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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
mercy_n bless_v eternal_a great_a 196 4 2.0939 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A96266 The narrow path of divine truth described from living practice and experience of its three great steps, viz Purgation, illumination & union according to the testimony of the holy scriptures; as also of Thomas a Kempis, the German divinity, Thauler, and such like. Or the sayings of Matthew Weyer reduced into order in three books by J. Spee. Unto which are subjoyned his practical epistles, done above 120 years since in the Dutch, and after the author's death, printed in the German language at Frankfort 1579. And in Latin at Amsterdam 1658. and now in English. Weyer, Matthias, 1521-1560.; Spee, J. 1683 (1683) Wing W1525A; ESTC R231717 176,738 498

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more_o subtle_a and_o sublime_a be_v their_o suffering_n which_o point_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a to_o they_o who_o be_v yet_o but_o in_o some_o low_a degree_n or_o step_n unless_o god_n shall_v more_o put_v a_o man_n forward_o than_o he_o do_v put_v himself_o he_o will_v never_o be_v save_v nor_o indeed_o be_v able_a to_o come_v to_o regeneration_n now_o god_n hedge_v up_o on_o all_o side_n to_o a_o elect_a man_n his_o way_n that_o when_o he_o deviate_v from_o the_o right_a path_n to_o his_o own_o destruction_n he_o hinder_v he_o and_o set_v to_o he_o his_o bond_n and_o then_o a_o man_n come_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o that_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o work_n and_o commiseration_n of_o god_n and_o then_o he_o become_v real_o humble_a and_o judge_v no_o man_n but_o have_v and_o bear_v himself_o with_o a_o benevolent_a and_o merciful_a mind_n towards_o all_o man_n when_o he_o can_v clear_o discern_v how_o much_o misery_n hang_v over_o his_o head_n from_o which_o notwithstanding_o he_o apprehend_v himself_o quite_o free_v through_o the_o wonderful_a mercy_n of_o god_n therefore_o he_o can_v boast_v himself_o against_o they_o be_v mindful_a always_o of_o his_o own_o self_n for_o if_o god_n have_v not_o spare_v they_o nor_o perhaps_o will_v he_o spare_v thou_o and_o because_o lie_v shine_v forth_o with_o a_o great_a grace_n above_o other_o he_o be_v not_o lift_v up_o above_o other_o but_o rather_o be_v touch_v with_o a_o commiseration_n and_o compassion_n towards_o they_o so_o that_o if_o upon_o very_o urgent_a necessity_n he_o must_v say_v some_o what_o of_o other_o he_o do_v it_o with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a and_o but_o that_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o neighbour_n shall_v require_v it_o
thing_n can_v be_v attain_v to_o but_o by_o christ_n these_o be_v those_o thing_n whereof_o the_o scripture_n make_v so_o often_o mention_n viz._n our_o own_o proper_a righteousness_n our_o own_o proper_a work_n our_o own_o proper_a holiness_n and_o all_o such_o like_a viz._n if_o we_o trust_v too_o much_o to_o any_o of_o these_o mean_n which_o be_v grant_v unto_o we_o from_o the_o lord_n and_o stick_v rather_o unto_o they_o then_o to_o the_o only_a lo●e_n god_n for_o to_o love_n god_n be_v no_o other_o thing_n then_o most_o accurate_o to_o do_v that_o which_o he_o will_v not_o for_o the_o hope_n of_o any_o salvation_n or_o of_o any_o good_a thing_n whatever_o for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n itself_o thus_o put_v a_o man_n on_o that_o he_o can_v do_v otherwise_o and_o here_o it_o be_v that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o search_v into_o the_o most_o inward_a corner_n of_o our_o heart_n whether_o or_o no_o we_o seek_v ourselves_o else_o where_o either_o in_o soul_n or_o body_n and_o whether_o we_o serve_v god_n and_o love_v he_o for_o this_o end_n that_o our_o soul_n may_v gain_v salvation_n but_o here_o for_o the_o most_o part_n it_o will_v be_v answer_v that_o whatever_o thing_n be_v do_v be_v do_v only_o for_o love_n yet_o nevertheless_o man_n do_v perform_v