Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	forgive_v	prayer_n	trespass_n	2,256	5	11.2461	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64466	A fast of Gods chusing plainly opened for the help of those poor in spirit, whose hearts are set to seek the Lord their God in New-England, in the solemn ordinance of a fast : wherein is shewed, 1, the nature of such a fast, 2, the testimony God will give thereunto of his gracious acceptance, 3, the special seasons wherein God will bear witness to such a fast, 4, some helps to faith that is shall be so, 5, why such a fast is so acceptable and succesfull, 6, how much this concerns Gods people in New-England : preached on a fast called by publick authority, on 26, 1[6]74 / by Thomas Thacher...	Thacher, Thomas, 1620-1678.; Mather, Increase, 1639-1723.	1678 (1678)	Wing T830; ESTC R9807	27,462	32

publick Danger as in the dayes of Jehoshapha● 2 Chron. 20. 3. So when some notable duty is to be performed which is very difficult and hazardous then is a season for a Fast as it was with Esther Chap. 4. 14 15 16. Again when there is some great sickness lying upon those that are near and dear unto us Psal 35. 13 14. But as for me when they were sick my clothing was sackcloth I humbled my Soul with Fasting and I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother I bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his mother A friend and brother or Mother or near Relations when they are sick and weak and in dangerous condition it calls for Fasting there is then opportunity and occasion for this duty Again when there is some notable blessing wanting or we are in danger to loose it And so when a person or people are fallen under some great transgression whereby God may be provoked to indignation against them it s a time of Fasting and mourning thus Ezra 9. 4 5 6 in the case of their marrying strange wives and polluting the holy seed So when God goes forth against a people in some notable calamity or threatning judgment as when Israel fled before the enemy Joshua and the elders fasted Josh 7. So in any notable change or turn of a mans life as the undertaking of a Calling or some great Voyage then is a time to begin with Fasting and prayer to Implore the aid of Gods gracious presence his guidance conduct salvation Thus did Ezra when he was going up from Babilon Ezra 8. 21 22 23. So that a Fast is not a standing duty but occasional as it is now to be observed in the dayes of the Gospel 2. Concerning the spiritual performance of it and here first in order to the preparation thereto there is examination of our own wayes and consideration of the works of God these are preparatory and for want of these it is that mens hearts are utterly indisposed to such spiritual services Josh 7. v. 6. to 12. Lam. 3 38. to 44. in which you find them considering and bewailing both their own sins and Gods Judgments upon them for sin The next thing to be shown is the very work of a Fast in the very nature of it and so I call it a real Profession to distinguish between an acceptable and an unacceptable Fast I say it is a solemn real profession This people professed great delight in Gods Ordinances and sought the Lord daily and that they did and would cleave to God in his appointments They enquire after his mind they make great profession and so exact were they in their Fasts that they afflicted their soul and bowe● down their heads like a bulrush and walked mournfully and spread sackcloth and ashes under them and what could be more as to an outward profession but their hearts were not ingaged in it it was but a Lye a flattering of God as Psal 78. 34 35 36 37. therfore God upbraids them saying Is this the Fast that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But particularly 1. There is a profession of our justifying God for the evil of affliction that he brings upon us and a condemnation of our selves for the evill or our transgressions against the Lord our God Thus Dan. 9. 7. O Lord Righteousness belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion of face 〈◊〉 this day● so v 5 8 16. they ascribe righteousness to God though he had ●aid waste Jerusalem burnt the city destroyed the temple scattered the people and made them captives yet saith Daniel Thou are righteous and we have sinned So Ezra makes a solemn and heart-breaking prayer Ezra 9. 6. My God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for our iniquityes are increased over our head and our trespasses are grown up unto the heavens 2. A solemn profession of godly sorrow and repentance of the evil of transgression which we have committed against the Lord. Joel 2. 12 13. Neh. 9. They confess their sins from the beginning of their being a people and ●ay such a load upon themselves as might make their hearts heavy with godly sorrow 3. There is a solemn profession that we fly for refuge to the hope of grace and mercy that is set before us in the Atonement made by J●sus Christ Thus David 2 Sam. 1 2. 15 16. he upon that occasion laments the plague of his heart and the wickedness of his fact and laments after the blood of Christ for cleansing and cries out for a new Creation of his heart Psal 51. 10. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right Spirit within me this is the profession of every one that Fasts that he flies for refuge to the precious blood of Christ for mercy to save him from his sin and Gods judgements that he may have peace and grace no more to return unto folly 4. Again there is a solemn profession in Fasting and Prayer that we forgive others as we desire to be forgiven of God Mark 11. 25. when ye stand praying forgive if you have ought against any that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgive your Trespasses Therefore in this Text he convinceth them by want of this not to fast aright Ye fast for strife and debate c. Isai 58. 4. They did not heal but strengthen their divisions by fasting and their Fasts were hypocritical and not according to their profession Lastly There is in it a solemn profession that we bind our selves to reform what is amiss and to walk with God in new obedience especially when you come to God in a solemn way and manner it s a true observation concerning prayer that you can put no Petition to God for mercy but it implies a promise unto God of new obedience especially when you come to God in such a solemn way and manner you either come that you may obtain help for or against your sin help to obey or to continue in obedience in every Fast there is an implicite making and renewing Covenant with God which the Saints of God upon these more then ordinary occasions were wont to express Neh 9th the last verse and the whole tenth Chapter so that in a Fast you solemnly profess that you are grieved for your Transgressions and seek his grace in Christ to pardon and heal you and that all your hope is in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that you freely forgive all that have trespassed against you laying aside all anger wrath malice envy evil speaking and whatsoever may be the fruits of such displicency of Spirit against others you profess that you put the thoughts of these from you as you desire your sins should be put away from Gods sight and you engage not to walk in the former course of iniquity but that you will set upon it to do the will of God in all duties according to the Rules of new obedience it s but a mocking