Selected quad for the lemma: life_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
life_n	believe_v	live_v	resurrection_n	4,221	5	9.2871	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A79993	The sect every where spoken against or, the reproached doctrine of Ely. As it was held forth in several sermons in the year, MDCLI. By Christopher Cob, lay-man, minister of an united people in Ely. Collected and analized for a private use, by Hampden Reeve, Master of Arts, one of that Society, and a constant hearer. Now published by the assent of the whole Society (as a short character, at present, of them and their way, till an opportunity of a farther and fuller discovery) for satisfaction in general.	Cob, Christopher.; Reeve, Hampden.	1651 (1651)	Wing C4769; Thomason E1251_1; ESTC R209173	234,596	386

And this man would never chuse to have these contrary beings live so near together If the soul be once in the Ministry of circumcision with Peter then it would by no means touch any thing common or unclean But the Promise is That the Lion and the Lamb and the Ox and the Bear shall lie down together and yet do no hurt in all the holy Mountain Yet observe there is a difference made but two of a sort of all the unclean were to be kept but of all the clean seven couple which had this in it to shew That however here sin and righteousness dwell together in the Ark yet there are more for us then against us Seven couple of the clean sort a compleat number of the righteous seed and but some few reliques of sin yet a spawn lives to keep the Soul in awe always lest it should increase and multiply and that there might ever be a crying out against this Body of Death for 't is a wearisom condition at best and full of snares These unclean Beasts cannot but be ill companions for the clean having always a devouring mind if it were possible to destroy them Then in this Ark Noah had a Dove to send out to bring tydings to him how it went abroad which had this meaning in it That who ever have indeed built this Ark attained to a certain estate of Salvation the Holy Ghost is given them to go to God for them in all straits We know not how to pray but the Spirit it self helpeth our infirmities This is the Messenger between God and the Soul in all straits and distresses What time as I am afflicted saith David I will pray unto thee O Lord if you had but a heart to consider it When your house is on fire and the Enemies at hand when you are compassed about with fears and miseries and distresses as you will be and yet no Messenger is at hand to send to enquire of God and know his meaning and what he intends and what the end shall be O how miserable is it to be left alone without this Comforter There are many that set themselves to pray and speak words but alas he hears not any for their much babbling if there be not this Holy Ghost that proceeded from him to go to him He hears not other cries and noyses Though they howl on their beds and abase themselves to Hell he matters not The Father will hear none but his own Spirit and that knows how to get nigh him to hold him fast and plead with him I will not let thee go unless thou bless me And if this Dove return once without the Olive branch yet it hath no rest but goes out again till it obtain a blessing and bring tydings of Peace Now can any of you answer that question of Peters Have you received this Holy Ghost after you believed You have believed indeed I know and it lives in your Consciences that Truth is here and God is amongst us that here are the words of eternal life But now hast thou received the Holy Ghost after this believing Else what a miserable plunge must thou needs be at when straits and Tryals come as thick as Hail and thou hast none to send to God to enquire the meaning none to intercede for thee and plead thy Cause but art left as the whole world to live in darkness and judg all things like beasts which know no farther then they feel in all that befalls them Now I would proceed to speak of the Consequents or Effects which follow this building of the Ark and they are layd down in the words to be these three 1. Noah did it to the saving of his house 2. He condemned the world by it 3. He became Heir of the Righteousness which is by Faith 1. He saved his house by it it is worth noting It is not said He did it to the saving himself though that was included in it yet a farther thing was in it to save his house The servants of God in all times have had that reward of their labor to save a People That hath been their care and work to seek up the lost sheep to turn others to Righteousness And in this saving of his houshold three Things are considerable How Noah did it 1. He saved his house that great work by being a Hearer first himself He was first warned of God himself and had an ear open to receive and learn the lesson before he can teach his house What I received of the Lord saith Paul that I delivered to you Many go to teach others and were never taught themselves Alas how can their work stand They preach they know not what nor to whom They would be Teachers of the Law not knowing the things whereof they affirm They never heard his voyce at any time nor saw his shape as Christ said to the Jews and how can they save a People They are blind Leaders of the blind and therefore wo to the Preachers that have not first