Selected quad for the lemma: grace_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
grace_n	faith_n	justification_n	sanctification_n	4,477	5	10.0495	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91897	Christ the perfect pattern, of a Christian's practice, being the substance of severall sermons, about the Imitation of Christ. / Preached by the reverend and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Ralph Robinson, late minister of Mary Wolnoth London. Published by Sim. Ash, Wil. Taylor, Sam. Clarke.	Robinson, Ralph, 1614-1655.	1658 (1658)	Wing R1709; Thomason E1818_1; ESTC R209810	135,574	295

I made choice of this Text because of this second Doctrine that I might speak to you of our Saviours patience which is another vertue for our Imitation But because the former is very profitable I shall spend this hour about that 1 Doct. The Lord Jesus did suffer very much while he was on Earth He was a very great sufferer He is called here by this Prophet vir Dolorum peritus infirmitatis vers 3. We read here of despising rejected stripes smitings wounds sorrows bruising chastizement oppression affliction cutting off putting to grief and powring out his soul to death Gather all these together and they will make up a very great sufferer I shall do two things for explication 1. What Christ suffered the kindes of it 2. Why he suffered the causes of it 1. For the Nature of his sufferings he suffered every kind of way He suffered from men And he suffered from God He suffered in his Body in his Soul in his Name c. 1. He suffered Revilings and Reproaches He was a scorn of men and despised of the People Psal 22. 6 7. How often shall you see him laughed to scorn in the Gospel how often do you read of his deridings Mark 5. 40. Luk. 16. 14. Luk. 23. 35. Friend of Publicans He was called Belzebub Deceiver Matth. 27. 63. He suffered derision in every one of his Offces 1. In the Kingly Office They put a Scepter in his hand a Crown on his Head bowed their knee saying hail King of the Jewes 2. In his Priestly Office They put upon him a gorgeous white Robe such as the Priests weare 3. In his Prophetical Office when they had blind-folded him Prophesie say they who it is that smiteth thee Sometimes they said Thou art a Samaritan and he hath a Devil Sometimes He is beside himself why hear ye him 2. He suffered stripes spittings buffettings Isa 59. 6. 3. He suffered false accusations from suborned witnesses He said Destroy the Temple of God and in three dayes I will build it up and Luk. 23. 2. that He forbad men to give Tribute to Caesar 4. He suffered stoning John 8. 59. 5. He suffered Death it self a shameful painful death crucified between two Theeves as a malefactor In his soul he suffered from God Desertion sweated blood c. Temptation My God my God why hast thou forsaken me In a word he suffered the whole wrath of God And then He suffered from all sorts of men from friends as well as enemies Iohn 13. 18. Psal 55. 14. Matth. 26. 47. From Military men Luk. 23. 11. From them in the Ministry From Magistrates Why he suffered 1. That he might satisfie for our sins and pay the price of our Redemption This is made by this Prophet the main end of all he endured Isa 53. 4 5 6. He was our Surety and he could neither satisfie for our sins nor reconcile us to God without these sufferings c. He endured nothing for himself for he had no spot of sin upon him c. but the just for the unjust vid. 1 Pet. 3. 18. This was the prime end 2d Subordinate ends were That he might sanctifie suffering to us and take away the sting and curse of it Therefore he underwent all kind of sufferings that he might sweeten all he was oppressed that he might sweeten oppression 3. That he might be able experimentally to succour comfort sympathize with us in our sufferings vid. Heb. 2. 17 18. 4. That he might be prepared for glory vid. Luk. 24. 26. 5. That he might be a Conqueror over sufferings Conquest is one piece of Christs Honour He could not have overcome if he had not been a sufferer 1 Vse Information These Corollaries follow hence 1. Take notice of the preciousness of our Salvation and Redemption 'T is called in Scripture by all Names which intimate preciousness A weight of glory 1 Cor. 4. 17. An Inheritance incorruptible immortal undefiled c. 1 Pet. 1. 4. Every grace hath an unspeakable worth in it Precious Faith precious promises 2 Pet 1. 4. The worth of things are known best by the price payd for them I note this for two Reasons 1. Because these things are of so little value so despicable to men Justification Sanctification Heaven the Promises are undervalued men reject them as if they were trifles as vile things 2. That those to whom they belong may have them in higher esteem and value them the more 'T is an Argument which the Apostle useth to presse careful inspection in the Elders over the Church Acts 20. 