Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	believe_v	faith_n	word_n	11,191	5	4.5836	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B10261	An exhortation to his dearely beloued countrimen, all the natiues of the countie of Lancaster, inhabiting in and about the Citie of London; tending to perswade and stirre them vp to a yearely contribution, for the erecting of lectures, and maintaining of some godly and painfull preachers in such places of that country as have most neede, by reason of ignorance and superstition there abounding: / composed by George Walker pastor of St. Iohn the Euangelists ...	Walker, George, B.D., d. 1651.	1641 (1641)	Wing W357A; ESTC R186166	17,398	26

of nature be forward in this worke Secondly this contribution is not like those antique taxes which heathen Emperours tyrants rather vsed by their constraining commandements and with strong hand to wrest from their euer-awed impotent vassals nor like the rigid pennance and grieuous penalties which Popish Priests and confessors doe often times inflict on their penitents as a satisfaction for their sinnes which either are aboue the strength of their bodies and tend to the endangering of their health and life or surpasse their abilities and estates and doe farre ouer-charge and much impouerish them but this is onely of so much as the spirit of God shall inwardly moue and perswade euery man to giue freely and cheerfully with all alacritie and which God hath inabled him to giue without impouerishing of himselfe or weakening and impairing of his estate and which may well be spared from other vaine expenses and needlesse superfluities so that here is no coulout of exception against this contribution no least cause for any to complaine grudge or murmure against it or to count it a burden here is nothing required of any but what he is able and willing to doe and that without any wrong losse or damage to himselfe at all Thirdly this worke is not one of those almes-deeds and workes of charity which are done in secret which few see but God this is a publike worke like a candle vpon a candle sticke which giues light to all the house besides the profit and comfort which it may bring to many and seuerall particular soules and the gracious acceptation and bountifull reward which it may find with God it shall vndoubtedly also bring great glory to Gods name and be a meanes of many thankes giuen by many vnto God in his publicke Church and congregation And as the multitude of them who receiue the benefit of this contribution shall haue iust cause to laud and praise God continually so many others euen all they who see it a farre of and heare the fame and report of it shall be prouoked and stirred vp by your example and hereby you shall cause your lights to shine before men that they seeing your good workes may glorifie your father which is in heauen as our Sauiour in the Gospell exhorteth And whereas in other cases a worke of piety tending to the publike good cannot be done without great cost and charge and requires a great summe here in this contribution euery particular man may for a small oblation offered vp with a free heart obtaine the honour and gaine the glory of a publicke worke and become an example and patterne of piety to many others and so bring great glory to God and much benefit to the Church of Christ with small charge to himselfe by reason of many hearts and hands conspiring together in this one worke Fourthly in many other workes of piety and charitie there are many doubts and discouragements often times as for example when a man must lay out a great summe either vpon a great hazard and aduenture being vncertaine whether it shall take good effect and yeeld any fruit at all to himselfe or those to whom he doth intend it as we see in many hospitalls and Colleges much subject to abuse the cost bestowed vpon which is like bread cast vpon the waters onely in hope of finding it after many dayes as wise Salomon speakes Eccles 11.1 Or when much is giuen away by men at their death in their last will to pious vses of which they themselues being dead can reape no benefit at all from the prayers of the poore who enjoy it as blind Papists would perswade the world nor any comfort from the sight of the good fruit which it yeelds to posterity But here in this contribution there is no such cause of doubting nor any such scruple to dishearten any man here is no great summe to bee aduentured or put forth vpon vncertainties but a small yearly bencuolence to be paid quarterly continued so long only as it shall manifestly appear to be well imployed to good purpose for present profit which payment also euery man shall haue in his power for his owne part to cease breake off and discontinue if he doth see no manifest benefit thence presently arising according to his desire but if it doth take good effect it shall much aduance Gods glory before men bring comfort light and sauing health to many soules and procure to the contributors many hearty prayers of their Country-men who shall by this meanes be conuerted and comforted which prayers vndoubtedly God will heare and accept and at their request turne many blessings into their bosomes here in this life where onely the prayers and thanksgiuing of Gods people haue power to helpe and profit those for whom they are made and offered vp in the name and mediation of Christ Fifthly whosoeuer hath a desire to put forth his talent of worldly wealth whatsoeuer it is more or lesse to the best aduantage and so to imploy it that it may bring in double and trible gaine surely he cannot finde a better way then this pious worke which is here commended vnto you For the first and immediate end of this contribution is the setting vp and maintaining of godly painfull and profitable preachers of Gods word in those parts of our natiue Country where the word of God is most rare and precious and there is greatest neede and scarsitie of preaching Wee doe not meane to feede idle droanes who will labour but little and looke for large allowance nor such as will labour and take paines but to small profit for want of the art of prophecying and method of profitable preaching nor men of scandalous and vngodly life who will doe more hurt by their example then good by their doctrine But godly painefull and profitable preachers who will preach and teach and labour out of conscience to God with an hungring and thirsting desire not to get wealth and maintenance but to saue many soules and to increase the Church of Christ who also for a small stipend will take much pains and will teach as well by good example as by doctrine Now where such preachers are set vp and maintained there will follow plentifull preaching and hearing of the word of God the word heard will beget faith and bring many to beleeue in God and in Christ faith will bring forth the the true worship of God and holy inuocation or calling vpon his name and true deuout and faithfull calling vpon the name of the Lord is the sure way to saluation as may easily be gathered from the words of the holy Apostle Rom. 10.13 14 15. But especially when such preachers are sent into barren places and among a people ouer-runne with ignorance superstition and profanesse for want of instruction as in our natiue Country they doe more preuaile with their godly labours and bring more plentifull fruit and increase to Gods Church in one yeare and work more strang effects