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knowledge_n add_v kindness_n temperance_n 1,894 5 11.3132 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A23697 The causes of the decay of Christian piety, or, An impartial survey of the ruines of Christian religion, undermin'd by unchristian practice written by the author of The whole duty of man. Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681. 1667 (1667) Wing A1097; ESTC R225979 242,500 456

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be_v set_v for_o the_o support_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o confusion_n of_o dagon_n do_v we_o find_v he_o so_o severe_o upbraid_v the_o hypocrisy_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o steal_v murder_a commit_v adultery_n and_o swear_v false_o and_o yet_o come_v and_o stand_v before_o he_o in_o his_o house_n jer._n 7._o 9_o and_o shall_v we_o hope_v he_o will_v connive_v at_o it_o in_o christian_n be_v it_o intolerable_a profanation_n in_o they_o to_o account_v his_o house_n a_o den_n of_o robber_n and_o shall_v we_o be_v permit_v to_o make_v it_o so_o they_o be_v send_v to_o shiloh_n to_o read_v their_o own_o destiny_n and_o sure_o we_o be_v as_o likely_a to_o find_v we_o there_o too_o to_o be_v deprive_v of_o those_o advantage_n which_o we_o have_v so_o unworthy_o abuse_v nor_o can_v we_o expect_v that_o though_o god_n cause_v the_o natural_a sun_n to_o rise_v still_o as_o well_o on_o the_o evil_a as_o the_o good_a yet_o that_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n shall_v continue_v to_o shine_v 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a_o papist_n may_v be_v save_v answer_v you_o may_v be_v save_v without_o know_v that_o and_o will_v we_o confine_v our_o care_n and_o inquiry_n to_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v that_o one_o great_a interest_n we_o may_v take_v less_o pain_n and_o yet_o do_v more_o work_n be_v less_o busybody_n but_o more_o fruitful_a christian_n and_o then_o sure_o it_o be_v time_n we_o ask_v ourselves_o the_o wise_a man_n question_n eccles._n 5._o 16._o what_o profit_n have_v he_o that_o labour_v for_o the_o wind_n and_o at_o last_o give_v over_o this_o unthrive_a diligence_n and_o not_o so_o emulate_v the_o most_o stupid_a of_o beast_n as_o to_o make_v ourselves_o burden_n only_o that_o we_o may_v couch_v under_o they_o and_o be_v this_o only_a issachars_n lot_n it_o be_v the_o less_o to_o be_v regret_v but_o also_o zabulon_n herein_o invade_v his_o portion_n it_o be_v they_o that_o handle_v the_o pen_n of_o the_o writer_n that_o have_v engross_v this_o error_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v it_o 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to_o the_o natural_a nor_o will_v the_o gnaw_a of_o the_o worm_n appear_v more_o intolerable_a to_o any_o than_o those_o who_o here_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o tie_v up_o its_o jaw_n gag_n or_o stupefy_v that_o conscience_n which_o will_v now_o admonish_v but_o will_v there_o torment_v and_o when_o to_o this_o be_v add_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o these_o pain_n that_o the_o worm_n shall_v never_o die_v the_o fire_n never_o be_v quench_v certain_o this_o put_v such_o a_o edge_n upon_o the_o terror_n as_o may_v well_o make_v it_o in_o the_o apostle_n phrase_n quick_a and_o powerful_a search_v even_o to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n the_o joint_n and_o marrow_n when_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o axe_n be_v thus_o lay_v unto_o the_o root_n of_o the_o tree_n and_o that_o every_o tree_n that_o bring_v not_o forth_o good_a fruit_n must_v be_v hew_v down_o and_o cast_v into_o the_o fire_n we_o shall_v sure_o be_v warn_v to_o bring_v forth_o meet_a fruit_n of_o repentance_n and_o fly_v from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v but_o because_o neither_o invitation_n nor_o threat_n can_v avail_v with_o those_o who_o be_v any_o way_n invincible_o impede_v to_o apply_v they_o to_o their_o benefit_n since_o the_o most_o glorious_a prize_n the_o most_o formidable_a danger_n be_v insignificant_a to_o he_o who_o want_v power_n to_o run_v unto_o the_o one_o or_o from_o the_o