28. He who despiseth any of these despiseth the sufferings of Christ 2. Take notice of the haynousness of sin There are many glasses wherein the sinfulness of sin may be seen as namely the Judgements which it drawes down upon the committers of it look upon the old World drown'd in water look upon the flames and ashes of Sodom Gomorah behold the Graves of the dead See Angels and men in Chains of fire c. But this above all discovers its vileness It could not be expiated without Christs sufferings and those deadly the haynousness of Covenant-breaking in Israel appeares from the judgement inflicted for it vid. 2 Sam. 21. 1 2 6. Our sins could not be done away without Christs sufferings Heb. 9. 12. Thy lying swearing cheating could not without this be done away 3. Take notice from hence of the exact Justice of God and his perfect hatred of sin Nothing in the World can so clearly demonstrate this as the sufferings of Christ God loved his Son with an intire affection his very soul and heart was upon him and yet when he had taken upon him the sins of men the Father would not acquit him without sufferings Justice would not forbear one stripe Neither the prayers of Christ Matth. 26. 31. nor the groans of Christ nor his teares would prevail till all were satisfied That expression Isa 53. 10. would be considered well vid. Rom. 11. 21. You who doubt of Gods justice and rigor against sin look upon Christs oppressions and receive satisfaction Object But you will say how could it stand with the Justice of God to lay affliction upon Christ who was an innocent person that the just should suffer for the unjust Sol. We are to consider two things in the guilt of sin 1. The Desert or merit of punishment And this is alwayes inseparable from sin in this respect The soul which sinneth is lyable to personal suffering 2. Designatio ad poenam Now it is not absolutely necessary that the same person which is lyable to punishment should be designed to suffer but it may be inflicted upon another who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if these four things concur 1. If all parties be agreed as they are here for 1. God is well pleased He gave his Son 2. Christ is well pleased Psal 40. 8. 3. The sinner is well pleased Psal 110. 3. 2. If all parties be glorified Now it is so in this case

matter of Christs Discourse 2 The Text from whence he urgeth this Doctrine or matter I might observe this Doctrine That Moses and the Prophets have very much in them Iohn 5. 46. concerning Christ Not any thing can be named concerning Christ but Moses and the Prophets have it in one place or another Christ never since the Scriptures were left his Church without a Gospel Moses was the Gospel veiled the Gospel is Moses unridled c. Clearness This is worthy to be noted against those who reject Moses and the Prophets Antinomians c. And t is worthy to be observed to stir up Christians to the reading of Moses and the Prophets Christ is there as well as in the New Testament His Birth his Death his Resurrection Intercession Ascention c. His Natures Offices merit c. are Doctrines not unknown to the old Testament Moses and the Prophets preach Christ as well as the Gospel and the Gospel preaches Moses and the Prophets obedience as well as Christ But that which I would commend to you is this viz. That our Lord Iesus Christ was very profitable and fruitful in those private communions and converses which he had with men while he was upon the Earth He overtakes two Travellers in the way and see here what his discourse is not vain and idle talk not discourse about the things of this life nor is it about novelties in which many men spend their time but it is about spiritual matters its Scripture-Discourse he doth here in a short space run through and interpret all the Scriptures in the old Testament which had any thing concerning those excellent Doctrines of his death and exaltation And as it was here so we shall finde his practise in every company In the 4th of John vers 6. he in his Travel occasionally meets with a Samaritan Woman and see what his conference with her is vid. vers 10. ad 29. not about things unprofitable but about matters of salvation and eternal life you may read what a glorious Sermon he makes to that poor Woman In the 14th of Luke he is invited to one of the chief Pharisees to a feast vers 1. what is his discourse there not that frothy and sinful discourse which usually attends such meetings but spiritual and heavenly talk First He preaches to the guests an excellent Sermon of humility vers 7. ad 12. observing their ambition how they affected the highest rooms he puts forth a Parable to them to teach them lowliness of minde When he hath done that he begins another Discourse with the Master of the house and its the Doctrine of right feasting and invitations vers 12. ad 15. namely to invite the poor and needy c. Not as though our Saviour would condemn or disallow these friendly courtesies shewed to Allies or rich Neighbours and Kinsfolks but that he might hereby refute that error of the Pharisees who thought by such acts sufficiently to fulfil the Law of charity whereas indeed this was not charity which extends it self especially to those who are in want but rather a covetous practise to bring in the like or