Selected quad for the lemma: heart_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	according_a	life_n	lord_n	2,012	5	3.3854	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60385	Ergon pseudous kai misthos alētheias, or, The wicked mans sad disappointment and the righteous mans sure recompence being a sermon preached the 17th day of October, 1661, at the solemn funerals of the Right Worshipful Sir Abraham Raynardson, Knight, late alderman of London / by George Smalwood.	Smalwood, George, 1604-1679.	1661 (1661)	Wing S4006; ESTC R10143	27,597	40

serve as a foil for the latter He whose Funeral hath ministred the occasion of this discourse was one blessed be God whose heart was made of a better Ex meliore luto sinxit praecordia mould therefore I shall handle the first part more briefly 1. And first let us consider the quality or nature of the person He is a wicked man A wicked man is one that liveth as he was born according to the principles of corrupt nature without any real change of his state and condition one that yet hath never received any true life of Grace from Jesus Christ the Fountain of life but lieth still in his natural unbelief and hardness of heart and is altogether dead in trespasses and sins that is 1. He is deprived of Spiritual life per peccatum by sin as the means or instrument sin in the first Adam wounded him to death 2. Propter peccatum for sin as the meritorious or impulsive cause for which God most justly depriveth him of life 3. He is dead in sin that is he is so devoted addicted and wholly given over to all ungodly unrighteous and sinful ways and practices that a dead man may as soon return to life as he can be diverted and turned away from his impiety and iniquity He lieth in sin like a dead man in a grave turning more and more daily to rottenness and putrefaction and so walketh according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 2. making provision for the fl●sh to fulfil the lusts thereof giving neither God nor man his due but behaving himself irreligiously and profanely towards God unjustly and uncharitably towards his neighbor unholily and impurely towards himself runing into all excess of riot He that liveth in the constant practice of any or all these evils is truly denominated a wicked man an ungodly unrighteous unclean liver 2. Consider his action he worketh wickedness is an operative principle and the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Turbulentus seditiosus inquietus Turbulent in the Common-wealth unsetled in all things Leigh Crit Sacra turbulent seditious unquiet and restless as well as wicked For wicked men are of unquiet troublesome spirits like the troubled Sea that cannot rest whose waters cast forth mire and dirt they are without peace in themselves therefore they seek to molest and disturb others like fire they are still breaking out into one combustion or other Saint Jude calleth wicked men raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame Now nothing is more restless then the waves of the Sea they cannot forbear tumbling and tossi●g if there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jud. v 14. be any wind stirring He calleth them wandring Stars Planets not properly so called for no Starwander less then they do The Planets in themselves have certain stated motions and do keep the just points of their Compass The Sun knoweth his going down Psal 104. and the Moon is a faithful witness in Heaven keeping its constant course from one sign of the Zodiak to another and they have the name of Planets not from their own nature but from the judgement of sence because they are not carried about the whole circuit of the Heavens but in a shorter Orb and course But now improperly there are other wandring Stars which are not Stars indeed but onely dry exhalations inflamed which glare much and deceive the eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aristotle with appearance of light but soon vanish and are quenched These Aristotle calleth running and gliding Stars which are nothing else but fiery meteors glancing and shooting Such Stars are wicked men they have sometimes an appearance of light as if they were true Stars but they are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things which appear what they are not fiery meteors and as they are various and uncertain in their motions sometimes moving this way and sometimes that so they are restless in their motions till they are quite extinguished and put out For such is the nature of wicked men that they will be working though it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fruitless work to no purpose The corruption of their heart is a restless evil still breaking out upon every occasion making men commit sin with both hands greedily drinking in iniquity like water and drawing on sin with cords of vanity as the Prophets phrase is Not suffering men to sleep but causing them to devise in quity and work evil upon their beds and put it in practice when the morning is light because it is in the power of their hands to do it Mich. 2. 1. so Prov. 4. 16. it is said of wicked men They sleep not except they have done mischief and their sl●ep is taken away unless they cause Et si non aliqua nocuisses mortuus esses Virgil. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch some to fall nay it is a kinde of death to them not to do evil Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease to sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. the very sight of their eyes is turned as it were into adulterious glances as Plutarch wittily expresseth it this is the genius and natural disposition of wicked men like Satan the god of the world they are circumambulators they are going to and fro in the earth and walking up and down in it compassing Sea and Land to make one proselyte as Christ saith of the Pharisees and it is most true of the Jesuits those busie Factors of A●tichrist who are like Flies buzzing in every corner and seeking to bring in their erroneous opinions and superstitious practices Thus the wicked man is still working so the Hebrew word being a participle of the present Tense notes a continued act without any or not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with much interruption 3 Let us examine the vanity and folly of his work God knoweth he is doing to very little or no purpose as to his own good for it is a lying or deceitful work and that in divers respects 1 In respect of Satan the principal efficient cause of it who is the father of lyes the grand impostor that deceives the whole world that hath his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his sophistical reasonings and crafty devices his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wiles methods and stratagems his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 depths that are unsearchable whereby he gulls and deceiveth the poor souls of men that like silly birds are caught in his snares or like brute beasts are carried captive by him at his will 2 The wicked worketh a deceitful work in respect of the fountain from whence it floweth namely the heart of man which is deceitful above measure and desperately wicked a meer supplanter propounding evil under the appearance of good full of deceitful reasonings and carnal policies The Apostle calleth the lusts of the heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lusts of

