Selected quad for the lemma: fire_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
fire_n	aaron_n	abel_n	offer_v	27	3	6.8563	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A09376	A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon the 11 chapter to the Hebrewes preached in Cambridge by that godly, and iudicious divine, M. William Perkins ; long expected and desired, and therefore published at the request of his executours, by Will. Crashawe and Tho. Pierson, preachers of Gods Word, who heard him preach it, and wrote it from his mouth.	Perkins, William, 1558-1602.	1607 (1607)	STC 19677.5; ESTC S2273	415,205	614

it_o be_v needless_a for_o the_o man_n be_v good_a already_o else_o the_o work_n can_v not_o have_v be_v good_a we_o may_v therefore_o say_v work_n be_v rather_o justify_v by_o the_o person_n of_o a_o man_n than_o his_o person_n by_o the_o work_n and_o it_o be_v a_o most_o vain_a thing_n to_o look_v for_o justification_n from_o that_o which_o thou_o thyself_o must_v first_o justify_v afore_o it_o be_v just_a if_o we_o have_v no_o other_o reason_n against_o justification_n by_o work_n but_o this_o this_o be_v sufficient_a second_o hence_o we_o learn_v that_o till_o a_o man_n be_v call_v and_o his_o person_n justify_v and_o sanctify_v all_o that_o ever_o he_o do_v be_v sin_n 1._o his_o common_a action_n his_o eat_n drink_v sleep_a walk_a talk_a be_v all_o sin_n yea_o 2._o the_o work_n of_o his_o call_n &_o his_o labour_n in_o the_o same_o though_o never_o so_o just_a equal_a and_o upright_o 3._o further_o his_o civil_a action_n namely_o the_o practice_n of_o civil_a virtue_n his_o outward_a gravity_n meekness_n sobriety_n temperance_n quietness_n uprightness_n and_o all_o outward_a conformity_n be_v all_o sin_n yea_o more_o than_o all_o this_o his_o best_a action_n namely_o his_o practise_v of_o the_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n or_o his_o deed_n of_o charity_n his_o prayer_n his_o hear_v the_o word_n his_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n his_o give_v of_o alm_n they_o be_v all_o sin_n unto_o he_o if_o he_o have_v not_o a_o believe_a and_o penitent_a heart_n yea_o such_o sin_n as_o shall_v condemn_v h●m_n if_o he_o have_v no_o other_o object_n this_o shall_v seem_v strange_a divinity_n that_o the_o most_o holy_a action_n as_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v damnable_a sin_n i_o answer_v they_o be_v in_o themselves_o holy_a and_o good_a and_o as_o far_o forth_o as_o god_n have_v command_v they_o yet_o in_o the_o doer_n they_o be_v sin_n because_o he_o do_v they_o from_o a_o foul_a &_o unholy_a heart_n for_o the_o same_o action_n may_v be_v holy_a in_o itself_o and_o in_o regard_n of_o god_n the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o a_o sin_n in_o he_o that_o be_v the_o doer_n of_o it_o as_o clear_a water_n pure_a in_o the_o fountain_n be_v corrupt_v or_o poison_v by_o run_v through_o a_o filthy_a and_o pollute_a channel_n so_o be_v even_o the_o best_a action_n sin_n as_o even_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n to_o a_o minister_n who_o heart_n be_v not_o cleanse_v by_o faith_n and_o his_o person_n accept_v of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o sin_n unto_o he_o and_o if_o he_o repent_v not_o shall_v be_v his_o condemnation_n cain_n sin_v not_o only_o in_o hate_v and_o murder_v his_o brother_n in_o lie_v and_o dissemble_v with_o god_n but_o cain_n sin_v also_o even_o in_o offer_v sacrifice_n and_o abel_n sacrifice_n have_v be_v a_o damnable_a sin_n but_o that_o his_o person_n be_v justify_v before_o god_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o all_o this_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o in_o the_o work_n be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o action_n acceptable_a to_o god_n but_o only_o the_o acceptation_n of_o the_o person_n by_o christ._n this_o be_v so_o it_o stand_v we_o every_o one_o in_o hand_n to_o look_v to_o ourselves_o and_o to_o labour_v above_o all_o thing_n for_o faith_n