Selected quad for the lemma: life_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
life_n	line_n	page_n	read_v	4,280	5	9.9304	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A07828	Two treatises concerning regeneration, 1. Of repentance, 2. Of the diet of the soule shewing the one, how it ought to be sought after and may be attained vnto, the other, how it being gotten, is to be preserued and continued.	Morton, Thomas, of Berwick.	1597 (1597)	STC 18200.5; ESTC S4792	100,213	251

the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o own_o salvation_n at_o length_n see_v the_o vanity_n of_o his_o life_n past_a be_v grieve_v for_o it_o and_o wish_v although_o too_o late_o that_o he_o have_v take_v a_o other_o course_n yea_o together_o with_o his_o mind_n he_o change_v ●is_n ●ill_o affection_n and_o his_o whole_a life_n utter_o renounce_v and_o disclaim_v all_o those_o vice_n and_o sin_n wherein_o before_o he_o delight_v and_o live_v and_o labour_v to_o frame_v and_o inure_v himself_o to_o a_o virtuous_a and_o christian_n disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o life_n this_o state_n we_o have_v plain_o set_v do●ne_n unto_o we_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o that_o prodigal_a young_a man_n who_o have_v waste_v his_o money_n time_n &_o strength_n in_o riot_n come_v at_o length_n to_o his_o right_a wit_n and_o to_o a_o sober_a kind_n of_o life_n this_o be_v that_o state_n of_o man_n which_o be_v betwixt_o senseless_a security_n or_o open_a prophanesse_n wherein_o he_o seldom_o or_o never_o think_v of_o god_n who_o perhaps_o he_o think_v neither_o to_o exist_v in_o himself_o nor_o to_o work_v any_o way_n in_o the_o world_n or_o of_o his_o own_o salvation_n he_o never_o dream_v of_o any_o other_o world_n than_o this_o which_o he_o do_v present_o enjoy_v and_o wherein_o he_o place_v his_o whole_a happiness_n in_o this_o first_o estate_n which_o may_v true_o be_v call_v atheism_n man_n be_v most_o wretched_a as_o in_o all_o other_o respect_n so_o chief_o in_o that_o he_o account_v himself_o happy_a as_o all_o carnal_a man_n do_v who_o be_v free_a from_o outward_a cross_n be_v for_o the_o present_a without_o any_o knowledge_n desire_n hope_v or_o likelihood_n of_o any_o better_a estate_n in_o the_o second_o estate_n also_o the_o which_o in_o this_o treatise_n we_o call_v the_o state_n of_o repentance_n man_n be_v as_o yet_o not_o happy_a but_o miserable_a yet_o happy_a in_o this_o one_o respect_n for_o that_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v wretched_a do_v earnest_o desire_v careful_o endeavour_n and_o may_v well_o hope_v to_o become_v happy_a but_o in_o the_o three_o estate_n to_o wit_n in_o regeneration_n he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v both_o happy_a and_o holy_a and_o labour_v for_o the_o perfection_n of_o it_o &_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o holiness_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o god_n to_o overcome_v that_o sinfulness_n which_o he_o have_v by_o nature_n the_o second_o state_n be_v the_o way_n lead_v from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o three_o from_o sin_n to_o holiness_n from_o death_n to_o life_n the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n not_o to_o god_n for_o he_o be_v as_o yet_o as_o far_o from_o he_o as_o hell_n or_o rather_o as_o the_o earth_n be_v from_o heaven_n but_o only_a towards_o god_n and_o the_o preparation_n for_o grace_n and_o regeneration_n command_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o name_n of_o repentance_n thus_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n be_v the_o ministry_n of_o repentance_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n not_o so_o much_o to_o teach_v christ_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o work_v faith_n as_o by_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o law_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o a_o sight_n and_o sense_n of_o sin_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v stir_v uppe_o to_o christ_n the_o