Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
faith_n	rule_n	scripture_n	tradition_n	12,255	5	9.8749	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91363	A little cabinet richly stored with all sorts of heavenly varieties, and soul-reviving influences. Wherein there is a remedy for every malady, viz. milk for babes, and meat for strong men, and the ready way for both to obtain and retain assurance of salvation: being an abridgement of the sum and substance of the true Christian religion; wherein the cause of our salvation, the way, the guide, the rule, the evidence, the seals, &c. and the connection of these points together, and dependancy of them one upon another: this I have endeavoured to do orderly, exactly, methodically, with much plainness and clearness. / By Robert Purnell.	Purnell, Robert, d. 1666.	1657 (1657)	Wing P4237; Thomason E1575_1; ESTC R209217	254,040	517

extend it must he given seasonably whilst the poor have need and thou hast it to give thou hast something to day it may be none tomorrow With what affection must we give 1. WIth tender pitty and compassion as we would have others do to us if we were in their case Psalm 112. 4. compared with Mat. 7. 12. 2. With humility and secresie not seeking praise from men but approving our hearts to God Mat. 6. 1. 3. With cheerfulness because God loveth loveth a cheerful giver Rom. 12. 8. 2 Cor. 9. 7. 4. With simplicity not respecting our selves but the glory of God and the good of our fellow-members 2 Cor. 8. 4 5. How many waies may one be said to give 1. BY giving freely and cheerfully as we have proved before 2. By lending to such as are not able to lend to us again Luke 6. 34. Psalm 37. 26. provided we take nothing for the loan Exod. 22. 25. 3. By selling and abating something of the price in pitty and love to them 4. By forbearing whatsoevor is our right in case of their great necessity Nehem. 5. 8. 5. By considering the poor in begging something of others for them Psalm 41. 1. Blessed is the man that considereth the poor the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble What fruits may we expect of this duty 1. BY this we make God our debtor Prov. 19. 17. He that hath pitty upon the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given he will pay again See Mat. 10. 42. and 25. 35. 2 Tim. 1. 18. 2. By this we seal the truth of our Religion Jam. 1. 27. This is pure Religion and undefiled before God 3. By this we sanctifie our store and bring a blessing on our labours yea and upon our posterity after us Luke 11. 41. Deut. 15. 10. Psalm 112. 2. 37. 26. 4. God forgetteth not but will surely reward the least even accept of cold water given in Faith and for his sake Mat. 10. 42. Of reading the Scriptures another standing Ordinance of the Gospel 1. COnsider that the Scriptures are the word of God 2. That no History is comparable to the Scripture 3. Who they are that ought to read the Scriptures 4. Why must we read the Scriptures 5. How we ought to read the Scriptures 1. Let us consider that the Scriptures contained in the Old and New Testaments are the word of God as will appear by these ensuing particulars 1. By the consent and testimony of godly men in all ages from them that first knew the pen-men until our time See Psal 119. 125. 2. The simplicity integrity and sincerity of these Writers doing nothing by partiality 1 Tim. 5. 21. 3. The sweet concord and harmony between these writings and all things contained in them notwithstanding the diversity of persons by whom places where times when and matters whereof they have written See Luke 24. 44. 4. The prophesies thereof prove them to be the word of God fore-telling things to come so long before-hand with their circumstances thus was the Messiah promised to Adam four hundred years before he was born Gen. 3. 15. and to Abraham one thousand nine hundred and seventeen years before the accomplishment Gen. 12. 3. 5. The admirable power and force that is in them to convert and alter mens minds and to incline their hearts from vice to vertue Psal 19. 7 8. Psal 119. 111. Heb. 4. 12 Act. 13. 12. What shall I say more the Scriptures of truth are perfectly holy in themselves and by themselves whereas all other writings are imperfect Christ is the eternal word John 1. 1. Rev. 19. 13. Iohn 1. 14. 1 John 5. 7. The Scriptures are the written word Mar. 7. 13. Jer. 30. 1 2 4. Ier 34. 1. Exod. 20. 1. and 34. 27. Job 42. 7. John 10. 35. Luke 8. 21. and 11. 28. Jer. 37. 2. Jer. 36. 1 4 6 8 11 16 18. That no History is comparable to the History of the Scriptures THe books of the Old and New Testament are so sufficient for the knowledge of Christian Religion that they do most plentifully contain all Doctrine necessary to salvation they being perfectly profitable to instruct to salvation in themselves whence it followeth that we need no traditions or inventions of men no Cannon of Councils no sententes of Fathers no orders of Parliaments or decrees of Popes for to supply and supposed de●●cts of the written word or for to give us perfect directions in the worship of God and the way of life then is already expressed in the Scriptures Mat 23. 