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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n action_n course_n great_a 107 3 2.0955 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A52426 Practical discourses upon several divine subjects written by John Norris. Norris, John, 1657-1711. 1691 (1691) Wing N1257; ESTC R26881 131,759 372

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aceldama_n of_o blood_n and_o cruelty_n and_o to_o use_v the_o description_n of_o st._n john_n the_o 5.19_o whole_a world_n lie_v in_o wickedness_n the_o word_n be_v emphatical_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o have_v not_o only_o fall_v into_o the_o gulf_n of_o sin_n but_o it_o lie_v there_o content_o and_o quiet_o it_o be_v not_o only_o slight_o dip_v or_o stain_v with_o the_o water_n of_o impurity_n but_o it_o lie_v as_o it_o be_v moat_a round_n or_o rather_o all_o over_o drench_v and_o soak_v in_o they_o like_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o universal_a deluge_n but_o this_o i_o need_v pursue_v no_o further_o have_v already_o make_v it_o a_o distinct_a member_n of_o my_o discourse_n again_o second_o another_o reason_n why_o we_o must_v not_o be_v conform_v to_o this_o world_n be_v because_o by_o so_o do_v we_o shall_v confirm_v and_o strengthen_v the_o cause_n of_o wickedness_n and_o give_v it_o settlement_n succession_n and_o perpetuity_n for_o we_o shall_v countenance_v and_o 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singularity_n and_o a_o christian_a can_v be_v like_o himself_o if_o he_o be_v like_o other_o men._n to_o be_v a_o christian_a indeed_o be_v to_o be_v a_o new_a creature_n to_o be_v new_a in_o nature_n and_o new_a in_o life_n and_o conversation_n he_o must_v not_o be_v like_o his_o former_a self_n much_o less_o like_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n the_o argument_n be_v the_o apostle_n you_o be_v all_o the_o child_n of_o light_n and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o day_n that_o be_v christian_n professor_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o excellent_a religion_n who_o precept_n be_v excellent_o good_a and_o who_o promise_n be_v excellent_o great_a and_o what_o then_o therefore_o let_v we_o not_o 6._o sleep_v as_o do_v other_o but_o let_v we_o watch_n and_o be_v sober_a again_o four_o and_o last_o we_o christian_n have_v one_o more_o peculiar_a reason_n not_o to_o be_v conform_v to_o this_o world_n we_o have_v renounce_v it_o in_o our_o baptism_n with_o all_o its_o pomp_n and_o vanity_n by_o which_o be_v mean_v not_o only_o the_o heathen_a game_n and_o spectacle_n their_o vain_a show_n and_o loose_a festivity_n their_o lewd_a bacchanal_n and_o saturnal_n which_o we_o renounce_v absolute_o and_o the_o wealth_n and_o glory_n and_o grandeur_n even_o of_o the_o christian_a world_n as_o often_o as_o they_o prove_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o end_n of_o our_o holy_a institution_n but_o also_o the_o promiscuous_a company_n the_o general_a practice_n and_o the_o popular_a example_n of_o this_o world_n which_o be_v general_o so_o very_o corrupt_a and_o wicked_a that_o we_o renounce_v they_o not_o upon_o supposition_n as_o in_o the_o other_o instance_n but_o at_o a_o venture_n the_o very_a first_o step_n to_o a_o christian_a life_n be_v to_o die_v to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o its_o general_a usage_n and_o custom_n
dare_v to_o be_v wise_a and_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o great_a singularity_n of_o do_v well_o and_o of_o act_v like_o man_n and_o christian_n and_o then_o if_o we_o can_v have_v the_o like_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o world_n well_o if_o not_o the_o comfort_n be_v we_o shall_v not_o much_o want_n it_o and_o we_o shall_v gain_v something_o by_o our_o singularity_n which_o the_o other_o can_v by_o their_o number_n the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o deliverance_n from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o excellency_n of_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n preach_v in_o all-soul_n college_n chapel_n in_o oxford_n upon_o the_o founder_n commemoration_n day_n psal._n 50._o 23._o whoso_o offer_v praise_n glorifi_v i_o or_o as_o in_o the_o other_o translation_n whoso_o offer_v i_o thanks_o and_o praise_n he_o honour_v i_o to_o honour_n and_o glorify_v god_n as_o it_o be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o whole_a so_o be_v it_o the_o duty_n and_o privilege_n of_o all_o