learn'd of the Lord themselves and woe to the People that are left to such Guides for both the wall and the Dawber shall fall together But Noah was first warned of God himself 2. He saves his house by taking charge of them and standing engaged for them as for his own Soul Take heed saith Paul of the flock of whom the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers The Holy Ghost lays the charge upon Gods Ministers and they are made to receive it and wait and tend and look after their People as their own Souls As Judah saith of Benjamin If I bring him not back again to thee let me bear the blame for ever Such a weighty charge they take upon them But where is now in our days such a Noah such a Preacher of Righteousness Many Preach indeed and they take the charge of a People as they say but how long Till another hundred pound a year comes and then they are gone or till some suffering and hardship or inconvenience come and then they are gone They fly at the sight of the Wolf O wicked generation God will find them out But Noah takes charge of his People they are his house his family his life and therefore sticks to the saving of them 3. That is the third thing He sticks close to them and follows on till the thing be done till he hath indeed saved them till brought them into the same condition with himself He will lay down his life for his sheep and this is a true Shepherd indeed that cries out with Moses Nay rather blot my name out of the Book of Life then that this People should be destroyed And Paul he is at a strait and could wish himself accurst from Christ for his Brethrens sake Now to have such a Saviour to stand in the gap to travel for a People and never leave till Christ be formed in them this is the great Mercy and after this sort do the Noahs

made thee He that Rules and Orders all Fear Him but why should we fear him 1. Fear him because we are his Workmanship he is our Maker he is the Potter and we are his clay we had our Being and Frame and mould and all we have from him 2. Fear Him Because he can bring thee down on a sudden He can secretly twist away thy life and all thou hast thou knowst not how How soon was Judas striped and twisted out of all his mercy and presently left to ruine He was but now among the Disciples and lookt upon as one of them for they all questioned themselves as much as him and by and by he hangs himself when he is but left to have his run and therefore saith David Thou holdest our souls in life if he do not hold and maintain and keep up thy life every moment alas thou art soon gone and wilt sink to nothing when thou art in thy jollity and mirth in the midst of thy bouls if a hand writing do but come against thee how soon may thy mirth be quashed the knees tremble and knock together and the face be turned to paleness Alas therefore should'st thou not fear him When I consider Him I am afraid of Him saith Job for He is of one mind and he will bring to pass the thing appointed for me He can turn all upside down in a moment at such an uncertainty stand all our ways and enjoyments when at the best much like a stout resolved Souldier riding up bravely furnished and with a courage to charge in the face of an Enemy but on a suddain a bullet comes and lays him down and all his strength and courage is gone in a moment so soon can this Lord take thee off in any of thy injoyments therefore Fear Him 3. Fear Him because he doth all without let 〈◊〉 controul nothing shall hinder when He begins He will make an end All men and all creatures have a Controuler that can frustrate their enterprises but the great God hath no controuler He gives no account of his matters if he will not favour a man either in Soul or body but lets a blast seize upon him alas the man must fall and all the world cannot help him 4. Fear Him because in thy own Conscience tho● canst witness Thou hast justly offended Him he hath occasions and advantages enough against thee O Lord how many ways might He justly take thee off might he not stop thy breath when thou sleepest might he not make thy meat to be thy poyson art thou not a sinner in all and liable to Him if He should take advantage therefore Stand in awe and Fear before Him 5. Fear Him because He will certainly bring thee to judgment he wil call thee to an account for all thy ways That which hath been done in secret which no eye saw and no man could ever charge thee with all thy secret thoughts thy covetings and lustings and envyings the secret turnings within He will bring all upon the stage nothing shall pass therefore fear this Judg for Thou knowest not at what hour thy Lord may come And Good Lord if He come in a time unthought of and finde thee froward and fretting and envying and lusting and saving thy life in any creature Alas what then will become of thee if thou beest thus surprized and surprize thee He may For we know not the hour when the Thief will come therefore there is cause to fear 6. Fear Him because there is mercy with Him that He may be feared He will have a reward for them that fear him If thou fear men either they may neglect and not minde to reward thee or else may not be able but the Lord will surely reward them that fear Him and those that wait on Him shall not be ashamed And therefore there is great reason from these several Particulars why He should be feared And now I shall