Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	faith_n	law_n	moral_a	1,475	5	9.2774	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39768	The true settlement of a Christians faith,bafter shaking assaults, by its own evidence; and by the internal sealing work of the spirit; pointed at, in some special inquiries thereon in a letter to a friend. With some serious reflections on the present times we are in, and those great vicissitudes of providence, wihch have been in the publick state of Britain in this last age, in a II. letter. By a minister of the Ghospel [sic].	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.	1692 (1692)	Wing F1277A; ESTC R215628	111,123	216

Kingdom it 's in the faith hereof my soull does rest 3. How far these sett times of the Gentiles and of the coming in of the fulness thereof be accomplisht will in due time be disclosed and with humble sobriety we must judge hereof but it may be so far evident that then some singular withdrawing of the Spirit of God in the Power of the Ghospel will be discernable from the Gentile Church with the shutting up of these times and a very low ebb great darkness on the whole Western Churches before the rising again of the Glory of that Light and return of the Sun to the East again and how it stands now with the publick State of the Gentile Churches any where you can more fitly judge and discern There is a V. INQ yet for a more full settlement in the Christian Faith that I would seriously commend which is on the whole frame and nature of that pure and excellent Religion we professe and the intrinsick perfections thereof which beside the Authority of divine Institution you may see founded in the immutable nature and essence of the same and thus have your soull rais'd to admire and rejoice in that God whose Excellencies are with that evidence herein display'd as it is not possible for men to be more blest in the earth then in this way It is here I may say hath my spirit been oft drawn forth to see with admiration the Divinity and Perfections of the Moral Part of our Religion so that if men would see in a true mirror what the Hoiy invisible God is like in his blessed Resemblance lo here is it clearly presented to them and since any discovery of such a Light I know you prefer much above the Light of the Sun on this earth as that alone which renders the state of man to be desirable I would touch this a little as may afford some reflections o● so great a Head which may be in the very notion thereof rarely the subject of mens thoughts 1. That which is of the highest concern in the first place to fix your spirit on is to see in what manner the great design of the Ghospel for the saving of lost man is layd in that mystery of the Humiliation and Sufferings of our Redeemer and how this way the Majesty of God would take satisfaction to himself and his infinite Justice by himself which otherwise was not attainable I know that to look in an ordinare manner hereon might be ready to shake your spirit with astonishment that the Divine Majesty should ascribe to himself such an abasement as to join in the humane nature in an union with the Deity yea thus to be exposed to the highest ignominy of sufferings that could possibly be allotted to the most Criminal amongst men but it 's in such a choise enquiry you will find your establishment and admiration grow together and thus have a share in the same exercise of the Angels on this subject who look in hereon with joy and wondriug 2. You must see herewith also how of such a nature is this blessed Religion you enjoy as can never be known or enjoyed by men until it be enlivened from Heaven or be possibly taken up or understood in a natural way as humane sciences are but must have another teacher then men and a faculty and power supernatural to know and discern the things of God herein yea how in its vvhole coustitution it is made up of these great Excellencies of Light and Life which do inseperably meet here whose evidence lyes in seeing and not in report or a naked testimony to the ear but is in the same manner as the Sun is made known by its own beams and light and it were indeed sad if the Sun of Righteousness did not this day shine with as full evidence to men in this Lower Orb of the Ghospel as the Meridian Daylight is to our natural sense to let us see both the greatness and security of our hope yea that we are designed for an Eternal State must therefore seek after a Blessedness as will last as long as our immortal souls that cannot perish 3. But this will necessarily carry your thoughts further to see how the Christian Faith does not only with full evidence manifest it self by its own Light but does the more brightly appear by the opposition of darkness and of every false way and pretence of Religion and how the essential Differences betwixt the same are as fully evident and visible as is betwixt the day and night betwixt truth and falshood which are founded in the immutable nature of these things themselves and how the way of truth hath surely that vital air and fragrancy herewith and such a native lustre as is no more possible for humane art and invention to represent then it were to draw a living man on a broad or for one to draw forth the natural sent of a Violet or Rose 4. It is here also you will find it specially strengthning to see the nature of these services which belong to the Christian Faith how here is nothing that is servile or to affright any to come under such a blessed yoke which in its whole constitution is so full of a Holy sweetness to allure and imposeth no Law of Bondage on the spirits of men but what hath inward motives to render it both easy and comforting does prescribe no duty to be a task and no service but from love and where the Moral Law is purely Evangelick and administred to us in the Hands of Mediator yea of such a nature is the whole obedience and services of the Christian Faith as you may clearly see that duty on the matter is not anough where there is not a suitableness thereto in the manner of following the same that the leading motives and principles be purely for God nor can the way of his service be truly followed until his revealed Law have an internal efficacy on mens soull and ●he Moral Rule of Ghospel Obedience be turned ●nto living and inward principles this is a Reflection I should commend much to your thoughts that hath such irresistable evidence therewith for your establishment in the truth to see how that blest way which God hath established to bring man again to himself is such as no length in any external part or the outworks hereof can bear weight if there be not a vital influence on the soull nor does its interest ever subsist in the World by humane Power or Authority but by an internal establishment of the same from its own evidence on the spirits of men 5. It is here you may see likewise how the whole Constitutions of the Christian Faith are such as its highest Glory and Triumph here on the earth is still most conspicous in the darkest night of Affliction and Trouble and in the most remarkable depths thereof this is surely a great discovery and a strange riddle to nature which stands in an express opposition to