8. John 5. 39. Mat. 15. 9. Lastly the holy Scriptures are the rule of life and ground of Faith the rule the line the square and light whereby to examine and try all Doctrines by Joh. 12. 4● Gal. 1. 9. all traditions revelations decrees of councils opinions of Doctors c. are to be proved out of the Divine Scriptures no word like this word for antiquity rarity brevity harmony Who they are that ought to read the Scriptures THe Scriptures of truth are carefully and profitably to be read and heard of all sorts and degrees of men and women both privately and openly so as they may receive profit by them Deut. 31. 11 12. Moses commanded the book of the Law to be read to all the children of Israel men women and children that they might thereby learn to fear the Lord their God Josh 8. 34. There was not a word of all which Moses commanded that Joshua read not before all the congregation John 5. 39. Christ commandeth all men to search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal life and they testifie of me Rev. 1. 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophesie Rom. 15. 4. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning Act. 17. 11. The hearers are commended for searching the Scriptures Why must we read the Scriptures DAvid testifieth that the Law of the Lord Psalm 19. 8. is perfect converting the soul the Testimonies of the Lord are true giving wisdom to the simple Psal 119 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths Prov. 1 4. It giveth subtilty to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion Paul saith If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 4. 3. The Scriptures are our fathers letters to us and his last will to shew us what inheritance he hath left us women and children have read the Scriptures 2 Tim. 3. 15. Saint Paul affirmeth that Timothy was nourished up in the Scriptures from his Infancy c. Again by reading the Scriptures we gain knowledge therefore we should read them Prov. 2. 16. When wisdom entreth into thy heart and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul discretion shall preserve thee and understanding shall keep thee Hos 6. 6. I desire knowledge of God more then burnt offerings Hos 4. 1. The Lord hath

who was dying for want of water and there was a well of water by her and she did not know it till the Lord opened her eyes Joh. 20. 11. Mary stood at the sepulcher weeping for the absence of Christ and Christ stood by her and talked to her before she knew it Again we read Gen. 44. 45. chap. that Josephs brethren were taken prisoners and they rent their cloaths saying how shall we clear our selves and Joseph their brother stood by them and they knew it not even then when they were trembling and terrified at his presence in a word the Lord doth many times bring about a swifter a fuller and more universal help and deliverance then heart could imagine See Zach. 14. 6 7. But at Even tide it shall be light So that we may all conclude with David Psal 77. 19. Thy way is in the sea and thy paths in the deep waters and thy footsteps are not known The Lord doth many times hand forth his mercies to us by the rule of contraries GOD promised to Abraham a son and that his seed should be as the stars of heaven and the Lord made good this by the rule of contraries there was fourteen years between Gods making the promise and giving him a son and he was about one hundred years old before he had a son and Sarahs womb was barren and after this son was born God calleth upon Abraham to offer him up yet notwithstanding all this the Lord made good his promise and Abraham staggered not at the promise of God Rom. 4. 20 21. Again we find Exod. 14. when the children of Israel were in the greatest streight and at the furthest distance from all humane helps not knowing what to do then even then the Lord delivered them Luke 21. 28. When ye see these things come to pass then lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh one would have thought ruin was nigh to see such things come to pass John 9. 15. Christ put clay upon the blind mans eyes one would think clay should have made him more blind Hest 3. 12 13. All the Jews were designed for death Hest 8. 9 10 11 12. This design contrary to all expectation was discovered and revoked and the Jews preserved by the rule of contraries so Joseph had a promise by way of vision to be made a great man but contrary to this he was sold into Egypt and there cast into prison yet at last he got the mercy we might instance in Job and many others but this may suffice to prove this truth that God doth oft times hand forth his mercies to us by the rule of contraries c. This would be of great use to Christians if more considered The Lord doth not despise the day of small things WE read Zach. 4. 