greater courtesies to our selves from others Therefore our Saviour tells him feasts should be made for the poor as well as for rich Neighbours and friends The Pharisees entertainment and good cheare shall not stop our Saviours mouth but he will tell him of his duty Christ is no Trencher-Chaplain he will not smother any mans miscarriages for his great provision Many would perhaps think it rudeness or incivility in our Saviour to fall thus bluntly upon guests and hoast too yet he doth it freely Shortly after one of the Company begins to break forth into the admiration of the happiness of those who should enjoy life eternal vers 15. hereupon our Saviour vers 16. ad 25. by an apposite Parable shewes unto him and all the rest how that happiness might be attained viz. by laying hold on and receiving the offer of Christ made in the preaching of the Gospel in which he doth set out the obstinacy of the Jewes in the refusing of this tender and also layes down the great danger of such refusal Here 's the excellent Table-talk of our Saviour And if you trace him from house to house from Company to Company you will finde him alwayes speaking to the good of those who were with him vid. John 5. 14. when he meets with the man whom he had cured at the pool of Bethesda When he comes to the house of Mary and Martha John 11. 25. Luk. 10. 39. Christ falls to work as soon as he comes his discourse is profitable c. When he was private with his Disciples his discourse is alwayes edifying c. either he is expounding some Doctrine delivered in publick or else propounding some new discourse to them for their good Would you know why He hath commanded men Eph. 4. 29. He obeys his own Rule 1. Resol His work was to convert men to God and to edifie men converted Therefore he took all opportunities for the accomplishing of this end This is the reason he gives his Disciple for his conference with the Samaritan Woman John 4. 34. He was the great Seedsman whom God had sent from Heaven to sow the seed of grace in the hearts of men therefore he would be scattering it abroad both in publick in private The wise man gives counsel which is exceeding good Eccles 11. 6. Christ comming for this work took all occasions to perform it He came for spiritual and Heavenly ends therefore his discourse looked that way 2d Resol Jesus Christ was full of all grace and perfection therefore he could not but overflow wheresoever he came vid. John 1. 14. Col. 1. 19. He was an over-flowing Fountain The Spirit was not given to him by measure as it is to all his members but above all measure John 3. 34. The best of men have received but their scantling and proportion God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Rom. 12. 3. and so of every other grace they have but a measure and a small measure too therefore they cannot give out in such abundance But Christ had an unmeasurable fulness therefore in every Company he came he could not but cause something to flow out He was so richly perfumed that his savour went abroad in every place where he set his feet He had a full Heaven within him Ergo. 3d Resol His large affections to the souls of men and his exceeding and abundant love to and desire of the honour of his Father He valued souls at a high rate his heart was set upon the glorifying of his Father Therefore he is alwayes labouring for the advancement of him both publickly and privately Iohn 17. 4. 4th Resol He knew he had but a short time to continue amongst men on Earth He was he knew within a very little while to remove from whence he came therefore will he neglect no opportunity wherein he may be

honour and the peoples good he is not faithful If Iob had kept the Crown of Rabbah to himself and had not put it on Davids head he had been an unfaithful General therefore he sends to David to come and take the Crown 2 Sam. 12. 26 27 28. If Abrahams Servant when he had used all his skill to get Rebeckahs consent had kept her for himself and not brought her to Isaac he had been an unfaithful Servant In this only Jehu fails of faithfulness he did every thing which God had commanded and he used much exactness and diligence in doing it but he acted not for Gods honour but for his own greatness 2 Reg. 10. 16. He pretended to act for God but it was really for himself If an Advocate should be diligent in pleading for his Client and when he hath done should keep the Inheritance recovered to himself he would be a treacherous man John Baptist shewes his fidelity in this he had been a careful Preacher had converted many souls but he surrenders them all to Christ and that when the people had so good an opinion of him as that they would have adhered to him rather then to Christ vid. Joh. 3. 