Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
knowledge_n	love_n	patience_n	temperance_n	1,817	5	11.3534	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33301	A collection of the lives of ten eminent divines famous in their generations for learning, prudence, piety, and painfulness in the work of the ministry : whereunto is added the life of Gustavus Ericson, King of Sueden, who first reformed religion in that kingdome, and of some other eminent Christians / by Sa. Clarke ...	Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682.	1662 (1662)	Wing C4506; ESTC R13987	317,746	561

retrograde motion somewhat above forty seven years A long time for such a Lamp to burn as he did but his long continuance ministred a fair opportunity of bringing many stragling sheep into Christs fold the great ●hepheard of our souls Once indeed the last Bishop of that Diocess gave a stop to his Tuesdayes Lecture but God in mercy to many set it on going again and cast him that interrupted it out of his place while this painfull and faithfull labourer went on with his work So much for his publick Ministry come we now to his private carriage His whole Life was exemplary Take him as a Christian raised by his Ministeriall function to the height of a Beacon upon an hill and so his light was great and his smell very fragrant He not only kept himself pure and unspotted of the world but his light so shined that both good men glorified God by seeing his good works and wicked and foolish men had their mouthes stopped by his good conversation in Christ and were even enforced to give in testimony to it maugre their malice against his holiness and worth In his Family towards the Wife of his bosom he walked as a man of knowledg wisdom and great tendeness of love Towards the rest of his houshold as David professed he would do in the 101 Psalm and as a Bishop of Pauls description 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. Yea towards all as a worthy pattern of love zeal humility meekness temperance patience gravity and of every good work What his constancy and diligence was in his studie the fruits of the great and long travell of his mind his Works which praise him in all the gates of Sion do speak to all the world beyond that can here be spoken of him For when all is said that can be spoken of him so much cannot be said as his own industry speaks In his more vacant hours he was far from being idle or unprofitable Such as had the happiness which was never denied to any that desired it to partake of his private discourses never returned empty from his full magazine if they brought but vessels capable of the overflowings of his rich mind and heart Very many excellent Lights in the Church have lighted their Torches at his Coelestial fire Many young Schollars have been marvellously improved by his prudent and pious directions and encouragements in their studies which now are become excellent instruments in the Church of Christ. If after his preaching he found no mention made of his Sermon by which he might collect that probably some benefit had been reaped by it he would be much dejected as if the fault had been in his preaching even then when he seemed to excell himself rather than in his hearers and used to say that if he had preached better they would have profited more If any Christians came to him for resolution in cases of Conscience or for counsell in straits or for comfort in spirituall desertions or for healing of a wounded spirit as God had given him an excellent spirit of discerning to judg of their condition and of the most seasonable applicatives and an exquisite dexterity to speak a word in season to the weary and fainting soul so he was never shie coy or difficult to be spoken with nor lofty or supercilious to any to whom he gave access but shewed forth all tenderness pity and compassion to them he heard them fully and patiently and wisely administred to their severall distresses and ' ever sent them away as it s said that Titus Vespasianus did his suitors not only not grieved but very well satisfied and abundantly comforted He was very bountifull to his kindred that needed it and then most when their necessities swelled highest He was very charitable and open handed to the poor members of Jesus Christ And albeit his charity shined most to those of his own flock yet was it not shut up from strangers but he was very liberall to them also as he found occasion Yea when he went abroad to bestow the Gospell freely upon other Congregations adjacent such poor as he found to be hearers unless they were known to him to take up hearing as a cloke to cover their idleness and neglect of their callings never went home empty handed but he alwayes warmed and cheered them with his bounty as well as instructed them with his Doctrine How much he was given to Hospitality Gentlemen Ministers Neighbours Strangers and the Poor must needs give in such an ample testimony as will hardly be credited by such as knew him not and are strangers to a bountifull heart He spared from himself to administer unto others minding more the wooing of many to receive benefit by his Ministry some of whom might