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	testimony_n	1,573	5	8.5071	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52415	Christian blessedness, or, Discourses upon the beatitudes of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ written by John Norris ... ; to which is added, reflections upon a late essay concerning human understanding, by the same author.	Norris, John, 1657-1711.	1690 (1690)	Wing N1246; ESTC R16064	112,867	310

trouble_n be_v that_o they_o can_v get_v '_o they_o now_o this_o be_v proper_o worldly_a sorrow_n and_o come_v from_o a_o ill_a principle_n either_o from_o covetousness_n lust_n or_o ambition_n but_o now_o there_o may_v be_v a_o virtuous_a and_o laudable_a discontent_n as_o well_o as_o a_o vition_n and_o sordid_a one_o and_o that_o be_v when_o a_o man_n mourn_v and_o be_v trouble_v not_o because_o he_o can_v compass_v such_o and_o such_o create_v good_n no_o perhaps_o he_o will_v not_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n if_o he_o can_v reach_v it_o but_o pure_o because_o they_o be_v all_o empty_a and_o vain_a and_o can_v satisfy_v he_o do_v not_o grieve_v because_o he_o want_v they_o for_o it_o may_v be_v he_o choose_v to_o be_v without_o they_o but_o because_o they_o be_v want_v in_o themselves_o and_o have_v not_o that_o in_o they_o which_o can_v ever_o make_v he_o happy_a and_o indeed_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o cast_v a_o damp_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o any_o consider_a man_n to_o think_v that_o what_o be_v substantial_a and_o satisfactory_a be_v out_o of_o his_o reach_n and_o that_o all_o be_v vanity_n and_o vexation_n that_o lie_v within_o it_o that_o the_o former_a he_o can_v enjoy_v and_o that_o the_o latter_a can_v satisfy_v to_o be_v thorough_o and_o inward_o convince_v that_o all_o fruition_n be_v a_o cheat_n and_o so_o to_o have_v nothing_o in_o expectation_n no_o one_o glimpse_n or_o prospect_n of_o enjoyment_n before_o one_o to_o invite_v one_o to_o live_v long_o this_o be_v a_o sad_a reflection_n and_o such_o as_o must_v needs_o cause_v sorrow_n and_o mourn_v but_o then_o it_o be_v a_o very_a laudable_a one_o and_o such_o as_o proceed_v from_o a_o excellent_a principle_n it_o be_v a_o sorrow_n that_o arise_v from_o increase_n 18_o of_o wisdom_n from_o a_o right_a notion_n and_o understanding_n of_o thing_n from_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n from_o a_o due_a consciousness_n of_o our_o own_o power_n and_o capacity_n and_o from_o the_o more_o than_o ordinary_a aspire_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o god_n who_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v she_o and_o to_o be_v sorry_a upon_o such_o principle_n as_o these_o be_v to_o sorrow_n in_o a_o rational_a way_n and_o after_o a_o godly_a sort_n to_o instance_n one_o more_o another_o very_a proper_a cause_n why_o a_o christian_a shall_v mourn_v be_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o the_o infinite_a misery_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v miscarry_v in_o so_o momentous_a a_o concern_v as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o our_o salvation_n it_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o some_o be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v for_o though_o i_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o this_o proposition_n with_o a_o certainty_n of_o divine_a faith_n it_o be_v matter_n of_o express_a revelation_n that_o the_o faithful_a and_o the_o penitent_n shall_v be_v save_v yet_o that_o i_o believe_v and_o repent_v can_v be_v know_v to_o i_o only_o on_o the_o ground_n of_o experimental_a knowledge_n which_o be_v a_o human_a and_o therefore_o fallible_a testimony_n and_o consequent_o the_o conclusion_n always_o follow_v the_o weak_a part_n i_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o my_o salvation_n with_o a_o certainty_n of_o divine_a faith_n but_o only_o with_o a_o human_a and_o moral_a assurance_n which_o indeed_o to_o call_v it_o by_o a_o right_a name_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o high_a probability_n a_o strong_a presumption_n but_o yet_o if_o even_o this_o moral_a assurance_n be_v absolute_a and_o irreversible_a and_o be_v to_o take_v in_o the_o future_a as_o well_o as_o the_o present_a it_o be_v yet_o a_o considerable_a stay_n and_o security_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o we_o that_o assurance_n which_o we_o have_v be_v absolute_a only_o for_o the_o present_a and_o reach_v not_o the_o future_a but_o only_o upon_o condition_n suppose_v that_o we_o persevere_v in_o the_o present_a disposition_n which_o consider_v the_o mutability_n of_o our_o will_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o our_o temptation_n and_o the_o frequent_a example_n of_o apostasy_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o only_o