speak of the two other general Points from the words which come in as an enlargement and farther ground of this Exhortation Fear Him that can destroy both Soul and Body in Hell where these two things are yet to be opened What it is to have the Soul destroyed and then what it is to be in Hell Fifthly What is it to have the Soul destroyed what ways doth God take to do that 1. He destroys the Soul by withdrawing the sap which should maintain it when God gives up the Soul to it self and leaves striving and motioning and knocking this is one way by which it is surely destroyed For it will soon dye and sink of it self if it be not followed and hunted and kept up and maintained dayly 2. Another way of destroying the Soul is when God gives it up to beleeve lyes to feed on ashes and that like a canker will soon eat out all the life and power and spirit of Truth The Soul is made uncapable of receiving Truth nothing can enter nor seize Though there be never such a power and strength and clearness in the Word yet nothing can take place and this is the wonder that God speaks I will work a wonder in your days that a man shall not beleeve though it be told him I will destroy the wisdom of the wise And again In hearing they shall hear and not perceive and in seeing they shall not see because a deceived heart hath turned them aside given up to beleeve lyes c. 3. Another way of destroying the Soul is by leaving it alone out of the Nursery out of the heart and care of the People of God that there is none to take it in none to look over it nor enquire after it none to turn aside to ask how it doth Alass this will soon destroy the Soul to be thus cast off and left alone without the care and counsel and pity and encouragement of the Truth to have none to plant nor water nor till it that ground can bring forth nothing but bryars and thorns and so is nigh unto cursing c. 4. Another way God takes when the Decrees are gone forth to undo a Soul is this He shuts out all prayers and intreaties and means that are used to turn his heart to the creature that nothing shall prevail with Him though there should be any to stand up to pray and plead yet He will not hear Though Samuel and Moses and Daniel should stand up yet could not my heart be turned towards this people Put them out of my sight saith God And so to Samuel God answers Why prayest thou any more for Saul I have cast him off And this is a sure way of undoing the Soul indeed If God be against it who can stand for it who can deliver out of his hand 5. Another way the Soul is destroyed by is when God takes away all its gates and fences and lays it open to sin and Satan to have their full course and run without stop or let All the floods of ungodliness and

that Truth cannot tell where to find you Could it but find you though in a Goal or Stocks amongst Harlots or any where in the dirtiest hole that could be it would be a gladness But to be as runaways every where and yet no where sometime in this Harlots house sometimes in another this is a great woe and sorrow But let 's be merry saith the father for I have found my son again that was lost If you could but come forth and say to the Lord Here I am and declare the very particular place where you lie and stick 't were happy As a man in a mist when quite lost is glad to hallow and call to any to give notice he is lost and tells them where they shall find him But we slight it and say 'T is true I am in a lost condition but what will any telling another do me good We think there must be no crying out But the time will come that you will cry before delivered both to instruct others saying O come not here as the Lepers were to cry out to all O come not to me I am unclean I am unclean and then there will be a crying Can you help me can you tell me which way God delivered you Though the Father sent forth his word to seek up his son yet he came not till he was alive quick and sensible of his wants and this made him arise and go to his father c. The last thing yet remains wherein lies the conclusion of all and it is marvelous to consider how the work hangs together A third Reason why the Father is merry is the safe return of his Prodigal When the other son came out of the field and heard the musick and dancing he asked one of the servants what those things meant Why saith he Thy Brother is come and thy Father hath killed for him the fatted Calf because he hath received him safe and sound And if this should not be all would be an incompleat Salvation still But while I speak the word I sigh to speak it Shall we ever see the day to be thus adorned to have the best robe the shooes the ring and the fatted Calf to sit at the Kings Table and have the presence and favor of the Father to hear that concord between Heaven and Earth that musick and harmony to hear the gladness of the Father and all those holy Angels to see the Earth which is his footstool brought to the Will of the Heavenly to have Heaven and Earth brought together to a meet and close Therefore Let 's eat and be merry 1. Because my son was dead and is alive again 2. He was lost and is found And 3. He hath received Him safe and sound And this is wonderful that one so far gone that had been dead and lost that Lazarus lying four days stinking in his grave should be raised and made a sound man again that there should be no