Selected quad for the lemma: heart_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	action_n	thought_n	word_n	3,480	5	3.9407	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87086	The difficvlty of sions deliverance and reformation: together with the activitie which her friends should manifest during the time that her cause is in agitation. Delivered in a sermon at Margarets Westminster, before the honourable House of Commons on Wednesday morning, the twenty-sixt day of Iune. 1644. / By Humphrey Hardwick, Minister of the Word at Hadam Magna in the County of Hertfard, and one of the Assembly of Divines.	Hardwick, Humphrey, b. 1601 or 2.	1644 (1644)	Wing H704; Thomason E2_9; ESTC R2445	22,618	46

carried away the honour of bringing the children of Israel into Canaan had not the news of the Spies rendered the worke difficult and dangerous improbable and impossible The Lord in his secret wisdome saw onely Caleb and Ioshua fit to carry away that same and therefore suffered the businesse to appear so unlikely and hazardous for the discovery of unsincere Israelites and preventing them of undue honour Now the same reason of providence continueth still the Lord therefore doth usually observe the same way of proceedings the turning of Sions captivitie must then be very hard and unlikely to come to passe that unsound men may be discovered to their shame The reflex of this truth upon our selves doth blame the harbouring of evill surmises the entertainment of hard thoughts the despising of the proceedings and despairing of successe in the businesse of Reformation and establishment of our Church now by the blessing of God in agitation the enormities of this kind are secret but sore evils under the Sun The Lord our God is doing us good he hath raised instruments and is acting his great work why should men thinke evil in their hearts or entertain hard thoughts of God and his instruments give out evil omens or vent despairing speeches Suppose the proceedings go not on smoothly or so prosperously as men expect out meet with many rubs be often at a losse Admit there be crookednesse and stumbling in the progresse of affairs shall we presently surmise that neither God nor man intend us peace and deliverance shall we say with the grumbling Israelites It had been better for us to serve the Egyptians and would we had died in Egypt when we did eat to the full Think my Brethren what an hainous sin that was in them how extremely did it provoke the Lord to anger Search the Scripture thorow if ever you can finde the holy One of Israel speak with more indignation against any offence that ever was committed by his people yet this sinne I suppose is committed abundantly by many in these times and that without feare and without feeling Because men want that peace and securitie that ease and plentie because they meet with charges and troubles more then formerly they give themselves to thinke evill in their hearts and oh the hard thoughts which they surmise of the work and instruments of Reformation Many whet their tongues make ready their bows and shoot out their arrows even bitter words seeing the warre continues the work is slowed little done as they say mens expectations frustrated things fall out crosse no likelihood of a speedy end nor any certainty what will come of it people for the most part take libertie to despise all that bither to hath been acted as the day of small things and are ready to cry out with the wicked in the Psalm Who will shew us any good What hath the Parliament What have the Armies What have the Assembly done Vilde and ungratefull queres are these I may say of such persons as once Moses in like case they have corrupted themselves their spot is not the spot of Gods children they are a perverse and crooked generation Do ye thus requite the Lord oh ye foolish people and unwise Hath the God of heaven more visibly appeared for his little flock then ever here to fore fore in this land Hath he stopped the overflowings and breakings in of Popery and tyranny Hath he with his own blessed hand laid the foundation of a glorious Reformation Hath he found out fit instruments when we the poor silenced Ministers as Elijah of old thought there were none left which had not bowed the knee have these instruments with singular freenesse of minde set upon the service of God and the Kingdome have they now for divers years spent their own means their time more precious then their means Their health their strength their life they have wasted tyed themselves to tedious attendance day night They have laboured and strove continually with almost insuperable difficulties and heavie loads of insupportable inconveniences Deprived they have been of the comforts of their proper habitations and cloystred as it were in hired chambers or borrowed roomes Wife children friends and gainfull imployments have many of them left and surrendred themselves wholly to the service of the Publique By Gods blessing also they have wrought happy beginnings and made an hopefull progresse much conducing to the common benefit and publique good Who can tell the gleanings or number the fourth part of the glory which hath redounded to God in his Churches and the good which hath and is like to accrue to this