Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
knowledge_n	faith_n	know_v	revelation_n	1,335	5	9.6714	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33338	Medulla theologiæ, or, The marrow of divinity contained in sundry questions and cases of conscience, both speculative and practical : the greatest part of them collected out of the works of our most judicious, experienced and orthodox English divines, the rest are supplied by the authour / by Sa. Clarke ...	Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682.	1659 (1659)	Wing C4547; ESTC R1963	530,206	506

before they may be baptized Mat. 28.19 Answ. This is not the first Institution of Baptisme but the enlargement of their Commission before they were sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel But now to all Nations who were to be converted to Christ but before were out of the Covenant of grace and therefore their children had no right to Baptisme But when once themselves were instructed and baptized then their children were capable of it by vertue of the Covenant Ob. But it s said He that believes and is baptized shall be saved therefore Faith must precede Baptisme Answ. First if this Argument hath any strength against the Baptism of Infants it hath much more against the salvation of Infants and however they can evade the one we shall much more strongly evade the other Secondly it s no where said unbelievers or rather non-believers may not be baptized It s said indeed He that believes and is baptized shall be saved But it s no where said He that believes not may not be baptized Christ excludes Infants neither from Baptisme nor from Salvation for want of faith but positive unbelievers such as refuse the Gospel he excludes from both Ob. But supposing them to be capable of the inward grace of Baptisme yet this is no warrant for our Baptizing of all Infants because we know not upon whom God doth this work Answ. Our knowledge that God hath effectually wrought the thing signified is not the condition upon which we are to apply the signe God no where requires that we should know that men are converted before we baptize them The Apostles themselves knew it not as we see in Simon Magus Alexander Hymenaeus Ananias and Saphira but he requires that we should know that they have in them that condition which must warrant us to administer the signe Fallible conjecture must not be our rule in administring the Sacraments either to Infants or grown men but a known rule of the Word the Apostles baptized grown men not because they judged them inwardly sanctified but because they made a profession of faith and holinesse and such Christ would have to be received into the communion of the Church though it may be they were never received into communion with himself And in this the rule to direct our knowledge which is but the judgement of charity is as plain for Infants as for grown men Object But all that enter into Covenant and receive the seale of it must stipulate for their parts as well as God doth for his which Infants cannot do Answ. First the Infants of the Jews were as much tied to this as the Infants of Christians are Every one that was circumcised was bound to keep the Law Gal. 5.5 Secondly God seales to them presently their names are put into the Deed and when they are grown up they in their own persons stand obliged to the performance of it In the mean time Jesus Christ who is the Mediatour of the Covenant and the Surety of all Covenanters is pleased to be their Surety We know that persons standing obliged in the same bond may seal at several times and yet be in force afterwards together So here God of his infinite mercy is pleased to seal to Infants whilest they are such and accepts of such a seal on their parts as they are then able to give expecting a further ratification on their part when they come to riper yeares in the mean time affording them the favour and priviledge of being in Covenant with him of being reckoned to be of his Kingdom and not of the Devils If they refuse to stand to this Covenant when they are grown men there is no hurt done on Gods part they must take their lot for the time to come Object But if the sealing be but conditional on Gods part that they own and ratifie it when they come to ripe age were it not better to deferre it till then to see whether they will then make it their voluntary act yea or no Answ. First This objection lay as strongly against Gods wisdome in requiring the Jews Infants to be circumcised and therefore argues no great wisdome and modesty in those who thus reason with God against his administrations Secondly God hath other ends and uses of applying the seal of the Covenant to them who are in Covenant with him then their present gaine It 's an homage worship and honour to himself and it behooves us even in that respect to fulfill all righteousnesse when Christ was baptized and circumcised he was as unfit for the Ordinance through his perfection as children are through their imperfection being as much above them as children are below them Thirdly yet the fruit and benefit of it at the present is very much both to