and_o repentance_n that_o so_o our_o person_n may_v be_v accept_v righteous_a before_o god_n and_o thereby_o our_o action_n accept_v also_o if_o it_o be_v a_o miserable_a thing_n that_o all_o thy_o action_n even_o holy_a action_n shall_v be_v sin_n then_o labour_v to_o be_v justify_v for_o that_o only_o can_v make_v thy_o work_n accept_v if_o not_o then_o though_o thou_o labour_v never_o so_o much_o to_o be_v approve_v in_o the_o world_n &_o set_v never_o so_o glorious_a a_o show_n upon_o thy_o work_n to_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n they_o be_v all_o abominable_a sin_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n they_o shall_v go_v for_o no_o better_a prithee_o and_o teach_v all_o thy_o life_n long_o nay_o give_v thy_o life_n to_o die_v for_o religion_n give_v all_o thy_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a deprive_v thy_o flesh_n of_o all_o delight_n build_v church_n college_n bridge_n highway_n etc._n etc._n and_o there_o may_v come_v a_o poor_a shepherd_n and_o for_o his_o keep_n of_o his_o sheep_n be_v accept_v when_o thou_o with_o all_o this_o pomp_n of_o outward_a holiness_n may_v be_v reject_v and_o why_o this_o only_o because_o he_o have_v faith_n &_o thou_o have_v none_o his_o person_n be_v justify_v before_o god_n and_o thou_o be_v not_o therefore_o let_v this_o be_v my_o counsel_n from_o abel_n labour_v not_o so_o much_o to_o work_v glorious_a work_n as_o that_o which_o thou_o do_v do_v it_o in_o faith_n faith_n make_v the_o mean_a work_n accept_v and_o want_v of_o faith_n make_v the_o most_o glorious_a work_v reject_v for_o so_o faith_n the_o text._n abel_n must_v be_v accept_v else_o his_o sacrifice_n be_v not_o thus_o we_o see_v abel_n be_v just_a and_o god_n so_o account_v he_o the_o second_o point_n be_v that_o god_n give_v testimony_n he_o be_v so_o in_o these_o word_n god_n give_v testimony_n what_o testimony_n it_o be_v that_o god_n give_v of_o abel_n and_o his_o gift_n it_o be_v not_o express_v in_o the_o word_n and_o so_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a but_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o when_o he_o &_o cain_n offer_v god_n in_o special_a mercy_n send_v fire_n from_o heaven_n and_o burn_v up_o abel_n sacrifice_n but_o not_o cain_n for_o so_o it_o please_v the_o lord_n often_o afterward_o when_o he_o will_v show_v that_o he_o accept_v any_o man_n or_o his_o work_n he_o answer_v they_o by_o fire_n from_o heaven_n so_o he_o burn_v up_o the_o first_o sacrifice_n that_o aaron_n offer_v levit._n 9.24_o so_o he_o answer_v solomon_n 2._o chron._n 7.1_o and_o so_o elias_n 2._o king_n 18.28_o and_o so_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o he_o give_v this_o testimony_n that_o he_o accept_v abel_n and_o his_o offering_n this_o be_v a_o great_a prerogative_n that_o abel_n and_o the_o father_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v we_o have_v not_o this_o but_o we_o have_v a_o great_a for_o we_o have_v that_o that_o be_v the_o substance_n and_o truth_n and_o body_n of_o this_o for_o we_o have_v also_o the_o fire_n of_o god_n that_o be_v his_o spirit_n come_v down_o into_o our_o heart_n every_o day_n not_o visible_o but_o spiritual_o and_o burn_v up_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o believer_n his_o sin_n and_o corruption_n and_o light_v the_o light_n of_o true_a faith_n that_o shall_v never_o be_v put_v out_o the_o use_n hereof_o be_v this_o as_o no_o sacrifice_n in_o the_o old_a law_n please_v god_n but_o such_o as_o be_v burn_v by_o fire_n from_o heaven_n send_v down_o either_o then_o or_o afore_o so_o our_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o be_v our_o invocation_n of_o god_n name_n our_o sacrifice_n of_o praise_n our_o duty_n of_o religion_n our_o work_n of_o mercy_n and_o love_n never_o please_v god_n unless_o they_o proceed_v from_o a_o heart_n purge_v by_o the_o fire_n of_o god_n spirit_n that_o be_v from_o a_o believe_v and_o repentant_a heart_n both_o which_o be_v kindle_v and_o light_v