these_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o terror_n and_o the_o impulse_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o the_o scripture_n witness_v i_o say_v not_o all_o this_o because_o i_o will_v detract_v in_o the_o least_o from_o good_a work_n &_o set_v light_n by_o they_o but_o rather_o that_o we_o shall_v go_v on_o further_a &_o not_o to_o rest_v here_o nor_o be_o i_o willing_a we_o shall_v sit_v down_o in_o a_o private_a kind_n of_o peace_n of_o have_v gain_v some_o step_n only_o before_o we_o be_v come_v unto_o the_o end_n nor_o till_o the_o scope_n for_o who_o sake_n all_o this_o be_v do_v be_v due_o attain_v and_o though_o there_o be_v other_o behind_o we_o who_o follow_v up_o after_o we_o be_v yet_o a_o great_a way_n off_o yet_o it_o be_v incumbent_n on_o we_o because_o of_o our_o great_a knowledge_n receive_v to_o put_v out_o this_o our_o talon_n to_o the_o high_a interest_n we_o can_v possible_o that_o in_o we_o may_v be_v find_v constant_a perseverance_n if_o so_o be_v at_o length_n we_o can_v arrive_v perhaps_o to_o a_o true_a die_a have_v no_o need_n more_o to_o reiterate_v so_o often_o our_o renew_n of_o death_n so_o that_o all_o may_v together_o and_o at_o once_o remain_v bury_v also_o in_o christ_n death_n eternal_o a_o more_o certain_a essential_a sort_n of_o death_n as_o i_o may_v so_o say_v follow_v we_o into_o that_o better_a state_n or_o condition_n most_o belove_a lady_n receive_v i_o pray_v thou_o these_o my_o letter_n kind_o if_o perhaps_o they_o may_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o thou_o in_o thy_o holy_a endeavour_n and_o that_o we_o may_v come_v at_o length_n to_o the_o total_a renounce_v our_o flesh_n that_o then_o we_o may_v be_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o law_n require_v by_o christ_n for_o in_o christ_n sin_n be_v utter_o condemn_v to_o death_n and_o as_o much_o as_o we_o be_v plant_v together_o with_o he_o in_o the_o likeness_n of_o his_o death_n so_o much_o also_o shall_v we_o through_o his_o resurrection_n be_v receive_v into_o the_o newness_n or_o the_o spirit_n who_o then_o perform_v in_o man_n the_o office_n of_o a_o governor_n and_o be_v to_o he_o in_o the_o stead_n of_o his_o life_n who_o place_n before_o this_o our_o flesh_n supply_v all_o that_o be_v beyond_o this_o the_o lord_n himself_o will_v manifest_v to_o we_o when_o we_o come_v thither_o if_o therefore_o we_o have_v our_o inward_a sense_n right_o exercise_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o do_v firm_o adhere_v to_o he_o with_o continue_a prayer_n then_o will_v he_o kindle_v in_o thy_o heart_n some_o live_a light_n which_o my_o dead_a writing_n can_v never_o effect_v by_o mean_n of_o which_o be_v inflame_v with_o a_o great_a zeal_n to_o renounce_v all_o flesh_n we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o offer_v to_o the_o lord_n our_o heart_n empty_v and_o set_v free_a by_o a_o mere_a and_o pure_a submission_n unto_o and_o a_o firm_a purpose_n of_o remain_v and_o persevere_v in_o his_o will_n so_o will_v the_o thing_n prosper_v and_o our_o work_n will_v more_o happy_o succeed_v but_o why_o this_o work_n will_v succeed_v with_o so_o much_o difficulty_n and_o with_o such_o a_o length_n of_o time_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n because_o somewhat_o still_o will_v stick_v close_o to_o the_o heart_n which_o we_o can_v whole_o renounce_v for_o when_o but_o one_o half_a of_o the_o heart_n be_v yield_v up_o the_o offering_n remain_v impure_a nor_o be_v it_o accept_v whence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n command_v we_o to_o have_v a_o great_a care_n of_o or_o to_o watch_v such_o a_o heart_n which_o seek_v double_a way_n and_o carry_v upon_o either_o shoulder_n and_o halt_v on_o either_o leg_n etc._n etc._n for_o we_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n satisfy_v the_o flesh_n conscience_n hinder_v we_o and_o conscience_n too_o the_o flesh_n hinder_v we_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o yield_v ourselves_o up_o whole_o as_o a_o pure_a offering_n and_o grateful_a to_o the_o lord_n