Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
friend_n	abraham_n	call_v	father_n	847	5	5.2207	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96684	God a Christian's choice, compleated by particular covenanting with God Together with an appendix, containing propositions, tending to clear up the lawfulness, and expediency of transacting with God in that way. In pursuit of a design proposed by Mr. R.A. in his book entituled, The vindication of Godliness. And by Mr. Tho. Vincent, in his book, called Words whereby we may be saved. To which is added, a brief discovery of the nearness of such a people unto God, on Psal. 148. 14. By Samuel VVinney, sometimes minister of the gospel at Glaston in Somersetshire.	Winney, Samuel.	1675 (1675)	Wing W3034; ESTC R231145	79,544	241

God is so infinitely good in himself and Satisfactorily good to the souls of his people and therefore eminently to be chosen by them but believe it every one thou art not a Christian indeed thou art not caust not be happy till thou hast chosen God to be thine What is it to be baptized and to have an outward profession if thou art not and will not come up to this to have and chuse God to be thine to take God to be thine own Canst thou be a godly man that hath not chosen God to be thy God It 's an impossible thing that a man should be Godly that hath nothing to do with God Is not a Godly man named from God Here is the essence of Christianity and there is no real Christianity whatsoever the profession be till this be done Do not you be so foolish as to content your selves with the paint of Religion and seeming to be Christians if you have not taken God to be yours you have nothing to do with him and you are not Christians indeed That man that hath not chosen God for his God hath not yet learned the first Commandment in a practical way What is that Why Thou shalt have no other gods before me Exod. 20. and so he is no servant of God this commands thee to chuse God to be thy God and him only and art thou a Christian that art not practically come up to much less taken out the very first rule in the Law of God I dare say thou darest not say it CHAP. V. Exhortation Double First To them that have not yet done this and shewing what we ought to chuse God to be to to us 2. Vse Exhort THe 2. Use of this truth is by way of Exhortation Double 1. To them that have not chosen God 2. To them that have done so Use of Exhortation I. To them that have not chosen God to be their God that are yet to make their choice And alas how many are there yet so to do how many be perswaded all in the name of God to do what is proposed to you to chuse God to be yours Christians are you in good earnest Christians or are you not Will you chuse God are you resolved to have him to be yours Here 3 things briefly opened 1. What we are to chuse God to be to u● 2. How we are to chuse God to be ours 3. Several motives to provoke hereunto 1. Under what notion we are to chuse God to us or what we are to chuse him to be unto us 1. To be in all relations to us 2. To be in stead of all enjoyments to us 1. We are to chuse God to stand in all relations to us What relations I. Generally chuse him to be our friend 't is Good having God to be a friend make in to him therefore and make suit to him to be your friend Whosoever hath chosen God to be his hath chosen the best friend in Heaven and Earth He is the ablest faithfullest freest richest friend that is in this or in another World none so bountiful and ready to help as he and did we believe it we should easily be perswaded to it when the Church had chosen Christ to be her beloved then he was her friend this is my beloved and this is my friend O ye Daughters of Jerusalem Song 5.16 so Abraham when he had chosen God to be his he was his friend and he became the friend of God James 2. the Church of the Jews cal'd the seed of Abraham my Friend Isa 41.8 Be you therefore perswaded let me beseech you to chuse God to be your chief friend II. More particularly chuse God to be to you a Father God is the Father of all by creation but we east off that relation daily by our trausgression and rebel against him though sometimes we say our Father with our mouths yet how vain is this for where is his honour that we give him Mal. 1.6 just as the prodigal cast off and run away from his Father Luk. 4 15. But when we are regenerate and born again of God then we chuse God for our Father again and he adopts us to be his Children The new Divine nature laies a new claim to the old though formerly lost relation As the prodigal did I will go to my Father ver 18. and bespeaks God as the Church Isa 63.16 Doubtless thou art our Father We are Commanded to cal● no man Father upon Earth Mat● 23. understand it in a right sense● not as though we were to cast off ou● natural relations as some wickedly do For that we have one to be ou● Father which is in heaven wh● hath promised that he will be a Father to us and we shall be his Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6.17 and therefore well may we and of Dut● ought to chuse him to be so unt● us III. Chuse God to be an Husband to you this God offers himself most willingly