Selected quad for the lemma: glory_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
glory_n	full_a	joy_n	unspeakable_a	3,596	5	10.3032	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64833	Venning's remains, or, Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians, I. babes, II. little children, III. young men, IV. fathers : with their several characteristical differences and attainments, also the doctrines proper to be taught to each of them : being the substance of many sermons / preached by Ralph Venning and fitted by him for the press before his death.	Venning, Ralph, 1621?-1674.	1675 (1675)	Wing V225; ESTC R27039	205,701	393

this Faith puts it self in obedience and in submitting to ordinances as Baptism c. as soon as any were new-born I speak de adultis did believe in Christ they were initiated by Baptism into the mysteries of Christian Religion and submission to this was as to men a proof of their Faith and that this was the constant course appears not only by instances but the Apostles conjoyning the doctrine of Faith with that of Baptisms c. Thus by degrees doth the Faith of Babes creep and go towards God and Christ But there are yet some more inward things which these souls some of them for they are not acted all alike do find in themselves though they can hardly express them distinctly or tell what to make of them As 1. If there be for they some of them are full of its and doubtings fearing that thee is no work or that they are but Hypocrites but say they if there be any true work in us and wrought by us 't is of God we are wholly beholden to him for it We cannot justifie and warrant our Repentance and Faith for sound and good but if there be any such thing 't is wrought by God himself for we are not sufficient of our selves to think one good thought in us there dwelleth no good thing If we are accepted surely 't is of grace in the beloved From their Prayers for mercy I conclude that they attribute all to mercy and say Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ as Paul did Rom. 7. 'T is saith the poor Soul 't is the Lords mercy that I am not in Hell and if ever I go to Heaven I will admire grace and mercy 2. There is this also in them that they have a great value for Christ Jesus though they cannot say that he is theirs or that they are his they think him the chiefest of ten thousand and worthy to be beloved and believed in though they have not attained him so a to lie in his bosome as John did and many others do If they had ten thousand worlds they would give it for him for as yet they are for buying and purchasing more than for believing if he would but smile upon them and kiss them with the kisses of his mouth oh how would they love him Higher Christians are rich in experiences but these are rich only in wishes desires and breathings They so long after him that they would be content to be though but as hired Servants any thing in any condition if he will but receive them yea if they may but gather the crumbs that fall under his Table though they should not have the childrens bread bestowed upon them If he would but let them know that they shall come to Canaan at last or but open a door of hope for for them they would willingly go through the Wilderness and the Valley of Achor too and lay their mouth in the dust if there may be but hope If they may not have a full meal of joy in the Holy Ghost nor rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory yet they will be thankful for some crumbs of comfort and good hope through grace 3. If these longings of theirs may not be satisfied yet this they have fixed and rooted in them that they would walk in this darkness and pain all their daies rather than go back again to their old condition of living in sin They will rather wait and beg at his doors to the death rather than dwell in the tents or the most pleasant courts of wickedness They will rather be Gods hired servants than the Devils children and live with the Swine of this world that wallow in the mire and filth of sin and iniquity as you may read in the returning Prodigal No no they will not go back to Drunkenness and uncleanness to impenitency and hardness of heart but if they must perish they will perish repenting and praying c. if they must starve be it so at Gods door they will lie and beg come of them what will they will not go any whese else for Salvation Though he kill them they will trust in him and rely upon him 4. Besides all this you will find that these Babes will confess that now and then they have some secret soul-supporting in-comes but say they We know not what to make of them nor whence they come for they quickly depart again and our fears return upon us notwithstanding Sometime a word hath come and saluted them but it passed by and went away They will tell you that they had such a bath col whisper in their Souls my grace is sufficient for thee or I have prayed that thy Faith fail not c. whence it came or whither it went they cannot tell but alas this they can tell that it vanished like an Eccho The Disciples had many a support at times yet ever and anon were carking fearing and doubting again like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them of little Faith So these poor Souls though they have now and then a secret cordial given