Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	angel_n	incense_n	offer_v	2,090	5	7.4727	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A20217	The ruine of Rome: or An exposition vpon the whole Reuelation Wherein is plainly shewed and proued, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authoritie of Rome, shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an vtter ouerthrow euen in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Iesuites, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.	Dent, Arthur, d. 1607.; Culverwell, Ezekiel, 1553 or 4-1631.	1603 (1603)	STC 6640; ESTC S117456	184,102	332

they do sound the alarum at the commandement of God These Angels are propounded as 7. in number because it pleased not God at once to powre downe his wrath vpon the rebellious worlde but at diuers times and by peecemeale Whether these were good or bad Angels it is not material to dispute seeing God executeth his iudgements both by the one and the other Moreouer it is specially to be obserued that the blowing of these seuen trumpets doo all belong to the opening of the seuenth seale and are as it were the seuen parts thereof for the things which fall out vpon the blowing of these seuen trumpets do reach euen vnto the last iudgement as the Angell sweareth chap. 10.6.7 vers 3 Then an other Angel came stood before the Aultar hauing a golden Censor much odours was giuen vnto him that hee should offer with the praiers of all Saints vpon the golden Aultar which is before the throne We heard before that whē the course of the Gospell was stopt by the diuell and his instruments yet God was very carefull for the safetie and sealing vp of his owne seruāts so likewise we are now to heare of the like care and prouidence For now that errors and heresies were to be sowne in the world whereby many were corrupted and that he himselfe from heauen dooth proclaime open enmitie against the despisers of his Gospell by giuing them vp to blindnesse and error hee doth double his care and prouidence to all his faithfull worshippers For here wee do plainely see that the Church hath a mediator and that he which keepeth Israel neither slumbreth nor sleepeth And therfore when the wrath of God doth most of all breake forth vpon the world for the contempt of his graces yet the Church is remembred and set in safetie with all her children For her praiers come vp before God and are accepted through the same mediator And this is the sense and drift of this third verse By this Angell is meant Iesus Christ the Angell of the couenant as we haue heard before who is not an Angell by nature but by office It is manifest that in the olde lawe there was a golden Aultar and a golden Censor in which the Priest did burne sweete incense before the Lorde which did figure the mediation of Christe in whome the prayers of the Saintes are accepted Now heere the holy Ghost alludeth to that sacrificing Priest-hood of the olde Testament where incense was offered at the Aultar which now is the sweet sauour of the death of Christ through whom both we and all our sacrifices are seasoned sweetned Who therefore is this Angell but Christ Who is the golden Aultar but Christ What are the sweete odours with the which the prayers of all Saintes come before God but the most sweet mediation of the Lord Iesus What is meant by the smoake of the odours which with the praiers of the Saints went vp before God out of the Angels hand Surely the sweete incense of Christs mediation wherwith our praiers are spiced and perfumed that they might be as sweete smelling sacrifices in the nosthrils of God For as water cast into a fire raiseth a smoake so the teares of the faithfull besprinkeled in their praiers make them as sweete incense acceptable to God through Christ The summe of all is this that in the midst of all these heresies and those hellish troubles which should be raised vp by the Pope his Cleargie the Turke and his armies as in the next chapter wee shall see the elect haue their praiers heard for their preseruation by the merits of Christ vers 5 And the Angell tooke the Censor and filled it with the fire of the Aultar and cast it into the earth and there were voices thundrings lightnings earthquakes Here we see how Iesus Christ taketh the Censor and filleth it with the fire of the Aultar that is the graces and gifts of the spirit for so the fire of the Aultar is taken in Esay In this sense it is said that our Lord Iesus should baptise with fire and the holy Ghost that is the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost In this sense also the holy Ghost did rest vpon the Disciples in the likenesse of clouen tongues like fire wherevpon they were all filled with gifts and graces The holy Ghost is compared to fire because hee burneth out our drosse purgeth the hearts of the faithfull and setteth them on fire with the burning loue and zeale of Gods glorie So then it followeth that as before there was prouision had for the safetie of the Church by her Mediator so here many heauenly giftes and graces are bestowed vpon her For Christe casteth this fire