publick administrations of the Word seems lost the wisdom of Words or what may appear more neat or polished that way is come in the room hereof as though the alone end of so high a service were to act a scene handsomly on a theater that may carry the applause of the Spectators but not mens hearts unto God this I have lookt on with no less horror then on the most visible Atheism and profanity of these times and one of the most dismal Signs in the publick state of Religion 4. These also may have some higher access for such a witness who know with evidence the truth of immediate and supernatural excitments to engadge upon some special work and service for God and to be acted forth herein under the power and irresistable discovery of ane inward call when under greatest oppositions from their own spirit thereto and furthest a version of mind This I have known in the truth hereof in most eminent examples but the credit of such a testimony tho in it self founded on divine Revelation does necessarly require such ane evidence of the quality of the witnesses herein that they be of a known tender humble and judicious Spirit who are skilled both in the deep things of God and in the deeps of Satan who this way does oft act in the greatest deep and mystery of delusion 5. There is yet something more singular in the experience of some Christians bejond others and in such a witness as to a special confidence and assurance raised on their soul of events of providence and the issue of some remarkable case of tryall when it hath been contrare to all humane appearances and no reason from any visible airth could be given for the same this I know may seem a strange thing in the eyes of many nor can it possibly have that evidence or in that manner work to others as it is to these who know and have experienced the same but we see and are sure there hath been great attainments of such a Faith both in Scripture examples and uncontroverted experiments made hereof in after times which hath met such in the road of their duty and in ane express harmony and correspondence with the Word since the extent of our Faith in any particular case must keep with the same exent and measure of divine Revelation herein and the Lord will be trusted for no more then he hath made warrantable by his promise But this is a Subject on which I may not insist further then to clear the evidence and truth of the same on these grounds 1. That Christians may be at such steps in their way and passage through time and on so dark ground yea the tide of difficulties and amasing fears swelled to so great a hight that if there were not a support of this kind by ane argument of power to their soul they should otherways be ready to sink 2. This experiment how rare so ever it may seem to many is no dark or distinct thing from that seall of the spirit of promise which we should look after or from that promised earnest which sometimes the Lord gives with respect to a special mercy and deliverance within time as well as their great interest in Heaven tho it be not in the same degree imparted to some as to others 3. It is also of no other kind then that settled allowance on the Saints of the peace of God in such a measure as can raise and fully quiet their spirit above any sinking fears and above the present assault they may be under tho with such evidence then as is not possible to attain at other times nor can be kept clear and comforting to themselves without much tendernesse of spirit and fear 4. Where this is known and enjoyed in any higher degree by some then may be the allowance of others it is assuredly found on a special near intimacy with God and to follow some discernable access and special gale of the spirit of intercession in prayer and wrestlings so as it thus meets them in the way of a settled ordinance and in the same way wherein we may see the Saints in Scripture have attained to a confidence of this kind for otherways there could be no comforting evidence of its beeing the undoubted work of God 5. And here must be tryed sought for whither the more immediate testimony of God does then still bring the testimony of the renowed conscience alongst therewi●h so as to clear the condition in themselves and their claim thereto of such a special promise whereon their confidence hath been raised whereby it is thus rendred to them an absolute promise that can not possibly be frustrate 6. I shall but add further as this rare experiment comes with such evidence of spiritual sense as is discernable from any natural workings of mans own heart and is that wherein the most deep enquiry and judicious tryall of Christians is needful to know that its surely from God and hath both his warrant and seall herewith so is it not strange that where he takes a more singular way to try and exercise some and out of the ordinar road of his dealing with others yea where support in the way of external providence may then cease that this special allowance by inward evidence be something more singular also and some higher influence of the spirit and power of beleeving be imparted for such a case This leads me to offer some thoughts in the close upon two Proposals which I did not intend if from another airth whilst I was writing this there had not occurred a special call herein and that I judged it might not be unsuitable to the intent of this discourse 1. Whither there be any such seall to the truth of Christianity in these times we are now in as the Faith of Miracles or that it be warrantable to expect such a thing from God which lyes in a particular act of trust in some special case where a Christian may be taken off all ordinare means and nothing but a divine immediate and miraculous Power can answer thereto for Answer it is clear the active Faith hereof which was once given to the Primitive Church in the workings of miracles now ceaseth but in this passive Sence I know no time nor age to which it does not belong and comes not under the Promise of God to warrant the same in these cases 1. When the Lord measures out such tryalls to any of his people in the way of their duty and under his special conduct where there is no releaf or support but in the Faith of ane extraordinar and immediate appearance of God and no neglect in the least of what in the way of ordinare and warrantable means is attainable it is sure there it is both warranted and requires such a Faith yea are put by a more singular call on the tryall of the same and in this respect I doubt not there hath

