Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	heart_n	law_n	write_v	15,886	5	7.0259	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A23634	Man's self-reflection is the special means to further his recovery from his apostasy from God	Allen, James, 1632-1710.	1699 (1699)	Wing A1027; ESTC W1278	13,768	34

up by the work of Powerful Grace and Encouraged to Endeavour it by the same promised grace Hosea 6.1 2 3. Come and let us Return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up After two dayes will be revive us in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. 1 Joh. 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness The further clearing and Improving this Text and Doctrine shall be in Answer to this practical Question Quest What is this Thoughtfulness of our wayes or actions that is such a special means for the cure of Apostasy in a Professing People of God Answ 1. In general take this description of it It is the Exercise of all the powers of the Rational Soul by mans Self Reflection for the knowledge of his ways or actions and for his right Judgment of them with reference to Gods final approving Judgment 1. It is the Exercise of all the Powers of the Rational Soul the Understanding Will and Affections 2 In way of Self-Reflection for the knowledge of his actions which is peculiar to Rational Creature and mainly intends his moral actions as under the direction of a moral Rule for his Obedience and Happiness in Enjoyment of God according to his promise to his obedience Gen. 2.9 3. It is for his Right Judgment of them Man hath a Judicature in himself God hath Authorized in him and is the supream and highest on Earth subordinate only to God about his own actions in reference to God and his inward duty to him Rom. 14.4 Who art thou that judgest another mans servant to his own master he standeth or falleth None are to judge others in things that are indifferent in matters of Religion or doubtful to true Christians but themselves about the sincerity in them or not vers 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more but consider our own wayes The Judge is Conscience 2 Cor. 1.12 That is a Witness as well as a Judge having the best knowledge of what is in man next to God 1 Cor. 2.11 For what man knoweth the things of 〈◊〉 man save the Spirit of man which is in him And hath Authority in the man to stir up all the powers in it for its right judgment therefore the Psalmist here saith I thought being set on work by Conscience that is seated in the heart or practical judgment that influenceth the whole 1 Joh. 3.20 21. If the heart condemns that is Conscience God is greater and will much more condemn but if it does not there may be Appeals to God to Justify and confidence in it through Christ Psal 130.4 But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayst be feared It s Knowledge and Authority to stir up the activity of the Rational Powers is in order to this Judgment 4. It is with reference to Gods final approving judgment of them This is the chief end of the power of Conscience in man It is to be approved of God all our Actions may in his final judgment 2 Cor 5.11 It was so in mans Innocency to prevent sin to justify in way of perfect Obedience and since the Fall under the Gospel its main use is to further escaping Gods Condemnation of them 1 Cor. 11.32 by judging themselves and appealing to Gods Gracious Throne for approbation and pardon through Christ 2. More particularly I shall endeavour to shew what are those Exercises of the powers of the Soul when Conscience is awakened to its duty in order to true turning to God are stirred up by it and in what order First The understanding power of the Soul it sets that a work which is the first Operation of the Soul in order to Returning to God a seeing and knowing of our wayes or actions None can rightly judge of what he doth not know and right knowledge of them must go before any serious thoughts about mending them or returning to a right way we must see we are wrong For clearing this take these Remarks about it First That in mans first Creation God gave man an Excellent Understanding not only into the natures of all other Inferiour Creatures to give them suitable names thereunto but also to know his own duty to God as the way to his Happiness not only by the written Law of God in his heart but his positive Law in the Sanctions of the Covenant with him He Reveals what is good and his way to his Happiness Gen. 2.9 17. and what is evil that which God forbids And he had a freedom and power to will and choose the one and refuse the other but Created and Mutable and so by the abuse of that power hath lost it and his knowledge with it of moral good and evil wholly as saying and any right judgment of it in order to it Secondly In Fallen man there are some Remains as some call them of the light of nature in their Consciences or as others rather would call them common gifts to fallen man God gives to all men as benefits in common from Christs Death to all mankind that are beneficial to Humane Society though not saving to the person Thus we read Rom. 1.18 Who hold the truth in unrighteousness that is sin against the light of Conscience The Heathens had a natural light about good and evil as beneficial or destructive to Humane Society Verse 29. who know that they that do such things are worthy of death And some knowledge of duty to God by the help of the works of Creation verse 19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and God head so that they are without excuse which though not saving yet left them without excuse and Sins against it deprived them of much of Gods common Goodness and brought them under much of present displeasure and the effects of it which might have been avoided Rom. 2.14 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the Law That is in that Law written the Scriptures these having not the law are a law unto themselves Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another Thirdly But God hath provided further help for the knowledge of our ways and furthering Saving Returning out of that Apostasy and after-strays from his Rule And that is the Dispensation of his Word Rom. 2.4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to