pardoner_n of_o sin_n thus_o he_o define_v his_o office_n and_o ministry_n math._n 3.3_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o crier_n in_o the_o wilderness_n prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o make_v his_o path_n straight_o and_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o all_o his_o sermon_n repent_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n likewise_o in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n the_o word_n repentance_n be_v thus_o take_v although_o sometime_o put_v for_o regeneration_n or_o sanctification_n itself_o yet_o usual_o distinguish_v from_o it_o as_o be_v but_o a_o preparative_n unto_o it_o as_o math._n 21.32_o you_o do_v not_o repent_v to_o believe_v or_o that_o so_o you_o may_v have_v believe_v and_o act._n 2.38_o repent_v and_o be_v baptize_v for_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o you_o shall_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o act._n 8.22_o peter_n say_v to_o simon_n magus_n repent_v and_o pray_v to_o god_n if_o perhaps_o the_o thought_n of_o thy_o heart_n may_v be_v forgive_v thou_o and_o thus_o we_o take_v it_o in_o this_o treatise_n for_o the_o natural_a conversion_n of_o a_o man_n to_o god_n wrought_v in_o a_o man_n unregenerate_a as_o it_o seem_v nicodemus_n be_v john_n 3.4_o although_o he_o do_v seek_v salvation_n yet_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o regeneration_n this_o way_n or_o this_o ladder_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o climb_v up_o to_o regeneration_n have_v four_o step_n for_o so_o we_o will_v make_v a_o homely_a and_o familiar_a division_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v set_v down_o in_o many_o several_a part_n may_v the_o more_o easy_o be_v understand_v and_o know_v the_o first_o step_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v by_o this_o carnal_a man_n now_o repent_v be_v to_o get_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o his_o o●ne_a estate_n to_o wit_n how_o sinful_a and_o wretched_a he_o be_v in_o himself_o by_o nature_n and_o at_o t●is_n present_v the_o second_o step_n be_v humiliation_n or_o contrition_n wrought_v in_o he_o by_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o his_o own_o estate_n the_o three_o be_v a_o full_a purpose_n or_o resolution_n of_o mind_n to_o seek_v for_o grace_n and_o regeneration_n the_o four_o and_o last_o part_n be_v the_o diligent_a use_v of_o the_o mean_v appoint_v by_o god_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o grace_n the_o which_o mean_n be_v three_o in_o number_n the_o first_o be_v amendment_n of_o life_n the_o second_o the_o hear_n of_o god_n word_n the_o three_o be_v prayer_n or_o invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n read_v in_o the_o former_a treatise_n page_n 80._o line_n 17._o praise_n for_o practice_v page_n 64.3_o do_v but_o his_o duty_n pa._n 61._o lin_v 24._o faint_v for_o faint_o pag_n ●3_n lin_v 24._o reject_v for_o receive_v pa._n 43._o lin_v 8._o great_a for_o grace_n pag._n 40._o lin_v 5._o word_n for_o work_n pag._n 31._o lin_v 14._o of_o absolute_a for_o absolute_a pag._n 26._o lin_v ●0_n humble_a for_o humble_a page_n 86._o line_n 10._o like_a for_o better_o page_n 88_o lin_v 12._o tempt_v to_o for_o tempt_v by_o page_n 90.26_o sinfulness_n for_o sinful_a life_n page_n 94.9_o in_o al●_n the_o age_n pag._n 104.20_o require_v for_o requi●ed_v read_v in_o the_o latter_a treatise_n pag._n ●2_n lin_v 23._o thus_o they_o die_v pa._n 88_o lin_v 1●_n lie_v idle_a pa._n 65._o lin_v 18._o shall_v not_o pa._n 110._o lin_v 7._o other_o man_n pag._n 112_o lin_v 27._o be_v not_o pa._n 113._o lin_v ●_o in_o a_o dark_a 116.1_o blessing_n like_a of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o repentance_n call_v repentance_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a chap._n 1._o sect._n 1_o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v in_o repentance_n be_v this_o that_o the_o carnal_a man_n labour_n to_o have_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o his_o own_o