the_o rational_a and_o intellectual_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n god_n indeed_o have_v make_v all_o thing_n for_o his_o glory_n and_o he_o fail_v not_o to_o glorify_v himself_o one_o way_n or_o other_o by_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v make_v but_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v make_v to_o glorify_v he_o by_o free_a and_o proper_a act_n of_o worship_n and_o homage_n and_o these_o as_o he_o have_v more_o enable_v so_o have_v he_o more_o oblige_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o divine_a office_n by_o distinguish_v they_o as_o well_o by_o favour_n and_o benefit_n as_o by_o order_n of_o be_v and_o degree_n of_o natural_a excellence_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o creation_n among_o these_o be_v man_n who_o though_o at_o present_a not_o so_o capable_a of_o this_o divine_a employ_v as_o some_o of_o the_o other_o intellectual_a order_n yet_o he_o have_v as_o much_o perhaps_o more_o obligation_n to_o it_o than_o any_o of_o they_o all_o since_o god_n have_v not_o only_o favour_v he_o with_o peculiar_a benefit_n such_o as_o the_o grace_n of_o repentance_n the_o honour_n of_o be_v personal_o unite_v to_o the_o divinity_n etc._n etc._n but_o have_v also_o place_v he_o in_o such_o a_o sphere_n where_o he_o be_v the_o only_a creature_n that_o can_v acknowledge_v and_o pay_v religious_a service_n to_o the_o common_a creator_n all_o other_o creature_n praise_v god_n only_o passive_o as_o far_o as_o they_o carry_v in_o they_o the_o character_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n which_o must_v be_v consider_v and_o acknowlede_v before_o they_o redound_v to_o the_o actual_a glory_n of_o the_o creator_n like_o a_o lute_n which_o though_o never_o so_o harmonical_o set_a and_o tune_v yield_v no_o music_n till_o its_o string_n be_v artful_o touch_v by_o a_o skilful_a hand_n but_o man_n can_v free_o command_v and_o strike_v the_o string_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n and_o affection_n and_o be_v the_o only_a creature_n here_o below_o that_o can_v active_o praise_v and_o honour_v his_o great_a maker_n and_o benefactor_n man_n therefore_o be_v concern_v to_o honour_n and_o glorify_v god_n both_o for_o himself_o and_o for_o all_o the_o creature_n round_o about_o he_o and_o as_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o great_a god_n so_o man_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o priest_n in_o this_o region_n of_o it_o where_o he_o must_v undertake_v the_o office_n of_o honour_v and_o glorify_v god_n not_o only_o in_o his_o own_o but_o also_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o this_o brute_n and_o uncapable_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o he_o be_v here_o teach_v how_o to_o do_v it_o in_o these_o word_n of_o the_o psalmist_n whoso_o offer_v i_o thanks_o and_o praise_n he_o honour_n i_o or_o he_o glorify_v i_o by_o honour_n or_o glory_n here_o i_o suppose_v be_v mean_v whatever_o come_v within_o the_o notion_n of_o religious_a service_n or_o divine_a worship_n and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o who_o offer_v god_n thanks_o and_o praise_n he_o it_o be_v that_o honour_n he_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v speak_v emphatical_o and_o by_o way_n of_o eminence_n import_v as_o much_o as_o if_o it_o be_v say_v he_o it_o be_v that_o honour_n he_o more_o particular_o and_o perform_v a_o more_o special_a piece_n of_o religious_a service_n so_o that_o from_o the_o word_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n collect_v this_o proposition_n that_o the_o most_o principal_a and_o most_o acceptable_a part_n of_o religion_n consist_v in_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n second_o i_o shall_v consider_v what_o be_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v concern_v chief_o to_o thank_v god_n for_o among_o which_o i_o shall_v particular_o insist_v upon_o that_o providential_a disposal_n of_o man_n in_o such_o outward_a condition_n and_o circumstance_n of_o life_n as_o may_v be_v of_o advantage_n to_o further_a their_o eternal_a interest_n three_o i_o shall_v brief_o represent_v to_o you_o that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o your_o life_n be_v such_o whence_o in_o the_o last_o place_n i_o shall_v commend_v this_o inference_n to_o your_o consideration_n that_o you_o be_v therefore_o high_o oblige_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v speak_v to_o be_v that_o the_o most_o