Lord to do after all that is written in this Book This hath looked as a door of hope to Britain in the present day when such of a serious excellent spirit have come to the Throne if the sin of this Generation as may be feared be not come to that height of a resolute opposition to any restoring means but if the Authority of God sould be thus taken off the conscience of men by so publik abounding Atheism and Impiety it shall be found that the Honor and Authority of Magistrates will fall herewith before men 4. They have a peculiar access also to such a service for God and the interest of the place they live in who have more advantage then others by the Repute and Authority of their Example to walk in a countermotion to any publick and contagious evill of the time as are most prevalent and thus to affright the bold and daring countenance thereof this should be a honourable appearance to oppose the Kingdom of Sathan wherein it 's getting most remarkable strength and credit by the Customariness thereof 5. But in a special way these who would aim at so high and blessed a Mark as this must know some higher a●quaintance with that Mystery of Faith then what seems to be understood by most in this day and of a relyance on God by a partiticular trust yea the truth of such special assistances of the spirit as can raise the soull to a higher resoluteness in the matter of duty by opposition so as it can be born up amidst the strongest difficulties from no humane interest or the greatness of a party in the earth but from the greatness of their God It is true the way of beleeving is an immutable Ordinance which God hath settled for the support and services of his People within ●ime and should be the leading principle of a Christians Life to go through all conditions and changes in adventuring on that God who is of infinite Power both to hurt and help but it is one of the great experiments also of Religion to what a pitch and degree the Faith of some of the Saints hath been raised upon some extraordinar Service for the Lord where no natural causes could influence the same and above what they could in an ordinare way reach 6. Yet is not the door for such a Service shut on any who have an interest in the Truth once delivered to the Saints but may still have some share and room in so great an Undertaking for God and the Interest of his Truth and should each of a serious spirit design something personally for answering this call to sustain a part in so choile a service for the truth suitable to their Station and Talent it should bring a marvelous change therewith on the times and cause another face appear in the publick face of the Church nor is it expressible what the improvement of a little strength when it hath been designed for the Lord under his call hath oft attained which in no ordinare w●y or from any visible appearance could ever have been expected yea what a marvelous use the soveraing God can make of a few nay of one where his concurrence goes forth therewith But since the publick State of things this day is such as seems to controul any confidence or hope for answering such a call to stand in the breach of so trying and hazardous a time I would speak a few things in the third place which may put some more then ordinare weight of this call on our spirits 1. That as it 's easy for the Lord to raise and excite the spirits of men to such duties as in the way of humane reason would seem wholly insuperable so can it not be found in the Records of times past that where grace did interpose in any singular way to prevent Judgment and for recovering of a Church in some extreme case but there hath also been something more extraordinar then at other times in the acting forth and excitment of some instruments to appear for God with a more Heroick motion on their spirits then what hath been usual and when he hath had a saving work and design to accomplish then Saviours have come upon Mount Zion Obad v 21. 2. If it be a serious business to discern the times we are in with respect to the publick State of these Nations the voice of this call might then ly near our spirits since if we turn our eyes back it is demonstrably evident that the Lord hath not dealt so with any Nation of the Gentiles under the New Testament as with the Isle of Britain both as to eminent experiments of Providence and the dispensation of Grace and measures of light especially since it's recovery from the Power of Antichristian Darkness so as it is not strange that he hath gone forth in a more singular way of Procedure therewith then other Churches and tho nothing is new under the Sun as Solomon speaks yet there may be seen some thing peculiar and astonishing as to the way and Actings of Providence there in this age as will not be easy for the most judicious Observers to find a precedent for the same and if we now consider the present time as things are stated after such resolute oppositions to the voice of these times past and when no vicissitudes of Providence hath yet put any stop to a growing hight of Apostacy as may bee too visible there yea that it 's sure God will not lose his Work or Intent in the great expence he hath been at for reclaiming this Generation it may be then without a Prophetick Light seen that something very extraordinar is near either in the way of Judgment or Mercy so as this service and appearance in the present Breach seems to be in another manner call'd for bejond that of an ordinare day when there is yet room and the door of intercession not absolutely shut but if this seem light it will be found that the longest measure of divine Patience will come to a Year and a Day at last 3. It is sure and unquestionable also that the answering of this call is the alone way to have God interessed in the publick State and Concerns of Britain in the present day before whom all Nations are as nothing and the greatest Train of Inferiour Causes when their furthest strength and activity is put forth of no weight when he withdrawes his influence as Job 7 8. thy eyes are upon me and I am not It may be matter of serious remark that in this late time something more then ordinare hath appeared in the French standing and strength and tho on principles of reason the Power of such an Adversary should not be such matter of fear when an unusual concurrence of means is to stem such a tide and under the conduct of so Wise and Heroick a Leader yet on the other hand Ashur the rod of my anger Isay 10 5 is a formidable