against the fear of death when all the wealth and greatness in the world will stand you in no stead For as the wise man saith Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousness delivereth from death Prov. 11. 4. It will deliver you from the evil of death temporal and from the power of death eternal That which is a terror to others shall be a rejoycing to you and when death approacheth you shall be able to lift your heads with comfort as knowing that your redemption draweth nigh You shall be able to say with good Hezekiah Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight Isa 38. 3. You shall be able to worship God and say with holy Jacob Lord I have waited for thy salvation You shall breath out your souls with Saint Stephens Prayer Lord Jesus receive my spirit You shall have life and light and joy and peace and blessedness and what not that is good to have As God hath given you grace to make you righteous so he will give you glory to make you blessed As you have sown the righteousness here so you shall be sure to reap the reward of righteousness hereafter For to him that soweth c. Amen And so I leave the Text. And now let me crave your patience a little longer to speak a few words of the occasion of our present meeting though it is not my custome to make large Panegyricks or commendatory Orations at the Funerals of the dead because I know the comfort of a sincere Christian is That his praise is not of men but of God Yet for example and encouragement to others I cannot but speak something of this worthy and Heroick Citizen Sir Abraham Raynardson Knight late Alderman and sometime Lord Mayor of this honorable City of London upon whom my Text is a fit Commentary and I am perswaded may be truly applied to his practice For as far as I was able to judge by the course of his conversation for those many years acquaintance which I had with him and the experience I had of him I think I may truly say of him he was one that sowed righteousness For as to his life and conversation he always appeared to me and I think to all others that knew him to be very innocent and inoffensive a man of a very strict life walking as it was said of Zachary and Elizabeth in all the Ordinances and Commandments of God though not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without sin for who walk so yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without blame No man as ever I heard could justly charge any thing upon him 1. As for his piety to God he was a man Orthodox and sound in the Faith not tainted with any Heretical opinion or drawn away from the truth established amongst us as too many have been in this time of Apostacy He was a diligent and constant attender upon the publick Ordinances upon the Lords dayes a carefull observer of holy Duties in his Family and as I have been informed his closet was conscious to his secret devotions He was a man of few word and affected not as many do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make a fair shew in the flesh and to say wirh Jehu come see my zeal for the Lord of hosts but I am perswaded by all probabilities he was constant in putting up his suits and supplications at the Throne of grace in secret remembring our Saviours counsel Matth. 6. 6. Thou when thou prayest enter into thy Closet and when thou hast shut thy door pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly this I have reason to think was his practice 2. For his relations he was a loving Husband and a careful Father one that not onely made good provision for their outward estate by his industry in his Calling and Gods blessing upon it but was also carefull of the welfare of their souls witness the good admonitions and counsels to his Children upon his Death-bed which I hope will make such an impression upon their Spirits as shall not easily be forgotten viz. to be constant in calling upon the Name of God and to serve him faithfully to be dutifull and obedient to their Mother and to live in love and unity one with another The Lord grant them grace to remember and practice these things and follow their deceased Fathers advise as the Rechabites did the counsel of their father Jonadab that the blessing of God may rest upon them 3. For his dealing with men he was very carefull to sowe this seed of righteousness he was very exact and just in all his dealings oppressing no man defrauding no man as I hope all that he dealt with can bear witness I never heard the least blemish cast upon him in this re +spect and this is no mean commendation We finde nothing more pressed in Scripture then righteous dealing with men and nothing more condemned then the contrary God saith He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mi●h 6. 8. The wise man telleth us That a false ballance is abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight Prov. 11. 1. This is the voice of God throughout the Scriptures he had rather no sacrifices should be offered upon his altar then that they should be the fruits of wrong and violence he professeth plainly I the Lord love judgement I hate robbery for burnt-offering Isa 61. 8. Indeed it is no true piety that is separated from justice and honesty nor real honesty if it be divided from true piety he that seemeth to be zealous in the duties of Religion and yet makes no conscience of his dealings with men is but a glorious hypocrite and he that dealeth justly with men and hath no due care of the duties of piety to God is but an honest Infidel both joyned together make a sincere Christian and such a one I am perswaded was this worthy Knight 4. For his mercy and liberality to the poor he did not blow a Trumpet before his alms-deeds neither shall I onely thus much I can say his hands were opened to the necessities of the poor and those of the place where he lived are sensible that they have lost a good Benefactor The stream of his bounty did run chiefly in one Channel viz. in taking poor children and placing them in such Callings wherein they might get their own bread and provide things honest in the sight of men This was a very good work an odour of a sweet smell yet this was not all the beams of his charity did shine upon other objects while he lived and as the Sun after his setting casts some light above the Horizon so now his Sun is set some beames

