Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	fire_n	set_v	tongue_n	3,652	5	9.4006	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54945	A discourse of prayer wherein this great duty is stated, so as to oppose some principles and practices of Papists and fanaticks; as they are contrary to the publick forms of the Church of England, established by her ecclesiastical canons, and confirmed by acts of Parliament. By Thomas Pittis, D.D. one of His Majesties chaplains in ordinary. Wherefore, that way and profession in religion, which gives the best directions for it, (viz. prayer) with the most effectual motives to it, and most aboundeth in its observance, hath therein the advantage of all others. Dr. Owen in his preface to his late discourse of the work of the Holy SPirit in prayer, &c.	Pittis, Thomas, 1636-1687.	1683 (1683)	Wing P2314; ESTC R220541	149,431	404

we_o find_v after_o a_o excursion_n of_o our_o thought_n that_o we_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o posture_n of_o prayer_n when_o otherwise_o we_o may_v by_o the_o inadvertency_n or_o diversion_n of_o our_o soul_n or_o a_o unusual_a heaviness_n and_o oppression_n in_o our_o body_n forget_v the_o duty_n which_o we_o be_v conversant_a about_o but_o especial_o in_o our_o public_a devotion_n the_o devout_a gesture_n of_o other_o about_o we_o mind_v we_o of_o what_o we_o shall_v do_v ourselves_o and_o we_o can_v remain_v cold_a and_o stupid_a when_o we_o see_v other_o express_v the_o affection_n and_o ardour_n of_o their_o mind_n by_o those_o action_n in_o which_o we_o common_o represent_v they_o when_o by_o the_o gesture_n of_o their_o body_n they_o seem_v to_o pour_v out_o their_o very_a soul_n in_o prayer_n how_o do_v we_o see_v the_o eye_n of_o man_n sparkle_v with_o zeal_n when_o void_a of_o all_o passion_n or_o hypocrifie_n how_o do_v humility_n and_o some_o man_n low_a conceit_n of_o themselves_o cause_v their_o body_n to_o stoop_v and_o their_o knee_n to_o bend_v how_o do_v faith_n and_o hope_n again_o lift_v up_o the_o most_o feeble_a hand_n at_o once_o to_o beg_v and_o receive_v god_n favour_n and_o such_o devout_a action_n if_o they_o be_v not_o hypocritical_a will_v raise_v and_o evidence_n our_o own_o affection_n however_o must_v certain_o inflame_v other_o to_o conclude_v this_o particular_a then_o i_o can_v but_o speak_v of_o the_o external_a gesture_n of_o our_o body_n and_o the_o inward_a intention_n and_o fervour_n of_o our_o mind_n what_o the_o poet_n say_v of_o castor_n and_o pollux_n that_o when_o they_o be_v only_o single_a they_o portend_v mischief_n and_o be_v the_o forerunner_n of_o a_o storm_n but_o when_o they_o appear_v both_o together_o they_o presage_v a_o fortunate_a passage_n to_o the_o church_n declare_v piety_n in_o who_o they_o shine_v and_o a_o solid_a and_o well_o ground_a devotion_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o second_o particular_a refer_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o deportment_n and_o gesture_n of_o our_o body_n the_o three_o and_o last_o enquiry_n about_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n be_v to_o make_v a_o search_n into_o our_o word_n and_o expression_n and_o to_o determine_v what_o be_v fit_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o matter_n when_o we_o speak_v to_o so_o great_a and_o glorious_a a_o god_n especial_o in_o our_o joint_n and_o common_a petition_n there_o be_v not_o more_o frequent_a extravagancy_n among_o man_n expose_v to_o the_o cognisance_n of_o other_o than_o what_o usual_o proceed_v from_o the_o slip_n or_o design_v action_n of_o our_o tongue_n these_o be_v so_o nimble_a when_o the_o body_n become_v heat_v and_o chafe_v as_o if_o all_o our_o spirit_n fly_v thither_o that_o it_o be_v difficult_a for_o some_o warm_a constitution_n to_o afford_v they_o any_o rest_n at_o all_o they_o be_v so_o talkative_a when_o we_o be_v awake_v that_o