Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
faith_n church_n invisible_a visible_a 9,700 5 9.4455 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26659 The church triumphant, or, A comfortable treatise of the amplitude and largeness of the kingdom of Christ wherein is proved by Scriptures and reason, that the number of the damned is inferiour to that of the elect / by Joseph Alford ... Alford, Joseph. 1649 (1649) Wing A921; ESTC R22399 57,799 139

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do_v you_o forget_v what_o you_o confess_v in_o the_o symbol_n of_o your_o belief_n when_o you_o say_v i_o believe_v the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n which_o be_v the_o communion_n of_o saint_n which_o have_v it_o be_v subject_v to_o sense_n have_v not_o be_v put_v into_o our_o confession_n which_o consist_v simple_o and_o absolute_o of_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n let_v it_o not_o therefore_o move_v thou_o that_o this_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n this_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o saint_n be_v not_o visible_a to_o the_o eye_n for_o it_o be_v better_a believe_v and_o comprehend_v in_o the_o mind_n than_o discern_v by_o the_o sense_n c._n but_o see_v it_o consist_v of_o man_n what_o be_v the_o reason_n it_o shall_v be_v invisible_a m._n because_o god_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o his_o kingdom_n differ_v from_o the_o conduct_n of_o humane_a reason_n or_o the_o method_n of_o that_o old_a beguiler_n and_o here_o now_o we_o may_v contemplate_v the_o wonderful_a and_o admirable_a wisdom_n of_o god_n the_o devil_n fill_v all_o place●_n with_o sin_n death_n and_o desolation_n god_n dispose_v all_o thing_n in_o justice_n life_n and_o healthful_a salvation_n now_o observe_v with_o what_o inexpressible_a art_n god_n do_v this_o to_o deceive_v tha●_n deceiver_n under_o sin_n he_o cover_v justice_n under_o death_n life_n under_o condemnation_n salvation_n under_o infirmity_n strength_n under_o folly_n wisdom_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o the_o world_n be_v overspread_v with_o evil_a from_o hence_o satan_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n because_o he_o seem_v to_o govern_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o his_o own_o sensuality_n as_o though_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o by_o no_o mean_n so_o the_o true_a and_o legitimate_a prince_n be_v he_o to_o who_o the_o father_n say_v ps_n 2._o ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o will_v give_v thou_o the_o nation_n for_o thy_o inheritance_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n he_o be_v the_o true_a lord_n who_o conquer_a death_n and_o the_o author_n of_o death_n say_v in_o the_o 28_o of_o matth._n all_o power_n be_v give_v to_o i_o both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n c._n you_o have_v prove_v these_o thing_n very_o full_o and_o the_o matter_n be_v strengthen_v by_o the_o nature_n and_o definition_n of_o faith_n for_o faith_n be_v define_v by_o the_o divine_n to_o be_v a_o firm_a comprehend_v of_o those_o thing_n in_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v not_o see_v m._n i_o rejoice_v that_o you_o have_v so_o well_o profit_v by_o our_o discourse_n that_o you_o can_v assist_v the_o cause_n i_o maintain_v but_o to_o make_v it_o yet_o more_o clear_a unto_o you_o i_o will_v propound_v a_o similitude_n we_o be_v in_o this_o life_n as_o in_o a_o city_n which_o of_o right_n belong_v to_o some_o good_a prince_n but_o this_o city_n be_v usurp_v and_o oppress_v by_o a_o certain_a tyrant_n with_o severe_a bondage_n as_o for_o example_n pharaoh_n oppress_v the_o israelite_n in_o that_o memorable_a calamity_n now_o if_o any_o man_n enter_v this_o city_n and_o observe_v the_o custom_n of_o it_o he_o will_v say_v it_o differ_v very_o little_a from_o that_o of_o egypt_n which_o with_o outward_a appearance_n and_o seem_a willingness_n follow_v and_o obey_v the_o tyrant_n but_o inward_o consent_v with_o the_o true_a and_o lawful_a lord_n and_o although_o they_o can_v contribute_v nothing_o else_o yet_o they_o sigh_v and_o wish_v for_o he_o expect_v he_o and_o bewail_v the_o burden_n of_o their_o servitude_n and_o when_o he_o shall_v come_v with_o power_n to_o chase_v and_o subdue_v the_o enemy_n and_o to_o restore_v the_o city_n to_o freedom_n than_o the_o tyrant_n shall_v feel_v of_o what_o force_n the_o faith_n and_o love_n of_o this_o people_n be_v to_o their_o lawful_a and_o merciful_a prince_n for_o in_o stead_n of_o many_o subject_n he_o shall_v then_o find_v many_o enemy_n for_o that_o old_a say_n 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trifluctuation_n of_o misery_n any_o