perhaps at first follow him for the loaves than to lay up largely for such as he should leave behind him and choosing rather to be at a continuall charg to encourage men by his bounty than to suffer them to be unprovided for when they came to partake of his Ministry When he conversed with Ministers his Humility usually put him into the place of a learner but in learning he taught and by teaching he learned more He was so good and skilfull a Chymick that he seldom parted with such company till he had gotten something by them yet were they sure to be the greatest gainers and he alwayes accounted it the best bargain when others were gainers by him His constant and continuall preaching seldom allowed him the much desired opportunity of hearing others but when he could enjoy that benefit he greedily laid hold of it and then would this painfull Bee gather Hony from every Flower making a good use of the meanest gifts and improving his own rich Talent by dipping it into theirs Nor was he ever heard to slight or disparage the labours of any the least of his Brethrn that sincerely endeavoured to bring in souls unto Christ but alwayes he encouraged them and as he found cause informed and directed them and that in a prudent and taking way to their great advantage In his mirth to which he sometimes unbended himself to recreate his overwearied mind that with renewed strength he might return to his more serious and severer studies he strictly observed the bounds of honesty civility modesty and the gravity of his place well considering that the least dead fly in the Apothecaries choisest Oyntment causeth it to send forth an unpleasing savour The Table was usually the place of his greatest liberty in this kind yet even there he would still interlace mirth with some sprinklings of a more serious wit which might instruct as well as exhilerate and make cheerful and contained all within the limits of sobriety without biting sarcasmes or unbeseeming scurrility And usually he closed all with reading some portion of Scripture and giving some short and profitable instructions thereupon which might administer Grace to the hearers and

means to make him both a ready and a profitable Preacher Whilst he lived in Rutlandshire came forth the Book allowing Sports on the Sabbath which he refused to read though it was with commands and threatning pressed upon him And afterwards when he was called to give in his answer about a contribution amongst Ministers to maintain the War against the Scots he openly told the Bishop or his Chancellor that his conscience would not permit him to do it This his answer exposed him to the hazard of losing both his Living and Ministry as the times then were whereupon one of his neighbours through misguided love compassionating him and his Family payed the money required and subscribed Mr. Whitakers name without his knowledge This was long concealed from him but when he came to the knowledge of it he expressed his dislike with many complaints and much grief of heart As he had early so he had constant vigorous workings of heart towards the calling and work of the Ministry and that upon this ground because he alwayes wayes conceived that therein a Christian might enjoy most fellowship with Christ and have opportunities of doing him the best service and he often considered Christs speech to Peter If thou lovest me feed my Sheep feed my Lambs Joh. 21. 15 17. He was never so well pleased with any imployment as when he was about the works of his Ministry In the Pulpit he was as it were in his own element like a Fish in the water or a Bird in the air Though many times he went thither halting and full of pain yet did he not manifest any sense of distemper whilst he was in the Pulpit When an Assembly of Divines was to be chosen to consult and advise the Parliament about Ecclesiastical affairs he was for his eminent piety and learning nominated for one and how usefull and advantagious he was to those affairs is well known to all that were Members of that Assembly and when Providence had thus brought him to London he was as Paul 2 Cor. 11. 23. In labours more abundant than many yea than most others Not long after his coming to London he was called and chosen to the Pastoral charge of Mary Magdalen Bermondsey in Southwark about which he consulted with many godly and judicious Ministers and with their consent and approbation accepted of it after which for the most part his task was to preach constantly four Sermons every week two in his own Charge one at Westminster and one at Christ Church London and after he had laid down his Christ Church Lecture at the importunity of the Inhabitants he took up one at Stepney besides his preaching two Lectures quarterly at Michaels Cornhill Adde to these his preaching monethly at the morning Exercises or else he assisted on the Fast dayes in the conclusion of those Exercises besides his many occasional Sermons as for preparation to the Sacrament in his own Church and at Funerals both at home and abroad yea it is truly reported of him that he would never deny any request for preaching and praying if Godgave him bodily ability or other unavoidable occasions did not necessarily hinder him Many week dayes he preached twice even then when he attended the work of the Assembly of Divines to wit the morning Exercise either at Westminster or elsewhere and upon some other occasion in the afternoon of the same day This may minde us of the commendation which St. Paul gave of Epaphroditus Phil. 2. 