Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	believe_v	faith_n	know_v	3,423	5	4.6161	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65555	A practical and plain discourse of the form of godliness, visible in the present age and of the power of godliness: how and when it obtains; how denied or oppressed; and how to be instated or recovered. With some advices to all that pretend to the power of godliness. By Edward Lord Bishop of Cork and Rosse.	Wettenhall, Edward, 1636-1713.	1683 (1683)	Wing W1512; ESTC R222295	59,356	200

a_o angel_n of_o light_n yet_o certain_o docendi_fw-la cause_v doctrinal_o we_o may_v distinguish_v betwixt_o negligent_a loose_a professor_n of_o christian_a religion_n at_o large_a and_o starch_a design_v counterfeit_v i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v the_o former_a sort_n the_o apostle_n chief_o decipher_v and_o condemn_v but_o i_o must_v not_o exclude_v the_o late_a what_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n mean_v we_o may_v collect_v easy_o by_o the_o opposition_n it_o bear_v to_o the_o form_n the_o form_n be_v the_o imperfect_a image_n and_o show_n the_o power_n be_v that_o energy_n force_n virtue_n and_o efficacy_n which_o the_o principle_n of_o godliness_n understand_v and_o believe_v be_v apt_a to_o have_v upon_o man_n heart_n and_o life_n in_o those_o man_n in_o who_o a_o serious_a devout_a and_o self-denying_a temper_n a_o just_a and_o holy_a life_n be_v find_v in_o those_o i_o say_v and_o in_o those_o alone_a the_o power_n of_o godliness_n take_v place_n and_o appear_v now_o as_o to_o the_o phrase_n of_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n it_o be_v only_o a_o hebraism_n a_o verbis_fw-la ad_fw-la facta_fw-la ducta_fw-la translatione_fw-la apply_v that_o way_n of_o speech_n to_o thing_n which_o proper_o belong_v to_o word_n or_o verbal_a assertion_n when_o we_o agree_v not_o to_o or_o when_o we_o oppose_v and_o gainsay_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v avow_v to_o we_o we_o be_v say_v to_o deny_v it_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o we_o yield_v not_o to_o or_o oppose_v that_o force_n and_o efficacy_n which_o the_o doctrine_n of_o godliness_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v apt_a to_o have_v upon_o we_o we_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n language_n say_v to_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n so_o that_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o these_o term_n deny_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n be_v to_o obstruct_v and_o suppress_v that_o influence_n which_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o law_n believe_v and_o receive_v will_v natural_o have_v upon_o we_o the_o sum_n then_o of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o apostle_n prediction_n be_v that_o in_o the_o late_a age_n of_o christianity_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o multitude_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o shall_v retain_v only_o some_o knowledge_n usage_n and_o outward_a show_n of_o christianity_n and_o so_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n but_o as_o to_o the_o christian_a spirit_n and_o temper_n this_o they_o shall_v oppress_v and_o destroy_v by_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a life_n §_o 4._o now_o i_o charge_v this_o character_n upon_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o present_a age_n it_o be_v i_o say_v a_o sad_a truth_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v matter_n of_o deep_a and_o daily_a lamentation_n that_o after_o so_o long_a enjoyment_n of_o the_o noon_n day_n light_n of_o the_o gospel_n after_o so_o many_o amaze_a blessing_n and_o awaken_n judgement_n after_o our_o have_v be_v toff_v and_o as_o it_o be_v empty_v from_o vessel_n to_o vessel_n jer._n 24._o 11._o after_o so_o many_o pretend_a endeavour_n and_o perhaps_o real_a struggle_n towards_o the_o pure_a reformation_n all_o that_o there_o be_v of_o religion_n visible_a in_o the_o christian_a commonalty_n be_v only_o some_o superficial_a knowledge_n of_o and_o a_o bold_a claim_n to_o christianity_n some_o outside_n formality_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o customary_a devotion_n but_o as_o to_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o piety_n and_o the_o real_a fear_n of_o god_n as_o to_o a_o cordial_a belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n jesus_n influence_v and_o change_v man_n heart_n and_o life_n how_o rare_o be_v it_o to_o be_v find_v how_o difficult_a to_o be_v effect_v good_a god_n in_o what_o a_o strange_a latitude_n must_v the_o name_n christian_n be_v take_v that_o we_o who_o at_o present_a live_v may_v in_o any_o proportion_n be_v true_o denominate_v christian_n §_o 