and_o daily_o continue_v by_o that_o fire_n of_o god_n spirit_n therefore_o it_o be_v that_o paul_n say_v 1._o tim._n 1.4_o that_o love_n must_v come_v out_o of_o a_o pure_a heart_n and_o good_a conscience_n and_o faith_n unfeigned_a the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o work_n of_o love_n come_v from_o this_o purge_a heart_n ascend_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n as_o a_o smoke_n of_o most_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n and_o be_v as_o a_o sweet_a perfume_n in_o the_o nostril_n of_o the_o lord_n now_o of_o what_o do_v god_n thus_o testify_v of_o his_o gift_n it_o may_v here_o be_v ask_v at_o the_o first_o how_o can_v abel_n give_v a_o gift_n to_o god_n have_v the_o lord_n need_v of_o any_o thing_n and_o be_v not_o all_o thing_n his_o i_o answer_v god_n be_v sovereign_a lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o all_o creature_n yet_o have_v he_o so_o give_v his_o creature_n unto_o man_n to_o use_v as_o that_o they_o become_v man_n own_o and_o so_o he_o may_v esteem_v &_o use_v they_o and_o be_v man_n a_o man_n may_v in_o token_n of_o his_o thankfulness_n return_v they_o again_o to_o god_n especial_o see_v god_n accept_v they_o be_v so_o offer_v as_o most_o free_a gift_n this_o show_v we_o first_o the_o wonderful_a mercy_n of_o god_n that_o whereas_o we_o can_v offer_v he_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o he_o vouchsafe_v to_o accept_v a_o gift_n offer_v of_o his_o own_o even_o as_o though_o we_o have_v of_o our_o own_o to_o offer_v 2._o see_v here_o a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o old_a and_o

yet_o never_o be_v save_v unless_o therewithal_o we_o have_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n belong_v unto_o we_o and_o the_o assurance_n thereof_o seal_v in_o our_o conscience_n by_o god_n holy_a spirit_n again_o consider_v who_o speak_v these_o word_n but_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v we_o shall_v find_v in_o genesis_n 21.12_o it_o be_v god_n himself_o let_v it_o not_o say_v god_n unto_o abraham_n be_v grievous_a in_o thy_o sight_n for_o the_o child_n and_o for_o the_o bondwoman_n in_o all_o that_o sarah_n shall_v say_v unto_o thou_o hear_v her_o voice_n which_o be_v to_o cast_v out_o the_o bondwoman_n and_o her_o son_n ishmael_n for_o say_v god_n in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v here_o observe_v a_o notable_a practice_n of_o abraham_n as_o a_o good_a direction_n how_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v of_o all_o those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o church_n submit_v themselves_o outward_o to_o the_o ministry_n and_o regiment_n thereof_o abraham_n here_o have_v two_o son_n isaac_n and_o ishmael_n he_o circumcise_v they_o both_o and_o instruct_v they_o both_o for_o he_o teach_v all_o his_o household_n to_o know_v god_n and_o to_o fear_v and_o obey_v he_o gen._n 18.19_o he_o judge_v they_o both_o to_o be_v in_o one_o state_n in_o regard_n of_o god_n covenant_n though_o they_o be_v not_o but_o that_o difference_n be_v make_v by_o god_n abraham_n do_v not_o on_o his_o own_o head_n and_o by_o his_o own_o will_n put_v ishmael_n out_o of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o his_o family_n but_o god_n bid_v he_o put_v he_o out_o and_o then_o he_o put_v he_o out_o and_o not_o before_o till_o such_o time_n he_o keep_v he_o in_o and_o hold_v he_o to_o be_v within_o the_o covenant_n as_o well_o as_o isaac_n be_v even_o so_o must_v we_o deal_v towards_o those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o church_n secret_a judgement_n must_v be_v leave_v to_o god_n and_o till_o god_n manifest_v the_o contrary_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n we_o must_v hold_v they_o all_o elect_v this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o all_o his_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o corinth_n 1._o corinth_n 1.2_o he_o call_v they_o all_o sanctify_a and_o to_o the_o galatian_n gal._n 1.2_o he_o