quiet_a rest_n or_o peace_n in_o so_o much_o folly_n any_o wisdom_n in_o so_o much_o servitude_n any_o liberty_n or_o in_o so_o many_o danger_n any_o safety_n who_o will_v ever_o have_v think_v the_o thief_n who_o be_v even_o bury_v alive_a in_o all_o wickedness_n and_o bring_v to_o be_v crucify_v for_o his_o notorious_a and_o flagitious_a offence_n have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_n on_o the_o other_o side_n who_o will_v have_v imagine_v that_o judas_n is●ariot_n choose_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o apostleship_n and_o daily_a and_o hourly_o a_o continual_a hearer_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o heavenly_a wisdom_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v a_o citizen_n of_o heaven_n o_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n how_o unsearchable_a be_v his_o judgement_n and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o here_o be_v the_o new_a art_n here_o be_v new_a reason_n of_o 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what_o place_n be_v those_o which_o as_o you_o say_v contradict_v this_o opinion_n c._n the_o first_o be_v because_o at_o the_o deluge_n only_o eight_o person_n be_v save_v and_o if_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o elect_a be_v typify_v by_o this_o deliverance_n doubtless_o the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_n be_v very_o small_a but_o this_o seem_v confirm_v by_o s._n peter_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n chap._n 3._o where_o speak_v of_o the_o ark_n he_o say_v in_o which_o very_o few_o that_o be_v eight_o soul_n be_v deliver_v the_o like_a figure_n whereunto_o even_o baptism_n do_v now_o also_o save_v we_o m._n these_o word_n of_o s._n peter_n right_o understand_v do_v unfold_v the_o mystery_n of_o that_o action_n first_o he_o say_v that_o the_o water_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v shadow_n or_o figure_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o sin_n therefore_o noah_n do_v typify_v christ_n the_o publisher_n and_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n and_o by_o the_o ark_n be_v signify_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n for_o as_o none_o be_v preserve_v from_o the_o water_n but_o those_o who_o harken_v to_o noah_n take_v sanctuary_n in_o the_o ark_n so_o now_o also_o none_o enter_v at_o the_o door_n of_o salvation_n but_o such_o as_o have_v hear_v the_o gospel_n preach_v believe_v repent_v and_o follow_v christ_n jesus_n the_o pilot_n of_o his_o heavenly_a ark_n the_o church_n be_v waste_v by_o faith_n as_o in_o a_o ship_n through_o the_o rage_a wave_n and_o whirlpit_n of_o death_n and_o hell_n whereas_o peter_n subjoin_v that_o very_a few_o be_v save_v from_o the_o deluge_n those_o word_n may_v very_o apt_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o paucity_n of_o believe_v jew_n at_o his_o first_o manifestation_n in_o the_o flesh_n for_o james_n also_o write_v to_o the_o jew_n scatter_v about_o all_o the_o coast_n of_o asi●_n comfort_v they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o deject_v through_o various_a tribulation_n nor_o discourage_v through_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n and_o 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this_o authority_n i_o know_v you_o attempt_v nothing_o what_o must_v be_v understand_v by_o josuah_n and_o caleb_n and_o why_o only_o the_o little_a one_o the_o rest_n be_v exclude_v shall_v possess_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n m._n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o these_o two_o be_v preserve_v to_o be_v witness_n of_o those_o wonderful_a deliverance_n which_o god_n have_v vouchsafe_v to_o that_o unthankful_a people_n because_o they_o only_o have_v the_o courage_n among_o all_o the_o spy_n to_o undertake_v the_o extirpation_n of_o the_o canaanite_n but_o if_o we_o raise_v the_o matter_n into_o a_o high_a consideration_n see_v that_o those_o transaction_n point_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o will_v be_v no_o impropriety_n to_o affirm_v that_o josuah_n and_o caleb_n be_v type_n and_o adumbration_n of_o the_o paucity_n of_o those_o who_o upon_o the_o first_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n shall_v believe_v in_o he_o notwithstanding_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n be_v refulgent_a 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also_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o gospel_n say_v he_o come_v unto_o his_o own_o but_o his_o own_o receive_v he_o not_o c._n i_o perceive_v by_o these_o two_o for_o as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n every_o truth_n shall_v be_v establish_v