they_o be_v tattle_v too_o whilst_o we_o be_v asleep_a therefore_o the_o skilful_a and_o prudent_a government_n of_o the_o tongue_n be_v the_o most_o difficult_a task_n of_o the_o empire_n within_o ourselves_o and_o needs_o the_o prescription_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o law_n and_o a_o great_a and_o wary_a caution_n to_o be_v give_v we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o stop_v the_o sally_n of_o it_o that_o our_o word_n may_v be_v guide_v with_o discretion_n the_o tongue_n say_v st._n james_n be_v a_o little_a member_n but_o boast_v great_a thing_n and_o he_o compare_v it_o to_o fire_n a_o spark_n of_o which_o often_o turn_v city_n into_o ash_n such_o be_v this_o among_o our_o member_n that_o it_o defile_v the_o whole_a body_n and_o set_v on_o fire_n the_o course_n of_o nature_n when_o itself_o be_v kindle_v by_o the_o flame_n of_o hell_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o man_n offend_v not_o in_o word_n say_v the_o apostle_n the_o same_o be_v a_o perfect_a man_n and_o able_a to_o bridle_v the_o whole_a body_n james_n 3.2_o 5_o 6._o now_o as_o this_o be_v so_o peccant_a in_o our_o conversation_n with_o man_n so_o be_v it_o apt_a to_o err_v in_o our_o converse_v with_o god_n when_o it_o assume_v too_o much_o familiarity_n with_o he_o become_v pert_a and_o rude_a in_o our_o prayer_n and_o devotion_n as_o some_o man_n who_o a_o prince_n honour_n with_o his_o daily_a converse_v be_v so_o sensible_o blow_v up_o with_o the_o reception_n of_o his_o breath_n that_o their_o former_a acquaintance_n must_v not_o know_v they_o so_o oftentimes_o they_o become_v saucy_a to_o he_o that_o have_v advance_v they_o and_o blow_v his_o breath_n back_o upon_o himself_o when_o they_o have_v first_o poison_v it_o in_o their_o own_o body_n and_o thus_o be_v it_o with_o many_o man_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a god_n that_o make_v they_o utter_v such_o language_n in_o their_o address_n to_o he_o as_o will_v cause_v man_n to_o scorn_n and_o reject_v their_o petition_n and_o all_o for_o want_v of_o due_a consideration_n and_o impress_v themselves_o with_o a_o just_a awe_n from_o the_o distance_n and_o disproportion_n betwixt_o their_o maker_n and_o themselves_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o we_o be_v exhort_v to_o come_v with_o a_o humble_a boldness_n to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n since_o we_o have_v a_o acceptable_a person_n to_o intercede_v for_o we_o heb._n 4.16_o but_o who_o can_v think_v that_o such_o a_o text_n give_v encouragement_n to_o dust_n and_o ash_n to_o fly_v against_o the_o face_n of_o their_o great_a creator_n and_o advance_v their_o privilege_n into_o a_o confident_a rudeness_n rather_o sure_o the_o same_o apostle_n sober_a advice_n must_v give_v a_o check_n to_o extravagant_a presumption_n and_o cause_v we_o to_o serve_v god_n in_o a_o acceptable_a manner_n with_o profound_a reverence_n and_o a_o godly_a fear_n because_o he_o be_v a_o consume_a fire_n heb._n 12.28_o 29._o to_o manage_v therefore_o our_o prayer_n unto_o god_n in_o such_o language_n as_o may_v be_v suitable_a to_o our_o maker_n and_o ourselves_o we_o may_v take_v if_o we_o be_v willing_a these_o follow_a direction_n 1._o that_o our_o word_n must_v be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a 2._o they_o ought_v to_o be_v grave_a and_o serious_a 3._o they_o must_v be_v expressive_a and_o full_a 4._o they_o ought_v to_o be_v as_o brief_a and_o short_a as_o may_v consist_v with_o perspicuity_n and_o therefore_o last_o they_o must_v be_v premeditate_v and_o fix_v first_o our_o word_n and_o expression_n in_o our_o solemn_a prayer_n must_v be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v mind_v however_o be_v affect_v with_o that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v or_o if_o he_o be_v it_o be_v without_o reason_n and_o he_o do_v not_o