Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	work_n	work_v	year_n	322	3	4.4740	3	false

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77148	Good counsell for evil times. Or, A plain sermon preached at Pauls in London, April 16. 1648. / By Edw: Bowles M.A. of Katherin-Hall Cambridge. Printed by the desire and order of the Lord Maior and aldermen of that famous city.	Bowles, Edward, 1613-1662.	1648 (1648)	Wing B3872; Thomason E435_35; ESTC R204201	25,559	35

done so nothing can be done to the happinesse of this Church and Nation and the bettering of these evill daies but by the hand of God which he is pleased to lift up on every occasion though many will not see it and therefore if we would ingage the Lord who worketh all our works for us we must take the course that deales most immediately and effectually with him which is prayer and how happie news were it to heare that the spirit of prayer and supplication which in so eminent a manner rested upon this City 7 yeers since were powred out afresh upon it the hand of the Lord is not shortned let not our hearts be streightned his eare is not heavie let not us be silent If we would have him stretch out his hand for us let us stretch out our hands toward him Do not think the Lord will forsake his wonted method of which we read Ezek. 36. 37. and Jerem. 29. 11. 12. and let this great duty be performed aright and to that purpose it is a useful caution that men look to the matter of their prayers that they be according to the will of God and not the imaginations of our own hearts many crosse Petitions are put up to heaven because men make their opinions and wishes the rule of their prayers instead of the holy and unchangeable will of God it were sometimes good that men were more generall in their prayers and not limit the holy one of Israel as they do its possible to be too particular in prayer as well as too generall in preaching And also remember that as prayer is a Chariot in which the soul mounts up to heaven so it must be a fiery Chariot a fervent prayer it is not a lazy God send Peace or a cold God save his Church that will availe God will not be served with that which costs us nought it must be the fervent effectuall prayer of the righteous that must availe and if we would have our prayers speed we must look they be well spirited to that end let me intimate to you 4 wheeles of this fiery Chariot 1. A spirit of faith it is the strict injunction of the Apostle that we aske in faith nothing wavering which we are very subject unto especially in these distracted times The Sea by reason of its unquietnesse is hardly ever still but working but much more in a storme so is it with us we carry an evill heart of unbeleife within us alwayes unsteady but especially in evill times when the winds raise waves Unbeleif unsettles as the spirits of men so their estates also Isa 7. 9. It was unbeleif that kept Israel out of the Land of Promise and made them wander in a wildernesse fourty yeers and as our punishment is like theirs we spend our dayes in vanity that is in a fruitlesse tossing to and fro and our yeers in trouble so our sin is like theirs also we beleeve not for all the wondrous works of God As God gives promises to ground faith so he adds providences to build it up we have had many of these and yet are very lowe take heed of distrusts despondencies they disadvantage us both in heaven and earth 2. A spirit of humility and this is no way inconsistent with the other a heart may be raised in faith and yet abased in humiliation these two graces mutually cherish one another The Lord expects at our hands that our own sins and his chastisements upon us should lay us low that we should say with the Church I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him He hearkens what we say in these evill dayes and it s to be doubted few speake aright or say what have I done Cognitio reflexiva est facilÃ¨ deflexiva We are ready enough to say what hath the Parliament done What hath the Army done But who saith what have I done Oh beloved let us lye down in our shame be covered with confusion Let us give glory to the Lord our God before he cause darknesse and our feet stumble upon the dark mountaines those that do it shall find that expression Job 22. 29. made good unto them when men are cast down they shall say there is lifting up for he shall savâ— the humble person Descendendo coelum ascenditur 3. A spirit of love is necessary as in generall with regard to the times so particularly with respect to prayer for the Apostles bids that pure bands without wrath as well as doubting be lifts up to God 1 Tim. 2. 8. envy and uncharitablenesse strife and division force the spirits of men and render their services unsavory unto God it is not quarrelling and questioning will do the thing we would have The wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of God Jam. 1. 20. Wisdom and mecknesse go together Jam. 3. 13. They that are wise must be meek and gentle to those that are otherwise and give soft answers to hard questions that wrath may be prevented and pacified To further this so wanting and so necessary disposition consider 1. That envying strife hatred variance and such like are fruits of the flesh as well as adultery fornication and uncleannesse Gal. 5. 19 20. And you that would think it an horrible disgrace to your seâ—ves and dishonour to God to be found guilty of the latter take heed of the former which is part of that filthinesse of spirit we are bid to cleanse our selves from as well as filthinesse of the flesh 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2. That most of the things contended about will hardly be found worth the contention and that many quarrels are upon mistakes rather then reall differences and consider how earnestly the Apostle obtests the Corinthians to love and unity 1 Cor. 1. 