Selected quad for the lemma: land_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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A93395
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The Christians guide to devotion with rules and directions for the leading an holy life : as also meditations and prayers suitable to all occasions / S. Smith.
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Smith, Samuel, 1588-1665.
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1685
(1685)
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Wing S4164A; ESTC R43930
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141,697
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240
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as_o a_o barren_a and_o dry_a land_n â—ere_z no_o water_n be_v when_o shall_v i_o come_v and_o appear_v before_o god_n but_o alas_o i_o find_v not_o in_o i_o these_o thought_n and_o motion_n i_o find_v there_o a_o great_a barrenness_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o general_a privation_n of_o heavenly_a grace_n i_o meet_v only_o with_o some_o languish_a desire_n that_o perish_v in_o the_o moment_n of_o their_o birth_n my_o faith_n be_v waver_v my_o charity_n cold_a my_o hope_n weak_a my_o zeal_n almost_o extinct_a and_o my_o devotion_n lukewarm_a a_o waken_v thyself_o immediate_o o_o my_o soul_n if_o thou_o will_v be_v unite_v to_o thy_o god_n if_o thou_o will_v love_v he_o and_o be_v belove_v by_o he_o 〈◊〉_d thou_o will_v have_v he_o kindle_v the_o pure_a flame_n of_o devotion_n in_o thy_o soul_n thou_o must_v will_v it_o desire_v it_o ask_v it_o this_o good_a this_o great_a good_a deserve_v that_o thou_o shall_v make_v the_o first_o step_n and_o get_v before_o it_o do_v not_o say_v unto_o i_o that_o thou_o be_v shackle_a up_o in_o unhappy_a chain_n and_o the_o flesh_n call_v and_o persuade_v thou_o to_o the_o contrary_a that_o thou_o will_v but_o thou_o can_v not_o be_v pious_a that_o thou_o will_v this_o moment_n but_o thou_o can_v not_o will_v it_o any_o time_n long_o alas_o if_o thou_o will_v it_o o_o my_o soul_n it_o may_v be_v do_v these_o chain_n of_o thy_o will_n be_v voluntary_a chain_n these_o bond_n be_v evil_a habit_n and_o engagement_n in_o corruption_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v thy_o sin_n that_o they_o render_v thou_o the_o more_o culpable_a in_o this_o sort_n of_o thing_n we_o do_v all_o that_o we_o will_v and_o when_o we_o do_v not_o that_o which_o we_o will_v it_o be_v because_o we_o will_v it_o with_o a_o most_o imperfect_a will_n prayer_n o_o most_o merciful_a saviour_n i_o be_o very_o sensible_a i_o be_o not_o truâ—â—_n devout_a because_o i_o have_v not_o the_o will_v to_o be_v so_o but_o alaâ—â—_n though_o the_o cord_n that_o tie_v up_o my_o will_n to_o work_v evil_a be_v voluntary_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o less_o strong_a nor_o the_o less_o easy_a to_o be_v dissolve_v my_o corruption_n be_v in_o my_o will_n and_o therefore_o 〈◊〉_d can_v conquer_v it_o by_o my_o will_n alone_o thy_o grace_n be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o but_o without_o it_o i_o can_v do_v nothing_o come_v then_o conmy_a deliverer_n and_o break_v these_o chain_n under_o which_o i_o groan_v i_o will_v not_o let_v thou_o go_v till_o thou_o have_v bless_v i_o create_v in_o i_o a_o pure_a heart_n and_o renew_v a_o right_a spirit_n within_o i_o let_v thy_o free_a spirit_n sustain_v i_o it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o seek_v counsel_n â—nd_v aid_n to_o promote_v and_o succour_v my_o devotion_n without_o thou_o â—esigns_n fail_v of_o their_o success_n and_o council_n be_v unprofitable_a we_o can_v scarce_o guard_v city_n or_o build_v house_n unless_o thou_o rich_a unless_o thou_o put_v to_o thy_o hand_n all_o our_o care_n and_o â—â—our_n