them yet it doth but keep them alive they are hungry weak and faint still Many such things as these are with them and they are to a grown and knowing Saint who hath gone through them very promising things concerning the future well-being of these Babes though they themselves scarce gather hope or not more from them Thus have I shewn how the Faith of Babes doth act and after what manner they some of them the lowest and weakest Babes eat this second portion of Milk Faith towards God before I shew the rest I think it necessary to say something as to this by way of Application 1. To such as are not Babes and have not Faith towards God 2. To such as are Babes and have Faith towards God 1. TO such as are not Babes and have not Faith towards God Without breach of Charity it may be feared that there are yet more than many who though they profess Faith do not believe The bleating of the Sheep and lowing of the Oxen to speak in Samuels language to Saul their living in sins doth witness against them Surely he must be very prodigal of his Faith and have a Creed very large and contradictory to that of the Apostles who can believe unsanctified persons to be Believers when the very natural operation and effect of Faith is sanctification Act. 26.18 to such therefore would I speak in Christ his own words Repent and believe the Gospel take in therefore this Milk of the Word that you may live and grow thereby Consider I beseech thee 1. That not believing is an Argument of thy not being yet convinced of the sinfulness of sin that thou art not yet awakened out of that dead sleep not come to thy self for then undoubtedly thou wouldst resolve with the Prodigal to arise and go by Faith towards God and confess thy sin and beg as the Publican Lord be merciful to me a sinner If thou canst sin

and stood in need of being taught their Primer over and again Heb. 5.12 When men have been planted in Gods Hort-yard and have been often watered with the dew of Heaven and he comes year after year for Fruit yet finds none this calls for deep Humiliation To be old 〈…〉 profession and novices in knowledge and practice is that which should lay us low 4. Think of this also to humble you how many that came in long after you are gone far before you Paul was a Posthume born after Christ died and rose and went to Heaven yet out-stript and labour'd more abundantly than many that lived in Christs time and Family To allude to the Story in 2 Sam. 18 23 I may say that many like Cushi run first and yet are out-run by Ahamaaz who set out after him for he run the way of the plain when others like Cushi fetch a compass about and are for vagaries and wandrings The Gentiles came in last but out un the Jews who were first and is' t not so with you also that some who were called but the other day long since you have yet out-learnt and outwrought you be humbled therefore 5. Let this ●●k out your humbling that a● yet you are incapable of the strong meat which God hath prepared for his 't is true you are fed with Milk which keeps your soul in life but the choicest dainties are behind reserved for a second course Were you more spiritual he would lead you into his Wine-Cellar he would feed you with Apples and his Binner of Love would be displayed to you and spread over you he would make you drink of his Flaggons yea of his Rivers of pleasure and fill you with joy unspeakable and full of glory While you are but Babes you c●●●● bear this you are ignorant of the choicest of Gospel mysteries of the most intimate and sweetest communion with the Father and the Son and how should this these you and make you lay your mouth in the dust that after so long a standing you should be capable of no more than the common chear the ordinary fare of the Gospel which is but Milk without Bread and Wine c. 6. Let this help to break thine heart and make it humble that thy being as carnal doth open the mouth of the wicked and carnal to cry out of and to blaspheme Religion for thy sake though it be their sin to do so yet 't is thy sin and should be thy shame that 't is thy sin that gives them occasion so to do On say the wicked beside profession we see no difference between professors and our selves they are as peevish at bumorous as proud as carnal as others Alas obestech thee be humbled that thou shouldst open their mouth to speak evil not of thee only but of the way of truth and lay thy sins to the charge of Religion Tertullian tells us that Christians had wont to be known by the amendment of their lives and being better than other m●n I this indeed adorns the doctrine of God our Saviour and otherwise men bring disgrace and reproach upon it If we would not do Religion and our selves the right to practise it we should not do it the wrong to profess it yea and stand in the way of their coming in who are ready to enter were they not put back by them that are as carnal Saith Paul Dare any of you go to Law before unbelievers what will they say to these things will they not laugh at and scorn you and your Religion too Think what became of them that brought up an ill report on the good Land 7. And lastly remember and forget not this that though thou go to Heaven 't will c●st thee dear before thou come there that thou hast been as and so carnal 't will bring down thy gray hairs with sorrow to the