out But I leave the dark side of the cloud and shall change the scene and present unto you the light side viz. the Godly mans blessed success Although the wicked mans work will deceive him yet the righteous shall not be disappointed of his hope For to him that soweth c. Herein let us consider 1. The quality of the person To him that soweth righteousness 2 His blessed success wherein these things are to be observed 1. The futurity of it It shall be it is not yet 2. The certainty of it it shall be sure 3. The excellent nature of it what and how great it shall be in the word Reward First Let us reflect a little upon the quality of the person and therein three things are to be noted 1. The Metaphor by which he is resembled He is a Sower of Seed 2. The Seed which he soweth is righteousness 3. His perseverance and continuance in sowing this Seed he is sowing in the present tense that is still sowing all his life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 long he never breaks off this work till it be quite finished and that will not be till his life be ended Of each of these in order 1. The righteous man is a Sower of Seed this Metaphor of sowing fitly setteth forth the practice of a true Christian a righteous man is like one that soweth Seed in a field 1. In respect of his preparation for it for as before the Seed is sown the ground must be broken and plowed up and so made sit to receive it So he that soweth righteousness must first have his heart plowed and broken by contrition godly sorrow and humiliation for sin The Prophet Hoseah saith to Israel So we to your selves in righteousness reap in mercy break up your fallow ground cap. 10. 12. He that ploweth not cannot sow It is onely the broken and contrite heart that is fit to receive or retain grace our hearts must be prepared for grace as the ground for the seed by plowing So it was with St. Peters converts Acts 2. 37. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were pricked in their hearts and said to Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do if the fallow ground of our hearts was never yet plowed by godly sorrow and humiliation for our sins it argueth that the seed of righteousness was never yet sown there 2. After our hearts are plowed up then the seed of grace must be cast in by the Ministry of the Gospel the glad tidings of salvation being declared and applied by the faithful Dispenser of Divine mysteries The Preacher saith In the morning sow thy seed and in the evening withhold not thy hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that or whether both shall be alike good Eccles 11. 6. This is not much unlike S. Pauls Counsel to Timothy Preach the word be instant in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4. 2. The Ministers of Christ must be carefull to sow the seed of the word upon all occasions and leave the success to God that giveth the increase for as our Saviour saith the Ut sementem feceris ita ●…etes Kingdome of Heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field Mat. 13. 14. After plowing there must be sowing or no crop can be expected 3 After sowing the seed there must be rain to moisten it and sunshine to warm it and make it spring forth for humor calor moisture and heat are the causes of growth So the seed of grace that is sown in the heart must still be watered with the tears of true godly sorrow and with the dew of Heaven from above They that sow in tears can onely look to reap to joy he that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Psal 126. 5 6. A dripping Spring is most likely to produce a plentiful Harvest And then the sunshine of the Spirit must continually warm and quicken the seed of grace till it spring up and come at last to maturity for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life 2 Cor. 3. 6. 4 When the ground is well plowed and the seed is sowne watered and warmed there must be expectation and patient waiting till the time of Harvest So when the seed of grace is sown it must have a time to grow and ripen by degrees for no man cometh to the perfection Nemo repente sit optimus of goodness on a suddain the Sun climbs by little and little to his Meridian altitude And so the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. The earth brings forth fruit first the blade then the ear after that the full Corn in the ear Mark 4. 28. So it is in all things ad summum non nisi ex principiis we must begin at the bottome and so come to the top by rounds and steps as they that climb up a Ladder Therefore when we have sown the seed of grace we must wait upon God till we reap the Harvest of Glory and be content to endure all manner of Weather rain and storms aswell as serene Halcyon dayes of peace and tranquillity if we meet with Thunder and Hail and an horrible Tempest we must not be terrified but bear it out with courage and constancy So did Job in the midst of the fiercest storms and foulest Weather that ever poor mortal endured he saith all the dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come Job 14. 14. the original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Militiae 〈◊〉 so Montanus word that signifieth an appointed time signifieth also a warfare now Job was content to wait upon God till he should be pleased to give him his quietus est and discharge him though his life were a continual warfare where every battel of the Warriour is with confused noise and Garments rolled in blood Isai 9. 5. So must he that soweth this seed of righteousness wait till the time of rewarding come Behold saith St. James the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the Earth and hath long patience for it until he receive the early and latter rain Be ye also patient establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh cap. 5. ver 7. 8. The righteous have more reason to wait patiently then the Husbandman for they shall come to a better Harvest then he to a more rich and plentiful crop even to the enjoyment of God himself who is the chiefest good to sit with Christ upon his Throne and be Partakers with him of his Glory Therefore they have good cause to wait with patience for they shall be well payed for their waiting every minute shall be abundantly remunerated besides they shall do that which is good and well pleasing to God Lam. 3. 26. It is good that a man should