10. That the Lord doth not despise the day of small things and it was but a day of small things for Nicodemus to come to Christ by night and yet he was received and embraced one would have thought that if Christ would have dispised any he would have despised him who was so weak as being either afraid or ashamed or both to own Christ in the day and so he cometh to him by night one would have thought Christ would have said to him Nicodemus is thy desire after me so weak and faint that thou dost fear to come to me in the day or am I so unworthy as not to be owned but out of sight hast thou either so low an esteem of me or bearest thou so little love to me go return as thou camest I will not accept thee in the dark who wouldst not acknowledge me in the light no no Christ hath not one sillable of this but he entertains him imbraces him and instructs him c. It was but a day of small things with that woman Mat. 9. 21. That had spent all and grew worse and worse and knew not whither to go then she resolves to go to Christ It was but a day of small things with that man that came to Christ Mar. 9. 22. saying if thou canst do any thing help us he doubted whether Christ could help yea or no It was but a day of small things with the Prodigal Luke 15. to say when he knew not whither to go I will arise and go to my father yet he was received embraced welcomed and honoured well may we say as in Mat. 12. 20. A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench So again it was but a day of small things with David to have thoughts to build an house unto the Lord yet that was accepted as fully as if it had been done Again we read Isa 40. 11. He will gather his lambs with his arms and he will carry them and that in his bosom It is true he doth carry our sins on his back and hath received all the lashes due to us for them ask blind Bartimeus and he will tell you that Christ doth not despise the day of small things he did but ask for mercy and presently received the mercy Mar. 10. 46 47 48. So it is but a day of small things with us in respect of our faith love knowledge and power over our corruptions hope patience and self-denyal yet who hath despised the day of small things Zach. 4. 10. The order of causes how God comes downward from the causes to the effects and how we must go upward from the effects to the causes IT will make much for our information and consolation to consider what order and method the Lord doth take to unvail his love to man and what order and method man should take to apprehend and enjoy this love viz. God goes downward from the causes to the effects and we must go upward from the effects to the causes the web that God hath weaved we must unweave he goes from election downward we must go from regeneration upward thus shall God and we meet in the middle way we must prove our selves to be called and he will acknowledge us to be elected consider and weigh these ensuing things 1. The cause of salvation is Gods love 2. The way is Jesus Christ 3. The guide is the Holy-Ghost 4. The rule for our footsteps is the Scriptures 5. Faith is the evidence 6. Hope is the Anchor of the soul and Baptism and the Lords Supper are the seals 1. Gods love to sinners was the cause of sending his son to dye for them Job 3. 16. Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Tit. 3. 4 5. 2. Christs dying for our sins and rising again for our justification is the cause of the Gospels being preached to sinners Mat. 28. 18 19. Mar. 16. 15 16. 1 Cor. 15. 13. 3. The Gospel being preached to sinners is the cause of their believing Rom. 10. 14 15 17. Ephes 1. 13. Act. 13. 48. 4. Mans believing is the cause of his justification from sin Act. 13. 38 39. Rom. 3. 26 28. 5. Our knowing

love thereof they willingly parted with much of their earthly goods and possessions to lay up treasure in heaven Abraham and Sarah left their own country and possessions to look for a City whose maker and builder is God Heb. 11. 10 15 16. David preferreth one day in this place before a thousand elsewhere Psal 84. 10. Elias earnestly besought the Lord to receive his soul into his Kingdom and went willingly though in a fiery Chariot King 19. 4. Saint Paul having once seen heaven continually desi●eth to be dissolved that he might be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. Saint Peter having espyed but a glimpse of eternal glory in the mount wished that he might dwel there all the dayes of his life Mat. 17. 4. saying Master it is good for us to be here c. Christ a little before his death prayeth his Father to receive him into that excellent glory Joh. 17. 5. And the Apostle witnesseth Heb. 11. 2. that for the joy which was set before them they endured the cross and despised the shame 1 Pet. 5. 4. and when the chief Shepheard shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away c. this eternal condition admits of no change or alteration decay or consumption waste or diminution mans eternal condition admits of no comparison revocation or conclusion c. What use we may make of all these precious things 1. EXcellent arguments may be drawn to pres-Christians to a holy life 2 Pet. 3. 