Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	great_a	see_v	stand_v	1,629	5	5.1656	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34207	A guide to the true religion, or, A discourse directing to make a wise choice of that religion men venture their salvation upon seasonable for these times wherein there are such diversities of opinions and wayes of religion : to inform the ignorant, to resolve the wavering, and to confirm the weak / by I.C., M.A. of T.C.C.	I. C., M.A. of T.C.C.	1669 (1669)	Wing C57; ESTC R5667	45,610	112

wisdom_n be_v it_o to_o make_v a_o good_a choice_n 4._o because_o else_o if_o one_o shall_v happen_v on_o the_o true_a religion_n he_o will_v never_o be_v true_a unto_o it_o unless_o he_o take_v it_o up_o on_o such_o a_o right_a choice_n as_o before_o be_v speak_v of_o we_o can_v be_v serious_a christian_n nor_o through_o christian_n but_o by_o half_n only_a nor_o constant_a hold_v out_o to_o the_o end_n without_o this_o right_a choice_n 1._o not_o serious_a christian_n such_o as_o take_v up_o a_o religion_n they_o know_v not_o what_o and_o on_o ground_n they_o know_v not_o why_o will_v be_v but_o sleighty_a and_o formal_a in_o it_o a_o little_a of_o outside_n profession_n they_o may_v have_v but_o the_o power_n of_o it_o will_v be_v want_v thus_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o christian_n that_o take_v not_o up_o religion_n on_o a_o wise_a choice_n understand_v what_o it_o be_v and_o discern_v the_o verity_n and_o excellency_n of_o it_o but_o because_o it_o be_v profess_v in_o the_o country_n where_o they_o live_v enjoin_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o commend_v by_o the_o example_n of_o other_o who_o they_o esteem_v wise_a and_o holy_a alack_o how_o formal_a and_o sleighty_a be_v they_o therein_o not_o consider_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o great_a god_n that_o make_v they_o and_o redeem_v they_o be_v concern_v therein_o and_o that_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n depend_v on_o it_o whereas_o such_o as_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n out_o of_o knowledge_n and_o discern_a serve_v god_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n and_o strength_n and_o soul_n they_o rest_v not_o in_o the_o former_a but_o labour_n in_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n religion_n be_v their_o main_a business_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o nor_o through_o christian_n but_o only_o by_o the_o half_n as_o agrippa_n almost_o persuade_v to_o be_v christian_n they_o will_v follow_v christ_n a_o little_a way_n and_o perform_v some_o of_o the_o outside_n and_o easy_a part_n of_o religion_n but_o when_o they_o hear_v some_o hard_a say_n as_o the_o capernait_v or_o some_o difficult_a duty_n press_v on_o they_o that_o cross_a flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o worldly_a interest_n they_o will_v except_v they_o and_o say_v in_o this_o thing_n the_o lord_n be_v merciful_a to_o i_o etc._n etc._n these_o be_v like_o the_o scribe_n not_o far_o from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o never_o shall_v come_v there_o like_o herod_n that_o reform_v many_o thing_n but_o not_o at_o all_o will_v pick_v and_o choose_v where_o they_o please_v oh_o that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o many_o call_v christian_n and_o this_o because_o they_o understand_v not_o aright_o what_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v and_o take_v it_o not_o upon_o good_a ground_n therefore_o they_o fall_v short_a whereas_o he_o that_o understand_v what_o a_o holy_a religion_n it_o be_v and_o what_o great_a duty_n it_o require_v and_o cast_v up_o before_o hand_n the_o inconvenience_n loss_n andl_v suffering_n he_o may_v meet_v with_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o recompense_n of_o reward_n the_o far_o more_o exceed_a and_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n he_o will_v go_v throughstitch_n will_v follow_v god_n full_o and_o will_v be_v altogether_o a_o christian_a 3._o not_o constant_a but_o turn_v away_o from_o it_o upon_o every_o temptation_n such_o be_v ever_o waver_v and_o halt_v betwixt_o two_o as_o the_o israelite_n of_o old_a betwixt_o jehovah_n and_o baal_n if_o heresy_n seducement_n and_o the_o power_n of_o delusion_n come_v among_o such_o how_o do_v they_o turn_v away_o from_o that_o religion_n they_o have_v embrace_v by_o company_n and_o turn_v runnagado_n or_o if_o the_o heat_n of_o persecution_n scorch_v they_o they_o wither_v away_o because_o they_o have_v no_o root_n mat_n 13._o we_o have_v have_v too_o sad_a experience_n of_o this_o among_o the_o giddy_a unstable_a sort_n of_o christian_n in_o our_o time_n when_o god_n have_v let_v loose_a error_n and_o heresy_n among_o we_o to_o try_v who_o be_v sound_a and_o sincere_a and_o who_o not_o how_o many_o be_v carry_v away_o as_o with_o a_o flood_n