the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v presignify_v who_o as_o they_o do_v testify_v of_o his_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n so_o do_v they_o chief_o bear_v record_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o so_o our_o lord_n himself_o say_v to_o his_o apostle_n you_o shall_v bear_v witness_n of_o i_o through_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o now_o i_o expect_v to_o hear_v what_o you_o can_v say_v concern_v the_o posterity_n of_o they_o that_o sell_v in_o the_o wilderness_n for_o certain_o in_o this_o also_o be_v comprehend_v a_o great_a mystery_n m._n i_o shall_v indeed_o have_v little_a to_o answer_v to_o this_o matter_n have_v not_o s._n paul_n that_o great_a revealer_n of_o hide_a thing_n open_v a_o way_n unto_o it_o for_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o eleven_o to_o the_o roman_n do_v plain_o prophesy_v that_o those_o branch_n which_o be_v cut_v off_o through_o unbelief_n shall_v through_o faith_n be_v reingraft_v what_o else_o do_v this_o signify_v but_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o they_o that_o perish_v in_o the_o desert_n shall_v have_v access_n into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n be_v not_o all_o judea_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n turn_v into_o a_o solitude_n be_v not_o almost_o all_o they_o that_o have_v see_v christ_n destroy_v by_o war_n famine_n or_o pestilence_n yet_o their_o generation_n as_o paul_n witness_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o his_o kingdom_n in_o confirmation_n whereof_o he_o do_v accommodate_v the_o prediction_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o thus_o unfold_v
see_v abraham_n and_o isaac_n and_o jacob_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o you_o yourselves_o thrust_v out_o and_o they_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o from_o the_o west_n and_o from_o the_o north_n and_o from_o the_o south_n and_o shall_v sit_v down_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o behold_v there_o be_v last_o which_o shall_v be_v first_o and_o fi●st_v which_o shall_v be_v last_o i_o suppose_v you_o doubt_v not_o but_o these_o word_n must_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o jew_n yet_o if_o you_o shall_v scruple_n it_o these_o word_n will_v resolve_v you_o we_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v in_o thy_o presence_n and_o thou_o have_v teach_v in_o our_o street_n as_o if_o this_o must_v advantage_v they_o and_o entitle_v they_o to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n because_o the_o master_n of_o the_o house_n be_v of_o their_o own_o nation_n and_o chief_o send_v to_o they_o which_o word_n some_o imagine_v to_o relate_v to_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n but_o to_o i_o they_o seem_v to_o refer_v to_o the_o first_o come_v of_o christ_n and_o this_o will_v be_v manifest_a to_o any_o man_n that_o with_o diligence_n will_v examine_v the_o particular_n speak_v of_o by_o our_o saviour_n wherefore_o christ_n be_v ask_v about_o the_o paucity_n of_o the_o elect_a answer_v not_o to_o the_o question_n but_o direct_v his_o discourse_n another_o way_n lest_o he_o shall_v breed_v a_o remissness_n a_o negligence_n a_o laziness_n in_o they_o to_o seek_v after_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait-gate_n before_o the_o master_n of_o the_o house_n be_v rise_v up_o and_o shut_v it_o against_o they_o c._n what_o be_v this_o gate_n and_o how_o to_o be_v shut_v m._n you_o will_v plain_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o gate_n when_o i_o have_v show_v you_o what_o it_o be_v to_o have_v the_o gate_n shut_v c._n proceed_v then_o to_o the_o handle_n of_o that_o m._n when_o we_o read_v that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o house_n do_v rise_v and_o shut_v the_o gate_n we_o must_v understand_v thereby_o the_o secret_a counsel_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o jew_n to_o blind_v they_o and_o harden_v they_o for_o a_o time_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o confess_v he_o and_o in_o a_o word_n the_o shut_n of_o the_o gate_n be_v the_o rejection_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o a_o season_n that_o the_o gentile_n may_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o opinion_n be_v confirm_v by_o those_o word_n by_o which_o he_o foretell_v they_o shall_v come_v from_o all_o the_o four_o corner_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o sit_v down_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o 14._o of_o the_o act_n also_o where_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n when_o they_o be_v come_v and_o have_v gather_v the_o church_n together_o