to be but we keep him off and will not yield our Consent as a Virgin doth a Suiter a long time that comes to her how hard a matter to get the Soul espoused to God and Christ It is not so hard a matter to get the Lord's Consent to be an Husband as to get ours to become his Spouse How long and painful a work is it for the Ministers of the Gospel to be wooing for Christ and to be beseeching in Christ's name before they can get the consent of one Soul to he married to him Jer. 3.14 Turn O back sliding Chilaren for I am married unto you God saith I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in Judgment and in loving kindness and in mercies I will betroth thee unto me in faithfulness three times together Hos 2.19 20. but we are very loath we will not be betrothed we can't be won to yield to it God is our maker and saith further Thy Maker is thine husband the Lord of Hosts is his name Isa 54.5 What will you not have your Maker for your Husband What better Husband can there be IV. Chuse God to be your Lord and Master so much is implyed as our duty in the Text ye have chosen you the Lord to serve him other Lord's do and have ruled over us and Oh that we were brought to the resolution of the Church but by thee only will we make mention of thy name Isa 26.13 which implies a choice of God and a rejection of others Be perswaded to cast off all other Lords World and Flesh and Devil take his yoke upon you enter into Covenant every one to be his servant as the Eunuch did Isa 56.6 say as David Psal 116.16 Oh Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant our duty is to chuse God and Christ to rule govern and have dominion over us to be our leader and Commander Isa 55.4 let him be our onely Lord to serve him and

worship him according as we are bound Psal 45.11 Obey no Commands but what are agreeable to his Commands he is our principal and chief Master whose Word we are to conform unto 2. As we are to chuse God to be in all relations to us so we are to chuse him to be instead of all enjoyments to us 1. As our portion so we should chuse him so did the Church Lam. 3.24 The Lord is my portion saith my Soul Then was a fit time to say so and chuse him to be so when she had nothing left in her captive estate So saith David Psal 16.5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pars partis sive portio portiones mea junguntur hic duo synonyma auxeseos causa q. d. omnimoda pars mea Word for word the part of my part or portion of my portion to shew that God was his only part or portion There are two words of like import to shew that he chose God to be altogether a portion to him to which purpose we may observe that God that is call'd the God of Israel is call'd the portion of Jacob Jer. 10.16 c. 51.19 * Quia aliis gentibus alios sibi Deos optantibus Deus horum oculos aperuit us se eligerent M. P. syn Crit. ex Riv. Because other nations chusing other gods to themselves the Lord opened their eyes that they should chuse him only in which regard he is call'd the portion and inheritance of Aaron Numb 18.29 who was to have no inheritance amongst the rest of the Israelites in Canaan What a rejoycing should this be to every Christian who hath no portion nor inheritance in the World in the meanest and lowest Condition in the world who yet hath and hath chosen the Lord for his portion Eliphaz tells Job chap. 22.25 the Almighty shall be thy defence Marg. thy Gold For so it may be rendered as by * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel angustiis tuis vel arx roborts tui vel aurum lectissimum I. T. i. e. si desit aurum obtinebis quod pretiosius eo est n. Deum M. P. Syn. some it is He shall be to thee instead of treasures of Gold and Silver if thou shalt want Gold thou shalt have what is far more precious than Gold viz. God himself We are apt to chuse and so to make Gold our God whereas God should be unto us instead of yea above all the Gold in the World which usually men make their chief portion 2. In sum to shut up all we should chuse God to be unto us as our All in All our only Blessedness in this life and that to come It is prophesied of a people and is it not all our duty Isa 65.16 even of the Gentiles That he who blesseth himself shal bless himself in the God of truth viz. in apprehending and appropriating to themselves God as theirs they should look on themselves as the most blessed people as justly they may in all the World There is no condition that a man can account to himself as a Blessed condition but when he hath God to be his God he may sing and rejoice in God as though yea better than though he had all the World he is and he hath all and whosoever hath God to be his hath indeed all and therein is blessed It is a kind of Happiness if our garners be full of all manner of store if sheep bring forth thousands if that our oxen may be strong to labour Happy is the people that is in such a case Psal 144.15 with 13 14. i. e. they may in a kind and in a degree be said to be happy But then the Prophet adds the surmounting Happiness Yea happy is that people and so that person that hath the Lord for their God CHAP. VI. Shewing how we are to chuse God to be ours THe