act_n like_o a_o man_n we_o have_v indeed_o too_o melancholy_a and_o woeful_a experience_n of_o some_o that_o be_v take_v with_o musical_a stroke_n and_o any_o thing_n which_o make_v curious_a and_o grateful_a percussion_n upon_o their_o ear_n be_v extreme_o delight_v with_o such_o sound_n of_o word_n as_o be_v void_a of_o sense_n but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n if_o we_o think_v that_o the_o gratification_n of_o our_o sense_n become_v a_o reasonable_a service_n unto_o god_n prayer_n require_v that_o our_o apprehension_n and_o wish_n keep_v a_o parallel_n with_o our_o word_n in_o which_o we_o utter_v our_o want_n and_o necessity_n we_o may_v otherwise_o beg_v a_o serpent_n when_o we_o intend_v a_o fish_n and_o ask_v for_o a_o stone_n instead_o of_o bread_n if_o in_o public_a we_o understand_v not_o the_o language_n of_o he_o that_o offer_v service_n in_o our_o behalf_n he_o may_v curse_v we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o devil_n when_o we_o think_v he_o bless_v we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n it_o can_v at_o the_o bare_a mention_n of_o it_o but_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o strange_a and_o ridiculous_a service_n when_o we_o offer_v to_o god_n we_o know_v not_o what_o and_o if_o we_o can_v trust_v any_o man_n with_o his_o bundle_n of_o infirmity_n in_o a_o business_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o our_o prayer_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v he_o either_o to_o his_o quick_a or_o dull_a invention_n as_o his_o body_n or_o his_o mind_n be_v either_o vigorous_a or_o disturb_v so_o that_o we_o may_v with_o any_o tolerable_a knowledge_n or_o due_a consideration_n say_v amen_o to_o what_o be_v utter_v or_o compose_v for_o we_o by_o some_o man_n to_o be_v deliver_v by_o ourselves_o yet_o sure_o i_o be_o we_o can_v never_o proportion_v our_o affection_n or_o the_o intention_n of_o out_o mind_n suitable_a to_o those_o expression_n which_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v prayer_n especial_o what_o be_v public_a shall_v be_v a_o plain_a thing_n and_o word_v so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o all_o

be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n luke_o 23.42_o 43._o and_o why_o shall_v any_o person_n fear_n have_v good_a design_n and_o hearty_a intention_n to_o amend_v his_o life_n in_o address_v himself_o to_o such_o a_o god_n who_o compassion_n be_v infinite_a when_o mary_n magdalene_n herself_o be_v admit_v to_o his_o favour_n out_o of_o who_o go_v seven_o devil_n and_o to_o who_o also_o much_o be_v forgive_v nay_o let_v god_n promise_v however_o become_v our_o encouragement_n by_o no_o mean_n for_o a_o continuance_n in_o our_o sin_n for_o grace_n will_v not_o abound_v then_o but_o to_o admonish_v we_o to_o repent_v and_o pray_v especial_o since_o he_o have_v declare_v not_o only_o that_o he_o keep_v mercy_n for_o thousand_o but_o more_o particular_o that_o when_o the_o wicked_a man_n turn_v away_o from_o his_o wickedness_n that_o he_o have_v commit_v and_o do_v that_o which_o be_v lawful_a and_o right_a he_o shall_v save_v his_o soul_n alive_a ezek._n 18.27_o can_v any_o man_n be_v more_o vile_a than_o saul_n who_o persecute_v christianity_n even_o to_o the_o death_n and_o be_v now_o strike_v blind_a with_o his_o commission_n about_o he_o which_o be_v a_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o his_o guilt_n and_o a_o evidence_n beyond_o oral_a witness_n to_o bring_v all_o the_o christian_n he_o can_v find_v to_o jerusalem_n have_v first_o bind_v they_o that_o they_o may_v receive_v their_o sentence_n and_o yet_o through_o the_o infinite_a mercy_n of_o god_n our_o saviour_n ananias_n be_v send_v miraculous_o to_o recover_v he_o when_o once_o he_o humble_v himself_o and_o pray_v inquire_v for_o saul_n say_v our_o lord_n in_o a_o vision_n for_o behold_v he_o pray_v