become_v vain_a hear_v my_o prayer_n o_o god_n and_o let_v not_o 〈◊〉_d meditation_n be_v fruitless_a quicken_v the_o divine_a word_n of_o thy_o â—ly_o spirit_n that_o it_o may_v enkindle_v my_o heart_n as_o a_o fire_n and_o â—â—at_o i_o may_v be_v forthwith_o deliver_v from_o those_o coldness_n â—â—ich_a rack_n and_o torture_v i_o so_o as_o i_o may_v be_v fill_v with_o dâ—â—â—tion_n as_o much_o as_o i_o can_v wish_v to_o be_v so_o chap._n ii_o the_o second_o general_a advice_n to_o lead_v a_o holy_a life_n and_o practise_v all_o the_o virtue_n we_o have_v already_o say_v somewhat_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o live_v well_o to_o become_v true_o devout_a but_o the_o subject_n be_v too_o important_a to_o make_v a_o halt_n or_o stop_v there_o â—nd_v therefore_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v no_o â—â—ion_n more_o straight_o than_o that_o of_o a_o faithful_a soul_n with_o â—s_a god_n in_o the_o act_n of_o devotion_n it_o be_v a_o secret_a commerce_n it_o be_v to_o see_v god_n face_n to_o face_n and_o speak_v with_o â—im_a as_o one_o intimate_a friend_n speak_v with_o another_o all_o â—â—at_n be_v conceive_v of_o the_o union_n betwixt_o the_o husband_n and_o â—â—e_v wife_n between_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n betwixt_o the_o â—ody_n and_o a_o member_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o represent_v 〈◊〉_d we_o the_o union_n of_o a_o soul_n that_o fly_v to_o heaven_n upon_o â—he_n wing_n of_o hope_n and_o faith_n and_o to_o which_o god_n discover_v the_o inestimable_a treasure_n of_o his_o love_n god_n enter_v into_o it_o and_o it_o into_o god_n and_o so_o they_o beâ—â—me_v one_o but_o who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o to_o smooth_a â—he_n way_n to_o himself_o towards_o so_o strict_a a_o union_n he_o must_v be_v â—ure_a even_o as_o he_o be_v pure_a the_o heavenly_a lamp_n suffer_v no_o â—ening_n nor_o mixture_n of_o day_n or_o night_n god_n who_o be_v â—ight_n can_v be_v unite_v to_o a_o soul_n that_o be_v in_o darkness_n if_o there_o be_v any_o virtue_n for_o which_o we_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o holy_a ghoft'_v presence_n in_o we_o it_o be_v devotion_n now_o we_o know_v well_o enough_o by_o what_o we_o may_v obtain_v this_o presence_n of_o the_o h._n spirit_n it_o be_v not_o by_o the_o magnificence_n of_o the_o house_n but_o its_o neatness_n when_o the_o evil_a spiriâ—_n go_v out_o of_o the_o house_n and_o at_o his_o return_n find_v iâ—_n sweep_v and_o garnish_v he_o return_v ashamed_a and_o can_v enter_v thereinto_o without_o the_o help_n of_o six_o other_o spirit_n more_o wicked_a than_o himself_o that_o which_o drive_v the_o evil_a spirit_n away_o attract_v the_o holy_a one_o and_o he_o do_v not_o make_v our_o heart_n to_o be_v his_o temple_n unless_o we_o banish_v thence_o all_o impurity_n moses_n carve_v and_o polish_v two_o table_n of_o stone_n god_n engrave_v his_o law_n thereon_o a_o painter_n cleanse_v his_o linnen-cloth_n before_o he_o draw_v oâ—_n it_o the_o picture_n of_o a_o prince_n we_o have_v two_o carnal_a table_n of_o the_o heart_n the_o understanding_n and_o will_n but_o we_o be_v not_o to_o hope_v that_o god_n will_v write_v his_o law_n or_o the_o h._n ghost_n paint_v his_o image_n thereon_o unless_o they_o be_v neaâ—_n and_o polish_a thou_o devout_a and_o pious_a soul_n which_o wish_v to_o see_v god_n abide_v in_o thou_o and_o his_o love_n in_o thy_o heart_n cleanse_v the_o table_n of_o thy_o understanding_n from_o those_o many_o error_n prejudices_fw-la fond_a imagination_n and_o euâ—â—_n thought_n cleanse_v the_o table_n of_o thy_o will_n from_o those_o sinful_a inclination_n and_o vicious_a habit_n when_o both_o these_o table_n shall_v become_v blank_a and_o white_a undoubted_o god_n will_v come_v to_o paint_v and_o engrave_v his_o