30. For the work of the Lord he was nigh unto death not regarding his life So it s well known to multitudes that this might fitly be applied to painfull Mr. Whitaker yea many conceived that his painfull diseases which hastened his removal from us were occasioned and encreased by his many constant and indefatigable labours in this kinde And though he preached so often yet were not his Sermons j●june wordy empty Sermons but alwayes full of Scripture strength savoury and affectionate as his Auditors can well testfie Neither is this to be wondred at if we consider that he was a universal Scholar both in the Arts and original Languages By much study he had digested the whole body of Divinity he was well acquainted both with the Fathers and School-men An acute and solid Disputant excellently versed in Cases of Conscience and second unto none in his acquaintance with the sacred Scriptures Since our times of wofull desertion and Apostasie both from Gospel Truths and practices he would undauntedly both in private Conferences and in his publick Ministry express his dislike yea his detestation thereof to the faces of them how great soever who too much favoured Heresies Errours and Ranting courses though he knew that thereby he did run the hazard of procuring many frowns to himself He refused to sign and subscribe the late Engagement though thereby he was in danger of losing his Lecture at Westminster and if his Sermons preached there upon Eph. 2. 2 3. concerning mens walking according to the course of this world c. Fulfilling the lusts of the flesh c. could be collected and published it would thereby appear that Mr. Whitaker out of his zeal for Gods glory and love to his Lord Christ was of an undaunted courage and full of Christian magnanimity One further testimony whereof we have in this following Story Since these stormy times began wherein the liberty and livelyhood of Ministers hath been so much maligned and struck at as he was riding with one of his intimate friends by Tiburn which he had not seen or not observed before he asked what that was and being answered that it was Tiburn where so many Malefactors had lost their lives he stopped his Horse and uttered these words with much aflection Oh what a shame is it that so many thousands should dye for the satisfaction of their lusts and so few be found willing to lay down their lives for Christ why should not we in a good cause and upon a good call be ready to be hanged for Jesus Christ It would be an everlasting honour and it is a thousand times better to dye for Christ to be hanged or to be burnt for Christ than to dye in our beds He did often and zealously defend the Office of a Gospel Ministry both in publick and in private and that especially amongst those persons and in those places where as he conceived there was most need In one of his morning Lectures at Westminster this passage came from him with much affection Though said he I have read and heard of some good men who unadvisedly in their passion have persecuted the persons of some godly Ministers as Asa was angry with the Prophet and cast him into prison yet I never knew I never read nor heard of any godly person who durst oppose the Office and Calling of the Ministry And whereas at the end of his Sermon a Souldier expressing himself to be dissatisfied with what he had

affectionately spread before God in most of the Congregations about London as his Three dayes were set apart by Ministers and many other praying friends to seek God in his behalf one in private and two in publick which also were observed much better than such dayes usually have been of late yea in remote Countries besides the ordinary Prayers made for him there were some Fasts kept also with special reference to his afflictions The multitude of people that came to his Funeral with the many weeping eyes did clearly shew how much he was beloved Here might also be remembred the readiness of the London Ministers to supply his place at home and his Lectures elsewhere as also the willingness of his Fellow-lecturers at Westminster to preach for him there when he himself by reason of weakness could not possibly do his own work but its needless for still every where upon the naming of Mr. Whitaker love is some way discovered by such as had any knowledge of him Whilst he was able he never neglected his Minsterial service he hath often gone upon Crutches unto the Congregation of his own people to fulfil his Ministry yea once at least he adventured to preach at Michaels Cornhil when he was scarce able to get into the Pulpit and his Friends with much difficulty holp him out of the Church homewards and at other times when his legs would not serve him he used to ride to Church And when he was by extremity of pains taken off from his Ministry he would sometimes profess to some special friends