Grave Thou maist be saved yet so as by fire as Paul tells his Babes 1 Ger. 3.13 15. This fl●sh and blood of thine cannot enter into the Kingdom of God thou must through a Purgatory of water 〈◊〉 fire of Repentance and Z●al before thou 〈◊〉 thine inheritance among them which are ●a●ctified by Faith in J●sus Be thou therefore humbled betimes and 〈◊〉 not the sense and weight of all this to come upon thee when thou art on a death-bed lest they latter and know more sorrow than thy beginning and a worse thing befall thee then than there did all thy life before Be humbled for being as carnal And 3. Be exhorted also to press forward after being more than a B●be yea than a Babe at the best It should not suffice us barely to be in Christ Jesus but we should be ambitious to walk in him C●l 2.6 Yea not only to be and walk in him but to abide in him and to walk as be walked 1 Joh. 2.6 to be rooted and built up in him to be establisht in the Faith as we have been taught and to abound therein with thansgiving Col. 2.7 Having tasted that the Lord is gracious should quicken our appetite after the Word to grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 to grow in Grace and as an help to it in the knowledge of our Lord and Siviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3.18 that we may abound in Faith with thanksgiving as before in hope Rom. 15.13 in liberality 2 Cor. 8.7 in every good work 2 Cor. 9.8 in mutual love Phil. 1.9 and 1 Thes 3.12 in the work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 in pleasing God 1 Thes 4.1 in all grace 2 Pet. 1.8 There are many encouragements hereunto as 1. Because grace hath abounded toward us Rom. 5.20 and Ephes 1.7 8. And 2. our labour is not nor shall be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 But 3. an abundant entrance shall be ministred to us into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviout 2 Pet. 1.8 11. And lest we should sear and despond as if 't were not attainable we are Fourthly to knew this That God is able to make grace abound 2 Gor. 9.8 Let us therefore go on to perfection from Babes to little Children from little Children to Young-men from Young-men to Fathers till we all come into the unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a persect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Ephes 4.13 16. In relation hereunto I shall add to what hath been said 1. Some Considerations to provoke to growth 2. Some helps to further and promote growth To the first in brief none knows but he may attain to more than a Babe and therefore should press forward on these Considerations 1. The highest Saints Fathers press forward and therefore much more should you See how Paul presseth forward Phil. 3.8 14. Shall one that hath attained so much as he had be so pressing and will not you that have attained but little Let the zeal of the highest provoke the lowest to zeal 2. Little Grace hath but a little

And yet further to shew the influence and power of this witness by which the Children know their Father I shall discover several other effects thereof which though I might refer to another part of this discourse viz. either that which is to shew the injoyments or that which is to shew the frames of these Children yet I shall chuse to place some of it here in a few particulars SECT 3. Shewing what the effects of this witness are and the influences they have upon the Soul and Spirit of the Children 1. THE Soul that hath received this witness is filled with a great deal of joy of which though I speak yet 't is joy unspeakable and full of glory yea though the person be in the midst of afflictions temptations and sufferings yet the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon it and dwells there 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 1 Pet. 1.6 7 8. and Chap. 4.14 't is so great that there is want in the words that are and want of more words than there are to express it significantly this work cannot be worded 't is such an experience as comes not under expression All the Eluquence in the world cannot acquaint you with the sweetness of this honey so well as the taste can and doth do 'T is like the new name which no man knows but he that hath it a stranger doth not intermiddle with this joy And as none knows it but he hath hath it so he that hath it cannot make it known as he hath it 〈◊〉 single witness that of a mans own Conscience afford so much joy as the Apostle found it did 2 Cor. 1.12 what incomparable joy must that be which flows from a double witness viz. That of the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are the Children of God this is the joyful sound it 's such Musick as makes the Soul to leap and dance for joy Hos 2.14 15 16. They were Babes and under bondage in Aegypt but now they sing like the Children that had heard the joyful found of the Silver Trumpets proclaiming love and peace in their youth they sang when God had proclaimed them his Sons and first-born and called them his Sons out of Aegypt 2. Notwithstanding this joy yet consistently enough they blush and are ingenuously ashamed in the sense of their former sinfulness which made them unworthy of such favour yea worthy to have been Children of wrath for ever The Fathers lips were no sooner off from them of the returning