Selected quad for the lemma: power_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
power_n	key_n	open_v	shut_v	4,285	5	9.4567	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77987	Habakkuks prayer applyed to the churches present occasions, on Hab. 3. 2. And Christs counsel to the church of Philadelphia, on Rev. 3. 11. / Preached before the provincial assembly of London. By that late reverend and faithful minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Samuel Balmford, pastor of Albons Woodstreet.	Balmford, Samuel, d. 1659?	1659 (1659)	Wing B608; Thomason E1910_2; ESTC R209972	36,857	123

all Gods people though I may interlace something that will bear respect to Church-Angels and Officers For the opening of this consider we 1. What it is which the Churches and people of God respectively are to hold fast since every thing that every one hath is not worthy to be held fast 2. How they are to hold that fast or what their fast holding is in way of duty First That which Philadelphia and so other approved Churches of Christ had worthy to be held fast was 1. The Word of God and the Name of God thou hast kept my Word and hast not denyed my Name said Christ ver 8. Under this Word and Name of God c. is to be understood that whole truth whereby God in Christ had revealed and manifested himself and his will unto his Church whereby his Church knows what he is and what he hath done and what he hath willed and commanded his people to believe and do Hence it was said to the Church of Sardis ver 3. Remember how thou hast received and heard and hold fast c. Part of which truth Philadelphia is minded of ver 7. in that description of Christ from his 1. Holinesse 2. Truth and 3. Having the key of David which three Branches point at his three Offices Priestly Prophetical Kingly as some judiciously learned think 2. The Ordinances of God for Gospel worship and Church Administrations are insinuated in this context as enjoyed by Philadelphia For mark it Christ remembers her that he had set before her an open door and no man could shut it ver 8. i. e. He had given her fair opportunities and open and large means for the propagating of the Gospel and advancing of Gospel-work many bars of obstruction and hindrance being removed out of the way So that Gospel-Administrations had free course or passage among them as 't is said it had among the Thessalonians 2 Thes 3. 1. Yea we may gather from part of his Title which he purposely takes up in writing to her viz. He that hath the key of David that he had not onely used his key for opening to her but likewise given her the keys both of Doctrine and Discipline Ministerial under himself to open and shut unto others And no doubt this Church was not wanting to that according to her power which was commended in that of Ephesus cap. 2. 2. viz. in not bearing with those that were evil but trying them which said they were Apostles and finding them lyars c. 3. Good works or practice according to the Word and Ordinances of God For 't is the first part of Christ his testimony given to her that He knew i. e. approved her works at the beginning of v. 8. And what might her works be Doubtless of as good account as any of her sisters works of charity and service and faith patience as were her sisters of Thyatira cap. 2. 19. And for patience it is expressed here ver 10. that she keep the word of his patience i. e. she exercised patience according to Christ his word and prescription So that to summe up all and according to the tenour of other Scriptures compared with this if the people of God be considered in the general notion All that which they are to hold fast is 1. soundnesse of Doctrine and 2. Holinesse of life and conversation which are mentioned together in 1 Tim. 1. 19. Holding faith and a good conscience c. To hold faith there is to hold the Doctrine of faith or to hold fast the form of sound words as 't is phrased 2 Tim. 1. 13. And ro hold a good conscience is to hold such a practice according to that rule of faith as an enlightned conscience may witnesse to be good or to be rightly consciencious in walking and working according to that rule Again if the people of God be considered collectively as embodied together in a Church frame and order that which they are to hold fast is those Church-Ordinances which Christ hath given them whether about duties of worship to God or government among themselves or about the enjoyment of those liberties or priviledges or powers which he hath granted them In reference to which under-Ordinances the most judicious understand the Apostle speaking thus to Timothy I charge thee in the sight of God c. that thou keep this Commandment i. e. that body or rule of Commandment laid down in the premises without spot unrebukeable untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim 6. 13. 14. This for the object that is to be held fast Sect. Next for the manner of holding fast what is it The Holy Ghost useth sundry words in several places which are all of them sometimes rendred by our Translators into these terms of holding fast yet of somewhat different importment But by collection of them together we may more fully take up the nature of this duty When St. Paul bids Timothy 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hold them as having and retaining them by thee in possession But there is more than that barely in this duty For when Christ bids the Church of Sardis supra ver 3. Remember what thou hast received and heard and hold fast c. his word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hold or keep or observe with all diligence as that which is committed to ones carefull custody But yet there is more imported in this duty For when Christ bids the Church in Thyatira That which ye have already hold fast till I come cap. 2. 25. his word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the same word radically is used here in our Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hold fast strongly use not onely a carefull eye in keeping but put to they utmost strength in holding fast that which thou hast that keeping it vigorously thou mayst keep it also perseverantly and constantly to the end And a perseverant holding fast is here intended by Christ as well as cap. 2. 25. as may be gathered from the annexed Motives Now unto this strong and vigorous holding fast of Truth and Holinesse Faith and good Conscience there is requisite 1. Firm purpose of heart and stedfast resolution of will to persevere in the profession of sound faith and Doctrine and in the execution of Gods commands according to place and power and in the practice of holinesse c. If there be not first strength in the will and resolution there will be none found in external practice and exercise The vigour of the heart conduceth much to the vigour of the hand or foot Hence it was that good man and full of the holy Ghost exhorted the Christians at Antioch that with purpose of heart If there be weaknesse in the spirits there will be weakness in the joynts if weakness in the heart weaknesse in hands and limbs they would cleave unto the Lord Act. 11. 23. And the Apostle Paul