that the pain felt was not so grievous to his spirit as his inability by reason thereof to mannage his wonted work Indeed it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his Heavenly Father Many times these were his words If I could but preach I should be much better and he would rejoyce with cheerfulness and thankfulness when in the times of his weakness he found not himself more distempered by his preaching and would mention such experiences as arguments to move and induce his friends to yeeld to his preaching when they disswaded him from it as prejudicial to his health Anno Christi 1654 about the beginning of November the violent pain of the Stone did in such a manner and measure arrest him that from that time he continued Gods prisoner confined to his bed or chamber till he was set free by a long expected and much desired death Most Physi●ians in the City were consulted with and were from time to time very ready to serve him with their advice who did unanimously conclude that his sharp pains proceeded originally from an Ulcer in the Kidnies but immediately from an ulcer in the neck of the B●●dder caused by a continual flux of ulcerous m●tter dropping down upon that part and by reason of the acuteness and quickness of the sense there his pains were almost continually in that place though the fountain of them was from the Kidnies About two moneths before his Death his pains grew more extream yet Divine indulgence vouchsafed at some times some mitigation of them and intermission both in the night and day But notwithstanding the long continuance and extremity of them neither his Faith nor Patience did abate yea they much encreased and grew higher and as he grew nearer his end so his longings for death were much increased yet accompanied with holy submission to the good pleasure of his gracious Father These were some of his expressions O my God break open the Prison door and set my poor captive soul free But enable me willingly to wait thy time I desire to be dissolved never aid any man more desire life than I do Death When will that time come that I shall neither sin more nor sorrow more When shall mortality put on immortality When shall this earthly Tabernacle be dissolved that I may be cloathed upon with that House which is from Heaven Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours and follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth So great was his love to his God and Saviour that he maintained and expressed high estimations and honourable thoughts of his Majesty when he was under the most tormenting providences He feared nothing more than lest he should do or speak any thing that should red●und to the dishonour of his Name These were some breathings of his large love when through pain he was as in the fire or upon the rack Good Lord keep me from dishonouring of thy Name by impatieency Oh who would not even in burnings have honourable thoughts of God! who that knows thee would not fear thee O Lord love thee and honour thee Lord thou givest me no occasion to have any hard thoughts of thee Blessed be God there is nothing of Hell in all this Blessed be his Name for Jesus Christ and the Revelation of the everlasting Gospel Who knows the power of thy wrath If it be so heavy upon thy servant hore how heavy shall it be to all those who shall endure it without mixture Blessed be God for the peace of mine inward man when my outward man is full of trouble This is a bitter Cup but it is of my Father mixture and shall I not drink it yea Lord through thy strength I will This is my burthen and I will bear it Upon any abatements of his excruciating pains he was constantly much in blessing God using these and such like expressions O! what a mercy is it that there is any mitigation any intermission Lord make me thankfull And turning himself towards those that stood by he would bespe●k them thus O help me to be thankfull O lift up a Prayer for me that I may be thankful O what a mercy is this How much worse might this affliction have been I might have been distracted or laid roaring under disque●ness of spirit By these and many such like expressions and workings of his spirit who perceiveth not the sparklings of his love to God And to a dear friend he often said Brother through mercy I have not one repini●g thought against God The Sabbath sevennight before God released him though his pains were very sharp yet he bestowed most part of the time of publick Ordinances in prayer together with those that were about him and his Petitions were most in the behalf of Ministers that God would cloath his Ordinances with his own power and enable his Ministers to speak to the souls of his people Then did he also with many tears bewail his detainment from the Sanctuary and Sabbath-opportunities of doing and receiving good which had been his delight Professing also that his being taken off from service was a greater affl●ction to him than all his bodily pains And because this apprehension to wit of his present unserviceablness did much afflict him this therefore was often suggested to him which the Lord pleased to make a relief to his spirit viz. that now by the practice