kingdome by their endeavours It were too long but to recapitulate the happy freedoms and the positive advantages which they have wrought for Church and Commonwealth As for the Armies I may justly say they have been generally faithfull and have done and suffered so much as that few Stories yeeld like precedents in so short a time in so plentifull a countrey For the Assembly their labours travellings watchings their zeal to the cause of God and work of Reformation is not unknown to considering men But alas nothing is more easie then to detract from publike performances No doctrin is sooner beleeved then that which acquaints the people publique affaires are not so well ordered as they should and might be Who is ignorant how much a few faire speeches of oyl-mouthed Absolon to that effect prevailed against David and his Worthies But should the people of England thus requite the Lord and his instruments of Reformation Or is it a small matter thus to cast soule of unthankfulnesse as it were into the face of God whilst he is turning to us in love Consider my Brethren hath the faire morning of our hopes been clouded Have our enemies prevailed to put a long day to our troubles Doth the businesse yet go on slowly and untowardly Sure we may thank our own grumbling our thinking evil in our hearts our rash ungratefull censuring our despising the day of small things our despairing thoughts words actions all justly met with and much to be blamed from the consideration of the truth in hand From hence is ministred shame and rebuke to all such as obstruct the work hinder and make more difficult the progresse of Sions delivery It is a grievous thing to adde to the heavie burthen or an hard task in such case how bitterly and justly will the oppressed coplain Much more hainous is it to adde to the afflictions of whole Kingdoms and Churches To make Sion sow in teares one yeare one moneth one day longer for us is a sinne that no Christian would have his soul guiltie of who rightly ponders the true nature and heavie consequence of this sinne yet I fear there are many Sanballats and Tobiahs amongst us very guiltie of this horrible crime As first that sort of men which byas their endeavours with self-design and prosecute God and the Kingdoms Cause earnestly so sarre as it conduceth to their

grown to the height and made the services of the Lord a reproach anger kindled in the breast of the Almighty and he will avenge himself on them and on the Nation the rather for their fakes this you know he did in so sharpe so terrible a manner as might cause the eares of him that heard to tingle Israel was discomfired before the Philistines the Ark of God was taken the news strikes old Eli dead brings his poor daughter in law good woman to untimely travail and her apprehension of the glories departing from Israel breaks her heart Lo now were those people fallen into the depths of misery as they were sunk into degrees of sinne and what a work was it to restore and reform their lapsed condition Albeit the Lord had vouchsafed pious in stead of prophane Priests sacrifices to be rightly ordered and justice to be executed in the land yet for a ●●ng while both superstition and Idolatry continued in the land troubles and calamities in the State it was well stept into Davids reigne before the Ark was or could be setled in its owne place Another instance we have in the second of Chronicles after Solomon in and before Asa's time the people were fallen to many superstitions and much corruption did abound in Church and State they were for a long time without a teaching Priest and without the Law and in those dayes there was no peace to him that went out or to him that came in but the Lord did vexe them with all adversities 2 Chron. 15.3 Now when we read and ponder the story we finde what a work it was to reform that State a Prophet is extraordinarily raised and wonderfully endowed to call the people to Reformation Further they make a Covenant and oblige all upon paine of death man woman and childe to take the Covenant yet after all this the work sticks and goes not on till Maacah the Kings mother be put down from being Queen because she had made an Idol in a grove vers. 16. I might shew you likewise how much adoe Iehoshaphat had to amend the errours which crept into Iudah by his neglect and connivence whilest he associated himself with Ahab but you may read it at leisure 2 Chron. 19. The book of Ezra and Nehemiah do also hold forth lively clear examples setting out more fully the hardship of this work And as testimonies and examples so metaphors in holy Writ may illustrate this truth the Lord in Esay calls the restoring of the peoples captivitie the reformation of their lapsed State The making of new heavens and a new earth then which nothing can possibly or conceivably be thought more difficult and impossible Esa. 62. Ezekiel is pointed to this in a metaphor of drie bones and demanded whether those bones can live hereby did the Spirit signifie it as difficult a thing to restore Israel and Iudah as to make those drie bones to live Ezek. 37.3 In the Apocalyps we finde the deliverance of the Christian Churches from the cursed power and pollutions of Antichrist to be set out by the rescuing of a woman newly