Parents and Infants 1. To the parents whilest God doth hereby honour them to have their children counted to his Church to his Kingdome and family and so under his wing and grace whilest all other Infants in the world have their visible standing in the Kingdome of Satan and so whilest others have no hope of their childrens spiritual welfare till they are called out of that condition these need not doubt of their childrens welfare if they die in their infancy or if they live till they shew signes to the contrary God having reckoned them to his people and given them all the means of salvation which thei● infant age is capable of 2. To the children when as besides what inward secret work God is pleased to work in them they being members of the Church of Christ have their share in the communion of Saints are remembred at the throne of grace every day by all that pray for the welfare of the Church and particularly in those prayers which are made for a blessing on his Ordinances and lastly it 's no small priviledge to have that seal bestowed upon them in their infancy which they may afterwards plead when they come to fulfil the condition Object But if their being capable of a spiritual part entitles them to the outward signe why are they not admitted to the Lords Supper which is a seal of the Covenant of Grace as well as this For say they the Jews Infants did eat the Passeover then if our Infants have as large priviledges as theirs had then they must partake of the Lords Supper Answ. We are sure that Infants are capable of the grace of Baptisme but we are not sure that they are capable of the grace signed and sealed in the Lords Supper For though both are seals of the Covenant of grace yet it 's with some difference Baptisme properly seals our entrance into it the Lords Supper properly our growth nourishment and augmentation in it Baptisme for our birth the Lords Supper for our food Now Infants may be born again whilest they are Infants have their original sin pardoned be united to Christ have his image stampt upon them but concerning the exercises of these graces and the augmentation

imitate the Angels Answ. First rejoyce at the Conversion of sinners as they do Luke 15. Secondly Reverence the Majesty of God as they do by covering their faces Isa. 6.2 25. Thirdly Stand ready prest to execute the Will of the Lord as they do Psal. 103.20 21. Fourthly execute it for manner as they do viz. with chearfulnesse sincerity and without wearisomness Quest. What further comfort may the Nature and Offices of the Angels afford us Ans. First In regard of their readinesse they stand before the face of God ready to take a Commission from him to execute vengeance on the enemies of the Church or to do service for the heires of grace Secondly here is comfort when we are solitary when Jacob was alone the blessed Angels were with him Thirdly in respect of our weaknesse the Angels are Nurses to uphold and keep us from dangers Fourthly in respect of contempt If the world contemn us yet God honours us in giving us such servants Fifthly in respect of evil spirits though they maligne us yet the good Angels love us and are for us Quest. How are the Angels imployed Answ. First in respect of God they stand before him to execute his Will Psal. 103.20 21 and to praise him Isa. 6.3 Secondly In respect of man they are employed 1. By way of punishment and that 1. To blinde them that they cannot see Gen. 19.11 2. To stop them that they cannot go Num. 22.26 3. To slay them that they cannot live 2 King 19.15 Acts 12.23 2. In mercy to the godlie and that 1. To defend them from dangers Ps. 34.8 2. To comfort them in troubles Luke 22.23 3. To encourage them in duties 2 King 1.15 4. To reveal to them hidden mysteries Dan. 9.22 23 24. 5. To carry their soules to heaven Luke 16.22 Quest. How else doth God use the Ministery of Angels Answ. First in the swaying of the Kingdomes of the world and wherein we live For Eph. 3.10 they are called Principalities and Powers because God gives them a preheminence under him and a power of ordering th●se inferiour things As the devils are called Powers of darknesse Eph. 6.12 because the wickednesse of the world doth set them up as Kings and Princes So Dan. 10.13 the Angels are called Great Princes They are made to he above Kings and earthly Powers as God is above them Eccl. 5.8 Marvel not at the oppression in a Province for there is an high one above the High on earth and there is the Father Son and Spirit higher then both A created Angel led the Israelites into Canaan as may be gathered by comparing the 20. and 31. Chapters of Exodus together Secondly they are Gods Warriours and Ministers of his manifold decrees Hence they are often called Chariots 2 Kings 2.11 and 6.17 Hab. 3.8 Ps. 68.17 Thirdly they are Spirits of Heaven Mat. 24.36 Gal. 1.8 resembling their Creator as children do their father Hence they are called Sons of God Job 1.6 and 38.7 both in regard of their substance which is incorporeal and in regard of their excellent properties life and immottality blessednesse and glory a part whereof is their just Lordship and Command over the