10. and so the Philippians 2. 1. places which we read not or mind not 3. That God hath now given a fair intimation of union and love among all those who love his truth and Gospel and the Nation they liâ—e in by suffering a common Enemy again to appear among us and against us and if we will not take notice of it at the first he will undoubtedly bring us to union in affection by communion in â—fflâ—ction for whatsoever designes men have this is likely to be one of the designes of heaven upon his own people by fair means or foule to bring them to some better compliance and correspondence and to eat out that spirit of bitternesse and malice humors so unbecoming the Gospel and the body of Jâ—sus Christ 4. To these three must be added a spirit of thankfulnesse which is very great advantage to prayer and to the times as the Apostle intimates in his direction to the Philippians Be carefull for nothing but in every thing by prayer and sit plication with thanksgiving let your requâ—sts be made known unto God If we consult the catalogue of sins that renders the last dayes perillous we shall

of divine precepts and in some circumstantials rather be content with the undoubted title of Christian prudence then the questionable tenure of divine right It may be said we want matter for this new building it 's too true but better an hedge with some unsound stakes in it then none at all But to prevent this great mischief how necessarie were it that more then ordinary care should be taken for removing scandalous and insufficient Ministers and enemies of Reformation for as things now stand in many places some Presbyteries would be looked upon as knots of good fellows and others as conspiracies of disaffected persons It was once a ground of commendation layd by the Jews on the behalf of the Centurion He loved our Nation and built us a Synagogue but how much more commendable would it be in any that give us reason to say He loved our Countrey and sent us a faithfull Minister Let us walk by this principle which is certainly that the saving of Kingdoms as well as souls depend upon a good Ministery And let me adde one thing more that is a tender regard to such as are indeed Saints of God who are very dear to him If they be really so they will not put us to much expence of charity or patience let them have what is fit and necessary The Lord will take it very kindly at our hands and he is able to requite us for the King of Saints is also King of Nations Let no man think that â—lacking Reformation and gratifying the back-friends of it iâ— retarding it can be a safe way to settle us That one instance of the Jews returning from Captivity may be a sufficient caveat for men to give up a begun Reformation notwithstanding all opposition They took their interruptions for sufficient excuses for not going on with the Temple work but it would not be so taken for all their outward advantages to which they addicted themselves were blasted by that neglect as will clearly appear to him that reads Hagg. 1. 6 7. 2. Reformation in matters of justice is exceeding necessarie to better these evill dayes Scripture reason experience tell us so Amos 5. 15. Establish judgement in the gate it may be the Lord will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph We have the same God to deal with who said it and changes not Hear ye the Word of the Loâ—d ye house of David execute judgement in the morning and deliver him that is spoyled out of the hand of the oppressor lost my fury go out like fire and none can quench it because of the evill of your doings It is highly pleasing to the Lord to see men follow that which is altogether just Deut. 16. 19 20. And as in Religion it is so so in reason it must be so Justice which is a giving to each their due hath a naturall and necessarie tendency unto establishment it settles the spirits of men It is therefore called by the holy Ghost The judgement of truth and peace because of its influence thereunto Zach. 8. 16. Nothing hath done more mischief to present Authority then the unequall distribution of rewards and punishments and the wretched partialities which factions favours and relations have put men upon Whereas if we could follow justice or that which is altogether just we might live and inherit the Land which the Lord hath given us But yet let men take heed of seeking justice by violence lest we give occasion to the old sad complaint Proh quanta injustitia in quaerenda justitia 3. To this must be added personall reformation let men frame and fancy what new moulds and devices they will for bettering the times till men and manners be better it will not be times are alwayes alike in themselves they have no evil but by concomitancy and reflexion cast upon them from the evill of men Therefore let not us wander in untrodden paths and wayes not cast up but ask for the old way and the ancient paths that we may find rest and what are they but the prescriptions of the Lord 2 Chron. 7. 