estate_n the_o which_o as_o it_o be_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n neither_o can_v be_v continue_v if_o it_o be_v good_a nor_o can_v be_v amend_v be_v now_o amiss_o unless_o it_o be_v full_o and_o thorough_o know_v and_o therefore_o we_o must_v endeavour_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o bring_v this_o our_o nicodemus_n to_o know_v himself_o to_o wit_n how_o he_o stand_v in_o respect_n of_o god_n and_o his_o favour_n whereon_o his_o good_a estate_n do_v whole_o depend_v for_o as_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o a_o subject_n or_o servant_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o he_o live_n in_o the_o favour_n and_o good_a like_n of_o his_o king_n or_o master_n procure_v by_o his_o loyal_a obedience_n &_o faithful_a service_n be_v free_a from_o all_o evil_n and_o injury_n and_o enjoy_v all_o thing_n either_o needful_a or_o pleasant_a so_o the_o state_n of_o man_n be_v pure_a from_o sin_n be_v good_a &_o happy_a otherwise_o if_o by_o sin_v &_o rebel_a against_o god_n he_o incur_v his_o displeasure_n most_o wretched_a &_o miserable_a but_o what_o do_v not_o man_n know_v himself_o how_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o he_o who_o know_v all_o thing_n be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o own_o estate_n especial_o see_v this_o knowledge_n be_v most_o proper_a and_o pertinent_a unto_o he_o for_o none_o know_v the_o thing_n of_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o sure_o as_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o body_n although_o it_o behold_v all_o other_o thing_n yet_o it_o can_v not_o see_v either_o itself_o or_o some_o other_o part_n of_o the_o body_n even_o those_o which_o be_v near_a unto_o it_o so_o it_o fare_v with_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n the_o eye_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o range_v over_o the_o whole_a

which_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o man_n be_v altogether_o impossible_a be_v easy_a in_o respect_n of_o god_n who_o be_v no_o less_o able_a to_o restore_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o their_o first_o purity_n than_o he_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n to_o create_v both_o body_n and_o soul_n but_o all_o the_o doubt_n be_v in_o the_o will_n of_o god_n whether_o that_o as_o he_o be_v able_a so_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o work_v regeneration_n in_o every_o one_o that_o seek_v it_o if_o he_o be_v willing_a then_o sure_o either_o every_o one_o may_v attain_v to_o regeneration_n which_o be_v undoubted_o false_a or_o else_o very_a few_o do_v seek_v after_o it_o the_o which_o may_v be_v great_o wonder_v at_o that_o most_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o careless_a of_o their_o own_o salvation_n as_o not_o to_o think_v it_o worthy_a the_o seek_n if_o he_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o grant_v it_o to_o all_o that_o seek_v it_o than_o regeneration_n remain_v as_o impossible_a a_o thing_n for_o man_n to_o attain_v as_o if_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o god_n to_o work_v it_o in_o man_n and_o man_n have_v cause_n to_o abstain_v from_o that_o which_o neither_o themselves_o be_v able_a nor_o god_n willing_a to_o bring_v to_o pass_v we_o answer_v first_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a and_o ordinary_a a_o matter_n as_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v for_o a_o carnal_a man_n to_o seek_v for_o regeneration_n and_o grace_n the_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o nature_n second_o if_o as_o it_o come_v sometime_o to_o pass_v he_o do_v in_o some_o sort_n desire_v it_o and_o set_v himself_o to_o seek_v it_o yet_o he_o do_v not_o persevere_v in_o this_o mind_n and_o desire_v as_o he_o ought_v but_o faint_o in_o well_o do_v and_o so_o return_v to_o his_o old_a bias_n cease_v from_o seek_v and_o lose_v his_o labour_n but_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o which_o although_o it_o be_v very_o