Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	heart_n	sin_n	spirit_n	1,926	5	4.8918	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43454	Piety the best rule of orthodoxy, or, An essay upon this proposition, that the conduciveness of doctrines to holiness or vice is the best rule for private Christians to judge the truth or falshood of them by in a letter to his honoured friend H.M. / by Hen. Hesketh.	Hesketh, Henry, 1637?-1710.	1680 (1680)	Wing H1613; ESTC R27424	45,058	144

upon_o earth_n and_o though_o a_o man_n may_v be_v mighty_a ready_a to_o be_v conclude_v by_o it_o and_o in_o most_o doubt_n suffer_v that_o scale_n in_o which_o the_o church_n judgement_n lie_v to_o preponderate_v and_o to_o over-rule_v all_o his_o lesser_a scruple_n yet_o till_o he_o be_v assure_v of_o its_o infallibility_n he_o can_v absolute_o commit_v his_o faith_n to_o the_o conduct_n of_o it_o nor_o unquestionable_o permit_v it_o in_o every_o thing_n to_o determine_v for_o he_o 2._o that_o then_o there_o may_v safe_o be_v as_o many_o different_a creed_n as_o there_o be_v differ_v church_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o then_o there_o need_v not_o be_v so_o much_o dispute_v about_o a_o true_a church_n nor_o hunt_v after_o mark_n of_o it_o since_o the_o faith_n of_o every_o man_n be_v own_o church_n will_v certain_o save_v he_o which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o doctrine_n too_o bold_a for_o any_o man_n to_o believe_v that_o exercise_v his_o reason_n to_o any_o measure_n at_o all_o i_o can_v easy_o remember_v any_o thing_n beside_o these_o that_o can_v be_v substitute_v as_o a_o rule_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o if_o i_o can_v i_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n but_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v liable_a to_o as_o many_o or_o more_o difficulty_n than_o any_o of_o these_o and_o i_o can_v but_o think_v these_o great_a inconvenience_n that_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o these_o forename_a be_v encumber_v withal_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n upon_o which_o to_o reject_v they_o from_o be_v rule_n in_o this_o case_n especial_o 4._o if_o we_o compare_v this_o that_o i_o be_o contend_v for_o and_o consider_v the_o evident_a advantage_n that_o it_o have_v above_o they_o and_o the_o less_o difficulty_n that_o it_o be_v press_v withal_o i_o have_v partly_o hint_v before_o that_o there_o be_v these_o two_o thing_n great_o needful_a in_o such_o a_o rule_n facility_n and_o safety_n that_o it_o be_v both_o easy_a and_o safe_a to_o judge_v by_o and_o i_o think_v it_o a_o fair_a offer_n the_o rule_n that_o bid_v fair_a in_o these_o two_o let_v it_o be_v accept_v i_o shall_v therefore_o a_o while_n consider_v it_o more_o absolute_o in_o itself_o in_o point_n both_o of_o easiness_n and_o safety_n and_o second_o compare_v it_o a_o little_a with_o these_o that_o have_v be_v name_v and_o intimate_v something_o of_o the_o advantage_n and_o preference_n that_o it_o claim_v before_o they_o 1._o it_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o be_v true_o capable_a of_o both_o these_o character_n for_o first_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v by_o for_o few_o man_n but_o of_o common_a either_o knowledge_n or_o honesty_n can_v mistake_v in_o judge_v what_o be_v holy_a and_o what_o be_v not_o see_v the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n imprint_v on_o our_o very_a nature_n and_o grow_v up_o with_o we_o we_o need_v not_o go_v and_o consult_v oracle_n nor_o say_v who_o shall_v ascend_v into_o heaven_n to_o fetch_v we_o a_o resolution_n from_o thence_o 8._o deut._n 30.14_o rom._n 10.6_o 7_o 8._o for_o as_o moses_n and_o s._n paul_n both_o say_v the_o word_n be_v nigh_o we_o even_o in_o our_o own_o heart_n there_o the_o great_a line_n of_o duty_n be_v write_v legible_o and_o plain_o and_o a_o honest_a though_o mean_o instruct_v mind_n will_v quick_o attain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o so_o that_o a_o heathen_a might_n and_o some_o actual_o have_v judge_v pretty_a right_o in_o this_o instance_n for_o as_o these_o give_v evidence_n of_o a_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n 2.15_o rom._n 2.15_o as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o they_o do_v so_o many_o of_o they_o that_o have_v attend_v close_o to_o this_o connate_a light_n have_v by_o it_o alone_o attain_v almost_o to_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n in_o these_o thing_n and_o pass_v a_o right_a sentence_n upon_o all_o opinion_n and_o doctrine_n that_o do_v not_o consent_v with_o the_o same_o but_o suppose_v a_o man_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n and_o under_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o write_a law_n and_o