and_o if_o popery_n shall_v prevail_v again_o or_o mahometanism_n through_o the_o conquer_a sword_n of_o the_o turk_n one_o may_v tremble_v to_o think_v whither_o such_o ungrounded_a christian_n may_v be_v carry_v whereas_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o christian_n that_o take_v up_o his_o religion_n on_o good_a ground_n through_o a_o wise_a choice_n know_v what_o and_o in_o who_o he_o have_v believe_v will_v through_o grace_n stand_v strong_o as_o the_o house_n build_v upon_o the_o rock_n mat._n 7._o when_o the_o wind_n blue_a and_o the_o wave_n beat_v he_o stand_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o such_o therefore_o we_o see_v what_o a_o great_a point_n of_o wisdom_n it_o be_v for_o a_o man_n to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o take_v up_o else_o he_o will_v not_o be_v true_a unto_o it_o he_o will_v not_o be_v a_o serious_a christian_a nor_o a_o thorough_a nor_o a_o constant_a christian_a and_o then_o as_o good_a be_v none_o at_o all_o it_o will_v nothing_o avail_v they_o unto_o salvation_n to_o embrace_v the_o true_a religion_n no_o more_o than_o it_o do_v profit_v the_o israelite_n of_o old_a to_o have_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o lord_n among_o they_o or_o the_o philistines_n to_o have_v the_o ark_n of_o the_o covenant_n with_o they_o it_o will_v but_o increase_v their_o condemnation_n these_o consideration_n be_v sufficient_a without_o insist_v upon_o any_o other_o to_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o our_o proposition_n and_o to_o commend_v to_o we_o this_o great_a duty_n viz._n the_o wise_a choose_n of_o that_o religion_n we_o profess_v in_o the_o world_n that_o we_o mean_v to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o and_o to_o venture_v our_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o chap._n four_o wherein_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v insist_v on_o and_o direction_n give_v how_o to_o choose_v the_o true_a religion_n among_o so_o many_o as_o be_v in_o the_o world_n all_o other_o religion_n be_v reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v evidence_v to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a religion_n we_o be_v now_o come_v to_o the_o practical_a part_n of_o our_o discourse_n to_o show_v how_o this_o may_v be_v reduce_v into_o action_n that_o we_o have_v be_v treat_v on_o but_o in_o word_n hitherto_o let_v every_o one_o that_o god_n have_v give_v the_o understanding_n of_o a_o man_n unto_o be_v induce_v to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o venture_v his_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o this_o discourse_n be_v intend_v only_o for_o such_o as_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v of_o some_o religion_n and_o will_v not_o live_v as_o atheist_n as_o for_o they_o that_o will_v not_o be_v of_o any_o religion_n at_o all_o but_o live_v without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n only_o live_v to_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o work_v and_o sleap_v and_o mind_n their_o sensual_a pleasure_n they_o degenerate_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o be_v even_o turn_v unto_o beast_n foolish_a be_v they_o and_o ignorant_a to_o use_v the_o psalmist_n word_n psal_n 73._o and_o even_o in_o this_o point_n as_o beast_n as_o far_o below_o man_n as_o nabuchadnezzar_n be_v when_o he_o do_v eat_v grass_n as_o the_o ox_n and_o couch_v among_o the_o beast_n for_o such_o violate_v the_o very_a law_n of_o nature_n which_o have_v teach_v all_o nation_n however_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a to_o take_v up_o some_o profession_n of_o religion_n they_o transgress_v also_o the_o write_a law_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v give_v in_o his_o word_n and_o will_v judge_v man_n by_o at_o the_o last_o day_n which_o require_v solemn_a worship_n and_o service_n from_o the_o son_n of_o man_n they_o bring_v themselves_o direct_o under_o the_o curse_n or_o imprecation_n jer._n 10.25_o pour_v out_o thy_o fury_n upon_o the_o heathen_a and_o upon_o the_o family_n that_o call_v not_o on_o thy_o name_n the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v turn_v into_o hell_n with_o all_o the_o nation_n that_o forget_v god_n psalm_n 9.17_o as_o they_o say_v to_o god_n now_o depart_v from_o we_o we_o will_v not_o know_v thy_o way_n so_o they_o shall_v hear_v god_n say_v to_o they_o short_o depart_v from_o i_o you_o curse_v etc._n etc._n nor_o do_v i_o speak_v to_o such_o base_a and_o low_a spirit_n as_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n on_o trust_n from_o other_o and_o pin_n their_o faith_n upon_o the_o sleeve_n of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o have_v subject_v their_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n upon_o account_n of_o any_o worldly_a or_o corrupt_a interest_n but_o to_o such_o noble_a spirit_n as_o with_o the_o berean_o will_v take_v pain_n to_o fearch_v the_o scripture_n and_o use_v all_o god_n appoint_v mean_n to_o inform_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v