rare_a and_o scarce_o to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o whole_a age_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o wit_n that_o a_o carnal_a man_n do_v set_v himself_o with_o a_o resolute_a purpose_n of_o heart_n to_o seek_v for_o regeneration_n and_o that_o in_o the_o careful_a and_o painful_a use_v of_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o attain_v it_o he_o spend_v and_o end_v his_o day_n whither_o be_v he_o sure_a to_o obtain_v his_o desire_n or_o may_v happy_o loose_v all_o his_o labour_n we_o answer_v that_o although_o god_n have_v appoint_v that_o the_o careful_a seek_v of_o regeneration_n shall_v be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o obtain_v it_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o so_o tie_v himself_o to_o the_o mean_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o &_o of_o necessity_n bring_v forth_o the_o effect_n but_o have_v leave_v it_o free_a to_o himself_o whither_o to_o give_v good_a success_n and_o a_o happy_a issue_n or_o no._n whereby_o it_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o a_o man_n may_v desire_v and_o seek_v for_o regeneration_n and_o yet_o die_v a_o carnal_a man_n out_o of_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o life_n yet_o we_o be_v both_o in_o ourselves_o and_o also_o in_o other_o to_o hope_v the_o best_a and_o in_o that_o hope_n both_o to_o begin_v without_o despair_n and_o to_o continue_v without_o faint_a in_o the_o careful_a seek_v of_o grace_n leave_v the_o event_n to_o the_o will_n and_o good_a pleasure_n of_o the_o almighty_a god_n yea_o further_o we_o be_v to_o take_v heed_n that_o no_o wrong_a opinion_n arise_v hereof_o in_o our_o mind_n as_o it_o come_v usual_o to_o pass_v in_o man_n carnal_o mind_v who_o in_o this_o case_n will_v not_o stick_v to_o say_v that_o god_n deal_v both_o unfaithful_o in_o withhold_v grace_n have_v make_v this_o solemn_a promise_n in_o his_o word_n whosoever_o seek_v shall_v find_v and_o whosoever_o knock_v shall_v have_v the_o door_n of_o grace_n set_v open_a unto_o he_o and_o also_o unjust_o both_o in_o punish_v he_o for_o the_o want_n of_o it_o who_o he_o know_v to_o have_v do_v what_o so_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n for_o the_o attain_n of_o it_o and_o also_o in_o not_o recompense_v his_o painful_a endeavour_n by_o grant_v his_o request_n and_o give_v grace_n we_o answer_v that_o god_n in_o withhold_v his_o regenerate_a spirit_n the_o worker_n of_o grace_n from_o man_n do_v they_o no_o manner_n of_o wrong_n for_o his_o grace_n be_v his_o own_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v with_o they_o what_o he_o listen_v he_o be_v not_o bind_v in_o the_o beginning_n to_o create_v man_n in_o natural_a life_n and_o holiness_n how_o much_o less_o than_o be_v he_o now_o bind_v to_o restore_v those_o blessing_n unto_o he_o have_v so_o unthankful_o wilful_o &_o rebellious_o deprive_v himself_o of_o they_o as_o for_o god_n promise_n the_o which_o we_o confess_v be_v to_o be_v perform_v to_o those_o who_o be_v unworthy_a of_o favour_n for_o otherwise_o man_n unthankfulnes_n shall_v make_v god_n unfaithful_a howsoever_o they_o be_v propound_v in_o general_a term_n yet_o they_o be●ong_v to_o the_o elect_a only_o to_o who_o god_n do_v perform_v they_o to_o the_o full_a as_o for_o the_o reward_n due_a unto_o the_o painful_a seek_v of_o grace_n man_z when_o he_o have_v take_v the_o great_a pain_n in_o this_o behalf_n have_v do_v but_o duty_n nay_o he_o have_v not_o in_o any_o measure_n do_v his_o duty_n for_o one_o regenerate_v much_o less_o a_o carnal_a man_n can_v seek_v for_o grace_n so_o as_o he_o ought_v and_o therefore_o when_o he_o have_v do_v all_o that_o he_o can_v he_o be_v but_o a_o unprofitable_a servant_n but_o beside_o all_o this_o so_o endless_a be_v the_o mercy_n goodness_n and_o equity_n of_o god_n yea_o so_o great_a be_v his_o desire_n to_o make_v himself_o manifest_a to_o all_o man_n in_o these_o respect_n that_o it_o pity_v he_o to_o see_v any_o thing_n make_v frustrate_v of_o the_o