other_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o inspirit_v and_o actuate_v all_o his_o evangelical_n method_n by_o a_o concurrence_n of_o supernatural_a strength_n make_v it_o not_o only_o eligible_a but_o possible_a i_o may_v say_v easy_a and_o pleasant_a for_o we_o to_o do_v whatever_o he_o command_v we_o and_o notwithstanding_o our_o natural_a debility_n make_v we_o through_o christ_n which_o strengthen_v we_o able_a to_o do_v all_o thing_n by_o his_o spirit_n he_o prevent_v assist_v restrain_v excite_v comfort_n convince_v give_v grace_n and_o add_v to_o that_o the_o happy_a largess_n of_o a_o will_v to_o use_v it_o and_o knowledge_n to_o discern_v the_o want_n of_o more_o infuse_v to_o the_o soul_n a_o ardent_a thirst_n of_o great_a power_n and_o ready_a mean_n of_o service_n which_o the_o performance_n actuate_v to_o great_a strength_n and_o yet_o inflame_v to_o new_a desire_n and_o more_o importunate_a pursuit_n while_o god_n at_o once_o bestow_v and_o crown_v his_o own_o donation_n still_o give_v unto_o he_o that_o have_v till_o that_o at_o last_o he_o give_v himself_o and_o grace_n be_v swallow_v up_o in_o glory_n and_o to_o assure_v we_o of_o this_o aid_n he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o oblige_v himself_o descend_v to_o the_o solemnity_n of_o a_o pact_n and_o covenant_n have_v indent_v with_o we_o and_o constitute_v it_o a_o principle_n part_n of_o the_o new_a and_o everlasting_a covenant_n make_v with_o mankind_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o send_v the_o comforter_n his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o be_v with_o we_o till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v all_o this_o so_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v at_o once_o the_o assigner_n of_o our_o task_n and_o the_o magazeen_n of_o our_o strength_n so_o much_o spirit_n go_v along_o with_o that_o letter_n so_o much_o internal_a grace_n be_v annex_v to_o its_o outward_a administration_n as_o will_v to_o all_o who_o do_v not_o resist_v it_o infallible_o render_v it_o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o sole_a privilege_n of_o a_o s._n paul_n but_o the_o common_a portion_n of_o all_o christian_n that_o god_n grace_n shall_v be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o which_o be_v sure_a a_o more_o gospellike_a promise_n than_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v too_o strong_a for_o they_o so_o violent_a and_o irresistible_a as_o to_o commit_v a_o rape_n upon_o their_o spirit_n such_o a_o mighty_a wind_n as_o drive_v they_o headlong_o upon_o duty_n indeed_o this_o competency_n be_v of_o all_o other_o proportion_v the_o most_o incentive_a to_o industry_n we_o see_v in_o temporal_n too_o little_a make_v man_n desperate_a and_o too_o much_o careless_a and_o certain_o it_o will_v be_v the_o same_o in_o spiritual_n but_o now_o when_o we_o have_v stock_n enough_o to_o set_v up_o with_o and_o that_o too_o of_o so_o improvable_a a_o nature_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o infinite_a advancement_n and_o yet_o on_o the_o other_o side_n no_o less_o capable_a of_o total_a decay_n also_o it_o be_v give_v with_o this_o express_a condition_n that_o upon_o neglect_v it_o shall_v be_v withdraw_v so_o that_o our_o own_o sloth_n may_v make_v we_o poor_a but_o nothing_o else_o can_v keep_v we_o from_o be_v abundant_o rich_a what_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o animate_v to_o diligence_n and_o endeavour_n and_o this_o be_v the_o condition_n wherein_o our_o christianity_n have_v place_v we_o add_v to_o the_o former_a consideration_n will_v beyond_o exception_n or_o subterfuge_n evince_v its_o perfect_a aptitude_n and_o fitness_n for_o the_o end_n to_o which_o it_o be_v aim_v the_o plant_v and_o nourish_v all_o true_a virtue_n among_o man_n the_o introduce_v the_o tree_n of_o life_n into_o the_o world_n again_o and_o so_o form_v we_o a_o paradise_n even_o amid_o the_o brier_n and_o thorn_n of_o our_o exile_v state_n chap._n ii_o the_o character_n of_o christian-mens_n practice_n show_v their_o multiply_a failance_n both_o from_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o holy_a profession_n and_o its_o genuine_a effect_n and_o now_o who_o can_v suspect_v