14. If my people shall humble themselves and pray and turn from their evill wayes I will hear in heaven forgive their sin and heal their land Walk by this rule Vnholy men make unhappy times Let none say to the prejudice of the Kingdom and his own soul What can my leaving my profanenesse covetousnesse uncleannesse do good to the Nation Yes it may God doth not powre out his indignation upon a people till the measure of iniquity be full it is not indeed for one man or a few to empty the vessell of sin in this Nation but yet they may keep it from being full But howsoever if thou canst not save a Kingdom yet it is a good way toward the saving of a soul to repent and reform if withall the heart be sprinkled with the blood of Christ the price and author of salvation to them that obey him Never doubt of the fruit of amendment for he that soweth righteousnesse hath a sure reward It is no small matter to be brought under the protection of those precious promises made to righteous men as that light shall arise to them in the midst of darknesse that in the dayes of famine they shall be satisfied that their very enemies shall be at peace with them when their wayes please the Lord that he shall not be afraid of evill tydings And let Magistrates masters parents according to their double engagements bestir themselves herein it must be confested they are upon much disadvantage in these loose and lawlesse times when men are grown as the horse mule whâ—se mouth must be holden with a bridle but yet there is no sitting down nor giving way to the torrent of iniquity The Waterman going against wind and stream doth not because of the difficulty lay down his Oares and suffer himself to be carried down into the Ocean but plyes his work the harder and redoubles his strokes so must those in Authority not suffer themselves to be carried down by the floods of ungodlinesse risen up among us but redouble prayers and pains and use more vigilance and courage then ever lest they be carried down to the waves of the sea and madnesse of the people And oh that London would look to Reformation and do it's first works take heed of profaning the Lords day and opposing the vindication of it that they would avoid and abhor that frequent drinking healths not so much of good fellowship as of faction which were wont to be confined to Taverns but are now got into private houses and publick streets and are ready to fill us with drunkennesse and dash us one against another The reckoning of these drinkings is like to be very sharp unlesse we be more sober and vigilant Lastly all this must be accompained with humble and hearty frequent and fervent prayer it is evident enough that as nothing hath been

find unthankfulnesse among them Ingratitudo est ventus urens exiccans it is a dry and parching winde from the wildernesse that blasts and wastes all our mercies It 's true the dayes are evill but yet they are not so bad but they afford matter of praise if we did not want hearts more then mercies These times are like those mentioned Zach. 14. 6. neither clear nor dark night nor day If we would have it light in the evening set not unwholsome and unthankfull vapours ascend from us Our times are checker'd with white and black let not us by unthankfulnesse blot our the white and make them worse There are mercies in our Parliament in our Armies in our Liberties in our degree of Reformation if ill humors were not fallen into our eyes so as not to see them when the miseries which these mercies yet in some measure prevent we shall find and confesse them so Blessed be God we are not in so ill a condition as Israel in the first dayes of Asa when they were without the true God without a teaching Priest and without Law We have the knowledge of the true God dispersed among us more then ever more preaching Ministers more good Laws then formerly though it is true that Eâ—ror hath crowded in at the same doore of Liberty where Truth entred yet let us not dâ—own all our deliverances in discontents the degrees of mercie that are vouchsafed us let them not be swallowed up with murmuring and impatience let us not so requite the Lord like a foolish people and unwise lest he withdraw his hand from our protection and leave us to eat the frut of our own wayes which is a forfeiture of favour by our follies If our prayers could be carried on with these wheels there might be good hope they should be as the sword of Saul and the bowe of Jonathan which returned not empty And thus have I detained you with these plain though not impertinent truths and lest I should shut up without any thing of the main Proposition in the text give me leave at least to explain it and let your wisdom and goodnesse apply it The Truth is this That it becomes and behoves a Christian to walk circumspectly and redeem the time in evill dayes It would here be enquired what it is to walk circumspectly the word in the originall is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which Etymologists say may be derived from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} to go to the utmost or height to be accurate or exact and I think it may contain three things 1. To walk to the utmost of the rule to the very corners and extents of the word of God without making any willing dispensations in sin to commit or duty to omit This David speaks of himself Psal. 119. 108. I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I hate every false way And herein was Jehu defective 2 King 10. 31. he was exact in destroying Ahab and Baal but he departed not from the sin of Jeroboam therefore it 's said he took no heed he was not circumspect to walk in the way of the Lord Not to walk exactly in this gives the Lord occasion to complain as of the Church of Sardis I have not found thy works {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} perfect or filled up before God there are gaps or spaces in thy obedience 2. It is to walk {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the utmost in respect of strength that is in doing that which is commanded to lay out the ut most of those parts gifts graces that God hath given us A Minister walks exactly in his Ministery when he obeys the precepts of Paul to Timothy 1 Ep. 4. 13. in meditating on divine things and giving himself wholly to them A Christian then walks exactly when he doth not onely pray read but do it diligently watchfully A man cannot live at the height of his estate nor walk at the top of his naturall strength it will waste him soon because those things have defectible principles but it is otherwise in spirituall things which we derive from an abounding and abiding life hid with Christ in God a Christian may run and not be weary because in the Lord he hath righteousnesse and strength Let us therefore do our best and we shall do better Be not slothfull in businesse but fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. 