acts._n 9.11_o certain_o therefore_o none_o be_v so_o vile_a but_o if_o he_o have_v so_o real_a a_o resolution_n of_o amendment_n that_o want_v of_o time_n only_o in_o this_o mortal_a life_n can_v hinder_v it_o from_o appear_v in_o sincere_a action_n he_o may_v address_v himself_o to_o almighty_a god_n and_o shall_v find_v grace_n to_o assist_v he_o in_o time_n of_o need_n chap._n viii_o the_o last_o enquiry_n which_o i_o propose_v to_o be_v make_v in_o relation_n to_o this_o great_a duty_n of_o prayer_n be_v to_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v necessary_a or_o no._n and_o this_o will_v need_v no_o discourse_n at_o all_o will_v man_n be_v content_v with_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o not_o mix_v christianity_n with_o philosophical_a dispute_n and_o turn_v all_o public_a place_n of_o meeting_n into_o school_n of_o controversy_n where_o every_o man_n determine_v out_o of_o the_o chair_n that_o be_v never_o in_o it_o christian_n religion_n will_v be_v much_o more_o easy_a than_o it_o be_v if_o man_n will_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o matter_n of_o fact_n a_o thing_n that_o be_v once_o do_v and_o deliver_v by_o the_o great_a messiah_n who_o be_v authorize_v and_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o proclaim_v god_n covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o the_o world_n seal_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o mediator_n and_o all_o convey_v down_o to_o we_o in_o the_o way_n which_o be_v now_o recommend_v and_o practise_v in_o such_o church_n as_o own_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v their_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o impose_v nothing_o in_o the_o circumstance_n and_o ceremony_n that_o attend_v religion_n but_o what_o be_v decent_a in_o order_n and_o for_o edification_n and_o no_o where_o prohibit_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n no_o nor_o yet_o the_o contrary_n enjoin_v and_o command_v and_o therefore_o such_o can_v be_v sinful_a imposition_n unless_o man_n pretend_v to_o christianity_n can_v find_v a_o transgression_n where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n but_o however_o because_o it_o have_v be_v a_o fashion_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o design_n to_o render_v easy_a thing_n by_o some_o man_n perplex_v they_o for_o their_o own_o advantage_n difficult_a and_o hard_a that_o i_o may_v not_o seem_v willing_a to_o avoid_v trouble_n and_o because_o no_o other_o more_o necessary_a labour_n of_o a_o minister_n be_v consider_v than_o what_o be_v make_v public_a by_o preach_v or_o write_v i_o be_o resolve_v at_o this_o time_n be_v in_o a_o comply_a humour_n neither_o to_o balk_v the_o question_n of_o knave_n nor_o the_o scruple_n of_o fool_n the_o strong_a foundation_n upon_o which_o this_o enquiry_n be_v build_v be_v upon_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n decree_n and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o these_o his_o providence_n over_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o what_o necessity_n be_v there_o of_o prayer_n since_o it_o can_v alter_v god_n decree_n and_o in_o consequence_n of_o it_o the_o action_n of_o his_o providence_n but_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o some_o man_n shall_v raise_v doubt_n concern_v that_o which_o nature_n itself_o have_v seem_v to_o dictate_v and_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o mankind_n what_o if_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o few_o sceptical_a disputant_n who_o love_n to_o hear_v themselves_o talk_v and_o because_o their_o spirit_n be_v determine_v to_o their_o tongue_n and_o too_o well_o love_v their_o lodging_n there_o have_v leave_v few_o in_o their_o brain_n to_o direct_v and_o guide_v they_o be_v mighty_o please_v with_o their_o volubility_n of_o language_n and_o the_o