up_o and_o profess_v in_o the_o world_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o &_o to_o venture_v his_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o chap._n ii_o show_v wherein_o this_o wise_a choose_v our_o religion_n stand_v &_o what_o act_n concur_v thereunto_o have_v lay_v down_o the_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o discourse_n in_o the_o former_a chapter_n we_o come_v now_o to_o inquire_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o choice_n wherein_o it_o stand_v and_o what_o thing_n necessary_o must_v concur_v to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n we_o intend_v to_o profess_v in_o the_o world_n election_n or_o choose_n in_o a_o general_a sense_n be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o will_n proceed_v from_o the_o previous_a knowledge_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o understanding_n whereby_o among_o diverse_a way_n or_o mean_v propound_v for_o the_o attainment_n of_o some_o end_n it_o do_v resolve_v upon_o some_o one_o above_o the_o rest_n that_o it_o will_v add_v here_o unto_o and_o make_v use_n of_o for_o that_o purpose_n in_o particular_a choose_v once_o religion_n be_v also_o a_o act_n of_o the_o will_n arise_v from_o the_o previous_a knowledge_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o understanding_n discern_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n whereby_o among_o the_o many_o different_a religion_n or_o way_n of_o serve_v and_o please_v god_n and_o of_o attain_v unto_o happiness_n with_o he_o that_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n a_o man_n do_v pitch_n and_o resolve_v upon_o one_o above_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o with_o rejection_n of_o all_o other_o with_o full_a purpose_n to_o adhere_v unto_o it_o to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o it_o and_o even_o venture_v a_o man_n salvation_n and_o happiness_n on_o it_o here_o be_v 3_o act_n wherein_o this_o right_a choose_n one_o religion_n do_v stand_v to_o be_v explain_v in_o order_n 1._o a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n judge_a and_o discern_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o the_o will_n choose_v and_o its_o excellency_n above_o all_o thing_n that_o come_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o for_o to_o a_o right_a choice_n of_o the_o will_v the_o understanding_n and_o judgement_n must_v proceed_v it_o must_v know_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o discern_v it_o good_a or_o else_o it_o be_v but_o a_o blind_a choice_n not_o become_v a_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o a_o man_n may_v else_o embrace_v evil_a as_o well_o as_o good_a the_o will_n when_o be_v act_n regular_o follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o the_o understanding_n this_o tell_v what_o be_v good_a and_o then_o what_o choose_v as_o the_o palate_n judge_v of_o what_o it_o taste_v and_o then_o the_o stomach_n or_o appetite_n crave_v it_o so_o must_v the_o understanding_n go_v before_o she_o &_o discern_v the_o nature_n verity_n and_o goodness_n of_o that_o religion_n as_o also_o the_o falseness_n vanity_n and_o dangerousnesse_n of_o other_o religion_n before_o the_o will_n can_v make_v a_o right_a choice_n of_o it_o man_n be_v a_o religious_a creature_n by_o the_o common_a instinct_n of_o his_o natural_a conscience_n be_v move_v strong_o to_o worship_n and_o serve_v a_o deity_n as_o we_o see_v in_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n much_o more_o when_o he_o be_v further_a stir_v up_o by_o a_o divine_a instinct_n now_o we_o shall_v consider_v as_o man_n as_o the_o prophet_n phrase_n be_v and_o not_o exert_a action_n of_o high_a importance_n without_o understanding_n and_o reason_n worship_v we_o know_v not_o what_o as_o christ_n tax_v the_o samaritan_n john_n 4._o but_o give_v god_n a_o reasonable_a service_n know_v what_o god_n we_o serve_v and_o what_o religion_n we_o take_v up_o and_o not_o take_v up_o the_o next_o at_o hand_n at_o adventure_n as_o most_o man_n do_v that_o religion_n profess_v where_o they_o live_v &_o commend_v to_o they_o by_o education_n example_n etc._n etc._n but_o understanding_n what_o we_o do_v therein_o and_o therefore_o man_n that_o act_n according_a to_o reason_n will_v look_v into_o the_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o judge_v which_o be_v best_a among_o they_o or_o rather_o into_o the_o word_n and_o oracle_n of_o god_n himself_o for_o they_o best_o discover_v what_o god_n be_v and_o how_o he_o will_v be_v worship_v therefore_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o divine_a oracle_n in_o the_o world_n wherein_o god_n have_v