5._o nor_o be_v this_o charge_n at_o all_o extravagant_a or_o unreasonable_a it_o will_v be_v sad_o make_v good_a by_o particular_n i_o say_v then_o 1._o the_o great_a business_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v fair_o to_o raise_v and_o maintain_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o 2._o the_o gain_v and_o keep_v a_o true_a christian_a spirit_n or_o temper_n and_o live_v conform_v to_o the_o christian_a law_n or_o rule_n be_v the_o care_n and_o exercise_v of_o very_a few_o that_o be_v to_o put_v both_o proposition_n into_o one_o the_o generality_n among_o we_o in_o the_o apostle_n language_n have_v a_o form_n but_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v make_v good_a by_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o man_n practice_n §_o 6._o as_o to_o the_o former_a branch_n the_o pretence_n claim_n and_o practice_n which_o among_o man_n pass_v into_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n be_v as_o various_a as_o their_o condition_n education_n humour_n and_o genius_n i_o will_v enumerate_v here_o such_o as_o be_v most_o frequent_a among_o we_o and_o i_o must_v first_o mention_n what_o have_v be_v already_o suggest_v out_o of_o rom._n two_o 20._o some_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v that_o upon_o which_o many_o set_v up_o for_o religious_a and_o perhaps_o be_v repute_v so_o both_o by_o themselves_o and_o other_o i_o send_v no_o man_n to_o censure_v other_o but_o let_v each_o man_n turn_v his_o eye_n inward_a and_o see_v if_o that_o most_o of_o the_o religion_n he_o have_v lie_v not_o in_o a_o collection_n of_o notion_n and_o speculation_n treasure_v up_o in_o his_o brain_n some_o people_n will_v be_v content_a to_o call_v this_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v too_o frequent_o only_o a_o ferrumination_n or_o paltry_a stock_n of_o opinion_n and_o though_o a_o man_n may_v have_v very_o much_o of_o religious_a knowledge_n and_o yet_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n otherwise_o there_o can_v be_v no_o wicked_a man_n but_o ignorant_n yet_o it_o be_v scarce_o conceivable_a that_o any_o man_n can_v be_v bear_v or_o breed_v up_o and_o converse_v among_o christian_n but_o he_o shall_v thereby_o become_v furnish_v with_o knowledge_n which_o will_v suffice_v to_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n among_o the_o jew_n which_o seem_v a_o exact_a parallel_n of_o the_o formal_a christian_n of_o this_o age_n i_o will_v therefore_o general_o illustrate_v each_o particular_a with_o that_o pattern_n i_o mean_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n they_o be_v sensible_a there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n good_a and_o bad_a religious_a and_o irreligious_a now_o what_o style_n have_v they_o for_o they_o john_n seven_o 49._o this_o people_n who_o know_v not_o the_o law_n be_v curse_v know_v or_o not_o know_v the_o law_n with_o they_o constitute_v a_o man_n religious_a or_o irreligious_a i_o will_v not_o here_o be_v mistake_v i_o be_o not_o decry_v knowledge_n but_o if_o faith_n without_o work_n be_v dead_a knowledge_n or_o a_o empty_a pretence_n thereto_o when_o a_o man_n shall_v value_v himself_o sole_o thereupon_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v necessary_o be_v a_o fallacious_a ground_n of_o confidence_n and_o a_o mere_a form_n of_o godliness_n 2._o other_o there_o be_v who_o to_o their_o real_a or_o pretend_a knowledge_n add_v a_o popular_a and_o specious_a profession_n of_o believe_v the_o religious_a doctrine_n they_o be_v suppose_v to_o understand_v a_o profession_n of_o faith_n indeed_o all_o among_o we_o whether_o know_v or_o ignorant_a daily_o make_v or_o maintain_v and_o thus_o far_o none_o within_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n general_o can_v be_v well_o imagine_v not_o to_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n but_o some_o be_v content_a to_o go_v along_o with_o the_o herd_n and_o be_v as_o much_o unconcern_v in_o their_o very_a profession_n as_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o christianity_n if_o in_o common_a custom_n they_o be_v present_a at_o our_o congregation_n and_o stand_v up_o at_o the_o creed_n by_o that_o posture_n perhaps_o without_o knowledge_n signify_v their_o assent_n it_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n as_o much_o profession_n as_o can_v be_v perceive_v they_o make_v but_o other_o there_o be_v into_o who_o company_n you_o can_v come_v though_o upon_o common_a business_n or_o civility_n but_o they_o will_v present_o by_o head_n and_o shoulder_n fetch_v religion_n into_o discourse_n and_o tell_v you_o their_o concernment_n at_o the_o atheism_n and_o vice_n of_o the_o time_n nay_o haply_o their_o very_a look_n habit_n gesture_n and_o carriage_n of_o their_o body_n be_v so_o manage_v that_o a_o man_n who_o converse_v not_o with_o they_o but_o only_o see_v they_o pass_v by_o may_v easy_o espy_v therein_o the_o symptom_n of_o a_o religious_a profession_n far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o here_o to_o condemn_v gravity_n serious_a or_o holy_a discourse_n much_o less_o to_o censure_v the_o confession_n or_o profession_n of_o

