Selected quad for the lemma: end_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
end_n	peace_n	perfect_a	upright_a	1,494	5	10.7491	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39756	The fulfilling of the Scripture, or, An essay shewing the exact accomplishment of the Word of God in his works of providence, performed and to be performed for confirming the beleevers and convincing the atheists of the present time : containing in the end a few rare histories of the works and servants of God in the Church of Scotland.	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.	1669 (1669)	Wing F1265; ESTC R27365	219,887	314

care and expence what a sore vanity is this 12. Will not the want of a very small thing oft embitter the pleasantest lot and turn into w●●mwood and gall the smallest touch of pain the gravel or tooth-ake yea even some melancholy thought will make men disrelish all their present enjoyments what a torment doth a small ruffle and affront oft prove to the proud man even in the midst of his glory is it not also found how carnal mirth and joy men wallowing in the delights of the World hath still in the close a bitter sting and hasth waygate which as the shadow attends the body is the native and unseparable consequent thereof and surely that may be easy to discern there is no condition which can want a crosse or some mixture of discontent even where there is least seen cause I would adde which cannot want a remark in every time that while men seem to be at the top and furdest period of their thoughts and projects have things according to their desire brought to some happy close they are oft then upon some turn and change in their condition either by death or some very sad crosse and even in that day their thoughts have perished truely such as are wise observers of the World and of the course of things therein may oft see how usuall a tryst this is that when there is too bright a sun-blink in outward prosperity if great sobriety and moderation do not accompany the same it is an ominous and fatall presage of a storm ad summum quicquid venit ad exitium prope est TWELFTH I would furder adde this truth which hath in all ages been cleerly witnessed even to the conviction of the World that the end of the upright man is peace and integrity what ever rub it may seem to have by the way yet hath a sweet and comfortable close Ps 37 37. This is an undenyable truth not only because the Saints are then entring into perfect peace but it is also clear that how ever the godly man may have very sharp assaults in the close of his dayes and some who have shined very bright do set in a dark cloud their evening full of sorrow and bitternes yea their reflexion on some sad stip which they have made by the way bearing them company even to the grave yet this truth is still verifyed yea may be discernable to the conviction of bystanders that integrity and an upright walk hath much peace in the end and doth land men upon a comfortable harbour anent which I can appeal the World and the most ordinary onlookers if this hath not been oft very convincing and discernable to them from many instances from the Lords usual way with these who have been faithful in their generation at their death from that testimony which they have then given to this yea from most visible signes and evidences hereof even upon their countenance and carriage vvhilest it is seen 1. How great an advantage such use to have above others when Death approacheth so that it hath not been Balaams wish alone to dy the death of the righteous and to have his latter end like theirs but the worst of men are still forced to witnesse their respect to the lot of a dying Christian and would wish a share thereof when it coms to their turn anent which I may ask the greatest mockers at religion and at the life of a Godly man if they can possibly shun this conviction that surely such are of the best estare and at the greatest advantage in their end 2. This I am sure cannot be hid from the World what aboundant peace the Saints do then testify in their choice what a present unspeakable complacency they have with this that they valued Christ above all other advantages did choose aff●iction rather then sin and now while they are turning their face to the wall finds the witnes of a good conscience and of Gods approbation so sweet a feast that their joy and peace on this account they can not smother or keep in but declare to all who stand by what they find and truely it hath been oft seen how the inward joy which some of these have had hath exceeded their outward pain been more sensible to them then their sicknesse yea have been in leaving the World much more chearful then these whom they left behind 3. It is also known and may be very obvious to by-standers how with a sweet composure and recumbency of foul such have laid themselves upon the promise in that houre while they were grapling with the king of terrours their spirit then quiet and calm having taken the truth and testimony of God for their shield and buckler which may tell the World what an other kinde of security and confidence these have beyond others yea that surely the ground on which this confidence is ●ounded must be a thing that is able to bear out the greatest storm and assault and is something above nature 4. Is it not clear that even an untimely and violent death could not let or frustrat that peace which integrity causeth in the close For innumerable instances can witnes what marvellous joy and satisfaction the Saints have shewed at a stake and upon a scaffold and thence hath had a more chearful going out of time then the rich man stretched upon his soft bed or the greatest Monarch amidst all outward advantages sure we must say that sweet refreshing close of the upright man hath never been more visible and writ in greater letters then in such a case 5. What very sad conflicts have some of the Saints had in their life yea even upon the setting of the sun hath been put to cry out through sore perplexing feares and doubts wherewith they have been assaulted who have at last had this turned into a song and such a marvellous change in their case as hath not been more sensible to themselves then discernable to all onlookers like a sudden calm and sunshin after some dark storm I must here ask the Atheist and such as reckon Godlinesse but a fancy whence should so strange so sudden and great alteration proceed that these who a little before were under such horrour could have no rest no arguments could do their tnrn doe thus witnes the aboundant peace of their souls yea which is oft seen that fervent desire wherewith some of the Saints are taken away the very lustre of heaven being upon their countenance how marvellous and piercing are their words which may cleerly tell that now they feel they see and have got some glance of that which onlookers cannot reach though they cannot deny an acknowledgement of this 6. Must not the World grant yea the greatest enemyes to godlines allow this charity that sure this peace and joy which such have witnessed at death cannot be dissimulation that there is no temptation could thus byass them to deceive others and themselves in a matter of such high concernment