for_o such_o a_o one_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o bless_v of_o he_o that_o thenceforth_o he_o may_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n and_o at_o length_n that_o thence_o may_v arise_v the_o righteousness_n that_o be_v available_a before_o god_n unto_o which_o may_v the_o lord_n promote_v we_o and_o keep_v we_o by_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n in_o christ_n our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n the_o lord_n preserve_v we_o that_o we_o may_v persevere_v in_o his_o grace_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o his_o most_o holy_a will._n epist._n vi_o be_v a_o christian_a exhortation_n which_o contain_v many_o point_n very_o useful_a and_o profitable_a to_o all_o christian_n to_o the_o same_o lady_n most_o belove_a lady_n see_v that_o there_o remain_v no_o more_o time_n to_o i_o in_o this_o life_n as_o far_o as_o by_o my_o uttmost_a capacity_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n i_o be_o able_a to_o judge_v or_o be_v to_o i_o know_v i_o be_o constrain_v of_o myself_o free_o to_o open_v and_o more_o and_o more_o to_o unfold_v my_o mind_n to_o you_o yet_o the_o true_a fruit_n of_o proficiency_n in_o the_o lord_n be_v not_o attain_v to_o by_o my_o leter_n nor_o by_o our_o mutual_a converse_n appoint_v in_o the_o lord_n of_o purpose_n but_o only_o and_o alone_o by_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n for_o that_o the_o same_o depend_v only_o on_o the_o meet_a divine_a commiseration_n he_o best_a know_v yet_o only_o in_o soul_n and_o conscience_n who_o himself_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o very_a work_n o●_n the_o lord_n in_o the_o first_o place_n therefore_o it_o behoof_n be_v diligent_o to_o beware_v that_o we_o be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d our_o lust_n drive_v to_o that_o pass_n as_o to_o think_v that_o god_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n whereas_o the_o night_n can_v soon_o be_v make_v the_o day_n than_o he_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n because_o in_o god_n there_o be_v no_o darkness_n at_o all_o but_o mere_a light_n and_o whosoever_o will_v come_v to_o know_v this_o work_n of_o god_n through_o his_o mercy_n they_o must_v begin_v this_o knowledge_n with_o sincerity_n of_o mind_n which_o seek_v nothing_o else_o but_o god_n alone_o whosoever_o proceed_v with_o a_o double_a heart_n be_v a_o abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n now_o doubleness_n of_o heart_n consist_v in_o this_o when_o we_o be_v not_o with_o out_o whole_a heart_n soul_n and_o thought_n give_v up_o and_o whole_o leave_v to_o the_o lord_n also_o when_o we_o pour_v out_o our_o prayer_n before_o he_o with_o a_o heart_n divide_v in_o two_o whence_o also_o it_o be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o hear_v according_a ●o_o our_o desire_n for_o the_o lord_n love_v we_o ●ore_o than_o we_o ourselves_o do_v love_v our_o ●elves_n inasmuch_o as_o he_o be_v averse_a to_o our_o estruction_n and_o always_o free_o bestow_v 〈◊〉_d we_o that_o which_o be_v most_o useful_a and_o ●ost_o profitable_a for_o our_o happiness_n which_o ●●deed_o be_v that_o which_o at_o first_o be_v un●●own_v 〈◊〉_d we_o but_o be_v at_o length_n make_v know_v 〈◊〉_d we_o though_o by_o and_o through_o great_a affliction_n because_o that_o we_o be_v so_o far_o fall_v into_o our_o desire_n and_o into_o that_o evil_n which_o we_o call_v our_o propriety_n that_o we_o must_v first_o be_v subject_v to_o great_a anguish_n and_o grief_n before_o we_o can_v become_v submit_v to_o the_o will_n and_o obedience_n of_o god_n which_o be_v that_o which_o can_v be_v never_o do_v without_o a_o spiritual_a death_n and_o the_o