they_o rehearse_v all_o that_o god_n have_v do_v with_o they_o and_o how_o he_o have_v open_v the_o door_n of_o faith_n unto_o the_o gentile_n also_o by_o that_o which_o luke_n say_v before_o that_o the_o door_n shall_v be_v shut_v after_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o house_n be_v rise_v up_o but_o he_o rise_v when_o christ_n who_o be_v that_o master_n of_o the_o house_n and_o lord_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n his_o church_n have_v deliver_v himself_o from_o the_o power_n of_o death_n from_o whence_o you_o see_v it_o follow_v that_o nothing_o else_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o straight_a gate_n but_o that_o short_a intervail_v of_o time_n from_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o besiege_n destruction_n and_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n this_o also_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n in_o the_o 9_o chap._n and_o he_o shall_v confirm_v the_o covenant_n with_o many_o for_o one_o week_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o week_n he_o shall_v cause_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o the_o oblation_n to_o cease_v and_o for_o the_o overspreading_a of_o abomination_n he_o shall_v make_v it_o desolate_a even_o until_o the_o consummation_n and_o that_o determine_a shall_v be_v pour_v upon_o the_o desolate_a again_o our_o saviour_n have_v explain_v these_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n say_v when_o you_o shall_v see_v jerusalem_n compass_v about_o on_o every_o side_n then_o know_v that_o her_o destruction_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o a_o little_a after_o this_o nation_n shall_v be_v great_o oppress_v and_o shall_v perish_v by_o the_o edge_n of_o the_o sword_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o other_o nation_n be_v fulfil_v c._n but_o what_o be_v those_o time_n m._n i_o shall_v tell_v you_o though_o perhaps_o otherwise_o than_o most_o man_n conceive_v for_o christ_n do_v here_o intimate_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v remain_v under_o that_o blindness_n and_o calamity_n tiil_n the_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n have_v believe_v and_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n which_o limitation_n of_o time_n be_v determine_v in_o the_o secret_a will_n of_o god_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o other_o than_o what_o the_o word_n of_o s._n paul_n import_n that_o blindness_n in_o part_n be_v happen_v to_o israel_n till_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n become_v in_o now_o weigh_v the_o word_n and_o observe_v whether_o this_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v strain_v or_o detort_v or_o rather_o be_v not_o proper_a and_o genuine_a c._n they_o be_v indeed_o only_o the_o apostle_n handle_v they_o more_o at_o large_a m._n let_v we_o therefore_o revolve_v and_o perpend_v the_o answer_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o question_n you_o demand_v of_o i_o whether_o few_o shall_v be_v save_v but_o i_o admonish_v you_o not_o to_o trifle_v away_o time_n in_o such_o question_n but_o let_v there_o be_v a_o strive_v a_o holy_a contention_n among_o you_o with_o all_o celerity_n to_o enter_v in_o at_o this_o door_n of_o my_o gospel_n for_o the_o time_n be_v very_o short_a and_o when_o the_o hour_n of_o your_o rejection_n the_o imminence_n of_o your_o calamity_n approach_v your_o complaint_n will_v become_v unprofitable_a and_o your_o desire_n to_o enter_v frustrate_v and_o repulse_v for_o the_o gate_n of_o salvation_n shall_v be_v bar_v up_o and_o the_o faculty_n of_o faith_n cumber_v and_o stifle_v seek_v not_o o_o you_o jew_n with_o anxiety_n to_o know_v how_o few_o of_o you_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n triumphant_a but_o with_o a_o wise_a emulation_n run_v the_o race_n of_o faith_n that_o you_o may_v belong_v to_o that_o church_n and_o it_o behoove_v you_o also_o to_o set_v out_o early_o if_o you_o believe_v these_o word_n of_o i_o by_o which_o i_o provoke_v and_o exhort_v you_o to_o newness_n of_o life_n and_o public_o denounce_v and_o declare_v unto_o you_o the_o approach_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n now_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o of_o s._n matthew_n which_o you_o object_v to_o i_o which_o can_v be_v deny_v see_v in_o both_o place_n there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o narrowness_n of_o the_o gate_n there_o that_o place_n in_o matthew_n can_v reasonable_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_n for_o if_o in_o that_o passage_n of_o luke_n nothing_o be_v intend_v but_o a_o premonition_n of_o that_o short_a period_n of_o