that_o a_o cause_n so_o right_o dispose_v shall_v miss_v of_o its_o effect_n that_o this_o so_o auspicious_a planet_n shall_v be_v counter-influenced_a by_o any_o malevolent_a star_n or_o that_o what_o have_v so_o many_o tenor_n in_o we_o shall_v be_v final_o disseise_v for_o admit_v we_o have_v not_o the_o piety_n to_o be_v prevail_v upon_o by_o the_o reverence_n of_o the_o author_n yet_o the_o excellency_n of_o its_o composition_n do_v so_o much_o recommend_v it_o to_o our_o reason_n that_o we_o must_v put_v off_o the_o best_a part_n of_o our_o nature_n to_o evacuate_v the_o force_n of_o our_o religion_n nay_o suppose_v we_o to_o have_v do_v that_o too_o to_o have_v strike_v ourselves_o out_o of_o the_o list_n of_o rational_n yet_o if_o we_o keep_v but_o the_o rank_n of_o animal_n if_o we_o have_v not_o extinguish_v passion_n and_o sense_n it_o descend_v even_o to_o they_o address_n to_o our_o hope_n and_o fear_n with_o most_o importunate_a solicitation_n and_o convince_a motive_n so_o that_o unless_o we_o have_v the_o absurd_a ill_a luck_n to_o have_v much_o of_o the_o stoic_a and_o nothing_o of_o the_o philosopher_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o resist_v its_o impression_n and_o sure_o he_o that_o comtemplate_v this_o will_v be_v apt_a with_o some_o confidence_n to_o conclude_v christendom_n to_o be_v the_o goshen_n of_o the_o world_n not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o light_n but_o of_o its_o immunity_n from_o all_o those_o locust_n and_o caterpillar_n those_o swarm_n of_o mean_a and_o sordid_a vice_n which_o both_o cover_n and_o devour_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o this_o must_v be_v the_o inference_n of_o a_o mere_a contemplative_a a_o recluse_n that_o converse_v only_o with_o his_o own_o meditation_n for_o let_v he_o be_v so_o much_o secular_a as_o once_o to_o look_v abroad_o the_o most_o transient_a glance_n will_v serve_v to_o unravel_v all_o this_o hopeful_a speculation_n &_o show_v he_o that_o christendom_n may_v be_v as_o much_o heathen_a as_o america_n whereas_o it_o be_v usual_o say_v that_o ill_a manner_n produce_v good_a law_n we_o have_v reverse_v the_o aphorism_n and_o our_o good_a law_n have_v introduce_v the_o most_o corrupt_a manner_n our_o holy_a faith_n which_o like_o a_o foundation_n shall_v support_v good_a work_n have_v like_o a_o gulf_n swallow_v they_o up_o and_o so_o universal_a a_o depravation_n be_v there_o among_o we_o that_o we_o have_v scarce_o any_o thing_n leave_v to_o distinguish_v we_o from_o the_o most_o barbarous_a people_n but_o a_o better_a name_n and_o worse_a vice_n and_o here_o what_o term_n of_o wonder_n or_o of_o grief_n can_v be_v significant_a enough_o to_o express_v or_o to_o bewail_v so_o strange_a and_o so_o perverse_a degeneration_n that_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v thus_o darken_v it_o the_o salt_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o putrify_v and_o corrupt_v it_o that_o those_o who_o be_v by_o god_n draw_v out_o from_o the_o heathen_a world_n shall_v so_o outvie_v the_o gentile_n crime_n as_o if_o they_o have_v forsake_v they_o only_o because_o they_o be_v too_o innocent_a this_o indeed_o be_v one_o of_o satan_n subtle_a stratagem_n to_o fill_v christ_n camp_n thus_o with_o his_o soldier_n by_o who_o intestine_a treachery_n he_o have_v be_v more_o triumphant_a than_o by_o all_o his_o open_a assault_n and_o avow_a hostility_n what_o a_o
certain_a our_o christianity_n will_v be_v as_o ineffectual_a to_o our_o bliss_n as_o it_o be_v to_o our_o piety_n if_o we_o will_v not_o permit_v it_o here_o to_o bring_v we_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o servant_n it_o shall_v never_o instate_v we_o hereafter_o in_o the_o inheritance_n of_o son_n chap._n viii_o a_o survey_n of_o the_o mischief_n arise_v from_o mistake_v concern_v almighty_a god_n and_o the_o method_n of_o his_o providence_n to_o these_o mistake_v of_o ourselves_o and_o interest_n we_o have_v add_v other_o also_o concern_v god_n which_o be_v no_o less_o destructive_a to_o christian_a practice_n for_o as_o the_o right_a knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n io._n 17._o 3._o put_v as_o the_o epitome_n