inferiour Creatures For as they stand before the Lord who sends them out at his pleasure to serve his Providence so they have no small stroak in ordering and managing natural and civil affaires Hence Ezek. 1.6 7. they have faces to look every way when as Gods Watchmen they stand Sentinel in Heavens Turret their feet are like Calves feet round and ready to go either forward or backward with greatest facility For as they see every way so they are ready to go every way for dispensing Gods benefits or executing his chastisements on the Elect and his vengeance on reprobates Let us labour to obey God as the Angels do else we may be Angels for gifts and yet go to Hell Angels wait for Gods commands and are ready to run on his errand Mat. 18.10 Dan. 7.10 Jacob saw them at Bethel ascending to contemplate and praise God and to minister to him and descending to execute Gods Will upon men for mercy or judgement Quest. What other employment have they Answ. They are eye-witnesses of what is done in the Church of God 1 Cor. 11.10 The woman ought to have power on her head because of the Angels This was shadowed out in the old Church Exod. 36.8 the Curtaines were wrought with Cherubims to signifie that about us who are the true Tabernacle and Church of God there are troops of Angels Hence 1 Timothy 5.21 Quest. How manifold is the knowledge of the Angels Answ. It s fourfold 1. Natural whereby they know the Works of Creation and the invisible things of God in it all the truth in which they were created 2. Supernatural which is such a sight of God whereby they are confirmed in their estate for there was in them some further apprehension of God than in them that fell Now they could not have it unlesse they had received it Thirdly a knowledge of Revelation Dan. 7.16 c. Fourthly a knowledge that they get by observing things that come to passe both spiritual and natural For beholding the graces of the Spirit and working of them they gather an habitual knowledge whereby they can discern both the Worker of them and persons in whom they are wrought effectually So observing the course of things casual they can probably foretel things which in part are casual Now the knowledge which the Apostle speaks of that they have acquired Eph. 3.10 is this knowledge of experience beholding that which the Gospel wrought in the Church they did more fully see the work of Redemption For 1. They did see accomplished before their eyes things which they had known in some sort as we know things absent unaccomplished 2. They did thus grow to a more full and confirmed enlightening in the wise work of our Redemption 3. And which is the principal they did thus come to a more full knowledge and acknowledgment of the deep riches of the wisdome of God the fountain of the former For though the Angels had alwayes a blessed knowledge of God yet not a perfect either in regard of themselves seeing or of God seen they did not see him totaliter so as there was no further thing in him to be seen nor yet with such a sight in regard of themselves so perfect that no further light could be lent to it then it had Baines on the Eph. CHAP. IX Questions and Cases of Conscience about Anger Wrath Passion Malice Hatred and Revenge Quest. HOw many sorts of Anger be there Answ. Two 1. Good 2. Bad. Quest. What is good Anger Answ. It s a displeasure not against the person but against the sin of our neighbour or of our selves this anger being moderate and joyned with compassion is an holy anger Commanded Eph. 4.21 Commended 2 Cor. 7.11 Or It s a displeasure at that which stands in our way and hinders good Thus

the Sovereigne remedy against these and such other mischiefs is a lively faith which lifteth up the heart to better things quietly submitting to the good pleasure of God commending the successe of all their honest employments to his Highnesse and resting upon his grace for present help and future supply in the use of such meanes as he hath ordained Heb. 11.6 Quest. What are the acts of faith in this particular Answ. First it informeth us to make choice of an honest calling for which we are fitted and into which we may enter by direct good and lawful means Prov. 16.20 Secondly faith instructeth not to meddle above our knowledge but to lean upon the living Lord not on our own skill and cunning Prov. 3.5 6. For if we do either it shall not effect what we do intend or if we bring it to passe yet it shall not succeed or avail to those honest uses which we intended Psalme 127.1 2. Hag. 1.6 9. Eccl. 9.11 Thirdly it quickens the most skilful workman to strive with God in prayer that the work he sets upon may succeed and prosper Fourthly it causeth diligence care uprightnesse and faithfulnesse in all the businesse of our calling as knowing that whilest we walk honestly therein we do service to the Lord Jesus Psal. 128.2 Eph. 6.5 6. Faith awakens the sluggard rowseth the lazie makes the idle lay his bones to work Prov. 31.13 15. and him that was a purloiner to deal truly justly and honestly Fifthly it encourageth to the most painful difficult and in the Worlds esteem the most disgraceful works of our callings Distrust breeds nicenesse feare and sluggishnesse but faith produceth hardinesse valour and activity for it assures of divine protection and good successe Isa. 7.4 Jos. 7.5 Prov. 31.17 2 Tim. 1.7 8 9. Heb. 11.7 Mark 6.18 Heb. 11.9 10. Sixthly it strengthens against manifold troubles disgraces oppositions and discouragements that we meet with in our places and enables us to go through ill report and good report honour and disgrace Heb. 11.35 36 37. 