revelation_n of_o god_n we_o set_v he_o in_o infinite_o great_a advantage_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o thing_n of_o necessary_a duty_n be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v and_o make_v know_v therein_o that_o it_o be_v not_o very_o easy_a to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o or_o not_o to_o understand_v they_o and_o second_o it_o be_v as_o safe_a to_o judge_v by_o it_o as_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o do_v so_o for_o first_o if_o a_o judgement_n be_v true_o make_v by_o it_o it_o be_v infallible_o certain_a and_o any_o doctrine_n that_o true_o tend_v to_o the_o promote_a holiness_n be_v as_o undoubted_o christian_n and_o divine_a and_o true_a as_o if_o god_n have_v write_v it_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o every_o doctrine_n that_o true_o promote_v and_o encourage_v the_o practice_n of_o vice_n be_v as_o certain_o false_a and_o diabolical_a as_o if_o we_o see_v it_o proceed_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o old_a dragon_n and_o second_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v chance_v to_o err_v while_o he_o real_o and_o true_o judge_v for_o this_o i_o think_v it_o may_v safe_o be_v say_v that_o error_n be_v not_o damnable_a it_o be_v a_o error_n on_o the_o safe_a side_n a_o mistake_n on_o the_o better_a hand_n a_o judge_v for_o god_n and_o his_o interest_n where_o the_o will_n be_v honest_a and_o innocent_a and_o good_a and_o where_o that_o be_v so_o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o to_o call_v any_o thing_n a_o sin_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v certain_a a_o honest_a heart_n use_v its_o sincere_a and_o true_a endeavour_n and_o intend_v real_o to_o embrace_v and_o follow_v that_o which_o best_o teach_v its_o duty_n and_o engage_v to_o it_o be_v certain_o safe_a god_n good_a providence_n and_o grace_n will_v superintend_v and_o assist_v such_o a_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v either_o not_o fall_v into_o any_o error_n at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o not_o into_o any_o damnable_a one_o god_n spirit_n will_v lead_v he_o into_o all_o truth_n that_o be_v real_o needful_a for_o he_o to_o know_v 2._o shall_v we_o now_o make_v a_o comparison_n between_o this_o and_o the_o other_o upon_o these_o two_o thing_n we_o shall_v present_o see_v to_o which_o the_o advantage_n will_v incline_v some_o of_o they_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o judge_v by_o and_o some_o not_o easy_a to_o do_v so_o and_o some_o again_o neither_o of_o the_o two_o as_o will_v easy_o be_v make_v appear_v shall_v we_o again_o review_v and_o distinct_o consider_v they_o which_o because_o i_o have_v not_o leisure_n or_o a_o mind_n to_o do_v myself_o i_o shall_v beg_v and_o trust_v you_o or_o any_o other_o to_o do_v for_o i_o i_o be_o sure_a he_o will_v find_v all_o those_o clog_v with_o some_o inconvenience_n from_o which_o this_o be_v either_o whole_o or_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n free_a which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n upon_o which_o to_o give_v it_o the_o preference_n above_o they_o not_o but_o that_o i_o can_v easy_o foresee_v that_o this_o rule_n also_o may_v be_v press_v with_o some_o difficulty_n and_o can_v we_o lie_v down_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v not_o we_o shall_v then_o anticipate_v our_o future_a state_n and_o contrive_v a_o way_n to_o secure_a man_n from_o all_o possibility_n of_o error_n which_o in_o this_o imperfect_a state_n be_v a_o thing_n rather_o to_o be_v wish_v than_o hope_v for_o we_o must_v therefore_o in_o this_o make_v as_o good_a a_o shift_n as_o we_o can_v and_o choose_v that_o as_o the_o safe_a which_o least_o subject_n we_o unto_o error_n or_o at_o least_o to_o the_o few_o which_o because_o this_o do_v i_o therefore_o propose_v it_o as_o the_o best_a thing_n to_o be_v attend_v to_o in_o this_o case_n and_o only_o further_o add_v that_o whatever_o mistake_v we_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o in_o judge_v by_o this_o we_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n secure_v ourselves_o from_o by_o attend_v to_o those_o direction_n for_o the_o management_n of_o this_o judgement_n that_o the_o next_o chapter_n will_v make_v know_v to_o we_o chap._n viii_o six_o rule_n lay_v down_o to_o be_v observe_v by_o we_o in_o our_o judge_n by_o this_o rule_n and_o three_o of_o these_o insist_v upon_o the_o judge_v of_o all_o doctrine_n be_v somewhat_o a_o difficult_a thing_n and_o no_o rule_n to_o judge_v by_o be_v so_o mighty_a plain_n but_o that_o man_n may_v be_v incident_a unto_o error_n in_o their_o application_n of_o it_o as_o the_o former_a chapter_n intimate_v it_o will_v be_v needful_a to_o contrive_v against_o that_o error_n as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v and_o to_o preserve_v from_o all_o misapply_v this_o rule_n as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v in_o order_n to_o which_o there_o be_v these_o six_o thing_n which_o i_o shall_v prescribe_v to_o be_v

proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n now_o if_o you_o think_v that_o i_o be_o injurious_a in_o refer_v thus_o the_o trial_n of_o spirit_n and_o doctrine_n only_o to_o this_o one_o rule_n while_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o that_o s._n john_n lay_v down_o two_o more_o in_o this_o chapter_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n i_o shall_v ready_o confess_v the_o charge_n but_o without_o any_o imputation_n of_o injustice_n yea_o shall_v take_v advantage_n from_o hence_o the_o more_o to_o strengthen_v this_o assertion_n and_o to_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o the_o chief_a and_o principal_a rule_n forasmuch_o as_o both_o the_o other_o do_v relate_v to_o it_o and_o be_v instance_n of_o it_o for_o a_o free_a undaunted_a confess_v of_o christ_n in_o time_n of_o danger_n and_o love_v cordial_o our_o brethren_n be_v both_o of_o they_o chief_a branch_n of_o christian_a virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o indeed_o as_o they_o be_v almost_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n command_v by_o our_o saviour_n so_o they_o have_v the_o choice_a and_o most_o endear_n encouragement_n annex_v to_o they_o so_o then_o the_o argument_n from_o this_o place_n will_v be_v very_o clear_a and_o conclude_a for_o in_o that_o very_a place_n where_o s._n john_n enjoin_v the_o trial_n of_o spirit_n and_o doctrine_n he_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o the_o great_a rule_n for_o that_o trial_n and_o though_o he_o add_v two_o other_o rule_n also_o yet_o they_o be_v but_o particular_n and_o branch_n of_o this_o great_a one_o and_o then_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o apostle_n direction_n in_o this_o case_n amount_v to_o thus_o much_o whatever_o doctrine_n do_v conduce_v to_o make_v man_n true_o holy_a especial_o encourage_v to_o the_o right_n take_v up_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o cordial_a constant_a love_n to_o our_o brethren_n that_o doctrine_n issue_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o whatever_o doctrine_n be_v contrary_a either_o to_o these_o two_o single_a christian_a virtue_n or_o to_o it_o in_o general_a do_v certain_o proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a and_o true_a purport_n of_o s._n john_n in_o this_o text._n but_o i_o will_v not_o have_v you_o think_v that_o he_o be_v singular_a in_o this_o or_o without_o good_a authority_n for_o what_o he_o say_v we_o shall_v find_v he_o have_v sufficient_a warrant_n from_o his_o great_a master_n christ_n jesus_n as_o we_o may_v clear_o see_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o speech_n of_o christ_n 20._o mat._n 7.16_o 20._o by_o their_o fruit_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o in_o the_o precede_a verse_n our_o saviour_n be_v forewarn_v his_o disciple_n of_o the_o come_n of_o false_a prophet_n into_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o very_a specious_a pretence_n that_o they_o shall_v make_v to_o deceive_v people_n by_o have_v do_v this_o and_o caution_v against_o they_o he_o lay_v down_o in_o this_o place_n a_o rule_n to_o know_v and_o discover_v they_o by_o which_o rule_n be_v very_o positive_a and_o plain_a and_o twice_o repeat_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o doubt_v of_o it_o or_o forget_v it_o by_o their_o fruit_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o i._n e._n by_o the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o fruit_n of_o their_o doctrine_n by_o such_o conclusion_n as_o do_v natural_o and_o by_o right_n argue_v follow_v from_o they_o so_o that_o the_o trial_n of_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v make_v by_o trial_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o these_o be_v to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o they_o not_o by_o what_o a_o man_n can_v discover_v in_o the_o professor_n or_o venture_n of_o such_o doctrine_n for_o these_o many_o time_n be_v very_o close_a and_o subtle_a hypocrite_n and_o lead_v their_o life_n with_o very_o great_a heed_n and_o wariness_n wear_v the_o sheep_n skin_n to_o conceal_v the_o wolf_n heart_n and_o always_o put_v on_o the_o form_n of_o godliness_n to_o cover_v their_o malicious_a and_o rot_a design_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o satan_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o doctrine_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v almost_o utter_o impossible_a to_o make_v a_o discovery_n