deadness nor confusion nor taint in the Principle of Life but all return sound this will be a wonder That there shall be no taint nor smell of any ill savor in all our words and ways left it will be wonderful indeed to have such a Resurrection There are three things considerable from this word To be Safe 1. That which is safe is well fenced about as Solomon saith The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous runneth into it and is safe Prov. 18.10 But what 's the Name of the Lord He proclaims his Name thus The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering abundant in goodness and truth Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin and that will by no means let the guilty go free c. Exod. 34.6 7. When the Prodigal is compassed about with this Name he is safe to purpose with long-suffering gentleness c. and with remembrance of this also That he will by no means let the guilty go free then is he made to give glory to his Father This will be a strong tower where the Soul may be safe 2. To be safe is to be where no harm can come at him In time of trouble saith David he shall hide me in his pavilion in the secret of his Tabernacle shall he hide me Psal 27.5 A pavilion stands in the midst of the Army and what harm can touch one there To be in the City of Refuge there the Avenger of blood cannot come neer Now he is under the wings of his Father no Witchcraft nor Enchantment can touch him And when ever God shall make such a fence about you your estate will be good indeed when thus fenced about with the Name of the Lord. But 3. A man may be said to be safe when he cannot run away to harm himself neither When God makes this Covenant with Israel he saith And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them That I will not turn away from them to do them good but will put my Fear into their hearts that they SHALL NOT DEPART FROM ME Jer. 32.40 A man that is lock'd in the Stocks or in a Gaol we use to say such a man is safe because he cannot get away So when God has put his Fear into the heart it 's made as an hook or anchor to the Soul it cannot get away from him But happy are they whom God will bring back again with the Prodigal from the Land of their captivity into his presence There 's the place of rest and quiet there the Father rejoyces over his Prodigal because he has received him safe and sound To be Sound hath these things considerable in it 1. A thing that is sound may be considered thus to be without rottenness without fault firm and durable Now the Prodigal before his return has a heart with a taint in it and 't will be wonderful if ever we shall be brought out clean spotless unblameable c. It 's nothing to keep a man from stealing when he can come at no prize but to have the Babylonish garments and the wedges of gold lie before the Soul and now not to have an Achans heart to covet them here will be the tryal O let me not taste of their dainties saith David The time was he was envious at the prosperity of the wicked But now to see them prosper and enjoy their portions and yet not envy nor cover in nothing to be tainted here will be the wonder But 2. To be Sound is to be compleat and without deficiency as of a Horse that is fit for service we say He is a sound Horse sound wind and limb compleat c. The Prodigal came home compleated as Paul saith That you may be wholly compleat in him not having any spot or blemish or any such thing And My Beloved saith the Church is wholly delectable compleat in beauty O that my heart were so direct saith David that I were sound in thy Law O Lord how far off are we

thy Soul choose it however thou art found That 's the thing If thou canst but come in this Name of the Lord then be encouraged that he will receive thee he will make thee a feast of fat things and of wine well refined on the lees He will sit down at Table with thee and say Eat my friends eat abundantly Come and let 's be merry c. for Fury is not in him as we suppose He waits to be gracious and is more glad of one sinner that repents then of ninety nine just persons that need no repentance O therefore return thou Prodigal return say to thy Soul a thousand times over O return to thy strong hold Take hold on the horns of the Altar as thou art and be safe Say not If I were clothed I would come if I were shod and had Rings on my hands and were filled with the spirit of power then I could come But enquire Is there not life in thee Is not the principle quite dead then be encouraged for where there 's life there 's hope the Father will entertain thee But O Lord how long shall we neglect so great Salvation O Lord the thing is too much to expect That ever the sinner should be so received to stand before him spotless and blameless safe and sound But surely the Scripture has not said it in vain nor is that principle in you in vain that gasps and pants after it O therefore minde and consider that we might enjoy this portion and return from our Prodigality and the good Lord bring you in at the right door for there onely will he finde you and where 's that Why in the Name of the Lord. But so long as this pride and envy c lives we would never come to admire and say O the forbearance and long-suffering of our God! We would never clear him and own the thing as it is but this is the door by which the righteous enter and are safe Noah VVarned OF Things not Seen OR Faith piercing into Invisibles SERM. VII April 27. 