Second thing we are to open is How we are to chuse God to our selves to be ours 1. Chuse him really not feignedly and in outward shew onely there be a great many that lay claim to God and say God is mine yet are they most prosane and abominable they seem to own God with their mouths but deny him in their works and lives as those mentioned Tit. 1.16 In works they deny him being disobedient and to every good work reprobate Even as those whom our saviour taxeth Luk. 6.46 Why call ye me Lord Lord and will not do the things that I say Just so we read of some that call God Father and yet do as evil things as they could Jer. 3.4 5. whom the Lord reproves as he doth to the same purpose the priests Mal. 1.6 If I am a Father where is my honour if I am a Master where is my Fear They seem to take God to be theirs in some of the forementioned relations yet for all that their deeds and speeches are as evil as can be With their lips they shew much love but their hearts are after their Covetousness Ezek. 33. With their lips only it is and no more not with their heart they chuse him with their lips but refuse him and cast his law behind their backs in their lives 2. Chuse him wholly to be yours that is chuse him as he offers himself to us and as he is set forth in all the relations the Scripture makes mention of him to us not only in those Comfortable Relations which-imply our priviledg but those honourable ones also which imply and engage us to our duty not to be a Friend a Father and an Husband only but a Master Lord and King also 3. Chuse him freely to be your God not out of Force Many seem to be willing to chuse God but it is when they must of necessity leave the World when they come to die and they cannot of necessity avoid it they can be without him no longer If they could have the World in health and strength one day longer they would let God alone till such a time as death did indeed come How great many of people never desire to acquaint themselves with God desire him not chuse him not or get any interest in Christ till they come to die then seem to look after and chuse him for theirs They neglect and refuse God in all his offers of grace vouchsafed to them all their lives but when they must part with all the World whether they will or not then at the hour of death will be seemingly forward to chuse him But they that chuse him truely chuse him freely 4. Chuse God chiefly let God be preferr'd before all nothing before him If God be preferr'd as he deserves so it will be He will be set before every thing in heaven or Earth Let God be your chief desire your exceeding Joy as Psal 43.4 word for word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the gladness or my Joy Two Synonima's or words of like import as before to signifie the fulness

nig● unto God also How so Why we were brought nigh unto God by Christ's reconciliation which he made for us to God by his death and sufferings And we shall be wholly and fully brought nigh unto God hereafter when we shall be brought into the Kingdom of God where God Jesus Christ are and we shall be with him for ever Here are we brought nigh in regard of friendship but not in regard of that fulness of fellowship which we shall enjoy in Heaven And therefore are we said to be absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5.6 while at home in the body But there had been no enjoyment of God here nor of the Kingdom of God hereafter if Christ had not suffered but now ther 's both this is the fourth regard in which we are said to be nigh unto God 5. They are said to be a People Near to God in regard of their liberty of free access unto God they have the priviledg of approaching nigh to the throne of grace and thereby draw nigh to God And this the Apostle lays down by way of Encouragement and Counsel in two places of the Hebrews Heb. 4.16 Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help us in the time of need And all this is still upon the account of Jesus Christ because we have such a great high-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Hence it is that we may come boldly to the Throne of Grace Compare with ver 14. so Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience This is the great priviledg of Christians that they are made Kings and Priests unto God and his Father Now you know the Priests under the law it was their place and office to draw nigh unto God as doth appear by these two places of Scripture Lev. 10.3 where when fire from Heaven had devoured Nadab and Abihu the two Sons of Aaron for offering strange fire Moses uttered these words This is that the Lord spake I will be Sanctified in them that come nigh me It was their Office to draw nigh to God and for them to draw nigh to God with strange fire contrary to the very Command of God! therefore fire from Heaven came down upon them See likewise Numb 16.40 There upon the occasion of the destruction of Korab Dathan and Abiram for oftering Incense unto the Lord which thing belonged only unto the Priest the Censers were laid aside to be a memorial to the Children of Israel That no stranger that is not of the Seed of Aaron come near to offer Incense before the Lord