will_v not_o let_v it_o go_v my_o heart_n shall_v not_o reproach_v i_o as_o long_o as_o i_o live_v here_o be_v godliness_n indeed_o in_o power_n and_o this_o be_v his_o comfort_n and_o support_v god_n know_v say_v he_o and_o my_o heart_n know_v i_o be_o no_o hypocrite_n or_o only_a outside_n saint_n but_o will_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n shall_v a_o man_n fall_v into_o such_o case_n and_o have_v need_n of_o refuge_n thereto_o yield_v he_o any_o such_o support_n or_o solace_n no_o certain_o rather_o quite_o contrary_a let_v one_o who_o have_v it_o be_v suppose_v in_o such_o case_n to_o reflect_v upon_o it_o himself_z and_o state_n his_o heart_n must_v needs_o tell_v he_o i_o be_o all_o outside_n i_o have_v thus_o long_o profess_v religion_n but_o my_o business_n have_v be_v all_o along_o only_o to_o keep_v all_o fair_a before_o man_n before_o god_n and_o my_o own_o heart_n i_o have_v be_v still_o a_o hypocrite_n and_o now_o my_o wickedness_n have_v find_v i_o out_o and_o the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n arrest_v i_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o abuse_a grace_n and_o patience_n a_o sad_a result_n god_n know_v of_o religion_n but_o suppose_v our_o way_n shall_v be_v more_o smooth_a and_o we_o through_o the_o main_a course_n of_o our_o life_n escape_v any_o such_o disastrous_a state_n yet_o 2._o the_o deathbed_n or_o die_a hour_n will_v come_v and_o both_o then_o and_o at_o god_n dreadful_a tribunal_n nothing_o can_v support_v we_o but_o the_o comfort_n arise_v from_o pure_a religion_n these_o indeed_o may_v as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o good_a hezekiah_n when_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o message_n of_o death_n remember_v now_o o_o lord_n i_o beseech_v thou_o how_o i_o have_v walk_v before_o thou_o in_o truth_n and_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n and_o have_v do_v that_o which_o be_v good_a in_o thy_o sight_n isai_n xxxviii_o 3._o and_o of_o bless_a st._n paul_n i_o be_o now_o ready_a to_o be_v offer_v up_o and_o the_o time_n of_o my_o departure_n be_v at_o hand_n i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n henceforth_o there_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o at_o that_o day_n 2_o tim._n four_o 6_o 7_o 8._o the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n before_o god_n and_o the_o prospect_n of_o a_o instant_n bless_a state_n will_v support_v a_o man_n when_o his_o flesh_n and_o strength_n and_o life_n fail_v he_o but_o will_v the_o reflection_n on_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n then_o stand_v a_o man_n in_o this_o stead_n god_n know_v clean_o contrary_a the_o formal_a christian_n conscience_n will_v then_o tell_v he_o thou_o have_v be_v all_o thy_o day_n but_o at_o best_a a_o guild_a hypocrite_n and_o now_o await_v thou_o nothing_o but_o a_o portion_n appoint_v among_o hypocrite_n where_o shall_v be_v wail_v and_o gnash_n of_o tooth_n matth._n xxiv_o last_o thou_o have_v perhaps_o cheat_v man_n and_o endeavour_v to_o cheat_v god_n but_o thou_o have_v certain_o and_o irremediable_o cheat_v thyself_o and_o now_o must_v go_v to_o that_o flame_a lake_n where_o eternal_o be_v to_o dwell_v whosoever_o love_v and_o make_v a_o lie_n for_o but_o one_o continue_v lie_v indeed_o have_v all_o thy_o life_n and_o religion_n be_v thus_o will_v the_o immortal_a worm_n then_o begin_v to_o gnaw_v and_o fill_v the_o breast_n with_o fire_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v quench_v now_o let_v all_o man_n due_o consider_v this_o beforehand_o and_o think_v if_o a_o religion_n who_o return_n or_o result_v upon_o our_o refuge_n thereto_o for_o comfort_n will_v be_v such_o as_o these_o aught_o to_o be_v satisfactory_a to_o they_o last_o let_v it_o be_v lay_v to_o heart_n how_o dishonourable_a and_o vile_a a_o mere_a form_n of_o godliness_n be_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n if_o consider_v under_o the_o character_n it_o just_o admit_v we_o read_v 2_o cor._n xi_o 14._o satan_n himself_o be_v transform_v into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n whence_o i_o may_v reasonable_o argue_v can_v satan_n himself_o if_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v and_o converse_v among_o man_n transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n that_o be_v appear_v as_o pure_a as_o a_o bless_a