of_o uncertain_a but_o of_o hazardous_a consequence_n and_o as_o we_o be_v not_o can_v be_v absolute_o sure_a that_o we_o shall_v not_o miscarry_v so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v unspeakable_o miserable_a if_o we_o do_v for_o a_o man_n to_o fall_v off_o from_o his_o last_o end_n and_o only_o true_a good_a without_o any_o hope_n or_o possibility_n of_o recovery_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o can_v hardly_o be_v think_v of_o without_o confusion_n and_o amazement_n now_o let_v a_o man_n put_v these_o two_o thing_n together_o that_o whether_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v or_o no_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o a_o depend_v and_o uncertain_a issue_n and_o that_o if_o he_o miscarry_v his_o case_n be_v intolerable_a and_o then_o tell_v i_o whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o just_a cause_n for_o trouble_n and_o sadness_n and_o whether_o this_o salvation_n this_o uncertain_a salvation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v wrought_v out_o with_o sorrow_n and_o mourn_v as_o well_o as_o with_o fear_n and_o tremble_v certain_o it_o be_v and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o it_o will_v be_v no_o easy_a thing_n to_o give_v a_o account_n why_o gravity_n seriousness_n and_o sobriety_n of_o spirit_n shall_v be_v such_o decent_a and_o commendable_a quality_n in_o men._n for_o otherwise_o why_o shall_v not_o a_o man_n give_v himself_o up_o to_o the_o utmost_a gaity_n and_o jollity_n and_o express_v it_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o odd_a posture_n and_o gesture_n up_o to_o the_o height_n of_o a_o antic_a dissoluteness_n i_o say_v why_o shall_v not_o a_o man_n do_v this_o but_o only_o because_o this_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o part_n he_o be_v to_o act_v who_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o probation_n and_o doubtfulness_n and_o have_v so_o great_a a_o interest_n depend_v ought_v rather_o to_o temper_v and_o correct_v the_o luxuriancy_n of_o his_o spirit_n with_o some_o grain_n of_o sadness_n and_o pensiveness_n and_o beware_v of_o laugh_v too_o much_o here_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v his_o turn_n to_o weep_v and_o mourn_v hereafter_o these_o be_v the_o principal_a cause_n of_o mourning_n and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v gather_v who_o the_o christian_a mourner_n be_v who_o be_v concern_v in_o this_o beatitude_n those_o namely_o who_o mourning_n proceed_v upon_o these_o or_o such_o like_a ground_n which_o be_v at_o last_o reducible_a to_o either_o of_o these_o two_o principle_n zeal_n for_o the_o honour_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o a_o concern_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n they_o who_o mourn_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o piety_n or_o charity_n be_v true_a christian_a mourner_n it_o remain_v that_o we_o now_o consider_v in_o the_o last_o place_n wherein_o consist_v their_o blessedness_n st._n austin_n in_o his_o confession_n and_o meditation_n very_o frequent_o speak_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o tear_n and_o as_o often_o pray_v for_o it_o and_o well_o he_o may_v since_o it_o be_v attend_v with_o such_o happy_a effect_n and_o have_v such_o a_o blessedness_n entail_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v blessedness_n be_v both_o present_a and_o to_o come_v what_o the_o present_a blessedness_n be_v we_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o wise_a man_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o the_o sadness_n of_o the_o countenance_n the_o heart_n be_v make_v better_a it_o be_v so_o for_o by_o this_o it_o become_v more_o soft_a and_o tender_a for_o all_o divine_a impression_n for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n for_o devotion_n for_o charity_n to_o our_o neighbour_n for_o mercy_n and_o compassion_n for_o repentance_n and_o the_o like_a it_o be_v also_o hereby_o make_v more_o serious_a more_o considerative_a and_o reflect_a more_o recollect_v more_o settle_v and_o compose_v which_o be_v to_o be_v considerable_o better_a for_o as_o sorrow_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o consideration_n so_o be_v consideration_n the_o principle_n of_o repentance_n and_o well-living_a according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n i_o consider_v my_o 119._o own_o way_n and_o turn_v my_o foot_n to_o thy_o testimony_n and_o of_o all_o this_o we_o have_v a_o very_a signal_n example_n in_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n be_v very_o gross_a and_o carnal_a notwithstanding_o so_o many_o miracle_n of_o god_n both_o in_o their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o egypt_n and_o in_o their_o passage_n through_o the_o wilderness_n and_o when_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n though_o they_o have_v such_o open_a and_o clear_a testimony_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n among_o they_o so_o many_o prophecy_n so_o many_o miracle_n and_o so_o many_o apparition_n of_o angel_n yet_o we_o find_v they_o ever_o now_o and_o then_o relapse_v into_o idolatry_n but_o after_o the_o captivity_n when_o they_o have_v go_v