call_v they_o all_o elect_v speak_v so_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n although_o he_o know_v that_o among_o they_o there_o be_v many_o profane_a and_o wicked_a man_n and_o though_o he_o reprove_v many_o great_a error_n and_o heinous_a sin_n among_o they_o and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o first_o argument_n whereby_o abraham_n faith_n be_v commend_v unto_o we_o namely_o the_o great_a impediment_n which_o may_v hinder_v the_o same_o now_o follow_v the_o second_o argument_n or_o reason_n whereby_o his_o faith_n be_v commend_v to_o wit_n abraham_n victory_n over_o these_o impediment_n or_o the_o mean_n whereby_o he_o overcome_v they_o and_o induce_v himself_o to_o obey_v god_n in_o these_o word_n verse_n 19_o for_o he_o consider_v or_o reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o even_o from_o the_o dead_a here_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n that_o make_v abraham_n to_o offer_v his_o son_n and_o yet_o believe_v the_o promise_n that_o in_o he_o his_o seed_n shall_v be_v call_v we_o may_v persuade_v ourselves_o that_o abraham_n have_v rather_o have_v die_v himself_o if_o it_o may_v have_v stand_v with_o the_o will_n of_o god_n than_o to_o have_v sacrifice_v his_o son_n how_o then_o do_v he_o induce_v himself_o to_o offer_v he_o up_o ans._n by_o this_o which_o be_v here_o set_v down_o he_o reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o even_o from_o the_o dead_a here_o be_v diverse_a point_n to_o be_v consider_v of_o we_o first_o observe_v the_o text_n say_v not_o that_o abraham_n murmur_v or_o reason_v against_o god_n but_o reason_v with_o himself_o that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v up_o his_o son_n again_o and_o thereby_o induce_v himself_o to_o sacrifice_v his_o son_n unto_o god_n hence_o we_o learn_v that_o when_o god_n lay_v upon_o we_o any_o hard_a commandment_n we_o must_v not_o plead_v the_o case_n with_o god_n or_o murmur_v against_o he_o but_o with_o all_o quietness_n and_o meekness_n obey_v this_o be_v a_o notable_a grace_n of_o god_n commend_v unto_o we_o by_o god_n himself_o in_o rest_n and_o quietness_n say_v god_n isaiah_n 30.15_o shall_v be_v your_o strength_n in_o quietness_n and_o confidence_n shall_v you_o be_v save_v many_o think_v it_o impossible_a to_o endure_v or_o do_v some_o thing_n which_o god_n impose_v on_o his_o child_n but_o our_o spiritual_a strength_n stand_v in_o these_o two_o in_o silence_n or_o rest_n and_o in_o quietness_n by_o these_o we_o shall_v be_v enable_v when_o nadab_n and_o abihu_n the_o son_n of_o aaron_n offer_v strange_a fire_n before_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o have_v not_o command_v there_o go_v out_o a_o fire_n from_o the_o lord_n and_o devour_v they_o so_o they_o die_v before_o the_o lord_n 10.1.2_o now_o when_o aaron_n their_o father_n ask_v moses_n a_o cause_n hereof_o moses_n say_v it_o be_v that_o which_o the_o lord_n speak_v he_o will_v be_v glorify_v in_o all_o that_o come_v near_o he_o which_o when_o aaron_n hear_v the_o text_n say_v he_o heide_v his_o peace_n and_o say_v not_o a_o word_n so_o david_n behave_v himself_o in_o the_o case_n of_o distress_n i_o hold_v my_o peace_n and_o say_v nothing_o because_o thou_o lord_n do_v it_o and_o this_o be_v a_o special_a point_n for_o we_o to_o learn_v and_o practice_n we_o must_v not_o grudge_v or_o repine_v at_o god_n hard_a commandment_n nor_o plead_v the_o case_n with_o he_o but_o in_o all_o quietness_n and_o silence_n obey_v god_n in_o all_o that_o he_o say_v unto_o us._n again_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o abraham_n reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a etc._n etc._n here_o we_o learn_v that_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a thing_n for_o a_o man_n that_o believe_v to_o have_v good_a knowledge_n in_o god_n word_n that_o when_o a_o temptation_n come_v against_o his_o faith_n by_o knowledge_n and_o reason_v out_o of_o god_n word_n he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o