holy_a angel_n then_o certain_o can_v he_o ourdo_fw-la in_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n the_o exact_a practist_n ever_o engage_v therein_o now_o will_v a_o person_n that_o call_v himself_o a_o christian_n content_v himself_o with_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o good_a a_o one_o as_o which_o or_o perhaps_o much_o a_o better_a as_o far_o as_o the_o devil_n be_v more_o expert_a in_o the_o art_n of_o hypocrisy_n satan_n himself_o can_v have_v at_o pleasure_n if_o he_o be_v to_o be_v incarnate_a in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n then_o let_v each_o man_n soul_n abhor_v to_o rest_v in_o or_o satisfy_v himself_o with_o a_o mere_a form_n of_o godliness_n inasmuch_o as_o the_o most_o accomplish_a kind_n be_v no_o better_o §_o 3._o we_o will_v now_o suppose_v all_o who_o conscience_n tell_v they_o they_o be_v guilty_a herein_o real_o to_o dread_v either_o be_v find_v at_o last_o or_o at_o present_a continue_n such_o it_o therefore_o now_o only_o remain_v to_o consider_v how_o godliness_n may_v be_v assert_v into_o its_o power_n over_o our_o life_n and_o heart_n or_o what_o direction_n may_v be_v give_v to_o this_o purpose_n and_o the_o method_n or_o several_a gradation_n by_o which_o godliness_n obtain_v such_o power_n have_v be_v above_o so_o large_o and_o plain_o state_v whosoever_o will_v reflect_v thereon_o and_o proceed_v thereby_o can_v be_v much_o to_o seek_v in_o this_o behalf_n yet_o lest_o any_o shall_v think_v that_o discourse_n to_o contain_v only_o too_o general_a matter_n of_o direction_n and_o not_o suit_v or_o answer_v sufficient_o their_o spiritual_a need_n i_o shall_v with_o regard_n to_o each_o of_o those_o several_a step_n in_o which_o we_o above_o insist_v set_v down_o such_o particular_a advises_n as_o i_o hope_v may_v reach_v the_o case_n of_o the_o mean_a of_o those_o who_o be_v real_o desirous_a godliness_n may_v have_v its_o power_n over_o they_o it_o be_v say_v then_o the_o first_o step_n to_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n be_v a_o due_a understanding_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o law_n of_o christian_a life_n such_o understanding_n therefore_o must_v be_v endeavour_v by_o the_o meet_a mean_n god_n we_o know_v have_v for_o this_o purpose_n appoint_v the_o ministry_n of_o his_o word_n to_o this_o therefore_o we_o must_v constant_o and_o conscientious_o attend_v and_o that_o with_o teachable_a and_o humble_a heart_n as_o new_o bear_v babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n thereof_o that_o we_o may_v grow_v thereby_o 1_o pet._n two_o 2._o beside_o this_o some_o particular_a person_n may_v haply_o have_v other_o private_a advantage_n namely_o pious_a and_o intelligent_a friend_n good_a book_n and_o what_o else_o be_v of_o like_a nature_n all_o which_o so_o as_o not_o to_o withdraw_v from_o or_o undervalue_v the_o public_a ministration_n of_o the_o word_n the_o primary_n mean_v by_o god_n appoint_v we_o be_v according_a as_o we_o have_v they_o diligent_o to_o make_v use_n of_o till_o we_o have_v furnish_v ourselves_o with_o a_o competent_a stock_n of_o christian_a knowledge_n only_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v here_o endless_a read_n and_o voluminous_a study_n in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o necessary_a there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n betwixt_o study_v christianity_n and_o study_v divinity_n betwixt_o treasure_v up_o knowledge_n enough_o to_o save_v my_o own_o soul_n and_o beside_o that_o furnish_v myself_o with_o such_o a_o measure_n as_o may_v suffice_v both_o further_a to_o adorn_v my_o own_o and_o conduct_v many_o other_o they_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o be_v only_o sincere_a and_o honest_a christian_n will_v do_v well_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o certain_a plain_a and_o undoubted_a point_n of_o christianity_n contain_v in_o our_o creed_n and_o the_o other_o common_a ground_n of_o catechetical_a doctrine_n which_o be_v neither_o exceed_a numerous_a nor_o as_o they_o be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v common_o explain_v very_o difficult_a be_v both_o design_v and_o fit_v by_o god_n for_o plain_a man_n and_o at_o first_o preach_v by_o such_o we_o know_v who_o character_n it_o be_v to_o be_v ever_o learning_n and_o never_o able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 2_o tim._n three_o 7._o and_o we_o may_v observe_v when_o person_n of_o ordinary_a education_n and_o condition_n grasp_v at_o more_o than_o a_o usual_a and_o plain_a stock_n of_o knowledge_n they_o be_v often_o confound_v and_o a_o muse_v into_o whimsy_n than_o build_v up_o unto_o holiness_n and_o salvation_n the_o clear_n therefore_o to_o themselves_o true_a and_o plain_a