for_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o miserable_a the_o more_o anxious_a and_o the_o more_o desert_v any_o one_o be_v so_o much_o the_o near_o be_v god_n to_o he_o the_o help_a of_o who_o he_o then_o most_o speedy_o perform_v when_o no_o comfort_n nor_o help_n be_v find_v unto_o or_o for_o our_o desire_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a knot_n of_o all_o piety_n the_o lord_n grant_v in_o his_o own_o time_n that_o thou_o may_v true_o apprehend_v this_o in_o thy_o own_o self_n for_o the_o grace_n and_o word_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n do_v abide_v in_o man_n in_o a_o live_a sense_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v express_v in_o word_n how_o the_o very_a thing_n itself_o proper_o be_v and_o although_o all_o writing_n may_v give_v testimony_n of_o this_o word_n and_o of_o this_o grace_n yet_o be_v not_o they_o proper_o that_o very_a word_n and_o the_o very_a salvation_n of_o god_n for_o the_o virtue_n and_o operation_n of_o these_o aught_o to_o be_v live_o express_v in_o we_o the_o lord_n be_v mindful_a of_o we_o all_o through_o his_o mercy_n epist._n xv._o how_o youth_n be_v to_o be_v support_v during_o its_o weakness_n to_o f._n s._n dearest_n f._n we_o hope_v it_o will_v so_o be_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v direct_v all_o to_o the_o best_a end_n and_o will_v stretch_v forth_o his_o help_a hand_n to_o that_o young_a man_n to_o make_v his_o voluntary_a entrance_n that_o he_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o a_o great_a firmness_n see_v that_o he_o be_v not_o yet_o exercise_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o still_o flourish_v in_o his_o youth_n but_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v liberal_a towards_o young_a and_o old_a and_o be_v stretch_v forth_o with_o plenty_n of_o grace_n where_o and_o whensoever_o he_o shall_v please_v therefore_o the_o lord_n i_o hope_v will_v remember_v this_o weak_a one_o and_o will_v hear_v his_o daily_a complaint_n and_o in_o his_o time_n will_v help_v he_o for_o when_o all_o the_o creature_n sail_n and_o all_o remedy_n vanish_v away_o and_o there_o be_v no_o other_o deliverer_n find_v or_o invent_v then_o will_v god_n alone_o of_o necessity_n present_v himself_o as_o a_o deliverer_n for_o the_o lord_n will_v look_v back_o upon_o all_o such_o who_o heart_n he_o have_v of_o purpose_n put_v in_o the_o wine-press_n of_o tribulation_n that_o be_v leave_v naked_o poor_a of_o all_o evil_n so_o as_o they_o appear_v dry_v up_o yet_o after_o they_o shall_v thus_o be_v subject_v to_o his_o judgement_n they_o shall_v not_o want_v retribution_n but_o shall_v abound_v in_o his_o blessing_n by_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n pour_v forth_o and_o of_o his_o eternal_o prevail_a merit_n and_o of_o the_o reconciliation_n make_v betwixt_o god_n his_o father_n and_o our_o miserable_a humane_a nature_n it_o will_v be_v profitable_a for_o he_o if_o he_o shall_v remain_v with_o thou_o all_o the_o winter_n that_o so_o he_o may_v enjoy_v a_o further_a introduttion_n and_o shall_v learn_v more_o firm_o to_o set_v his_o foot_n in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord●_n now_o when_o he_o be_v yet_o of_o a_o infirm_a age_n and_o be_v more_o infirm_a in_o zeal_n for_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o lend_v a_o hand_n to_o the_o weak_a and_o to_o be_v a_o prop_n to_o they_o as_o it_o be_v do_v for_o we_o in_o our_o youth_n although_o i_o myself_o have_v not_o extend_v my_o age_n very_o much_o yet_o have_v the_o bond_n of_o death_n bow_v i_o down_o under_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o my_o misery_n with_o continue_a terror_n the_o lord_n have_v pity_n on_o i_o and_o gracious_o discover_v to_o i_o his_o countenance_n shine_v with_o the_o light_n of_o grace_n and_o so_o enlighten_v the_o darkness_n of_o my_o heart_n epist._n xvi_o a_o fair_a admonition_n to_o his_o cousin_n german_n wherein_o he_o very_o great_o demonstrate_v a_o most_o tender_a care_n of_o his_o soul_n hitherto_o have_v with_o solicitousness_n to_o m._n d._n w._n most_o belove_a cousin_n i_o be_v altogether_o oblige_v to_o write_v in_o what_o state_n our_o affair_n be_v for_o though_o hitherto_o for_o some_o good_a space_n of_o time_n we_o have_v be_v somewhat_o separate_v as_o to_o bodily_a presence_n yet_o i_o be_o assure_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o