vent_v their_o passion_n without_o any_o dictate_v from_o the_o conclusion_n of_o their_o retire_a mind_n but_o make_v their_o affection_n clown_n to_o their_o understanding_n whilst_o they_o pass_v by_o without_o any_o ceremony_n or_o consideration_n yet_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o prove_v prayer_n to_o be_v necessary_a in_o spite_n of_o all_o atheist_n and_o fanatic_n if_o they_o will_v attend_v to_o reason_n or_o but_o consult_v their_o own_o system_n he_o that_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n let_v he_o show_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o common_a and_o periodical_a revolution_n of_o thing_n or_o how_o he_o himself_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o the_o original_n of_o those_o power_n by_o which_o he_o manage_n such_o a_o argument_n and_o if_o he_o can_v deny_v that_o god_n be_v the_o whole_a world_n will_v hiss_v at_o he_o if_o he_o will_v not_o grant_v that_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v invoke_v and_o pray_v to_o and_o as_o for_o those_o who_o allow_v prayer_n in_o the_o practice_n but_o yet_o destroy_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o by_o their_o principle_n and_o grow_v distract_v by_o their_o belief_n in_o god_n lose_v his_o attribute_n whilst_o they_o retain_v his_o name_n i_o must_v principal_o discourse_v with_o such_o man_n under_o this_o enquiry_n and_o that_o i_o may_v obtain_v leave_n with_o other_o in_o the_o world_n that_o make_v some_o figure_n among_o mankind_n to_o beat_v the_o bush_n before_o any_o thing_n be_v start_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o acquaint_v you_o that_o it_o be_v a_o common_a division_n of_o that_o worship_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n into_o a_o moral_a and_o ceremonial_a part_n moral_a be_v that_o by_o which_o we_o pay_v our_o duty_n to_o he_o according_a to_o his_o moral_a precept_n and_o command_v implant_v in_o our_o nature_n or_o otherwise_o sufficient_o reveal_v submit_v to_o his_o will_n in_o his_o daily_a providence_n ceremonial_a be_v a_o due_a observance_n of_o those_o rite_n and_o circumstance_n that_o just_o tend_v to_o the_o promotion_n of_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o worship_n now_o though_o this_o latter_a be_v the_o controversy_n of_o our_o country_n and_o those_o time_n in_o which_o we_o live_v though_o debate_n and_o objection_n concern_v this_o be_v the_o spark_n that_o set_v whole_a house_n on_o fire_n lay_v city_n waste_v and_o make_v their_o inhabitant_n prey_v upon_o each_o other_o and_o like_o thorn_n crackle_v under_o the_o pot_n of_o some_o who_o will_v be_v account_v little_o less_o than_o prophet_n when_o have_v lay_v they_o foretell_v their_o own_o design_n and_o by_o lucky_a hit_n bring_v they_o to_o pass_v yet_o since_o the_o first_o be_v not_o without_o its_o difficulty_n suitable_a to_o the_o variation_n of_o the_o fancy_n judgement_n or_o interest_n of_o man_n who_o according_a to_o their_o pleasure_n or_o the_o admiration_n of_o other_o make_v thing_n either_o hard_o or_o soft_a difficult_a or_o easy_a when_o it_o be_v their_o will_n to_o obscure_v or_o explain_v they_o before_o i_o proceed_v any_o far_a on_o the_o particular_a subject_n under_o consideration_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o be_v instruct_v in_o its_o preparative_n and_o general_a ingredient_n as_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o moral_a worship_n in_o which_o be_v include_v that_o which_o be_v natural_a to_o complete_a which_o there_o must_v 1._o be_v a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n which_o sufficient_o declare_v his_o be_v to_o the_o world_n 2._o a_o right_a judgement_n upon_o and_o collection_n from_o they_o 3._o a_o rational_a and_o suitable_a affection_n of_o mind_n proportionable_a to_o our_o reasonable_a inference_n and_o deduction_n