Selected quad for the lemma: enemy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
enemy_n	evil_a	good_a	overcome_v	2,148	5	9.0851	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39775	The one necessary thing to be sought briefly touched in a four-fold dialogue upon some of the great and most concerning truths of practical religion.	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.; Fleming, Robert, 1660?-1716.	1679 (1679)	Wing F1283; ESTC R28632	47,023	70

freedome which is so usual ●●●… ordinary converse together f●●… speaking their thoughts at large and to pass their judgment on others at a distance as they see cause or have either prejudice or respects to them For to me it seemes the most common subject of discourse almost in all societies ANSW The Occasion you have for such a proposal is too manifest and a disease so spreading as seemes to despise all remedies but may be the more strange that it is sure this is not with most from want of light anent duty or how deep a wound they may thus give themselves more than others But oh is this freedome you speak of 1. To abound in love towards all men 1. Thes 3 12. and by a tender condescending deport to be all things to all for the Gospel's sake 2. Is this to enforce respect and an awful regard to the truth from such as never knew the inward power thereof on their soul so as they might see that a serious Christian is the truely best friend and neighbour yea thus to be as a common good and blessing to mankind one of whom brings more credit in to the Doctrine of Christ than an hundred Professours 3. Is this to answer so pressing a call Col. 3. 12 put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another If any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do you And is not such tenderness in our walk towards others an indispensible part of our Sanctification whilst this freedome you speak of is too oft a giving vent to some hid bitterness and enmity within against such who may be the Object of the Love of God in Christ as all the sanctified are But this seems to be a peculiar Poison and Plague of the present age 4. Can you find it easy yea possible to have such usual freedome you speak of consistent with these express Commands of the great Lawgiver to love our enemies Math. 5 44. not to be overcome of evil but to overcome evil with good Rom. 12 21. to speak evil of none in a designed blotting of their name Tit. 3 7. Jam. 2 11. or smite them with the tongue Jer. 20 10 Sure if these be the revealed Counsel of God and a part of that holy and spotless Rule of our Duty should not the same distance be kept here as with other scandalous sins 5. Whatever may be of a necessar call sometimes to witness against others at a distance when the truth is concerned and the advantage of some then present and for their being guarded against any contagious evil or snare as also upon a serious resentment of any injury done to the Lord yea for a just and necessar clearing themselves from the reproach of such who through them might thus seek to thrust at the credit of the Gospel yet is there not even here a special regard to be had to that end that it may be for edification Rom. 15 2 And that no bitterness or animosity on some other account be the great incitement thereto for then such do serve their own lust and passion It was a choice word of one I am sais he restrained to speak my judgment of such by whom I have been injured lest my light be bribed to serve that most dreadful lust of revenge O revenge which is so visible a transforming into the very image of the Devil by which he hath gained his greatest triumphs over many 6. Is this an answering to that excellent rule given by our Master to do to others what we would have them doing to us Matth. 7 12 Than which besides the Authority of the Command nothing is more beautiful and becoming an immortal soul nothing more answering to reason than thus to argue how should I expect or wish that measure from others if my heart doth not serve to give the same to them 7. And doth not such a freedome you speak of bear a blacker dy the more personal respects may be thus pretended when some hid prejudice lyes at the root since thus it is a more dreadful dissimulation before God and the wound made deeper by being under a shew and cover of love like Joabs designed embracement of Amasa for that very end that he might smite him at the fifth rib QU. V. VVhat is there no warrantable judging then of others and condemning such from whom we injuriously suffer when this is not against the truth ANSW My Friend you know there is but one Judge and Lawgiver whose it is to kill and make a live Jam. 4 ver 12. Though each hath allowed to him a judgment of discretion but there is I confess a choice and sure way for one to judge another Oh that it were more known amongst men to judge them by their walk and practice so as by tenderness and sobriety to condemne the imbittered passion of others by silence and compassion thus to rebuke a hasty and brawling temper yea to take revenge O a blessed revenge on such as hate them by seeking in truth their good And is it not thus the Holy Ghost hath shewed how with the greatest advantage a Christian can oppose himself to his adversaries bear witness against them 2 Cor. 6 ver 6. By pureness by knowledge by long suffering by kindness by the Holy Ghost by love unfained by the Word of Truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left QU. VI. Such is the authority and beauty of Truth even when it is most grieving and contrair to the flesh as puts me to a new enquiry on this subject what should most help to that sweet and desireable converse with others in a sad and distempered time so as love and concord may lose no ground and thus to answere what Christian Prudence calls for in such a case ANSW This I confess were a choice and desireable project worthy and becoming a Christian to follow in the greatest earnest when so many low designes are this day on foot not only to adorne the Gospel but for their own inward peace and tranquillity for which I may adventure to offer these few things which I am sure cannot be practically understood what ever the times or place be wherein our lot is cast and not help to a sweet facility in such a duty 1. To guard against Credulity or a being hasty to conceive an injury and laying too great a weight on sudden conjectures and suspition which tends both to darken and disquiet the mind none ever yet gained by indulgence hereto but how oft have their after thoughts enforced an upbraiding of themselves with weakness and folly 2. How sweet and easy might this become to us in learning that lesson more from our blessed Master of Meekness Matth. 11 ver 29. Which is one of the rare graces of the Spirit and no