we_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o diligent_o excite_v to_o a_o mutual_a care_n by_o a_o inward_a presence_n of_o mind_n the_o lord_n know_v how_o mindful_a i_o be_o of_o thou_o and_o how_o much_o care_n i_o have_v for_o thou_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o most_o sad_a conversation_n fill_v with_o all_o grief_n and_o in_o my_o constant_a combat_n but_o i_o trust_v in_o the_o eternal_a god_n and_o his_o providence_n that_o he_o will_v with_o stretch_a out_o arm_n lead_v and_o keep_v we_o all_o under_o his_o own_o discipline_n now_o because_o i_o have_v creep_v through_o many_o danger_n of_o mind_n how_o great_a the_o power_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n be_v be_v very_o plain_o manifest_v in_o i_o by_o and_o through_o the_o power_n of_o god_n though_o that_o also_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o and_o through_o innumerable_a anxiety_n in_o all_o which_o yet_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n every_o where_o reveal_v itself_o upon_o which_o account_n i_o be_o deep_o concern_v with_o a_o most_o vehement_a sollicitousness_n for_o those_o who_o be_v my_o fellow-sufferer_n in_o these_o strait_n to_o who_o the_o omnipotent_a god_n will_v reach_v out_o his_o hand_n and_o seasonable_o set_v before_o their_o eye_n the_o virtue_n of_o his_o grace_n which_o lie_v hide_v under_o those_o suffering_n that_o at_o last_o the_o man_n may_v be_v stir_v up_o to_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o true_a cross_n of_o christ_n our_o lord_n in_o which_o all_o the_o treasure_n of_o divine_a grace_n be_v know_v in_o their_o high_a beauty_n without_o which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v set_v free_a from_o out_o of_o the_o chain_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o here_o indeed_o there_o be_v need_n of_o great_a caution_n and_o we_o must_v diligent_o adhere_v to_o the_o lord_n both_o day_n and_o night_n for_o often_o time_n nature_n clothe_v with_o the_o outward_a show_n of_o good_a present_v herself_o to_o we_o but_o if_o she_o be_v tumble_v down_o into_o death_n then_o will_v her_o fruit_n be_v at_o length_n true_o make_v know_v and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n will_v shine_v forth_o so_o much_o the_o more_o glorious_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o mercy_n be_v mindful_a of_o we_o all_o that_o we_o may_v wise_o order_v our_o conversation_n and_o the_o force_n of_o all_o our_o enemy_n be_v all_o overcome_v and_o break_v we_o may_v at_o length_n arrive_v true_o at_o the_o true_a brightness_n of_o god_n for_o the_o wall_n of_o separation_n hinder_v that_o clarity_n be_v great_a which_o it_o behoove_v with_o unwearied_a labour_n to_o diminish_v through_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o with_o daily_a torture_n of_o mind_n to_o destroy_v yet_o the_o eternal_a and_o merciful_a lord_n pierce_v through_o all_o darkness_n as_o do_v the_o sun_n and_o so_o refresh_v those_o that_o be_v in_o a_o agony_n with_o their_o pain_n that_o his_o grace_n and_o glory_n never_o shine_v forth_o more_o clear_o then_o from_o under_o suffering_n although_o whilst_o we_o yet_o remain_v subject_a to_o vanity_n and_o be_v still_o captive_n to_o creature_n that_o claritude_n be_v still_o very_o much_o diminish_v for_o so_o long_o as_o we_o yet_o be_v busy_v about_o image_n the_o efficacy_n of_o truth_n which_o see_v it_o be_v to_o be_v without_o any_o image_n can_v then_o be_v unite_v to_o they_o be_v very_o wonderful_o hinder_v for_o god_n be_v but_o one_o only_a and_o to_o know_v he_o from_o the_o very_a bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n be_v all_o the_o skill_n and_o be_v such_o as_o be_v never_o learn_v in_o a_o undisturbed_a life_n dear_a cousin_n i_o do_v open_a to_o thou_o as_o it_o be_v the_o interior_a bosom_n of_o my_o mind_n show_v whither_o all_o my_o labour_n tend_v and_o at_o what_o mark_v all_o my_o whole_a be_v and_o all_o my_o word_n and_o thought_n do_v 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