Now Jesus Christ having made us Kings and Priests to God this is the great Priviledg that we have by him that we may draw nigh unto God Heb. 7.19 and offer up our Prayers as Incense to God together with all other our holy Duties as so many Spirltual Sacrifiees acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet 2.5 Being built upon him a Spiritual House and Holy Priesthood to that very end Jesus Christ is the person that doth approach nigh to God in our behalf Jer. 30.21 I will cause him to draw near and he shall approach to me for who is he that engageth his heart to approach unto me saith the Lord. Who is he that God will chuse to draw near unto him Literally and primarily it may be understood of the civil Governour but ultimately and consummately of Jesus Christ who undertook not his Office without Gods call who in the behalf of believers hath engaged his heart to approach nigh unto God and we by him do draw nigh to God Heb. 10.19 Boldness we have to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus with Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father so Eph. 3.12 In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence by the faith of him And what a Priviledg is this that every one of Gods Saints and People may have the liberty as often as they will to approach nigh to God to make their requests in every thing by Prayer and Supplication 6. They are said to be near unto God in regard of the Lord's choice and separation of them from and and above all the People of the World unto himself they are so both from all eternity and also in time and this is spoken of particular persons and a whose People jointly Observe both Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the Father 1 Pet. 1.2 they are his chosen people Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World thus for persons If you will observe it also for a nation or a people Psal 135.4 For the Lord hath chosen Jacob for himself and Israel for his peculiar treasure To which join that place Isa 41.89 But thou Israel art my Servant Jacob whom I have chosen the Seed of Abraham my friend thou whom I have taken from the ends of the Earth and sard unto thee thou art my Servant I have chosen thee and not cast thee away Hence are they said to be a separated People so shall we be separated I and my People from all the people that are upon the face of the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Same word as separated Exod. Exod. 33.16 so David Psal 4.3 The Lord hath set apart him that is godly unto himself therefore said to be a people of his inheritance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 same as Saints in Text Deut 4.20 and the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 and his peculiar treasure Exod. 19.5 peculiar people 1 Pet. 2.9 and Christ tells the Disciples That he had chosen them out of the World and therefore the World hated them Joh. 15.19 so that not only from eternity but in time not only persons but nations God hath chosen to be his own people above all the World besides And how great is the Priviledg to be God's chosen and peculiar People and so made Near unto him mind this I beseech you What a matter of special observance should this be to us that God doth take here and there one or two or three above others specially when God Casts away all the Wicked of the Earth like dross as Psal 119.119 as a man throws dirt out of doors then to be chosen out of them that are cast away what a special favour is this not to be cast out as dross but made up as Jewels and preserved in Jesus Christ what grace is this 7. And Lastly in regard of their daily chose walking with God are they near to him A Christians Conversation is said to be a walking with God so said of Enoch Gen. 22.24 twice together it was his whole course throughout all his life till God took him Yea more fully a walking together and they that walk together are Near each to other though sin makes a

and night I tell you he will avenge them speedily although he bear long with them where the injury and wrong of Gods People are set forth by the injury done by a great person to a poor Widow God avenging them by the parable of a Judg who though he feared not God nor yet regarded Man yet because of the Widows importunity would avenge her of her advesrary now if an unjust Judg will avenge because of importunity a person that is no way allied to him shall not the most righteous God take Vengeance for the wrongs of his own People that are so near unto him Now mind that and comfort your selves God will be careful of your safety no body shall hurt you or if they dare and do endeavour it the Lord to whom vengeance belongeth will take your part and take vengeance for you It may be you may suffer affliction for the Gospels sake wicked men may be injurious to you for Religions sake remember there is a God that will take your part that are thus nigh to him and I could wish that all that are under sufferings for Righteousness sake might have Faith to live upon this Truth and if God call us to more and greater sufferings we might treasure up this Truth against such a time comes 2ly God will fellow-feel