Prodigal but the first words he utters are Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy Son Luk. 15.20 21. And this confession was a great part of his gratitude and so taken by his Father for this interrupts not their feasting and rejoycing together This ingenuity is an effect of this assured reconciliation as 't is in Ezek 16.62 63. I will establish my Covenant with thee and thou shalt know that I Jehovah viz. gracious and merciful that thou maist remember thy waies Vers 61. and be ashamed c. but when this When I am pacified toward thee for or notwithstanding all that thou hast done saith the Lord. 3. By reason of this Testimony the little Children have a great deal of considence and boldness towards and with God If our hearts condemn us not we have confidence towards God 1 Joh. 3.21 but how much more when by the Spirit which he hath given us we know that he dwelleth in us and we in him Vers 24. This is the perfecting of love viz. assurance is love with us made perfect which gives us not only a boldness at the throne of Grace 1 Joh. 3.21 22. with 5.14 15. but in the day of Judgement Chap. 4.17 for there is no fear in love thus made perfect but it casteth out fear and fills with confidence and boldness familiarity and freedom 4. The little Children having received this Testimony long exceedingly to be with their Father not only to have their affections and conversations in Heaven but to be personally there Few Saints are willing to die that are but Babes and know not the Father and I fear if God should not take them to Heaven before they were willing and desirous to die I say I doubt that Heaven would be very thinly peopled as to that sort of his people But when they have got assurance that God is and Heaven shall be theirs they sing their nune demittis with the reverend good old man Simeon Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation And not only Paul 2 Cor. 1. 8. and Phil. 1.23 but all the seed that have received this Testimony Ephes 1.13 14. the first-fruits and earnest of happiness do sigh and groan and long yea and think it long till they be set free Rom. 8.23 While here they are absent from the Lord and 't is not without self-denial that they are willing to stay here but while they must be here they are hugely ambitious to be acceptable to God as 't is 2 Cor. 5.9 and to serve the Churches good as 't is Phil. 1.23 24. They are sure that though they suffer with Christ yet they shall be glorified together Rom. 8.16 17. and therefore they would as they are bid hasten his coming and Pray Come Lord Jesus come quickly And surely might they have their wishes either Christ should come to them or they would go to Christ within a very little while But yet remembring that they are not their own and that they serve not God only for their own advantage but his glory they are made willing to wait all the daies of their appointed time though it be a warfare as 't is in that Text in Job till their change come Rom. 8.23 24 25. As much as they long to be at home they would make no more hast than good-speed This much of the first thing The second follows SECT 4. Shewing how the Testimony of the Spirit may be distinguished from delusions of Satan and the presumptions of our own hearts IT may be some or other may be yet fearful and suspicious lest they should mistake and be deceived and so meet with the true miseries of false joyes 't is all one to the Devil which way any go to Hell so they go there whether through the common road and dirty high-way of prophaneness immorality and irreligion or through the Fields and pleasant walks of a Form of godliness which hath its Joys Raptures Transports and Ecstasies too for the evil spirit doth ape the good one and that he may the more facilely and undiscernably deceive he puts on the garb of an Angel of Light How therefore shall we discern whether the Testimony which we think we have be sound and good or but feigned and counterfeit I confess 't is good to watch and be circumspect because of our adversary the Devil who is seldom more our adversary than when he

comfort Though the Babe have enough for a being yet but a little for well-being Vivere est valere to live is not barely to be but to enjoy ones self and to be well as to this Life we do not take care only for so much as will keep life and soul together but that we may live comfortably and shall we not much more endeavour it as to our spiritual life Little Faith is full of Fear which exclules present joy and comfort and is as no Faith in that respect for so saith our Saviour Matth. 