1651. HEBR. 11.7 By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his house by which he condemned the world and became heir of the Righteousness which is by Faith The Analysis FRom the words was observed in general I. What Things Noah was warned of by God And they were these three 1. That all flesh was corrupt how fair and specious soever to sight 2. That the end of all flesh was come though all seem'd quiet and well 3. He is warned to prepare an Ark to the saving of his house None of these things were yet seen but Noah sticks to the Word This brought home to shew we have been warned in all these Cases 1. That all flesh is corrupt We have been warned of that three ways 1. By the Word of the Cryer that hath witnessed it 2. We have proved it over and over again by Tryal in our selves 3. Warned by Providence the world let out against us and the breach begun 2. We have been warned the end of all flesh is at hand often witnessed to us That He will not always wink and bear but call to an account 3. The warning hath oft been to us to provide an Ark a sure resting place and shelter from storms to know our portion in the eternal Love II. How is Noah affected Moved with Fear c. A Fear and awe seizeth on him and that in five Particulars 1. From the warning that all flesh was corrupt All in the man sin a Fear touches the Soul Lord is the case so with me 2. Moved with Fear because the end of all flesh was come Judgment ready to seize the Flood coming this moves a Fear 3. Because he was naked and had not an Ark provided 4. Moved with Fear lest he should slip over the present day and Call 5. Lest the Flood should come before his Ark be finished And this moves the Soul and makes it haste to the work All this brought home to Particulars to enquire whether we were moved with this Fear with much power and searching III. Consider He prepared an Ark the Fear took place The Ark was a Type of Christ It had three Stories which expressed the three Conditions Christ went through and All His must follow 1. A day of weakness sufferings and Death and this lowest story all that will prepare an Ark must first build In this Death of Christ was considered 1. He dyed to all things not only unlawful but lawful just Rights and Priviledges became poor for others 2. He did it willingly and quietly not grudging none took his Life from him This the pattern of the first story of the Ark. 2. The day of his Resurrection to Life that a second story 3. His ascending into Glory answerable to the third HEBR. 11.7 By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with Fear prepared an Ark c. IN all Times God had some to whom He hath been pleased to communicate his mind about what was to befall the world and therefore he saith He will do nothing but he will reveal it to his servants the Prophets and to them the forewarning they have had from God hath not been a slight Thing an idle Tale or a Fable but it hath taken impression As with many of the Prophets how have they cryed out in bitter distress That they were pained at the very heart and their bowels shook within c. at the sight of the miseries which were to come on a People before the thing was done or any present danger in view And so here Noah is warned of God of things to come though not at all yet seen and see what place it took He was moved with fear and that fear was not in vain neither but put him upon a work He prepared an Ark to the saving of himself and his house And therefore where ever we hear of great high words of great discoveries and revealings of God to any which many now in the world pretend to and yet all they speak of takes no place upon their spirits there is no fear nor awe nor dread no paining of heart nor shaking of inwards but they can live still as loosely and vainly as ever after their own fleshly wills this is a token God hath not spoke there but speak a false Vision of their own hearts But God hath in all Ages had some to whom he hath revealed what he hath intended to do to give warning to the world before-hand that when the Judgment comes they may know it comes not by chance and hap but that he hath a hand in it So Christ to his Disciples When these things come to pass you may remember that I have told you And it is often mentioned That such and such things came to pass that the Scriptures might be fulfilled The Word which God had spoke to his servants

in all Ages save the People committed to them Moses he stands up in the gap and the anger is turned away Phinehas he stands up and the Plague ceased David he stands up and takes the sin and the blow upon himself 1 Chron. 