and_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o lead_v to_o bliss_n so_o our_o misprision_n and_o misapprehension_n of_o he_o be_v no_o less_o remarkable_a for_o the_o contrary_a effect_n nor_o can_v we_o suppose_v it_o otherwise_o when_o we_o remember_v that_o this_o be_v the_o grand_a work_n and_o basis_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o foundation_n be_v deceitful_o lay_v the_o superstructure_n must_v necessary_o sink_v and_o perish_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o at_o once_o to_o build_v on_o the_o rock_n and_o the_o sand_n too_o we_o may_v fix_v our_o faith_n intentional_o on_o god_n and_o yet_o by_o absurd_a notion_n and_o unwarrant_v conceit_n of_o he_o defeat_n in_o the_o particular_n what_o we_o establish_v in_o the_o gross_a represent_v he_o so_o utter_o distant_a from_o what_o he_o be_v that_o under_o that_o disguise_n he_o will_v not_o much_o appear_v either_o a_o encourager_n or_o rewarder_n of_o our_o piety_n and_o then_o we_o may_v guess_v how_o it_o be_v like_a to_o flourish_v since_o the_o apostle_n give_v it_o as_o a_o fundamental_a axiom_n heb._n 12._o 6._o that_o he_o who_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o which_o diligent_o seek_v he_o of_o these_o mistake_v concern_v god_n there_o be_v divers_a many_o more_o than_o the_o design_v brevity_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v admit_v i_o to_o examine_v i_o shall_v only_o mention_v three_o those_o be_v first_o concern_v his_o decree_n second_o his_o attribute_n three_o his_o providence_n by_o his_o decree_n i_o mean_v not_o those_o stand_a rule_n which_o he_o have_v in_o his_o word_n set_v forth_o as_o the_o measure_n by_o which_o he_o will_v distribute_v reward_n and_o punishment_n but_o those_o secret_a purpose_n of_o his_o will_n which_o he_o neither_o command_v we_o to_o search_v after_o nor_o will_v permit_v we_o to_o know_v that_o there_o be_v many_o mistake_v concern_v these_o the_o numberless_a dispute_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o they_o will_v sufficient_o attest_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o two_o contradictory_n opinion_n to_o be_v both_o true_a though_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o abstruse_a nature_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a both_o may_v be_v false_a it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o wade_v into_o those_o bottomless_a controversy_n which_o like_o a_o gulf_n have_v swallow_v up_o so_o much_o time_n and_o industry_n of_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v only_o in_o general_n commend_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n consideration_n whether_o it_o be_v probable_a or_o indeed_o possible_a for_o those_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a which_o infer_v falsehood_n in_o god_n and_o then_o let_v the_o second_o enquiry_n be_v whether_o that_o be_v not_o too_o evident_o the_o result_n of_o those_o discourse_n which_o set_v a_o opposition_n between_o his_o reveal_v and_o his_o secret_a will_n his_o command_n and_o his_o decree_n make_v the_o one_o a_o blind_a for_o the_o better_a execution_n of_o the_o other_o as_o if_o all_o the_o transportation_n and_o zeal_n he_o express_v for_o we_o all_o the_o passionate_a enamor_v invitation_n he_o make_v to_o we_o be_v only_o to_o sport_v himself_o with_o our_o credulity_n like_o the_o divertisement_n of_o those_o man_n who_o court_v they_o for_o wife_n who_o they_o will_v abhor_v to_o marry_v nay_o as_o if_o all_o the_o protestation_n and_o most_o solemn_a oath_n of_o god_n be_v design_v but_o to_o advance_v the_o delusion_n and_o raise_v expectation_n mere_o to_o defeat_v they_o this_o be_v such_o a_o severe_a sort_n of_o irony_n as_o we_o will_v all_o think_v not_o only_o unkind_a but_o unjust_a in_o a_o man_n and_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o god_n who_o appeal_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o equality_n of_o his_o way_n shall_v fall_v short_a of_o the_o strict_a measure_n among_o we_o or_o exemplify_v to_o we_o a_o unsincerity_n he_o forbid_v we_o to_o follow_v how_o very_o inauspicious_a influence_n such_o doctrine_n be_v apt_a to_o have_v on_o practice_n be_v too_o visible_a