delivered of a man-childe from the cruell red Dragon by which it 's easie to read an extremitie of difficultie and apparent danger in such an undertaking More evident yet will this appeare by argument First from the nature of this work the way to restore and reform a lapsed nation is all ●p-hil vertue purity pietie lodge in the height of the crags of the Rock it 's hard to climbe when it 's easie to descend besides a Nation is a vaste bodie and it is most difficult to move such things that way the maine bent and stream of nations runnes downward to vice and profanenesse the generall desires and endeavours of men are tending to loosnesse nor unstained worship in the Church nor impartial justice in commōwealth would they have those therefore that attempt reformation do work against the grain row against the stream and shall finde the work tedious and difficult Such intend●●nes and endeavours finde many enemies and great opposition If Israel talk of going out of Egypt to serve God better Pharaoh will be stirre himself and his instruments to sink them into a deeper degree of bondage That Pharaoh lives still in the Prince of darknesse and when ever there 's any speech of weakning his Kingdom by reducing a people from superstitions vanities corrupt and polluted courses he playes the Devill indeed summons all the Furies musters his black Forces sets on his Instruments quickens their activitie sharpens their wi● whets their inventions ●edgeth their malice heighthens their anger blows up their rage browes the impudency makes infinite their cruelty Hence all the bloudy Cains the scoffing stomachs the profane Esau's the politick Achitophels the railing Rabshakebs the world of ungodly persons become enemies and opposers The kings of the earth standing and up and the Rulers take 〈…〉 together 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and Amalek c. conplot and conspire to root out Israel Adde to these all false religions all Idolatrous and superstitious Worships ancient Ceremonies beloved Customes and Traditions of our Fathers stand up and make much adoe● Yea more many false friends are alwayes inter-woven with the true seekers of Sions good which crie We will build with you and these oft-times unbuild and destroy more then the open adversarie yet more opposition and hinderance the Prince of darknesse makes advantage of the infirmities and inconsideration of well-intending men hereby raiseth he jealousies makes divisions put strange remora's in the progresse of the Churches cause now from all these we may note a second reason of difficultie and sadnesse A third is the great reign of unbelief in the hearts of men in times of this natur How few of the Israelites which dwelt in Egypt did truly beleeve that ever they should be brought to Canaan a land flowing with milk and honey Witnesse their continuall expressions of mistrust This Moses hath brought us out to slay us in the wildernesse they should die for want of bread perish for thi●st and the like After all how fear'd were they to be eaten up of the Giants You remember also a man that when deliverance and promise of plenty was made would not beleeve though windows should be opened in heaven doubtlesse many were then as unfaithfull in heart although they spake not so plaine in words There is alwayes a prejudice in the hearts of men against any great matter to be done for the Church and people of God the world sees them to 〈◊〉 but few cordiall active friends especially amongst the great ones and therefore disbelief doth use●●ly possesse their hearts Now this doth dragge the businesse trash down proceedings more than one would imagine Christ himself could not doe●●● at woks because of mens unbelief much more 〈…〉 men do their endeavour yet bring on the work but slowly if at all because of unbelief A generall unwillingnesse of change and 〈◊〉 tion doth usually abound in such

it first justifie all those good Zerubbabels of our time who have put themselves forth in our cause beene much and active in faithfull endeavours for the preservation and reformation of this Church and Kingdome It likewise also justifieth all our humiliations publike and private all our dayes of thankfull memoriall Laws Ordinances and Injunctions truly intended to procure the full deliverance and establishment of our religion and just liberties If all the friends of Sion ought in such cases to do as you have heard then our Worthies have done no more then did become them no more then was their dutie to doe Search through the holy Book and tell me whether any men are so precious in the eyes of heaven and the account of God himself as those that have beene zealous for the reformation of his Church the carrying on of his Cause the helpe of his people against the wicked and profane opposers of them How highly were Caleb and Ioshua esteemed of God for being couragious when others flagg'd in the businesse and shrunk at evill tydings Had not Phinih●m the sonne of Eleazar a Covenant of peace made to him and his posteritie for being zealous in Gods Cause among the people Why should I tell you of Gideon and Barak and Samson and the rest In a word men of this spirit are the onely men in Gods Books But one thing which is recorded of a zealous woman I