expectation_n in_o any_o good_a endeavour_n that_o rather_o than_o he_o will_v not_o do_v good_a he_o will_v do_v it_o to_o those_o who_o be_v evil_a and_o that_o rather_o than_o he_o will_v seem_v unjust_a in_o not_o reward_v that_o which_o man_n do_v false_o think_v to_o be_v good_a and_o to_o deserve_v good_a he_o will_v in_o some_o sort_n not_o in_o truth_n for_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o bestow_v his_o blessing_n on_o who_o he_o will_v even_o on_o the_o wicked_a be_v unjust_a in_o reward_v man_n for_o that_o which_o he_o know_v to_o be_v sinful_a thus_o this_o carnal_a man_n in_o seek_v grace_n do_v not_o either_o loose_v his_o labour_n or_o lack_v his_o reward_n for_o by_o this_o mean_n he_o do_v not_o only_o purchase_v unto_o himself_o temporal_a blessing_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n but_o also_o escape_v those_o fearful_a plague_n which_o be_v pour_v on_o wilful_a and_o obstinate_a sinner_n in_o this_o life_n as_o we_o read_v 1._o king_n 21.28.29_o that_o achab._n do_v by_o his_o hypocritical_a humiliation_n yea_o that_o grievous_a damnation_n which_o abide_v they_o in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v as_o for_o the_o guilt_n of_o eternal_a death_n it_o be_v madness_n to_o imagine_v that_o it_o shall_v by_o this_o mean_n be_v avoid_v see_v it_o be_v procure_v by_o these_o and_o the_o best_a action_n of_o a_o carnal_a man_n the_o which_o come_v from_o a_o corrupt_a fountain_n can_v but_o be_v sinful_a and_o impure_a sect._n 4._o another_o hindrance_n of_o seek_v regenetion_n be_v another_o erroneous_a opinion_n conceive_v of_o it_o to_o wit_n presumption_n of_o the_o power_n &_o goodness_n of_o god_n it_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o all_o those_o who_o think_v that_o god_n will_v in_o his_o good_a time_n work_v grace_n in_o they_o although_o they_o themselves_o take_v neither_o care_n nor_o pain_n about_o any_o such_o matter_n yea_o although_o they_o go_v a_o clean_a contrary_a way_n live_v in_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n and_o altogether_o careless_a of_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o regeneration_n and_o salvation_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v first_o confess_v that_o god_n as_o he_o always_o can_v so_o sometime_o do_v work_v ●●●e●eration_n without_o any_o mean_n even_o in_o ●l●●se_n whenever_o think_v nor_o dream_v of_o any_o such_o matter_n and_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o either_o the_o knowledge_n or_o yet_o a_o desire_n either_o of_o grace_n or_o of_o salvation_n be_v as_o we_o read_v r●_n 10.20_o find_v of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o seek_v he_o and_o make_v manifest_a unto_o those_o who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o ask_v for_o he_o as_o we_o may_v see_v plain_o in_o the_o say_a apostle_n who_o find_v god_n &_o grace_n when_o as_o he_o do_v not_o only_o not_o seek_v or_o follow_v they_o but_o also_o fly_v as_o far_o off_o from_o they_o as_o he_o can_v thus_o regeneration_n be_v compare_v

sake_n notable_a for_o this_o purpose_n be_v that_o say_n and_o pratise_n of_o david_n 2._o sam._n 24_o 4._o who_o when_o as_o he_o may_v have_v have_v the_o thresh_a floor_n &_o the_o ox_n for_o sacrifice_n of_o free_a gift_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o araunah_n he_o will_v needs_o give_v he_o the_o full_a price_n for_o they_o say_v i_o will_v not_o offer_v a_o burn_a offering_n to_o the_o lord_n my_o god_n which_o shall_v cost_v i_o nothing_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v if_o i_o serve_v god_n at_o another_o man_n charge_n how_o shall_v it_o appear_v that_o i_o do_v it_o in_o love_n obedience_n and_o conscience_n toward_o he_o in_o like_a manner_n ought_v every_o christian_a to_o say_v with_o himself_o i_o know_v that_o many_o hypocritical_a reprobate_n and_o proud_a pharisaical_a heretic_n have_v give_v all_o their_o good_n even_o a_o thousand_o time_n more_o than_o i_o have_v to_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a