8.26 Why are ye fearful O ye of-little Faith which Mark 4.40 is thus exprest Why are ye so fearful how is it that ye have no Faith Would ye therefore have less fear and more joy press forward then to grow in grace 3. Little grace gives but little glory to God 't is true the Babe contributes something to the perfecting of Gods praise but 't is very little herein is our Father glorified when we bring forth much fruit Joh. 15.8 'T is being filled with fruits of righteousness which brings full glory to God Phil. 1.11 And Abraham being strong in Faith gave glory to God Rom. 4.20 If therefore you would glorifie God to purpose grow in Grace 4. While you are but Babes you are of little use to others 't is true the least member is of some use 1 Cor. 12. but 't is of least use A Candle may give some light but none in comparison of what the Sun gives Now we should be as John was not only burning but shining lights and our light should so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorifie our Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5.16 But 2. I proceed to give you some Directions by way of help and assistance to promote and advance grace to growth If and as ever you would grow in grace be exhorted 1. To be humble and lowly in mind Humihty promotes us 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to ascend downward Humility and a low esteem of our selves is the ready way to grow high The Trees spread most upward that have the deepest roots Before Honour is Humility 't is Hoours Usher Prov. 15.33 He that is lifed up is like to fall Prov. 18.12 so Heb. 2.4 with H●b 10.38 But the same God who takes no pleasure in but resisteth the proud is greatly in love with and will assist teach and give grace to the humble Some Babes alas are apt to be pussed up though without cause 1 Cor. 4.8 but pride hinders growth 2. Be thankful for what 's received ingrateful and unthankful persons never or seldom thrive Rom. 1.21 Because when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful they became vain in their imaginations and their foolish bearts were darkened professing themselves to be wise they became fools But he that blesseth God for what he hath is like to be blest with more as Luke 19.16 26. To every one that hath thankfully acknowledged his Receipts and Improvements shall be given more but from him that hath not even that which he hath or as Luke 8.18 that which he thinks he hath or seems to have shall be taken ●●om him 3. 'T is no little help to growth to be united one to another in oneness of mind and affection they are not like to come to much excellency that are divided in Jaceb and scattered in Israel for where there are divisions there is least contribution of help and mutual assistance When the Apostle exhorts the Corinthian Babes to be perfect he subjoynes this as conducing thereunto he of one mind live in peace 2 Cor. 13.11 for Love is the bond of perfectness Col. 3.12 13 14. and the blessing of the God of love and peace will be with such as the Apostle tells them 2 Cor. 13.11 and his blessing maketh rich Prov. 10.22 4. Attend conscientiously and with eager desires on the word of grace that you may grow thereby use Ordinances to make use of them for your perfection to which end they are as much designed as to bringing in Ephes 4.11 Pastors and Teachers are for the perfecting of the Saints for the edifying of the Body of Christ and every member thereof till we all come to a perfect man Desire therefore the sincere Milk of the Word that you may grew thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 5. Get better acquaintance with Christ Jesus The Apostle knew Christ Jesus in a good measure and yet that he might perfectly win him and perfection by him and attain to the mark and the prize he breaths and presseth after more even the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus Phil. 3.8 14. Babes in Christ know not the Father and are unskilful in the Word of righteousness now the Father cannot be known but by the Son nor grace grow but through the distinct and excellent knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord 2 Pet. 3.18 As ever therefore you would grow in Grace and attain assurance of the Fathers love look after the distinct and excellent knowledge of Christ which consists mostly in being ●ound in him i.e. his righteousness in knowing the power of his Resurrection though it be by the fellowship of his suffering and by being made conformable to his Death by desanding that we may ascend as he did Phil. 3.9 10. Ephes 4.9 10. 6. Would ye grow make use of the Promises then which are given not only that we might escape the pollutions which are in the world by lust and so be made partakers of a divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 but that we might cleanse our silves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 and might add grace to grace to abound and be fruitful as it follows in 2 Pet. 1.5 8. The Covenant refers to our being and birth but the promises to our well-being and growth if therefore Davids house do not grow he hath recourse to the Covenant 2 Sam. 23.5 but that it may grow he hath recourse to the Promises 2 Sam. 7.25 29. As ever therefore you would enjoy what 's promised and contain'd in the Promise be careful to do that to which the Promise is made as for instance Would ye that God be a Father and not only a God to you and you be to him not only a people but Sons and Daughters then be ye se●arate and touch not the unclean thing 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and mark it these Promises viz. of being a Father c. are of most use to the perfecting of us for so it follows 2 Cor. 7.1 having these Promises the Emphasis is in these let us cleanse our selves c. that so we may injoy what 's pr●mised viz. God as a Father c. A little to inform you about making us of and improving promises I shall to prevent a mistake inlarge further on this head Some persons do think that the chief if not only way of improving promises is by