1 Cor. 4.3 1 Thes. 2.6 9. Phil. 3.7 8. It directs us to order the affaires of our callings wisely and to go about them in a good manner i. e. in obedience to God to right ends and with an heavenly mind exercising the graces that God hath bestowed on us Eccl. 2.26 1 Sam. 18.14 Eighthly it teaches to moderate our cares confine desires of earthly things and to commit our selves to God for the successe of our work as Psal. 55.22 Mat. 6.32 1 Pet. 5.7 Psal. 127. ● Prov. 16.3 Ninthly it supporteth with strength patiently to bear the miseries and calamities which accompany us in our callings which ever since the fall of Adam we are subject unto and worketh the soul to contentation in every estate Phil. 4.11 12. Tenthly it restraineth distrustful cares about the successe of our labours but is not slack to crave Gods blessing upon our labours Phil. 4.6 Eleventhly if we finde wished successe it makes us vigilant frugal humble merciful and thankful For it receives blessings as gifts of grace to be employed according to Gods Will and appointment to the glory of his Name and comfort of his people and teaches so to use the world as willing to renounce it c. 1 Cor. 7.31 Prov. 21.25 26. Psal. 112.9 Twelfthly Faith coupleth the labours of our callings with the practice of Christianity For God hath commanded us both to seek his Kingdome to work out our salvation to make our election sure to exercise our selves in good works to walk in love and to exercise our selves honestly in our particular callings which faith will not separate Quest. But how may we live by faith touching the successe of our labours which we finde too much above our strength or means Answ. First faith in such cases causes self-denial in respect of our judgement wisdome and power Prov. 3.5 and 16.2 and 21.2 Jer. 10.23 Lam. 3.37 Secondly it teaches submission to Gods direction and dependeth upon his help and assistance and asks counsel at his Word Jude 1.1 and 20.18 23 28. Isa. 8.20 It chooses what God approves though to humane wisdome it seems bootlesse and improbable It trusteth God for ability to the work provision of the means the disposition of them and the good successe to come by them Mat. 6.25 and 10.19 Psal. 32.8 Ezra 5.5 Thirdly it brings forth industry and endeavour to serve Gods providence He that is most confident to speed is most vigilant to take all opportunities and most diligent to use all lawful means Fourthly it cannot be silent in such a case but sends us to God by prayer 2 Chron. 20.12 Psal. 5.2 3. Fifthly it puts life and hardinesse in us to play the men Judg. 5.8 Sixthly it waits upon God for good successe and triumpheth before the victory Prov. 16.3 Seventhly its ready and forward to praise God for good successe Psa. 103.1 2. Judg. 5.9 10 11. See Ball on Faith Quest. How many sorts of men transgresse about their callings Answ. First such as run into callings before God sends them Many such intruders there are into the Ministry Secondly such as live by such ways as God calls them from as by usury lottery deceit oppression c. Thirdly such as do the work of their calling at an unlawful time as on the Sabbath c. Fourthly such as abide not in their Callings Fifthly such as meddle with many callings being called but to one Sixthly such as live without a calling Seventhly such as are slothful in the execution of the Callings wherein God hath set them Mr. Byfield on Peter Quest. What must we propose to our selves in following the duties of our particular callings Answ. We must not make gain our end therein as Heathens and Turks do and all that do so are servants and drudges to Mammon but Christians ought to follow their work because God hath so appointed aiming also at the good of the Church and Common-wealth and our own gain must come in on the by as it shall please God to send it We must follow our callings as a means God hath appointed to keep us from idlenesse and to humble us thereby and that we may be instruments of the common good Rogers on Pet. Quest. What other Rules are to be observed in our particular callings Answ. First that our calling be lawful and agreeable to Gods Will and Word such an one as our labour in it may tend to Gods glory and to the good of the Church and Common-wealth and the furthering not only of our temporal but our spiritual good and the eternal salvation of our souls Secondly that we be in some measure qualified with such gifts as are fit for our callings for when God calleth men to any place he furnisheth them with such competency of gifts as that they may profitably performe the duties required in it that we may with cheerfulnesse and comfort go on in it expecting his blessing upon our labours and in the