principal_a and_o most_o acceptable_a part_n of_o religion_n consist_v in_o praise_n and_o thansgiving_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o very_o fond_a of_o make_v comparison_n between_o act_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o what_o religion_n itself_o have_v suffer_v upon_o this_o very_a account_n among_o a_o certain_a generation_n of_o man_n who_o set_v up_o one_o duty_n of_o religion_n against_o another_o as_o preach_v against_o pray_v nor_o shall_v i_o do_v it_o here_o but_o that_o i_o have_v for_o some_o time_n observe_v that_o the_o price_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v general_o beat_v down_o and_o the_o duty_n itself_o but_o seldom_o and_o but_o cold_o practise_v even_o among_o they_o who_o make_v great_a account_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o be_v more_o particular_o addict_v to_o a_o life_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n the_o parable_n of_o the_o ten_o leper_n be_v a_o true_a draught_n and_o image_n of_o mankind_n all_o ten_o pray_v be_v under_o a_o great_a necessity_n to_o do_v so_o but_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o bethink_v himself_o and_o give_v thanks_o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o world_n where_o to_o ten_o that_o pray_v it_o be_v well_o if_o there_o be_v one_o that_o give_v thanks_o and_o even_o that_o one_o shall_v perhaps_o pray_v ten_o time_n before_o he_o give_v thanks_o once_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o shall_v be_v perhaps_o with_o half_a the_o zeal_n and_o affection_n wherewith_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o pray_v which_o procedure_v by_o the_o way_n i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o resolve_v into_o any_o other_o principle_n than_o this_o that_o when_o we_o pray_v it_o be_v for_o ourselves_o and_o our_o own_o interest_n to_o procure_v some_o good_a or_o to_o avoid_v some_o evil_n but_o when_o we_o give_v thanks_o it_o be_v to_o god_n and_o for_o god_n without_o any_o self-regard_n as_o i_o shall_v further_o show_v by_o and_o by_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v it_o that_o make_v man_n general_o more_o frequent_a and_o more_o zealous_a in_o their_o prayer_n than_o in_o their_o praise_n whereas_o indeed_o the_o latter_a call_v for_o great_a affection_n and_o elevation_n of_o spirit_n than_o the_o former_a praise_v be_v a_o great_a glorification_n of_o god_n than_o prayer_n and_o indeed_o than_o any_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n this_o i_o may_v make_v appear_v from_o several_a ground_n of_o argument_n but_o not_o to_o burden_n my_o discourse_n or_o your_o patience_n with_o unnecessary_n i_o shall_v confine_v myself_o to_o this_o single_a consideration_n that_o to_o praise_n and_o give_v thanks_o to_o god_n be_v the_o most_o unselfish_a and_o disinterest_v act_n of_o religion_n we_o can_v possible_o honour_v he_o with_o and_o consequent_o the_o most_o noble_a and_o generous_a of_o all_o the_o consequence_n i_o suppose_v will_v ready_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o if_o it_o be_v real_o the_o most_o this_fw-mi interest_v act_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v also_o the_o most_o noble_a and_o excellent_a for_o the_o less_o there_o be_v of_o self_n and_o the_o more_o there_o be_v of_o god_n in_o any_o religious_a performance_n the_o more_o perfect_a it_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v and_o though_o we_o do_v not_o with_o some_o make_v it_o necessary_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o a_o action_n that_o it_o be_v unmercenary_a and_o do_v without_o any_o prospect_n of_o reward_n yet_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o be_v too_o high_a a_o mark_n for_o a_o mortal_a aim_n we_o think_v it_o a_o measure_n hardly_o practicable_a by_o any_o and_o therefore_o not_o necessary_a to_o all_o not_o deny_v in_o the_o mean_a while_n but_o