time_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o capacity_n by_o faith_n to_o attain_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n although_o the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v very_o small_a which_o then_o shall_v believe_v yet_o you_o must_v needs_o grant_v i_o that_o those_o thing_n mention_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o other_o gospel_n must_v only_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o people_n few_o indeed_o do_v enter_v by_o the_o true_a gate_n christ_n j●sus_n and_o very_o many_o by_o the_o secret_a purpose_n of_o god_n be_v exclude_v remain_v without_o c._n the_o force_n of_o your_o reason_n do_v incline_v i_o to_o assent_v and_o the_o rather_o because_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v of_o s._n luke_n that_o it_o be_v his_o peculiarity_n to_o deliver_v those_o thing_n clear_o and_o distinct_o which_o in_o the_o other_o evangelist_n be_v relate_v more_o obscure_o and_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o a_o elegant_a and_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o perspicuous_a writer_n i_o will_v instance_n for_o brevity_n sake_n but_o in_o one_o example_n matthew_n write_v that_o the_o two_o thief_n between_o who_o our_o lord_n be_v crucify_v use_v the_o same_o exprobration_n towards_o he_o as_o do_v the_o chief_a priest_n scribes_z and_o elder_n but_o luke_n say_v only_o one_o of_o they_o use_v contumelious_a language_n against_o he_o and_o one_o of_o the_o malefactor_n which_o be_v hang_v rail_v on_o he_o say_v if_o thou_o be_v christ_n save_v thyself_o and_o we_o but_o the_o other_o answer_v rebuke_v he_o say_v do_v not_o thou_o fear_v god_n see_v
have_v not_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o c._n i_o confess_v i_o think_v thus_o within_o myself_o but_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o hear_v your_o opinion_n but_o when_o you_o say_v a_o little_a before_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v wheresoever_o man_n do_v believe_v or_o shall_v believe_v wherefore_o make_v you_o that_o addition_n shall_v believe_v m._n because_o at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o age_n many_o be_v elect_v to_o this_o kingdom_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o call_v not_o compel_v by_o faith_n to_o enter_v as_o be_v saul_n cornelius_n the_o centurion_n and_o sergius_n paulus_n the_o proconsul_n and_o innumerable_a other_o who_o vocation_n and_o ingress_n be_v by_o the_o lord_n for_o some_o time_n deser_v who_o because_o they_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n appoint_v to_o this_o kingdom_n be_v therefore_o all_o citizen_n and_o member_n of_o this_o heavenly_a commonwealth_n this_o be_v manifest_a by_o these_o and_o other_o who_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v reveal_v be_v afterward_o receive_v into_o this_o kingdom_n c._n they_o say_v that_o cornelius_n opon_v a_o passage_n into_o this_o kingdom_n by_o his_o prayer_n and_o alms-deed_n and_o this_o they_o confirm_v by_o those_o word_n of_o the_o angel_n to_o he_o thy_o prayer_n and_o thy_o alm_n be_v come_v up_o for_o a_o memorial_n before_o god_n m._n the_o abettor_n of_o such_o fancy_n be_v contumelious_a to_o god_n and_o ignorant_a of_o the_o scripture_n they_o reproach_n god_n for_o they_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o honour_n and_o give_v the_o glory_n to_o man_n &_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o scripture_n not_o discern_v a_o open_a truth_n their_o error_n arise_v partly_o from_o a_o non-consideration_n of_o the_o word_n precede_v and_o subsequent_a which_o if_o they_o have_v perpend_v they_o have_v never_o dash_v against_o this_o rock_n what_o have_v st._n luke_n write_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n that_o cornelius_n be_v a_o devour_n man_n and_o one_o that_o fear_v god_n with_o all_o his_o house_n which_o give_v much_o alm_n to_o the_o people_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n always_o afterward_o those_o man_n that_o be_v send_v by_o cornelius_n give_v he_o this_o character_n that_o he_o be_v a_o just_a man_n fear_v god_n and_o of_o good_a report_n among_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o now_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o his_o piety_n to_o and_o his_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v first_o commend_v then_o his_o alm_n and_o good_a deed_n be_v speak_v of_o he_o be_v a_o religious_a and_o a_o good_a man_n and_o therefore_o give_v many_o alm_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o pray_v to_o god_n always_o which_o be_v the_o fruit_n and_o effect_n of_o his_o piety_n therefore_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v