image_n thereon_o devotion_n be_v a_o entrance_n into_o god_n cabinet_n 〈◊〉_d bring_v i_o say_v the_o spouse_n to_o the_o banqueting-house_n but_o no_o one_o enter_v there_o unless_o he_o have_v the_o wedding_n garment_n on_o and_o be_v graceful_o deck_v with_o faith_n hope_v and_o charity_n unless_o he_o put_v on_o the_o lord_n jesâ—â—_n christ_n and_o the_o bowel_n of_o mercy_n of_o a_o meek_a mind_n 〈◊〉_d righteousness_n and_o holiness_n devotion_n be_v a_o elevationâ—_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o sin_n a_o clog_n to_o it_o if_o we_o burden_n the_o soul_n with_o these_o weight_n how_o shall_v it_o lift_v itself_o up_o we_o be_v therefore_o to_o discharge_v our_o heart_n of_o one_o sin_n to_o day_n to_o morrow_n of_o another_o to_o subdue_v covetousness_n one_o day_n to_o attack_v pride_n another_o ambition_n and_o the_o more_o thy_o heart_n be_v thus_o engage_v the_o more_o free_a will_v thy_o devotion_n be_v above_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o remember_v that_o our_o heart_n be_v the_o most_o delicate_a and_o tender_a part_n of_o â—s_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o put_v it_o into_o disorder_n we_o â—overthrow_v it_o with_o age_n but_o to_o re-establish_a it_o be_v the_o â—â—nost_o difficulty_n it_o be_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o soul_n any_o chip_n â—ny_n grain_n of_o dust_n be_v able_a to_o destroy_v it_o it_o be_v milk_n which_o be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o air_n be_v motion_n only_o and_o by_o thunder_n it_o be_v a_o lute_n that_o be_v put_v out_o of_o tune_n by_o unseaâ—â—â—able_a distemper_n of_o the_o air_n and_o certain_o true_a sanctification_n have_v more_o part_n than_o a_o lute_n have_v string_n so_o that_o this_o holiness_n of_o the_o heart_n be_v ruin_v by_o the_o disorder_n of_o one_o of_o those_o part_n as_o one_o bad_a sound_n destroy_v â—ll_o the_o harmony_n of_o a_o consort_n and_o therefore_o with_o a_o wondered_a care_n we_o ought_v to_o guard_v our_o heart_n and_o every_o part_n thereof_o the_o soul_n resemble_v a_o sea_n and_o its_o passion_n the_o wind_n if_o you_o do_v
people_z come_v to_o these_o exercise_n with_o a_o prodigious_a sloth_n it_o be_v visible_a that_o custom_n â—rains_v we_o to_o they_o when_o our_o inclination_n carry_v we_o another_o â—ay_n it_o be_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o scourge_n and_o the_o batton_n which_o make_v slave_n to_o go_v for_o we_o go_v thither_o as_o to_o a_o â—ask_n and_o a_o laborious_a work_n what_o we_o do_v with_o regret_n â—s_v little_a we_o make_v it_o as_o possible_a whereupon_o we_o rob_v â—he_v world_n of_o one_o quarter_n of_o a_o hour_n in_o the_o day_n to_o bestow_v upon_o god_n after_o which_o we_o believe_v all_o be_v well_o enough_o and_o that_o god_n may_v very_o well_o spare_v we_o the_o rest_n we_o go_v about_o this_o work_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o burden_n to_o we_o we_o make_v haste_n with_o it_o that_o it_o may_v be_v soon_o over_o and_o when_o we_o be_v arrive_v to_o a_o period_n it_o look_v as_o if_o a_o mighty_a load_n be_v take_v off_o of_o our_o shoulder_n judge_v then_o if_o one_o can_v do_v well_o what_o one_o do_v in_o this_o wise_a we_o think_v not_o of_o what_o we_o be_v a_o go_v to_o do_v nor_o of_o what_o we_o do_v we_o ought_v to_o daunt_v and_o amaze_v ourselves_o in_o consider_v the_o majesty_n before_o who_o eye_n we_o go_v to_o appear_v and_o we_o come_v thither_o in_o such_o a_o heedless_a manner_n as_o if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o mean_a of_o mankind_n be_v we_o get_v up_o the_o mountain_n our_o heart_n be_v still_o in_o sodom_n we_o wander_v through_o the_o universe_n and_o stretch_v our_o uncertain_a gadding_n of_o thought_n even_o to_o the_o imaginary_a space_n our_o