for_o since_o it_o be_v as_o well_o the_o instinct_n as_o duty_n of_o our_o nature_n to_o aspire_v to_o a_o assimulation_n with_o god_n even_o that_o most_o laudable_a and_o generous_a ambition_n shall_v by_o this_o mean_n become_v our_o snare_n for_o when_o god_n shall_v be_v thus_o misrepresent_v to_o we_o draw_v out_o by_o the_o black_a line_n not_o only_o of_o severity_n but_o deceit_n render_v a_o falsifier_n of_o his_o word_n nay_o oath_n it_o will_v give_v not_o only_a temptation_n but_o warrant_n to_o the_o like_a practice_n we_o shall_v easy_o swallow_v up_o all_o the_o particular_a command_n of_o god_n in_o that_o fundamental_a one_o of_o be_v like_o he_o as_o we_o be_v teach_v himself_o have_v do_v both_o his_o command_n and_o promise_n in_o his_o hide_a decree_n this_o be_v so_o natural_a a_o piece_n of_o logic_n that_o it_o be_v very_o unsafe_a man_n shall_v be_v trust_v with_o those_o premise_n whence_o it_o be_v derive_v and_o though_o we_o be_v not_o over_o apt_a to_o transcribe_v that_o copy_n god_n do_v real_o set_v we_o yet_o this_o spurious_a one_o will_v not_o miss_v to_o be_v take_v out_o that_o pravity_n of_o our_o nature_n which_o hinder_v in_o the_o one_o exciting_a and_o spur_v we_o on_o in_o the_o other_o this_o be_v a_o way_n to_o reconcile_v our_o vice_n with_o our_o reputation_n and_o sin_n cum_fw-la privilegio_fw-la and_o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n of_o man_n aptness_n to_o use_v that_o advantage_n we_o see_v it_o in_o low_a instance_n the_o vice_n of_o a_o prince_n draw_v shool_z of_o follower_n when_o his_o virtue_n leave_v he_o the_o more_o eminent_a because_o single_a and_o render_v he_o rather_o revere_v than_o imitate_v and_o certain_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o devil_n slight_a stratagem_n on_o the_o gentile_a world_n to_o give_v they_o such_o god_n as_o may_v exemplify_v to_o they_o all_o those_o odious_a crime_n wherein_o he_o desire_v to_o immerse_n they_o whether_o this_o may_v not_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o the_o same_o illusion_n i_o wish_v the_o propugner_n of_o this_o doctrine_n will_v serious_o consider_v and_o as_o several_a ill_n be_v hereby_o countenance_v and_o authorise_a so_o be_v all_o virtue_n in_o general_n discourage_v and_o dishearten_v this_o benumb_v we_o in_o our_o christian_a course_n substract_v that_o spirit_n and_o vigour_n which_o shall_v carry_v we_o through_o the_o weary_a stage_n of_o duty_n indeed_o it_o cut_v the_o very_a sinew_n of_o industry_n baffle_v and_o make_v ridiculous_a all_o purpose_n of_o labour_n for_o what_o shall_v invite_v a_o man_n to_o strive_v for_o that_o from_o which_o he_o know_v he_o be_v either_o irreversible_o preclude_v or_o else_o so_o infallible_o ascertain_v that_o his_o negligence_n can_v defeat_v he_o these_o be_v such_o extreme_n as_o afford_v no_o middle_n wherein_o the_o virtue_n of_o industry_n may_v exist_v hope_v be_v equal_o out-dated_n by_o the_o desperateness_n or_o unnecessariness_n of_o a_o undertake_n and_o how_o necessary_a hope_n be_v to_o excite_v endeavour_n we_o may_v learn_v of_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 5._o where_o he_o press_v his_o corinthian_n to_o the_o constancy_n of_o christian_a practice_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o their_o labour_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n but_o according_a to_o some_o man_n doctrine_n it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o know_v whether_o his_o labour_n be_v in_o vain_a or_o no_o since_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o depend_v not_o upon_o the_o reveal_v promise_n but_o secret_a purpose_n of_o god_n and_o who_o know_v whether_o there_o may_v not_o lie_v some_o dormant_a decree_n against_o he_o which_o when_o he_o think_v he_o have_v run_v his_o race_n shall_v yet_o defeat_v he_o of_o his_o crown_n whether_o a_o reward_n thus_o state_v will_n much_o animate_v man_n diligence_n i_o may_v leave_v every_o man_n to_o judge_v by_o the_o like_a circumstance_n in_o their_o secular_a concern_v and_o if_o they_o find_v they_o will_v there_o damp_n their_o courage_n dispirit_n and_o dishearten_v they_o from_o attempt_v there_o will_v be_v sure_o more_o