cannot omit Blessed above women shall Jael the wise of Heber the Kenitebe blessed shall she be above women in her tent she put her hand to the nail and her right hand to the work mans hammer she smote Si●era she smote off his head Judg. 5.24 26. Lo my brethren what an high transcendent applause is given to this woman by the mouth of the Spirit of God The like phrase is but in one place more ro be found in Holy Writ and there it 's given to the blessed Virgine here it is iterated of this woman by which with the former instances we may clearly see how much true zeale in such kinde of actions doth please the God of glory And all this I mention not to flatter or proud up any heart but by way of just vindication and approbation of all that have beene forward for God in our just cause for their future encouragement and have not I good reason so to do in these times when men of zeal meet with so many disheartenings and discouragements Truly it 's some unhappinesse to be good amongst us especially to be zealous in it for besides the trouble and many inconveniences which accompanie such undertakings the persons of men truly zealous for Gods Cause among the people are obvious to soule censure oft doe they gaine reproach and finde unthankfull dealing from many of our owne side How apt are we to bedew our best friends and to requite ill to those who strive most for the publike good Did not consciousnesse of dutie to God and the true worth and excellency of the imployment bear up Christian hearts and publike spirits many good instruments in this Cause had long ago been sutors to God and man to have quit them of their imployments I have cause therefore lighting on this subject to speak thus much in season for their justification and incouragement Hereby also our pious actions fore mentioned are to be approved for why there are a generation who mussicate against them whisper and say By what authoritie doe wee these things some are ready to say as Indas of the Alabaster Box of Oyntment Whereto is this waste Now I could quickly say enough to these men but blessed be God experience hath sufficiently taught us that these pious endeavours have not been in wast for in no age I think were fastings prayers and the duties of this kinde so often so visibly answered And this will or may stop such mouthes with shame Moreover the doctrin which I have proved sheweth divine authoritie the Lord requiring expecting and in effect calling for the frequent exercise of these duties in such times being a chiefe part of the precious seed which should be sown Yea more by this we may conclude that it were much sinne and wickednesse to refuse or neglect see how irreconcileably angry the Lord is with his people for neglecting such duties in such times Esa. 22. consult that place and I shall need say no more to justifie our sowing in teares A second Vse of this point doth minister matter of just and sharp reprofe First to neuters a sort of men wise in their own conceit secretly condemning all others and justly to be condemned of all I may truly say that neither God nor man loves them it is onely the devill and themselves that they please And were not these a kinde of unteachable creatures I should speak much to their reproof but I referre them to two places of Scripture one in the old Testament Indg. 5.23 the other Rev. 3.15 16. This truth may discover to us how little those men deserve of the Church and kingdome who stand in their places like ciphers to supply a room and multiply the number but neither act nor in good earnest desire to act any thing to purpose I confesse if men were to make themselves their own end they took a course seemingly wise For publique grievances though easily seen and complained on yet are very hard to be dealt with To search into the true causes of them to finde out the right method of euring them is a work so full of toyle and so beset with difficulties as that selfish and wary men may well judge it better to sit quiet and enjoy their own case then to entangle and trouble themselves to seek the common good Now of this temper I fear me there are many too many who do blesse and applaud themselves in not acting and judging others for their forwardnes But I beseech you to consider earnestly that our Parliament our Kingdome our Cause hath no need of men of Gallio's temper which care for none of these things and what anignoble propertie it is for men called of God and entrusted with so weightie imployment to spend their time in doing nothing or nothing to the purpose and leave Gods Businesse to God himself and others to care for I am not ignorant that men of this make have many excuses to plead but alas they are fig-leaves which will not cover their nakednesse and though the World and themselves were so deluded as not to see their guiltines yet such men will dearely answer it before God for doing nothing or as good as nothing in the Cause of God and the kingdome It remains now onely that I call upon every one that would not be counted an enemy but a friend of Sion to be up and doing to be much and active in pious and precious endeavour for the perfecting our Sions deliverance and the establishing of our Jerusalem in peace and truth Now is time for Nobles and Senatours and