of the Aultar vpon the earth that is vpon his elect dwelling in the earth Herevpon it is saide that there were voices and thundrings c. that is all manner of broiles tumults vprores slaughters and diuisions For after the Gospell was sounded forth in the Church by the power of the holy Ghost the diuell is disturbed and the worlde molested And hence spring all these broiles and tumults thundring and lightning and wee must looke for such stirres after the preaching of the Gospell whilest there is a worlde and a diuell Therefore our Lord Iesus saith hee came not to bring peace into the earth but fire and sworde and to sette a man at variance against his father and likewise the daughter against her mother c. for diuisions and ciuill dissentions doo alwaies followe the preaching of the Gospell which thing yet is not simply in the nature of the Gospell which is a Gospell of peace but accidentally through the frowardnesse and corruption of mans nature which will not yeelde vnto it but most stubbornely rebelleth against it vers 6 Then the seuen Angels which had the seuen Trompets prepared themselues to blowe Now beginneth this open warre to be proclaimed against the world for their great vngodlinesse and rebellion against the truth vers 7 So the first Angell blew the Trompet and there was haile and fire mingled with blood and they were cast into the earth and the third part of trees was burnt and all greene grasse was burnt It were absurd to imagine that any thing in this Verse is to bee taken literally seeing in the literall sense there was neuer any such matter Therefore of necessitie it must be expounded mystically and allegorically therefore by this haile and fire mingled with blood is meant errours and heresies For as haile doth beate downe corne and destroy the fruits of the earth fire doth consume and blood doth corrupt and putrifie So false doctrine and heresie doth annoy consume and corrupt the soules of men For it is saide that all these being mingled together were cast vpon the earth that is the inhabitants of the earth and the third part of the trees that is numbers of men or a verie great part of the worlde was

Church should be full of eies to looke out for the good of his Church and to giue light to all others for hee is the life and light of the world And he came and tooke the booke out of the right hand of him that sate vpon the throne vers 7 Here Iesus Christ taketh the booke out of his Fathers hand purposing both to open it and expound it For he is the onely expounder of the law and the best interpreter of his Fathers will vers 8 Herevpon it is said that the foure beastes and 24. Elders fell downe before the Lambe to testifie their thankfulnesse and inward ioy and reioycing that the Son of God would take vpō him this office which none other would or could performe Moreouer by their falling downe and worshipping him they doo plainely testifie that hee is God ouer all to be blessed for euer For otherwise the Angels of heauen both Cherubins and Seraphins would not thus fall downe and worshippe him ascribing vnto him both deitie and diuine honour Consider then how great hee is of whom it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Moreouer these Angels and Saints are said to haue euery one harpes and golden viols full of odours which are the praiers of the Saints vers 8 These harpes doo signifie the sweete concent and harmony both of men and Angels in sounding forth the praises of the Lambe For herein the whole Church both militant and triumphant doo accord and tune together as many harpers harping with their harpes as it is written also in an other place Hereby also they do plainely testifie that inward peace and spirituall ioy which all the faithfull haue through Christe which is more sweete and delightsome to the soule then any musicke is vnto the eares The viols full of odours are expounded to bee the praiers of the Saints which are therefore compared to odours because they smell sweete in the nosthrils of God and are more fragrant then any nosegay or perfume whatsoeuer for hee taketh great pleasure in the praiers of his people especially when they come out of golden viols that is sanctified hearts and consciences for euerie sanctified heart is a golden heart in the sight of God and euerie regenerate conscience is a iewell of price guilt with golde and enameled with pearle For this cause the holy man Dauid wisheth earnestly that his heart might bee so renewed and cleansed inwardely that his prayer might bee directed as incense in Gods sight and the listing vp of his handes as a sweete smelling sacrifice Furthermore vers 9 these Saints and Angels doo sing a new song That is they do sing to the praises of the Lambe with renued affections vnwearied desires Their inward ioy continueth alwaies fresh and greene as the Bay-tree They neuer wither or waxe wearie of the seruice of God Their song is euermore new and therefore euermore delightsome For the more new any thing is the more pleasant and delectable for men are not affected with olde but altogether with new things Now then Iesus Christ hauing taken this booke into his hande to open and expounde is applauded vnto by the general consent and voices of the whole church For say they Thou art worthy to take the booke vers 9 and to open the seales thereof Wherein they doo all with cōmon consent giue their voices vnto Christ acknowledging him to be the only fit persō in heauē or earth to take vpō him this functiō of opening a booke so closed so clasped so shut so sealed and they do yeeld a reason of their proceedings because say they thou wast killed and hast redeemed vs vnto God by thy blood out of euery kindred and tongue and people and nation Meaning hereby that he was put to death to pay the price of our redemptiō in whom all the beleeuers both of the Iewes and Gentiles are saued Their reason then is this he that hath died and risen againe and is now exalted farre aboue all principalities and powers c. is the most fit Instrument to open and interpret this booke But thou ô Christ the Lambe of God art such a one therefore thou of all others art most meete to take this matter vpon thee and to enter into this businesse Further they amplifie their reason thus that hee hath made vs of slaues and seruants vers 10 Kings and of prophane persons Priests vnto the most high God And last of all that we shall raigne vpon the earth Not meaning heereby that we shall raigne as earthly kings or only enioy an earthly kingdome For out of all doubt the Saints shall raigne with Christ in the heauens for euermore But heere is mention made of raigning in the earth because after this life Gods children shall haue the fruition and inheritance both of heauen and earth that is to say that new heauen and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse for the heauens and the earth being redintegrated and purged from corruption shall be the portion of the Saintes and the habitation of the elect for euermore After all this vers 11 Iohn heareth the voice of innumerable Angels beside the foure beastes That is the Cherubins and Seraphins or chief Angels that is Angels deputed to chiefe offices round about the throne which all with a loud voice do acknowledge the Lambe which was killed to be worthy of all honor glory praise c. vers 12 And not onely these innumerable Angels being twentie thousād times ten thousand but also all other creatures both in heauē and earth as the Sun Moone Starres the fishes in the Sea and the beastes in the earth do all in their kinde sing the same song vers 13 acknowledging all honour and glory praise and power to belong vnto him that sitteth vpon the throne and vnto the Lambe for euermore For although the creature is as yet subiect to the bondage of corruption and therefore groneth and trauelleth in paine waiting when the sonnes of God shal be reuealed yet it stādeth in assured expectation of restitution to libertie incorruption and therefore here all the creatures do praise the Lambe for that restauration which they doo so longly and wishly looke for And the foure beasts said Amen That is they do subscribe to those praises which the creature yeeldeth to their Creator And not onely the Angels do subscribe and consent vnto it but the 24. Elders also who fall downe worship him that liueth for euermore So that the Lambe is praised and worshipped of all hands both of men and Angels and all other creatures as God euerlasting and blessed for euermore CHAP. VI. IN the fourth chapter we haue heard the description of God the Father which holdeth the sealed booke in his right hand In the fift chapter wee haue had the description of Iesus Christ the opener and interpreter of this seuen sealed booke Now in this sixt chapter wee are to vnderstande of the matter and contentes of this booke

of a Chrysoprasus the eleauenth of a Iacinth the twelft of an Ametheist And the twelue gates were twelue pearles ver 21 and euery gate is of one pearle and the street of the citie is pure gold as shining glasse As we haue heard of the forme of this goodly citie so now wee are to heare of the matter of it that is to say of what stuffe it is made First S. Iohn telleth vs that the whole Citie is of most pure and glittering gold like vnto glasse and that the wall was of Iasper most greene and flourishing and also that the very foundation of the wall was beautified and adorned with twelue sundry kindes of pretious stones which hee reckoneth vp We count it a great matter heere below to compasse and close in our houses with a wall of bricke and none can do it but men of place but alas what is that to his wall what is bricke to precious stones pibbles to pearle But S. Iohn addeth that the gates were of pearle and the streete of the citie of pure gold Oh how braue how beautifull how glorious how glittering how gorgeous how admirable a citie is this for if the gates be of pearle the streets of gold then what are the inner roomes what are the dining chambers and what are the lodging roomes But heere we may not grossely imagine that the kingdome of God is of such mettall and matter inded as is heere described But the holy ghost would giue vs some tast of it and after a sort