with_o eternal_a happiness_n yet_o i_o think_v there_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v a_o kind_n of_o congruity_n or_o becomingness_n on_o god_n part_n so_o to_o do_v even_o antecedent_o to_o any_o promise_n or_o covenant_n there_o be_v indeed_o no_o strict_a obligation_n till_o after_o some_o covenant_n but_o there_o may_v and_o i_o think_v must_v be_v a_o congruity_n even_o before_o for_o though_o there_o be_v no_o proportion_n of_o equivalence_n between_o our_o best_a work_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o heaven_n and_o consequent_o 590._o no_o possible_a room_n for_o any_o strict_a merit_n yet_o i_o can_v but_o think_v with_o a_o person_n of_o great_a judgement_n and_o moderation_n that_o there_o be_v a_o proportion_n of_o conveniency_n that_o be_v as_o he_o afterward_o explain_v it_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o strict_o due_a from_o god_n to_o the_o service_n of_o good_a man_n yet_o it_o be_v high_o worthy_a of_o god_n to_o reward_v they_o upon_o which_o account_n they_o also_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v worthy_a according_a 3.4_o to_o that_o of_o the_o apocalypse_n they_o shall_v walk_v with_o i_o in_o white_a for_o they_o be_v worthy_a and_o indeed_o unless_o we_o will_v admit_v of_o this_o congruity_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o to_o justify_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o apostolical_a 11.6_o maxim_n he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o apostle_n here_o speak_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o what_o shall_v move_v and_o qualify_v a_o heathen_a man_n to_o make_v his_o first_o address_n to_o god_n this_o he_o tell_v you_o be_v to_o believe_v the_o be_v and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n but_o now_o how_o shall_v a_o heathen_a man_n believe_v that_o god_n be_v a_o rewarder_n by_o any_o revelation_n of_o he_o but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o yet_o suppose_v to_o admit_v he_o must_v therefore_o conclude_v it_o by_o his_o own_o natural_a reason_n by_o consider_v the_o idea_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o which_o may_v natural_o be_v know_v of_o he_o and_o how_o become_n it_o be_v for_o so_o excellent_a a_o be_v to_o reward_v those_o who_o apply_v themselves_o serious_o and_o hearty_o to_o he_o well_o then_o if_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v upon_o the_o stock_n of_o natural_a principle_n that_o god_n be_v a_o rewarder_n without_o be_v assure_v of_o it_o by_o any_o revelation_n which_o be_v here_o suppose_a in_o the_o heathen_n case_n than_o it_o follow_v that_o even_o antecedent_o to_o any_o promise_n of_o god_n there_o be_v a_o great_a congruity_n though_o not_o a_o strict_a obligation_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o rewarder_n for_o otherwise_o what_o ground_n can_v the_o heathen_a man_n have_v so_o to_o conclude_v or_o believe_v this_o congruity_n therefore_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v allow_v however_o apt_a some_o may_v be_v to_o startle_v at_o it_o when_o the_o word_n merit_n be_v put_v before_o it_o this_o be_v prejudice_n but_o the_o thing_n itself_o as_o i_o have_v here_o state_v and_o explain_v it_o be_v both_o innocent_a and_o necessary_a to_o be_v grant_v and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o congruity_n that_o god_n shall_v be_v a_o rewarder_n in_o general_n then_o by_o the_o same_o proportion_n it_o follow_v that_o he_o shall_v dispense_v his_o reward_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o virtue_n there_o be_v certain_o at_o least_o as_o much_o congruity_n in_o this_o as_o in_o the_o other_o and_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v but_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v infinite_a and_o which_o be_v already_o suppose_a to_o exert_v itself_o so_o liberal_o as_o to_o reward_v the_o little_a and_o defective_a service_n of_o a_o short_a life_n with_o eternal_a glory_n will_v also_o be_v so_o consistent_a with_o itself_o as_o to_o reward_v those_o most_o who_o have_v press_v forward_o to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o sanctity_n and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o encouragement_n there_o be_v for_o man_n to_o excel_v in_o virtue_n which_o yet_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n oblige_v we_o to_o suppose_v for_o what_o shall_v move_v a_o man_n to_o be_v eminent_o good_a consider_v how_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o be_v so_o and_o how_o little_o recompense_v in_o this_o world_n if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o order_n to_o a_o great_a reward_n hereafter_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o glory_n be_v a_o sufficient_a encouragement_n for_o the_o great_a degree_n of_o virtue_n i_o grant_v it_o be_v so_o be_v that_o great_a degree_n of_o virtue_n the_o necessary_a condition_n of_o it_o without_o which_o the_o least_o glory_n can_v not_o be_v obtain_v but_o since_o less_o will_v suffice_v for_o that_o as_o must_v be_v admit_v unless_o you_o will_v say_v that_o all_o glorify_a saint_n be_v equal_o good_a and_o virtuous_a i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o there_o can_v be_v sufficient_a encouragement_n for_o high_a attainment_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o great_a reward_n which_o therefore_o from_o the_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o justice_n of_o god_n there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o conclude_v three_o and_o last_o from_o principle_n of_o reasen_n i_o appeal_v to_o holy_a scripture_n which_o i_o think_v will_v be_v find_v to_o speak_v as_o full_o and_o plain_o to_o this_o purpose_n as_o may_v reasonable_o be_v desire_v for_o there_o we_o find_v that_o god_n will_v render_v to_o every_o man_n 2.6_o according_a to_o his_o deed_n and_o again_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v receive_v the_o thing_n do_v in_o his_o body_n according_a to_o that_o he_o have_v do_v 5.10_o whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a and_o lest_o this_o shall_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o general_a distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n more_o express_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o that_o sow_v spare_o shall_v reap_v also_o spare_o 9.6_o and_o that_o he_o that_o sow_v bountiful_o shall_v reap_v also_o bountisul_o the_o same_o again_o be_v express_o represent_v under_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o talent_n commit_v to_o the_o management_n of_o servant_n who_o be_v several_o 19_o reward_v according_a to_o their_o several_a improvement_n and_o though_o parable_n be_v not_o allow_v to_o conclude_v throughout_o yet_o certain_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n direct_o and_o purposely_o intend_v by_o they_o they_o be_v as_o conclusive_a as_o any_o other_o form_n of_o speech_n which_o in_o this_o parable_n must_v be_v the_o different_a dispensation_n of_o reward_n hereafter_o or_o nothing_o again_o the_o scripture_n mention_n different_a seat_n of_o glory_n in_o my_o father_n 2._o house_n be_v many_o mansion_n say_v our_o saviour_n that_o be_v mansion_n of_o distinct_a rank_n and_o order_n for_o it_o will_v have_v be_v but_o a_o small_a piece_n of_o news_n for_o our_o saviour_n to_o have_v tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o in_o heaven_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o mansion_n in_o number_n nor_o will_v this_o be_v so_o suitable_a to_o the_o introduction_n of_o his_o discourse_n let_v not_o your_o heart_n be_v trouble_v again_o we_o read_v of_o particular_a reward_n belong_v to_o man_n of_o particular_a character_n as_o of_o a_o prophet_n reward_n and_o a_o righteous_a man_n reward_n he_o that_o receive_v a_o prophet_n in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o prophet_n 10.41_o shall_v receive_v a_o prophet_n reward_n say_v our_o saviour_n why_o a_o prophet_n reward_n if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o special_a reward_n assign_v to_o a_o prophet_n and_o again_o it_o be_v plain_o intimate_v that_o every_o degree_n and_o every_o act_n of_o virtue_n shall_v have_v its_o proper_a recompense_n where_o it_o be_v say_v whosoever_o shall_v give_v to_o drink_v unto_o one_o of_o these_o little_a one_o a_o cup_n of_o cold_a water_n only_o in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o disciple_n 10.42_o shall_v in_o no_o wise_n lose_v his_o reward_n to_o which_o purpose_n there_o be_v also_o a_o very_a express_a place_n in_o the_o proverb_n he_o that_o have_v pity_n on_o the_o poor_a dare_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o look_v what_o he_o lay_v out_o it_o shall_v 19.17_o be_v pay_v he_o again_o where_o there_o be_v a_o reward_n promise_v not_o only_o to_o charity_n in_o general_n but_o to_o every_o degree_n of_o it_o and_o if_o every_o degree_n of_o virtue_n shall_v be_v particular_o reward_v it_o evident_o follow_v that_o the_o great_a our_o virtue_n be_v the_o more_o abundant_a shall_v be_v our_o reward_n otherwise_o some_o degree_n of_o virtue_n will_v go_v unrewarded_a contrary_a to_o the_o supposition_n to_o this_o it_o may_v be_v add_v that_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o blessedness_n be_v every_o