I mean that he be an heir of glory be truly gracious other qualifications must not be severed from but seasoned with the fear of God It is true every godly man is not fit to be a Ruler and as true no ungodly man is They that are not true to God can never be so to the main Interest of this his People All other qualifications without this will make them but the more dangerous Enemies to the People of God Be sure then you chuse friends of God if by them you would expect a manifestation of his friendship to you It is true the best are subject to infirmities that may be personal disadvantages but they will be faithful to the interest of godliness 3. When you have chosen them know that you are with God in a right and regular carriage to them and in the way to have him with you and us 1. If it be a good choice of holy men bless God for it and take it as a pledge and token of his favour to you and his presence with you Isai 1.26 Ezek. 34.24 If otherwise there is no Reason to complain of any but your selves therefore you should humble your selves before God as deserving such a Judgement and for your sinfulness in chusing it 2. Follow them with your prayers God may be with them as he hath been with those before them if you would pray more for them and complain less of them you would be better People and would find them more a blessing to you If their missing it further your prayers that is the best way to rectifie their proceedings 1 Tim. 2.1 2. whence you were solemnly exhorted to it the last year by a faithful Servant of Christ 3. obey them though this or that form of Government is mans creature yet Magistracy is the Lords Ordinance and their authority in those places is from God therefore Rom. 13.1 2. Christians were bound for conscience sake to obey evill ones when got into place much more when good 1 Tim. 6.1 and a further obligation you have then other people to ready obedience they are of your own choice Remember when you chuse them they are men you chuse not Angels but men of like infirmity with other good men in this world therefore expect not too much but you ought to think that all will not be done that ought to be But also know when you have chosen them they are gods by office Psal 82.6 and in the exercise of that to be obeyed though only in the Lord. 2. A word to those that are and may be our Rulers Honoured in the Lord much may be done by you to obtain and maintain the presence of God with this People One faithfull man on the Bench may stop the gap and prevent Gods going out at it or enemies coming in Ezek. 22.30 Psal 106.23 I would humbly commend to you that which is your main duty in which you ought to walk with God in that station and do your part God may be with you and so with this People It is direction given by divine Oracle God the Father and the Son by the Spirit spake it 2 Sam. 23.3 A Scripture hath been improved profitably among you upon this occasion by a worthy Servant of God now with the Lord as a direction in the choice of such that may be a blessing to a People and to them chosen how to carry it that the People over whom they are may have the gracious presence of God among them and continued with them not only a promise they should have such a Ruler but a precept what they should be that are Rulers of Israel More particularly 1. The care of the People of God and the things of God is in a great measure committed to you as you engage your Authority for the protection and defence of these so you are with the Lord and he will be with you and his People by your means 1. For the People of God these are dear to God and as the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 as he is sensible of the least wrong done to them so of every kindness and favour shewed to them you are as the visible covers to these Eyes their outward defence under God lyes upon you as it is a special favour to Gods people to have such as fear the Lord over them so is it an high honour to be over such a People and the Lord further manifests his kindness to Rulers when they are spirited and raised up to be Saviours upon Mount Zion it is both a manifestation of it and a sign of more Zech. 12.5 6 8. when God will make Jerusalem a burthensome stone to all that heave at them then shall their Rulers be encouraged to stand by them as being strong in having a people in Covenant with God to stand for so the God of that Covenant To these the Lord promiseth great success as fire is to the wood laid upon it in the Hearth c. so shall they be to their Enemies they shall prevail against them Let Gods out-casts dwell with you and your Countenance and Favour be extended to all that truly fear the Lord though in some Circumstances they may not be of your mind when they carry it without just offence 2. Care of the things of God his worship that is also incumbent on you as Rulers defence of and encouragement in the practice of godliness and matters of worship I am far from thinking Magistrates in New-Testament times have nothing to do with either the restraining or encouraging outward acts of men referring to the first Table The commended Examples in Old-Testament times that were moral actions are for our Instruction as well as moral precepts where those actions were not extraordinary As those about the worship of God and religious observation of the Sabbath that then were under divine Institution as to that time and mode of Service There is the same obligation to the care of the Lords day now and Institutions of Christ in the New-Testament But to wave the dispute of it what is the duty is the greatest difficulty and made the darker by the various apprehensions of worthy and excellent men I shall not undertake decision of that Case but shall endeavour to hold forth so much light for your direction in it you may be with God act in Integrity and Evangelical Perfection And know you that the Lord will not withdraw because of Infirmities and weaknesses where there are not wilful miscarriages of his Servants 1. Defend them that are the most pretious things of this people then liberty to enjoy the Ordinances of God in their purity you must use your Authority for their defence not only from open but secret Enemies And what ever tends to the ruine and overthrow of the Churches here