3. To walk circumspectly or accurately seems to imply something more and that is walking wisely the two things already mentioned make up honest walking as when we walk to the utmost of the rule for the matter and the utmost of our spirituall strength for the manner of our obedience but wise walking is aliquid amplius that is there are divers circumstances attending actions as time place company person and such like which have a strong influence into actions sometimes to alter the very nature of them Now he that would walk circumspectly or accurately must look so to the circumstances of his actions as to set them off with the best advantage as may be and therefore that which is here called walking circumspectly is called Walking wisely toward them that are without Col. 4. 5. It is the part of wisdom to reduce knowledge to profitable and seasonable action And happie is he that can walk thus circumspectly for howsoever the vain world brands exact walkers with the title of precise fools yet the holy Ghost passes a contrary censure and declares circumspect walking wise walking and indeed the loose walker will be found the greatest fool a fool at his latter end Jer. 17. 11. Know therefore that it becomes us all to walk circumspectly it is our credit and the credit of the Gospel that we do so Then shall we not be ashamed when we have respect to all the Commandments when we do the great things of the Law and leave not the lesser undone Matth. 23. 23 24. And also it behoves us it 's for our profit as well as our credit it tends exceedingly to our peace which is most worth looking after in times of trouble it will be a great support in the evill day to say with Paul 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is my rejoycing the testimony of my conscience that in all simplicity and godly sincerity nâ—t according to fleshly wisdom but the grace of God I have had my conversation As young lustie men laugh at others who have payd dear for their intemperance when they see them cautious in their diet and hit them in the teeth with the Proverb Qui vivit medicÃ¨ vivit miserÃ¨ but when gouts and rheumes come upon them they blame their own folly So will it be with carnall and carelesse Christians who laugh at them that are scrupulous and make conscience of things which they so easily swallow they will find them bitternesse in the end Let us therefore walk circumspectly A word also of the last redeeming the time or opportunity {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which imports three things likewise 1 A price for it must be bought 2. A losse for it must not be barely bought but redeemed 3. An use for what we buy or redeem it is to be supposed we buy it for some use The practick hereof is this That whereas every man is guilty of losse of time and hath morgaged a great part of this precious treasure to sin Satan and the world let him be carefull to redeem it to buy it out of their hands though with the losse of ease pleasure profit plenty or any other thing and having so redeemed it to employ and improve it to the honour of God with whom we are so infinitely behind in point of service and the working out our own salvation with fear and trembling Let not therefore men talk idlely of driving away Time which the Apostle speaks of redeeming when did you ever meet with any man so wretchedly unthifty as to say What shall I do with my land with my money it burns in my purse Yet such and worse is the madnesse and folly of those unthrifts who talk of driving away time which is more precious then gold and silver which passes so swiftly slily and irrecoverably especially in such dangerous and tickle times as these are when our times liberties and opportunities hang continually in doubt before us Whatsoever vain men say now of passing away time if God awake their hearts it will be one of their greatest troubles that they have so spent it and one of their most earnest though vain wishes to recall it Know therefore that as Solomon saith to every purpose there is a time so to every time there is a purpose there are no ferie in idle dayes or houres in the Calendar of heaven but God hath appointed every day and houre to be filled up with something that is either work or tends to it Labour therefore so to improve time as you confidently look over unto eternity and not fear when the Angel shall stand on the earth and lift up his hand to heaven and swear by him that liveth for ever that time shall be no more Lord teach us so to number our dayes as to apply our hearts to wisdome and to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure that so an abundant entrance may be administred unto us into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour FINIS Moderata durant 2 Cor. 11. 28. Matth. 12. 33. 1 Cor. 3. 10 11 Prop. 1. Iâ—â— 17. 17. 18. Gen. 47 9. 1 Chron 12. 32. Matth 24. 1 Tim. 1 19. Psal. 82. Levit. 26. Micah 2. 3. Psal. 55. 14. Iam. 3. 16. The way to better evill times Negatively â— Pet. 3. 10. 1 Sam. 24. 1 Neh. 13. 22. Ier. 2. 2. Mal. 3 17. Psal 65. 7. Matth. 15 13. Eph. 1. 13. Prov. 23 23. Zech 8. 16. 19. Isa. 39. 8. 2 Chron 11. 17. Matth. 25 45. Ier. 11. 12. Heb. 5. 9. Prov. 11. 18. Psal. 112. 4. Psal. 112. 7. Psal. 32. 9. Ier. 13. 13 14. 2 Sam 24 24. Iam. 1. Heb. 3. 17. 18. Psal. 78. 32. 33. Ier. 3 25. Ier. 13. 16. Prov. 15. 1. Phil. 4 6. 2 Chron 15. 3 Prop. 2. Psal. 119. 6. Rev. 10. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 10. 11

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