of_o doctrine_n by_o this_o rule_n since_o all_o man_n do_v not_o live_v up_o exact_o to_o the_o consequence_n of_o their_o own_o tenet_n one_o man_n may_v have_v a_o right_a faith_n and_o yet_o lead_v a_o wicked_a life_n and_o another_o may_v have_v a_o rot_a false_a belief_n in_o some_o particular_n and_o yet_o be_v tolerable_o well_o in_o his_o life_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o many_o a_o well-meaning_a man_n may_v embrace_v a_o error_n in_o simplicity_n without_o understand_v right_o what_o the_o mischievous_a consequence_n of_o it_o be_v yea_o perhaps_o without_o ever_o practise_v those_o consequence_n man_n may_v be_v honest_a and_o yet_o careless_a and_o be_v impose_v upon_o and_o so_o on_o the_o contrary_a too_o but_o i_o shall_v say_v more_o to_o this_o hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v rest_v satisfy_v that_o our_o saviour_n mean_v by_o fruit_n such_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o proper_a product_n of_o such_o doctrine_n and_o this_o he_o clear_v and_o assure_v the_o truth_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o by_o a_o excellent_a and_o well_o know_v comparison_n and_o indeed_o it_o hold_v true_a both_o way_n man_n do_v not_o gather_v grape_n from_o thorn_n nor_o fig_n from_o thistle_n nor_o do_v vine_n yield_v the_o berry_n of_o thorn_n nor_o do_v the_o down_o of_o thistle_n grow_v upon_o figtree_n for_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o god_n know_v too_o common_a too_o for_o a_o man_n to_o detain_v the_o truth_n in_o unrighteousness_n 1.18_o rom._n 1.18_o yet_o the_o unrighteousness_n issue_v from_o the_o man_n not_o from_o the_o truth_n and_o though_o a_o heretic_n may_v possible_o be_v eminent_a in_o some_o good_a thing_n yet_o his_o heart_n be_v to_o be_v praise_v for_o it_o not_o his_o head_n i._n e._n his_o goodness_n be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o error_n nor_o upon_o any_o account_n at_o all_o ascribable_a to_o it_o so_o than_o if_o we_o keep_v we_o to_o our_o saviour_n sense_n the_o rule_n be_v true_a and_o will_v never_o deceive_v we_o those_o doctrine_n that_o design_v nothing_o but_o to_o make_v man_n pure_a and_o holy_a and_o conscientious_a and_o strict_o regardful_a of_o our_o christian_a duty_n can_v but_o issue_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o satan_n can_v never_o be_v contributive_a to_o a_o doctrine_n that_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o his_o design_n and_o great_a interest_n in_o the_o world_n but_o whatever_o doctrine_n or_o broacher_n of_o they_o do_v any_o way_n infuse_v into_o man_n or_o encourage_v and_o prompt_v they_o to_o any_o impiety_n any_o sin_n let_v their_o show_n be_v never_o so_o specious_a their_o pretence_n never_o so_o fair_a yet_o those_o prophet_n be_v false_a prophet_n and_o those_o doctrine_n fume_n from_o hell_n who_o great_a design_n it_o be_v to_o corrupt_v man_n manner_n debauch_v their_o life_n and_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o love_n and_o practice_n of_o piety_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o have_v to_o offer_v from_o these_o two_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o true_o i_o think_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v enough_o to_o confirm_v the_o collection_n and_o to_o gain_v the_o assent_n of_o every_o good_a christian_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o chap._n iu._n the_o old_a testament_n cite_v also_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o and_o two_o great_a consideration_n add_v to_o give_v more_o evidence_n to_o it_o this_o the_o rule_n to_o try_v prophet_n by_o of_o old_a and_o the_o best_a criterion_n of_o a_o true_a divine_a miracle_n the_o former_a chapter_n have_v acquaint_v you_o with_o some_o proof_n for_o this_o out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o add_v some_o to_o they_o also_o out_o of_o the_o old_a for_o this_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n nor_o unknown_a to_o the_o jew_n in_o time_n of_o old_a but_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o they_o also_o as_o the_o great_a rule_n to_o judge_v by_o in_o this_o case_n of_o which_o i_o take_v that_o place_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v clear_a evidence_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n 8.20_o isaiah_n 8.20_o and_o if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o in_o the_o precede_a verse_n the_o prophet_n be_v inveigh_v against_o and_o condemn_v the_o attend_v to_o any_o extraordinary_a pretender_n to_o knowledge_n or_o revelation_n such_o as_o wizard_n and_o necromancer_n and_o those_o that_o consult_v familiar_a spirit_n and_o in_o this_o verse_n he_o lay_v down_o a_o rule_n by_o which_o to_o try_v all_o revelation_n and_o