of_o good_a report_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o from_o whence_o come_v these_o good_a effect_n not_o from_o his_o good_a deed_n for_o the_o tree_n must_v be_v good_a before_o the_o fruit_n can_v be_v good_a as_o our_o lord_n say_v matth._n 7._o for_o the_o cause_n can_v follow_v the_o effect_n any_o more_o than_o a_o daughter_n can_v bring_v forth_o her_o mother_n but_o who_o make_v he_o religious_a and_o just_a and_o fear_v god_n who_o but_o he_o that_o circumcise_v the_o foreskin_n of_o our_o heart_n that_o take_v away_o our_o stony_a heart_n and_o give_v we_o heart_n of_o flesh_n and_o new_a spirit_n ezech._n 11._o he_o i_o say_v make_v cornelius_n both_o religious_a and_o devout_a and_o be_v not_o these_o thing_n declare_v unto_o peter_n by_o the_o divine_a oracle_n of_o god_n for_o when_o he_o suppose_v that_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n be_v alienate_v from_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o angel_n tell_v he_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v purify_v call_v not_o thou_o unclean_a act_n 10._o here_o god_n witness_v that_o he_o have_v purge_v prepare_v and_o consecrate_a cornelius_n to_o himself_o and_o although_o it_o be_v speak_v because_o of_o cornelius_n yet_o the_o word_n concern_v all_o those_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v and_o adorn_v with_o the_o beautiful_a knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o his_o prayer_n and_o give_v of_o alm_n go_v up_o to_o god_n as_o a_o memorial_n nothing_o more_o be_v intend_v but_o that_o god_n hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o godly_a that_o their_o good_a work_n be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o and_o that_o he_o have_v they_o in_o remembrance_n as_o flow_v from_o himself_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o good_a gift_n and_o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v frequent_a in_o prayer_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o proceed_v from_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o as_o paul_n say_v we_o know_v not_o what_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v but_o the_o spirit_n itself_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o with_o unutterable_a groan_n rom._n 8._o now_o if_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o certain_o he_o be_v and_o that_o his_o almsdeed_n and_o his_o prayer_n be_v accept_v it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o he_o have_v say_v without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n as_o st._n paul_n do_v most_o plain_o teach_v rom._n 10._o and_o if_o he_o have_v the_o illustration_n of_o faith_n than_o his_o heart_n be_v purify_v and_o cleanse_v as_o peter_n testify_v of_o cornelius_n and_o other_o gentile_n in_o st._n luke_n say_v that_o god_n have_v enlighten_v they_o by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o purge_v their_o mind_n by_o faith_n c._n i_o perceive_v that_o by_o degree_n you_o have_v come_v to_o the_o right_a explication_n of_o the_o truth_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o one_o thing_n to_o be_v enucleate_v for_o peter_n say_v of_o a_o truth_n i_o now_o perceive_v that_o god_n be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n but_o in_o every_o nation_n he_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o work_v righteousness_n be_v accept_v by_o he_o act._n 10._o here_o he_o show_v that_o by_o good_a work_n a_o man_n be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n m._n this_o speech_n of_o the_o apostle_n mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o what_o diverse_a other_o holy_a sentence_n do_v teach_v that_o god_n in_o his_o election_n of_o and_o his_o love_n to_o mankind_n have_v regard_n only_o to_o their_o goodness_n and_o glory_n not_o to_o their_o original_n their_o pedigree_n their_o country_n their_o sex_n their_o age_n their_o merit_n or_o any_o other_o personal_a attribute_n this_o truth_n be_v exemplify_v in_o the_o person_n of_o cornelius_n who_o god_n call_v be_v a_o alien_n and_o dignify_v he_o with_o a_o place_n in_o his_o kingdom_n the_o sign_n of_o election_n be_v a_o ingenuous_a and_o a_o reverential_a fear_n of_o god_n like_a to_o that_o of_o obedient_a child_n towards_o their_o parent_n from_o whence_o there_o arise_v in_o they_o a_o confidence_n and_o a_o steadfast_a persuasion_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o they_o and_o from_o thence_o again_o grow_v a_o delight_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n a_o complacency_n in_o the_o work_n of_o righteousness_n he_o that_o be_v accept_v by_o god_n he_o fear_v he_o 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