put_v back_o the_o same_o for_o all_o our_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v ground_v on_o the_o word_n so_o do_v abraham_n in_o this_o place_n against_o this_o strong_a temptation_n reason_n out_o of_o god_n word_n to_o stay_v himself_o so_o that_o knowledge_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v necessary_a to_o he_o that_o believe_v and_o therefore_o that_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v erroneous_a and_o here_o condemn_v which_o say_v that_o if_o a_o man_n become_v devout_a &_o believe_v as_o the_o church_n believe_v though_o he_o know_v not_o what_o the_o church_n believe_v yet_o this_o faith_n will_v save_v he_o but_o this_o be_v a_o mere_a device_n of_o their_o own_o and_o have_v no_o ground_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o as_o we_o see_v here_o knowledge_n in_o the_o word_n be_v necessary_a for_o he_o that_o have_v true_a save_v faith_n but_o what_o be_v abraham_n argument_n whereby_o he_o move_v himself_o to_o obey_v god_n sure_o this_o he_o reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v up_o isaac_n from_o the_o dead_a one_o part_n of_o his_o reason_n he_o take_v for_o grant_v which_o here_o he_o conceal_v for_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v unto_o he_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v now_o this_o he_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o god_n will_v never_o change_v his_o promise_n from_o whence_o he_o reason_v thus_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v up_o isaac_n my_o son_n from_o the_o dead_a to_o life_n again_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v sacrifice_v my_o son_n according_a to_o his_o commandment_n for_o this_o i_o know_v certain_o that_o in_o isaac_n shall_v my_o seed_n be_v call_v see_v god_n have_v promise_v that_o as_o well_o as_o he_o command_v this_o other_o in_o this_o example_n we_o see_v a_o mean_n set_v down_o unto_o we_o to_o induce_v we_o to_o obey_v god_n in_o all_o hard_a and_o difficult_a case_n impose_v by_o god_n which_o be_v a_o point_n to_o be_v consider_v careful_o of_o every_o one_o of_o us._n for_o say_v that_o any_o of_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o touch_v in_o conscience_n for_o our_o sin_n that_o we_o even_o despair_v of_o our_o own_o salvation_n what_o must_v we_o do_v in_o this_o case_n we_o must_v take_v abraham_n course_n and_o dispute_v with_o ourselves_o for_o ourselves_o &_o we_o must_v draw_v our_o argument_n from_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o power_n of_o god_n we_o must_v join_v the_o promise_n and_o power_n of_o god_n together_o as_o for_o example_n thus_o we_o must_v say_v god_n have_v make_v this_o promise_n this_o i_o have_v hear_v and_o i_o do_v believe_v it_o

this_o beside_o the_o instance_n we_o have_v in_o hand_n appear_v plain_o in_o christ_n apostle_n they_o be_v call_v by_o christ_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o to_o plant_v his_o church_n universal_o and_o thereupon_o howsoever_o they_o be_v simple_a man_n before_o be_v furnish_v with_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o wisdom_n zeal_n &_o knowledge_n and_o with_o this_o excellent_a grace_n of_o save_v faith_n which_o do_v sanctify_v their_o other_o gift_n for_o howsoever_o judas_n be_v number_v among_o they_o have_v be_v a_o disciple_n yet_o he_o never_o come_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o apostleship_n but_o go_v astray_o from_o that_o ministration_n act_v 1.25_o and_o in_o these_o late_a day_n when_o god_n restore_v his_o gospel_n to_o light_v out_o of_o the_o dark_a mist_n of_o popery_n he_o raise_v up_o extraordinary_a man_n who_o he_o endue_v with_o wisdom_n zeal_n and_o judgement_n which_o gift_n also_o he_o seal_v up_o in_o they_o by_o a_o lively_a faith_n which_o they_o testify_v by_o their_o piety_n and_o godliness_n in_o life_n &_o conversation_n and_o this_o course_n he_o observe_v usual_o in_o all_o those_o who_o he_o raise_v