with you too if you are a People near unto him and this Priviledg is as great as the former there is a famous Scripture for this Isa 63.9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and bare them and carried them all the days of old The Chapter speaks of the works God had done formerly for Israel but principally with respect to the Wilderness how pitiful was God to Israel when they were in the Wilderness and how did God shew himself to be concerned in all the Affliction that did light upon them by a compassionate Fellow-feeling If any be sick or in Affliction that be near to us how ready are we to lay it to heart how are we affected with it so will God be with all our troubles be they what they will be And mark you the same expression is spoken concerning our inward Affliction and remember it against the time that trouble comes it is spoken of our Lord Jesus Christ Heb. 4.14 Seeing then we have a great high-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God For we have not an high Priest that cannot be touched with our infirmities but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin He was tempted to sin though he was not prevailed over by the temptation and therefore Jesus the Son of God can be touched with the feeling of our temptations Sometimes the violence of temptation is so strong and so hard to be dealt with that were it not that a person could look to Christs fellow-feeling and to God's pitty it were a cause not to be undergon I believe I speak to some that understand and experience what I say now if we commiserate those that be Dear and Near to us nay and those that be not so but in the common bonds of nature with us so that we take what hath befallen them as though it had fallen on our own selves how much more will God! and blessed be God that we are nigh to such an one that can fellow-feel with us if not we were an undone people that 's the second 3. A third Priviledg is this the advantage they have of prevailing with God in the requests they do present to him all their suits and requests shall be accepted and granted and free and open access to his presence to ask any thing of him and not be denied still asking according to his Will And hence it is that they are so prevalent with God because they are a people near to God and because they are so near to him that is so near to him that is the Lord Jesus Christ hence it is that they can have all their Payers answered an da l their petitions fulfilled because they are a People near to God the Lord is near to answer all their Prayers the Lord increase our Faith for herein lyes much of the comfort of Christianity You know if a stranger come to request any thing of us or an enemy we do not so much as look on them nor grant them though it should not be so with us and we should not do so but if our familiar friend requests any thing of us he will soon prevail if a wife come and desire her Husband to do something for her or a Child should desire his Father to do something for him or give something to him though another should not yet they shall prevail why Because they be near to him So it is with God God's People are his Married People his new-born Children therefore they have such prevalence with him in all their addresses unto him They may sreely but humbly Converse with him and may have Communion with him 1 Joh. 1.3 God Commanded Exod. 25.22 that there should be a Mercy-seat and over the Mercy-seat two golden Cherubims and they shonld look one towards another and when God did come and speak to his People the text tells us God promised There will I meet with thee and there will I Commune with thee from above the Mercy-Seat and hence the Apostle draws his encouraging argument let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace Heb. 4.16 that we may obtain mercy c. the Mercy-Seat in the Old-Testament is the throne of Grace in the New 4. Their protection is sure God will undertake for their defence which is much of the same importance with the first therefore I shall say by way of addition little of it here their safeguard is sure because God undertakes for them They are as dear to him as the Apple of his eye and he that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of my eye saith God Zech. 2.8 and their safety is set forth by their Nearness to God yea under the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge till these calamities be over-past Psal 57.1 I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand Isa 51.16 he shall cover thee with his feathers Psal 91.4 nearer we can't be nor yet safer 5. They being a People nigh to God God will provide for them too and take care for their supply will not an husband provide for his Wife and a Father for his Children O God be merciful to a great many Husbands and Fathers that have no Compassion on their Wives and Children but spend all they get and undoe their poor families but God is not such an Husband nor such a Father God hath laid a special charge upon Masters of families that they should provide for their own houshold and if a man provide not for his own and specially them of his own house he hath denied the Faith and is