11. see ing then that all these things must be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness and ver 14. Wherefore seeing ye look for such things give diligence that ye may be found in him in peace It is our duty to live in a continual expectation of the coming of the Lord Jesus with our loins girt and our lamps burning for blessed is that servant whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing 2. Consider that here is a fountain opened for Christian comfort and ground for patience in all troubles that there shall be an end a Christians hope shall not be cut off if in this life only we had hope we were of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. But here lyes the comfort and patience of true Christians theywait for another world and they know it is a just thing with God to give them rest after their labours 2 Thes 1. 9. and a crown after their combate 2 Tim. 4. 8. and after their long Pilgrimage an everlasting habitation 2 Cor. 5. 1. Be patient saith the Apostle and settle your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh James 5. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 9. When they that have sown in tear shall reap in joy Psal 126. 5. 3. Consider that assurance of that blessed state may be attained in this life we know faith Paul 2 Cor. 5. 1. That if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed we have a building not made with hands eternal in the heavens these things saith John I have written unto you that ye may know that ye have eternal life 1 John 5. 13. I am sure saith Job 19. 25 26 27. that my Redeemer liveth and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh whom I my self shall see and mine eyes shall behold when I awake saith David I shall be satisfied with thy Image Psal 17. 15. 4. The consideration of this should provoke us to be such as may be made meet for this inheritance of the Saints in light and to endeavour to attain and retain the earnest of the Spirit whence we may be alwaies able to say we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 8. and to fill the soul with strong consolation against the sufferings of life and the fear of death and to work an answerable conversation that whether absent or present we may so walk as we may be accepted of him 5. The consideration of this should put us upon a patient waiting for and a longing expectation of our change which draweth on a pace and not to put that off as most do to the last year and when that is come to the last moneth of that year and then to the last week of that moneth and then to the last day of that week and then to the last hour of that day and then to the last minute of that hour and so time shall be no more and we shall not find repentance although we seek it with tears 6. Consider that the cause of our salvation and so of our glorious condition is Gods meer love and favour without any merit of ours Luke 12. 32. It is our Fathers good pleasure to give us a Kingdom Joh. 3. 16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son Ephes 2. 8. By grace we are saved through faith and not of our selves it is the gift of God Rom. 6. 23. everlasting life is the gift of God and though eternal life be called a reward yet it is not of merit but of mercy let this be grounded in our hearts that the Kingdom of heaven is not a stipend of servants but an inheritance of Sons which they only obtain that lay hold on his mercy Romans 5. 8. compared with 1 Tim. 6. 12. and 19. 2. Now as hath been said as the love of God is the cause of our salvation fo Jesus Christ is the way Joh. 10. 9. Joh 14. 6. 3 The holy Spirit is the guide in that way as in Joh. 16. 13. 4. The Scriptures of truth is the rule Gal. 6. 16. Isa 8. 20. 5. The evidence of this salvation is faith Heb. 11. 1. It is true the instrumental cause offering and proclaiming salvation is the Gospel but the instrumental receiving and applying it is faith and the cause sealing it inwardly to our souls is the Spirit of God the external and instrumental seals thereof are the two confirming Ordinances Baptism and the Lords Supper 6. The anchor of this salvation is hope Heb. 6. 19. 7. The effects of this salvation is love to God because he loved us first and a holy conversation if ye love me saith Christ keep my commandments and they that have believed in Christ must be careful to maintain good works which are found and required in the way to the Kingdom but they are not the cause of reigning Of the end of the world THE consequents of the last judgement is life eternal in heaven or hell and the end of the world having finished the former let me point to the latter and I have finished what I intended we read Mat. 24. 3. that Peter James John and Andrew Mark 13. 3. came to Christ and desired him to satisfie them in these three questions 1. Concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple 2. Concerning