the_o maintenance_n of_o learning_n and_o other_o good_a use_n that_o god_n regard_v the_o heart_n and_o not_o the_o hand_n that_o my_o best_a wo●ks_n be_v sinful_a &_o in_o themselves_o abominable_a in_o his_o sight_n yet_o for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o my_o faith_n and_o love_n i_o will_v labour_v to_o abound_v in_o all_o good_a work_n towards_o all_o man_n to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o my_o power_n yea_o my_o service_n which_o i_o offer_v to_o god_n shall_v be_v costly_a and_o chargeable_a unto_o i_o although_o i_o know_v this_o will_v be_v grievous_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n there_o shall_v no_o day_n pass_v i_o without_o some_o good_a work_n no_o more_o than_o there_o do_v without_o prayer_n and_o other_o spiritual_a exercise_n sect._n 16_o thus_o we_o have_v in_o some_o sort_n declare_v that_o part_n of_o spiritual_a diet_n by_o the_o which_o the_o soul_n be_v preserve_v in_o health_n and_o strength_n yea_o augment_v in_o these_o respect_n from_o one_o degree_n of_o grace_n to_o another_o till_o it_o come_v to_o the_o measure_n or_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v toward_o that_o absolute_a perfection_n of_o holiness_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n in_o who_o there_o be_v nothing_o either_o imperfect_a or_o wholye_a want_v this_o perfection_n can_v not_o be_v attain_a unto_o in_o this_o lif●_n for_o as_o long_o as_o the_o soul_n remain_v in_o this_o sinful_a tabernacle_n so_o long_v it_o shall_v have_v in_o it_o infirmity_n want_n and_o relic_n of_o sin_n which_o keep_v out_o the_o perfection_n of_o grace_n yet_o we_o must_v endeavour_n to_o come_v as_o near_o it_o as_o we_o can_v daily_o rise_v up_o from_o strength_n to_o strength_n in_o the_o which_o respect_n the_o soul_n differ_v from_o the_o body_n the_o which_o have_v a_o short_a time_n of_o life_n but_o far_o short_a of_o growth_n and_o a_o appoint_a limit_n or_o period_n of_o stature_n beyond_o the_o which_o it_o can_v be_v bring_v but_o there_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n but_o as_o for_o the_o soul_n although_o it_o also_o have_v a_o set_a pitch_n beyond_o the_o which_o it_o can_v go_v yet_o because_o it_o can_v be_v attain_a unto_o in_o this_o life_n therefore_o it_o be_v to_o grow_v continual_o yea_o it_o be_v of_o so_o subtle_a a_o nature_n and_o so_o quick_a motion_n be_v seldom_o or_o rather_o never_o make_v to_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n but_o if_o it_o do_v not_o increase_v it_o do_v decrease_v in_o grace_n for_o although_o sometime_o christian_n do_v so_o frame_v the_o course_n of_o their_o life_n in_o a_o safe_a quiet_a and_o prudent_a kind_n of_o mediocrity_n that_o there_o be_v not_o in_o they_o any_o sensible_a change_n in_o respect_n of_o godliness_n but_o as_o they_o be_v mind_v and_o affect_v and_o as_o they_o live_v many_o year_n ago_o so_o they_o go_v on_o and_o do_v still_o continue_v yet_o without_o all_o question_n there_o be_v some_o inward_a change_n either_o to_o the_o better_a or_o which_o be_v like_a to_o the_o worse_a for_o as_o when_o the_o body_n of_o man_n or_o rather_o of_o child_n do_v not_o grow_v up_o to_o their_o full_a and_o natural_a stature_n it_o argue_v some_o secret_a distemperature_n and_o some_o natural_a infirmity_n in_o they_o so_o when_o christian_n do_v not_o grow_v on_o from_o one_o measure_n of_o grace_n to_o a_o great_a it_o do_v of_o necessity_n infer_v a_o evil_a constitution_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o count_v it_o sufficient_a and_o as_o much_o as_o be_v require_v at_o his_o hand_n that_o he_o do_v not_o decrease_v in_o grace_n and_o godliness_n but_o rather_o to_o think_v as_o it_o be_v indeed_o needful_a that_o he_o grow_v on_o from_o grace_n to_o grace_n as_o we_o be_v often_o teach_v and_o exhort_v in_o the_o scripture_n ephesian_n the_o four_o chapter_n and_o fifteen_o verse_n follow_v the_o truth_n in_o all_o thing_n let_v we_o grow_v up_o in_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o