imagination_n be_v fill_v with_o crotesques_n and_o phantom_n the_o most_o part_n roll_n their_o prayer_n upon_o their_o tongue_n in_o a_o torrent_n of_o word_n neither_o the_o heart_n nor_o the_o imagination_n have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v there_o and_o so_o small_a a_o impression_n be_v make_v upon_o the_o heart_n that_o nothing_o appear_v a_o moment_n afterward_o in_o go_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n every_o one_o ought_v to_o examine_v himself_o to_o know_v whether_o his_o faith_n his_o charity_n his_o hope_n have_v receive_v considerable_a augmentation_n but_o he_o think_v of_o nothing_o less_o every_o one_o run_v whither_o interest_n or_o pleasure_n call_v he_o leave_v his_o conscience_n without_o examination_n questionless_a the_o great_a part_n after_o their_o prayer_n may_v find_v their_o conscience_n in_o a_o worse_a estate_n than_o before_o so_o that_o this_o examination_n be_v so_o far_o from_o produce_v peace_n to_o they_o will_v increase_v their_o inquietuâ—_n if_o their_o prayer_n be_v indevout_a their_o other_o exerciâ—_n be_v they_o less_o so_o if_o in_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n thâ—_n lend_v some_o attention_n it_o be_v not_o to_o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o to_o the_o manner_n wherein_o they_o be_v speak_v if_o thâ—_n preacher_n have_v not_o the_o talon_n and_o knack_n of_o please_a thâ—_n dont_fw-fr hear_v he_o he_o do_v not_o edify_v say_v they_o he_o can_v keâ—_n one_o a_o wake_n and_o after_o this_o a_o piece_n it_o be_v of_o good_a conseence_n to_o be_v able_a to_o sleep_v at_o sermon_n insomuch_o as_o he_o speaâ—_n to_o deaf_a people_n and_o our_o church_n from_o whence_o 〈◊〉_d have_v banish_v image_n cease_v not_o to_o be_v temple_n of_o idol_n which_o have_v eye_n and_o ear_n and_o yet_o neither_o fee_n neâ—_n hear_v the_o preacher_n seem_v to_o have_v in_o his_o hanâ—_n the_o head_n of_o medusa_n when_o he_o appear_v every_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d turn_v into_o marble_n and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v a_o charâ—_n that_o make_v stone_n of_o the_o child_n of_o abraham_n insteaâ—_n of_o make_v the_o child_n of_o abraham_n of_o stone_n 〈◊〉_d good_a part_n of_o those_o that_o hear_v do_v only_o retain_v whâ—_n they_o judge_v may_v afford_v fit_a matter_n to_o their_o censure_n anâ—_n their_o profane_a raillery_n they_o pass_v by_o a_o excel_v thing_n and_o pick_v out_o a_o bad_a word_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o 〈◊〉_d field_n cover_v over_o with_o riches_n they_o gather_v a_o thorn_n oâ—_n a_o flint_n and_o let_v the_o flower_n and_o the_o fruit_n alonâ—_n they_o that_o be_v less_o guilty_a hear_v and_o will_v make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o what_o they_o understand_v but_o their_o will_n be_v very_o imperfect_a and_o be_v not_o of_o a_o very_a long_a duration_n since_o 〈◊〉_d cease_v almost_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o preacher_n cease_v to_o speaâ—_n what_o indevotion_n and_o what_o coldness_n have_v we_o not_o in_o the_o partake_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o which_o venerable_a sacrament_n god_n give_v we_o his_o flesh_n to_o eat_v and_o his_o blood_n to_o drink_v our_o piety_n be_v not_o now_o divide_v into_o a_o crowd_n of_o worship_n and_o service_n as_o it_o be_v under_o the_o law_n all_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o few_o ceremony_n and_o for_o the_o adult_n but_o one_o sacrament_n in_o such_o a_o case_n therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o rendezvouz_n all_o our_o devotion_n and_o give_v to_o this_o one_o pledge_n of_o god_n love_n all_o the_o zeal_n and_o ardour_n which_o the_o israelite_n be_v oblige_v to_o have_v for_o those_o many_o and_o different_a