rather_o suppose_v that_o if_o we_o can_v act_v by_o such_o a_o measure_n it_o will_v be_v a_o high_a and_o more_o noble_a pitch_n of_o virtue_n take_v therefore_o the_o argument_n for_o grant_v i_o shall_v think_v myself_o further_o concern_v only_o to_o justify_v the_o vnder-proposition_n by_o show_v that_o it_o be_v real_o the_o most_o disinterest_v part_n of_o religion_n now_o that_o it_o be_v so_o will_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o this_o that_o it_o respect_v the_o benefit_n of_o god_n mere_o as_o they_o be_v pass_v it_o have_v indeed_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o its_o object_n as_o well_o as_o many_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n but_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o whereas_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n respect_v the_o benefit_n of_o god_n as_o they_o be_v to_o come_v this_o respect_v they_o as_o pass_v and_o consequent_o can_v have_v no_o eye_n upon_o future_a advantage_n he_o indeed_o that_o give_v thanks_o may_v but_o not_o as_o and_o so_o far_o as_o he_o give_v thanks_o it_o may_v be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o agent_n but_o not_o of_o the_o action_n for_o observe_v though_o to_o give_v thanks_o for_o blessing_n receive_v be_v real_o a_o mean_n to_o procure_v more_o as_o well_o as_o other_o religious_a act_n yet_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n that_o other_o act_n be_v not_o only_a mean_n to_o blessing_n but_o may_v be_v use_v as_o such_o to_o that_o end_n without_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o act_n themselves_o but_o now_o gratitude_n towards_o god_n though_o it_o be_v real_o in_o itself_o as_o much_o a_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o future_a blessing_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v use_v and_o intend_v to_o that_o purpose_n without_o so_o far_o undo_v the_o very_a nature_n as_o well_o as_o excellency_n of_o the_o action_n for_o if_o i_o give_v thanks_o mere_o to_o get_v more_o if_o that_o be_v my_o design_n this_o be_v not_o gratitude_n but_o only_o another_o way_n of_o beg_v and_o so_o my_o praise_v will_v indeed_o fall_v in_o and_o be_v confound_v with_o pray_v which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v distinct_a so_o that_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o thanksgiving_n exclude_v all_o regard_n to_o self-interest_n and_o what_o some_o highflown_a theorist_n have_v assert_v of_o virtue_n in_o general_n that_o it_o lose_v its_o very_a be_v and_o perfection_n by_o be_v mercenary_a or_o do_v upon_o motive_n of_o interest_n be_v strict_o true_a of_o this_o particular_a virtue_n who_o very_a idea_n shut_v out_o all_o respect_n to_o self-advantage_n the_o short_a be_v this_o virtue_n of_o thankfulness_n though_o it_o be_v conversant_a about_o the_o goodness_n and_o beneficialness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v also_o suppose_a to_o be_v actual_o exercise_v upon_o we_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o respect_v it_o in_o order_n to_o our_o interest_n but_o as_o it_o be_v a_o moral_a perfection_n of_o the_o same_o divine_a nature_n and_o so_o be_v rather_o a_o humble_a acknowledgement_n of_o something_o excellent_a in_o god_n who_o perfection_n we_o adore_v and_o bear_v witness_n to_o than_o a_o address_n to_o he_o for_o something_o of_o advantage_n to_o ourselves_o which_o as_o i_o say_v before_o its_o very_a idea_n exclude_v and_o can_v at_o all_o comport_v with_o but_o now_o this_o be_v more_o than_o can_v be_v say_v of_o any_o of_o the_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n when_o we_o pray_v it_o be_v for_o the_o relief_n of_o our_o want_n our_o faith_n jean_n upon_o some_o future_a good_a and_o our_o hope_n be_v a_o comfortable_a expectation_n of_o it_o and_o even_o charity_n itself_o as_o it_o respect_v god_n have_v a_o mixture_n of_o self-regard_n in_o it_o i_o say_v as_o far_o as_o it_o respect_v god_n for_o it_o must_v be_v yield_v whatever_o some_o pretend_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o there_o be_v some_o sort_n of_o love_n which_o may_v be_v disinteressed_n and_o pure_a from_o any_o selfish_a principle_n namely_o love_v of_o benevolence_n whereby_o we_o may_v wish_v well_o and_o do_v well_o to_o our_o neighbour_n pure_o for_o his_o good_a without_o project_v any_o advantage_n to_o ourselves_o but_o then_o this_o be_v not_o that_o love_n wherewith_o we_o love_v god_n who_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o our_o benevolence_n but_o only_o of_o our_o desire_n for_o when_o we_o love_v god_n we_o do_v pretend_v to_o wish_v any_o good_a to_o he_o who_o be_v already_o possess_v of_o all_o but_o only_o wish_v he_o as_o a_o good_a to_o ourselves_o which_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o desire_v he_o charity_n therefore_o as_o it_o respect_v god_n be_v the_o same_o with_o desire_n of_o he_o and_o all_o love_n of_o desire_n be_v found_v upon_o indigence_n and_o proceed_v from_o self-interest_n so_o inconsistent_a and_o