26 28 29. And so our Saviour testifies his own Faithfulness I seek not my own glory but the glory of him that sent me If a Servant should toyle and sweat about the sowing of his Masters ground and the gathering of it in and then should sell it for himself and keep his Master out of possession would this be faithfullnesse If Souldiers sent out to subdue a City c. Should lay a hard siege to it c. and after all should keep it as their own would you call this faithfullnesse would it not be Treachery perfidiousnesse Thus for the requisites of faithfullnesse 2 By way of motive much may be said consider 1 The excellency of fidelity 1 It s a very glorious vertue in it selfe in its own Nature It s reckoned by our Saviour amongst the great matters of the Law of God vid. Math. 23. 23. By faith is meant fidelity It hath one of the highest Thrones amongst Christian vertues Magnalia Legis and graces Justice is said to be the Queen or Foundresse of all other vertues Fidelity in discharging trust is no small piece of Justice and Righteousnesse The Law of Justice is violated when fidelity is nor observed there are Righteousnesse and faithfullnesse put together very often as Esa 11. 5. Hos 2. 19. 20. A man cannot be just unlesse he be faithfull 2 It s excellent in the use of it It is one of the great bonds of humane Societie fidelity is as the very nerves and sinews of all societies by which they are tied and kept together T is the ground of all commerce between man man Nation Nation Kingdome and Kingdome If you untie this knot if you cut this sinew there is nothing but broyles contentions fires strifes dissentions in the world unfaithfullnesse doth dissolve and disjoynt all humane societies Mot. 2. Consider the many promises made unto faithfulnes the great reward which are designed and set apart for it 1 God hath promised to fill him with blessings vid. Pro. 28. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man who carefully fulfills every kind of engagement and is true to every trust he shall abound with blessings in this life he is right heire to all the blessings of God Solomon in these heavenly Proverbs crosseth the politique Proverbs used amongst men They say Qui nescit dissimulare nescit vivere faithfulnesse they think is the way to beggery Solomon here confutes this opinion assuring us that fidelity is the high way to prosperity and externall happinesse 2 God hath promised eternall happinesse unto them who are faithfull vid. Luc. 12. 42. Luc. 19. 17. and Rev. 2. 10. Paul upon this consideration beleeves and hopes for the Crown of Righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Though he had done many things weakly yet he did act in every thing faithfully Math. 25. 20 21. 23. Mot. 3. Consider how honourably the Scripture makes mention of the faithfullnesse of men Pro. 13. 17. a faithfull Ambassador is health unfaithfullness is sickness weakness death vid. Pro. 25. 13. As the cold of Snow c. And how carefully the faithfullness of men is recorded in the Scripture Eliezers faithfullness to Abraham Gen. 24. Iacobs faithfullness to Laban Gen. 31. vid. 2 Reg. 12. 15. how is that to the praise of those workmen the Holy Ghost hath taken their account and 2 Reg. 22. 7. and 2 Chr. 34. 12. vid. Neh. 7. 2. and 2 Chr. 31. 12. Consider this Eph. 6. 21. Col. 1. 7. Col. 4. 7. 4. Consider the odiousnesse of the sin of Treachery and unfaithfullness falsifying of trusts It s a sin against the very light of Nature Heathen Infidels are not guilty of this infidelitie Heathens have blushed at it It s a sin which is very scandalous to Religion It s a sin which causeth very great discusions and breaches It s a sin which is branded in Scripture with many markes of dishonour and reproach As there is an infamy fastened upon every sin so upon no more then upon unfaithfullness Every man hates the Name of Perfifidiousness vid 2 Sa. 16. 1 2 3 4. Treacherous Ziba Who doth not loath him for his unfaithfulness vid. Cap. 19. 26 27. Perfidiousness is a sin of a double dye because its a sin against engagement And it s a sin which God will certainly punnish both here and hereafter Many instances in Scripture of Gods severe hand against violation of faith 1 Of faith in covenants and promises vid. 2 Sa. 21. init though 400. yeares afterwards and Jer. 34. 17. 18. ad finem and Ezech. 17. per totum concerning Zedechiahs unfaithfulness in his engagement to the King of Babylon vid. ver 16. 27. c. 2 Of Faith in trust In all Nations men who betray trust are accounted more worthy of punishment then professed enemies And usually God punnisheth this sin lege talionis Esa 33. 1. 3 I shall give something by way of Helpes If you would be faithfull in your trusts Some things are to be taken heed of Some things are to be done There are four things to be taken heed of by him who would not be unfaithfull 1 Be sure that you undertake nothing of trust which is above your ability beyond your power Let this be the first question Am I able to carry on such a work Is the burden proportionable to my Shoulders Quid humeri valeant quid ferre recusent we must not lay upon a Servant more then he can beare If it be too heavy for your strength if it be longer then your fathom let it alone better not to act at all then to act unfaithfully Many out of Pride Self confidence c. stick at no undertaking It was Davids wisedome and piety that he did 1 Cor. 10. 13. Priviledge Num. 11. ●4 15 16. not ayme at