head_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o in_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o peter_n three_o chapter_n and_o ninteenth_n verse_n let_v we_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ._n this_o be_v to_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o same_o mean_n by_o the_o which_o the_o health_n and_o that_o measure_n of_o grace_n whereunto_o we_o have_v already_o attain_v be_v preserve_v for_o as_o the_o holiness_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v nourish_v by_o the_o same_o thing_n by_o the_o which_o it_o be_v beget_v so_o it_o be_v increase_v by_o the_o same_o diet_n by_o the_o which_o it_o be_v nourish_v for_o as_o there_o be_v require_v a_o great_a virtue_n and_o force_n both_o of_o nature_n and_o of_o diet_n to_o augment_v the_o body_n in_o stature_n then_o to_o keep_v and_o continue_v it_o in_o life_n and_o health_n so_o he_o that_o desire_v not_o only_o to_o continue_v but_o also_o to_o go_v on_o in_o grace_n must_v indeed_o use_v this_o conseruative_a diet_n of_o spiritual_a food_n and_o exercise_n which_o have_v be_v in_o part_n describe_v yet_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n with_o great_a care_n and_o diligence_n here_o be_v require_v a_o free_a kind_n of_o life_n not_o entangle_v much_o less_o overwhelm_v with_o worldly_a affair_n care_n and_o encumberance_n in_o the_o midst_n whereof_o although_o a_o christian_a may_v serve_v god_n and_o work_v his_o own_o salvation_n and_o maintain_v that_o measure_n of_o grace_n which_o he_o have_v receyve_v from_o god_n yet_o he_o can_v give_v himself_o so_o whole_o to_o the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o be_v effectual_a for_o this_o purpose_n as_o be_v needful_a this_o free_a kind_n of_o life_n be_v get_v he_o be_v that_o we_o may_v use_v the_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthyans_n the_o seven_o chapter_n and_o five_o and_o thirty_o verse_n to_o cleave_v to_o god_n to_o his_o service_n and_o to_o all_o spiritual_a exercise_n without_o separation_n or_o intermission_n to_o wit_n to_o the_o hear_n read_v and_o study_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o the_o consider_v of_o his_o work_v and_o observe_v of_o his_o action_n to_o prayer_n sing_v of_o psalm_n to_o the_o exhort_v hort_v and_o instruct_v of_o other_o in_o the_o way_n of_o godliness_n and_o last_o and_o summare_o to_o the_o daily_a performance_n of_o all_o christian_a duty_n and_o the_o exercise_v of_o all_o those_o grace_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o last_o use_n and_o commodity_n of_o good_a work_n the_o which_o be_v also_o the_o least_o and_o i●_n truth_n little_a to_o be_v esteem_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o and_o yet_o that_o which_o perhaps_o will_v prevail_v with_o those_o with_o who_o we_o have_v to_o do_v more_o than_o the_o other_o be_v temporal_a retribution_n for_o so_o it_o please_v god_n for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o his_o servant_n to_o reward_v their_o good_a work_n with_o temporal_a blessing_n as_o also_o he_o requite_v their_o sin_n with_o temporal_a punishment_n by_o this_o argument_n the_o apostle_n stir_v up_o the_o corinthian_n 2._o cor._n 9.6_o to_o make_v a_o libeberall_a contribution_n to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n he_o that_o sow_v sparinglie_o shall_v reap_v sparinglie_o and_o he_o that_o sow_v liberal_o shall_v reap_v liberal_o for_o god_n be_v able_a to_o make_v you_o abound_v in_o all_o blessing_n that_o you_o have_v sufficient_a may_v abound_v to_o every_o good_a work_n and_o so_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v for_o howsoever_o man_n of_o carnal_a mind_n judge_v it_o a_o loss_n and_o damage_n to_o do_v the_o work_v of_o love_n and_o mercy_n yet_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o he_o that_o abound_v in_o they_o do_v heap_n up_o for_o himself_o for_o his_o child_n and_o for_o his_o friend_n treasure_n of_o blessing_n which_o he_o shall_v certain_o meet_v with_o when_o as_o