shadow out vnto vs vnder these things vvhich are in most pretious accompt amongst men vvhat the glory and excellencie of the immortall kingdome is For otherwise there is no comparison betwixt gold pearle and pretious stones and those heauenly inuisible immortall things which vve looke for and hope for thorough Christ vvhich in very deed are so great so glorious and so vnconceiuable that gold pearle pretious stones are scant so much as any shew shadow or resemblāce thereof ver 22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God almightie and the Lamb are the Temple of it ver 23 And this Citie hath no need of the Sunne neither of the Moone to shine in it for the glory of God did light it and the Lamb is the light of it ver 24 And the people which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the kings of the earth shall bring their honor glory vnto it ver 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut by day for there shal be no night there ver 26 And the glory and honour of the Gentiles shal be brought vnto it ver 27 And there shall into it no vncleane thing neither whatsoeuer worketh abhomination or lies But they which are written in the Lambs booke of life In this new Ierusalem there is no Temple as was in the olde Ierusalem For there shal be no neede of any no neede of doctrine of Sacraments of prayer as in the olde Temple wherein the law was taught sacraments administred sacrifices offered and many other rites and ceremonies obserued But Saint Iohn saith that now God and Christ shal be all in all They shal be the Temple of this most holy Citie And all they elect shall fully know them and dwell with them for euer And as this Citie hath no neede of any Temple so hath it no neede of any light either of Sunne or Moone For the glory of God and the brightnesse of the Lamb doe light it for euer vvhose incomprehensible brightnesse doth as far excell the brightnesse of the Sunne and Moone as they doe excell a little candle at noone day But it may be demaunded vvho shall dwell in this so glorious a Citie and in this so great a light Saint Iohn answereth that the people that are saued shall walke in it that is all the Israell of God all true beleeuers vvhich are happy that euer they vvere borne that they may come to the possession of such a kingdome as is heere described For Saint Iohn saith that the resplendent brightnesse of this Citie is so great that euen the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vnto it And also that the glory and honour of the Gentiles shal be brought vnto it Oh how vnspeakeable is the glory of this citie that Kings shall throw downe their Crownes and Scepters beefore it counting all theyr pomp and glory but as dust in respect of it And the magnificence and pomp of all the potentates of the earth shall heere bee laide downe And albeit none of the kings and nobles of the gentiles might bee admitted into the old Ierusalem yet all of the gentiles that beleue shall be admitted into this new Ierusalem made free denisons therof for euer And although the gates of this citie alwaies stand open both night and day as not fearing any danger of enemies yet no vncleane thing shall enter into it but onely they which are written in the Lambs booke of life Thus wee see how gloriously the holy ghost hath described vnto vs this citie of the Saints and habitation of the iust for euermore He must needes bee a very blocke that is not moued with the consideration of this endlesse felicitie For this citie is described vnto vs in so glorious admirable a manner to bring vs into loue with it and to worke in vs an vnquencheable thirst desire after it Oh therefore let vs spend many thoughts vpon it let vs enter into deepe meditations of the inestimable glory of it let vs long till wee come to the fingering and possession of it euen as the heire longeth till hee come to the possession of his lands Let vs thinke euery day tenne and euery yeere twenty till wee bee in possession let vs with the Apostle sigh and grone desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heauen let vs in the meane time cast away all things that may hinder vs in our christian course let vs shake off euery burden and run with patience the race that is set before vs let vs as they which prooue masteries abstaine from all lets and hinderances And sith wee striue so exceedingly for a corruptible crowne how much more ought wee for an vncorruptible For what paines what cost what labour can bee inough for a kingdome let vs therefore striue and straine to get into this golden citie where streets walles gates and all is gold all is pearle yea where pearle is but as mire and durt and nothing worth Oh what fooles are they which depriue themselues willingly of this endlesse glory for a few stinking lusts Oh what mad men are they which bereaue themselues of a roome in this citie of pearle for a few carnall pleasures and delights Oh what bedlames and straught beasts are they which shut themselues out of these euerlasting habitations for a little transitorie pelfe Oh what intollerable sots and fops are all such as will