up_o extraordinary_o for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n this_o we_o must_v observe_v to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o a_o special_a difference_n between_o those_o who_o god_n raise_v up_o extraordinary_o for_o special_a good_a and_o all_o arch_a heretic_n and_o traitor_n that_o set_v up_o themselves_o unsent_a of_o god_n for_o many_o such_o wretch_n have_v excel_v in_o wisdom_n in_o worldly_a policy_n in_o zeal_n and_o authority_n whereupon_o they_o have_v pretend_v and_o persuade_v many_o that_o they_o be_v call_v of_o god_n but_o hereby_o especial_o they_o be_v to_o be_v discover_v that_o they_o be_v void_a of_o this_o rare_a gift_n of_o true_a save_a faith_n for_o look_v at_o their_o life_n and_o ordinary_o for_o impiety_n they_o have_v be_v and_o be_v arch-divel_n so_o that_o though_o they_o want_v not_o authority_n or_o outward_a zeal_n and_o wisdom_n yet_o they_o want_v faith_n which_o shall_v purify_v their_o heart_n or_o else_o they_o will_v never_o have_v live_v in_o such_o notorious_a sin_n as_o they_o be_v discover_v to_o do_v and_o this_o be_v the_o trial_n which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n direct_v we_o unto_o saying_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o by_o their_o fruit_n math._n 7.16_o let_v they_o therefore_o pretend_v what_o knowledge_n what_o zeal_n or_o authority_n soever_o they_o will_v if_o the_o fruit_n of_o faith_n appear_v not_o in_o their_o life_n by_o obedience_n they_o be_v not_o call_v of_o god_n for_o the_o special_a good_a of_o his_o church_n thus_o much_o of_o these_o man_n in_o general_a now_o we_o come_v to_o entreat_v of_o they_o several_o as_o they_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o text._n the_o first_o person_n here_o commend_v unto_o we_o be_v gedeon_n the_o history_n of_o who_o act_n be_v lay_v down_o at_o large_a judge_n chap._n 6._o in_o his_o example_n note_v one_o point_n especial_o to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o manner_n which_o god_n use_v in_o beget_v and_o increase_a true_a faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o child_n if_o we_o read_v the_o story_n we_o shall_v see_v that_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o likeness_n of_o a_o angel_n call_v gedeon_n once_o twice_o 6.12.14.16_o yea_o thrice_o to_o be_v a_o judge_n to_o his_o people_n but_o gedeon_n great_o doubt_v of_o his_o call_n &_o therefore_o desire_v a_o sign_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o god_n give_v he_o for_o the_o sacrifice_n which_o he_o offer_v be_v burn_v up_o with_o fire_n from_o heaven_n yet_o still_o he_o doubt_v and_o be_v in_o a_o great_a fear_n than_o before_o even_o of_o death_n itself_o but_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o angel_n and_o set_v a-work_o he_o break_v down_o the_o altar_n of_o baal_n and_o build_v one_o to_o the_o true_a god_n and_o thereon_o offer_v sacrifice_n as_o god_n command_v though_o with_o some_o fear_n and_o when_o the_o midianite_n and_o amalekite_n come_v arm_v against_o israel_n he_o be_v stir_v up_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o their_o defence_n but_o yet_o still_o he_o doubt_v of_o his_o call_n and_o therefore_o again_o ask_v a_o sign_n at_o god_n hand_n and_o have_v it_o and_o after_o that_o ask_v another_o which_o god_n also_o grant_v now_o have_v all_o these_o one_o in_o the_o neck_n of_o another_o at_o length_n he_o know_v his_o call_n and_o so_o go_v in_o faith_n and_o defend_v israel_n so_o that_o he_o get_v the_o assurance_n of_o his_o call_n by_o sundry_a particular_a sign_n and_o confirmation_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o though_o he_o doubt_v great_o at_o the_o first_o yet_o after_o he_o believe_v not_o only_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o judge_n and_o deliverer_n of_o god_n people_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n but_o this_o principal_o that_o god_n be_v his_o god_n and_o will_v give_v unto_o he_o everlasting_a