ceremony_n the_o law_n command_v the_o flame_n that_o be_v scatter_v burn_v very_o little_a the_o sunbeam_n quarter_v into_o several_a place_n have_v small_a effect_n but_o be_v assemble_v and_o contract_v in_o the_o centre_n of_o a_o burning-glass_n they_o kindle_v wood_n and_o melt_v metal_n it_o will_v be_v the_o same_o if_o our_o devotion_n do_v reunite_v itself_o in_o this_o divine_a object_n it_o will_v consume_v all_o our_o vanity_n and_o melt_v the_o ice_n of_o our_o soul_n if_o we_o be_v devout_a in_o the_o participation_n of_o this_o holy_a sacrament_n our_o faith_n will_v pierce_v the_o appearance_n and_o the_o despicable_a outside_n to_o contemplate_v the_o flesh_n within_o of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o all_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o salvation_n but_o we_o stick_v at_o the_o bark_n we_o come_v thither_o as_o to_o a_o common_a repast_n we_o bring_v with_o we_o our_o indevotion_n and_o carry_v away_o along_o with_o we_o for_o a_o wretched_a companion_n our_o damnation_n what_o we_o see_v in_o public_a be_v a_o shrewd_a and_o a_o evident_a signification_n of_o what_o we_o do_v not_o see_v and_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a matter_n to_o judge_v charitable_o of_o the_o devotion_n of_o the_o closet_n since_o we_o have_v so_o little_a reason_n to_o be_v content_a with_o those_o in_o the_o church_n if_o people_n do_v somewhat_o for_o glory_n and_o for_o the_o pleasure_n of_o be_v approve_v when_o they_o will_v release_v themselves_o of_o that_o trouble_v at_o their_o have_a no_o witness_n let_v none_o then_o accuse_v we_o of_o violate_v the_o right_n of_o retreat_n and_o secrecy_n if_o we_o say_v that_o private_a devotion_n be_v yet_o more_o drowfie_v and_o restless_a as_o he_o who_o sleep_v at_o sermon_n will_v hardly_o keep_v awake_a at_o read_v a_o single_a chapter_n upon_o word_n abandon_v of_o sound_n and_o voice_n which_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o sleep_v every_o one_o have_v his_o voice_n in_o this_o world_n and_o every_o condition_n have_v its_o fauls_n the_o merchant_n be_v covetous_a and_o oftentimes_o deceitful_a for_o his_o interest_n the_o courtier_n be_v ambitious_a the_o magistrate_n corruptible_a the_o poor_a man_n impatient_a the_o rich_a haughty_a but_o indevotion_n be_v the_o crime_n of_o all_o man_n in_o general_n we_o will_v not_o say_v of_o all_o if_o you_o please_v but_o will_v confess_v there_o be_v some_o good_a soul_n who_o groan_n to_o themselves_o expand_v their_o heart_n before_o god_n with_o much_o zeal_n anâ—_n make_v such_o sabbath_n their_o delight_n but_o how_o few_o arâ—_n these_o example_n perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a business_n to_o find_v ten_o such_o righteous_a person_n in_o sodom_n and_o since_o that_o exception_n do_v not_o destroy_v general_a rule_n this_o will_v not_o hinder_v we_o from_o complain_v of_o our_o age_n as_o of_o a_o age_n of_o iron_n so_o cold_a the_o like_a be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o geeen-land_n meditation_n i_o be_o not_o call_v to_o examine_v other_o i_o see_v very_o well_o that_o devotion_n be_v a_o thing_n very_o scarce_o in_o the_o world_n this_o ought_v infinite_o to_o afflict_v i_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o part_n i_o take_v in_o the_o interest_n of_o my_o god_n this_o aught_o to_o make_v i_o afraid_a lest_o the_o world_n shall_v become_v a_o sodom_n and_o be_v make_v like_o unto_o gomorrah_n and_o lest_o god_n shall_v tumble_v down_o upon_o it_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o vengeance_n and_o his_o deluge_n of_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n but_o lo_o a_o thing_n that_o touch_v i_o much_o near_o it_o be_v the_o seldomness_n of_o devout_a motion_n in_o my_o heart_n this_o unhappy_a