Selected quad for the lemma: glory_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
glory_n	affliction_n	eternal_a	light_a	6,294	5	8.8433	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57195	A sermon preach'd to the Societies for Reformation of Manners in the citys of London and Westminster. February, 19. 1699. Published at their request. By Thomas Reynolds.	Reynolds, Thomas, 1667?-1727.	1700 (1700)	Wing R1322A; ESTC R222106	24,389	70

what Service is more honourable than the being employ'd in beating down the Devil's Kingdom in lifting up the Name of God in promoting the Peace Welfare and Happiness of your Country and in doing the most beneficial kindness to your Neighbour Indeed hereby we incur the anger and reproach of those we have to deal with but this is little to be regarded by us And if we are calumniated for doing of good we ought not to be discourag'd thereby but esteem it our honour that God hath thought us worthy to suffer for his sake This is to be like our blessed Lord who was grievously reviled and mocked even by those very Sinners he came to reform and save Yet he went on in his merciful design tho at last it cost him his Life and the warm Blood of his Heart This is to be like the holy Apostles and Martyrs who had trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings yea moreover of Bonds and Imprisonments Yet they persisted in their endeavours to amend the World And indeed who should be asham'd to be engaged in such a Cause as this or afraid to die for it since it is worth losing a mortal Life if it be to save but one immortal Soul It may afford great comfort to us to think that all our present shame will redound to our future glory that every reproach and calumny we suffer will but add to the lustre and brightness of our Crown For these light afflictions saith the Apostle which are but for a moment shall work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Who then should fly back from such a work fly back nay who should not strive and be ambitious to appear in it and herein be as forward to suppress mens sins as they are greedy in committing ' em 3dly Consider the advantageous opportunity God hath put into your hands for the furthering your designs we have a good KING the brightest Ornament we have ever seen in the English Throne who as he hath studied and ventured his Life to procure our Peace and Quiet so he hath not been wanting in his care that under his Government we may live in all Godliness and Honesty How often hath he express'd his desires of a Reformation and by his Speeches to both Houses of Parliament and issuing out his Proclamations hath done his part to endeavour it And shall the KING cry for Justice and will not the People too Would the King have us reform'd and shall we hate to be reform'd Again you have many of the NOBILITY and JVDGES of the Land who in their Letter prefixt to a Book intituled An Account of the Societies for Reformation of Manners and worthy to be recommended have publickly applauded the Design and the Methods propos'd for the accomplishing of it adding their most humble and hearty Prayer That Pious men of all Ranks and Qualities may be excited by this good Book to contribute their best endeavors toward a national Reformation of Manners Besides our REPRESENTATIVES in Parliament have taken care there should not be wanting good Laws to discourage Prophaneness and Immorality and have made it their humble Address to the King that he would issue out his Proclamation commanding all his Majesty's Judges Justices of the Peace and other Magistrates to put in speedy execution those good Laws that are now in force against those Vices which was accordingly done And lastly you have many good Magistrates that hold up the Sword ready to smite and only want your bringing Offenders to Justice You especially of this City are honour'd with this Blessing The CHIEF MAGISTRATE like an Illustrious Head communicates Life and Vigour to the Body Politick On these occasions he countenances you my Brethren of the Church of England with his presence in your Assemblies and all of us with his Power and may he with the rest of his Brethren continue to do so May he carry the Sword triumphantly through this City driving Sinners before him who are timorous enough when Justice looks them in the face May he entail a lasting honour upon himself by thus honouring of God and finally may he thus set a truly great Example to those that shall succeed him And now being favoured with so fair a juncture and opportunity having all this to countenance you a good King good Laws good Magistrates and good men of all Ranks and Qualities to own you how should this inspire you with Zeal and embolden you in your Work And how much of guilt will lie at their door who act in a private capacity if a Reformation of Manners be not vigorously carried on Stir up your selves therefore and be of good Courage and the Lord of Hosts will be with you 4ly And lastly consider the success you have hitherto had and let that encourage you You have met with many difficulties but have surmounted them You have begun the work and that was the greatest difficulty of all don't faint therefore but go on Some have been reform'd by you and bless God heartily for it and more have been restrain'd I hear your Societies increase and are strengthned may they do so still This will put Sinners out of heart They begin to give ground do you not only maintain yours but pursue them And thus if out of a conviction of your duty and an aim at the glory of God joining a pity to Sinners with your punishing of 'em and praying God to bless those Punishments to them you vigorously prosecute your charitable and noble Undertaking you will do abundance of good you will at least drive Sin into corners and tho men should not cease to commit it you will no longer behold it and if you cannot remove guilt from their Persons you will from the Nation You will avert the heavy Judgments of God and draw down a Blessing upon your selves your Families the Land and when you have done your work and your life is ended Men will have reason to say as they are following you to your grave we accompany the Corps of one who while he liv'd was a Reformer of this World and is now gon to live in a better But how short is this of that Commendation which your departed Spirits shall have when introduc'd into the presence of your glorified Master whose Interest you have industriously promoted and who thereupon will openly acknowledg and abundantly reward it by saying Well done good and faithful Servant enter into the Joy of your Lord. Amen FINIS