life_n here_o than_o we_o have_v a_o notable_a precedent_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n work_v true_a and_o sound_a faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o child_n they_o receive_v not_o this_o grace_n at_o once_o but_o by_o degree_n god_n work_v it_o in_o they_o by_o little_a and_o little_a when_o a_o man_n be_v first_o call_v of_o god_n he_o have_v much_o doubt_v and_o fear_n but_o then_o god_n send_v sundry_a help_n to_o weaken_v this_o fear_n and_o doubt_v and_o as_o they_o decrease_v so_o be_v faith_n increase_v no_o man_n believe_v sound_o at_o the_o first_o but_o weak_o even_o as_o he_o grow_v in_o year_n so_o he_o must_v grow_v in_o faith_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v by_o continuance_n in_o the_o mean_n and_o by_o experience_n of_o god_n love_n and_o favour_n and_o indeed_o the_o more_o faith_n increase_v the_o more_o we_o use_v the_o mean_n to_o grow_v therein_o and_o the_o more_o we_o delight_v in_o the_o mean_n and_o at_o length_n after_o long_a experience_n of_o god_n mercy_n we_o shall_v have_v wrought_v in_o our_o heart_n this_o gift_n of_o true_a &_o lively_a faith_n which_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o all_o fear_n and_o doubt_v and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o person_n of_o gedeon_n the_o second_o person_n commend_v unto_o we_o be_v barac_n of_o who_o we_o may_v read_v judge_n 4._o his_o story_n be_v large_a and_o plain_a enough_o and_o therefore_o we_o will_v not_o stand_v upon_o it_o the_o three_o person_n be_v samson_n of_o who_o we_o may_v also_o read_v judge_n 13.14_o etc._n etc._n now_o touch_v samson_n this_o question_n may_v well_o be_v ask_v how_o he_o can_v be_v just_o commend_v for_o his_o faith_n see_v it_o may_v seem_v he_o kill_v himself_o answer_n samson_n do_v not_o kill_v himself_o for_o he_o be_v call_v extraordinary_o to_o be_v a_o judge_n over_o israel_n for_o their_o defence_n and_o delivery_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o philistimes_fw-la now_o when_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o philistimes_fw-la be_v gather_v together_o be_v his_o enemy_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n and_o his_o people_n he_o cast_v the_o house_n down_o upon_o their_o head_n to_o kill_v they_o therein_o because_o be_v blind_a he_o can_v not_o pursue_v they_o in_o battle_n and_o therefore_o have_v they_o by_o god_n providence_n in_o his_o hand_n he_o destroy_v they_o as_o his_o call_n be_v albeit_o he_o lose_v his_o own_o life_n in_o the_o same_o action_n again_o samson_n in_o pull_v down_o the_o house_n purpose_v not_o direct_o and_o wilful_o to_o kill_v himself_o but_o to_o adventure_v his_o own_o life_n by_o take_v just_a revenge_n upon_o his_o enemy_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o as_o god_n servant_n he_o pray_v first_o unto_o god_n and_o so_o do_v no_o more_o than_o the_o soldier_n in_o the_o field_n ought_v to_o do_v who_o bear_v a_o love_a mind_n towards_o his_o country_n be_v content_a to_o adventure_v his_o own_o life_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o his_o enemy_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o his_o country_n and_o be_v resolve_v that_o if_o he_o die_v in_o that_o defence_n he_o die_v in_o his_o lawful_a place_n and_o calling_n and_o die_v god_n servant_n yea_o god_n champion_n this_o do_v samson_n and_o therefore_o may_v just_o be_v commend_v for_o his_o faith_n neither_o be_v this_o fact_n of_o his_o any_o disgrace_n but_o rather_o a_o notable_a commendation_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o a_o evidence_n of_o great_a zeal_n for_o god_n glory_n and_o of_o singular_a love_n to_o his_o people_n the_o four_o person_n commend_v here_o be_v jephte_n of_o who_o we_o may_v read_v judge_n 11._o jephte_n be_v the_o base_a son_n of_o gilead_n bear_v of_o a_o harlot_n to_o be_v base_a bear_v be_v note_v in_o scripture_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o reproach_n and_o