21.17 It is even I that have sinned and done evill but as for these sheep what have they done Let thine hand be upon me I pray thee c. Thus he stands up till the destroying Angel puts up his sword till the thing be done he requests for and thus Noah and all the preachers of righteousness prepare an Ark to the saving of their House the people committed to them II. Another Consequent upon Noahs building an Ark is this by which he condemned the world all the world is condemned by it and that in these seven particulars 1. Noah beleeves Gods Word and is Warned God tels him Noah all flesh hath corrupted his way and it repenteth me I have made man wherefore their end is come before me and I will surely bring a Deluge to destroy them all now therefore look to it stay not in all the plain get away from the tents of these wicked men hasten and build an Ark to keep off the danger that thou perish not with them and he believed God 't is said c. But who will beleeve this report now if God Himself should speak or an Angell from Heaven if one from the dead should come we would not beleeve if we beleeve not Moses and the Prophets Now who will beleeve if such a certain word as this be witnessed to them Well deceive not your selves I can surely tell you from God that misery and destruction is certainly coming on if you stick in this condition if you get not an Ark a sure shelter and refuge astrong Tower to flye to you will never be able to stand therefore Knowing the terrors of the Lord we perswade you lay the thing to heart defer it no longer I but who will be warned by all this none of the world will the world within us and the world without that will go on its old way do and say what you can Charme the charmer never so wisely the Blackmore will not change his skin nor the Leopard his spots this carnall and sensuall and Devilish mind within us it wil yet feed on carrion though it be a thousand times warned it will not be warned though it be told and told and told Well this way will surely undo you if you stick on any seen things and come not to give up all and lay down your lives you will certainly be miserable and loose your lives yet this spirit in us will not beleeve but it will put the evill day far off and mock at the making of an Ark. It will plead what need is there of this ado and God he is merciful one shift or other this world will ever finde to be at ease but wo to them that are at ease in Syon c. Noah he is warned the new Heart the sensible Spirit that heares the Word and stands alwayes in awe and trembling that is warned and this is that which Judges the world for they are not 2. Noah beleeves though he be warned of things not seen as yet he disputes not with flesh and blood about the matter but beleeves and this condemns the world who would not argue But what shall we have if we leave all and what need is there of it yet till more danger appears who would build an Ark when no flood is seen and not say with Job No I am well I shall dye in my nest who that is strong and in health and hath all enjoyments about him will then beleeve a change will come Who breaks through all snares and entanglements and says Let me go stand aside all is uncertain all may soon be taken from me this life is a mortal life and all my enjoyments are nothing if the Deluge come therefore strive not to comfort me let me go about the work to prepare an Ark Who breaks through thus resolvedly No the heart stands rather to dispute Sure this man says he knows not what there 's no such danger And thus the time is reasoned out And if you will stand thus pleading till the Flood come unawares and take you yet remember I have told you these things I have dealt truly in warning you And as Christ saith all this have I said that you might be saved But yet you are disputing and reasoning Alas what can I do to help my self And thus we linger and come to nothing Sure all this which I speak to you is as a Tale that is told Lord how I feel the hardness of your heart and that the Word enters not into the stone But sure it is if the Word take no place the Blow shall the Flood will come and destroy this world 3. He condemns the world in this He sets to build an Ark alone He stays not for great and wise ones to joyn with him in the work but builds alone though all scoff and say What will this Babbler say what is this fool doing Will he bring in new Laws and Ordinances and go contrary to all Customs and Orders and Rules of our Fathers and Leaders and wise ones Well but this moves him not Do ye what you will saith Joshuah I and my house will serve the Lord I must go on saith Noah The Soul that is indeed at a strait must go through all Lets and set upon the work It must leave all Relations Father and Mother and Friends and say to all If you will not go with me I must leave you Let the dead bury their dead but follow thou me saith Christ But this is the pleading of all the world Do any of the great ones the Scribes and Pharisees beleeve on him Do the Minsters and godly Divines go this way And here they sit down saying We 'l not be wiser then all men but follow our Teachers Well saith the Soul that is indeed at a strait Go they as they will yet I must go this way there is a press within I know not what shall become of me and 't is time now to look out if neither Father nor Brother if none in the World will joyn with me yet I must go to Zion Alass I am at a strait Alass what shall become of me in the latter end This strait will surely come upon your spirits and run through all enjoyments your eating and drinking and buying and selling nothing shall give you rest And were you indeed here you would not stay for company you would look out for bread to eat were you ready to starve And who ever is thus pressed on through all to build this Ark he condemns the World who all sit down at ease And thus that world in us is condemned by that restless spirit of Truth that is always reaching and crying and pressing forward 4. This condemns the World That Noah