Christ who have rather choifed sin then affliction O is it not They judge the testimony of the God of truth is not sufficient security to carry them through such a strait and are not fully perswaded that it must come to passe what he hath promised for if this were they should reckon it their greatest safety to embarque their interest on so sure a ground and with much quietnes repose their soul and disburthen their care by putting it over on the Word 6. What doth the frequent discouragement and unconfortable walk of the People of God speak forth doth it not witnes how litle they are in earnest with this great truth of the Scriptures accomplishment or establisht thereanent What meaneth these distrustful feares and perplexed complaints if their eyes be but open to know they have such a well as the promise of God at their hand hovv is it that the smallest straites are so puzling and ready to out wit them that they so usually stumble at the crosse And as things from without doe appear their eucouragement made to ebb and flow Is not here the cause That they stagger at the promise whilst probabilities in some visible way doth not go along for its performance It s truely easy to have some sweet notions of faith at a distance but whilst the tryal comes near upon such a closse approach that there is not an other way but to put the whole stresse of their particular interest on the Word and on it alone many are then at a stand because they are not throughly assured that though the earth should be overturned there is an absolut necessity for the promise of God to take place Now from these things may it not appear that this grave truth of the Scriptures accomplishment is but little known or studyed I confesse we may think on it with astonishment how a matter so nearly concerning is not more our work there are indeed many things vvorthy to be knopvvn but our short life can scarce allovv time or give leasure for the study thereof but O this thongh vve had only 2 dayes to live I think might require the one to be sure and persvvaded anent the truth of that vvhereon our heaven and eternal blessednesse lyeth to vvhich vve must lay the dead grip vvhen vve are in the passage at that strange step betvvixt time and eternity O vvhat a vvonder hovv rational souls vvho vvalke on the border of the greatest hope and fear imaginable can yet be so unconcerned thereanent such serious thoughts might force men to retire and go sit alone and truely these things gravely considered may seem strange and hard to reconcile 1. That there is such a thing as the very Word and Testimony of God this day upon record vvherevvith vve have so much to doe vvhich doth offer it self to mens tryal and exactest search and yet vve put it so little to that touchstone that vve may knovv it upon an other account then report or hear-say 2. Hovv in a matter of such high importance as salvation through all eternity and the ground of this hope me ● should take the truth on an implicit faith or satis●y themselves with a common assent thereto as though it vvere enough to vvitnes our beleeving the same because vve did never doubt or call it in question I am sure men vvould not be so lax and so easy to satisfy in the most common interest they have here in the World 3. Hovv can men render to others a reason of their hope vvhen it is enquired vvho did never ask a reason of this at themselves or vvill these seale the truth vvith their blood who never had it sealed upon their heart by experierrce 4. Wence is it that men can have comfort in Scripture who are not well grounded in the faith thereof Indeed these who are solidly perswaded anent the truth and its certain outmaking may have much joy and peace whilst they know the ground of their confidence can bear up any stresse or burden they lay upon it and for what end did the Lord witnes the certainty of his Word by two immutable things wherein its impossible for him to lie but that from so sure and strong a ground his People might have strong consolation 5. How can any think to adventure their immortal soul upon that whereon they fear to venture an outward interest or put over their dearest things in his hand and keeping who could never say they know in whom they beleeved 6. May it not seem strange that men can beleeve a certain performance of the Word and promises and not be more deeply affected therewith O is this true shall it surely come to passe and not one jot thereof fall to the ground and should it not cause us awake in the night and bear us more company Ought we not to think our selves at a losse that day wherein we take not a turn in the meditation of divine truth if we be sure that these must take place 7. I would adde if this be indeed the Scripture of God which surely hath an accomplishment O how are we so little Christians Why doth mens walk so sadly jarr with so great an hope What manner of persons should these be that are perswaded within a little these heavens must passe away as a scoll the elements melt with ●ervent heat and the earth be burnt up I think if this will not presse home on men to be serious and diligent they must be in a very sad lethargie V. The accomplishment of the Scripture is a most clear and undenyable witnes of its Divinity that it is his Word who is not like man to ly or the son of man to repent and hath this as its distinguishing character that not one syllable thereof falls to the ground This is the undoubted priviledge of God and of him alone to forsee things contingent which are many ages after to fall out and hath no dependance upon necessary and natural causes and truely this may be a convincing argument yea we may say of all external testimonies is the greatest but its strange to think what a generation there is who can sport at the Scripture and question the truth thereof who yet did never once seriously enquire if such a thing be true else so clear a witne might stare them in the face such a party we should look on with compassion it s also sad to think at how poor a rate far below their allowance many of the Saints doe here live because there is so little of that excellent and more noble Spirit to search the Scripture for their further comfort and establishment thereby It is true this blessed record doth bear witnes to it self and is knowen by its own light whereon there is such a visible impresse of the glorious God such convincing marks of its true discent as may throughly shew whose it is and how far it exceeds all humane invention and thus by a clear manifestation of the truth