reveal_v his_o will_n concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n we_o shall_v have_v special_a recourse_n unto_o they_o now_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n common_o call_v the_o bible_n be_v such_o that_o be_v the_o oracle_n of_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n wherein_o he_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o himself_o and_o in_o the_o way_n of_o religion_n this_o may_v appear_v even_o to_o those_o that_o have_v not_o yet_o take_v upon_o they_o any_o profession_n of_o religion_n by_o such_o infallible_a demonstration_n as_o reason_n can_v contradict_v viz._n from_o these_o character_n imprint_v on_o they_o which_o show_v they_o to_o be_v of_o god_n from_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o confirm_v they_o from_o that_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n see_v in_o such_o as_o serious_o believe_v they_o from_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o thing_n reveal_v therein_o even_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v utter_o invisible_a and_o improbable_a to_o create_v understanding_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o exact_a consideration_n in_o the_o judgement_n and_o understanding_n of_o a_o man_n of_o that_o religion_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n he_o shall_v 1_o take_v a_o particular_a view_n of_o the_o principal_a doctrine_n the_o great_a mystery_n of_o faith_n and_o duty_n of_o godliness_n teach_v therein_o not_o take_v all_o in_o the_o lump_n together_o but_o have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o they_o he_o who_o religion_n be_v in_o the_o gross_a only_o and_o have_v no_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o the_o particular_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o duty_n of_o godliness_n which_o that_o religion_n teach_v he_o have_v no_o religion_n at_o all_o for_o how_o can_v these_o doctrine_n influence_n his_o heart_n and_o life_n to_o make_v he_o fear_v and_o love_n god_n true_o and_o lead_v he_o to_o the_o power_n and_o practice_n of_o godliness_n if_o not_o distinct_o know_v and_o discern_v by_o he_o then_o 2._o he_o must_v discern_v the_o verity_n and_o certainty_n of_o these_o doctrine_n that_o he_o may_v venture_v his_o soul_n upon_o they_o know_v he_o in_o who_o he_o have_v believe_v for_o which_o and_o it_o be_v exceed_o necessary_a to_o be_v conversant_a in_o those_o treatise_n which_o prove_v the_o verity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o it_o be_v set_v down_o of_o which_o many_o be_v extant_a in_o our_o own_o language_n without_o this_o a_o man_n shall_v never_o hold_v fast_o his_o religion_n especial_o in_o try_v time_n 3._o he_o shall_v know_v the_o excellency_n thereof_o that_o its_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o tend_v most_o to_o the_o magnify_v of_o god_n and_o give_v glory_n unto_o he_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o man_n to_o true_a happiness_n in_o the_o love_n and_o favour_n of_o his_o god_n and_o near_a communion_n with_o he_o and_o full_a conformity_n unto_o he_o he_o shall_v often_o look_v upon_o the_o sublimity_n of_o the_o mystery_n the_o purity_n of_o the_o precept_n excellency_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o dreadfulness_n of_o the_o punishment_n and_o thus_o the_o understanding_n precede_v in_o discern_v and_o judge_v the_o religion_n which_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v be_v one_o act_n in_o this_o election_n 2._o act_n after_o the_o understanding_n do_v thus_o present_a the_o true_a religion_n before_o we_o in_o the_o certainty_n glory_n and_o excellency_n of_o it_o then_o the_o next_o act_n be_v for_o the_o will_v to_o elect_v choose_v and_o embrace_v it_o solemn_o to_o espouse_v this_o religion_n and_o say_v it_o shall_v be_v i_o it_o be_v that_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o profess_v and_o to_o venture_v my_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o what_o ever_o inconvenience_n i_o may_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o profession_n thereof_o what_o ever_o disgrace_n reproach_n loss_n persecution_n etc._n etc._n yet_o this_o religion_n i_o will_v be_v of_o and_o this_o god_n i_o will_v serve_v we_o must_v sit_v down_o and_o consider_v what_o it_o will_v cost_v we_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o then_o espouse_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o take_v it_o for_o better_a for_o worse_a embrace_z the_o cross_v it_o threaten_v as_o well_o as_o the_o crown_n it_o promise_n for_o so_o our_o lord_n warn_v his_o disciple_n tell_v they_o he_o that_o will_v come_v after_o i_o and_o will_v be_v my_o disciple_n must_v deny_v himself_o in_o his_o dear_a lust_n &_o sin_n nay_o in_o his_o estate_n and_o life_n sometime_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n of_o