Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	great_a	sin_n	transgression_n	3,082	5	10.1157	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A24695	Considerations and exhortations to the serious and religious observation of the Lent-fast, enjoined by authority humbly proposed in tendency to promote a reformation of manners in the debauched age we live in / by P. A., Gent.	P. A., Gent.	1700 (1700)	Wing A23; ESTC R19145	9,433	18

the Lists of Piety Justice and Sobriety It is fit therefore that there should be one time at least in the Year and that of a reasonable continuance according to the Practice of all Men for even the Jews and Turks have their Lents to constrain Men how wicked and wretchless soever for that time at least to recall themselves to some more severe Cogitations and Courses lest Sin having no such Bridle to check it at any time should at length become head-strong and unconquerable in them as also to enure Men though but to a bare shew of Vertue they might afterwards perhaps more seriously persist in it By this we understand the manner of keeping Lent among the Romanists beyond Seas especially in Italy with the worthy Person the Author's judicious Comment thereupon Now surely I humbly conceive have we not here in England as great Reason to be strict Observers of this Holy Time of Lent as Foreigners For is it not too apparent that Irreligion Vice Debauchery and Wickedness encreaseth and grows upon us and that it has need of Restraints to be put upon it lest it swallow us up And therefore I humbly conceive it much concerns us instead of rejecting and laying aside and prophanely scoffing at the strict and religious Observance of this solemn Time of Lent among the Romanists rather to learn that which is good and commendable in our Adversaries For shall it be said that when the whole Christian World are sober and serious in keeping their Lent-Fast and humbling their Souls in consideration of their great Sins and Provocations of the Divine Majesty of Heaven and spend their Time in Self-denials and Mortifications and are upon their Knees humbling their Souls and with fervent and frequent Prayers interceding with to God for Mercy that we in England who would be accounted better and Reformed Christians are instead thereof taken up with our Feasting and Jollities if not our Debauches and Excesses and have so little sense of our great Transgressions and Provocations of God as to be so far displeased with our selves for the same as to deny our selves now and then a Meal's Meat or at least somewhat of our Excesses or from our more pleasant Food or from taking a revenge upon our selves by our Abstinence for our great Sins and Transgressions and from spending our Time in sober and serious Consideration of our Ways and Doings and the state of our Souls and further by Fasting adding Force to our Prayers to God for Mercy to our selves and others the whole Church and Nation wherein we live and Praying mightily to God that so our Sins may not out-cry our Prayers Let us further consider that this Outward Appearance and Face of Religion and Devotion although it be but for a time yet what effect it may have upon Men we know not but that it may make some Impression on Mens Minds as to fall in love and liking of sincere and true Piety so that it may in time prevail upon them to become honest and sincere and not only lay aside their Folly and Wickedness for a season but wholly abandon their Lusts For this Restraint they put upon themselves for a season must mightily convince them that they have power over themselves to restrain their disorder'd and vitious Appetites and Lusts for a time and why not then longer if they please It will somewhat inure and accustom them to Self-denial and Mortification of their Sensual Appetites And they who deny themselves if it be only but for a time will be accounted however less wicked than those who will abate nothing of their Wickedness and Excesses at any time nor apply themselves to the Religious Duties of the Lent-Fast especially if we consider how far even a formal and hypocritical Fast and Humiliation for a time of a wicked Ahab had acceptance before God as to his Deliverance from a temporal Judgment during his Life Let us consider the great Wisdom of the Church our Mother in appointing this Lent-Fast which if not imposed upon her Children they it 's to be feared would very carelessly and slightly pass over the serious Duties of this Time and possibly never find a season for this necessary Work of a Christian of considering their Ways and searching their Hearts and repenting and humbling themselves and pouring out their fervent Prayers for God's Pardon and for the Almighty Assistance of his Grace and Spirit to assist them in their honest Endeavours as also of consulting a good Spiritual Guide and Director of their Souls most seasonable at this serious Time to most People from whom they may receive ghostly Advice and Counsel how to avoid the Temptations and Occasions of Sin for the future and how to make Satisfaction for Injuries done by them to their Neighbours and how to frame such holy Resolutions of Amendment of their Lives as may prove effectual as also to have further the Determination of a faithful and able Guide to determine for them of their own Sincerity and as to the true state of their Souls who are God knows too ready to judge too favourably of themselves For this Time of Lent may be not improperly considered as a time of entrance into a Course of Physick for our Souls Health and Safety And why may not it be as necessary in point of Prudence and Safety to procure and often to consult an able Divine for our Souls Health and Welfare as it is to consult an able Physician for the Health of the Body or an able Lawyer for the Safety and Security of our Estate I can see no difference except it be this that we think the Concerns of our Souls are least worth our Regard and Care that any bold Mountebank and unskilful Pretender may serve the turn But without all doubt to make our Repentance true and effectual to make our Peace with God to obtain a wise and well-instructed Mind and Conscience in the Affairs of Religion thereby to possess a spotless and innocent Soul a good Conscience an unprejudiced Mind and Understanding in Religion and the true Fear and Love of God are doubtless the greatest and richest Happinesses of Humane Life and will be most certainly introductive to Eternal Happiness which is insured to us by the Satisfaction and Redemption purchased for us by the precious Blood of our Great Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to all sincere Christians who neglect not the Means to attain it Let us as is before mention'd consider that for our Spiritual Improvement and Welfare this holy Time of Lent was instituted by the Ancient Christian Church long before Popery appeared in the World I humbly therefore conceive it would be a great weakness and folly of us Protestants to discard it for Popish and Superstitious but rather heartily embrace it and to endeavour to make those great Advantages to our Souls by the Primitive Religious Observance of it For surely the more and better Reformed our Religion is that we profess to own it should