unprincipled_a be_v the_o discourse_n of_o those_o who_o talk_v of_o love_v god_n pure_o for_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o absolute_a perfection_n without_o regard_v our_o own_o advantage_n therein_o we_o may_v indeed_o love_v our_o neighbour_n so_o but_o so_o we_o can_v love_v god_n for_o to_o love_n god_n be_v to_o desire_v he_o to_o desire_v he_o as_o our_o good_a and_o happiness_n and_o all_o love_n of_o desire_n proceed_v from_o want_n and_o end_n in_o fullness_n and_o if_o love_v itself_o must_v give_v the_o precedency_n to_o thanksgiving_n i_o suppose_v none_o of_o the_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n will_v offer_v at_o a_o competition_n with_o it_o but_o you_o will_v say_v do_v not_o our_o saviour_n 22.38_o call_v love_n the_o first_o and_o the_o great_a commandment_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o by_o love_n there_o be_v mean_v either_o love_n of_o benevolence_n or_o love_n of_o desire_n if_o love_n of_o benevolence_n that_o be_v no_o immediate_a act_n of_o religion_n god_n not_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v so_o love_v as_o be_v urge_v before_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v allow_v this_o to_o be_v the_o principal_a commandment_n without_o any_o contradiction_n to_o the_o present_a discourse_n which_o proceed_v whole_o concern_v act_n of_o religion_n but_o if_o the_o love_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v love_n of_o desire_n than_o this_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o first_o and_o the_o great_a commandment_n not_o because_o it_o excel_v all_o the_o rest_n by_o its_o own_o proper_a value_n but_o because_o it_o virtual_o contain_v and_o be_v productive_a of_o they_o all_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o difficult_a or_o natural_o displease_v which_o he_o that_o true_o love_v that_o be_v desire_v god_n will_v refuse_v to_o do_v for_o his_o sake_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o in_o another_o place_n love_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n that_o be_v virtual_o and_o 10._o potential_o as_o it_o be_v a_o general_a mother_n virtue_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o a_o more_o particular_a and_o special_a obedience_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n indeed_o love_n be_v the_o first_o and_o the_o great_a commandment_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o proper_a dignity_n and_o excellence_n of_o the_o action_n he_o that_o praise_v god_n honour_v he_o more_o and_o express_v himself_o more_o generous_o than_o he_o that_o love_v he_o for_o he_o that_o love_v god_n love_v he_o for_o his_o own_o good_a in_o order_n to_o his_o happiness_n and_o well-being_n but_o he_o that_o praise_n he_o so_o far_o as_o he_o do_v so_o do_v it_o not_o upon_o any_o self-end_n but_o mere_o because_o he_o think_v it_o just_a and_o equitable_a that_o a_o creature_n shall_v acknowledge_v and_o adore_v the_o excellency_n of_o his_o creator_n which_o certain_o be_v the_o noble_a as_o well_o as_o the_o just_a thing_n a_o creature_n can_v do_v indeed_o love_n be_v the_o only_a divine_a or_o religious_a virtue_n that_o can_v with_o any_o pretence_n vie_v with_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o according_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o of_o all_o the_o virtuous_a act_n and_o habit_n that_o be_v now_o requisite_a to_o quality_n a_o man_n for_o heaven_n none_o shall_v be_v think_v worthy_a to_o be_v retain_v in_o it_o but_o only_o these_o two_o praise_n and_o 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judge_n in_o the_o case_n any_o more_o than_o the_o sense_n itself_o be_v of_o a_o intellectual_a object_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v spiritual_o discern_v by_o a_o certain_a divine_a taste_n and_o sensation_n which_o be_v a_o faculty_n which_o these_o man_n want_v the_o other_o thing_n i_o shall_v commend_v to_o the_o sensualist_n be_v this_o that_o since_o he_o be_v too_o scrupulous_a and_o sceptical_a to_o take_v our_o word_n for_o it_o he_o will_v endeavour_v after_o such_o a_o degree_n at_o least_o of_o spiritual_a purification_n as_o to_o try_v the_o experiment_n that_o as_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v he_o will_v taste_v and_o see_v how_o good_a and_o pleasant_a this_o heavenly_a conversation_n be_v and_o then_o i_o be_o much_o mistake_a if_o he_o do_v not_o find_v that_o all_o the_o madness_n lie_v on_o his_o side_n if_o